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Last Update: Friday, September 04, 2009 |
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Argentina rules on marijuana use The supreme court in Argentina
has ruled that it is unconstitutional to punish people for using
marijuana for personal consumption. The decision follows a case of
five young men who were arrested with a few marijuana cigarette Argentine farmers resume strikes Argentine farmers resume strikes as part of a bitter dispute with the government over taxes on soya bean exports China admits organs removed from prisoners for transplants Bomb attack wounds 18 in southern Thailand Suspected Muslim insurgents detonated a car bomb outside a crowded open-air restaurant during lunchtime Wednesday, wounding 18 people, an army official said. Pakistan destroys suicide bomber training camp U.S. Accuses Pakistan Of Illegally Modifying American-Made Missiles US is monitoring journalists in Afghanistan Taliban Denies Involvement in August 25 Kandahar Attack In a brief communiqué issued on August 26, 2009, Taliban spokesman Qari Mohammed Yousuf condemned the lethal truck bombing that took place the previous day in Kandahar and denied any Taliban involvement in the incident... To View The Full ... Conservative Pundit George Will Calls For U.S. Ground Troops To Leave Afghanistan Israeli Settlers Push Palestinians to Sleep on the Street 'No foreign link' in Iran unrest Iran's supreme leader has said he does not believe opposition leaders blamed for the country's post-election unrest were knowing agents of foreign powers. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's comments contradict accusations Qaeda claims responsibility for Iraq blasts Iranian Artillery Bombards the Iraq Border Areas Intensively Informed source said that Iranian artillery since the evening of Sunday, until now, are bombarding heavily border areas in the province of Kurdistan in northern Iraq. (PUK media) mentioned on the source, who explained that Iranian artillery had shelled |
War in Sudan's Darfur 'is over'
The war in Darfur, which has killed up to 300,000 people, is over,
says the UN's military commander there. City [UK] regulator seeks to deflate financial sector with global tax The head of Britain’s City watchdog supports the idea of new global taxes on financial transactions, warning that a “swollen” financial sector paying excessive salaries has grown too big for society. Adair Turner Russia queries Arctic Sea cargo Russia says for the first time that a ship which went missing in mysterious circumstances may have had sensitive cargo Teen Neo-Nazi Arrested in Moscow Bomb Plot Russian teen arrested for plotting to blow-up several crowded locations around Moscow. Top cleric calls Iran a dictatorship Iran's most senior dissident cleric on Wednesday criticized the ruling system under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a dictatorship in the name of Islam. GAZA STRIP: Israel launches air raid after rocket fired from Gaza 2 bombs explode in Gaza compound, outside mosque UAE 'seizes N Korea arms cargo' The United Arab Emirates has seized a ship illegally carrying North Korean weapons bound for Iran Saudi counterterror czar targeted in attack The man in charge of Saudi Arabia’s counter-terrorism campaign was slightly wounded in a terrorist attack Thursday. As a favorite of U.S. intelligence, the brazenness of the attempted assassination is significant because his loss would have been a major victory for al-Qaida...Bomber who attacked Saudi prince came from Yemen...Al Qaeda claims responsibility for Saudi attack Iraq suspends removal of blast walls After last week’s bomb attacks in Baghdad, officials have suspended a decision to remove many of the towering blast walls cordoning the Iraqi capital, civilian spokesman for Imposing Law Operation Tahsin Al Shaykhali said. Concrete walls are part of the security plans. While security has CIA sacked Baghdad station chief after deaths of 2 detainees |
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US Headlines |
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9/11 planner becomes key asset for CIA After enduring the CIA's
harshest interrogation methods, Khalid Sheik Mohammed stood before
U.S. intelligence officers in a makeshift lecture hall, leading what
they called "terrorist tutorials." CIA interrogators got little training Interrogators went too far, even beyond the wide latitude they were given under the Bush administration's flexible guidelines, according to newly unclassified documents. Newly-Declassified CIA Histories Show Its Involvement in Every Aspect of the Indochina War The Central Intelligence Agency participated in every aspect of the wars in Indochina, political and military, according to newly declassified CIA histories. The six volumes of formerly secret histories (the Agency's belated response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by National Security Archive senior fellow John Prados) document CIA activities in South and North Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia in unprecedented detail. The histories contain a great deal of new material and shed light on aspects of the CIA's work that were not well known or were poorly understood. The new revelations include: US discloses few lobbyist meetings President Barack Obama ordered federal officials to disclose their contacts with lobbyists trying to influence how the government doles out money to jump-start the economy. Yet few such communications have been reported even though lobbyists say they are busier than ever with the multibillion-dollar stimulus. Gays aren't in protected class, Utah Gov. Herbert says Gays aren't in protected class, Utah Gov. Herbert says U.S. agents recruiting Mexican drug figures The United States is recruiting Mexican drug figures, bringing them north and causing friction among agencies
16 indicted in California
drug-smuggling probe
Lobstermen Caught Up In Violent Fishing Disputes For lobstermen in Maine, squabbles over territory are nothing new. Scores often are settled at sea, sometimes violently. But a recent shooting on land, followed by the sinking of two lobster boats, suggests that long-standing tensions are escalating. Judge rules that he, too, can grant access to U.S. secrets In a highly unusual legal step, a federal judge has ordered the government to grant an attorney a security clearance so he can represent a disgruntled former narcotics officer in a lawsuit against a former CIA officer. FTC Banning Some Kinds Of Robocalls Americans tired of having their dinners interrupted by phone calls touting car warranties or vacation packages will soon get some relief US Speeds Up Disposal of Deadly Chemical Stockpile The aging arsenal at the Blue Grass Army Depot contains 523 tons of liquid VX and sarin -- lethal nerve agents produced during the Cold War -- and mustard, a blister agent that caused horrific casualties in World War I... Bailed-Out Financial Firms Forked Over $6 Million To Members Of Congress Since November
FDIC: More Banks on the Brink FDIC
reports 416 banks are on its "problem list",
the most in 15 years. FDIC eases rules for private buys of banks As Big Banks Repay Bailout Money, U.S. Sees a ProfitSEC explanation on Merrill deal ‘puzzling’ A federal judge raised fresh questions about the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s settlement with Bank of America over bonus disclosures, calling the regulator’s explanation for why it did not charge individuals ‘puzzling’Judge Wants SEC To Explain Why It Didn't Investigate BofA In Merrill Deal |
As Obama Golfs with UBS CEO Days After Firm Avoids
Criminal Prosecution, UBS Whistleblower Given 40-Month Jail Term
NE Wingnuts Cheer Defender of Socialism At a townhall forum in
Omaha, NE, right-wingers cheer the comments of a woman who is afraid
Rep. Pete Olson Booed For Suggesting Baby Would Die Under Public Option McCain furthers 'death panel' for vets myth Employee Free Choice Act Off The Table For Now Study: Medical Scans Lead To High Doses Of Radiation For Patients...More Than Maximum Annual Exposure Allowed For Nuclear Power Plant Employees Forest Service warning called racial profiling A federal warning to beware of campers in national forests who drink Tecate beer because they could be armed marijuana growers is racial profiling, an advocate for Hispanic rights said Friday Forest Service warning called racial profiling A federal warning to beware of campers in national forests who drink Tecate beer because they could be armed marijuana growers is racial profiling, an advocate for Hispanic rights said Friday Denver may lower marijuana possession penalty to $1 Cyber-gangs are raiding U.S. companies' bank accounts Scammers from Eastern Europe typically install malware and pull money out in increments, a financial industry group says. One Texas firm lost $1.2 million, and a school district had $700,000 stolen Military terminates Rendon contract The U.S. military is canceling its contract with a controversial private firm that was producing background profiles of journalists seeking to cover the war that graded their past work as “positive,” “negative” or “neutral, Violent’ Somali militants woo Americans Details are emerging about how terrorists in Somalia have lured young American men — including as many as 20 from Minnesota — back to their homeland to join their jihad. Ohio soldier made 2 calls to mom telling of abuse (before committing suicide)
US-Colombia Bases Deal Could Fuel Arms Purchases As military
spending soars in South America, Venezuela-Colombia dispute is
unwelcome news Secret 2007 Presentation Alerted World Finance Leaders Of Coming Collapse it now turns out that they were all given a secret 60-minute presentation which warned of the dangers of toxic US subprime loans infecting banks across the world - and the risk they posed to the entire global financial system. Jim Chanos, the hedge fund chief who made his name predicting the collapse of Enron, was invited along with fellow hedgie Paul Singer to brief Gordon Brown (then Chancellor) et al. Hedge funds (along with private equity firms) were being targeted by Europeans as the devil incarnate and so were invited by the American govt to put their case. One Nation, Two National Economies The problem remains that improvement has been heavily concentrated in the upper tiers of the economy. These folks are over-represented in the media and public consciousness. Our celebrity worship, athlete obsession and overwhelming disinterest in real people's material conditions all speak to this. The bottom 80% of Americans are suffering, their children are suffering. People's lives and conditions are not getting better. Sooner or later, this produces disaster. The divergence of fortunes was a significant cause of the great crash from 2007-2009. There Are More Slaves Today Than at Any Time in Human History One writer spent four years inside the world of modern-day slavery; an industry that produces huge profits and countless wasted lives. |
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Connecticut |
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U.S. Prosecutor From New Haven To Lead
Investigation Into CIA John Durham, a
career federal prosecutor from New Haven,
was appointed Monday to investigate whether
the CIA or its employees broke the law by
using overly aggressive techniques when
interrogating overseas terror suspects.
Rell, Blumenthal Oppose Ash Landfill In Franklin Gov. M. Jodi Rell and Attorney General Richard Blumenthal on Wednesday raised the ante in a campaign by residents and lawmakers in southeastern Connecticut to stop the state's trash agency from putting an ash landfill in Franklin, near the Shetucket River CT Drug War Nine Arrested In Undercover Drug Bust The New Haven Register reports: A father and son were among nine people arrested on drug charges as the result of a three-month undercover investigation by Orange, Woodbridge and State Police. More arrests are expected to be made. Budget and Taxes
State targets UBS tax cheats After the revelations by Swiss
banking giant UBS that it had helped thousands of U.S. citizens
avoid taxes, Gov. M. Jodi Rell on Wednesday ordered an investigation
Rell's New Plan: Tax Millionaires, Eliminate Inheritance Tax In
a sharp reversal from her stances since February, Rell would raise
the state income tax to 6.5 percent on couples earning more than $1
million per year and individuals earning more than $500,000 per
year. The current maximum rate is 5 percent.
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Military officials, low-flying jet raise
Rell’s ire Gov. M.
Jodi Rell
wrote a letter of complaint Friday to
military officials in Virginia over the
“outrageous” lack of communication that
resulted in a low-flying F-18 fighter jet
setting off alarms — literally and
figuratively — as it went over North Haven,
Wallingford and other communities.
2 Madison schools on bottled water for now Town gets $54G in grants to buy police guns, carSchool board spends $5G for meals at meetings Conn. campaign finance law ruled unconstitutional Blumenthal, Rell Will Appeal Campaign Finance Reform Ruling Blumenthal says Latinos were victims of predatory lending scheme State's SAT scores hold steady, but participation declining Conn. diocese wants Scalia to look at case A diocese that has fought to block release of documents generated by lawsuits against priests for alleged abuse wants conservative a Supreme Court justice to take up the case Liquor Stores Lobby Customers for Sunday Sales Machinists to Rally Pratt to Keep Jobs Pratt & Whitney has to decide whether to eliminate as many as 1,000 jobs in Connecticut. Members of the machinists union don’t want to see that happen, because that would put many of them out of work. So, they plan to rally Friday at the company. |
| United States | |
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Greed Guilty plea in $31 million Ponzi scheme Former Stanford Financial CFO details fraud, lies and bribes In a stunning blow to billionaire Allen Stanford, the chief financial officer of his collapsed empire told prosecutors that his boss had been stealing from investors for decades while paying bribes to regulators and even performing blood oaths never to reveal his secrets. Security Issues
US-Colombia Bases Deal Could Fuel Arms Purchases As military
spending soars in South America, Venezuela-Colombia dispute is
unwelcome news Tijuana men arrested in border fence theft Six men suspected of stealing pieces of the U.S.-Mexico border fence were arrested Possible leak at Army chemical weapons depot Ohio soldier made 2 calls to mom telling of abuse (before committing suicide) WHO says swine flu down in Southern Hemisphere The World Health Organization said Friday that swine flu infections are declining in the Southern Hemisphere as its seasonal flu period comes to an end and the pandemic shifts back north. US Speeds Up Disposal of Deadly Chemical Stockpile The aging arsenal at the Blue Grass Army Depot contains 523 tons of liquid VX and sarin -- lethal nerve agents produced during the Cold War -- and mustard, a blister agent that caused horrific casualties in World War I... Miami customs agents find S. African insect never before seen in U.S. Violent’ Somali militants woo Americans Details are emerging about how terrorists in Somalia have lured young American men — including as many as 20 from Minnesota — back to their homeland to join their jihad. Google Maps the Speed of Back Roads Google Maps begins to chart traffic speed on smaller roads Courts Judge rules that he, too, can grant access to U.S. secrets In a highly unusual legal step, a federal judge has ordered the government to grant an attorney a security clearance so he can represent a disgruntled former narcotics officer in a lawsuit against a former CIA officer. Feds Wrong To Seize MLB Drug List, Court Rules In a 9-2 vote, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said agents were wrong to seize the infamous drug list and samples of 104 Major League Baseball players who allegedly tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003. Investigators had a warrant for only 10 drug test results. Education
Are Print Textbooks Becoming Obsolete?
College professors
take their lesson plans into the digital realm.
Death Penalty Report: Faulty Fire Investigation Led to Execution A fire investigation that led to the execution of a man in the deaths of his three young children was so seriously flawed that its conclusion of arson can't be supported, a fire expert hired by the state said in a new report. Drug War Denver may lower marijuana possession penalty to $1
Mexico's softer
stance on drugs
worries U.S.
U.S. agents
recruiting
Mexican drug
figures The
United States is
recruiting
Mexican drug
figures,
bringing them
north and
causing friction
among agencies
16 indicted in California drug-smuggling
probe
Feds crack down on drug-smuggling trains Thousands of pounds of drugs arrive in the U.S. by freight train every year. Now the federal government says it's time American rail companies cracked down on their Mexican business partners. Seven slain at Ga. trailer park Gang Violence On The Rise On Indian Reservations Environment Environmental, Racial Clash In Alabama Over Tennessee Coal Ash Coast Guard proposes ballast water rules The Coast Guard on Thursday proposed national standards for regulating the release in port of ships' ballast water, which can introduce new, sometimes detrimental species to U.S. ecosystems. Offshore wind farm in Atlantic at least a year away Environmental, Racial Clash In Alabama Over Tennessee Coal Ash |
Record Casts New Light On Doctors, Nurses Involved In Katrina
Hospital Deaths
Doctor admits euthanizing patients during Katrina Media Is It Time To Watch For A "Daily Show Document Dump?" the much anticipated torture documents were finally released on the first Monday of the show's hiatus, I think it would be unwise to suggest anything nefarious behind the timing. Right? I mean, to suggest that the torture documents were released to avoid the commentary of one of the media's few, reliable, anti-torture voices...this would be pure paranoia! The Associated Press, June 18, 2009: "If we become a fact-finder for political enemies, they aren't going to cooperate," Justice Department attorney Jeffrey Smith said during a 90-minute hearing. "I don't want a future vice president to say, 'I'm not going to cooperate with you because I don't want to be fodder for 'The Daily Show.'" Black man becomes white in Microsoft advert gaffe Apple and AT&T 'struck VoIP deal' In a response to a federal inquiry, telecoms firm AT&T admits it had a deal with Apple to limit voice over IP applications As boycott continues, Glenn Beck's audience swells Time Warner Cable To Test TV On The Web U.S. is 15 years behind South Korea in Internet speed (also behind 27 other countries) FCC Diversity Chief Says Republican Communications Policies Hurt Civil Rights Mark Lloyd, chief diversity officer at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), claimed that communications policies enacted by Republicans negatively impacted the civil rights of minorities. US regulators launch telecoms probe Regulators launched a broad assault on the US mobile phone industry, announcing an investigation into competition in the sector dominated by the ‘big four’ wireless network operators: AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel and Deutsche Telekom’s T-Mobile USA unit FTC Banning Some Kinds Of Robocalls Americans tired of having their dinners interrupted by phone calls touting car warranties or vacation packages will soon get some relief Military terminates Rendon contract The U.S. military is canceling its contract with a controversial private firm that was producing background profiles of journalists seeking to cover the war that graded their past work as “positive,” “negative” or “neutral,
Police/Prison
Man Dies After Being Tasered By At LA Subway Station Cyber-gangs are raiding U.S. companies' bank accounts Scammers from Eastern Europe typically install malware and pull money out in increments, a financial industry group says. One Texas firm lost $1.2 million, and a school district had $700,000 stolen. Miami-Dade police: Fake cop targets immigrants Lobstermen Caught Up In Violent Fishing Disputes For lobstermen in Maine, squabbles over territory are nothing new. Scores often are settled at sea, sometimes violently. But a recent shooting on land, followed by the sinking of two lobster boats, suggests that long-standing tensions are escalating. Bags containing body parts found in Brooklyn Civil Rights Girl Wears Anti-Islam T-Shirt to School Gays aren't in protected class, Utah Gov. Herbert says Texas liquor board fires 2 agents and their boss over raid at Fort Worth gay bar No Stripes or Flowers: Extreme Dress Code? More than 150 students have been suspended for wearing innocuous clothing. Third-party safety tests not required for Mattel Toy-makers, clothing manufacturers and other companies selling products for young children are submitting samples to independent laboratories for safety tests. But the nation's largest toy maker, Mattel, isn't being required to do the same. Facebook to give Canadian users more privacy Facebook is agreeing to give users more control over their information in response to concerns raised by Canadian privacy officials. Forest Service warning called racial profiling A federal warning to beware of campers in national forests who drink Tecate beer because they could be armed marijuana growers is racial profiling, an advocate for Hispanic rights said Friday |
| Science | History Resources |
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Study: Medical Scans Lead To High Doses Of Radiation For Patients...More
Than Maximum Annual Exposure Allowed For Nuclear Power Plant
Employees Single molecule's stunning image Researchers have imaged single molecules in unprecedented detail, showing the chemical bonds that hold them together. Cellphones Cause Brain Tumors, Report Says |
Scientists
in Pacific 'garbage patch' Suicidal Planet Seems On Death Spiral Into Star Monkeys have two mothers Scientists have produced monkeys with genetic material from two mothers, an advance that could help women with some inherited diseases have healthy children but that raises safety, legal, ethical, and social questions. |
| Politics | Political Resources |
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Senate Senator Kennedy has died of brain cancer at age 77....Chappaquiddick: No 'Profile in Courage' Sen. Ted Kennedy's silver record tarnished by ghosts of 1969 fatal crash. Reid: Employee Free Choice Act Off The Table For Now McCain Whacks Cheney: Torture Violated Law, Helped The Terrorists House Updated with video: GOP Rep. uses blatantly racist phrase Barney Frank: Fed Audit Bill Will Pass House In Fall Obama Source: Bill Richardson To Be Cleared In Fed Pay-To-Play Probe Baraknaphobia Obama Is A Communist Yelled @ Town Hall Rep. McCarthy Smiles Pastor Of Gun-Toter At Obama Event Prayed For Obama To Die McCain Evicts Angry Woman From Town Hall Stimulus ‘Clunkers’ moved almost 700,000 new cars Stimulus Checks Mistakenly Sent To 1,700 Inmates DHS: Senators did not influence stimulus decisions The Obama administration said Friday that two Democratic senators falsely took credit for steering millions of dollars to projects in their home state, even as officials acknowledged that the Homeland Security secretary met with the lawmakers and discussed financing the projects. US discloses few lobbyist meetings President Barack Obama ordered federal officials to disclose their contacts with lobbyists trying to influence how the government doles out money to jump-start the economy. Yet few such communications have been reported even though lobbyists say they are busier than ever with the multibillion-dollar stimulus. Paying taxes on Clunker cash Question 1. Do you have to claim the money in the Cash for Clunkers program you received as income in your tax returns for next year? Treasury/Federal Reserve/Bailouts/SEC/IRS/FDIC
FDIC: More Banks on the Brink FDIC reports 416 banks are on its
"problem list", the most in 15 years.
SEC, States Question Whether Campaign Dollars Bought Pension Fund
Deals
SEC explanation on Merrill deal ‘puzzling’ A federal judge
raised fresh questions about the US Securities and Exchange
Commission’s settlement with Bank of America over bonus disclosures,
calling the regulator’s explanation for why it did not charge
individuals ‘puzzling’Judge Wants SEC To Explain Why It Didn't Investigate BofA In Merrill
Deal
Subprime Lenders Get Taxpayer Aid Many of the lenders eligible
to receive billions of dollars from the government's massive
foreclosure prevention program helped fuel the housing crisis by
issuing risky subprime loans, according to a report to be issued
Wednesday by the Center for Public Integrity. |
Health Insurance Unions Join Whole Foods Boycott Fray Two unions have now joined in the growing chorus decrying Whole Foods' CEO John Mackey and suggesting a boycott of the store. Two weeks ago, Mackey penned a controversial op-ed in the Wall Street Journal VA ends Gulf War illness research contract Citing persistent compliance and performance deficiencies, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs canceled a $75 million, five-year research contract with a Texas medical center studying illnesses suffered by veterans of the first Gulf War McCain furthers 'death panel' for vets myth Rep. Pete Olson Booed For Suggesting Baby Would Die Under Public Option RNC chairman snaps at NPR reporter's tough question Private Insurer Also Provides "Death Panel" Coverage
NE Wingnuts Cheer Defender of Socialism At a townhall forum in
Omaha, NE, right-wingers cheer the comments of a woman who is afraid
GITMO/Bahgram/CIA-Blacksites Report reveals yet another unapproved CIA interrogation method: The hard takedown Teen Gitmo Detainee To Sue US... Lithuania probe into 'CIA prison' Lithuania launches an inquiry into allegations in the US media that it hosted a secret CIA prison for al-Qaeda suspects. Guantanamo inmates' Portugal move Gitmo judge bars defense from secret CIA prisons Lawyers for a Guantanamo prisoner charged in the Sept. 11 attack do not need to visit secret CIA prisons where he was once held since the sites have likely changed and are no longer relevant, a military judge ruled. Newly-Declassified CIA Histories Show Its Involvement in Every Aspect of the Indochina War The Central Intelligence Agency participated in every aspect of the wars in Indochina, political and military, according to newly declassified CIA histories. The six volumes of formerly secret histories (the Agency's belated response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by National Security Archive senior fellow John Prados) document CIA activities in South and North Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia in unprecedented detail. The histories contain a great deal of new material and shed light on aspects of the CIA's work that were not well known or were poorly understood. The new revelations include: CIA interrogators got little training Interrogators went too far, even beyond the wide latitude they were given under the Bush administration's flexible guidelines, according to newly unclassified documents. 9/11 planner becomes key asset for CIA After enduring the CIA's harshest interrogation methods, Khalid Sheik Mohammed stood before U.S. intelligence officers in a makeshift lecture hall, leading what they called "terrorist tutorials." Panetta: CIA Will Pay Grillers' Legal Bills CIA Director Leon Panetta will make sure his people don't get stuck with huge legal bills if they are prosecuted.
Lobbying
Bailed-Out Financial Firms Forked Over $6 Million To Members Of Congress Since November Some Politicos Distance Themselves From Embattled Hassan Nemazee, But Not All. Yet. Embattled political financier Hassan Nemazee, who faces decades in prison after federal authorities arrested him Tuesday for allegedly attempting to secure a fraudulent loan from Citigroup, has donated money to 75 federal political candidates, a Center for Responsive Politics analysis indicates. |
| Economy | Click for Economic Statistics |
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Big beermakers to raise prices The nation's biggest brewers said
Tuesday they plan to raise prices this fall, even as some of their
top brands are seeing sales volume drop. Anheuser-Busch, maker of
Bud Light and Budweiser, and MillerCoors, maker of Blue Moon Secret 2007 Presentation Alerted World Finance Leaders Of Coming Collapse it now turns out that they were all given a secret 60-minute presentation which warned of the dangers of toxic US subprime loans infecting banks across the world - and the risk they posed to the entire global financial system. Jim Chanos, the hedge fund chief who made his name predicting the collapse of Enron, was invited along with fellow hedgie Paul Singer to brief Gordon Brown (then Chancellor) et al. Hedge funds (along with private equity firms) were being targeted by Europeans as the devil incarnate and so were invited by the American govt to put their case. US home prices up as deficit soars Fall in US GDP less than predicted 'Crude': The Film Chevron Doesn't Want You to See The new film exposes an environmental tragedy experts call the "Amazon Chernobyl," and believe is the worst case of oil-related contamination ever. OAS: Any Honduran deal must restore ousted leader S&P 500 up 52% since March Stocks hit bull-run on oil and gas as US Dollar, treasuries slump. Utah Secures 4-Day Work Week... 8 Items To Carry When Traveling With Kids Lori Wadsworth, a researcher at Brigham Young University, surveyed Utah workers who’ve transitioned to the 4 x 10 schedule and found that 82 percent prefer it. And, according to Wadsworth, “Utah employees actually show decreased health complaints, less stress, and fewer sick days.” And while absenteeism has dropped, productivity and quality of service have improved—customer complaints, for example, at state agencies like the DMV are down. Early evidence seems to quell the initial fears that 10-hour workdays would “burn out” employees. |
Postal Service to Offer Buyouts to as Many
as 30,000 Workers
New Home Sales Blast Past Expectations Paul Krugman: We Are In Economic "Purgatory" (VIDEO) One Nation, Two National Economies The problem remains that improvement has been heavily concentrated in the upper tiers of the economy. These folks are over-represented in the media and public consciousness. Our celebrity worship, athlete obsession and overwhelming disinterest in real people's material conditions all speak to this. The bottom 80% of Americans are suffering, their children are suffering. People's lives and conditions are not getting better. Sooner or later, this produces disaster. The divergence of fortunes was a significant cause of the great crash from 2007-2009. There Are More Slaves Today Than at Any Time in Human History One writer spent four years inside the world of modern-day slavery; an industry that produces huge profits and countless wasted lives. Re-Appointed Fed Chief Ben Bernanke Didn't Get Us Out of the Economic Crisis, He Helped Cause It Oil tumbles from 10-month peak on profit-taking Oil prices fell 3 percent on Tuesday as dealers rushed to take profits from a rally that had culminated in a 10-month peak earlier in the day. USA: 'Real' unemployment as high as 16%, says Fed official Shorters’ retreat helps fuel volatility Short sellers have been deserting the US stock market in droves during its sluggish summer sessions in a retreat that has helped fuel the recent volatile trading in AIG and other beaten-down financial shares, analysts said |
| Iraq | Map of Iraq |
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Iraq’s Al-Hakim, Head of Largest Shiite Party, Dies In will, late Shiite leader asks Iraqis to unite Revered Iraqi Shiite leader Abdul Aziz al-Hakim asked for in death what he pushed for in life: a united Iraq. US Depleted Uranium Still Harming Iraq Qaeda claims responsibility for Iraq blasts Iraq suspends removal of blast walls After last week’s bomb attacks in Baghdad, officials have suspended a decision to remove many of the towering blast walls cordoning the Iraqi capital, civilian spokesman for Imposing Law Operation Tahsin Al Shaykhali said. Concrete walls are part of the security plans. While security has Iranian Artillery Bombards the Iraq Border Areas Intensively Informed source said that Iranian artillery since the evening of Sunday, until now, are bombarding heavily border areas in the province of Kurdistan in northern Iraq. (PUK media) mentioned on the source, who explained that Iranian artillery had shelled Iraq Okays Controversial Sinopec Oil Rights Deal Iraq has approved a deal that would see China’s Sinopec Group acquire controversial oil rights in northern Iraq through its purchase of Swiss oil giant Addax Petroleum, Chinese media said yesterday. |
Iraq to hold second
oil bidding round
Iraqi who threw shoes at Bush to be released early Bombs Kill at Least 18 People in Iraq Sticky IED Explodes in Front of House of Oil Employee Ansar al-Sunna Cleric Detained in Diala Iraqi police forces on Wednesday arrested the cleric of the Ansar al-Sunna group in Diala province, according to a local media source. BP Wins Rumaila Field Oil License Round Marines won't seek new charges in Iraq killings The Marines won't reinstate charges against the highest-ranking officer accused of a crime in Iraq. CIA sacked Baghdad station chief after deaths of 2 detainees |
| Middle East | Map of the Middle East |
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PLO holds poll amid criticism Executive council headed by
Mahmoud Abbas to choose new leaders at West Bank meeting. Egypt: Israeli freeze must include east Jerusalem GAZA STRIP: Israel launches air raid after rocket fired from Gaza US seen easing Israeli settlement demands Blair accuses Israel of wrecking major PA economic project Israeli army seizes Palestinian radio transmittersIsraeli Settlers Push Palestinians to Sleep on the Street 2 bombs explode in Gaza compound, outside mosque Petition Against Hamas Decision To Impose Traditional Dress Yemeni troops kill 100 Huthi rebels Yemeni Authorities said that more than 100 Huthi rebels including two of their leaders were killed lately during a combing operation in town of Harf Sufyan North of the country. The government said that two of the rebellion leaders, Mohsen Saleh Gawd and Salah Jorman were killed Cartoon In 'Iran Daily': Saudi Support For Yemen Army In Suppressing Shi'ites Saudi counterterror czar targeted in attack The man in charge of Saudi Arabia’s counter-terrorism campaign was slightly wounded in a terrorist attack Thursday. As a favorite of U.S. intelligence, the brazenness of the attempted assassination is significant because his loss would have been a major victory for al-Qaida...Bomber who attacked Saudi prince came from Yemen...Al Qaeda claims responsibility for Saudi attack |
Hardline prosecutor in Iran trial fired Iran's new judiciary
chief has fired the hard-line prosecutor involved in the mass trial
of opposition activists charged with seeking to topple the ruling
system, state media reported Saturday. Iran ‘stonewalling’ nuclear watchdog agency Iran should shed light about "possible military dimensions" to its suspect nuclear program, the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency said Friday. Top cleric calls Iran a dictatorship Iran's most senior dissident cleric on Wednesday criticized the ruling system under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a dictatorship in the name of Islam. President of Iran pushes for arrest of top opposition leaders 'No foreign link' in Iran unrest Iran's supreme leader has said he does not believe opposition leaders blamed for the country's post-election unrest were knowing agents of foreign powers. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's comments contradict accusations UAE 'seizes N Korea arms cargo' The United Arab Emirates has seized a ship illegally carrying North Korean weapons bound for Iran Russia, Saudi set to finalise giant arms deal |
| Afghanistan | Map of Afghanistan |
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Second blast strikes Kandahar Shops ablaze after rocket attack
strikes centre of city, residents say. Group says reporters in Afghanistan monitored The International Federation of Journalists complained Wednesday that journalists covering the war in Afghanistan are being monitored by the U.S. military to see whether they are sympathetic to the American cause.The federation said journalists seeking to travel under the protection of U.S. forces in Afghanistan may be screened first by an American public relations firm to see if their coverage portrays the military in a positive light.“This profiling of journalists further compromises the independence of media,” Aidan White, general secretary of the Brussels-based federation, said in a statement.“ Afghan civilian deaths decline under new U.S. tactics |
Holbrooke, Karzai Have "Explosive Meeting" Over Afghan Election Abdullah Abdullah's Unmentioned History Abdullah Abdullah exemplifies a political chameleon in a country tortured by wars and violence. Fury at Nato's Afghan clinic raid An Afghan member of parliament condemns a Nato air strike on a clinic where a Taliban leader was being treated for his injuries. Taliban Denies Involvement in August 25 Kandahar Attack In a brief communiqué issued on August 26, 2009, Taliban spokesman Qari Mohammed Yousuf condemned the lethal truck bombing that took place the previous day in Kandahar and denied any Taliban involvement in the incident... To View The Full ... Conservative Pundit George Will Calls For U.S. Ground Troops To Leave Afghanistan |
| Pakistan | Map of Pakistan |
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Journalist shot dead in Pakistan Bodies found in Pakistan valley Marital visits for Pakistan jails Pakistan's top Islamic court rules that prisoners must have greater conjugal rights to curb rising levels of homosexual sex. Al-Qaeda 'Very Capable' of More Attacks: US Military |
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| North&South Asia | Map of Asia |
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China admits organs removed from prisoners for transplants
'Still no justice' in East Timor Victims of the 1999 violence in East Timor have yet to receive justice a decade after voting for independence, Amnesty says. Treatment of Aborigines 'racist' UN official criticises Australia's measures to fight child abuse and alcoholism in Aboriginal communities as discriminatory.
China urges U.S. to halt surveillance near its shores
Asia Tobacco Trade Fair Tests Thai Anti-Smoking Policies Thailand’s reputation as a South-east Asian country with strong anti-smoking laws is facing a direct challenge from the tobacco multinational companies, who are due to gather here in November for a major industry congress and exhibition. |
Call for more India nuclear tests India
should conduct further nuclear tests to
establish itself as a true nuclear power,
the former head of India's main nuclear body
has said.
Oil firms win Bangladesh rights Bomb attack wounds 18 in southern Thailand Suspected Muslim insurgents detonated a car bomb outside a crowded open-air restaurant during lunchtime Wednesday, wounding 18 people, an army official said. BURMA: Rebel leader says 30 govt troops killed in fresh clashes JAPAN: Jobless rate hits record high ahead of legislative elections |
| Europe | Map of Europe |
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City [UK] regulator seeks to deflate financial sector with global
tax The head of Britain’s City watchdog supports the idea of new
global taxes on financial transactions, warning that a “swollen”
financial sector paying excessive salaries has grown too big for
society. Adair Turner Many dead in fresh Chechen attack At least four policemen reportedly killed in a suicide bombing in Russian republic. Recession in Britain 'at an end' Violence erupts in Kosovo cities Seven people are injured in clashes between Serbs and ethnic Albanians in the ethnically divided city of Mitrovica, Kosovo. 'Videocracy' ads can't air on Italy state TV 'Italy's state broadcaster RAI has refused to air ads promoting "Videocracy," a Swedish documentary examining the influence of television on Italian culture over the last 30 years, because it says the spots are an offense to Premier Silvio Berlusconi. Gypsy trio criticizes crowd for booing Madonna A Russian trio performing Gypsy music with Madonna said Friday they were "pained" to see the pop star booed during her Bucharest concert for criticizing widespread discrimination against Gypsies. |
Woman Wearing Hijab Denied Entry By Bank In
France
Teen Neo-Nazi Arrested in Moscow Bomb Plot Russian teen arrested for plotting to blow-up several crowded locations around Moscow. Cargo Ship Hijackers Charged with Piracy, Abduction Eight men suspected of hijacking Arctic Sea charged; mystery swirls around what happened to ship. Russia queries Arctic Sea cargo Russia says for the first time that a ship which went missing in mysterious circumstances may have had sensitive cargo Britons accused over Saddam oil Two British oil traders have been charged with breaching United Nations sanctions on Saddam Hussein's Iraq. West Nile virus mosquito found in Switzerland A mosquito capable of spreading the deadly West Nile virus to humans has been detected in central Europe for the first time, Swiss scientists said Friday. Antitrust Watchdog Investigates Alleged Newspaper Discrimination by Google Italy Italy's antitrust watchdog is investigating allegations that Google Italy is discriminating against newspapers that don't want their content linked on Google's news site by dropping them from its search engine. |
| Map of Africa | |
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Nigeria recoups $170m bad debts Nigeria's fraud
police say they have recovered $170m (£105m) from
wealthy debtors who owe money to five banks.
Ethiopia troops chase Somali Islamists out of town RWANDA: Rwandan witness retracts claims over Habyarimana assasination A witness whose testimony supported French allegations that Tutsi rebels were involved in the death of Rwandan President Juvénal Habyarimana in 1994 has retracted his claims. |
War in Sudan's Darfur 'is over' The war
in Darfur, which has killed up to 300,000
people, is over, says the UN's military
commander there.
Nigerian amnesty deal with militants unravels SUDAN: Gunmen kidnap Darfur peacekeeping staff |
| The Americas | Map of North America and South America |
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Argentina rules on
marijuana use
The supreme court in
Argentina has ruled
that it is
unconstitutional to
punish people for
using marijuana for
personal
consumption. The
decision follows a
case of five young
men who were
arrested with a few
marijuana cigarette
Colombia says Chavez 'meddling' Colombia formally accuses Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez of meddling in its affairs amid tension between the two states. Venezuelan authorities arrest opposition leader Cuba faces toilet paper shortage Venezuelan authorities arrest opposition leader
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Venezuela plans law to ban violent videogames
Argentine farmers resume strikes Argentine farmers resume
strikes as part of a bitter dispute with the government over taxes
on soya bean exports.
Defense lawyer for Mexican drug kingpin killed
Nicaragua to dredge border river with Costa Rica
Gunmen kill 5 police in shootout in western Mexico
Ecuador's leader threatens closure of TV network Ecuador's
president is threatening to close a major television network after
it aired a tape of a conversation between him and a member of the
assembly that drafted a new constitution last year. |