The News Crawler

Anti-gay GOP pol. gives sperm to lesbians The wife of a Republican former Alabama gubernatorial candidate says she was shocked to find out her husband, who had campaigned against same sex marriage, has donated sperm to several lesbian women.

Ignacio E. Sanchez (credit: Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars)

Ignacio E. Sanchez is a lobbyist at DLA Piper, an influential global law firm and a major bundler for the Mitt Romney campaign. A ThinkProgress review of public records reveals Sanchez is also a registered foreign agent representing the interests of the United Arab Emirates and of a former president of the Dominican Republic.

Paul bills taxpayers $50K for air fare Ron Paul has campaigned on cutting the size and cost of government, but it turns out the Texas Republican is a big spender when it comes to air fare

A reformed Jack Abramoff? The notorious lobbyist talks about how he justified his own crimes and whether D.C. can be saved from corruption

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Connecticut
New Haven man who was shot in October arrested carrying gun New Haven Homicides Report Pentagon Budget Plan Would Hit State Hard The Pentagon's budget plan for the next four years, if adopted, could result in more layoffs at Electric Boat, delays in hiring at Pratt & Whitney for Joint Strike Fighter engines - and, in a worst-case scenario, could lead to the closing of the . West Haven man becomes New Haven's 33rd homicide, and Hamden man 'critical' after shootings Occupy New Haven Demonstrators Confronted By Gunman Indian-run casinos, including Connecticut's, trying to renegotiate debt=Several struggling Indian-run casinos hit by the recession and new competition are trying to renegotiate their debt. Connecticut Voices for Children: Standardized test scores skewed by exclusion of students with disabilities Conn. Mayor Criticized for ‘Taco’ Quip The taco comment came as Maturo, a Republican, was being interviewed late Tuesday by a reporter from New York's WPIX-TV, Mario Diaz, who asked, "What are you doing for the Latino community today?" Maturo's response: "I might have tacos when I go home; I'm not quite sure yet." Danbury school employees alarmed by high number of cancer cases Activists oppose putting Bridgeport in Connecticut's 3rd Congressional District	Northeast residents brace for cuts to federal home heating aid Mary Power is 92 and worried about surviving another frigid New England winter because deep cuts in federal home heating assistance benefits mean she probably can’t afford enough heating oil to stay warm Justice Department findings bring sense of sadness, vindication from some in East Haven community Emotions ran the gamut from sadness for the community, to vindication, to cautious optimism for the Police Department’s future after the Department of Justice announced Monday that police officers engaged in racial profiling and mistreatment of Latinos. One Latino resident, who declined to give his name out of fear, said he hopes things will be different now that federal officials are outlining specific findings and planned changes. New Haven public schools attorney investigating allegation of grade tampering at Hillhouse high Hoffman said Bailey made it clear, as she has on other occasions, that she did not want him to stay as she conducted her interview. Hoffman said Superintendent of Schools Reginald Mayo had asked him to be present. Clemente is the only school in the system run by a private company 2 or 3 East Haven cops may be dropped from civil rights suit over issues with 1 accuser's story Two or three of the 12 East Haven police officers accused of mistreating Latinos in a pending federal civil rights lawsuit may be dropped from the case because their accuser allegedly fabricated his story, according to court documents. Read Story New Haven public schools attorney investigating allegation of grade tampering at Hillhouse high Board of Education attorney Floyd Dugas has been empowered by Superintendent of Schools Reginald Mayo to investigate allegations of “grade changing” at Hillhouse High School, confirmed Mayor John DeStefano Jr. confirmed
United States
WikiLeaks Click here for Wikileaks NewManning Hearing Moves Into 'Secret' Sessions Investigators claim that they found mentions of Julian Assange’s name of Manning’s personal computer, as well as a mention to the nation of Iceland, both of which seemed “out of place” and they say proves that he was the source of the massive dump of classified documents to WikiLeaks. WikiLeaks founder helped Army private get data, prosecutors say They say chat logs show Julian Assange's role in the leak of U.S. secrets that led to charges against Pfc. Bradley Manning. Wikileaks cable raises controversy among prominent Egypt political The leaks have raised controversy and ire in Egypt, especially among those figures whose names were mentioned in the leaked cables, and highlighted by the al-Wafd news website. The cables, signed by the former US Ambassador to Cairo during ousted President Hosni Mubarak`s era, Margaret Scobey, said that the figures attended frequent meetings with the ambassador. The controversy was increased after al-Wafd highlighted the cable in a report referencing the America In Arabic news agency, which stated the cable mentioned that the Embassy funded these activists. Palm Beach Sugar Barons Accused in WikiLeaks Cables Palm Beach sugar barons Pepe and Alfy Fanjul, who lavish both the Republican and Democratic parties with millions in contributions, were accused of trying to sabotage U.S. foreign policy and corrupting foreign politicians in diplomatic cables published by WikiLeaks. WikiLeaks Backers Lose Bid to Keep Twitter Data From US Tribunal recommends court martial for Bradley Manning A U.S. military tribunal is recommending a court martial for Army Private Bradley Manning for allegedly funneling thousands of classified U.S. documents to WikiLeaks, the US Army said Thursday. Hackers intercept FBI, Scotland Yard call They trade jokes, chuckle and talk shop about a hacker plot called "Project Mayhem. #Anonymous hack the #Greek Justice Ministry's website "What is going on in your country is unacceptable. You were chosen by your people to act on behalf of them and express their wishes. But you have derogatorily failed. You have killed the most sacred element your country had, and that is democracy." Group Hacks, Defaces Boston Police Department Website... Goes After Marine In Iraq Case Security Issues FDA doctors, scientists claim illegal surveillance The FDA secretly monitored the private emails of staff doctors and scientists who alleged the agency was approving medical devices that posed a danger to patients. U.S. no-fly list more than doubles in a year A secret U.S. government list of suspected terrorists has more than doubled in the past year, according to government figures provided to The Associate Press. More US Soldiers Committed Suicide Than Died in Combat 0001.pdf List of Websites the DHS Is Monitoring Major Antivirus Company Admits To Hacker Breach US to cut almost 100,000 troops The US will cut 100,000 troops from its armed forces, the Pentagon says, as it unveils plans to save $487bn over the next decade. US Military Manipulates the Social Media The US military is developing software that will allow it to secretly manipulate social media sites by using fake online personas to influence internet conversations and spread pro-American propaganda Stratfor Hacked, 200GB Of Emails, Credit Cards Stolen, Client List Released, Includes MF Global This Christmas will not be a happy one for George Friedman (who incidentally was the focus of John Mauldin's latest book promotion email blast) and his Stratfor Global Intelligence service, because as of a few hours ago, hacking collective Anonymous disclosed that not only has it hacked the Stratfor website (since confirmed by Friedman himself), but has also obtained the full client list of over 4000 individuals and corporations, including their credit cards (which supposedly have been used to make $1 million in "donations", CIA's IG finds no problem with NYPD partnership The CIA says its inspector general has found nothing wrong with the spy agency's close partnership with the New York Police Department. The inspector general concluded that no laws were broken and there was no evidence the CIA was conducting domestic spying. Oil Spill BP gets $250 million from Gulf of Mexico subcontractor BP ordered to share spill damages BP must cover some but not all of oil rig owner Transocean's liabilities for the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, a US judge rules. Whistleblower: BP Sought to Alter Cleanup Data Environment Like Fracking? You'll Love 'Super Fracking' Northeast Ohio rocked by 11th earthquake linked to Youngstown injection The quake was the 11th over the last eight months in Mahoning County, all within two miles of the injection wells, he said. Saturday’s quake was the largest yet. There is “little doubt” that the quake is linked to injection wells that the state and the owner agreed on Friday to shut down, Hansen said. How an Ex-Wall-Street Power Player Embraced the Occupy Movement Warren Langley ran the Pacific Exchange through 1999. On Friday, he'll be marching on the banks. In last 2 weeks, 98 dolphins beach themselves on Cape Cod; 77 die Police/Prison Brutal Crimes Grip an Indian Reservation A two-year federal crime-fighting initiative at the Wind River Indian Reservation, where the crime rate is five to seven times the national average, has had little effec Oakland Police Fire Tear Gas, Arrest Nearly 400 Protesters In Turbulent Day That break-in culminated a day of clashes between protesters and police. Interim Police Chief Howard Jordan said nearly 400 people were arrested on charges ranging from failure to disperse and vandalism. At least three officers and one protester were injured. Occupy protest seizes UC Davis building, blocks bank CIA collaboration with New York Police Department was never legally approved Cop filmed beating senior suffering from dementia Megaupload shutdown sparks new fears about Web content sharing FBI’s action raises a bevy of questions about who oversees copyright on the Web and how far the government can go. CIA To Pull Officer From NYPD After Internal Probe Brutal police raid brings Occupy Albany to an end Man Dressed In Santa Suit Shoots 6 Relatives And Himself, Police Say 9 shot at Tenn. nightclub Christmas party Police arrest 4 protesters, clear Occupy camp in Bellingham, W Four Firebombs Target Muslims in Queens Video released Monday shows a person throwing a Molotov cocktail toward a residence in New York City that also serves as a Hindu temple in one of three such attacks reported by police in the city. The other two targets on Sunday night were an Islamic center and a bodega, all of them in the Queens borough of the city, authorities said Monday. 4 charged after 2 U.S. flags burned at Occupy Charlotte site Feds to probe why Ted Stevens witness Bill Allen wasn't tried in teen sex case The Justice Department has agreed to investigate whether there was misconduct involved in federal prosecutors’ decision to stonewall the teen sex crime case against disgraced former Veco Corp. chairman Bill Allen. The Justice Department’s Office of Professional Responsibility wrote Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski telling her it will launch a “preliminary inquiry into the misconduct allegations you have raised.” Murkowski, who released a copy of the letter on Friday, wrote the Office of Professional Responsibility and the Justice Department’s inspector general in November asking for the investigation. NYPD Admits Using Anti-Muslim Film for Training	Iran Sentences American To Death For Spying A former U.S. Marine interpreter arrested while on a trip to visit his Iranian grandmothers has been sentenced to death as a CIA spy, state radio reported Monday, in a case likely to become a new flashpoint in the escalating tensions between Tehran's defiance over its nuclear program and Washington's efforts to impose more crippling sanctions. American Rights At Work Releases Holiday Gift Guide Labor organization American Rights at Work released its holiday gift buying guide this week, spotlighting gifts and holiday supplies from union companies who manufacture products made in America. A printable version of the guide can be found online. Church Bans Gay Clergy Leaders From Speaking At Holiday Services Hurricane Katrina Victims Fight To Keep FEMA Aid Money FDA criticised for antibiotics U-turn Environmental groups dismayed after agency drops long-held plan to regulate use of human antibiotics fed to healthy animals Forcibly sterilized woman felt 'butchered' Rape victim Elaine Riddick was 14 when North Carolina decided she was not capable of mothering children and cauterized her fallopian tubes. The $50,000 now offered to her only makes her angrier. UBS’s ‘mega-client’ comes under scrutiny At one end of the story lies UBS, the Swiss banking group whose wealth management arm counts dozens of billionaires as clients. At the other is Anil Ambani, the Indian businessman whose Reliance group of companies spans interests ranging from communication to entertainment. For years, financial regulators in the UK and India have tried to piece together a complex chain of money transfers, examining whether UBS employees helped Mr Ambani to set up an offshore investment fund that allowed him to invest in Indian securities, in violation of Indian law. Cancer charity halts grants to Planned Parenthood Greed Jeb Bush Lobbied On Behalf Of Infamous Medicare Swindler, Says Former HHS Secretary Einhorn fined for insider dealing Hedge fund manager who rose to prominence in credit crunch penalised for 'market abuse' relating to pub group shares Bank Of America’s Offer To Homeowners: We’ll Modify Loans If You’ll Erase All The Mean Things Said About Us On Twitter Media Verizon’s Cable Spectrum Mashup: Evil Genius? A pessimistic view is that the deals could lead to consumers’ getting stuck five or 10 years out with slower broadband than the rest of the world and no competitive impetus to move the U.S. forward. On the wireless side, the purchases of spectrum potentially eliminate the threat or the existence of a new player that could lower prices and keep Verizon and AT&T “honest.” That’s why Congress, the FCC, and perhaps the Justice Dept. should ask a lot of questions about these deals and the attendant marketing agreements between the cable companies and Verizon. Five More Arrested in News Corp Phone Hacking Scandal CNN Under Fire After Uncut Version Of Ron Paul Interview Surfaces After OWS, U.S. Drops in Press Freedom RankingsThe U.S. tumbled 27 places in the latest edition of the annual Press Freedom Index, thanks in large part to the rough treatment of journalists covering the Occupy Wall Street protests that took place around the country this past year. Right-wing media critic: Obama is like ‘a skinny, ghetto crackhead’ Fox News Gives Free Airtime For Employee Karl Rove’s Partisan Attack Ads One of Rove’s most powerful employers, Fox News, rewarded their employee’s partisan attack group with a lot of free airtime. The ad was featured on Fox’s Sean Hannity show, on Fox’s “The Five,” and during Fox’s daytime hours. On Hannity, Crossroad’s communications director Jonathan Collegio was invited to talk about the ad. Rove himself appeared as a guest on another show to tout his own ad. Drug War Do Harsh Pot Laws Create a Dangerous Drinking Culture? 5 Reasons to Get Stoned Instead of Drunk Former State Lawmaker Charged In Massive Drug Ring Bust Cocaine seizure at UN head office New A bag containing 16kg (35.5lb) of cocaine was seized last week at the United Nations headquarters in New York, say police. U.S. Secretly Helped Drug Traffickers Smuggle Millions In Cash American drug enforcement agents posing as money launderers secretly helped a powerful Mexican drug trafficker and his principal Colombian cocaine supplier move millions in drug proceeds around the world, as part of an effort to infiltrate and dismantle the criminal organizations wreaking havoc south of the border, according to newly obtained Mexican government documents. U.S. Secretly Helped Drug Traffickers Smuggle Millions In Cash Drugs cause 90% of fatal poisonings Ninety percent of poisoning deaths in the United States are due to drugs, the federal government reported Tuesday. Drug poisoning deaths now outnumber traffic deaths as the leading cause of injury death in the country. Selling the Drug War for $3 Billion? How the Pentagon Will Privatize an International War on Drugs Ron Paul Right On Drug War's Origins Before the 20th Century there was none of that and it was the medical profession as well as many other trade groups that agitated for the laws. And you know there’s a pretty good case made that this same concept was built in with racism as well. We do know that opium was used by the Chinese and the Chinese were not welcomed in this country,” Paul said. “We do know that the blacks at times use heroin, opium and the laws have been used against them. There have been times that it has been recognized that the Latin Americans use marijuana and the laws have been written against them. But lo and behold the drug that inebriates most of the members of Congress has not been touched because they're up there drinking alcohol.” (In the same speech, Paul delves into drug trafficking and the CIA, which I’ll cover in a follow-up article.) Education Failure Rate of Schools Overstated, Study Says Opting Out of Sex Ed … and Algebra In New Hampshire, students can avoid lessons a parent dislikes. Room for Debate asks if it benefits students, or society. Virginia Opts To Keep Shorter School Year So Kids Have More Time To Ride Roller Coasters Yesterday, the Virginia Senate Education and Health Committee put the interests of the tourism industry ahead of the needs of students by voting to kill three bills that would allow school boards to set their own calendar. The bills would have overturned the so called Kings Dominion Law, named for the amusement park in Doswell, Virginia. The law currently prohibits schools from starting before Labor Day, in an effort to boost late season tourism revenue: Charter Schools Shut Down For Poor Academic Performance Civil Rights AT&T, Sprint Say Customers Agreed To Creepy Tracking Software Feds: Sheriff Joe often targets Latinos Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Arizona has long engaged in the “unconstitutional policing” of Latino communities, the Department of Justice alleged Thursday. U.S. asks journals to censor reports about how to make a deadlier ‘bird flu’ The request is a first for a federal panel set up after the anthrax attacks in 2001. Courts U.S. Justice Department indicts Swiss bank Wegelin The United States indicted Wegelin, the oldest Swiss private bank, on charges that it enabled wealthy Americans to evade taxes on at least $1.2 billion hidden in offshore bank accounts, the U.S. Justice Department said on Thursday. Convicted for words, not deeds Verdict on Massachusetts Muslim marks further erosion of fundamental U.S. rights Justices Say GPS Tracker Violated Privacy Rights The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that putting a tracking device on a suspect’s car violated his rights, although they differed on why U.S. appeals ruling against dolphin-safe tuna labels The United States on Friday appealed a World Trade Organization decision that accuses Washington of imposing overly stringent rules on dolphin-safe tuna from Mexico. Ex-CIA Agent Charged With Leaking Classified Information To Journalists

Science	History
Chemists Solve Origins Of Life Puzzle The disappearance of the elephant caused the rise of modern man 400,000 years ago Elephants have long been known to be part of the Homo erectus diet. But the significance of this specific food source, in relation to both the survival of Homo erectus and the evolution of modern humans Scientists identify new 'force' particle Large Hadron Collider, engaged in quest for "God particle", has turned up a heavier variant of a sub-atomic particle. Single gene links rare and unrelated cancers Spitzer and Hubble telescopes find rare galaxy at dawn of time Astronomers using NASA's Spitzer and Hubble space telescopes have discovered that one of the most distant galaxies known is churning out stars at a shockingly high rate. The blob-shaped galaxy, . Researchers develop paint-on solar cells Imagine if the next coat of paint you put on the outside of your home generates electricity from light—electricity that can be used to power the appliances and equipment on the inside. Rich Less Likely To Show Empathy, Study Finds A 40-year-old puzzle of superstring theory solved by supercomputer A group of three researchers from KEK, Shizuoka University and Osaka University has for the first time revealed the way our universe was born with 3 spatial dimensions from 10-dimensional superstring theory in which spacetime . The price of your soul: How the brain decides whether to 'sell out' An Emory University neuro-imaging study shows that personal values that people refuse to disavow, even when offered cash to do so, are processed differently in the brain than those values that are willingly sold. Global warming not caused by increased solar activity (NASA) China's largest freshwater lake dries up Amazon fungi found that eat polyurethane, even without oxygen Until now polyurethane has been considered non-biodegradable, but a group of students from Yale University in the US has found fungi that will not only eat and digest it Men Behave Better Around Attractive Women, Study Claims	JFK library to release last of his secret tapes Recalling History In 1921, North Dakotans became the first to oust a governor—and they did it because he was too progressive. As governor, Frazier and the NPL began spending large amounts of money—on things like education and roads. They created programs and institutions including a state bank, state hail insurance, low-income housing loans for those in cities, and an overarching industrial commission run by the governor, attorney general, and secretary of agriculture. In other words, pretty much the opposite of Scott Walker's cut-government, cut-benefits policies. "Spending money is the key issue," explains Kimberly Porter, a history professor at the University of North Dakota. "North Dakota had fallen into a deep postwar depression … and a lot of farmers were having tremendous difficulty." When the recall time came, voters received a ballot with eight questions. The first three offered recalls of the Governor Frazier as well as the attorney general and the secretary of agriculture. The other five offered to end the new state programs. But while the voters tossed out all three incumbents, they kept the programs, which were grown and improved
Politics
Treasury/Federal Reserve/Bailouts/SEC/IRS Mortgage giant Freddie Mac bet against homeowners: report US-owned mortgage giant Freddie Mac is holding billions of dollars in investments that only pay off if homeowners remain locked into high interest rates. Fed says no rate hikes until at least late 2014 Fraud and Folly: The Untold Story of General Electric's Subprime Debacle What GE got in the bargain, former WMC employees say, was a place where erstwhile shoe salesmen, ex-strippers and even a former porn actress could sign on as sales reps and make big money pushing home loans. WMC's top salespeople earned a million dollars a year or more and lived fast, swigging $1,000 bottles of Cristal and wheeling around in $100,000 Ferraris and Bentleys. In pursuit of these riches and perks, several ex-employees claim, many WMC sales staffers embraced fraud as a tool for pushing through loans that borrowers couldn’t afford. Records Shed Light On Fed's Emergency Loans At Height Of Crisis GE Admits Ex-Traders Rigged Bids, Agrees To Pay Millions To Stop Probes SEC Announced Latest Chump Change Settlement With GE Funding The Friday Before Christmas. Hmmm... If you blinked, you probably missed this. The SEC announced Friday that GE Funding would pay a mere $70.4 million (chump change to these people) to settle charges of bid-rigging. THE BIG LIE: How Ideologues Smeared Fannie Mae But the S.E.C. complaint makes almost no mention of affordable housing mandates. Instead, it charges that the executives were motivated to begin buying subprime mortgages — belatedly, contrary to the Big Lie — because they were trying to reclaim lost market share, and thus maximize their bonuses. U.S. Offers Banks Deal To Avoid Criminal Prosecution U.S. officials are offering 11 Swiss banks, among them Credit Suisse , a deal that allows them to avoid criminal prosecution in exchange for revealing full details of their U.S. offshore business to Washington, a paper reported on Sunday. Corzine Grilled over MF Global Collapse After Witness Suggests Knowledge of Misused Funds Six former Fannie, Freddie executives sued for securities fraud BofA To Pay Record Sum To Settle Discriminatory Lending Claims Bank of America agreed to pay $335 million to resolve allegations that its Countrywide unit engaged in a widespread pattern of discrimination against qualified African-American and Hispanic borrowers on home loans. Federal Judge Criticizes SEC For Being Too Soft In Another Settlement Shadowing last month's decision by U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff to kibosh the agency's $258 million proposed settlement with Citibank, a federal judge in Milwaukee told the SEC that its proposed settlement with the Koss Corp. is too vague and asked the agency to provide more facts by January 24. In October the SEC charged Koss Corp., a headphone-manufacturer, with accounting fraud. Judge Scolds SEC Again In Citi Case The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission got a fresh dressing-down from the judge who rejected its $285 million settlement with Citigroup Inc, as he said the regulator kept him out of the loop on its efforts to salvage the case. Budget and Taxes Over Two-Thirds Of Corporations Pay No Federal Corporate Income Tax Obama Obama: Millionaires should pay at least 30 percent in taxes.....Most Americans agree with "Buffett rule" concept, poll showsCurrently, most investment, or unearned, income from capital gains and dividends is typically taxed at a maximum rate of 15 percent rate. That's how Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney ended up paying a rate of about 14.5 percent on the $42.6 million he made over the past two years. Wage earners, by comparison, are taxed on a sliding scale that now tops out at 35 percent. However, 52 percent of Americans say that capital gains and dividends should be taxed at the same rate as income earned from work because the current policy increases the federal deficit and is unfair to people who don't have money to invest, according to the poll. White House Rejects Oversight on Drone Killings Obama's Union-Busting New Chief of Staff? Jacob Lew Helped Destroy Grad Students' Union at NYU Daley Replacement Cashed In By Betting On Housing Crash President Barack Obama's choice to lead the White House budget office oversaw a Citigroup unit that profited off the housing collapse and financial crisis by investing in a hedge fund king who correctly predicted the eventual subprime meltdown and now finds himself involved in the center of the U.S. government's fraud case against Goldman Sachs. Obama commits to universal birth control The Obama administration announced Friday it would stand by a policy that requires virtually all insurance to cover family planning, including female contraceptives. Administration rejects Keystone pipeline President Obama rejects a Canadian firm’s application for a permit to build and operate the pipeline, saying that a Feb. 21 deadline set by Congress had made it impossible to do an adequate review of the project. GITMO/Bahgram/CIA-Blacksites US Judge Nixes Lawsuit for Tortured Gitmo Detainee Former Chief Prosecutor, Ex-Prisoner Call on Obama to Close Prison On the 10th anniversary of when the United States began detaining terror suspects at its Guantánamo Bay military base in Cuba, we speak with a former prisoner and the ex-chief U.S. prosecutor, who both call for the Obama administration to close the base. "People are locked up in isolation camps... People lost their hands, lost their eyes, lost their limbs," says Omar Deghayes, who was arrested in Pakistan as a terror suspect and held in U.S. custody from May 2002 until December 2007, most of that time at Guantánamo. "Some people were subjected to sleep deprivation. They weren’t allowed to sleep... And they had to live under those conditions for six years ... without being convicted of any crime, which is the most unacceptable thing	Senate Passes Insider-Trading Ban The new reporting requirements would not apply to transactions involving investments in mutual funds with “widely diversified” assets. The bill would prohibit members of Congress from trading stocks and other securities on the basis of confidential information they receive as lawmakers. It says explicitly that they are not exempt from the federal law and regulations that ban such insider trading. Gingrich’s Tax Plan Would Give Millionaires A $600,000 Tax Cut Anti-gay GOP pol. gives sperm to lesbians The wife of a Republican former Alabama gubernatorial candidate says she was shocked to find out her husband, who had campaigned against same sex marriage, has donated sperm to several lesbian women. Indiana GOP Secretary of State guilty of voter fraud Though President Ronald Reagan called the right to vote the “crown jewel of American liberties,” many Republicans around the country have begun demanding increased voting restrictions in the name of fighting “voter fraud.” Though actual cases of voting fraud are so rare that a voter is much more likely to be struck by lightning than to commit fraud at the polls, one Republican official in Indiana has proved that lightning can strike himself. Yesterday, a jury found Indiana Secretary of State Charlie White (R) guilty on six felony counts of voter fraud, theft, and perjury. The conviction cost White his job, though he plans to ask the judge to reduce the charges to misdemeanors and hopes to perhaps regain the position. Though actual cases of voting fraud are so rare that a voter is much more likely to be struck by lightning than to commit fraud at the polls, one Republican official in Indiana has proved that lightning can strike himself. Major Romney Bundler Is Agent Of Foreign Government By Josh Israel on Feb 2, 2012 at 4:30 pm Ignacio E. Sanchez (credit: Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars) Ignacio E. Sanchez is a lobbyist at DLA Piper, an influential global law firm and a major bundler for the Mitt Romney campaign. A ThinkProgress review of public records reveals Sanchez is also a registered foreign agent representing the interests of the United Arab Emirates and of a former president of the Dominican Republic. Florida Republican Stripped Of Senate Chairmanship For Opposing Prison Privatization Scheme Google Sponsors Tea Party Gathering Google, whose chairman has been an Obama adviser, is a sponsor of this month’s CPAC Paul bills taxpayers $50K for air fare Ron Paul has campaigned on cutting the size and cost of government, but it turns out the Texas Republican is a big spender when it comes to air fare As recently as 2004, Ron Paul condemned the Civil Rights Act of 1964. A reformed Jack Abramoff? The notorious lobbyist talks about how he justified his own crimes and whether D.C. can be saved from corruption Billionaire gives $5 million to pro-Gingrich group A Las Vegas billionaire with ties to Newt Gingrich has given $5 million to an independent group backing the former House Speaker's presidential bid. A person familiar with the situation said casino mogul Sheldon Adelson made the contribution Friday to Winning Our Future, a pro-Gingrich super PAC. The person said Adelson would spend heavily to assist whichever candidate wins the Republican nomination. Romney says he pays US taxes _ about 15 percent His wealth and taxes suddenly a campaign focus, Mitt Romney said Tuesday he pays an effective federal tax rate of about 15 percent. That's far less than if his earnings were wages rather than gains from investments and dividends, and the disclosure under pressure triggered a sharp response from the Democratic White House as well as one of his GOP presidential rivals. Romney told reporters he also received money from speechmaking before he announced his presidential candidacy early last year "but not very much." He provided no details, but in his financial disclosure statement, released last August, he reported being paid $374,327.62 for such appearances for the 12 months ending last February. Ron Paul Opposed Government Aid For Asian Tsunami Victims Friends: Ron Paul OK'd Racist Newsletters GOP Presidential Candidates Tell Florida Uninsured Woman: You’re On Your Own Bloomberg to Give $250,000 to Planned Parenthood After a breast cancer advocacy group decided to pull screening funds from Planned Parenthood, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said he would make up a large part of the missing money House Republicans Order Journalist Arrested At Hearing Colo. pol. claimed immunity in DUI stop Colorado state Rep. Laura Bradford (R) was pulled over last week in Denver on the suspicion that she was driving under the influence. Defense Spending F-35 story shows why it's so hard to cut a federal program Democratic Sen. McCaskill finds House defense bill riddled with earmarks SERIOUSLY? Pentagon Finds No Fault In Its Ties To TV Analysts Pentagon public relations program that sought to transform high-profile military analysts into “surrogates” and “message force multipliers” for the Bush administration complied with Defense Department regulations and directives, the Pentagon’s inspector general has concluded after a two-year investigation. U.S. makes $30B arms deal with Saudis U.S., UAE reach deal for missile-defense system Official in botched ‘Fast and Furious’ gun program refuses to testify Goldman Ties Enrich Public and Private Life for Romney Goldman Sachs, which manages Mitt Romney’s family’s fortune, is also his largest source of campaign contributions.
Economy	Click for Economic Statistics	Financial Crisis for Beginners
Economists: Europe Is Headed For Six Quarters Of Recession \| As Europe seeks to patch together a deal to keep the Eurozone together, economists at Citigroup see the continent headed for a long recession. “Our economists believe the sovereign debt and banking crises are causing a renewed recession in the Euro Area,” reads the analysis. “Beginning in 4Q 2012, they forecast real GDP to contract for 6 consecutive quarters. It is expected to be an especially protracted recession. Not even in Japan, during its lost decades, did real GDP decline for 6 consecutive quarters.” New census record shows 1 in 2 people in America are now poor or low income Is the housing market bouncing back? A wide range of indicators — construction, home sales, prices — have recently stabilized. Key word, stabilized, got to love it. S&P downgrades nine euro countries Massive credit drop blamed on countries not having dealt with financial issues in a "sufficient size and scope". Federal agency sounds alarm on American Airlines' pensions Exxon Reaps Huge Profits, Pays Low Tax Rate	YOUNG VETERANS FACE 30 PERCENT UNEMPLOYMENT RATE W.T.O. Grants Russia Membership IMF chief warns over 1930s-style threats Lagarde speaks out against isolation Movie executives see record profits, salaries despite piracy fear-mongering Pension fund blacklists Walmart The largest pension fund in the Netherlands had divested itself of all shares in Walmart as a result of the company’s anti-union position and poor labor standards. Americans Proving Clueless Paying Wall Street $20 Billion for Broken Swaps Working Man's Death An unflinching portrait of physical labour in the 21st century. American Airlines proposes to end all four pension plans

Iraq	Map of Iraq
Blackwater Renames Itself -- Again -- And Wants to Go Back to Iraq Iraqi VP predicts sectarian violence Police issue arrest warrant against Iraqi vice president for An arrest warrant has been issued against the Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi late Saturday for being the mastermind behind the recent bombing targeting the parliament, spokesman of Baghdad police operations said. Key Iraqi Bloc Plans to Bolt Parliament Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki is asking lawmakers to withdraw confidence from his deputy after Saleh al-Mutlaq made controversial comments this week over American forces withdrawing from Iraq, state media reported late Saturday. In a recent interview with CNN, al-Mutlaq accused al-Maliki of amassing dictatorial power. "There will be a day whereby the Americans will realize that they were deceived by al-Maliki ... and they will regret that," said al-Mutlaq, a leader within Iraqiya movement. Iraq's Maliki urges Kurds to hand over VP Nouri al-Maliki, Iraq's prime minister, has called on authorities in the autonomous Kurdish region to hand over Tariq al-Hashimi, the country's vice president who is wanted on allegations of running a death squad. "We call for the government of the Kurdistan region to take its responsibility and hand over Hashimi to the justice system," Maliki told a news conference in Baghdad on Wednesday. "We do not accept any interference in Iraqi justice." Iraqi Sunnis Flee Mixed Neighborhoods Exact figures are impossible to come by but the reports suggest a growing number of Sunnis living in Shi’ite neighborhoods around metro Baghdad are putting their homes up for sale, and real estate agencies in Sunni neighborhoods are booming as the fleeing residents hope for safety in religiously segregated neighborhood Bomb Kills At Least 53 Shiite Pilgrims In South Iraq US marine spared jail over deaths of unarmed Iraqis Human Rights Watch: Iraq Becoming 'Police State' Iraq: Dozens killed by car bomb in Shia neighbourhood The attack struck the funeral procession of Mohammed al-Maliki, a real estate agent killed along with his wife and son on Thursday in the west Baghdad, the AFP news agency reported.	U.S. Transfers Last Prisoner to Iraqi Government Officials: Car Bombs Kill 14 Across Baghdad Secret Haditha Massacre Docs Founds in Iraqi Junkyard In 2005, US Marines massacred dozens of Iraqis, including a large number of civilians, in what has since become known as the Haditha Massacre. Secret military documents related to the massacre, as well as hundreds of pages of other secret military files have turned up in, of all places, an Iraqi junkyard. The occupation forces were supposed to destroy the files when they left, but instead the attendant at the junkyard was using them as cooking fuel. Bomb assaults throughout Baghdad kill at least 63 Christian Among 13 Killed in Iraq 7 Killed in Suicide Blast at Iraqi Interior Ministry *Iraqi Govt. Collapses as Iraqiya, Kurdish Blocs Withdraw* Four car bombs, one of them a suicide car bomb, and 11 roadside bombs, shook Baghdad Thursday morning, killing at least 63 and wounding 185 people, adding new tension during a growing national political crisis. Turkey Mistakenly Kills 35 Civilians in N. Iraq Wave Of Bombings Kills 17 Kurds Won't Hand Over Iraqi VP to Baghdad *Sunni Cabinet Members Suspended; 14 Iraqis Killed* 23 Killed in Attacks on Iraqi Police Forces Iraq Attacks: 34 Killed, 109 Wounded Iraq Says US Needs its Permission for Drones US Military Drops 'Kill Team' Charges Against Soldier Exxon still quiet on Kurdish deals Iraq detains 16 vice presidential guards
Middle East	Map of the Middle East
Egypt Click here for everything related to the Protests in Egypt Egyptians Rally to Mark Revolution Hundreds of thousands of Egyptians took to the streets in cities across the country to mark the one-year anniversary of the uprising that ended the 30-year dictatorship of Hosni Mubarak. Activists Press for End to Military Rule More Than 70 Killed At Terrifying Soccer Riot Egypt police cracking down violently on protesters‎ With it came the painful tear gas – American made – fired indiscriminately toward the protesters, predominantly football fans, angry, frustrated and returning to their revolution nature after violent clashes left 75 dead on Wednesday in Port Said following a football match between al-Ahly and al-Masry. Why Egypt Embraces the Brotherhood Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood attends Coptic Christmas celebrations In addition to the Muslim Brotherhood’s group, who left the church before the start of the mass and had come to offer their wishes to Pope Shenouda III and allay fears about their political party, other high ranking officials also attended the ceremonies. The Salafis, however, were absent. Egyptian Military Police Drag, Beat Female Protesters Cairo tense as women march to protest violence Egypt's ruling military council expressed "great regret" to women over attacks by military police on female demonstrators and vowed to hold accountable those responsible. Egyptian Troops, Police Shoot At Protesters In Pre-Dawn Raid Mubarak's murder trial resumes in Egypt After a months-long break, the trial of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak resumes Wednesday after an appeals court dismissed a motion to disqualify the presiding judge, state-owned medi Egypt forces storm offices of pro-democracy groups ElBaradei: U.S., Egypt in secret talks on fate of Israel peace treaty Remark by top Egyptian opposition leader and former IAEA chief comes following significant gains by Islamist parties in country's recent parliamentary vote. Mubarak trial resumes amid acquittal speculation The trial of Hosni Mubarak resumed Monday amid speculation that a recent acquittal of policemen tried in the killings of protesters could be a prelude to the dismissal of charges against the ousted Egyptian leader. ElBaradei slams military as he quits Egypt presidential race Egypt Junta to Speed End of Parliament Elections Controversy in Egypt over Newly Established 'Religious Police' Other Held Libyans 'die after torture' Several people have died after being tortured by militias in Libyan detention centres, humanitarian group Amnesty International says. UAE strips six of citizenship Security concerns cited, although those affected say they are being unjustly targeted for their political views. Yemeni Troops Use Guns, Tear Gas, Water Cannons Against Protesters Al Qaeda leader sends veteran jihadists to Libya, source says Al Qaeda's leadership has sent experienced jihadists to Libya in an effort to build a fighting force there, according to a Libyan source briefed by Western counter-terrorism of Turkey says air strike was 'accident' Government forced to admit victims of bombing were not Kurdish separatist fighters Israel Huge Israeli Drone That Can Reach Iran Crashes During Routine Flight Israel to Subsidize Settlers, Legalize Outposts Mossad Chief Held Talks On Iran In U.S. Visit: CIA Palestinians offer to renew Israel peace talks without settlement freeze, official says PA reportedly submits new Quartet offer to restart negotiations, demand Israel releases 100 Palestinian prisoners; Israel rejects offer fearing renewal of only low-grade talks. cia-john2.htm Basis of Conflicts in Middle East Israel rattled as hackers hit stock exchange, key outlets Controversial Makeover for Gaza’s Beachfront Palestinians: Peace negotiations with Israel have ended US Blocks UN Condemnation of Israeli Settlements Israel announced the latest in a long line of such expansions on Sunday, and it has been roundly criticized by virtually every nation on the planet, with European Union officials in particular warning the move harmed the prospect of peace talks. IDF agrees to expansion of West Bank settlement Expansion of Gush Etzion settlement bloc with 40 single-family homes receives approval from Defense Minister Barak. Tel Aviv 'gay park' becomes dangerous for LGBT community Members of the gay community, who are often harassed at Gan Meir park, want security to be stepped up, and say the police aren't Israel Bombed Sudan Weapons Convoys Palestinians return ‘lost’ Israeli soldier to unit An Israeli soldier who became separated from his unit during an operation in a Palestinian West Bank village was safely…	Iran <Click for video and history> Effort to Rebrand Arab Spring Backfires in Iran It was meant to be a crowning moment in which Iran put its own Islamic stamp on the Arab Spring. More than a thousand young activists were flown here earlier this week (at government expense) for a conference on “the Islamic Awakening,” Tehran’s effort to rebrand the popular Arab uprisings of the past year. “We were given strict instructions not to say anything about Syria,” one smirking reporter for a state-run Iranian news agency said during a break. Iranian Nuclear Expert Killed In Spooky Bombing The attack – which instantly killed the scientist and fatally wounded his driver on Wednesday – was at least the fourth targeted hit against a member of Iran's nuclear brain trust in two years. Tehran quickly blamed Israeli-linked agents backed by the U.S. and Britain West has no evidence of Iran atomic bomb program, senior Turkish diplomat says Head of Organization of Islamic Cooperation tells Haaretz at Doha conference that Tehran has right to peaceful nuclear program, rejects military intervention. Shoes thrown at Iran's president Russia Seizes Iran-Bound Radioactive Metal Iran hijacked US drone, says Iranian engineer US Judge Rules Iran Responsible for 9/11 Iran Rejects Liability In September 11 Attacks Iran ‘jamming Al-Jazeera broadcasts’ US Navy Is Depending on Dolphins to Keep the Strait of Hormuz Open Iran, Israel and US plan Gulf exercises Hormuz spat set to intensify over weapon testing *Iran Reports Arrests in Nuclear Scientist Murder* Iranian lawmakers to take up bill banning oil sales to Europe in retaliation for embargo Iran to 'block' Gulf oil if sanctions proceed Vice president threatens to cut off shipments at Strait of Hormuz if West sanctions Iran's vital oil exports. U.S. Navy: We will not allow Iran to stop flow of oil U.S. Fifth Fleet's comments come day after Iran threatened to stop ships moving through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s ailing currency marks new record low under latest U.S. sanctions The rial, which economists say was artificially high, has lost about 35 percent of its value since Sept. Syria Government Said to Kill 200 in Attack in Syrian City 98 killed in Syria, group says; Arab League halts mission Free Syrian Army shows video of alleged Iranian fighters abducted in Homs A group of Syria’s opposition “Free Army” has released a video showing what it was said were seven Iranians, including five members of the Revolutionary Guards, captured in the city of Homs. 26 Reported Killed in Syria as Assad Declares Amnesty sy rian army and defectors 'battling in southArmy defectors reportedly clash with state forces in Busra al-Harir and Lujah, as opposition calls for national strikes. Senior Red Crescent official killed in Syria Secretary general of Syrian Arab Red Crescent shot dead, as Russia continues to resist sanctions against Arab ally. Twin suicide bombs shake Syrian capital, kill 44 Two car bombers blew themselves up Friday outside the heavily guarded compounds of Syria's intelligence agencies, killing at least 44 people and wounding dozens more in a brazen attack on the powerful security directorates, authorities said. State-run TV said the al-Qaida terrorist network was possibly to blame for the first suicide car bombings in the nine-month uprising against authoritarian President Bashar Assad. Syria pulls tanks from Homs as Arab monitors visit Protesters throng Syrian city as monitors visit Saudi Arabia Saudi woman beheaded for ‘witchcraft’ Amina bint Abdulhalim Nassar was executed in the northern province of Jawf for “practising witchcraft and sorcery,” the ministry said in a statement Monday. Saudi Women Allowed To Vote Without Male Approval Israeli hackers bring down Saudi, UAE stock exchange websites In fresh round of cyber warfare, Israel hackers, who go by the name IDF-TEAM, retaliate against Saudi attack on Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, El Al websites. Lebanon 500 Syrian Army Defectors in Northern Lebanon
Afghanistan	Map of Afghanistan
*US Refuses Karzai Plea to End Deadly Night Raids* Man in Afghan Army Uniform Opens Fire on NATO Troops US mulls Taliban transfer to Afghans Potential handover of senior official suspected of major human rights abuses sets of alarms on Capitol Hill Afghan, Pakistani Militants Unite to Fight US-led Troops in Afghanistan US Army Report Disputes Claims of Afghan Troops Helping The Australian military’s official statements praising Afghan troops for helping to rebel a July Taliban attack has been thrown into doubt by a new US Army report which says those Afghan troops mostly just stood around and watched the battle. The report also says that NATO troops had a hard time telling the difference between the Taliban and the Afghan troops. Taliban Website Interviews Mujahid/Afghan Soldier Who Fired On His Australian Troops, Who Says: '[At the Training Camp] We Used to Talk about Jihad All the Time' US Mil 'Leak': Taliban to Retake Power in Afghanistan Pakistan is helping Afghan Taliban, says Nato report	Afghanistan Agrees To Peace Talks With Taliban Suicide bomber attacks Afghanistan funeral, kills parliament member Afghan girl 'sent back to torturers' Outcry over case of Sahar Gul who was returned to her in-laws despite their attempts to force her into prostitution Afghan commission alleges US detainee abuse Major rise in Afghan opium price US Marines Laugh, Urinate on Slain Afghans Video of Marines urinating on bodies no surprise, Afghans say US Confirms Meeting With Haqqani Network Coalition Limits Details on Troops Killed by Afghan Soldiers, Police France to withdraw from Afghanistan early, Sarkozy announces U.S. Lifts Military Aid Ban to Uzbekistan The Obama administration has lifted a ban on military assistance to Uzbekistan in order to preserve a supply line for the war effort in Afghanistan.

Pakistan	Map of Pakistan
Pakistan: Raiding US Drones to Be Shot Down CIA Reportedly Suspends Drone Attacks In Pakistan Tensions rise between Pakistan's civilian leaders and its military By Tom Hussain \| McClatchy Newspapers A destabilizing confrontation between Pakistan's fledgling democratic government and its powerful military is evolving into a debate over the country's controversial nuclear weapons program. 17 Shi'ites Killed, 20 Wounded in Pakistan Procession Blast Analysts: U.S., Pakistan collaborating again on drone strikes Panetta: Pakistan Govt. Knew bin Laden Location Bomb kills 25 in northwest Pakistan	U.S., Pakistan Share Blame in Border Deaths: US Probe A U.S. probe on Thursday found both American and Pakistani forces were to blame for a border incident that killed 24 Pakistani troops last month, inflaming already strained ties and deepening doubts about whether Pakistan will help or hinder the U.S. fight in Afghanistan. Bomb Rips Through Upscale Pakistan Neighborhood, Killing At Least 9 US Drone Strike in Pakistan Kills Five 35 Die as Blast Hits Pakistan Bus Terminal Parcel with Anthrax sent to Pakistani premier’s house in January Pakistani police said Wednesday they were investigating how and why a parcel containing anthrax was sent to the prime minister’s official residence in the capital Islamabad last mont
Asia	Map of Asia
Chinese hackers leave 'fingerprints' in stealing U.S. data 100,000 Surge in Moscow to Challenge Kremlin Gorbachev Urges Putin to Step Down After Protests Tens of thousands of demonstrators rallied in cities across Russia on Saturday to protest alleged vote fraud in recent parliamentary elections and to call for the removal of the officials responsible. More than 120,000 people had gathered in Moscow's central Sadova Prospect by 4 pm (1200 GMT), organizers said. There was a strong police presence, with security personnel using metal detectors to vet demonstration participants before allowing them into the sanctioned protest site. CNN crew detained amid Tibet conflict Philippine military, with U.S. backing, kills Southeast Asia's most-wanted terrorist	30,000 Chinese ‘Occupy’ Highway to Protest Polluting Coal Plants Clashes spread in Tibetan region in China Chinese Workers Making Apple Products Face Brutal Conditions Ex-Apple Exec: 'People Would Still Be Really Disturbed If They Saw Where Their iPhone Comes From' N. Korea Agrees to Suspend Uranium Enrichment Activists use drone to track Japanese whaling fleet 120,000 Anti-Putin Protesters March in Moscow
Europe	Map of Europe
Foes Walk Side by Side to Rally Against Kremlin A march from Ploshchad Revolyutsii, the original site of Saturday's protest, to the approved site at Bolotnaya Ploshchad offered a rare scene: activists of all stripes walking unhappily but peacefully to an anti-Kremlin rally. Architect of Putin’s System of Politics Is Reassigned The Kremlin announced a new role for Vladislav Y. Surkov, the “gray cardinal” who has overseen Russia’s domestic political scene for more than a decade. Russia cracks down on anti-Putin protest President Vladimir Putin may have called for anti-government protesters to be treated with respect but it is unclear whether police in Moscow received the message. They were out in force to prevent what they described as an illegal gathering in the centre of the capital. But the participants were prevented from leaving the metro station by a large number of riot police who made several arrests. The demonstration was organised by the controversial opposition writer Eduard Limonov. 'Illegal rendition': MI6 faces fresh investigation Inquiry concludes allegations of illegal rendition of former alleged Libyan terrorists "so serious" they need immediate investigation.	Free childcare would raise millions in tax on working mums, says thinktank 17 minutes ago · Free nursery care would raise millions of pounds for the government by enabling mothers to return to work, attack in Belgian city leaves 5 dead, 122 wounded Summoned for questioning by Belgian police, a man with a history of weapons and drug offenses left home armed with hand grenades, a revolver and an assault rifle. Stopping at a central square filled with holiday shoppers, he lobbed three grenades into the crowd, then opened fire. Four people were killed, including an 18-month-old toddler, and 122 were wounded in the assault Tuesday that brought tragedy to the pre-Christmas season of students reveling in exam results and preschoolers enchanted by brightly lit trees and holiday stalls 5 Reasons for Investors to Cheer Putin's Return It's easy to criticize Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Over the years, these pages have readily — and we believe rightfully — called Putin to task on issues such as growing corruption, selective justice and his rollback of democracy. But a third presidential term for Putin is far from all doom and gloom.
Africa	Map of Africa
Multiple blasts rock two Nigerian cities Nigeria's Boko Haram Battles Army, 61 Dead Muslim sect claims Nigeria church attacks; 25 dead Seven hurt as bomb hits Arabic school in Nigeria Assailants threw a crude homemade bomb into an Arabic school in southern Nigeria's Delta state overnight, police said, wounding seven people and escalating tensions between Muslims and Christians after a spate of church bombings across the nation. Oil Slick from Massive Spill in Nigeria Threatens Coastline, May Be Largest Spill in a Decade Coca-Cola accused of aiding dictator Anti-Christian ultimatum, fuel fury rock Nigeria Nigeria is braced for mass protests after fuel prices more than doubled at the weekend, amid stark Boko Haram threats against Christians in the north US Eyes Arms Sales to South Sudan	At least 120 dead in blasts in Nigeria's Kano Death toll continues to rise in northern city after a series of co-ordinated attacks targeting police and state offices. A daring raid, and US, Danish hostages on way home Held captive since last fall, an ailing American woman and a Danish man are safely on their way home after a bold, dark-of-night rescue by U.S. Navy SEALs. The commandos slipped into a Somali encampment, shot and killed nine captors and whisked the hostages to freedom. The raid's success was welcome news for the hostages and their families, for the military and for President Barack Obama, who was delivering his State of the Union speech as the mission was wrapping up Tuesday night. He did not mention it in his address but dropped a hint upon arriving in the House chamber by telling Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, "Good job tonight. Director of Somali radio station shot dead: witnesses Gunmen on Saturday shot dead the director of a major Somali radio station in front of his home in Mogadishu Anger rises as Nigeria fuel prices soar Swaziland's King Mswati III accused by activists of human rights abuses and of looting national wealth U.S. accuses Sudan of bombing civillians Bombs hit evangelical Bible school in Sudan, group says
The Americas	Map of North America and South America
Haiti Tries a Rural Road to Recovery Seeing an opportunity to fix the structural problems that have kept Haiti stuck in poverty, planners are trying to revive the country’s desiccated, disused farmland. Scientists: UN Soldiers Brought Superbug to Americas Inside a drug cartel Massive bribes to judges, military and police keep the drug lords in business, a former member of the Cali drug cartel says. US 'respects' but does not support Colombian call for drug legalization debate Mexico (2008) Bank Julius Baer millions of USD in trust for Mexican mass murderer and drug trafficker Arturo Acosta Wikileaks published Bank Julius Baer trust records for Arturo Acosta, an infamous former Mexican police chief who was responsible for the disappearance of 140 detainees in Guerrero and who was convicted of drug-trafficking.	Haiti Haiti: Where did the money go? The world pledged some $12 billion after the earthquake. Two years later, little has been used to actually rebuild Wikileaks: The Haiti Files with Kim Ives in Victoria Straight from the U.S. diplomatic cables on Haiti, you will hear how the U.S. conspires to keep Haiti poor, who is running Haiti, and what happened to the earthquake relief effort. WikiLeaks Reveal: U.S. and UN Supervised Integration of Coup-Making Ex-Soldiers into Haiti's Police The U.S. Embassy in Haiti worked closely with factory owners contracted by Levi's, Hanes, and Fruit of the Loom to aggressively block a paltry minimum wage increase for Haitian assembly zone workers, the lowest paid in the hemisphere, according to secret State Department cables. Washington backed famous brand-name contractors in fight against Haiti's minimum wage increase The factory owners refused to pay 62 cents an hour, or $5 per eighthour day, as a measure unanimously passed by the Haitian parliament in June 2009 would have mandated. Behind the scenes, the factory owners had the vigorous backing of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Embassy, show secret U.S. Embassy cables provided to Haïti Liberté by the transparency-advocacy group WikiLeaks.According to a 2008 Worker Rights Consortium study, a working class family of one working member and two dependents needed a daily wage of at least 550 Haitian gourdes, or $13.75, to meet normal living expenses.