Schools put on notice they may be turned into shot clinics 16 Jun 2009 Schoolchildren could be first in line for [deadly] swine flu vaccine this fall -- and schools are being put on notice that they might even be turned into shot clinics. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Tuesday she is urging school superintendents around the country to spend the summer preparing for that possibility, if the government goes ahead with mass vaccinations. [See: Baxter working on vaccine to stop swine flu, though admitted sending live pandemic flu viruses to subcontractor 26 Apr 2009.]
Newly Released Detainee Statements Provide More Evidence of CIA Torture Program --CIA Continues to Suppress Information From Detainee Tribunals With Heavy Redactions (ACLU) 15 Jun 2009 The CIA today released still-highly redacted documents in which Guantánamo Bay prisoners describe abuse and torture they suffered in CIA custody. The documents were released as part of an American Civil Liberties Union Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit seeking uncensored transcripts from Combatant Status Review Tribunals (CSRTs) that determine if prisoners held by the Defense Department at Guantánamo qualify as "enemy combatants." In previously released versions of the documents, the CIA had removed virtually all references to the abuse of prisoners in their custody; the documents released today are still heavily blacked out but include some new information.
Accused 9/11 mastermind: 'I make up stories' 15 Jun 2009 Accused al Qaeda [al-CIAduh] mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed complained that interrogators tortured lies out of him, according to newly released sections of government transcripts. ''I make up stories,'' Mohammed said at one point in his 2007 hearing at Guantánamo Bay. In broken English, he described an interrogation in which he was asked the location of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. ''Where is he? I don't know,'' Mohammed said. 'Then he torture me. Then I said, 'Yes, he is in this area or this is al Qaeda which I don't know him.' I said no, they torture me.'' Yet at the same military tribunal hearing, Mohammed ticked off a list of 29 terror plots in which he took part.
CIA Mistaken on 'High-Value' Detainee, Document Shows --Abu Zubaida was held at secret CIA facility then transferred to Camp 7 at Gitmo. He was subjected 83 times to waterboarding. 16 Jun 2009 An 'al-Qaeda' associate captured by the CIA and subjected to harsh interrogation techniques torture said his jailers later told him they had mistakenly thought he was the No. 3 man in the organization's hierarchy and a partner of Osama bin Laden, according to newly released excerpts from a 2007 hearing. "They told me, 'Sorry, we discover that you are not Number 3, not a partner, not even a fighter,' " said Abu Zubaida, speaking in broken English, according to the new transcript of a Combatant Status Review Tribunal held at the U.S. military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. President [sic] George W. Bush described Abu Zubaida in 2002 as "al-Qaeda's chief of operations." Abu Zubaida, a nom de guerre for Zayn al-Abidin Muhammed Hussein, told the 2007 panel of military officers at the detention facility in Cuba that "doctors told me that I nearly died four times" and that he endured "months of suffering and torture" on the false premise that he was an al-Qaeda leader.
US troops ask Syria to thwart al-Qa'ida offensive --Iraqi authorities say militants will launch attacks in order to claim credit for American military withdrawal 17 Jun 2009 The Iraqi government expects al-Qa'ida and Baathist 'insurgent' groups to launch a wave of attacks so they can take credit for compelling the US military to leave Iraqi cities by 30 June, according to a senior Iraqi minister. An American military team was dispatched from Baghdad to Damascus at the weekend to demand that Syria help choke off a guerrilla offensive by imposing greater control over its border with Iraq, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari revealed in an interview with The Independent.
In Iraq, prisoners go on hunger strike over abuse 16 Jun 2009 Iraqi prisoners have staged a full-scale hunger strike in protest at reported calculated abuse aimed at forcing false confessions out of them. On Friday, Iraqi lawmakers televised a request for an independent inquiry into reported cases of abuse and death in the country's prisons. Sunni lawmaker Salim al-Juburi from the National Concord Front lawmaker said that "there were violations that resulted in the deaths of detainees" in two prisons in Diyala province, northeast of Baghdad. "Eleven prisoners were victims of torture and sexual abuse in a building run by the Interior Ministry," claimed Falah Shanshel of the Sadrist bloc.
Generals go to war over Iraq inquiry --Secret investigation will be seen as cover-up, warn Army and intelligence chiefs 17 Jun 2009 Senior military and intelligence officers have condemned Gordon Brown's decision to hold the Iraq war inquiry in secret, warning that it looks like a cover-up. Military leaders, who have lost 179 personnel in Iraq, want their actions judged by the public, and intelligence officials say that politicians' manipulation of intelligence should be thoroughly examined. The pressure on No 10 mounted yesterday as the shadow Foreign Secretary, William Hague, tabled a Commons debate for next week demanding that inquiry evidence be heard in public.
Gordon Brown is condemned over secret inquiry into Iraq war --Prime Minister cited national security as the reason 16 Jun 2009 The Prime Minister faced accusations of an "establishment stitch-up" after telling MPs that an investigation into the events leading up to the invasion of Iraq and the removal of Saddam Hussein would be held behind closed doors. He cited national security as the reason -- a claim attacked by MPs of all sides and the families of soldiers killed in the conflict. Mr Brown said the inquiry’s findings would not be published until after next year’s general election.
Anger over 'secret Iraq inquiry' 16 Jun 2009 Opposition parties and campaigners have condemned Gordon Brown's decision to hold an independent inquiry into the Iraq war behind closed doors. Tory leader David Cameron accused Mr Brown of "an establishment stitch-up", while the Lib Dems threatened to boycott the "secret" inquiry. John Miller, whose son Simon was killed in Iraq in 2003, said private hearings would be marred by "lies and deceit".
US: American soldier killed in Iraq 16 Jun 2009 The U.S. military says an American soldier has been killed by a roadside bomb southeast of Baghdad. A military statement says the Multi-National Division-South soldier was killed in an explosion Tuesday near Samawah, about 230 miles (370 kilometers) southeast of Baghdad. A statement also says a Multi-National Division-North soldier died Tuesday as a result of a noncombat incident in northern Ninevah province.
In reversal, GOP balks at war funding 15 Jun 2009 House Republicans are preparing to vote en bloc against the $106 billion war-spending bill, a position once unthinkable for the party that characterized the money as support for the troops. For years, Republicans portrayed the bills funding the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as matters of national security and accused Democrats who voted against them of voting against the troops. But Republicans say this year is different. [LOL!] Democrats have included a $5 billion increase for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help aid nations affected by the global financial crisis. Republicans say that is reason enough to vote against the entire $106 billion spending bill and are certain voters will understand.
Palestinian human rights group to challenge UK on Israel in High Court 16 Jun 2009 Britain's High Court of Justice is set to consider a charge presented by a Palestinian human rights group on Thursday accusing the UK government of failing to meet its obligations under international law following Operation Cast Lead. Representing Ramallah-based organization Al-Haq, Birmingham lawyers Public Interest Lawyers (PIL) is calling on the UK to comply with all of its obligations under international law. "The British government has not only failed to take any effective measures in preventing Israel's ongoing unlawful behavior, it has positively aided it by continuing to supply arms to it," Al-Haq and PIL contend."
'Hamas foiled plot to assassinate Carter in Gaza' 16 Jun 2009 Hamas has foiled an attempt by 'Palestinian militants' to attack former U.S. president Jimmy Carter during his visit to the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian source told news agencies on Tuesday. According to the source, militants linked with Al-Qaida [al-CIAduh] planted two roadside bombs at a border crossing between Gaza and Israel with the intent of striking Carter's vehicle on his way out of the coastal territory. Witnesses reported seeing Hamas forces patrolling near the Erez crossing and detonating the explosives.
Rival groups rally in Tehran 16 Jun 2009 Tens of thousands of opposition and pro-government demonstrators have held rallies in the Iranian capital, raising fears of possible clashes. Thousands of people gathered at a government-organised rally in Tehran's central Vali Asr square on Tuesday, while a similar-sized demonstration was held by opposition supporters in the city's north.
Ahmadinejad supporters hold unity rally 16 Jun 2009 Hundreds of thousands of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's supporters gather in a central Tehran square to call for unity and respect for the people's vote. The ralliers met once again at Valli-Asr Square, where they had gathered on Sunday to celebrate the results of the country's Friday elections with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who according to figures released by the interior ministry won a second term in office with 63 percent of the votes.
Iran says ready for partial vote recount 16 Jun 2009 Iran's Guardian Council says it is prepared to recount disputed ballot boxes as defeated presidential candidate Mir-Hossein Moussavi calls for the annulment of the vote. "We are ready to recount those boxes that some presidential candidates claim to have been cheated," said Council spokesman Abbas-Ali Kadkhodaei Tuesday.
Afghan officials demand AJE report 16 Jun 2009 Afghan intelligence services holding two Al Jazeera producers have demanded a copy of a report the pair made two days before their detention. Al Jazeera was on Tuesday still awaiting information from the authorities about Qais Azimy and Hameedullah Shah, who were detained after being told to report to the country's intelligence headquarters in Kabul two days before.
Obama vows to defend South Korea 16 Jun 2009 US President Barack Obama has reaffirmed Washington's commitment to defend South Korea amid tension with the North over its nuclear program. "We have reaffirmed the endurance of our alliance and America's commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea," Obama said in Washington on Tuesday after talks with visiting South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak.
City reports another 7 deaths due to swine flu; raises total dead to 23 16 Jun 2009 New York City officials are reporting seven more deaths from swine flu, bringing the city’s total to 23. The city health department didn’t identify the victims or say when they died in an update posted on its Web site Tuesday. It says the victims were between the ages of 25 to 64 and most had been hospitalized late last month.
Novartis announces production of first batch of swine flu vaccine for newly-declared pandemic 12 Jun 2009 Swiss pharmaceuticals company Novartis AG said Friday it has successfully produced a first batch of swine flu vaccine weeks ahead of expectations. The vaccine was made in cells, rather than grown in eggs as is usually the case with vaccines, the company said.
Bodies of Air France flight 447 victims show no signs of mid-air explosion 15 Jun 2009 A mid-air explosion on board the doomed Air France flight 447 has all but been ruled out as the bodies recovered from the Atlantic Ocean have no traces of burns, it has emerged. An investigation into the loss of AF 447 from Rio de Janeiro to Paris, in which an Airbus A330 jet plunged into the Atlantic with 228 people on board, has focused on the "inconsistent" readings from its airspeed sensors.
Police watchdog to investigate Taser use 17 Jun 2009 The police watchdog will investigate the alleged repeated use of a Taser on a man in a city centre, as the victim said he will take legal action against officers. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said it would be independently investigating the incident in which a man was apparently repeatedly fired at with a stun gun by police during a night out. A police officer was also apparently seen to punch the man three times to the head area during the arrest in Nottingham in the early hours of Monday.
'Billions in US bonds' seized on Swiss border 13 Jun 2009 Italian financial police said Friday they were holding two Japanese men stopped on the Swiss border with US bonds allegedly worth 134 billion dollars, or nearly 100 billion euros. The two men were trying to enter Switzerland from Italy by train when they were checked by customs at Chiasso after saying they had nothing to declare. The financial police at Como said 249 US Federal Reserve bonds with a face value of 500 million dollars each were found in a false-bottomed suitcase along with 10 so-called Kennedy bonds worth one billion dollars apiece.
Good Government Group Sues for White House Visitors' Logs 16 Jun 2009 The good-government group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, or CREW, filed a lawsuit today to force the President Obama to share White House visitors logs with the public. "We’re suing because the Obama Administration has made it clear that they are continuing the policies and practices of the Bush administration and claiming that White House visitors’ records are off limits to the public," said Anne Weismann, chief counsel for CREW. Last month CREW requested through the Freedom of Information Act that the Secret Service provide the organization with information related to top coal executives visiting the White House.
Obama blocks list of visitors to White House --Taking Bush's position, administration denies msnbc.com request for logs 16 Jun 2009 The Obama administration is fighting to block access to names of visitors to the White House, taking up the Bush regime argument that a president doesn't have to reveal who comes calling to influence policy decisions. Despite President Barack Obama's pledge to introduce a new era of transparency to Washington, and despite two rulings by a federal judge that the records are public, the Secret Service has denied msnbc.com's request for the names of all White House visitors from Jan. 20 to the present. It also denied a narrower request by the nonpartisan watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, which sought logs of visits by executives of coal companies.
Sen. Ensign admits affair with ex-campaign staffer 16 Jun 2009 Republican Sen. John Ensign of Nevada admitted Tuesday he had an extramarital affair with a member of his campaign staff. An aide in Ensign's office said the affair took place between December 2007 and August 2008 with a campaign staffer who was married to an employee in Ensign's Senate office. The aide spoke on condition of anonymity.
'We are fighting for our lives and our dignity' --Across the globe, as mining and oil firms race for dwindling resources, indigenous peoples are battling to defend their lands -- often paying the ultimate price By John Vidal 13 Jun 2009 It has been called the world's second "oil war", but the only similarity between Iraq and events in the jungles of northern Peru over the last few weeks has been the mismatch of force. On one side have been the police armed with automatic weapons, teargas, helicopter gunships and armoured cars. On the other are several thousand Awajun and Wambis Indians, many of them in war paint and armed with bows and arrows and spears. In some of the worst violence seen in Peru in 20 years, the Indians this week warned Latin America what could happen if companies are given free access to the Amazonian forests to exploit an estimated 6bn barrels of oil and take as much timber they like.
British Airways ask staff to work without pay for a month 16 Jun 2009 All of British Airways' 40,000 staff have been made what could be described as a missable offer: the chance to work for free for up to a month. Though it sounds like a bad joke, the reasons behind the request are deadly serious. The company recently reported pre-tax losses of £401m.
Obama to propose strict new regulation of financial industry 16 Jun 2009 The Obama administration this week will propose the most significant new regulation of the financial industry since the Great Depression, including a new watchdog agency to look out for consumers' interests. Under the plan, expected to be released Wednesday, the government would have new powers to seize key companies -- such as insurance giant American International Group Inc. -- whose failure jeopardizes the financial system. Currently, the government's authority to seize companies is mostly limited to banks.
Gas prices pass $3 a gallon 16 Jun 2009 Oh brother, Californians dealing with double-digit unemployment, steep wage cuts and bleak 401(k) reports are getting hammered again. Gas prices crossed the $3 threshold in California on Monday, hitting an average of $3.01 a gallon, the highest since Halloween and $1.21 a gallon more than we were paying at Christmas. A 15-gallon fill-up now costs $18.15 more than it did in December. [Maybe next time Californians won't be fooled by the GOP-run media into installing a corporate troll/Nazi as governor.]
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Previous lead stories: Iraq inquiry to hear evidence in private --Findings will not be published until next summer 15 June 2009 The Prime Minister today announced his inquiry into the Iraq war would be held in private - to the dismay of campaigners. And its findings will not be published until next summer, after the date of the next General Election - an announcement met by jeers from Opposition MPs. Gordon Brown said the probe would be conducted by non-politicians, led by ex-Whitehall mandarin Sir John Chilcot.
Mission accomplished! Iraq unveils foreign oil contract shortlist --Exxonmobil, Total, BP, BG International and Premier Oil have been shortlisted to bid for contracts to work on Iraq's oil and gasfields. 10 Jun 2009 Three British companies have been shortlisted to bid for contracts to work on Iraq's oil and gas fields, pitting themselves against 32 other non-Iraqi companies in a televised, two-day bidding procedure revealed at Baghdad's Oil Ministry. BP, BG International and Premier Oil were among the 120 companies who put themselves forward in June last year, and which now appear on the shortlist of 35 companies who are invited to submit proposals for consideration by a panel of experts at the Ministry. Along with other oil majors including Exxonmobil and Total, they are due to present proposals on June 29 and 30 to work on one of six oil fields and two gas fields.
Afghan intelligence detains Al-Jazeera reporters 15 Jun 2009 Afghanistan's intelligence agents have reportedly detained two producers working for Doha-based satellite TV channel, Al-Jazeera. Qais Azimy and Hamedullah Shah, who work for the station's English and Arabic services, have been held by Afghan authorities since Sunday. The station said in a statement that it has been unable to contact the two since then. "Al-Jazeera is officially requesting information from the Afghan authorities and is calling for Qais and Hamedullah's immediate release," the statement read. It remains unclear why the two have been arrested by Afghan forces. [Notice that US media coverage of detention of reporters only takes place when the offending power is an adversary of the US, such as Iran or North Korea?]
