Baxter ramps up swine flu vaccine yields 16 Sep 2009 Baxter International Inc on Wednesday said its production yields of a "swine flu" vaccine have increased three-fold. In a presentation to investors, Joy Amundson, president of Baxter's Bioscience unit, said the company has begun shipping the swine flu, or H1N1, vaccines weekly. [See: Baxter working on vaccine to stop swine flu, though admitted sending live pandemic flu viruses to subcontractor 26 Apr 2009.]
Blackwater running covert recruitment drive in Pak through its website 16 Sep 2009 The controversial US private security company, Blackwater, is reportedly running a covert recruitment drive through its website in Pakistan. The hidden pages of the company's website, www.BlackwaterUSA.com, can only be accessed through four company executives' references, The Nation reports. It is in these hidden pages one can find application form for job applicants. It is here that one can see the effort by this company to hire Pakistanis who speak Punjabi and Urdu - to add to their earlier requirements of Arabic, Farsi and Dari. [See: Blackwater Recruiting Agents Fluent In Urdu and Punjabi For Pakistan --Report suggests Pakistani envoy in Washington issued 360 visas to Americans in one month without consulting Islamabad By Ahmed Quraishi 15 Sep 2009.]
Xe Worldwide (Blackwater) spreads tentacles to Karachi 15 Sep 2009 US private security outfit Blackwater has begun to expand its presence in Karachi port city in the backdrop of the Peshawar debacle last month... Well-placed sources told The Nation on Monday that Blackwater, which has been operating in the region including in Afghanistan and Pakistan under different names, is believed to have hired on rent at least seven private houses in posh Defence area of Karachi port city. It was further learnt from knowledgeable sources that Blackwater had acquired hundreds of acres of land near Pataro in Sindh in order to launch a supposedly Agriculture Research Institute.
Death squads, disappearances and torture in Pakistan By Bill Van Auken 16 Sep 2009 As the Obama administration prepares a major escalation of the so-called AfPak war, reports from Pakistan’s Swat Valley, near Afghanistan’s eastern border, provide a gruesome indication of the kind of war that the Pentagon and its local allies are waging. While touted by Obama and his supporters as the "good war," there is mounting evidence that the Pentagon and the CIA are engaged in a war against the population of the region involving death squads, disappearances and torture.
Appeals court sends KBR gang-rape case to court 15 Sep 2009 The case of a Texas woman who alleges she was gang-raped by co-workers while working for a military contractor in Iraq will go to court instead of arbitration, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday. A divided three-judge panel from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans ruled Jamie Leigh Jones' federal lawsuit against Halliburton Co., former subsidiary KBR and several affiliates can be tried in open court. The companies contended Jones signed an agreement that required claims against the companies to be resolved privately through arbitration.
Green Zone Takes More Fire During Biden Visit 17 Sep 2009 Baghdad’s heavily fortified international zone was attacked by rocket fire for a second night on Wednesday, this time just after Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki had made brief public remarks and sat down for a traditional dinner to break the Ramadan fast. One rocket landed on the edge of the American Embassy compound, about a mile from the building where the two leaders met, wounding several people at a security company, according to the Ministry of the Interior. A second landed on the opposite side of the Tigris River near the Babylon Hotel, a towering landmark in the cityscape, killing one and wounding two, a ministry official said, speaking on condition of anonymity under the ministry’s rules.
Iraq leader seeks investment as rockets fall 16 Sep 2009 Iraq's prime minister appealed for more foreign investment in the country Wednesday even as rocket attacks on key installations highlighted continuing security problems. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said a conference in Washington on October 20-21 would showcase investment opportunities and contracts in Iraq as it emerges from the 'sectarian' killing unleashed by the 2003 U.S. invasion. [Oops! Looks like the horse has fled the barn on this one.
US troops kill Fallujah 'shoe-thrower' 16 Sep 2009 An Iraqi man who witnesses said shouted abuse before throwing a shoe at a US army vehicle was shot dead on Wednesday in what the American military said was a suspected grenade attack. Residents told an AFP reporter in Fallujah that Ahmed Latif, 32, whom they said was mentally disturbed, insulted the soldiers as they patrolled in the centre of the city, and then hurled a shoe at them. The [liars aka] US military told AFP that a convoy in Fallujah had been attacked with a suspected grenade.
UN: Israel terrorised Gazans in war 16 Sep 2009 Israel "punished and terrorised" civilians in Gaza in a disproportionate attack in its three-week war on the territory earlier this year, a United Nations report has found. Judge Richard Goldstone, who led the inquiry, said he found evidence Israel targeted civilians and used excessive force in the assault, which was launched on December 27.
Gaza water supplies in danger of 'collapse': UN 14 Sep 2009 The Gaza Strip's underground water supplies are "in danger of collapse" following years of overuse and a devastating war Israel waged in the territory at the turn of the year, the UN said Monday. "The underground water supplies, upon which 1.5 million Palestinians depend for agriculture and drinking water, are in danger of collapse," the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) said in a statement accompanying a new report.
Afghanistan election may be run again [LOL, it never 'ran' in the first place.] 16 Sep 2009 Ballots from about a tenth of Afghanistan's polling stations are to be recounted. With evidence surfacing of widespread fraud, President Hamid Karzai has been informed he may have to face another round of 'voting.'
Secretive spending on US intelligence disclosed 15 Sep 2009 Intelligence activities across the U.S. government and military cost a total of $75 billion a year, the nation's top intelligence official said on Tuesday, disclosing an overall number long shrouded in secrecy. Dennis Blair, the U.S. director of national intelligence, cited the figure as part of a four-year strategic blueprint for the sprawling, 200,000-person intelligence community.
White House Backs Controversial Domestic Surveillance Provisions 16 Sep 2009 The Obama administration is urging lawmakers to extend three provisions of the controversial domestic surveillance law known as the USA Patriot Act. The U.S. Justice Department issued a letter Tuesday asking Congress to renew provisions of the law that allow authorities to conduct roving electronic eavesdropping, or wiretaps, access business records and track so-called "lone wolf" suspects with no known links to foreign powers or terrorist groups. The roving wiretaps would let agents track the communications of suspects who change their cell phones or other devices. The provisions are due to expire on December 31.[See: Barack Obama: Change We Can Deceive In --A critique from the Left By Lori Price 19 Aug 2009.]
FBI unit set for more anti-terror raids in Queens; Fears of Madrid-style subway bombings - sources 16 Sep 2009 Fearful of a Madrid-style subway train bombing, authorities are poised to make more raids to seize bomb-making materials at locations in Queens, sources said Wednesday. The FBI's elite Hostage Rescue Team arrived in New York in anticipation of the offensive to thwart a Denver-based terror cell with ties to Al Qaeda [al-CIAduh], police sources told the Daily News. Another source said an earlier raid uncovered nine backpacks and cell phones, raising memories of the March 2004 bombings in Madrid.
Bush homeland security adviser chairs Obama's special task force 15 Sep 2009 A special task force recommended Tuesday that if the Obama administration keeps color-coded terror alerts, the number of colors and levels of risk should be reduced from five to three. The recommendations come after a 60-day 'bipartisan' review of the often ridiculed color-coded terror alert system. The task force was divided on whether the colors should be eliminated, but all agreed that if the administration chooses to keep the colors, there should be only three tiers, said Fran Townsend, the former homeland security adviser to President [sic] George W. Bush. Townsend, who co-chaired the task force, explained the recommendations during a teleconference Tuesday afternoon.
Suspect at Center of Alleged Terror Plot Denies al Qaeda Ties --FBI Says No Imminent Danger to New York Following Terrorism Raids 16 Sep 2009 The Denver man under surveillance by the FBI and the Colorado Joint Terrorism Task Force for his suspected ties to 'al Qaeda,' denies any connection to the terrorist group and says the alleged terror plot that has centered around him is all a big mistake. "I have nothing to do with al Qaeda," Najibullah Zazi told ABC News' Denver affiliate. "Any link or anything with al Qaeda."
'All I can say is that I have no idea what it is all about.' Colo. man denies terrorist ties after NYC raids 15 Sep 2009 A Colorado man denied Tuesday that he's a central figure in a terrorism investigation that fed fears of a possible bomb plot and led to several police raids in New York City. Najibullah Zazi told The Associated Press at his home outside Denver that he recently visited New York City and was driving a rental car when he was stopped by authorities Sept. 10 on the George Washington Bridge, which connects New York City and New Jersey. But he said after officers searched the vehicle, he was allowed to leave and return to suburban Denver.
Dramatic raids in search of terror: Feds move on Qaeda suspect's Queens pals [
AP: Probers find FBI, ATF bomb feud 15 Sep 2009 Agents of the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives are feuding over bomb investigations -- racing each other to crime scenes, failing to share information and refusing to train together, according to a draft report obtained by The Associated Press. The report says Justice Department bosses have repeatedly failed to fix the problem involving the two agencies that are part of their department.
Jimmy Carter: Wilson Comments 'Based on Racism' --Former President Carter: Congressman's outburst to Obama 'based on racism,' 'dastardly' 15 Sep 2009 Former President Jimmy Carter said Tuesday that U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson's outburst to President Barack Obama during a speech to Congress last week was an act "based on racism" and rooted in fears of a black president. "I think it's based on racism," Carter said in response to an audience question at a town hall held at his presidential center in Atlanta. "There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president."
House Vote of Disapproval on Rep. Joe Wilson 15 Sep 2009 The 240-179 roll call Tuesday by which the House passed a resolution of disapproval against Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., for Wilson's ''You lie!'' shout during President Barack Obama's health care address to a joint session of Congress. A ''yes'' vote is a vote to pass the resolution. Voting yes were 233 Democrats and 7 Republicans. Voting no were 12 Democrats and 167 Republicans.
House officially rebukes Rep. Joe Wilson, 240-179 16 Sep 2009 The House of Representatives officially rebuked Republican Joe Wilson on Tuesday for shouting "You lie!" in the middle of President Obama's health care address to a joint session of Congress. The South Carolina lawmaker's outburst last week was a "breach of decorum," according to the resolution, which states that the House "disapproves" of his behavior. The resolution passed 240-179, largely along party lines. Seven Republicans broke with their leadership to support it; 12 Democrats were opposed.
Text of Rep. Joe Wilson Resolution 15 Sep 2009 The text of the resolution disapproving of the outburst by Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., during President Barack Obama's speech
Tourism boycott threatened over Wilson's 'You lie' outburst 15 Sep 2009 State and local tourism officials are being flooded by emails and calls from people across the country, saying they won't vacation in South Carolina because they're upset by GOP Rep. Joe Wilson's outburst at President Barack Obama. The officials said that a number of the out-of-state e-mailers have said they've taken beach trips for years in Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head and other South Carolina resort areas, but don't plan to return.
UK's top doctors write letter to U.S. politicians to battle 'lies' about the NHS 16 Sep 2009 More than 100 top doctors have signed an open letter to U.S. senators to counter 'lies' about the National Health Service. The NHS has been the subject of vicious attacks by senior Republicans angry at President Obama's plans to reform healthcare in the country. Top British doctors have been moved to write an open letter to Democratic senator and former presidential candidate John Kerry, who has called for evidence from the medical profession that Republican fears were unfounded.
Baucus Introduces $856 Billion Health-Care Bill 16 Sep 2009 Bill Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus unveiled an $856 billion health-care reform plan Wednesday that would require nearly all Americans to carry health insurance [so the insurance companies get millions of new customers, but no competition to hold down costs] while barring insurance companies from discriminating against people based on their health status or denying coverage because of preexisting conditions. The plan does not call for a government-run insurance option, as 'advocated' by President Obama and most Democrats, but would set up a system of nonprofit consumer-owned cooperatives to compete with private insurers -- a provision intended to appeal to Republicans who have railed against the "public option" in recent weeks. [Right, but the conciliatory, sycophantic cowards aka DemocRATs are still kissing a** in a pretense of hoping to 'get their support.' Reichwing nutjobs are packing heat yards from where Obama speaks (even though Bush's Waffen-SS arrested people sporting Kerry pins at *his* rallies), carrying 'Bury Obamacare with Kennedy' signs --but the Democratic douchebags actually want us to believe that they're caving on single payer and the public option so that they can get Olympia Snowe to vote for their useless legislation. How stupid do you think we are? We all know that Baucus, LieberBush (and most DemocRATs) are on the campaign contribution payroll of the pharma-terrorists and *that's* why we're not getting single payer. Mr. Exelon himself, Barack Opharma, needs to stop pretending that he was ever going to push for genuine health-care reform. --LRP]
No Republican support for Senate health plan 16 Sep 2009 Senate Democrats' most concerted quest for a bipartisan compromise sellout on healthcare collapsed Tuesday as finance committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) announced he would move ahead with his long-delayed proposals without any guarantee of Republican support. Baucus also took a blow from his own party's left, as a senior Senate Democrat [Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV (W.Va.)] declared that too many concessions had been made and that he would not support the emerging bill because it did not include a public insurance option.
Public Service unions up in arms over Tory attempt to rush 14 Sep 2009 Four of the largest Canadian trade unions are incensed at the Harper government’s attempt to ram through the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement in advance of a possible federal election. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, the Public Service Alliance of Canada and the National Union of Public and General Employees are criticizing the scheduling of Bill C-23, the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, as the first order of business when Parliament resumes on Sept. 14, 2009.
Endangered Species Listing Sought for Arctic Reindeer 15 Sep 2009 Today the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW www.ifaw.org) filed a petition with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) to protect two North Pole-residing caribou species under the Endangered Species Act. While caribou, more commonly known as reindeer, are threatened globally by climate change, the two specific sub-species in this petition, Peary and Dolphin-Union caribou, face an imminent risk of extinction.
Previous lead stories: Has Osama Bin Laden been dead for seven years - and are the U.S. and Britain covering it up to continue war on terror? --'In the video, Bin Laden can be seen writing a note with his right hand, although he is left-handed.' 11 Sep 2009 This new offensive is, of course, based on the premise that the 9/11 terrorist is alive. After all, there are the plethora of 'Bin Laden tapes' to prove it. Yet what if he isn't? What if he has been dead for years, and the British and U.S. intelligence services are actually playing a game of double bluff? What if everything we have seen or heard of him on video and audio tapes since the early days after 9/11 is a fake - and that he is being kept 'alive' by the Western allies to stir up support for the war on [of] terror?
'Hundreds of FBI agents are on the ground in Colorado, conducting round-the-clock surveillance on five suspects' Queens terror raids part of FBI probe into Denver-based cell plotting attack on 9/11 scale 15 Sep 2009 The massive FBI probe that triggered raids in Queens is focused on a Denver-based terror cell plotting another attack on the scale of 9/11, the Daily News learned Tuesday. Hundreds of FBI agents are on the ground in Colorado, conducting round-the-clock surveillance on five suspects - including a man who recently visited Queens, sources told The News. New York authorities searched three Flushing apartments and detained several men - later released - after getting a warrant to look for bomb-making components, explosive powders and fuses. "The FBI is seriously spooked about these guys planning another 9/11," a former senior counterterrorism official told the News. "This is not some ... FBI informant-driven case. This is the real thing."
Freed Iraq shoe-thrower claims "tortured" in custody 15 Sep 2009 The released Iraqi reporter who threw his shoes at former U.S. President [sic] George W. Bush said Tuesday he was tortured during the first days of being in custody. "I have been tortured by electric shocks, beatings and whipped by cords," Muntadhar al-Zaidi, who was freed earlier in the day after nine months of imprisonment, told in the news conference at the TV station where he works in Baghdad's northern neighborhood of Waziryah.
