Blackwater Accused Again of Murders in Iraq 03 Jun 2009 Two more Iraqi families accuse Blackwater, now known as Xe, of murdering their husbands and fathers in Baghdad and covering it up. Azhar Abdullah Ali, a father of three, was a security guard for the Iraqi Media Network when Blackwater mercenaries killed him and two others on Feb. 7, 2007, according to the federal complaint. The family of Rahim Khalaf Sa'adoon claims drunken Blackwater mercenary Andrew Moonen killed Sa'adoon on Christmas Eve, "for no reason," as Sa'adoon guarded the vice president of Iraq.
Chavez accuses US of assassination plot 03 Jun 2009 President Hugo Chavez has alleged that US intelligence agencies have been planning his assassination. Mr Chavez said the supposed conspiracy had kept him from visiting El Salvador to attend the inauguration of leftist President Mauricio Funes in El Salvador on Monday.
In CIA briefings, Cheney controlled input on torture 03 Jun 2009 Dick Cheney attempted to win support for harsh interrogation of 'suspected terrorists' by controlling the information Congress would receive on the matter, a report says. In 2005, the former US vice president [sic] directed 'at least four' related briefings with Congressmen during which he would produce 'an impassioned defense' of 'enhanced interrogation techniques' -- the former administration's euphemism for torture, The Washington Post reported on Wednesday.
Cheney Led Briefings of Lawmakers to Defend Interrogation Techniques 03 Jun 2009 Former vice president [sic] Richard B. Cheney personally oversaw at least four briefings with senior members of Congress about the controversial interrogation program, part of a secretive and forceful defense he mounted throughout 2005 in an effort to maintain support for the harsh techniques torture used on prisoners. The Cheney-led briefings came at some of the most critical moments for the program, as congressional oversight committees were threatening to investigate or even terminate the techniques, according to lawmakers, congressional officials, and current and former intelligence officials. The CIA made no mention of Cheney's role in documents delivered to Capitol Hill last month that listed every lawmaker who had been briefed on "enhanced interrogation techniques" since 2002.
Mission accomplished! Kurds start oil exports from northern Iraq --The revenue will be shared between Baghdad, the Kurds and oil companies. 01 Jun 2009 Iraq's self-ruled Kurdish region has started exporting crude oil to foreign markets for the first time. Companies chosen by the Kurdistan Regional Government will pump up to 90,000-100,000 barrels per day from two northern oilfields to Turkey.
Report Ties Dubious Iran Nuclear Docs to Israel By Gareth Porter 03 Jun 2009 A report on Iran’s nuclear programme issued by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last month generated news stories publicising an incendiary charge that U.S. intelligence is underestimating Iran’s progress in designing a "nuclear warhead" before the halt in nuclear weapons-related research in 2003. That false and misleading charge from an intelligence official of a foreign country, who was not identified but was clearly Israeli, reinforces two of Israel’s key propaganda themes on Iran – that the 2007 U.S. National Intelligence Estimate on Iran is wrong, and that Tehran is poised to build nuclear weapons as soon as possible. But it also provides new evidence that Israeli intelligence was the source of the collection of intelligence documents which have been used to accuse Iran of hiding nuclear weapons research.
IDF declares Nablus area a closed military zone to keep out left-wing activists 03 Jun 2009 The Israel Defense Forces has declared the area around the West Bank city of Nablus a closed military zone, in order to prevent left-wing activists from entering the area, Army Radio reported on Wednesday. According to Army Radio, Head of the Central Command General Gadi Shamni issued the closure after receiving numerous complaints from soldiers who said the activists were interfering with their 'security duties' at area checkpoints.
Mega barf alert! US Pledges Additional $200 Million in Aid to Pakistan 03 Jun 2009 U.S. envoy Richard Holbrooke said the Obama administration is standing beside Pakistan in its fight to defeat create Islamic extremists. During a visit to Islamabad, Holbrooke said the United States has pledged an additional $200 million to assist Pakistanis displaced by a military offensive against Taliban militants. [See: Billions in U.S. Aid to Pakistan Wasted, Officials Assert 24 Dec 2007 and US Senate approves Pakistan aid worth $785m 20 Dec 2007.]
Unmanned vehicle spending in the 2010 DOD budget to reach $5.4 billion 28 May 2009 U.S. military forces plan to spend nearly $5.4 billion next year on unmanned vehicle (UV) technology for air, ground, and maritime applications, according to identifiable unmanned vehicle line items in the fiscal 2010 U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) budget, which was released in May and sent to Congress for consideration.
DOD budget for 2010 proposes $23.67 billion for military communications, electronics, and intelligence 20 May 2009 Leaders of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) propose spending $23.67 billion in fiscal year 2010 for procurement and research in military communications, electronics, telecommunications, and intelligence (CET&I) technologies, which would represent a slight decrease of 0.13 percent from current-year enacted levels of $23.7 billion, according to Pentagon budget documents.
US troops killed in IED strikes in Afghanistan 01 Jun 2009 Two roadside bombs that struck back-to-back and only miles apart hit two U.S. military vehicles in Afghanistan Monday, killing four American troops, U.S. and Afghan officials said. U.S. military officials have predicted a 50 percent spike in IED attacks in Afghanistan this year as militants step up attacks and thousands of more troops pour into the country.
Pakistan predicts long war against militants 03 Jun 2009 Pakistan's army warns that the battle against insurgency in the troubled northwestern Swat valley and its adjoining areas could take longer than previously thought. The prediction of a long war comes days after the army claimed full control of the main town in the troubled valley, Mingora, after a month-long operation.
'Bin Laden' accuses Obama of sowing 'revenge and hatred' in Muslim world 03 Jun 2009 Osama bin Laden today denounced Barack Obama as the US president arrived in Saudi Arabia at the start of a short Middle East tour in his continuing effort to reach out to the Muslim world. In an audio recording timed for Obama's latest overture, the [deceased] al-Qaida leader said the US leader had planted seeds of "revenge and hatred" towards the US in the Muslim world, al-Jazeera television reported.
'Bin Laden' tape denounces Obama 03 Jun 2009 A tape recording purported to be of al-Qaeda leader 'Osama Bin Laden' has accused US President Barack Obama of fuelling hatred of America in Pakistan. The audio message broadcast on Arabic TV channel al-Jazeera blamed US pressure for Pakistan's crackdown in its north-western Swat Valley. Hundreds of thousands of civilians have fled the fighting with Taliban rebels.
Huge security clampdown in Cairo for Barack Obama's big speech to Muslim world 03 Jun 2009 The biggest security operation ever seen in Egypt was under way tonight as Cairo prepared to welcome Barack Obama for his landmark speech to the Muslim world after a warning of revenge against the US by 'Osama bin Laden.' Unprecedented security measures are in place for Obama's big day in Cairo, of which the centrepiece is a 50-minute address at the city's university tomorrow.
Bush's 'burrowers' are busy little bees: US nuclear secrets accidentally leaked? 03 Jun 2009 Washington has published a document containing details of the precise whereabouts of hundreds of its nuclear sites as well as fuel storage areas for its nuclear weapons stockpiles, allegedly by accident. The 266-page report marked "highly confidential" was released on Monday in an online newsletter for issues of federal secrecy, raising fears among nuclear experts who cited security hazards.
TSA Blocks Delta Flights to 2 African Cities On Security 03 Jun 2009 Delta Air Lines Inc. has been denied permission for direct flights to Nairobi, Kenya and Monrovia, Liberia until the airports meet security standards or until U.S. regulators change their assessment of security threats in the region. The Transportation Security Administration called the current threat to civil aviation in east Africa too significant to allow the flights, but said it will continue to monitor the situation. The routes were slated to begin within days.
Officials investigate Argentina bomb threat as pilot claims Air France Flight 447 was blown out of the sky by terrorists 03 Jun 2009 Investigators are examining a bomb threat called in on a flight from Buenos Aires to Paris just days before Flight 447 disappeared over the Atlantic ocean, it has been revealed. Aviation authorities are examining the possibility of a link between the threat to the Buenos Aires flight and the mysterious disappearance of Flight 447 with 228 people on board, a source has claimed. Meanwhile an Air France pilot said it was 'highly likely' the jet was blown out of the sky by a bomb.' Speaking under condition of anonymity to Le Figaro newspaper the pilot said: 'It is highly likely a bomb went off on board. I have flown these jets for Air France for more than ten years, and the chances of an electrical fault seem unfeasible to me.'
Another Air France plane got bomb threat 03 Jun 2009 Aviation authorities said an Air France Buenos Aires-to-Paris flight was grounded temporarily because of a bomb threat that turned out to be false. Officials at Buenos Aires' Ezeiza International Airport delayed an Air France flight from the Argentine city to Paris May 27 after the bomb threat was called in, The Daily Mail reported Wednesday.
Flight 447 black box may never be found 03 Jun 2009 French officials doubt the recovery of black boxes belonging to the missing Air France 447 flight from the bottom of deep Atlantic Ocean. The Chief of French Civil Aviation Ministry's bureau of investigation (BEA), Paul Louis Arslanian said he was "not optimistic" over the recovery of the black boxes, adding that there could be no speculations until everything was "checked and verified."
FAA looks into what pilot saw over Liberty 03 Jun 2009 The FBI, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Liberty County Sheriff’s Department met Tuesday to compare notes on an unidentified flying object reported late last week by an ExpressJet Airlines pilot. The pilot reported a "missile or rocket" flying near his airplane Friday at 8:09 p.m., shortly after takeoff from Bush Intercontinental Airport, according to sheriff’s officials.
Liberty Co., FAA to discuss report of object near plane 01 Jun 2009 Liberty County Sheriff’s officials are expected to meet with the FAA on Tuesday to discuss what a Continental Express pilot reported as a "missile or rocket" flying near his airplane. A pilot reported to the Federal Aviation Administration that at about 8:15 p.m. Friday, an object passed within 150 feet beneath the aircraft, sheriff’s officials said. The aircraft was near the southern edge of the county, flying at about 13,000 feet, officials said. "The pilot, from what we understand, was former military. He was able to get the coordinates down real quick," said Cpl. Hugh Bishop with the Liberty County Sheriff’s Department.
MPs' expenses: Departing MPs milked system to the end 03 Jun 2009 MPs who left Parliament at the last election made thousands of pounds from the expenses system in the months just before or after their departure, The Daily Telegraph can disclose. Some of those who resigned or lost marginal seats in 2005 have since made tens of thousands of pounds selling or renting out flats that had been funded by the taxpayer. Other departing MPs passed subsidised properties to their children, while some who had already announced they were stepping down spent thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money furnishing or redecorating homes.
Brown's authority dealt severe blow as Blears quits 03 June 2009 Gordon Brown's authority as Prime Minister was dealt a severe blow today, as Communities Secretary Hazel Blears quit the Cabinet on the eve of crucial European and local elections. But Mr Brown rejected opposition calls for an immediate General Election, insisting he was focusing on cleaning up the parliamentary expenses system and helping Britain through the recession.
Children who don't have MMR jab should be banned from school, says ex BMA chief 03 Jun 2009 Children should be banned from going to school if they have not had the MMR jab, a senior doctor has said. Sir Sandy Macara, former chairman of the British Medical Association, said the [deadly] vaccine should be made compulsory, with children who have not had it turned away at the school gates. His call came amid concerns over low levels of take-up for the jab.
Four swine flu sufferers in Glasgow area treated in intensive care 04 Jun 2009 Four people suffering from swine flu are being treated in intensive care wards in hospitals in and around Glasgow tonight. The four -- all aged under 50 -- are the only cases in Britain to require intensive care treatment for the H1N1 virus, and are among 88 confirmed cases of swine flu in Scotland. A total of 303 cases have been diagnosed in England, two in Northern Ireland and one in Wales.
Swine flu: home quarantine urged in SA 03 Jun 2009 Health authorities are recommending home quarantine for South Australian children who have visited Melbourne because of a high prevalence of swine flu there. A person visiting SA from Western Australia has also been diagnosed with swine flu, becoming the eighth case in South Australia. They are to stay in isolation in SA for a week.
Saudi Arabia confirms first H1N1 flu case 03 Jun 2009 Saudi Arabia has confirmed its first case of the H1N1 flu virus in a Filipina nurse, the kingdom's health minister said on Wednesday. The woman arrived on Friday on board a Gulf Air flight from the Philippines and showed first symptoms on Monday, Abdullah al-Rabeeah told Saudi news channel al-Ekhbariya, adding that she was being held in quarantine in a hospital in the capital Riyadh.
2 More Deaths in City Linked to Swine Flu 03 Jun 2009 Two more deaths linked to swine flu -- both of adults in their early to mid-40s -- were reported by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on Wednesday, bringing the total H1N1-related fatalities in the city to seven.
Already Hurting, Mets Face a Swine Flu Scare 03 Jun 2009 As if the Mets did not have enough injuries and illnesses to worry about, they confronted a swine flu scare Tuesday when a member of their traveling party was isolated after coming down with an unidentified strain of flu. An associate producer for SportsNet New York, who started having symptoms after arriving here Sunday night, was treated and tested at a hospital, but the Mets had not received confirmation as to what type of flu the strain was.
Obama Open to Plan Requiring Everyone to Get Insurance 04 Jun 2009 President Obama said Wednesday that he was receptive to Congressional proposals that would require every American to have health insurance and that would force employers to offer health insurance to their employees. But he said there should be exemptions for people who cannot afford coverage and for small businesses in general.
AIG Charity Grab --Bids to Claw Back Grants to Pay Bonuses 01 Jun 2009 Insurance giant AIG is trying to seize a $490 million charitable endowment -- and claw back $27 million it already awarded to New York charities -- to pay executive bonuses, The Post has learned. AIG intends to go to trial in federal court June 15. Legal experts say that if AIG wins its case, it would have the right to sue to claw back some of the $27 million already awarded to charities.
New Hampshire Legislature Approves Same-Sex Marriage 03 Jun 2009 New Hampshire this afternoon became the sixth state to allow gay marriage, after Gov. John Lynch (D) signed a revised bill approved by both houses of the legislature. The passage of the bill now leaves Rhode Island as the only New England state that does not allow same sex marriage.
Polar bears and a cactus urge climate action in Bonn 01 Jun 2009 U.N. climate talks started in Bonn on Monday with demonstrators dressed as camels, birds, trees, a cactus and several polar bears urging delegates to do more to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Environmentalists want developed countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions, mainly from burning fossil fuels, by 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2020.
