Billions of Transactions Every Day

Spy chief seeks more eavesdropping power - 18 Sep 2007 at 11:20am - WASHINGTON -- The top U.S. intelligence official is telling Congress it shouldn't succumb to pressure to roll back a new law that enhances the government's eavesdropping capability on terrorists as well as more traditional potential adversaries. But National Intelligence Director Mike McConnell could not say how many Americans' phone conversations have been overheard because of U.S. wiretaps on foreign phone lines. "I don't have the exact number ... considering there are billions of transactions every day," McConnell told the House Judiciary Committee at a hearing on the law governing federal surveillance of phone calls and e-mails.

So we're back to datamining.

Landmine ban a success 10 years on, campaigners say - 18 Sep 2007 at 9:37am - OSLO (Reuters) - The 1997 ban on landmines has succeeded beyond hopes, but states must follow through with their obligations to clear landmines and assist victims, campaigners said on the treaty's 10th anniversary on Tuesday.

Russia, China worried by Iran attack talk - 18 Sep 2007 at 9:28am - MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia and China expressed alarm on Tuesday over comments by France's foreign minister that Paris should prepare for the prospect of war with Iran, which the West accuses of secretly developing nuclear weapons.

Iraq softens stance on Blackwater, plans review - 18 Sep 2007 at 9:19am - The Iraqi government said Tuesday it would review the status of private security companies as anger over the alleged involvement ...

13 lawmakers subpoenaed in bribery trial - 18 Sep 2007 at 9:57am - WASHINGTON -- Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert and 12 other members of Congress have been subpoenaed to testify in the trial of a defense contractor charged with bribing jailed former Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham.

Bush to lawmakers: Support troop levels - 18 Sep 2007 at 10:06am - WASHINGTON -- President Bush, cheered on by Iraq war veterans and their families on the White House's South Lawn, urged lawmakers Tuesday to back his plan to withdraw some troops from Iraq but keep at least 130,000 through next summer or longer.

State Department under Hill scrutiny - 18 Sep 2007 at 12:04pm - WASHINGTON -- A congressional committee has launched an investigation into the State Department's Inspector General, alleging that he blocked fraud investigations, including potential security lapses at the newly built U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

Thought for the day:
If you can find something everyone agrees on, it's wrong. -Mo Udall