In the News: Nov-26

Sen. Trent Lott to resign by end of year - 26 Nov 2007 at 8:52am - JACKSON, Miss. -- Sen. Trent Lott of Mississippi, the Senate's No. 2 Republican, plans to resign his seat before the end of the year, congressional and Bush administration officials said Monday.

We won't have Trent Lott's wig to kick around any longer. Pity.

Bush launches drive for Mideast peace - 26 Nov 2007 at 2:45pm - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Israeli and Palestinian negotiators neared an agreement on Monday on a peace agenda as President George W. Bush launched a new drive to restart long-dormant talks to create a Palestinian state.

Somehow, the idea of Bush launching something sounds anything but peaceful.

'State secrets' doctrine draws scrutiny - 26 Nov 2007 at 9:56am - In federal courts and on Capitol Hill, challenges are brewing to a key legal strategy President Bush is using to protect a secret surveillance program that monitors phone calls and e-mails inside the United States.

Iraq forces better but not ready yet: U.S. general - 26 Nov 2007 at 9:07am - BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's security forces are improving but will not be ready to take control of as many provinces by the end of the year as the U.S. military had hoped, a top U.S. general said.

Putin accuses U.S. of meddling in Russia vote - 26 Nov 2007 at 12:41pm - ST PETERSBURG, Russia (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin accused Washington on Monday of plotting to undermine December parliamentary elections seen widely as a demonstration of his enduring power in Russia.

Probe finds other DHS fake briefings - 26 Nov 2007 at 12:13pm - WASHINGTON -- The fake October news conference held by the Federal Emergency Management Agency was not the first time a Homeland Security public affairs official has acted like a reporter by asking questions during a briefing.

US, Iraq deal sees long-term US presence - 26 Nov 2007 at 2:14pm - WASHINGTON -- President Bush on Monday signed a deal setting the foundation for a potential long-term U.S. troop presence in Iraq, with details to be negotiated over matters that have defined the war debate at home - how many U.S. forces will stay in the country, and for how long.

Blackwater probe stifled by conflicts - 26 Nov 2007 at 2:37pm - WASHINGTON -- The State Department's acerbic top auditor wasn't happy when Justice Department officials told one of his aides to leave the room so they could discuss a criminal investigation of Blackwater Worldwide, the contractor protecting U.S. diplomats in Iraq.

Thought for the day:
An atheist is a man who has no invisible means of support. -John Buchan (1875 - 1940)