In the News: Feb-07

U.S. sees attacks by Iranian-backed groups up in Iraq - 7 Feb 2008 at 2:49pm - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Attacks by Iranian-backed groups in Iraq have increased in recent months, a senior U.S. official said on Thursday, casting doubt on the view Iran might have reduced its support for violence in the war.

Is there evidence that the U.S. has reduced its support for violence in the war?

Murtha prepares war bill - 7 Feb 2008 at 3:10pm - WASHINGTON -- A top Democrat said Thursday he is preparing legislation that would give President Bush the war funding he wants this year, but on the condition that troops leave Iraq by the end of the year.

CIA boss: Waterboarding may be illegal - 7 Feb 2008 at 1:51pm - CIA Director Michael Hayden cast doubt on the legality of waterboarding on Thursday, a day after the White House said the harsh interrogation tactic has saved American lives and could be used in the future.

Mukasey: No waterboarding inquiry plans - 7 Feb 2008 at 12:38pm - WASHINGTON -- House and Senate Democrats pressed Thursday for the Justice Department to investigate whether U.S. interrogators broke the law when waterboarding al-Qaida detainees the years after 9/11.

Senate can't agree on stimulus package - 7 Feb 2008 at 7:54am - WASHINGTON -- The fate of $600-$1,200 rebate checks for more than 100 million Americans is in limbo after Senate Republicans blocked a bid by Democrats to add $44 billion in help for the elderly, disabled veterans, the unemployed and businesses to the House-passed economic aid package.

Thought for the day:
No passion so effectually robs the mind of all its powers of acting and reasoning as fear. -Edmund Burke (1729 - 1797)