In the News: Feb-22

Justice reviews role in waterboarding - 22 Feb 2008 at 2:48pm - WASHINGTON -- The Justice Department has opened an internal investigation into whether its top officials improperly authorized or reviewed the CIA's use of waterboarding when interrogating terror suspects, according to documents released Friday.

Turkish troops launch Iraq offensive - 22 Feb 2008 at 12:57pm - ANKARA (AFP) - The Turkish army launched a ground offensive into northern Iraq to hunt down Kurdish rebels, drawing an angry response Friday from Iraqi leaders and a call for restraint from Washington.

Feds to raise fines for hiring illegals - 22 Feb 2008 at 11:42am - WASHINGTON -- The government says it will raise by 25 percent the fines it will levy against employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants.

Court rules for companies in "agent orange" case - 22 Feb 2008 at 11:10am - NEW YORK (Reuters) - A federal appeals court on Friday upheld a lower court ruling dismissing a civil lawsuit against major U.S. chemical companies brought by Vietnamese plaintiffs over the use of dioxin, or "agent orange," during the Vietnam War.

Taliban see Canada as 'weak' as Afghan debate drags on: Hillier - 22 Feb 2008 at 10:29am - Lengthy debate over Canada's role in Afghanistan could put its soldiers increasingly at risk as the Taliban perceive the country as a 'weak link,' Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Rick Hillier says.

Iraqi cleric Sadr extends militia ceasefire - 22 Feb 2008 at 9:26am - BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Powerful Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr extended his Mehdi Army militia ceasefire by six months on Friday, a decision U.S. officials said would help foster reconciliation among Iraq's divided communities.

Thought for the day:
The truth is a beautiful and terrible thing, and therefore should be treated with caution. -J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone