In the News - July 19

More than 400 charged in mortgage probe - 19 Jun 2008 at 2:18pm - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - More than 400 people have been charged in a nationally coordinated probe of mortgage fraud that involved an estimated $1 billion in losses, the U.S. Justice Department said on Thursday.

Weapons caches turning up with more frequency in Iraq - 19 Jun 2008 at 2:16pm - BAGHDAD (AP) — Weapons caches are turning up with increasing frequency in public places in Iraq — from a bakery to a fish farm — as recent security gains embolden more civilians to come forward with tips, U.S. and Iraqi military officials say. The odd locations of many of the discoveries reflect the fine line separating civilians from the Shiite and Sunni extremists who don't wear uniforms and often live among them. Many would-be tipsters had previously looked the other way because of intimidation or because they sought protection from local militias.

Saudi Arabia announces 200,000 bpd output hike - 19 Jun 2008 at 1:46pm - LONDON (AFP) - Saudi Arabia said Thursday it planned to increase oil output by 200,000 barrels per day as it seeks to help cool soaring crude prices, according to a statement posted on its London embassy website.

Spy bill could shield phone companies from suits - 19 Jun 2008 at 12:07pm - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. telephone companies that cooperated with President George W. Bush's warrantless domestic spying program could be shielded from lawsuits under an electronic spy bill finalized on Thursday by congressional and White House negotiators.

Pentagon blasts KBR's operation - 19 Jun 2008 at 12:06pm - A Pentagon investigative report alleges the firm KBR Inc. held an illegal contract, overcharged millions to the Navy and produced shoddy workmanship on its South Mississippi jobs after Katrina.

Courts to review phone co. suits under spy bill - 19 Jun 2008 at 11:26am - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. federal courts would review potentially billions of dollars in lawsuits against phone companies under an electronic spy bill drafted by congressional and White House negotiators, sources said on Thursday.

Dems, GOP agree to take up wiretapping bill Friday - 19 Jun 2008 at 11:33am - WASHINGTON -- House and Senate leaders have agreed to take up a new surveillance compromise bill, potentially settling a political dispute over whether to shield from lawsuits companies that helped the government tap phone and computer lines without court orders.

Shell halts production at Nigerian oil field after attack - 19 Jun 2008 at 10:44am - LAGOS (AFP) - Militants attacked Shell's main offshore oilfield in Nigeria on Thursday, forcing the Anglo-Dutch giant to shut down production and raising fears for the security of deepsea facilities in the region.

U.N. Ambassador Khalilzad Surveys Darfur Crisis - 19 Jun 2008 at 5:34pm - U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Zalmay Khalilzad, now president of the U.N. Security Council, says he agrees with activists who are demanding that more pressure be applied to the Sudanese government.

Bush administration wants to give Federal Reserve more power - 19 Jun 2008 at 9:36am - WASHINGTON -- Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson says the government must move quickly to give the Federal Reserve more powers to regulate the financial system.

Khadr to appear in Guantanamo military court, trial date possible - 19 Jun 2008 at 7:32am - Omar Khadr appears before a new military judge for a pre-trial hearing at Guantanamo Bay naval base Thursday where a date for his full trial on war crimes could be set.

Cheney linked to torture tactics - June 19, 2008 8:30:31 AM - A former military officer who served as chief of staff to former Secretary of State Colin Powell on Wednesday said Vice President Dick Cheney probably knew the U.S. military was using torture on Iraqi detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and at prisons in Iraq. Col. Lawrence B. Wilkerson's testimony before a House panel followed revelations this week that detainees were subjected to beatings and other aggressive interrogation techniques with the authorization of government attorneys.

Thought for the day:
Kill one man, and you are a murderer. Kill millions of men, and you are a conqueror. Kill them all, and you are a god. -Jean Rostand (1894 - 1977), Thoughts of a Biologist (1939)