In the News: Jun-16

Oil hits historic $139.89 despite 'Saudi promise' - 16 Jun 2008 at 1:24pm - LONDON (AFP) - Crude oil rocketed to a record high of almost 140 dollars a barrel Monday despite news that Saudi Arabia was ready to raise output to help cool soaring energy costs threatening economic growth.

House panel subpoenas FBI interviews of Bush, Cheney - 16 Jun 2008 at 1:28pm - WASHINGTON -- A House committee has issued a subpoena for FBI reports from interviews with President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney in the CIA leak investigation.

Government gives UNHCR US$8 million to help refugees in Jordan - June 16, 2008 05:57:01 PM - BAGHDAD, 16 June 2008 (IRIN) - The Iraqi government has given US$8 million to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to assist more than 500,000 Iraqi refugees living in neighbouring Jordan, a government statement said on 15 June.

Judge rules for White House in e-mail controversy - 16 Jun 2008 at 10:47am - WASHINGTON -- A federal judge says a White House office that has records about millions of possibly missing e-mails does not have to make them public.

Lawmakers Appeal to Bush for More Iraq Details - 16 Jun 2008 at 9:55am - Congress has been complaining to the Bush administration that it isn't getting enough information about ongoing talks on the future of the U.S. presence in Iraq. Some lawmakers worry that they may not have a say in a pact — and that a deal could tie the hands of the next U.S. president.

Court to rule in lawsuit vs. FBI head, ex-AG - 16 Jun 2008 at 10:03am - WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court says it will decide whether former Attorney General John Ashcroft and FBI Director Robert Mueller (Mul'-er) must face a lawsuit that claims prisoners detained after Sept. 11 were subject to ethnic and religious discrimination.

Bush wins European backing over Iran sanctions - 16 Jun 2008 at 9:44am - LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush won Europe's backing on Monday for tighter sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program and secured a British pledge to send more troops to Afghanistan.

IRAQ: IDPs demand government return them home - June 16, 2008 02:57:00 PM - BAGHDAD, 15 June 2008 (IRIN) - Nearly 500 internally displaced persons (IDPs) took to the streets of central Baghdad on 14 June demanding the government secure their return to their homes and pay compensation to those with damaged properties.

Thought for the day:
Say not, 'I have found the truth,' but rather, 'I have found a truth.' -Kahlil Gibran (1883 - 1931)