In the News: Jul-10

Senate OKs promotion of Iraq generals - 10 Jul 2008 at 2:51pm - WASHINGTON -- The Senate has confirmed Gen. David Petraeus as the top commander in the Middle East and Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno to replace Petraeus as the chief military officer in Iraq.

Guantanamo suspect wants classified documents - 10 Jul 2008 at 2:43pm - GUANTANAMO BAY U.S. NAVAL BASE, Cuba (Reuters) - An accused September 11 conspirator told the U.S. military war court at Guantanamo on Thursday that he should have access to classified evidence against him, arguing that if he is executed the secrets will be safer than in the hands of the FBI or CIA.

Bush to veto bill restoring Medicare doctors' pay - 10 Jul 2008 at 2:01pm - WASHINGTON -- President Bush intends to block a bill protecting doctors from a cut in their Medicare pay, even though Congress has enough votes to override his veto, a White House spokesman indicated on Thursday.

Rice says US won't back down; Iran fires back - 10 Jul 2008 at 1:55pm - TBILISI, Georgia -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice warned Iran on Thursday that the United States will not back down in the face of threats against Israel.

Won't back down from what? Iran's missile tests were in response to threats of an attack from Israel, no? Shorter Rice: "It's all about me."

Palestinian town sues Canadian builders over Israeli settlement - 10 Jul 2008 at 12:02pm - A West Bank village has sued two Quebec-based companies for $2 million, alleging they violated international law by building Israeli settlements on occupied territory.

Iraqis tortured by U.K. military settle case for $6M - 10 Jul 2008 at 11:57am - LONDON (AP) — Ten Iraqis tortured by the British military agreed Thursday to settle a civil case brought against the Ministry of Defense for $6 million, according to their lawyers. The settlement involves the family of slain hotel clerk Baha Mousa and nine others who suffered injuries while in the custody of British forces in southern Iraq, according to the firm, Leigh Day & Co.

Barak hints at readiness to strike Iran's nuclear facilities - 10 Jul 2008 at 11:41am - Israel's defense minister hinted Thursday that Israel was ready to attack Iran's nuclear program, saying it didn't balk before ...

Air Canada cuts more than 600 flight attendant jobs - 10 Jul 2008 at 11:42am - Air Canada is closing its flight attendant bases in Halifax and Winnipeg and cutting jobs in Vancouver, after blaming higher fuel costs.

Bush turns to diplomacy to deter Iran - 10 Jul 2008 at 11:42am - WASHINGTON -- While keeping the military option on the table, the Bush administration is counting heavily on diplomacy including direct talks with Tehran as the best way to wean Iran away from building nuclear weapons.

The Bush administration has always said it prefers to employ "diplomacy" in dealing with Iran over Iran's nuclear program; and it has always used the word "diplomacy" essentially to mean threats of either violence or sanctions, so what can be new here?

Rove ignores subpoena, refuses to testify - 10 Jul 2008 at 10:27am - WASHINGTON -- Former White House adviser Karl Rove has ignored a subpoena from congressional Democrats to testify about allegations of political pressure at the Justice Department.

Thought for the day:
The consequences of our actions are so complicated, so diverse, that predicting the future is a very difficult business indeed. -J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban