In the News: Jul-14

U.S. regulator toughens subprime mortgage rules - 14 Jul 2008 at 12:58pm - The U.S. Federal Reserve Board has approved a rule that prohibits unfair, abusive or deceptive home mortgage lending practices for subprime loans, the agency said Monday.

U.S. terrorism watch list tops 1 million - 14 Jul 2008 at 2:57pm - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. watch list of terrorism suspects has passed 1 million records, corresponding to about 400,000 people, and a leading civil rights group said on Monday the number was far too high to be effective.

Prosecutor turned up on US terror watch list - 14 Jul 2008 at 12:28pm - WASHINGTON -- The name of the Justice Department's former top criminal prosecutor turned up on the government's terror watch list.

Iraqis Press Harder For U.S. Withdrawal Timeline - 14 Jul 2008 at 11:23am - The debate over how long U.S. troops should stay in Iraq is heating up. Several Iraqi leaders are calling for a formal timetable on the withdrawal of U.S. troops. The Iraqis are angry over what they believe is American intent to build dozens of permanent bases in the country. U.S. officials deny the claim.

Bush to lift executive ban on offshore drilling - 14 Jul 2008 at 10:33am - WASHINGTON -- In another push to deal with soaring gas prices, President Bush on Monday will lift an executive ban on offshore drilling that his stood since his father was president. But the move, by itself, will do nothing unless Congress acts as well.

2 GOP senators to travel with Obama to war zones - 14 Jul 2008 at 9:33am - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama will travel to Iraq and Afghanistan with Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., and Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I. — two lawmakers with military experience.

Not with John McCain, a lawmaker who would be able to teach him the important things about the region -- such as the lyrics to "Bomb Iran"?

Khadr interrogation video to be released - 14 Jul 2008 at 9:15am - Lawyers for Omar Khadr, the 21-year-old Toronto-born man detained at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, are expected to release video footage this week of his interrogation by agents of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.

Iraqis: U.S. Contractors Block Refugee Applications - 14 Jul 2008 at 9:16am - A new U.S. law lets Iraqi employees who have risked their lives working for U.S. firms apply for refugee status in the United States. Some Iraqis tell NPR that U.S. contractors in Iraq reject requests for employment verification, thwarting the Iraqis' efforts to become eligible for the refugee program.

Court seeks arrest of Sudan's Beshir for 'genocide' - 14 Jul 2008 at 9:21am - THE HAGUE (AFP) - The International Criminal Court's top prosecutor called Monday for the arrest of Sudan's President Omar al-Beshir for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur.

Fresh Iraq troop cuts hinge on security: Petraeus - 14 Jul 2008 at 9:41am - BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The U.S. military commander in Iraq said on Monday that security conditions would determine whether he makes recommendations for further troop withdrawals in the coming months.

Insurgents kill 9 US troops in Afghanistan - 13 Jul 2008 at 3:19pm - Insurgents have killed nine US soldiers in an assault on an Afghan army and NATO outpost in north-eastern Afghanistan overnight, making it one of the worst days for foreign troops casualties in the country since 2001.

Karzai opposes U.S. use of Afghan soil against Iran - 14 Jul 2008 at 5:34am - KABUL (Reuters) - Afghanistan opposes U.S. use of its territory for launching a possible attack against neighboring Iran, President Hamid Karzai said in an interview broadcast on Monday.

Thought for the day:
Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd. -Voltaire (1694 - 1778)