In the News: Jul-16

US may cut troop levels in Iraq this fall - 16 Jul 2008 at 3:21pm - WASHINGTON -- The Pentagon's top military officer said Wednesday that he is likely to recommend further troop reductions in Iraq this fall. Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that on his recent trip to Iraq, he found conditions had improved more than he expected.

Just in time for November elections? But it's definitely not a political decision.

U.S. airstrike in Pakistan linked to database gap - 16 Jul 2008 at 3:02pm - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. air strike that killed 11 Pakistani soldiers in June was the result of an incomplete U.S. military database that did not include the location of the soldiers' post on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, U.S. officials said on Wednesday.

U.S. looks to send more troops to Afghanistan soon - 16 Jul 2008 at 2:55pm - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States is looking to send more troops to Afghanistan soon in the face of rising insurgent violence there, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Wednesday.

White House threatens spy bill veto over interrogation - 16 Jul 2008 at 2:52pm - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House threatened to veto legislation on Wednesday that would bar CIA contractors from interrogating suspected terrorists, in the latest debate over treatment of detainees in the U.S.-declared war on terrorism.

U.S. says stance on Iran same, not negotiation - 16 Jul 2008 at 1:00pm - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House on Wednesday said its stance toward Iran was the same, despite sending a State Department official to attend talks, and if Tehran does not accept an incentives package there would be more sanctions.

Dems call for State to investigate Iraq oil deals - 16 Jul 2008 at 1:21pm - WASHINGTON -- Four Democratic senators, including Sen. Carl Levin, on Wednesday called on the State Department's inspector general to investigate whether agency employees encouraged lucrative oil deals between Iraq and several Western companies.

Iraq eyes full security control by year-end - 16 Jul 2008 at 1:07pm - BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq hopes to have security control of all its provinces by the year-end, the national security adviser said on Wednesday, underscoring the government's growing confidence in its own forces.

World Court: U.S. must delay Mexican death sentences - 16 Jul 2008 at 11:22am - THE HAGUE (Reuters) - The World Court ordered the United States on Wednesday to do all it could to halt the imminent executions of five Mexicans until the court makes a final judgment in a dispute over suspects' rights.

Call for more help for Iraqi refugees - July 16, 2008 6:27:00 PM - BAGHDAD, 16 July 2008 (IRIN) - A group of Iraqi non-governmental organisations (NGOs) appealed on 14 July for more support from the Iraqi government, the UN and the international community for Iraqi refugees in neighbouring countries.

Bush claims executive privilege on CIA leak - 16 Jul 2008 at 10:42am - WASHINGTON -- President Bush has asserted executive privilege to protect information that a House panel has subpoenaed on the leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity.

US inflation soars at 26-year high on energy prices - 16 Jul 2008 at 9:32am - WASHINGTON (AFP) - US consumer prices soared at the strongest pace in 26 years in June, rising 1.1 percent from May, due to skyrocketing energy prices, the Labor Department said Wednesday.

Top US diplomat to join Iran nuclear meeting - 16 Jul 2008 at 6:26am - WASHINGTON -- A top U.S. diplomat heading to Tehran has no plans to meet separately with Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, but the mere presence of the Bush administration official at talks between the Iranian negotiator and representatives of other world powers will be a sharp break with past administration policy.

Terror suspect can challenge U.S. detention: court - 15 Jul 2008 at 3:46pm - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush can order the imprisonment of an al Qaeda suspect in the United States but the detainee must be able to challenge his status as an "enemy combatant," a federal appeals court ruled on Tuesday.

Thought for the day:
An economist is an expert who will know tomorrow why the things he predicted yesterday didn't happen today. -Laurence J. Peter (1919 - 1988)