In the News: Aug-07

Remote-control warriors suffer war stress - 7 Aug 2008 at 3:18pm - MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. -- The Air National Guardsmen who operate Predator drones over Iraq via remote control, launching deadly missile attacks from the safety of Southern California 7,000 miles away, are suffering some of the same psychological stresses as their comrades on the battlefield.

Bolten, Miers want hold on subpoenas - 7 Aug 2008 at 1:34pm - WASHINGTON -- Two White House aides want a judge to delay his ruling forcing them to testify before Congress so they can appeal to a higher court.

U.S., Iraq may close a combat troop deal - 7 Aug 2008 at 12:31pm - Iraq and the U.S. are near an agreement on all American combat troops leaving Iraq by October 2010, with the last soldiers out three years after that, two Iraqi officials told The Associated Press on Thursday. U.S. officials, however, insisted no dates had been agreed. The proposed agreement calls for Americans to hand over parts of Baghdad's Green Zone — where the U.S. Embassy is located — to the Iraqis by the end of 2008. It would also remove U.S. forces from Iraqi cities by June 30, 2009, according to the two senior officials, both close to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and familiar with the negotiations.

French troops sent to troubled Afghan region - 7 Aug 2008 at 11:58am - Hundreds of French troops have deployed to train and mentor Afghan security forces in a key southern province wracked by the Taliban-led insurgency, NATO said Thursday. Meanwhile, 22 Taliban fighters and seven policemen were killed elsewhere in the country, authorities said.

Gaza students appeal to Rice to reissue U.S. visas - 7 Aug 2008 at 11:45am - Three Fulbright scholars from Gaza appealed to the U.S. Secretary of State on Thursday to reissue their entry visas after they were publicly revoked several days ago. Zuheir Abu Shaban, a 23-year-old graduate of engineering, wrote in the letter to Rice that he and his colleagues were not security threats.

Iraqi official defends spending, surplus - August 07, 2008 3:27:00 PM - BAGHDAD, 7 August 2008 (IRIN) - The Iraqi government is planning to make use of increased oil revenues to fund the construction of simple houses for poor families currently living in inadequate shacks.

Iraqi official defends spending, surplus - 7 Aug 2008 at 10:20am - An Iraqi lawmaker close to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki defended the government's record on reconstruction spending, saying Thursday that U.S. critics of its multibillion dollar surplus were overlooking Baghdad's progress over the past three years. But a senior Iraqi official and a private Iraqi economic analyst both acknowledged that inefficiency and a cumbersome, inexperienced bureaucracy were still delaying many projects aimed at improving the lives of Iraq's 27 million people.

Iraqi cleric links truce, U.S. withdrawal timetable - 7 Aug 2008 at 10:06am - Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr will call on his fighters to maintain a cease-fire against American troops but may lift the order. The statement by Sheik Salah al-Obeidi comes as al-Sadr plans to reveal details of a formula to reorganize his Mahdi Army militia by separating it into an unarmed cultural organization and elite fighting cells.

U.S. says submarine leaked radiation in 3 Japan ports - 7 Aug 2008 at 7:57am - TOKYO (Reuters) - A U.S. nuclear-powered submarine which has steadily been leaking a small amount of radiation for over two years stopped at three Japanese ports, as well as Guam and Pearl Harbor, the United States and Japan said on Thursday.

Iraq delays provincial polls in reconciliation blow - 7 Aug 2008 at 7:49am - BAGHDAD (AFP) - Iraq on Thursday postponed its provincial elections due in October after MPs failed to agree the necessary legislation in time, in a blow for US-backed efforts to consolidate national reconciliation.

Federal investigators declare anthrax case closed - 7 Aug 2008 at 7:25am - WASHINGTON -- Advanced DNA testing led federal investigators to suspect a government scientist in the 2001 anthrax killings. The scientist's behavior, e-mails and unusual work hours convinced them they had the right man.

Pakistan rulers agree to begin Musharraf impeachment - 7 Aug 2008 at 8:21am - ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan's ruling coalition agreed on Thursday to begin impeachment proceedings against President Pervez Musharraf, a move likely to deepen political instability in the country.

Thought for the day:
War is a cowardly escape from the problems of peace. -Thomas Mann (1875 - 1955)