In the News: Aug-25

Ban on unmarried adoptions cleared for Ark. ballot - 25 Aug 2008 at 2:32pm - LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- A proposal aimed at effectively banning gays and lesbians from becoming foster or adoptive parents was cleared Monday to appear on this fall's ballot in Arkansas.

Terror watchlist "upgrade" is "imploding," legislator says - August 25, 2008 1:03:00 PM - The database used to produce the government's terror watch lists is "crippled by technical flaws," according to the chairman of a House technology oversight subcommittee—and the system designed to replace it may be even worse.

Civilians killed in Darfur refugee camp: reports - 25 Aug 2008 at 1:58pm - Sudanese forces attacked a Darfur refugee camp early Monday, killing scores of civilians, according to rebels and eyewitnesses.

Poland investigating CIA prison allegations - 25 Aug 2008 at 1:26pm - The Polish government said Monday that Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk has requested an investigation into allegations there were secret prisons in the country used by the CIA to hold and question terrorism suspects between 2001 and 2004. The request was confirmed Monday by government spokesman Jacek Filipowicz. Human rights groups have increasingly pressured the government to investigate 2005 allegations that Poland, a staunch U.S. ally in Iraq, may have violated human rights by allowing the Bush administration to secretly hold and question terror suspects from Afghanistan on Polish territory.

Sharif party quits Pakistan coalition - 25 Aug 2008 at 9:15am - ISLAMABAD (AFP) - Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif said Monday that his party had decided to quit Pakistan's ruling coalition over differences on the restoration of judges sacked by ex-president Pervez Musharraf.

Iraq says U.S. agrees to withdraw troops by 2011 - 25 Aug 2008 at 11:03am - BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq and the United States have agreed that a planned security pact will require all U.S. troops to leave by the end of 2011, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said on Monday, while Washington said no final deal had been reached.

Thought for the day:
It's a dangerous business going out your front door. -J. R. R. Tolkien (1892 - 1973), The Fellowship of the Ring