In the News: Sep-05

Iraq govt reacts sharply to U.S. spying allegations - 5 Sep 2008 at 3:00pm - The Iraqi government reacted sharply Friday to published allegations that the U.S. spied on Iraq's prime minister, warning that future ties with the United States could be in jeopardy if the report were true. The allegations appear by a new book, "The War Within: A Secret White House History, 2006-2008," by journalist Bob Woodward, who writes that the United States spied extensively on Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, his staff and other government officials.

Canada outlines 21 goals for Afghanistan - 5 Sep 2008 at 2:33pm - The federal government has laid out specific goals to reach in Afghanistan in the next three years, including building 50 schools in Kandahar and training at least four Afghan army battalions to work autonomously in the volatile southern province.

Bush to announce US troop levels in Iraq next week - 5 Sep 2008 at 12:00pm - WASHINGTON -- The White House says President Bush will announce his decision on future troops levels in Iraq next week.

US loses 84,000 jobs in August; jobless rate 6.1% - 5 Sep 2008 at 8:53am - WASHINGTON (AFP) - US employers slashed 84,000 jobs in August and the jobless rate jumped to a five-year high of 6.1 percent, according to a government report Friday suggesting fragile economic conditions.

Feds warn climate change could harm giant sequoias - 5 Sep 2008 at 8:38am - U.S. researchers warn that warming temperatures could soon cause California's giant sequoia trees to die off more quickly unless forest managers plan with an eye toward climate change and the impact of a longer, harsher wildfire season.

Army says suicides likely setting record again - 4 Sep 2008 at 3:19pm - WASHINGTON -- The Army says suicide among soldiers appears to be rising again this year, after setting a record in 2007.

Thought for the day:
It is difficult to produce a television documentary that is both incisive and probing when every twelve minutes one is interrupted by twelve dancing rabbits singing about toilet paper. -Rod Serling (1924 - 1975)