In the News: Sep-24

US court: Monitoring Muslims was constitutional - 24 Sep 2008 at 2:02pm - NEW YORK -- A federal appeals court says it was constitutional for the United States to require visitors from two dozen Arab and Muslim countries and North Korea to register with immigration authorities.

Harper disagrees with pessimistic report on Canadian housing market - 24 Sep 2008 at 1:46pm - Conservative Leader Stephen Harper says he disagrees with a report by brokerage firm Merrill Lynch that warns Canada could be headed for a housing and mortgage meltdown similar to the one that has devastated the United States economy.

Saudi Arabia Offers Rehab For Gitmo Detainees - 24 Sep 2008 at 1:00pm - The Saudi government offers former Gitmo detainees a rehabilitation program. It includes spiritual counseling, financial payments, help getting a job and occasionally a Toyota Corolla.

Merrill Lynch sees danger in Canadian housing market - 24 Sep 2008 at 1:01pm - Merrill Lynch is warning that Canada could be headed for a housing and mortgage meltdown similar to the one that has devastated the U.S. economy.

Bush to give speech to nation at 9:01 p.m. EDT - 24 Sep 2008 at 1:32pm - With a financial rescue plan facing a tough sell on Capitol Hill, President Bush has scheduled a prime-time, televised address Wednesday night in hopes of persuading the public that the massive proposal is necessary to combat a growing crisis.

White Rabbit brand Chinese candy contaminated: Asian health officials - 24 Sep 2008 at 11:19am - A popular brand of Chinese candy sold in Canada contains trace amounts of melamine, say health officials in Singapore and Hong Kong.

13 states protest abortion refusal rule - 24 Sep 2008 at 11:19am - HARTFORD, Conn. -- Connecticut and 12 other states are protesting a proposed Bush administration rule that would give stronger job protections to doctors and other health care workers who refuse to participate in abortions because of religious or moral objections.

Jimmy Carter says bailout plan is faulty - 24 Sep 2008 at 10:37am - ATLANTA -- The Bush administration's $700 billion plan to bail out the financial industry is "extremely faulty," Former President Jimmy Carter said at a Tuesday night town hall-style meeting.

Pentagon budget hits new record in spending bill - 24 Sep 2008 at 10:08am - WASHINGTON -- The Pentagon budget would rise to a new record while U.S. automakers and victims of hurricanes and floods would receive billions of dollars in a $630 billion-plus omnibus spending bill rushing toward the House floor Wednesday.

Iraq Passes Provincial Elections Law - 24 Sep 2008 at 9:14am - Iraq's parliament overwhelmingly approved a provincial elections law Wednesday, overcoming months of deadlock.

Afghanistan Seeks Changes In Western Troops Deal - 24 Sep 2008 at 8:04am - Afghan President Hamid Karzai meets Thursday with President Bush and plans to push for major changes to the existing agreement on U.S. and other Western troops' operations in Afghanistan. The move comes as anger grows in Afghanistan over the number of civilian deaths at the hands of Western troops.

Democrats to let offshore drilling ban expire - 24 Sep 2008 at 6:19am - WASHINGTON -- Democrats have decided to allow a quarter-century ban on drilling for oil off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts to expire next week, conceding defeat in a months-long battle with the White House and Republicans set off by $4 a gallon gasoline prices this summer.

Thought for the day:
What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty or democracy? -Mahatma Gandhi (1869 - 1948), "Non-Violence in Peace and War"