In the News: Jan-22

Army: Negligence caused soldier's electrocution - 22 Jan 2009 at 2:14pm - WASHINGTON -- An Army investigation calls the electrocution death of a U.S. soldier in Iraq "negligent homicide" caused by military contractor KBR Inc. and two of its supervisors.

Obama signs order to close Guantanamo within a year - 22 Jan 2009 at 11:28am - U.S. President Barack Obama signed an executive order on Thursday to close the controversial detention centre in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, within a year.

Blair: Army interrogation manual to apply to CIA - 22 Jan 2009 at 11:23am - WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama's pick to be the top intelligence officer says the Army Field Manual that outlines legal interrogation techniques will govern CIA questioning.

DOJ seeks to block warrantless wiretap ruling - January 21, 2009 1:16:00 PM - The Bush administration may have passed into history, but its legal briefs linger on. Earlier this month, a federal court held that an Islamic charity could proceed with a lawsuit alleging it was subject to warrantless surveillance by the NSA—and ordered that the government turn over classified documents for review by the judge. On the eve of the presidential inauguration, however, the Justice Department filed a motion urging the court to stay that ruling pending an appeal, citing the risk of irreparable harm to national security.

Obama intel nominee makes anti-torture pledge - 22 Jan 2009 at 10:03am - WASHINGTON -- The man tapped to oversee U.S. intelligence is promising Congress there will be no torture, harsh interrogations and warrantless wiretapping on his watch.

Iraq ready if Obama orders quick exit: minister - 22 Jan 2009 at 9:05am - BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's military is "prepared for the worst" if President Barack Obama orders a swift withdrawal of U.S. troops, Defence Minister Abdul Qader Jassim said on Thursday.

Thought for the day:
When I feed the poor, they call me a saint, but when I ask why the poor are hungry, they call me a communist. -Dom Helder Camara