In the News: Jan-29

Jobless claims jump to record, durable orders slide - 29 Jan 2009 at 2:03pm - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans claiming jobless benefits hit a record high in mid-January, while orders for long-lasting factory goods fell for a fifth month in December, according to data on Thursday that showed the economy in steep decline.

Judge Rejects Obama Bid To Stall Gitmo Trial - 29 Jan 2009 at 1:18pm - A military defense attorney says a Guantanamo judge has rejected an Obama administration request to suspend the war-crimes trial of the alleged mastermind of the USS Cole bombing.

U.S. general sees difficulties in closing Guantanamo - 29 Jan 2009 at 1:11pm - A senior U.S. general who once oversaw the Guantanamo Bay prison camp predicted Thursday that the United States will face problems closing it down — something President Obama has ordered be done within a year. U.S. Gen. John Craddock, who headed the U.S. Southern Command from 2004-2006, said while attending a NATO conference that issues over where to send some of the remaining detainees need to be resolved and that doing so will be difficult.

Well,that's the lede, but Craddock's bottom line: "In terms of the closing, I have no concerns. I'm sure the modalities of that will be worked out. I think it will be difficult for some nations to receive detainees in their country of origin. That will have to be worked through."

Officials: Army suicides at three-decade high - 29 Jan 2009 at 8:03am - Defense officials say suicide among U.S. soldiers increased again last year and is at a nearly three-decade high.

Obama pushes for more European troops in Afghanistan - 29 Jan 2009 at 7:57am - President Obama is testing whether Europe will match its enthusiastic words about his administration, and now is pushing for more European troops in Afghanistan. Obama has promised to escalate the fight against the Taliban and bolster U.S. forces. European leaders, who face greater public skepticism about the war, will have a harder time matching Obama even if they should want to.

As NATO has taken the lead in Afghanistan since the U.S. began its follies in Iraq, isn't Obama's request perhaps a bit nervy?

Iraq to deny license to Blackwater guards - 29 Jan 2009 at 7:26am - BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq will not renew the license of Blackwater Worldwide, the private security firm accused of killing Iraqi civilians while protecting U.S. diplomats, U.S. and Iraqi officials said Thursday.

Thought for the day:
Our character...is an omen of our destiny, and the more integrity we have and keep, the simpler and nobler that destiny is likely to be. -George Santayana (1863 - 1952)