In the News: Feb-20

U.S. secures Afghan supply route - 20 Feb 2009 at 1:30pm - DUSHANBE (Reuters) - Tajikistan and Uzbekistan will allow the transit by land of non-military NATO cargo to Afghanistan, a U.S. commander said on Friday, as Washington seeks alternative supply routes for its troops there.

U.S. soldier found guilty in murder of 4 Iraqis - 20 Feb 2009 at 12:31pm - A U.S. Army medic was convicted of murder Friday for his involvement in the execution-style slayings of four bound and blindfolded Iraqi detainees shot in the back of the head in the spring of 2007. Sgt. Michael Leahy Jr. was found guilty on charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder by the nine-person jury who had heard testimony about the killings at the court-martial at the Army's Rose Barracks Courthouse since Wednesday.

Detainee will return to Britain next week: report - 20 Feb 2009 at 10:43am - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A British resident held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, will be flown back to England next week, The Washington Post reported on Friday.

House members seek KBR contract review - 20 Feb 2009 at 11:07am - WASHINGTON -- Members of Congress are asking the Pentagon to review a $35 million contract awarded to a company under criminal investigation in the electrocution deaths of U.S. soldiers in Iraq.

Iran understates uranium stocks to IAEA: diplomats - 20 Feb 2009 at 10:56am - VIENNA (Reuters) - Iran recently understated by a third how much uranium it had enriched and U.N. nuclear inspectors are working with Tehran to ensure such a significant gap does not recur, diplomats said Friday.

Sources: War tours strain US military readiness - 20 Feb 2009 at 9:19am - WASHINGTON -- Strained by repeated war tours, persistent terrorist threats and instability around the globe, there is a significant risk the U.S. military may not be able to respond quickly and fully to new crises, a classified Pentagon assessment has concluded.

Britain bans Fred Phelps, daughter from entering U.K. - 20 Feb 2009 at 7:47am - The British government has banned Fred Phelps and his daughter Shirley Phelps-Roper from entering the United Kingdom.

Thought for the day:
Those who believe in telekinetics, raise my hand. -Kurt Vonnegut (1922 - 2007)