In the News: Feb-25

FEMA investigating La. hurricane recovery office - 25 Feb 2009 at 2:49pm - WASHINGTON -- Federal emergency management officials said Wednesday they are investigating allegations of cronyism and other misconduct at the New Orleans office that is overseeing efforts to rebuild the hurricane-battered Gulf Coast.

Bellingham company upset by handling of immigration raid - 25 Feb 2009 at 2:02pm - BELLINGHAM After federal agents raided Yamato Engine Specialists Ltd. and detained 28 employees Tuesday, Feb. 24, company officials expressed dismay about how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers handled the matter.

Iraq says early U.S. pullout ok if Iraq army equipped - 25 Feb 2009 at 10:20am - BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq within 19 months, faster than agreed in a bilateral security pact, will not pose a problem so long as Iraq can equip its forces in that time, an official said Wednesday.

Troops to leave Iraq in 18 months, officials say - 25 Feb 2009 at 9:18am - WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama is expected to order all U.S. combat troops to leave Iraq by August of next year, administration officials said, closing the door on a war that has led to the deaths of at least 4,250 members of the U.S. military.

Spain may accept Guantanamo Bay detainees - 25 Feb 2009 at 6:02am - Spain has told the United States it is open "in principle" to accepting some prisoners currently being held at Guantanamo Bay when the military base is shut down.

Thought for the day:
The whole dream of democracy is to raise the proletarian to the level of stupidity attained by the bourgeois. -Gustave Flaubert (1821 - 1880)