In the News: May-20

Senate votes to block funds for Guantanamo closure - 20 May 2009 at 12:13pm - The Senate has voted to keep detainees held in the Guantanamo prison from being transferred to the United States, a major setback for President Barack Obama who wants to close the facility by January.

FBI director concerned about Gitmo releases - 20 May 2009 at 2:45pm - WASHINGTON -- FBI Director Robert Mueller told Congress on Wednesday that bringing Guantanamo Bay detainees to the United States could pose a number of risks, even if they were kept in maximum-security prisons. Responding to FBI concerns, Attorney General Eric Holder said the Obama administration would not put Americans at risk.

Senator: KBR received $83 million in bonuses - 20 May 2009 at 10:31am - A U.S. senator says military contractor KBR Inc. was paid $83 million in bonuses for electrical work in Iraq - much of which came after the military's contract management agency recognized the contractor was doing shoddy electrical work.

Gov't: 250,000 Pakistani refugees expected in camp - 20 May 2009 at 10:03am - WASHINGTON -- Up to a quarter-million Pakistani civilians are expected to remain in refugee camps through the end of the year as a result of fighting between Pakistani forces and insurgents that has forced them from their homes.

Pakistan: 80 militants killed; U.S. says 1 soldier dead - 20 May 2009 at 10:01am - Pakistan's army says troops have killed 80 Taliban militants and taken control of a key town near the northwestern Swat Valley.

Pentagon official: US must take Gitmo prisoners - 20 May 2009 at 9:52am - WASHINGTON -- In an escalation of arguments over closing a prison facility at Guantanamo Bay, a top Pentagon official says members of Congress must rethink their opposition to accepting these detainees into the United States.

Electrician: Contractor did faulty wiring in Iraq - 20 May 2009 at 5:08am - WASHINGTON -- An electrician hired by the Army to help inspect electrical work at facilities where U.S. soldiers operate in Iraq said Wednesday that 90 percent of wiring done in newly constructed buildings by one military contractor was done improperly.

Thought for the day:
Political advertising ought to be stopped. It's the only really dishonest kind of advertising that's left. -David M. Ogilvy