In the News: Sep-02

US extends Iraq contract for Blackwater firm - 2 Sep 2009 at 9:15am - WASHINGTON -- State Department officials say they have extended a contract with a subsidiary of the security firm formerly known as Blackwater USA to provide air support for U.S. diplomats in Iraq despite the fact the company is not allowed to work there.

Iran nuclear "threat" hyped: IAEA's ElBaradei - 2 Sep 2009 at 7:52am - VIENNA (Reuters) - Iran is not going to produce a nuclear weapon any time soon and the threat posed by its atomic program has been exaggerated, the U.N. nuclear watchdog chief said in a published interview.

A year on, Reuters cameraman still held by U.S. army - 2 Sep 2009 at 6:31am - BAGHDAD (Reuters) - On September 2, 2008, U.S. and Iraqi troops smashed in the doors of Iraqi journalist Ibrahim Jassam's home, shouting "freeze" and holding back snarling dogs before they hauled him off into the night in his underwear.

Poll: Most Americans oppose more troops for Afghanistan - 2 Sep 2009 at 4:26am - WASHINGTON — A majority of Americans think the country isn't winning the war in Afghanistan, and an even larger majority opposes sending more troops in an effort to turn things around, according to a new McClatchy/Ipsos poll.

Thought for the day:
We are here and it is now. Further than that all human knowledge is moonshine. -H. L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)