In the News: Oct-01

Iraq says Sept. civilian deaths lowest since war began - 1 Oct 2009 at 12:19pm - BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The number of civilians killed in Iraq in September fell to 125, the lowest level since the 2003 U.S. invasion, according to figures from Iraq's Health Ministry released on Thursday.

Judge orders release of Cheney interview with FBI - 1 Oct 2009 at 11:37am - WASHINGTON -- A federal judge ruled Thursday that the FBI must publicly reveal much of its interview with former Vice President Dick Cheney during the investigation into who leaked the identity of a CIA operative.

Council split complicates Obama's Afghan decision - 1 Oct 2009 at 9:46am - WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama is confronting a split among his closest advisers on Afghanistan, reflecting divisions in his own party over whether to send in thousands more U.S. troops and complicating his efforts to adopt a war policy he can sell to a public grown weary of the 8-year-old conflict.

EPA aims to cut emissions at factories, power plants - 1 Oct 2009 at 7:42am - For the first time, the federal government plans to restrict greenhouse-gas emissions from factories, power plants and other industrial facilities under a proposal revealed Wednesday. The proposed rule requires new facilities and those undergoing major maintenance to limit their greenhouse-gas emissions using the "best available" technology. That might include energy-efficiency steps or equipment under development to capture greenhouse gases and funnel them into storage.

Provide details on Taliban, Pakistan tells U.S - 1 Oct 2009 at 7:24am - ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - The United States should provide information about top militants in Pakistan, a government minister said on Thursday, as Washington stepped up pressure on Islamabad to go after Taliban leaders.

At least 6 Afghan civilians die in airstrike - 1 Oct 2009 at 7:04am - An airstrike on a compound in southwestern Afghanistan killed at least six civilians, a local tribal leader said Thursday, after the U.S. military reported that ground forces were coming under fire from inside the residence and called in aircraft. Civilian deaths have been a source of friction between President Hamid Karzai and U.S. military commanders and have infuriated many ordinary Afghans, who claim international soldiers use heavy-handed tactics.

Funny headline of the day: "U.S. demands concrete steps from Iran"

Thought for the day:
The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread. -Anatole France (1844 - 1924)