Apologies & Sad News…

Apologies to my readers for not being able to round up links yesterday and today.  My family is today dealing with the loss of our beloved cat Binxy.  World & National News Round-ups will resume most likely on Monday.

Thank you for your understanding,

Michelle 

Daily News Links & Blog Watch – June 22, 2006

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WORLD NEWS

TOP STORIES:

EU-US SUMMIT:

• FURIOUS BUSH DEFENDS US ROLE ON WORLD STAGE – The Telegraph – UK – June 22, 2006

President George W Bush told Europeans yesterday it was “absurd” to regard the United States as the greatest threat to world peace, as he concluded an EU-US summit overshadowed by disputes on Guantanamo Bay and trans-Atlantic trade barriers.

- Telegraph News Furious Bush defends US role on world stage

• BUSH UNDER ATTACK AT EU SUMMIT – The Herald – Australia – June 22, 2006

WMDs FOUND IN IRAQ – 500 Munitions w/Sarin Nerve Gas

LAST UPDATED: 9:00 pm 6/21/06 – Added Another Article Link

Senator Rick Santorum has hit the media circuit today, bringing with him a document showing that the U.S. has found over 500 munitions in Iraq since 2003 that contain Sarin & Mustard Nerve Gas. The document he is referring to was unclassified, but apparently it is the tip of the iceberg as the rest of the information is still classified at this point.

REPORT: HUNDREDS OF WMDs FOUND IN IRAQ – FOX News – US – June 21, 2006

WASHINGTON — The United States has found 500 chemical weapons in Iraq since 2003, and more weapons of mass destruction are likely to be uncovered, two Republican lawmakers said Wednesday.

"We have found weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, chemical weapons," Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., said in a quickly called press conference late Wednesday afternoon.

Daily News Links & Blog Watch – June 21, 2006

Welcome to Liberty Rock's daily round-up of World, US News & Blogs

If you find this list useful, please remember to bookmark this page, or subscribe to Liberty Rock's RSS Feed. (All links will open in a new window) -
[A short list today as I'm extremely busy! - Michelle - 6/21/06]

WORLD NEWS:

TOP STORIES:

EU-US SUMMIT:

• EUROPEANS BACK BUSH ON IRAN, NORTH KOREA – AP via WWLTV – New Orleans, LA, US – June 21, 2006
• EU-US INK EDUCATION DEAL – IAfrica.com – June 21, 2006

NORTH KOREA:

• U.S. WEIGHS SHOOTDOWN OF N. KOREA MISSILE – AP via Yahoo! News – June 21, 2006
• U.S. CONDUCTS MILITARY EXERCISES IN GUAM – AP via Yahoo! News – US – June 21, 2006
• ALL OPTIONS OPEN IF NORTH KOREA TESTS MISSILES: US – Reuters – US – June 21, 2006
• U.S. SAYS NO TO TALKS WITH NORTH KOREA – AP via WWLTV – New Orleans, LA, US – June 21, 2006

NICARAGUA:

• WAVES FROM FREAK STORM POUND PACIFIC COAST – AP via Yahoo! News – US – June 20, 2006

US WAR GAMES IN GUAM:

• CHINESE INVITATION A FIRST AS US HOLDS WAR GAMES OFF GUAM – AP via The Boston Globe – June 21, 2006
• US BEGINS MASSIVE WAR GAMES IN PACIFIC – CNN News – US – June 20, 2006

IRAN:

• BUSH URGES IRAN TO RESPOND FASTER ON NUCLEAR OFFER – The Scotsman – June 21, 2006
• IRAQ OIL MINISTER CRITICISES IRAN OVER SMUGGLING – Reuters AlertNet – June 21, 2006
• IRAN HANGS MAN FOR KILLING SECURITY FORCES – Iran Focus – June 20, 2006
• IRAN WON'T RESPOND TO OFFER 'TIL AUGUST – AP via AccessNorthGA – US – June 21, 2006

WAR ON TERRORISM:

MARINES FOUND YESTERDAY:

• NOTIFICATION UPSETS KIN OF SLAIN GIs – AP via Yahoo! News – June 21, 2006
• 30 REBELS ATTACKED SLAIN US TROOPS IN IRAQ – WITNESS – Reuters AlertNet – June 21, 2006

AL QAEDA:

• IRAQ QAEDA SAYS TO KILL RUSSIAN HOSTAGES – WEB - Reuters AlertNet – June 21, 2006
• AL-QAIDA VIDEO SHOWS ALLEGED 20TH HIJACKER – AP via Yahoo! News – June 21, 2006

AFGHANISTAN:

• U.S. TROOPS FIGHT OFF TALIBAN ATTACK - AP via Yahoo! News – June 21, 2006

IRAQ:

• IRAQI FORCES CAPTURE TOP REBEL – The Herald Sun – Australia – June 21, 2006
• GUNMEN ABDUCT, KILL ONE OF SADDAM'S MAIN LAWYERS – Reuters via The Washington Post – June 21, 2006
• BAGHDAD GUNMEN KILL THIRD SADDAM DEFENSE LAWYER – Reuters AlertNet – June 21, 2006
• MARINES, SAILOR TO BE CHARGED WITH MURDER – AP via WWLTV – New Orleans, LA, CA – June 21, 2006 [7 marines and 1 sailor in connection with the death of an Iraqi citizen. The alleged murder took place in April. This is the group that has come to be known as the "Pendleton 8".]
• U.S. TROOPS CHARGED WITH MURDER OF IRAQI CIVILIAN – Reuters AlertNet- US – June 21, 2006
• IRAQ SPEAKER DEMANDS U.S. PROBE IN NEW DEATHS – Reuters AlertNet – June 21, 2006
• DOZENS OF IRAQI FACTORY WORKERS ABDUCTED – POLICE – Reuters AlertNet – US – June 21, 2006
• IRANIAN KURDISH REFUGEES FIND SHELTER IN NORTHERN IRAQ – Voice of America – US – June 20, 2006

SADDAM TRIAL:

• SADDAM, 7 CO-DEFENDANTS ON HUNGER STRIKE – AP via WWLTV – New Orleans, LA, US – June 21, 2006

AROUND THE WORLD:

CANADA:

• CANADA FINDS NO HIGH-RISK BIRD FLU IN SUSPECT FLOCK – Reuters – June 21, 2006

CHAD:

• CHAD ACCUSES SUDAN OF CROSS-BORDER ATTACKS – AP via Yahoo! News – June 20, 2006

CHINA:

• CHINA: TWO MAINLAND WEB PORTALS BLOCKED: SINA AND SOHU GIVEN THREE DAYS TO 'RECTIFY' MISTAKE OF FAILING TO FILTER KEYWORDS LIKE 'TIBET' AND 'BINGDIAN WEEKLY' – South China Morning Post – China – June 20, 2006

CONGO:

• ANNAN: CONGO FORCES TOP ABUSES VS. KIDS – AP via Yahoo! News – June 20, 2006

INDONESIA:

• AT LEAST 85 DEAD IN INDONESIA FLOODS – AFP via Yahoo! News – June 21, 2006 –
• FLOODS, LANDSLIDES IN INDONESIA KILL 94 – AP via Yahoo! News – June 21, 2006 – 2:56 AM (CST)

LIBERIA:

• U.N. OFFICIAL WELCOMES LIBERIANS HOME – AP via Yahoo! News – June 20, 2006

SOMALIA

• SOMALIS HEAD FOR SUDAN TALKS TO AVERT WAR – Reuters AlertNet – June 21, 2006

SRI LANKA

• TAMILS THREATEN TO USE SUICIDE BOMBERS IF WAR ERUPTS – The Irish Examiner – Ireland – June 21, 2006

SURINAME:

• U.S. ASKS SURINAME TO EXTRADITE SUSPECT – AP via Yahoo! News – June 20, 2006

TURKEY:

• TURKEY PLANS TO BUILD 3 NUCLEAR PLANTS – AP via Yahoo! News – June 20, 2006

UKRAINE:

• UKRAINE PARTIES REACH COALITION AGREEMENT – AP via Yahoo! News – June 21, 2006

HEALTH & MEDICINE:

• STEM CELLS HELP REPAIR RATS' PARALYSIS – AP Medical via Seattle Post-Intelligencer – June 20, 2006
• STRESS COULD MAKE WOMEN INFERTILE – Indo-Asian News Service – The Hindustan Times – June 21, 2006
• GERMAN SCIENTISTS FIND DYSLEXIA GENE – The India Gazette – India – June 20, 2006

HISTORY & ARCHAEOLOGY:

• GENETIC SCIENCE APPLIED TO HISTORIC PRINTS: TECHNIQUE COULD HELP DATE REMBRANDT AND SHAKESPEARE WORKS – Live Science via MSNBC – US – June 21, 2006

SCIENCE:

• GIANT PANDA'S FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHTER: STUDY – Reuters – US – June 21, 2006

Giant pandas may not be in as much danger of extinction as feared with a new British-Chinese study finding there could be twice as many living in the wild as previously thought, scientists said on Monday.

- Giant panda's future looks brighter study – Yahoo! News

• HYDROGEN-POWERED BUSES DEBUT IN CHINA – People's Daily – China – June 20, 2006

TECHNOLOGY:

• MYSPACE PLANS NEW AGE RESTRICTIONS – AP via WWLTV – New Orleans, LA, US – June 21, 2006
• HAWKING TAKES BEIJING; NOW, WILL SCIENCE FOLLOW? – The New York Times (Registration Req'd) – NY, NY, US – June 21, 2006

UNITED STATES NEWS:

TOP STORIES:

GUANTANAMO:

• GROUP SEEKS GITMO SUICIDE RECORD ACCESS – AP via Yahoo! News – June 20, 2006

LEGISLATION, LAW & COURTS:

• SENATE DEFEATS DEMOCRATS MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE – Reuters via The Washington Post – June 21, 2006

AROUND THE NATION:

CALIFORNIA:

• SOUTHERN SAN ANDREAS FAULT WAITING TO EXPLODE: REPORT – Reuters – US – June 21, 2006

FLORIDA:

• 2 PEOPLE KILLED IN FLA. PRISON SHOOTING – AP via WWLTV – New Orleans, LA, US – June 21, 2006 [Guard starts gunfight when FBI tried to arrest him in a federal prison -- the guard was accused of trading alcohol and pot for sex with female inmates. Those killed were the gunman and a Justice Dept. investigator.]

NEW YORK:

• MAN ARRESTED IN GLEN COVE VEHICLE ASSAULT – Long Island Press – June 19, 2006
• TEEN CHARGED WITH DRIVING INTO CROWD – United Press International – June 20, 2006

Sayed Khaled El-Waraky, 19, of Vienna, Va., was being held without bond Tuesday after the incident early Sunday morning in Glen Cove

- United Press International – NewsTrack – Teen charged with driving into crowd

EDITORIALS:

• HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS STRANGELY SILENT ON DEATH OF AMERICANS by Jeff Emanuel @ Townhall.com – June 21, 2006

PRESS RELEASES & TRANSCRIPTS:

• RELEASE: AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL DEEPLY DISTURBED BY REPORTS OF BRUTAL TORTURE OF 2 U.S. SOLDIERS – U.S. Newswire – June 21, 2006 – 1:36 PM

NATIONAL BLOG WATCH:

• US-EU SUMMIT LEADERS TAKE POSITIVE STEPS TO STRENGTHEN COOPERATION FOR COMBATING TERRORISM – Counterterrorism Blog – June 21, 2006

CONSERVATIVE HUMOR:

Hand-picked cartoons from:
TODAY'S TOONS June 21, 2006 – Posting by Pookie18 @ FreeRepublic.com

BREAKING NEWS – Saddam’s Lawyer Killed, says Iraqi State TV

UPDATED: 2:33 am June 21, 2006

Sketchy details right now. Corpse claimed to have been found by police, but the lawyer's aide claims he is still alive…

The AFP has an updated article containing a few more details;

SADDAM LAWYER KILLED IN IRAQ – AFP via Yahoo! News – June 21, 2006

"The police found the corpse of Obeidi tossed in the 'Good Morning' roundabout in the Ur neighborhood" of Baghdad's mainly Sunni Adhamiyah district, the official said.

But when AFP tried to contact Obeidi on his mobile phone following a report on state television about his killing, a man who identified himself as the lawyer's aide said he was "alive."

- AFP Article – June 21, 2006

Here is the link to the Reuters blurb:

"TERRORISTS" KILL TOP SADDAM LAWYER: STATE TV – Reuters – US – June 21, 2006

BAGHDAD (Reuters) – One of Saddam Hussein's chief defense lawyers, Khamis al- Obaidi, has been killed by "terrorists", Iraqiya state television said on Wednesday.

It gave no details.

- Reuters – June 21, 2006

Daily News Links & Blog Watch – June 20, 2006

Welcome to Liberty Rock's daily round-up of World, US News & Blogs
If you find this list useful, please remember to bookmark this page, or subscribe to Liberty Rock's RSS Feed. (All links will open in a new window)

WORLD NEWS

TOP STORIES:

EU-US SUMMIT:

• FALSE BOMB ALERT BEFORE BUSH VISIT (ROUNDUP) – Monsters & Critics News – June 20, 2006
  [also see German-language articles; 1.) "Gastegeschenk" Bombenattrappen @ Der Standard (Partial Translation at FreeRepublic) 2.) Bushs kamen sicher in Wien an @ The Kurier]
• THREE BOMB HOAXES IN ADVANCE OF BUSH'S VISIT TO VIENNA – Monsters & Critics News – June 20, 2006
• IRAN, GUANTANAMO, TRADE TALKS TO DOMINATE EU-US SUMMIT – EU Observer – EU – June 20, 2006
• BUSH TRAVELS TO EUROPE TO SHORE UP TIES – ABC News – June 20, 2006

IRAN:

• IRAN'S RAFSANJANI: U.S. PRESENCE IN IRAQ CAUSE OF INSECURITY – Iran Focus News – June 19, 2006
• IRAN MAY BE ABLE TO PRODUCE NUCLEAR BOMB BY 2010: BLIX – The Jakarta Post Online – Indonesia – June 19, 2006
• IRAN STANDS TOWARDS ISLAMIC WORLD AT OIC BY FM – IranMania – Iran – June 20, 2006

NORTH KOREA:

• U.S. ACTIVATES MISSILE DEFENCE AMID N. KOREA DISPUTE – Reuters – UK – June 20, 2006
• MISSILE LAUNCH A SOVEREIGN 'RIGHT': NORTH KOREA – Daily News & Analysis – India – June 20, 2006
• NORTH KOREA LASHES OUT AT US – News24.com – South Africa – June 20, 2006
• NORTH KOREA LAUNCH CONCERNS MOUNT – The Chicago Tribune – Chicago, IL, US – June 20, 2006
• US CLAIMS IT IS 'READY' FOR KOREAN MISSILE TEST – The Guardian – UK – June 20, 2006
• KIM JONG-IL WILL CREATE CRISIS, CHINA WILL 'STEP IN AND SOLVE IT' – Daily News & Analysis – India – June 20, 2006 [Interview with Gordon G. Chang, author of Nuclear Showdown: North Korea Takes On The World regarding the current crisis]
• PUTIN AIDE DISMISSES N. KOREAN MISSILE REPORTS AS "PSYCHO FACTOR" – Novosti (Russian News & Information Service) – Russia – June 20, 2006
• US POISED TO FREEZE N KOREAN FINANCES – The Australian – AU – June 20, 2006
• MISSILE WARNING FOR PYONYANG – The Age – AU – June 20, 2006 [Australia warns North Korea that food aid programs could be jeopardized if they go ahead with missile test.]

WAR ON TERRORISM:

MISSING MARINES & RUSSIAN DIPLOMATS
(US SOLDIERS WERE FOUND DEAD IN IRAQ – June 20, 2006):

• SPECIAL BLOG LINK: MEDIA FALLS FOR APPARENT AL-QAIDA HOAX MESSAGE – Counterterrorism Blog – June 20, 2006
• NEW TERRORIST LEADER KILLED U.S. SOLDIERS, WEB SITE CLAIMS – KWTX-TV – Texas, US – June 20, 2006 [Video reports also available at site; 1.) Uncle Remembers Slain Texas Soldier 2.) Oregon Town Grieves for Soldier & 3.) Bodies of U.S. Soldiers Believed Found]
• 'DEVASTATED' A SMALL OREGON TOWN MOURNS THE LOSS OF A SOLDIER – Newsweek Web Exclusive via MSNBC – June 20, 2006
• MISSING GIs FOUND DEAD: IRAQ'S AL-QAIDA CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY FOR BRUTAL 'SLAUGHTER' OF U.S. SOLDIERS – AP via The Albequerque Tribune – June 20, 2006
• US OFFICIAL: SOLDIERS' REMAINS TO BE DNA TESTED – Reuters AlertNet – June 20, 2006
• BODIES OF MISSING U.S. SOLDIERS RECOVERED: BODIES OF 2 MISSING U.S. SOLDIERS FOUNG; IRAQI GENERAL SAYS THEY WERE KILLED 'IN A BARBARIC WAY' - ABC News – US – June 20, 2006
• KIDNAPPED U.S. SOLDIERS FOUND DEAD, SOURCES CONFIRM: BODIES BEING FLOWN TO U.S. FOR DNA TESTING – MTV News – US – June 20, 2006
• MISSING SOLDIER'S UNCLE CRITICIZES US (MISSING SOLDIER'S FAMILY HOPES HE'S ALIVE) – AP via The Houston Chronicle – June 20, 2006 [Notes: The first title is the one listed on Google's search page - the second, in parenthesis, is the article title once you arrive at the URL. Also, this article was apparently written before word that the two soldiers had been found dead.]
• CHECHEN REBELS ASK IRAQ GROUP TO FREE RUSSIANS – Reuters AlertNet – June 20, 2006

AL QAEDA:

• BRITISH AGENTS TRACE 7/7 TERROR LINKS TO SMALLTOWN AMERICA [FALLS CHURCH, VA] – The Times Online – UK – June 20, 2006
• SOMALIA 'A HAVEN FOR AL-QAEDA' – News24.com – South Africa – June 20, 2006
• US CLAIMS TO HAVE KILLED AL-ZARQAWI'S RIGHT-HAND MAN – The Mail & Guardian Online – June 20, 2006
• AL-QAEDA HAS HAD PERSISTENT INTEREST IN CYANIDE – New York Daily News via The Belleville News Democrat – US – June 20, 2006

AFGHANISTAN:

• US EYES MORE VIOLENCE AS NATO AFGHAN DUTY EXPANDS – Reuters AlertNet – June 20, 2006
• AFGHAN PRESIDENT SEEKS STRONGER CHINA ROLE IN ANTI-TERRORISM, DRUGS – CRI – China – June 20, 2006

HADITHA:

• LACK OF AUTOPSIES IN HADITHA CASE PRESENTS CHALLENGES – The North County Times – CA, US – June 20, 2006
• HADITHA REPORT TO FAULT OVERSIGHT, OFFICIAL SAYS: But the findings apparently do not indicate a deliberate cover-up by officers looking into the slayings of 24 civilians – The Los Angeles Times – June 20, 2006

IRAQ:

• PUNJAB TERRORIST BROUGHT FROM U.S. – The Hindu – India – June 19, 2006
• ARMED FOREIGN GANGS FLEEING, REPORTS – Adnkronos International – June 20, 2006

Sources in Ramadi in the restive al-Anbar province report that large groups of armed foreign militants are fleeing towards the Syrian border, as US and Iraqi forces tighten their siege on the city. Ramadi, some 100 kilometres west of Baghdad, is a stronghold of the insurgency and there are reports of many residents also fleeing in fear of an assault. Sources told Adnkronos International (AKI) that local tribes were also pursuing foreign terrorists "because of the immense damage they have done to infrastructure and the bad name they have given the insurgency by terror attacks against innocent civilians."

- IRAQ ARMED FOREIGN GANGS FLEEING,REPORTS

• U.S. MILITARY ENCIRCLES IRAQI CITY – Middle East Newsline – June 20, 2006
• SUICIDE BOMBER STRIKES HOME FOR ELDERLY IN BASRA AS SERIES OF ATTACKS KILL 16 IN IRAQ – The Hindu – India – June 20, 2006
• JAPAN PULLING TROOPS FROM IRAQ – CNN News – June 20, 2006
• JAPAN ENDING MIILITARY MISSION IN IRAQ – The Mercury News – CA, US – June 20, 2006
• TIME TABLE SET FOR IRAQ WITHDRAWL [BRITISH TROOPS] – The Times Online – UK – June 20, 2006
• US FORCES KILL 15 SUSPECTED INSURGENTS IN IRAQ RAIDS – Reuters AlertNet – June 20, 2006
• US SAYS IT KILLS ANOTHER TOP AL QAEDA MAN IN IRAQ – Reuters AlertNet – June 20, 2006

SADDAM TRIAL:

• PROSECUTORS: SADDAM SHOULD HANG – United Press International – June 19, 2006

TRANSLATED DOCUMENTS: (Please see Comments at the bottom of today's links.)

• SEPTEMBER 2001 DOCUMENT: MILITARY ORDERS TO PREPARE FOR US ATTACKS AGAINST IRAQ AFTER 9/11 - JVeritas' Iraq Docs – June 20, 2006 [FreeRepublic Thread]
• Also See: An Interview with Joseph Shahdah - The Kaitlyn Mae Blog

AROUND THE WORLD:

ARGENTINA:

• ARGENTINA HOLD 'DIRTY WAR' TRIAL: An Argentine police chief has gone on trial accused of murder and torture during military rule in the first such case since an amnesty was scrapped – BBC News – UK – June 20, 2006
• 'DIRTY WAR' TRIAL BEGINS FOR EX-POLICE OFFICIAL – CNN News – US – June 20, 2006

AUSTRALIA:

• AUSTRALIAN MAN ACCUSED OF PLANNING TERRORIST OFFENSES [FOUND GUILTY] – All Headline News – June 20, 2006

BRITAIN:

• CIA MAY HAVE GIVEN WARNING OVER WRONG TERRORISM SUSPECT – The Telegraph – UK – June 20, 2006

CANADA:

• BAIL HEARINGS CONTINUE FOR 2 CHARGED IN ALLEGED BOMB PLOT – CBC News – Canada – June 19, 2006
• CSIS SPREADS TENTACLES OVERSEAS IN EFFORT TO COUNTER TERRORISM – Canadian Press – Canada – June 20, 2006
• TERRORIST SUSPECT, 15, SEEKS BAIL – The Canadian Press via The Hamilton Spectator – June 20, 2006

CZECH REPUBLIC:

• STORE OF HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS DISCOVERED IN CHVALETICE - Prague Daily Monitor – June 19, 2006

CUBA:

• CUBA TELLS EU END "COMPLICITY" ON CIA FLIGHTS – Reuters via The Scotsman – June 20, 2006

EAST TIMOR:

• ARREST WARRANT ISSUED FOR EAST TIMOR'S FORMER INTERIOR MINISTER - AP via The Jakarta Post – Indonesia – June 20, 2006

FRANCE:

• FRANCE DETAINS 17 SUSPECTED FINANCE ASSOCIATES OF RADICAL ISLAMIC TERROR GROUP – FOX News – US – June 20, 2006

GERMANY:

• GERMAN COURT TRIES IRAQIS FOR PLOT TO KILL PM – Reuters AlertNet – June 20, 2006

INDIA:

• BOMB EXPLODES IN UP TRAIN; NO CASUALTIES – Press Trust of India via Hindustan Times – June 19, 2006 [Bomb was placed in toilet of train and was found along with 3 more live explosives from the same toilet.]
• MILITANTS HACK OFF NOSES, TONGUES IN INDIAN KASHMIR – Reuters – June 16, 2006
• KHALISTANI MILITANT IN CUSTODY – The Times of India – India – June 20, 2006
• KHALISTAN TERRORIST REMANDED TO 5-DAY POLICE CUSTODY – ZeeNews – India – June 20, 2006

IRELAND:

• 'NI POLICE FOIL MAJOR TERRORIST CONSPIRACY' – ITV News – June 19, 2006

ISRAEL:

• AIR FORCE: WE SAW NO CIVILIANS – Ynet News – Israel – June 20, 2006
• 3,000 PALESTINIAN WORKERS ALLOWED INTO ISRAEL – Ynet News – Israel – June 20, 2006
• OIC PROTESTS CONSTRUCTION OF WALL BETWEEN ISRAEL, PALESTINE – ITAR-TASS News – June 20, 2006

LIBYA:

• LIBYA FOREIGN MEDICS RETRIAL PUT OFF TO JULY 4TH – Reuters AlertNet – June 20, 2006

MALAYSIA:

• MALAYSIA SAYS TIGHTENING BORDER AFTER THAI UNREST – Reuters AlertNet – June 20, 2006

MEXICO:

• MEXICO'S LEFTIST PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE AHEAD IN POLL – The Morningstar News – June 20, 2006

NETHERLANDS:

• TAYLOR ARRIVES IN THE HAGUE – News24.com – South Africa – June 20, 2006
• TAYLOR ARRIVES IN NETHERLANDS FOR WAR CRIMES TRIAL – Reuters – US – June 20, 2006
• LIBERIA: FORMER LIBERIAN LEADER FLOWN OUT OF SIERRA LEONE – UN News – AllAfrica.com – June 20, 2006

NEW ZEALAND:

• ROTORUA POWER RETURNS AFTER SUBSTATION EXPLOSION – The National Business Review – NZ – June 19, 2006

NIGERIA:

• TWO FILIPINO OIL WORKERS KIDNAPPED IN NIGERIA – POLICE – Reuters AlertNet – June 20, 2006

PAKISTAN:

• PAKISTANI WATER WAR ENDS AFTER 14 KILLED – Reuters AlertNet – June 20, 2006

PALESTINE:

• 3 PALESTINIAN CHILDREN DEAD IN BOTCHED IAF STRIKE IN GAZA - The Jerusalem Post – Israel – June 20, 2006

PHILIPPINES:

• GUNMEN KILL TWO JOURNALISTS IN PHILIPPINE SOUTH – Reuters AlertNet – June 20, 2006
• RADIO JOURNALIST COUPLE GUNNED DOWN – The Townsville Bulletin – Australia – June 20, 2006

RUSSIA:

• MOSCOW DEMANDS HOSTAGE RELEASE – The Australian – Australia – June 20, 2006
• SUSPECT IN MOSCOW McDONALD'S EXPLOSION ADMITS PARTIAL GUILT – Novosti (Russian News & Information Service) – Russia – June 20, 2006

SAUDI ARABIA:

• SAUDIS OFFERED SCHOLARSHIPS FOR AVIATION COURSES IN US – Arab News – Middle East – June 20, 2006

SOMALIA:

• GLOBAL ISLAMISTS BEHIND SOMALI TAKEOVER – PRESIDENT – Reuters AlertNet – June 20, 2006 [SOMALI PRESIDENT HAS ASKED FOR HELP FROM AU TROOPS]
• ETHIOPIAN GOVERNMENT DENIES REPORTS OF TROOPS IN SOMALIA – Voice of America – US – June 20, 2006
• SOMALIA: TOP UN ENVOY CALLS FOR DIALOG WITH 'ISLAMIC COURT' MILITIAS – UN News Service via AllAfrica.com – June 20, 2006
• SOMALIA: ISLAMIC COURTS OPPOSE PROPOSED AU FORCE – Reuters AlertNet – June 20, 2006
• ISLAMIC MILITIAS START PATROLLING CAPITAL AT NIGHT – ReliefWeb News – June 19, 2006
• JOURNALISTS GROUP CONDEMNS SHUTDOWN OF SOMALI RADIO STATION – Voice of America – June 20, 2006

SRI LANKA

• SRI LANKA ARMY CHIEF IN SINAPORE FOR TREATMENT AFTER BOMB ATTACK – Lanka Business Online – June 18, 2006
• SRI LANKAN TEMPLE ATTACK DENIED – BBC News – UK – June 20, 2006
• IN SRI LANKA, TAMIL TIGERS REAFFIRM COMMITMENT TO PEACE PROCESS – AP via Voice of America – US – June 20, 2006
• SRI LANKA REBELS SET TO DEFEND TERRITORY – AP via The Seattle Post-Intelligencer – US – June 20, 2006

VIETNAM:

• POLITICS & LAW VIETNAM MAKES PUBLIC 5 NEW LAWS – Vietnam News Briefs via TMCNet – June 20, 2006

UNITED STATES NEWS:

TOP STORIES:

GUANTANAMO:

• ARAB GOVERNMENTS KEEP UNEASY SILENCE ON GUANTANAMO – Reuters Analysis – June 20, 2006
• AMENSTY WANTS EU TO PUSH U.S. TO CLOSE GUANTANAMO – Reuters – UK – June 20, 2006

ELECTION ACCURACY:

• HAND-COUNT VOTE BILL MAY GET HEARING: PLAN RESPONDS TO CONCERNS ABOUT TOUCH-SCREEN TALLIES – Arizona Daily Star via TMCNet – Tucson, AZ, US – June 20, 2006

NEW ORLEANS:

• NATIONAL GUARD ARRIVES IN NEW ORLEANS TO ASSIST LAW ENFORCEMENT – CBC News – Canada – June 20, 2006
• NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS ROLL INTO NEW ORLEANS – Reuters – US – June 20, 2006

IMMIGRATION:

• HAZELTON, PA. PLANS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CRACKDOWN – WPVI-TV Ch. 6 (ABC) – Philadelphia, PA, US – June 20, 2006
• ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT STUDENTS LOBBY FOR CHANCE AT FINANCIAL AID – The Sacramento Bee via Scripps-Howard News Service – June 19, 2006
• IMMIGRATION FIX MAY NOT PASS BY ELECTION – The Washington Times – June 20, 2006
• NEW SCRUTINY OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN MINOR CRIMES – The New York Times – NY, US – June 20, 2006

OKC BOMBING:

• CONGRESSMAN DEFENDS 'FOREIGN-LINK' HEARING: 'THIRD TERRORIST' AUTHOR CALLS PROBE 'SHAM' TO BURY ISLAMIST-PLOT THEORY – WorldNetDaily – US – June 20, 2006 ["Author" is Journalist, Author and OKC Investigator Jayna Davis]

ON THE HOMEFRONT:

• 21,000 TROOPS NOTIFIED FOR IRAQ DEPLOYMENT – AP via WWLTV – New Orleans, LA, US – June 20, 2006
• IRAQ DEBATE HEATS UP – ABC News – US – June 20, 2006
• FRIST: SURRENDER IN IRAQ 'NOT A SOLUTION' - The Houston Chronicle – Houston, TX, US – June 20, 2006
• SENATE TO DEBATE TROOP REDUCTION – The San Francisco Chronicle – CA, US – June 20, 2006
• KERRY EXTENDS TROOP WITHDRAWL DATE – Pushes 2007 deadline in proposal to remove US soldiers from Iraq – The Boston Globe – June 20, 2006
• MARINE IN HAMDANIA CASE REQUESTS SPEEDY TRIAL – The North County Times – June 20, 2006
• PENTAGON ALERTS UNITS FOR UPCOMING IRAQ DEPLOYMENT – Reuters AlertNet – June 20, 2006
• NEW CONCERNS ABOUT TERRORISM ON AMERICAN SOIL – WISH-TV Ch. 8 – Indiana, US – June 20, 2006
• TSA DELAYS REGISTERED TRAVELER PROGRAM – AP via The New York Times – US – June 20, 2006

EDUCATION:

• HIGHER DROPOUT RATES REVEALED – USA Today – US – June 20, 2006
• SCHOOL DISTRICT ORDERED TO PAY FEES OVER "REDNECK" T-SHIRT – AP via Newsday – June 20, 2006

ENVIRONMENT:

• BETTER METHOD DEVELOPED TO MAKE BIODIESEL – United Press International (UPI) via TMC Net – June 20, 2006

HEALTH & MEDICINE:

• HEART RECOMMENDATIONS EMPHASIZE CALORIES, EXERCISE – Reuters – US – June 20, 2006
• NEW TEST FOR GENETIC DISORDERS RAISES DESIGNER BABY CONCERNS – ABC News Online – Australia – June 20, 2006

LAW & COURTS:

• EX-BUSH OFFICIAL LINKED TO ABRAMOFF CONVICTED – Reuters – US – June 20, 2006
• FORMER BUSH OFFICIAL SAFAVIAN CONVICTED - The Los Angeles Times – CA, US – June 20, 2006
• EDMONDS MAN JOINS SUIT OVER TERRORIST LIST – The Seattle Times – WA, US – June 20, 2006
• GIRL, 14, FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST MYSPACE.COM – AP via E-Commerce Times – US – June 20, 2006
• AP: POLICE GOT PHONE DATA FROM BROKERS -AP via The Raw Story News – June 20, 2006
• US SENATE PANEL CRAFTING BILL TO REPEAL PHONE TAX – AIDES – Morningstar News – June 20, 2006

POLITICS:

• A.C.L.U. WARNED ON PLAN TO LIMIT SPEECH – The New York Times – NY, US – June 20, 2006
• ACLU MAY LIMIT ITS OWN SPEECH – UPI via The Post Chronicle – US – June 20, 2006
• HILLARY'S CHANCES AT US PRESIDENTIAL POLLS BLEAK: SURVEY – New Kerala.com – June 20, 2006

RELIGION:

• EPISCOPAL GROUP REJECTS CURB ON GAY BISHOPS – Reuters – US – June 20, 2006
• 'BOSTON TEA PARTY' AS US RADICALS DEFY CANTERBURY – The Times Online – UK – June 20, 2006
• CHURCH TRIBUNAL FREE TO LOOK AT FEMALE BISHOPS – The Sydney Morning Herald – AU – June 20, 2006
• FEMALE BISHOP'S ELECTION COULD SPLIT ANGLICANS – USA Today – US – June 20, 2006

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY:

• NASA SAFETY CHIEF AGAINST LAUNCH DECISION – AP via WWLTV – New Orleans, LA, US – June 20, 2006
• DIGITAL CAMERA BLOCKING TECHNOLOGY CREATED – United Press International via TMCNet – June 20, 2006
• MAJOR WEB BROWSERS GETTING FACELIFTS – AP via TMCNet – June 20, 2006

AROUND THE NATION:

ARIZONA:

• FIRE NEARS ARIZ. CANYON, HUNDREDS OF HOMES – ABC News – US – June 20, 2006
• SEDONA FIRE CONSUMES 1,500 ACRES – The Phoenix Business Journal – AZ, US – June 20, 2006

CALIFORNIA:

• POLICE SAY SHERIFF'S DEPUTY TARGET OF BOMB – Sacramento Bee – CA, US – June 19, 2006
  [Golf-ball size holes in 3 rooms of the mans house, a hole ripped in the front and objects strewn 3 houses away]
• BOMB INJURES DEPUTY AT HOME – Monterey Herald – CA, US – June 18, 2006

A bomb exploded in the home of a Sacramento County Sheriff's deputy, injuring the officer and prompting an investigation into whether he was targeted.

The apparent pipe bomb crashed through the window of the deputy's home around 4:10 a.m. Friday, six blocks from the home of a neighborhood activist who found a burning Molotov cocktail on her porch six months ago.

- Monterey County Herald 06182006 Bomb injures deputy at home

ILLINOIS:

• EXPLOSION AT HARLEM CENTER RESULTS IN BLAZE – Rockford Register-Star – Rockford, IL – June 19, 2006 [Michelle's Notes: Harlem Community Center Sports Complex --thought propane or gasoline caused explosion -- stil under investigation.]
• BUILDING EVACUATED AFTER SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE FOUND – Chicago Sun-Times – Chicago, IL, US – June 19, 2006

KANSAS:

• OFFICIALS DISMISSED STUDENTS' THREAT: Riverton principal says that he questioned them five days before their arrest in a shooting plot. – AP via The Kansas City Star – June 19, 2006
• RIVERTON OFFICIALS DIDN'T THINK STUDENTS PLANNED ANYTHING – AP via The Kansas City Star – KS, US – June 18, 2006
• HEARING DELAYED ON ALLEGED SCHOOL SHOOTING PLOT – AP via The Kansas City Star – Kansas, US – June 20, 2006

MICHIGAN:

• 2 TEEN BOYS CHARGED IN SCHOOL BUS BEATING – AP Newswire – June 20, 2006

MINNESOTA:

• RED LAKE, MINNESOTA: JUDGE SENTENCES TEEN FOR THREAT - AP via The Grand Forks Herald – Grand Forks, MI – June 20, 2006

NEW YORK:

• COPPOLA SEEKS TIGHTER REGULATION OF HAZARDOUS RAIL CARGO - WBFO Radio 88.7 – University of Buffalo – Buffalo, NY – June 19, 2006

PENNSYLVANIA:

• FEDERAL AGENTS CALLED IN TO INVESTIGATE FIERY EXPLOSION IN READING – WFMZ-TV – PA, US – June 19, 2006

TENNESSEE:

• TRAIN WITH CHEMICALS DERAILS IN TENN. - AP via The Houston Chronicle – Houston, TX, US – June 20, 2006

TEXAS:

• FIREFIGHTERS BATTLE PEARLAND WAREHOUSE BLAZE - The Houston Chronicle – June 19, 2006

WISCONSIN:

• AUTHORITIES REMOVE 'SUSPICIOUS' PACKAGE FROM AIRPORT – PACKAGE WAS GIVING OFF ODOR [DANE COUNTY] – WISC-TV – WI, US – June 20, 2006

EDITORIALS:

• THE JIHAD THAT FAILED: "LEADERLESS RESISITANCE" BARELY DENTS THE U.S. by Jesse Walker at Reason Magazine – June 19, 2006 — commentary on 'He was the first and closest target' – Man shot in Owings Mills Theater; suspect charged with murder (Gunman kills 1 man in movie theater shooting — Jewish neighborhood, Islamic sounding suspects' name and Walker is wondering why everyone isn't screaming "terrorist" as they did right after the OU Bombing…)

• KERRY REPOSITIONS HIMSELF ON IRAQ – by Joan Vennochi – Seattle Post-Intelligencer – June 18, 2006

• BACK THE POLICE IN FIGHTING TERRORISM – The Telegraph – UK – June 20, 2006

PRESS RELEASES & TRANSCRIPTS:

• BRAIN SCANNERS AS AN ANTI-TERRORIST TOOL? LEGAL SCHOLARS AND SCIENTISTS DISCUSS CONTROVERSIAL NEW TECHNOLOGY AT ACLU FORUM – Press Release from ACLU via US Newswire – June 19, 2006
• TRANSCRIPT: PRESIDENT'S RADIO ADDRESS on June 18, 2006 – FOX News – US – June 20, 2006

NATIONAL BLOG WATCH:

• INTERNET SECURITY TEAM FINDS JIHADIST WEBSITE RELATED TO ZARQAWI'S "SUCCESSOR" – Counterterrorism Blog – June 20, 2006
• NEW ORLEANS, "POLICE STATE" – by Michelle Malkin @ MichelleMalkin.com – June 20, 2006
• U.N. GUN GRABBERS – by Michelle Malkin @ MichelleMalkin.com – June 20, 2006
• THE DAILY KOS REACTION TO AMERICAN SOLDIERS GETTING TORTURED TO DEATH: "HOW QUAINT" – by John Hawkins @ Right Wing News – June 20, 2006
• AMERICAN PRISONERS AT GITMO VS. PRISONERS OF THE TERRORISTS – Right Wing News – June 20, 2006
• HADITHA "REPORTER" AND ZARQAWI LIEUTENANT, RELATED? – by Froggy @ BlackFive – June 20, 2006
• IRAQ & SADDAM ARE PART OF THE WAR ON TERROR – TexasRainmaker – June 16, 2006
• JOHN MURTHA, DEMOCRATS REASSURE TERRORISTS: ALL IS NOT LOST – Texas Rain-maker – June 16, 2006
• POLICE NOT HAPPY OVER MCKINNEY – The Neal Boortz Show – June 20, 2006

What life is really like in China…

Here is a short documentary that can't be missed:

The Secret Behind China's Economy @ SkyNews

"Sky News has made an exclusive investigation into the sinister secrets behind China’s booming economy. The Chinese government is accused of using police brutality to remove people from their homes and into lives of squalor and poverty."
- Sky News – 6.19.06

It's the nasty secret the Communist Chinese government doesn't want to be known — that they are forcibly removing people from their homes, not reimbursing them, and these former home owners are living now in tents set up where their old houses once stood, or in slums.

There are a few who have protested, some have petitioned the government; but they never win, and some have been physically scarred in the process such as one man featured on the tape who is covered in burn scars. The man held a sign that said Human Rights were more important than life.

When the government has been given the power to own and control everything — as it does in Communist China (or any other socialistic country eventually) — it always comes down to the almighty dollar and what the government can do to increase it's size and wealth in order to give the illusion of power, and authority. It is always done at the expense of the people – by way of their money, their rights, and their freedom…

Special Thanks to Freeper Restornu for posting about this report at FreeRepublic.com.

Daily News Links and Blog Watch – June 19, 2006

World, US News Links, & National Blogs Watch
A daily special feature of Liberty Rocks Blog. If you find this list useful please bookmark this site, and tell a friend!

WORLD NEWS:

TOP STORIES:

IRAN:

• IRAN, SYRIA SIGN DEFENSE AGREEMENT - AFP via Intelligence Summit – June 18, 2006
• IRAN URGED TO SUSPEND URANIUM ENRICHMENT – AP via WWLTV – New Orleans, LA, US – June 19, 2006
• BREAKING NEWS: BUSH WARNS IRAN ON NUKES - The Herald – Australia – June 20, 2006
• BUSH WARNS IRAN NOT TO REJECT OFFER – Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of Resistance in Iran – June 19, 2006
• IRAN SAYS TALKS WITH US OVER IRAQ "IMPOSSIBLE" – Reuters – US – June 18, 2006
• BUSH GIVES IRAN AN ULTIMATUM ON URANIUM – AP via WWLTV – New Orleans, LA, US – June 19, 2006

NORTH KOREA:

• NORTH KOREA PROMISES TO DETER U.S. – AP via The Washington Times – June 19, 2006
• NORTH KOREANS COULD BE CLOSE TO MISSILE TEST – The New York Times – June 18, 2006
• AUSTRALIA WARNS N KOREA ON MISSILE TEST – MSN Ch. 9 News – June 19, 2006
• JAPAN WARNS N KOREA OVER ANY MISSILE 'ATTACK' – The Daily Times – Pakistan – June 19, 2006
• NORTH KOREA SAID TO HAVE FUELED MISSILE FOR TEST - Reuters via The Washington Post – US – June 18, 2006
• NORTH KOREAN MISSILE 'TO REACH US' – The Irish Examiner – Ireland – June 19, 2006
• 3 NEIGHBORS OF NORTH KOREA BACK U.S. WARNING – The New York TImes – June 19, 2006
• U.S. CONSULTS SECURITY COUNCIL ON NORTH KOREA – AP via Radio Free Europe – June 19, 2006

BIRD FLU:

• CANADA WIDENS MEASURES TO STEM BIRD FLU ON PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND – Bloomberg news – Canada – June 19, 2006
• BIRD FLU FEARS CLOSE SECOND P.E.I. FARM – Toronto Star – Canada – June 18, 2006
• CANADA PROBES BIRD FLU-INFECTED GOSLING FOR LETHA H5N1 VIRUS – Bloomberg News – Asia – June 19, 2006
• FACT BOX – A HISTORY OF BIRD FLU OUTBREAKS – Reuters – June 16, 2006
• CANADA BIRD FLUE NOT SEEN AS HIGH-PATHOGEN – CFIA - Reuters AlertNet – June 16, 2006

WAR ON TERRORISM:

AL QAEDA:

• AL-QAEDA IN IRAQ 'ABDUCTS' 2 US TROOPS, 4 RUSSIAN DIPLOMATS: Militants give Moscow 48 hours to pull out of Chechnya – Daily Star – Beirut, Lebanon – June 20, 2006
• MILITARY DOESN'T CONFIRM AL QAEDA HOLDS TROOPS – Reuters – June 19, 2006
• AL-QAEDA LINKED GROUP CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY OF KIDNAPPING THE TWO US SOLDIERS – RTTNews via Forex – June 19, 2006
• N.Y. SUBWAY WAS AL-QAEDA TARGET, BOOK CLAIMS – CBC News – Canada – June 18, 2006
• 'AL QAEDA PLANNED GAS ATTACK IN NY' – The Dawn Internet Edition – Pakistan – June 18, 2006
• YEMEN TO HELP REHABILITATE AL QAIDA TEROR SUSPECTS - Gulf News – United Arab Emirates – June 18, 2006
• AL QAEDA-LINKED GROUP CLAIMS BAGHDAD BOMBS – The Scotsman – June 18, 2006
• US KNOWS AL-QAEDA SUSPECTS AMONG ISLAMIC GROUPS IN SOMALIA: UN – Monsters & Critics News – June 19, 2006
• 'PAKISTANI ISLAMIST GROUP TRAINING, EXPORTING YOUTHS FOR AL QAEDA' - Daily India – June 19, 2006

AL ZARQAWI:

• ZARQAWI WAS REGISTERED FOR BENEFITS – Gulf News – United Arab Emirates – June 18, 2006
• ZARQAWI WAS INSIDE, DIED FROM LUNG DAMAGE – UPI via The Middle East Times – Cairo, Egypt – June 19, 2006
• MAJORITY OF JORDANIANS: ZARQAWI A TERRORIST – United Press International – US – June 19, 2006
• KING BLASTS JORDAN ISLAMISTS OVER ZARQAWI – United Press International – June 19, 2006
• JORDANIAN AIDE BETRAYED ZARQAWI: IRAQI TV - Daily News & Analysis – India – June 19, 2006

AFGHANISTAN:

• BRITS CHASE TALIBAN INTO MOUNTAINS - The Daily Record – UK – June 19, 2006
• COALITION PRESSES OFFENSIVE AGAINST TALIBAN – Pakistan Tribune – Pakistan – June 19, 2006
• TALIBAN CLAIM FALSE ON U.S. HELO CRASH; WEAPONS CACHE DESTROYED – American Forces Information Service: US DoD – June 18, 2006

HADITHA:

• HADITHA DEFENSE QUESTIONS KEY VIDEOTAPE – Reuters – US – June 16, 2006

IRAQ:

• U.S. TROOPS TAKEN CAPTIVE IN IRAQ: WITNESS – CTV.ca News – June 18, 2006 11:30pm ET
• U.S. VOWS TO FIND SOLDIERS MISSING IN IRAQ: GUNMEN TOOK 2 U.S. TROOPS CAPTIVE, IRAQI CLAIMS; U.S. MILITARY ONLY SAYS SOLDIERS ARE MISSING – ABC News International – June 19, 2006
• IRAQI TROOPS CAPTURE KIDNAPPER IN BAGHDAD - Armed Forces Information Service – June 18, 2006
• SEARCH FOR G.I.'S EXPANDS; TROOPS SURROUND RAMADI – The New York TImes – June 18, 2006
• SOLDIER KILLED, TWO MISSING FROM 101st: SCREAMING EAGLES MANNED CHECKPOINT WHERE KIDNAPPINGS HAPPENED – Clarksville Leaf Chronicle – Clarksville, TN, US – June 19, 2006
• IRAQI DOCUMENT: HIGHLY RADIOACTIVE ATMOIC NEUTRON DEVICE (TRANSLATION of CMPC-2003-000537) – Pentagon/FMSO website for Iraq Pre-War Documents & Translation by Joseph Shahda @ IraqiWarDocs Blog – June 18, 2006 [Shows Iraq had a Neutron Generator that was never declared to the UN and was prohibited to possess according to this UN Document: .pdf file - S-2002-515]
• U.S. ARMY CHARGES 3 WITH MURDER IN IRAQ – AP via WWLTV – New Orleans, LA, US – June 19, 2006
• NO LOVE LOST BETWEEN HIZBULLAH AND ZARQAWI DESPITE COMMON ENEMIES – AP via Naharnet – June 18, 2006
• IRAQ: WITH RISING VIOLENCE, RAMADI RESIDENTS LOOK FOR SAFE HAVEN – Reuters AlertNet – June 18, 2006
• IRAQ: ROLE OF ISLAM IN REGIONAL CONSTITUTION SPARKS DEBATE – Reuters AlertNet – June 18, 2006
• AUSTRALIA TO KEEP TROOPS IN IRAQ; JAPAN CONSIDERS PULLOUT – The Daily Times – Pakistan – June 19, 2006
• 7 US TROOPS WOUNDED LOOKING FOR COMRADES – AP via Yahoo! News – June 19, 2006
• TERROR SUSPECTS DETAINED, IRAQIS TAKE CHARGE IN SOUTHWESTERN IRAQ – American Forces Press Service – June 19, 2006

SADDAM TRIAL:

• PROSECUTOR URGES DEATH PENALTY FOR SADDAM – AP via WWLTV – New Orleans, LA, US – June 19, 2006

UN:

• WAR ON TERRORISM SAPS HUMAN RIGHTS: ANNAN – The Times of Oman – June 19, 2006

AROUND THE WORLD:

AUSTRALIA:

• ARCHITECT PLOTTED TERROR STRIKE ON AUSTRALIA: A PAKISTANI-BORN ARCHITECT BEHIND A PLOT TO CARRY OUT A TERRORIST ATTACK ON AUSTRALIAN SOIL WAS FACING LIFE IN PRISON TODAY. – The Times Online – UK – June 19, 2006
• LODHI GUILTY ON TERROR CHARGES – News.com.au – June 19, 2006

BELARUS:

• BELARUS EDITOR SEEKS REFUGE IN UKRAINE - Daily India – India – June 16, 2006

BRITAIN:

• IMAM BACKS TERROR ATTACK AGAINST BLAIR – The Times Online – UK – June 18, 2006
• US 'ISSUED ALERT' ON 7/7 BOMBER IN 2003 - The Times Online – UK – June 19, 2006
• LONDON JURY HEAR TERROR TAPES: SEVEN ON TRIAL FOR PLANNING ATTACKS ON CIVILIAN TARGETS – Ohmy News – June 19, 2006

BURUNDI:

• BURUNDI AND REBELS TAKE A STEP TOWARD A CEASE-FIRE – AFP via The New York Times – June 19, 2006

CANADA:

• COUNTRY STEPS UP MEASURES AGAINST TERRORIST ACTIVITY – The Grand Forks Herald – US – June 19, 2006

CHECHNYA:

• RUSSIAN TROOPS KILL CHECHEN REBEL LEADER – The Financial Times – June 18, 2006
• CHECHNYA REBELS APPOINT NEW LEADER AFTER KILLING – The Guardian – UK – June 19, 2006
• TERROR LEADER SOLD OUT FOR $74 – The Advertiser – Australia – June 19, 2006

CHINA:

• CHINA PRAISES NUCLEAR PACKAGE TO IRAN - IranMania News – June 19, 2006
• CHINESE SPACE GIANT DENIES AIDING IRAN'S MISSILE PROGRAMME - The Hindu – June 17, 2006
• WASHINGTON SANCTIONS ON CHINA FIRMS 'IRRESPONSIBLE' – China Daily – June 16, 2006

EAST TIMOR:

• TIMOR MINISTER EQUIPPED POLICE AS PRIVATE ARMY - The Sydney Morning Herald – Australia – June 19, 2006
• LONG WAY TO GO TO RECOVER WEAPONS IN E TIMOR: AFP – ABC News Online – Australia – June 19, 2006

GEORGIA:

• GEORGIA: PRISONERS FACE INHUMANE CONDITIONS – Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty – June 19, 2006

INDIA:

• ASIAN NATIONS MUST JOIN IN FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM: DEORA – The Hindu – June 18, 2006

"No cause can justify killing of men, women and children "

- The Hindu International India & World Asian nations must join in fight against terrorism Deora

MYANMAR (BURMA):

• SUU KYI SPENDS 61st BIRTHDAY UNDER ARREST – AP via The Washington Post – June 19, 2006

NIGERIA:

• NIGERIA: NAVY ARRESTS AMERICAN JOURNALIST - AllAfrica.com – Africa – June 19, 2006

PAKISTAN:

• HUNDREDS OF TRIBESMEN PROTEST REPORTER'S DEATH - Reuters – US – June 18, 2006
• PAKISTAN PROBES JOURNALIST DEATH: Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has promised a judicial enquiry into the killing of a local journalist – BBC News – UK – June 18, 2006
• HATE LESSONS IN SAUDI, PAK TEXTBOOKS – Asian Tribune – Asia – June 18, 2006
• PAKISTANI JOURNALIST ABDUCTED IN DECEMBER IS FOUND DEAD - Reuters – June 17, 2006
• BODY OF MISSING PAKISTANI JOURNALIST FOUND AFTER REPORTING ON U.S. AIRSTRIKE – AP via MIPT Knowledge Bae – June 17, 2006

PALESTINE:

• PALESTINIAN RIVALS NEARING DEAL – BBC News – UK – June 18, 2006
• LUKEWARM PALESTINIAN RESPONSE TO INTERNATIONAL AID PLAN – Voice of America – June 18, 2006
• HAMAS, FATAH EDGE TOWARDS COMPROMISE ON ISRAEL – CBC News – Canada – June 18, 2006
• ZAHAR: DEAL CLOSE ON PRISONERS PLAN - Jerusalem Post – June 17, 2006
• HAMAS: PROBE ARMS TRANSFER TO ABBAS – Jerusalem Post – June 18, 2006
• PA AWAITS IRANIAN AIRCRAFT – IMRA – June 19, 2006

RUSSIA:

• RUSSIA: ARE SOCCER HOOLIGANS BEING USED BY KREMLIN? – Radio Free Europe – June 19, 2006

SCOTLAND:

• WAR ON DRUGS 'LONG LOST' IN SCOTLAND – United Press International (UPI) – June 18, 2006
• TSAR ADMITS: WE'VE LOST THE WAR ON DRUGS – Scotland on Sunday – June 18, 2006
• MSPS DEMAND SUMMIT OVER DRUGS SCOURGE: PLEA AFTER COP WARNS WAR IS LOST – The Daily Record – UK – June 19, 2006

SOMALIA:

• ETHIOPIA TROOPS IN SOMALIA, CLAIMS ISLAMIC MILITIA BOSS - African News Dimension – June 19, 2006
• BORDER WAR FEARED AS SOMALI ISLAMISTS VOW HOLY WAR AGAINST ETHIOPIA – Monsters & Critics News – June 18, 2006
• SOMALIA GOV'T SAYS ISLAMISTS PLAN TO ATTACK BASE - Reuters AlertNet – June 18, 2006
• SOMALIA: WHO SUPPORTS WHO? - BBC News – UK – June 18, 2006
• AU TO MULL DEPLOYMENT TO SOMALIA - BBC News – UK – June 19, 2006
• SOMALIA BELIEVED HEADED FOR 'DRACONIAN SHARIA LAW' - Cybercast News Service – June 19, 2006

SOUTH AFRICA:

• 'HIJACK' DRAMA ON S. AFRICAN PLANE: A PASSENGER ON A SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS FLIGHT HAS APPARENTLY TRIED TO STAGE AN ARMED HIJACK, THE AIRLINE SAYS. – BBC News – June 17, 2006

SOUTH KOREA:

• S. KOREA, EU AGREE TO COOPERATE IN NUCLEAR FUSION TECHNOLOGY - People's Daily Online – China – June 19, 2006

SRI LANKA

• LANKANS PANIC AFTER CHURCH ATTACK - Daily News & Analysis – June 19, 2006
• SRI LANKA VILLAGERS IN PANIC AFTER CHURCH ATTACK KILLS 5 - The Indian Express – June 19, 2006
• SRI LANKA'S VIOLENCE INCREASES WITH SEA BATTLE, MINE ATTACKS - Bloomberg News – June 19, 2006
• THE TAMIL TIGERS THREATENS WAR ON SRI LANKA – LankaWeb.com – June 18, 2006
• IN SUSPECTED LTTE TERRORIST ACT CELLULAR PHONE EXPLODES AND INJURES THE YOUNG WIFE OF A EPDP CADRE IN JAFFNA – LankaWeb.com – June 19, 2006

THAILAND:

• THAILAND: MALAYSIA REPORTERS ESCAPED YALA BLAST – TWO REPORTERS AND A CAMERA MAN LEFT A HOTEL MINUTES BEFORE IT EXPLODED IN THE TURMOILED SOUTH - AsiaMedia's Media News Daily – June 19, 2006

TURKMENISTAN:

• TURKMENISTAN: POLITICAL DISSIDENT RELEASED FROM PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL – Radio Free Europe – June 19, 2006

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT:

• SIR PAUL McCARTNEY TURNS 64 - The Telegraph – UK – June 18, 2006
• EDITOR BARBARA EPSTEIN DEAD AT AGE 76 - AP via CTV.ca – Canada – June 16, 2006

HEALTH & MEDICINE:

• FULL-FACE TRANSPLANT PLAN - The Herald Sun – Australia – June 19, 2006
• ETHICS EXPERTS TO ALLOW FIRST UK FACE TRANSPLANTS - The Scotsman – June 19, 2006
• NEW SCREENING CUTS RISK OF GENETIC DISEASE - The Telegraph – UK – June 19, 2006
• ANTIDEPRESSANTS MAY BOOST SLEEP DISORDER: REM SLEEP BEHAVIOR DISORDER INVOLVES VIOLENT DREAMS, OFTEN ACTED OUT - HealthDay News via HealthScout – June 19, 2006
• MIXING ANIMAL, HUMAN CELLS GETS EXOTIC – AP via CBS News Health – June 19, 2006

SCIENCE:

• NASA SETS SHUTTLE LAUNCH DATE OVER OBJECTIONS - NewScientist.com News – June 18, 2006
• SCIENTIST WORKING ON CWD TEST FOR LIVE ANIMALS – AP via In-Forum – June 19, 2006

UNITED STATES NEWS:

TOP STORIES:

SEPTEMBER 11, 2001:

• SUPREME COURT RULES PROSECUTORS CAN USE 9-11 STATEMENTS – AP via The New York Times – June 19, 2006

FLOODING IN TEXAS, LA.:

• GUARD CALLED TO TEXAS, LA. FLOOD SITES - AP via WWLTV – New Orleans, LA, US – June 19, 2006

HOMEGROWN TERRORISTS:

• HOMEGROWN CELL CONCERNS N.J. CZAR - NorthJersey.com – NJ, US – June 16, 2006

IMMIGRATION:

• BIG BUCKS TO TAKE CARE OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS - KTRH Newsradio 740 – Texas, US – June 16, 2006 [Harris County, TX Spends nearly $100 million for Illegal Immigrant Healthcare in 2005.]
• MEXICAN DRUG CARTELS TAKE OVER U.S. CITIES: TANCREDO SAYS GANGS BUY BUSINESSES, POLITICIANS, POWER, POLICE DEPARTMENTS - World Net Daily – June 18, 2006
• "COYOTES" PRICES HAVE DOUBLED SINCE NATIONAL GUARD ARRIVED – EFE News – June 19, 2006
• U.S. SAID HELPLESS IN HIRING OF ALIENS – The Washington Times – June 19, 2006

ON THE HOMEFRONT:

• FEDS WARN O.C. OF TERROR LURKING 'DOWN THE STREET': FEDS AN UNSEEN BUT MIGHTY PRESENCE HERE - The O.C. Register – Orange County, CA, US – May 25, 2006
• ZOELLICK RESIGNING FROM STATE DEPARTMENT – RICE PRAISES HER SECOND-IN-COMMAND - AP via MSNBC – US – June 19, 2006
• 'MURTHA DEMOCRATS BELIEVE AMERICA CAN'T WIN,' GOP SAYS - CNS News via Townhall.com – US – June 19, 2006
• U.S. HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICIALS LEAVE GOVERNMENT FOR HIGH-PAYING JOBS – AP via Canadian Press – June 18, 2006
• SNOW: BUSH WILL NOT LET POLLS DICTATE IRAQ WAR STRATEGY – FOX News – US – June 19, 2006

ECONOMY:

• U.S. MAY DERAIL LIMITS ON CREDIT-REPORT ACCESS: STATE LAW COULD FALL TO NATIONAL STANDARD - The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via TMCNet – Milwaukee, WI, US – June 19, 2006

EDUCATION:

• OTHER STATES WATCHING AS TEXAS TIES TEACHER BONUSES TO TEST SCORES - The Dallas Morning News via KansasCity.com – June 18, 2006

ENVIRONMENT:

• BUSHMEAT TRADE THREATENS AFRICAN WILDLIFE – Independent Online (IOL) – South Africa – June 18, 2006
• BOOMING BUSHMEAT TRADE THREAT TO AFRICS WILDLIFE – Reuters – US – June 16, 2006

LAW & COURTS:

• 16 STATES FILE PETITION CHALLENGING EPA MERCURY RULES – AP via The Herald Tribune – June 19, 2006

US MILITARY:

• U.S. WWII SUB APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN FOUND – AP via WWLTV – New Orleans, LA – US – June 17, 2006

POLITICS:

• BUSH, BRAZIL LEADER TALK TRADE EXPANSION – AP via Boston.com – June 19, 2006

RELIGION:

• EPISCOPALIANS CHOOSE FIRST FEMALE BISHOP IN ANGLICAN HISTORY - AP via FOX News – June 18, 2006
• CATHOLIC BISHOPS DEBATE THE PLACE OF POLITICS IN COMMUNISM - St. Louis Dispatch – St. Louis, MO, US – June 19, 2006

TECHNOLOGY:

• CABLE TV BILL ABOUT CHOICES: LEGISLATION AIMS TO ALLOW VIEWERS TO PAY FOR THE CHANNELS THEY REALLY WATCH. – The Sacramento Bee – Sacramento, CA, US – June 19, 2006
• CHINA TO FIND BACK CHILDREN LOST ON INTERNET GAMES – Business Update Daily via TMCnet – June 19, 2006

AROUND THE NATION:

ARIZONA:

• ARIZ. WILDFIRE THREATENS HOMES, BUSINESSES – AP via WWLTV – June 19, 2006

CALIFORNIA:

• SKELETONS FOUND AT SITE FOR NEW L.A. SCHOOL – USA Today – Los Angeles, CA, US – June 19, 2006
• LOS ANGELES TO TEST UNMANNED CRIMEFIGHTING DRONE – AP via CBS Ch. 2 News – Chicago, IL – June 19, 2006

LOUISIANA:

• NO LEADS IN SHOOTING THAT KILLED 5; COUNCIL MEMBERS VOW TO ACT – KATC – New Orleans, LA, US – June 19, 2006
• THE CRIME THAT STUNNED NEW ORLEANS: THE BRUTAL MURDER OF FIVE YOUTHS OVER THE WEEKEND WAS A GRIM REMINDER JUST HOW MUCH CRIME IS MAKING A COMEBACK AFTER THE POST-KATRINA LULL – TIME Magazine – June 19, 2006

MICHIGAN:

• TAPE SHOWS ATTACK ON SCHOOL BUS IN MICH. – AP via The Houston Chronicle – Houston, TX, US – June 19, 2006

MINNESOTA:

• ORGANIC FARM FIGHTS PLANS FOR GIANT OIL PIPELINE – AP via In-Forum – June 19, 2006

PENNSYLVANIA:

• 8 INJURED WHEN CAR HITS SCHOOL BUS IN PA. – AP via The Washington Post – June 19, 2006

SOUTH CAROLINA:

• COPS: S.C. TEACHER GAVE COCAINE TO 2 TEENS – AP via The Houston Chronicle – June 16, 2006

VIRGINIA:

• KARATE TEACHER GETS SIX YEARS FOR ATTACK: MAN BROKE INTO EX-STUDENTS' HOUSE – The Washington Post – June 17, 2006

WASHINGTON:

• (WA) CAPITAL BRACES FOR RALLY OF NAZIS – The Spokesman-Review via FreeRepublic.com Thread – June 19, 2006

WISCONSIN:

• TORNADO INJURES THREE, DAMAGES SCHOOL AND 50 HOMES IN WISCONSIN – USA Today – US – June 19, 2006

EDITORIALS:

• WHERE HAVE ALL THE REPORTERS GONE? – THE NATION: THE NEWS BUSINESS HAS GONE CORPORATE – by Mark Crispin – CBS News – June 19, 2006
• EDITORIAL: HANDS-OFF NET POLICY BEST OPTION – The Appeal-Democrat – Marysville, CA – US – June 19, 2006
• AHMADINEJAD'S DEMONS - Catholic Educators – US – June 19, 2006
• IRAQ LINKED TO TERRORISM: WHO KNEW? – by Jake Sweet @ WebCommentary – June 17, 2006
• THE SLIPPERY SLOPE – by Walter E. Williams via Free-Market News Network – June 16, 2006
• ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION: WHAT DID FRANCE DISCOVER THAT THE GOP CAN'T GRASP – by Jim Kouri, The American Daily – June 19, 2006

PRESS RELEASES & TRANSCRIPTS:

• TRANSLATION OF AL ZARQAWI DOCUMENT – AP via GulfNews.com – June 16, 2006

NATIONAL BLOG WATCH:

• JIHADISTS TARGETTING AFRICA – by Douglas Farah @ Counterterrorism Blog – June 19, 2006
• UNPRECEDENTED TERRORIST BOMBINGS IN SOUTHERN THAILAND – by Zachary Abuza @ Counterterrorism Blog – June 19, 2006
• IN MURTHA'S OWN WORDS - by Michelle Malkin @ MichelleMalkin.com – June 18, 2006 [Murtha discussing an interesting option on Meet The Press and it's got the blogosphere talking. Michelle gives a little transcript and then has links to the discussions.]
• COLUMNIST WANTS ANN COULTER DEAD – by Samspade @ e.thePeople – June 16, 2006
• ON HEELS OF VA'S GIANT DATA BREACH, WHITE HOUSE & GAO REVIEW SECURITY PRACTICES – by David Berlind @ ZDNet.com – June 19, 2006
• FURTHER PREPARATION IN THE GULF FOR POTENTIAL WAR – by Olivier Guitta @ Counterterror