Slatest Full Text Edition

Syria Forces Raid Homes as Opposition to Gov't Grows

Sun, 24 Apr 2011 15:09:38 GMT

Secret police raided homes across the country and arrested dozens of people, according to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The raids took place less than a week after the government announced it had abolished emergency laws, reinforcing the belief that the repeal didn't mean anything in practical terms since President Bashar al-Assad can still operate with impunity. The arrests came after security forces killed at least 120 people over the last few days, according to Associated Press figures. Human Rights Watch has called on the European Union and the United States to impose sanctions on Syrian officials and is pushing the United Nations to investigate the mass killings and detentions. "After Friday's carnage, it is no longer enough to condemn the violence," said Joe Stork, HRW's deputy Middle East director. "Faced with the Syrian authorities' 'shoot to kill' strategy, the international community needs to impose sanctions on those ordering the shooting of protesters." Two Syrian lawmakers from the southern province of Daraa, where the protests began, have resigned over the killings of demonstrators, reports Al Jazeera. If the intent of all the killings was to intimidate democracy activists into ending their protests, it doesn't seem to be working so far. Thousands of mourners gathered at a funeral for killed activists in the southern town of Nawa and loudly demanded Assad leave power, reports Reuters.

Source: Al Jazeera

Senators Push Harder Line on Qaddafi

Sun, 24 Apr 2011 16:48:38 GMT

Three senators went on the Sunday talk shows to push the White House into stepping up operations in Libya, with one even suggesting that Tripoli should be bombed and Muammar Qaddafi targeted. "My recommendation to NATO and to the administration is to cut the head of the snake off, go to Tripoli, start bombing Qaddafi's inner circle, their compounds their military headquarters in Tripoli," Sen. Lindsay Graham said on CNN. Sens. John McCain and Joe Lieberman didn't go that far but they both urged the United States to once again claim the leadership role in the Libyan bombing campaign. Lieberman also called on the United States to increase support to the Syria uprising. Democratic lawmakers urged caution and patience in both Libya and Syria. "We need to give it a little bit of time. I think the squeeze play that we are applying more and more pressure on Kadafi with military action, with an embargo, will eventually succeed," Sen. Christopher Coons said. For his part, Pope Bendict XVI urged "diplomacy and dialogue" in Libya during his traditional Easter message.

Source: Los Angeles Times

White House Failed To Fight for Gitmo Closure

Sun, 24 Apr 2011 15:03:41 GMT

News that Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed will be tried by a military commission was the final confirmation (in case any was needed) of the Obama administration's failure to close the military detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Shortly after taking office, President Obama signed an executive order announcing that Guantanamo would be closed, but it never quite became a number one priority. In an extensive look at why the detention is still open, the Washington Postsays the main message from those involved in the process is that "the White House never pressed hard enough on what was supposed to be a signature goal." Some seem to have been rookie mistakes, partly the product of taking on such a complicated issue in the first few months in office. One common complaint is that there was a clear lack of coordination at the White House and there seemed to be no one person who was in charge of the issue. Perhaps as a result of this lack of planning, the White House's instinct often seemed to be to retreat when it faced political opposition. That made Democrats more willing to break with the president since many were unwilling to support what would have been a politically difficult decision without clear White House support.

Source: The Washington Post

Resignation Offer Fails To End Yemen Protests

Sun, 24 Apr 2011 15:01:00 GMT

After days of increasing pressure from neighboring countries (particularly Saudi Arabia) that are terrified of the spreading instability in the region, President Ali Abdullah Saleh announced Saturday that he was accepting an offer by Arab mediators to step down. With conditions. He would hand over power to his deputy in 30 days, in exchange for immunity from prosecution for himself and his family. The first reaction to the news is that it would mark a remarkably rare transfer of power in the region. But it's also not clear whether it is possible for such a transition to satisfy protesters. As the New York Times notes, Saleh "is a wily political survivor" and he might just be trying "to shift blame for a stalemate to the opposition." Yemen's political opposition officially accepted the offer but negotiations "could still derail a final agreement." Protests continued Sunday as those leading the uprising in the streets demanding Saleh step down after almost 33 years in power insist the deal is unacceptable, reports the Associated Press. Some insist Saleh shouldn't be able to avoid prosecution and "activists particularly hold Saleh responsible for the deaths of 52 protesters in the capital, Sanaa, killed last month by snipers loyal to the regime," notes the Washington Post. They're also worried the agreement is nothing more than an effort by the president and official opposition parties to share power, explains Reuters. Some also think the 30-day window period could give Saleh enough time to start a civil war and remain in power.

Source: Reuters

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Sun, 24 Apr 2011 15:01:00 GMT

Fighting in Misrata Continues Despite Reports of Army Pullback

Sun, 24 Apr 2011 15:07:07 GMT

Rebels in Misrata say forces loyal to Qaddafi have continued to bombard the besieged city despite reports that the army was stopping its operations to give local tribal leaders an opportunity to negotiate with fighters. Rebels celebrated on Saturday after word began to spread that government troops were pulling back from Misrata. But that seems to have been premature as Saturday then turned into one of the deadliest days in Misrata with at least 25 people killed. On Sunday morning, Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim denied reports that government troops were pulling back from the city saying they had "ceased operations" to give tribal leaders a chance to negotiate with rebels. If negotiations fail, tribal leaders could send fighters to the city, Kaim said. But "the Misrata area is not known to have very large or dominant tribes, and rebels in the city questioned how much support Qaddafi had among them," notes the Associated Press. Indeed, a rebel leader tells CNN that "there are no tribes and there are no negotiations." The BBC hears word that Qaddafi loyalists fired "rockets on residential areas overnight." Reuters talks to a rebel spokesman who says the bombardment continued Sunday. One resident who talks to the AP says rebels pushed Qaddafi loyalists to the edge of the city but they have continued their attacks with rockets. There is speculation that the government might be trying to increase tensions between Misrata and its neighboring towns so it can later claim that it is fighting the rebels to protect local tribes. "This may be cover for using more insurgent type warfare without any uniforms and without tanks," British Foreign Secretary William Hague said. Meanwhile, NATO reported that a US Predator drone destroyed a rocket launcher in the Misrata region that was being used against civilians, reports Al Jazeera.

Source: BBC News

Indian Guru Satya Sai Baba Dies

Sun, 24 Apr 2011 15:13:06 GMT

Famed Indian spiritual leader Satya Sai Baba died Sunday in a hospital, where he had been admitted almost a month ago for multiple-organ failure. The guru, instantly recognizable becaue of his trademark saffron robes and unkempt Afro-style hair, had a huge following around the world, including several high-profile figures. Many of his followers consider him a living god and he claimed to perform miracles. But he was also a controversial figure with critics accusing him of fraud and sexual abuse. Hundreds of thousands of followers are expected to pay their respects and police have set up barriers to hold mourners back from the hospital. In its statement, the hospital avoided using the word "dead," noting that "Sai Baba is no more with us physically."

Source: The Associated Press

Are Exiles Manipulating Storyline of Syria Upheaval?

Sun, 24 Apr 2011 14:55:17 GMT

The Syrian government is used to controlling the media. But it hasn't been able to prevent intrepid citizens from shooting photographs and video of the revolts that have claimed the lives of nearly 300 people. Much of the reason why those depictions have been able to get out is a network of exiles that have been preparing for this moment. When Egypt's government managed to cut off access to the Internet and cellular networks in January, they delivered satellite phones and hundreds of cameras and laptops across Syria, allegedly funded by Syrian businessmen. Although "few question the breadth of the uprising, there are differences on its depth in towns and cities," writes the New York Times' Anthony Shadid. Some insist the exiled activists are not just information providers but also shapers of the narrative. "I call it deception," said one blogger. "It's like putting something on the wrapping of a product which has nothing to do with what's inside. This is all being manipulated."

Source: The New York Times

Palestinian Police Kill Jewish Worshipper

Sun, 24 Apr 2011 16:40:12 GMT

Tensions between Israel and the Palestinian Authority increased Sunday after one Israeli was killed, and three were wounded, when police forces opened fire on a convoy of worshippers leaving a holy site in the West Bank city of Nablus. The victim was 25-year-old Ben-Joseph Livinat, a nephew of Culture and Science Minister Limor Livnat. He was traveling in one of three cars of Israelis that had entered the West Bank to pray at Joseph's Tomb "without permission and then tried to break through a local checkpoint," reports Haaretz, citing an initial investigation by Israeli and Palestinian authorities. The Israeli army regularly coordinates and escorts worshippers to the holy site but this group apparently failed to inform anyone of their impending visit. The army didn't immediately label the shooting as a terrorist attack but rather an unjustified act against civilians. At the funeral later in the day, the culture minister said her "nephew was killed by a terrorist disguised as a Palestinian policeman."

Source: Haaretz

China Detains Christians and Blocks Easter Service

Sun, 24 Apr 2011 16:43:42 GMT

Police blocked more than 500 people from attending a planned outdoor Easter service and detained 36 worshippers. Shouwang Church is one of China's largest unregistered Christian groups and was "forced outdoors after authorities blocked the rental of its previous office space in November," reports CNN. Hundreds of police officers swarmed the site early in the day and prevented anyone from gathering. Shouwang's senior pastor is under house arrest and the church claims more than 200 of its members have been arrested over the past month. The move was widely seen as the latest example of how Chinese authorities have been carrying out a wider crackdown on dissent and foreign journalists following Internet calls for protests against the government.

Source: CNN

Japan Launches Massive Search Operation

Sun, 24 Apr 2011 16:41:47 GMT

The government will be deploying around 25,000 troops in hopes of recovering some of the bodies of people killed in last month's earthquake and tsunami. While 14,300 people are confirmed dead, more than 12,000 remain missing. Helicopters, planes and boats will also be used to search up to 12 miles out to sea. There's little hope that many will be found as "two previous large-scale searches of the coast have recovered only a small number of bodies," notes the Guardian. But some are hopeful that reduced water levels will make it easier to find bodies that may be trapped under debris.

Source: The Guardian

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Sun, 24 Apr 2011 16:41:47 GMT

Why iPhone Users Should Care About Tracking

Sat, 23 Apr 2011 14:00:49 GMT

When news broke that Apple's iPhone (and Google's Android system) kept track of users' locations, there was much outrage. And lots of yawns. Some wondered what the big deal was. "Why are we worried about Apple, Google and others knowing where we are and even the pattern of our activity? It's not as if we can't be tracked in other ways," wrote PC Magazine's Lance Ulanoff. The New York Times' David Pogue espoused a similar argument: "I have nothing to hide." That seems doubtful. Regardless, it's not the point, as Wiredexplains. It's clear that tracking improves the phone's ability to provide you with a more precise location service, say to pinpoint where you are when looking up nearby restaurants. But the system itself is flawed. Why should your phone store more than a year's worth of data? In fact, why should the phone store anything at all once the data is transmitted back to Apple every 12 hours or so? That's the key difference between the revelations about Android and iPhone tracking this week. If a thief got his hands on your iPhone he could figure out a lot about your life; same goes for a hacker who gets into your computer. Plus, police can subpoena the database that is in your iPhone, and suddenly they have a record that can help them pinpoint where you've been for months. "That file contains too much information for this to even be justified," writes Wired. There's no reason to be extremely concerned but "this problem can be and should be fixed by Apple, and you should demand that."

Source: Wired

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Sat, 23 Apr 2011 14:00:49 GMT

Economic Recovery Leads To Divorce Boom

Sat, 23 Apr 2011 16:09:33 GMT

In what the Financial Timescalls "a perverse sign of the economic recovery," lawyers report a marked increase in the U.S. divorce rate. The rate declined during the recessions as couples couldn't afford to split up. But now "there is huge pent-up demand," one lawyer said. One thing that has changed since the recession is that "people no longer argue about who's keeping the house, but about who's stuck with it."

Source: The Financial Times

U.S. Deploys Armed Drones in Libya

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 00:46:23 GMT

In an attempt to break the stalemate that has developed in Libya over the past few weeks, President Obama has approved the use of armed Predator drones against Col. Qaddafi's troops. The first mission by the remotely piloted aircraft was cut short Thursday because of bad weather, but the U.S. military will keep at least two drones in Libya at all times, reports the Washington Post. Rebel leaders have long been requesting this move since Qaddafi forces have been able to pretty much sap the effectiveness of NATO airstrikes by hunkering down with civilians in urban areas. "There's no doubt that will help protect civilians, and we welcome that step from the American administration," a rebel spokesman said. Meanwhile, in Baghdad, Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that although the NATO airstrikes have reduced Qaddafi's forces by "somewhere between 30 and 40 percent," the conflict is "certainly moving towards a stalemate." The remotely piloted aircraft is much better suited for urban combat since it flies at a lower altitude and can fire with greater precision. In announcing the move, Defense Secretary Robert Gates vehemently denied this was just a prelude to putting boots on the ground. "There is no wiggle room in that," he said. The announcement was also seen as a gesture of goodwill from the United States to European allies after days in which NATO officials have been complaining about the lack of involvement by the U.S. military ever since it handed over control of the mission. But it was also a reminder of the "gap in NATO's capabilities" since no other allied country has drones available and demonstrated the "indispensable role that the U.S. alone can fulfill in armed humanitarian interventions," writes the Christian Science Monitor. The announcement came on the same day as rebel victories along the Tunisian border provided "the first hint of a break in the stalemate that has settled over the Libyan civil war in recent weeks," notes the New York Times. On Friday, Sen. John McCain arrived in the rebel stronghold of Benghazi and said that those fighting against Qaddafi's forces "are my heroes," reports the Associated Press. McCain has been one of the strongest proponents of deepening U.S. involvement in Libya, and he is the highest-ranking American official to meet with rebels in eastern Libya.

Source: The Washington Post

Android Also Tracks User Location

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 00:52:59 GMT

Smartphones running Google's Android software collect location data in much the same way as the iPhone, the Wall Street Journalreports. Google allegedly collects data "every few seconds" and transmits it back to the company "at least several times an hour." That transmission includes any nearby Wi-Fi networks as well as "a unique phone identifier" that can tie a location to an individual user. The revelation comes after much outrage this week over the discovery that iPhones store unencrypted databases containing location information, sometimes for several months. In some ways, Google's tracking is more pervasive since Apple has said the data are transmitted to the company around once every 12 hours, and they aren't associated with a unique identifier. But the information does not seem to be stored as long in Android devices as in Apple's iPhone. The revelations show how both companies are trying to "build massive databases capable of pinpointing people's locations via their cellphones" as part of an effort to capture "the $2.9 billion market for location-based services," a move that has worried privacy advocates, reports the Journal. Democratic Sen. Al Franken has fired off a letter to Apple's Steve Jobs asking why the iPhone keeps such an extensive database of location data, reports the Guardian.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

45 Percent of Republicans Say Obama Wasn't Born in U.S.

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 13:41:30 GMT

Although 57 percent of adults believe Obama was born in the United States and only 25 percent say he was born elsewhere, there are "striking disparities along party lines and regions of the country," the New York Timeswrites, revealing data from its latest in-house poll. Among Republicans, 45 percent believe he was born abroad, while only 33 percent say he was born in the United States. More than a dozen state legislatures have discussed or are discussing "birther bills" that usually seek to force presidential candidates to prove their birthplace, although at least five states have been reluctant to actually turn the bills into law. Oklahoma could soon become the first with a vote expected next week. Curious about how the birther issue got started? Politicopublishes a primer that seeks to explain why this has become the non-issue that won't die. Meanwhile, the NYT/CBS poll also shows that Americans are more pessimistic about the economy and the general direction of the country than "at any time since President Obama's first two months in office." The number of Americans who say the economy is getting worse soared 13 percentage points in one month. In a particularly worrying sign for Obama, 57 percent of Americans disapprove of how he is handling the economy. Republicans in Congress don't get much better grades, and Americans are highly skeptical of the claim that cutting the deficit would improve the economy. As for how the deficit should be cut and whether it should affect entitlement programs, it isn't surprising that Americans don't really know what they want, and how they answer has much to do with the question. What does seem clear is an overwhelming support for Obama's plan to end tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. And nearly two-thirds oppose raising the debt ceiling, including nearly half of Democrats.

Source: The New York Times

Gov. Urges Texans To Pray for Rain

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 00:54:40 GMT

As wildfires that have burnt through more than 1.5 million acres across Texas continue, Gov. Rick Perry has asked residents to pray for an end to the pervasive drought that has hit the state. All of Texas is now in at least a moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The dry weather is helping the wildfires spread, and now the state's governor has asked Texans "of all faiths and traditions" to appeal to a higher power for help. In an official proclamation, Perry declared that the three days from Friday to Sunday have officially been designated as "Days of Prayer for Rain in the State of Texas," reports the Houston Chronicle. "Throughout our history … Texans have been strengthened, assured and lifted up through prayers," notes the proclamation. "It seems right and fitting that the people of Texas should join together in prayer to humbly seek an end to this devastating drought and these dangerous wildfires."

Source: The Houston Chronicle

Syrian Forces Fire on Protesters

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 15:13:37 GMT

The Syrian government made it clear Friday that just because it lifted emergency rule, it doesn't mean that protests will suddenly be tolerated. At least 20 people have reportedly been killed in mass protests across the country following Friday prayers, reports Al Jazeera, citing witness accounts. "Deaths were reported in the central city of Homs, Douma, and the southern city of Azraa," notes Al Jazeera. More than 200 people have been killed since anti-government protests first broke out five weeks ago, and activists have been saying that this week's Friday protests would be the biggest rallies yet against President Bashar Assad. "The level of violence has really escalated," Al Jazeera's Rula Amin, who is in Damascus, says. Reuters reports that 2,000 protesters were dispersed by teargas in Damascus. In Douma, a Damascus suburb, forces opened fire against the 40,000 people who took to the streets, according to the Associated Press. Although the protests have been growing, "most Syrians so far have stayed out of them, either out of allegiance to the government, fear of retaliation or concern that the country could devolve into chaos or extremism," notes the Washington Post. In a separate piece, the Washington Postpoints out that U.S. officials feel "they have little leverage over Syria, which is barred from American aid and most bilateral trade under its designation by the State Department as a terrorist-sponsoring nation." Some in the administration believe Assad can be persuaded to institute real reforms, and they're wary of pushing for his ouster when his replacement could be worse for U.S. interests in the region. Others, however, say it is naïve to think Assad can change and that even if the United States can't do much on its own, it could still work with the European Union, Syria's largest trading partner, to increase pressure on the regime. Some analysts insist that Assad's ouster could greatly help U.S. interests in the region, particularly in relation to Iran, since Syria is its only Arab ally and the country has long been a transit point to ship weapons.

Source: Al Jazeera

Sen. Ensign Stepping Down

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 00:50:33 GMT

Ever since Sen. John Ensign admitted that he had an affair with a staffer who was married to his best friend, who also worked for him, he has tried to fight on. Yet little by little, he seemed to recognize how the scandal cost him his political career, although he has been insisting he would not leave office early. On Thursday he gave up, saying the ongoing ethics investigation had become too much to bear. "While I stand behind my firm belief that I have not violated any law, rule, or standard of conduct of the Senate, and I have fought to prove this publicly, I will not continue to subject my family, my constituents, or the Senate to any further rounds of investigation, depositions, drawn out proceedings, or especially public hearings," Ensign wrote in a statement. The move amounts to good news for Republicans, since Gov. Brian Sandoval will probably appoint Rep. Dena Heller to complete Ensign's term, allowing Heller to then run as an incumbent against his democratic opponent in 2012. Political insiders were surprised by the announcement, considering that Ensign had persistently fought back calls for his resignation and that the Ethics Committee investigation was the only one left after the Justice Department and the Federal Elections Commission dropped their own inquiries last year. But it seems like he was particularly considered about what could have come to light during the inquiry—and the effect it would have on his reputation and that of the Nevada GOP, writes the Las Vegas Sun. With Ensign out of office, "the Ethics Committee will have no jurisdiction in the matter and probably will keep private the results of its 20-month investigation," notes the Washington Post.

Source: Las Vegas Sun

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Fri, 22 Apr 2011 00:50:33 GMT

Trump's Spotlight Doesn't Help "Apprentice" Ratings

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 15:05:41 GMT

Many have claimed that Donald Trump's only motivation to flirt with a White House bid is to try to boost ratings for his reality TV show. But if that's the case, "it doesn't appear to be working," notes the Hill. Even as polls show him tied for first among Republicans, the Apprentice had the lowest ratings of its 11^th season last Sunday with only 7.6 million viewers, a decrease from 9.7 million on April 3. That means fewer people tune in to Trump's show than Undercover Boss, which was watched by 8.9 million people last week. Trump's advisers have said he will use the show's finale to announce details about his presidential bid.

Source: The Hill

Mel Gibson: "I Don't Care if I Don't Act Anymore"

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 15:09:46 GMT

Mel Gibson has finally broken the silence he's kept since the tapes in which the actor could be heard unleashing misogynistic and racist rants against ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva leaked last year. He granted an interview to Deadline Hollywood in which he says that "of course" he feels regret for what he said on the tapes and insists they were edited. When he was asked how a Hollywood veteran like himself could allow that to happen, Gibson sighed and answered: "Who anticipates being recorded? Who anticipates that? Who could anticipate such a personal betrayal?" Although he understands why people might think he's racist and sexist, Gibson insists that "you have to put it all in proper context of being in an irrationally, heated discussion at the height of a breakdown, trying to get out of a really unhealthy relationship." When he was asked whether he's worried audiences will never forgive him, Gibson answered: "I don't care if I don't act anymore." Although he doesn't know "if it's going to get off the ground" Gibson said he already has his next project lined with Braveheart's screenwriter, Randy Wallace. While he expressed gratitude to the few Hollywood figures who publicly defended him, Gibson insists he doesn't care that more of his colleagues didn't speak up. "Why would anyone want to speak publicly and drag themselves through this crap? It seems to add fuel to the fire."

Source: Deadline Hollywood

Botox Reduces Ability To Read Emotions

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 15:06:52 GMT

Botox can make it more difficult to understand what others are feeling, a new study suggests. Botox injections have been widely used for 20 years to smooth wrinkles but it hinders some facial movements that can make it more difficult to express emotion and read what others are trying to say through their expressions. That's because part of the way people read emotions is by "mimicking facial expressions," reports USA Today. So "if muscular signals from the face to the brain are dampened, you're less able to read emotions," according to the study's lead author.

Source: USA Today

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Fri, 22 Apr 2011 15:06:52 GMT

Obama Asks Supporters for More Time

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:15:58 GMT

President Obama's three-day West Coast swing began Wednesday, and he gave an early indication of how he will try to get independents and young voters to stick with him in 2012, saying he understands their frustrations but things would be worse under Republicans. While recognizing that many who voted for him are feeling let down by the compromises he's made, the president warned there are more to come. "It's a timely warning given the upcoming vote on raising the debt ceiling and the ongoing debate over long-term deficit reduction," notes the Associated Press. "But further compromises could prove a tough pill to swallow for many of Obama's liberal backers, who have grown tired of watching the president cede ground to the GOP on spending cuts and tax breaks for the wealthy." He is also asking for more time, insisting that "it's going to take us more than one term to finish everything that we need to do." Obama also stepped up his criticism of the Republican budget proposal, calling it "radical" and "not courageous" because "nothing is easier than solving problems on the backs of people who are poor, powerless, or people who don't have lobbyists or clout," reports the Washington Post. The president made those comments in a town hall meeting at the headquarters of Facebook in Palo Alto, Calif., that appears to have been a win-win for both the administration and the rising company. It gave the president a platform to reconnect with young voters who are not nearly as enthusiastic about Obama as they were in 2008. And in return, the White House gave lots of free publicity to Facebook and confirmed that the company "is being embraced by Washington as a major corporate player," as the Washington Post's Dana Milbank puts it. Obama sat on a stage next to Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and the gushing never seemed to stop with the president and the young billionaire making it clear that they admire each other. Describing his tax plan, Obama said that "frankly, you, Mark" can afford to pay more taxes. "I'm cool with that," the CEO said. Although the townhall was billed as a way to "open a new level of two-way communication with his constituents, social-networking technology didn't add much to the conversation," writes the San Francisco Chronicle. Facebook users were asked to submit questions but Obama only ended up answering eight and Zuckerberg lobbed softballs, some of which came from Facebook employees.

Source: The Associated Press

GOP Increases Demands To Raise Debt Limit

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:13:17 GMT

In what Politicoqualifies as a "clear escalation in the long-running Washington spending war, with no less than the full faith and credit of the United States hanging in the balance," House Majority Leader Eric Cantor said the GOP would not approve an increase in the debt ceiling without major spending cuts or a change in the budget process. Those close to Cantor say that he doesn't want the nation to default, but rather seeks to make it clear that the GOP won't be satisfied with small concessions. And his remarks are particularly significant considering he is the House Republican representative to a White House panel tasked with figuring out ways in which the deficit could be reduced. Republicans are batting around a number of ideas for reforms that could be attached to the debt-limit vote, including an amendment to the Constitution that would require a balanced budget and a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate in order to allow spending to be greater than revenue in any given year. The Washington Post's Ezra Klein says that many Washington insiders see the debate as coming down to two alternatives, a spending cap that would limit federal spending at 20.6 percent of GDP and the "deficit-reducing trigger" proposed by President Obama. Democrats are pushing for a "clean" vote on the borrowing limit but in the 74 times the ceiling has been increased since 1962 it has mostly "been tied to other bills in an effort to ensure support for both measures," reports Politico.

Source: Politico

Turkey: Mideast Peace Is Critical to Arab Uprisings

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:07:37 GMT

In an op-ed piece in the New York Times, Turkish President Abdullah Gul writes that the success of democracy uprisings in North Africa and the Middle East will be in large part determined by whether there is a "lasting Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement and a broader Israeli-Arab peace." Although Israel "more than any other country" needs to adapt to a new reality, "it need not fear," because "the emergence of a democratic neighborhood around Israel is the ultimate assurance of the country's security." The Turkish president calls on Israel to "approach the peace process with a strategic mindset, rather than resorting to short-sighted tactical maneuvers" because "sticking to the unsustainable status quo will only place Israel in greater danger." Although Turkey was once a key player in the Mideast peace process, its relationship with Israel deteriorated after the Gaza invasion of 2008-09 and then worsened still after nine Turkish activists were killed during Israel's raid on Gaza aid ships. But the op-ed piece makes it seem as though Turkey is ready to step up to the plate again. "Turkey is ready to play the role it played in the past, once Israel is ready to pursue peace with its neighbors."

Source: The New York Times

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Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:07:37 GMT

Syrian Forces Open Fire on Mourners

Sat, 23 Apr 2011 13:50:58 GMT

Witnesses are reporting that at least eight people have been killed by security forces who fired on the thousands of people who gathered across the country to mourn the protesters killed Friday, the deadliest day of the six-week uprising in Syria. The Associated Press cites figures from Syria's National Organization for Human Rights that says at least eight people were killed Saturday and 112 on Friday. Nearly 300 people have been killed since the uprising began. Al Jazeera reports that five people were killed when security forces when shot at mourners to prevent them from heading to a funeral procession in the southern village of Izraa and four in the Damascus suburb of Douma, where at least eight people were murdered Friday. Residents in Douma reportedly formed a human shield around a hospital in order to prevent security forces from arresting those who were inside. The events of the day "offered no sign that the Damascus government might give in to swelling demands for democratic change," notes the Washington Post. And since the protests came a day after President Bashar al-Assad lifted the much-hated emergency rule, it also showed that democracy activists will not be satisfied with institutional reforms. President Obama issued his strongest condemnation to date of the violence and personally blamed Assad for the situation, saying he had placed his "personal interests" ahead of the Syrian people's. Obama's statement also tied the repression to Iran, but failed to provide details. So far, the protests seem to be following a familiar pattern. Security forces kill protesters, then shoot at mourners the following day, leading to more outrage and a swelling of protests the next week. But Syria isn't Egypt or Tunisia yet. The size of the protests continues to be relatively small as most people have been "staying home out of loyalty to the regime, fear of reprisals or trepidation about what a post-Assad Syria could look like," writes the Post. The New York Timesreports that "organizers said the movement was still in its infancy, and the government, building on 40 years of institutional inertia, still commanded the loyalty of the military, economic elite and sizable minorities of Christian and heterodox Muslim sects who fear the state's collapse."

Source: Al Jazeera

Libyan Forces Leave Misrata

Sat, 23 Apr 2011 13:53:55 GMT

The Libyan army has reportedly been ordered to leave the western port town of Misrata, according to captured troops who were interviewed by Reuters. The city has been under government siege for almost two months and has been the site of some of the heaviest fighting that has claimed the lives of hundreds of civilians. Earlier in the day, Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim said the army would withdraw and the government "will leave the tribes around Misrata and Misrata's people to deal with the situation." The minister made a point of saying that would increase civilian casualties because the tribes wouldn't show restraint. Leaving aside the fact that there's no sign the security forces ever showed restraint, there are reasons to be skeptical of the statement. The BBC's Jeremy Bowen points out that the government has been using the prospect of a tribal civil war as a warning against foreign intervention. A withdrawal from Misrata "appears to mark a shift in tactics by pro-Qaddafi forces," notes Al Jazeera. On Friday, rebels made some important gains in Misrata by capturing the port and a downtown office building that had been the base for snipers. It seems that the army withdrawal has been bloody. Soldiers say rebels attacked them as they tried to leave the city. A doctor at a local hospital tells AFP that at least 10 people had been brought in, "which is usually the number for a full day." Meanwhile, NATO airstrikes have hit what appeared to be a bunker near a Qaddafi compound in central Tripoli. The government said it was used to store water, but no one buys that, as Reuters notes the area "was surrounded by a wall and guarded by watchtowers and soldiers." But the BBC does point out that there was no evidence of a secondary explosion, probably meaning the bunker didn't contain ammunition. Also yesterday, the Pentagon confirmed that the United States had carried out its first drone strike in Libya Saturday.

Source: Reuters

Air Controllers Want To Nap

Sat, 23 Apr 2011 16:04:27 GMT

The union that represents the nation's air-traffic controllers launched a campaign Friday to, among other issues, allow members to nap during breaks. The Federal Aviation Administration has been on the defensive lately after a number of incidents in which controllers fell asleep on the job. Now the union is urging the FAA to "embrace various fatigue-prevention techniques previously recommended by a government-labor study group," reports the Wall Street Journal. Among those techniques is allowing controllers to take naps during long breaks on overnight shifts. Union officials say "established scientific research" backs their claim that so-called "controlled napping" could help them stay alert. The technique has received some backing from FAA managers. But lawmakers and high-level administration officials have long objected to the idea. "I don't believe in paying controllers to take naps," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Why iPhone Users Should Care About Tracking

Sat, 23 Apr 2011 14:00:49 GMT

Source: Wired

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Sat, 23 Apr 2011 14:00:49 GMT

Ensign Ethics Investigation To Continue

Sat, 23 Apr 2011 16:12:37 GMT

The Senate Ethics Committee Made it Clear it plans to move ahead with the investigation into Sen. John Ensign, despite his announcement that he would resign. Of course, they wouldn't be able to charge him with any wrongdoing if he's out of office, but they could still release a public statement on what they've found during the 22-month investigation. "Legal experts could not think of a case in recent decades in which either the Senate or House ethics committees continued their work and issued a report after a lawmaker had left office," reports the Washington Post. The committee has been investigating Ensign's affair with a former staffer, Cynthia Hampton, and the move to fire her and her husband, after which Ensign's parents gave them $96,000. The New York Timeshighlights that Ensign's resignation would become effective a day before he would have to answer questions under oath about the entire ordeal.

Source: The Washington Post

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Sat, 23 Apr 2011 16:12:37 GMT

Apparent Tornado Shuts Down St. Louis Airport

Sat, 23 Apr 2011 13:56:02 GMT

A severe storm hit St. Louis Friday and an apparent tornado hit the airport, smashing windows, ripping off part of the roof, and rocking planes back and forth. On Saturday morning, officials were relieved that only five passengers were injured, and none of them seriously, considering the extent of the damage. "All the windows were busted. ... The airport looks like a war zone," a 32-year-old, who had gone to the airport to pick up a friend when the storm hit, told CNN. Federal weather officials described the storm as a "tornadic supercell" but emphasized they still don't know how many tornadoes occurred. "We're assuming that (a tornado) is what it was," a National Weather Service meteorologist tells Reuters.

Source: CNN

Coast Guard Report Could Help BP Get Paid

Sat, 23 Apr 2011 16:02:30 GMT

On Friday, the U.S. Coast Guard released a report saying that Transocean, the operator of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig, may have contributed to causing the oil spill because of improper maintenance of electrical equipment, insufficient training, and poor safety systems. Transocean "had serious safety management system failures and a poor safety culture," the Coast Guard said. The report could help BP, which sued Transocean for billions in damages claiming that the company's "misconduct" contributed to the explosion that killed 11 workers and the subsequent oil spill. Analysts say the report will likely push BP to push for a higher settlement figure, even if Transocean disputes the findings, notes Bloomberg. "We strongly disagree with, and documentary evidence in the Coast Guard's possession refutes, key findings in this report," the company said yesterday. As the Wall Street Journalexplains, the Coast Guard and Interior Department conducted 25 days of public hearings and were expected to release a joint report. But since the Coast Guard went ahead on its own, the report focused only on its areas of jurisdiction and didn't look into what actually "caused the blowout that allowed gas to reach the rig in the first place." The Department of Interior should be releasing its own report within the next few weeks.

Source: Bloomberg

Economic Recovery Leads To Divorce Boom

Sat, 23 Apr 2011 16:09:33 GMT

Source: The Financial Times

Going to the Royal Wedding Doesn't Mean Seeing It

Sat, 23 Apr 2011 16:06:31 GMT

The guest list and seating plan for Prince William's wedding with Kate Middleton have been released. The seating plan shows that only the couple's closest friends and family members will be able to see the ceremony directly, while more than 1,000 people will have to rely on video to follow what's going on, notes the Telegraph. The BBC points out that Westminster Abbey "is essentially two churches" since there is a partition that restricts the view of the altar to anyone who is behind it. Lots of names from the guest list had already leaked out, but now it has been confirmed that celebrity guests will include David and Victoria Beckham, Elton John, Guy Ritchie, and Rowan Atkinson. Several war veterans have also been invited, along with members of foreign royal families. Meanwhile, the Daily Mailreveals a poll that shows Kate Middleton's popularity has soared, as the number of people who think she'd make a good queen rose 12 percentage points since November. Britons are widely enthusiastic about Prince William marrying a "commoner" even as they fear she will "suffer snobbery" when she joins the Royal Family.

Source: The Telegraph

Lohan Sentenced to 120 Days, but Quickly Released

Sat, 23 Apr 2011 16:08:07 GMT

A judge sentenced Lindsay Lohan to 120 days in jail for violating her probation by taking a designer necklace. The judge said she believed the actress had intentionally swiped the necklace but she reduced the charges from felony grand theft to a misdemeanor. That was a big victory for Lohan, because it reduced her potential sentence to one year in county jail rather than three years in state prison, notes the New York Post. Hearing on the theft charges are set for May 11. In addition to the 120 days, the judge also hit Lohan with 480 hours of community service, including 360 at a women's shelter, where "she might see how needy women live," the judge said. After spending five hours behind bars she was let out on $75,000 bail.

Source: The New York Post

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Sat, 23 Apr 2011 16:08:07 GMT

45 Percent of Republicans Say Obama Wasn't Born in U.S.

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 13:41:30 GMT

Source: The New York Times

Gov. Urges Texans To Pray for Rain

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 00:54:40 GMT

Source: The Houston Chronicle