The Daily Tension for Sat. 27 May

TENSION NEWSMAKERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Brian May of rock group Queen performs during the VH1 Rock Honors concert in Las Vegas on Thursday, May 25, 2006. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
HEALTH
A cure for Stress?
(news.independent.co.uk) -- It started as a hi-tech relaxation technique for burnt-out executives. Now everyone from schoolchildren to sports stars are discovering the seemingly miraculous benefits of Heartmath. Jerome Burne investigates

CULTURE
Sex.com: We are a nation addicted to porn. And nearly 11 million of us got our fix on the net last year
(news.independent.co.uk) -- New figures reveal the extent to which Britain has become hooked. And experts say it is doing great damage to relationships between men and women. By Sophie Goodchild and Severin Carrell

US POLITICS
Constitutional Squabble May Have Earlier Roots
WASHINGTON, May 27 (NYT) -- Speaker J. Dennis Hastert is moving publicly to put his constitutional showdown with the Justice Department in the past, but many on Capitol Hill believe that the bitter confrontation will resonate in the coming months.

NATIONAL
Cheney Addresses Graduates of His Old H.S.
CASPER, Wyo. (AP) -- Vice President Dick Cheney told graduates of his old high school Saturday to keep their eyes open for unexpected opportunities.

Bush Likens Fighting Radicals to Cold War
Graduating Cadets Are Told the Struggle Will 'End on Your Watch'
WEST POINT, N.Y., May 27 (AP) -- President Bush, likening the war against Islamic radicals to the Cold War threat of communism, told U.S. Military Academy graduates on Saturday that America's safety depends on an aggressive push for democracy, especially in the Middle East.

ILLEGAL ALIENS
Minutemen Building Ariz. Border Fence
PALOMINAS, Ariz. (AP) -- Scores of volunteers gathered at a remote ranch Saturday to help a civilian border-patrol group start building a short security fence in hopes of reducing illegal immigration from Mexico. The Minuteman Civil Defense Corps plans to install a combination of barbed wire, razor...

IRAQ CONFLICT
US wants Baghdad police to take charge
(www.smh.com.au) -- US troops could hand control of Baghdad to Iraqi police by the end of the year, a senior US military official said, echoing comments from Iraq's new government about its security plans.

Iraqi Athletes Targeted for Wearing Shorts
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- An Iraqi tennis coach and two of his players were shot to death this week in Baghdad because they were wearing shorts, authorities said Saturday, reporting the latest in a series of recent attacks attributed to Islamic extremists. A U.S. Marine AH-1 Cobra helicopter,...

MIDDLE EAST
Hamas paramilitaries back on Gaza streets
GAZA CITY (AFP) -- Members of a controversial Hamas paramilitary force were back on the streets of the Gaza Strip, just a day after being withdrawn in a move aimed at ending deadly Palestinian feuding.

Hamas rejects deadline on Israel recognition plan
GAZA (Reuters) -- Hamas on Saturday rejected a deadline set by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to accept a plan that indirectly calls for recognition of Israel, which he has threatened to put to a referendum.

AFRICA
Nigeria: Tension Mounts As Rivers Community Gives Intels Quit Notice
Lagos (This Day) -- Tension is again mounting in the troubled Niger Delta region as the people of Ogu clan in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State has issued a quit notice to a multinational oil company, Intels Logistics Services Limited following what they called the "unsatisfactory activities" of the company in the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone.

ASIA
Tension and discord before merger
MALAYSIA
British Documents on the End of Empire
(thestar.com.my) -- THIS volume of official documents on the formation of Malaysia reveals how difficult negotiations in London turned out to be. On May 27, 1961, Tunku Abdul Rahman had announced a proposed federation to bring together Malaya, Singapore and British possessions in Borneo. But once talks began, serious differences arose over various issues.

Azerbaijan may supply gas to Europe, says president
(www.turkishpress.com) -- Azerbaijan may answer Europe's search for alternatives to Russian gas supplies, the central Asian country's President Ilham Aliyev said in an interview published here.

Turkish Cyclists Pedal in Support of Peace for Iran
(www.zaman.com) -- Turkish peace activists from the Global Peace and Justice Commission held a bicycle protest in Istanbul on Saturday against the turning of Iran into another Iraq.

East Timor Violence Raises Civil War Fear
DILI, East Timor (AP) -- Youths with machetes, slingshots and spears rampaged across East Timor's capital Saturday, attacking people, burning houses and deepening a crisis that has sent thousands fleeing in terror despite the deployment of foreign troops. Gangs roamed the streets of Dili for a...

Dozens of Houses Torched in East Timor
DILI, East Timor (AP) -- Women and children ran screaming into the streets as renegade militias set dozens of their homes ablaze in East Timor's capital Saturday, even as foreign troops worked to stem violence that threatens to split the tiny nation apart.

Tags: Daily, terrorism, Middle East, Arab, Islam, Bush, UN, U.N., United Nations, United States, Iraq, War, Military, terrorism, Middle East, Operation Iraqi Freedom, coalition, Israel, Fatah, Hamas, border wall, Immigration, Mexico, illegal, Aliens, Asia, East Timor, Africa, Europe, Malaysia, Nigeria, Cheney, Turkey, Hastert, Congress
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The Daily Tension for Fri. 26 May

TENSION NEWSMAKERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Police tape crosses the sidewalk in front of the Rayburn House office building in Washington May 26, 2006. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
LOCAL
Rayburn Reopens After Gunfire Report
Police Say Construction Probably Caused the Noise of Shots
(www.washingtonpost.com) -- The Rayburn House Office Building was locked down for more than four hours today after a New Jersey congressman reported hearing the sound of gunfire in the building's garage.

NATIONAL
9/11 Memorial Foundation Leader Resigns
(www.nytimes.com) -- Under tremendous and conflicting pressures, with the 9/11 memorial planning process seemingly spinning out of control, Gretchen Dykstra resigned today as president and chief executive of the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation.

US POLITICS
Frist talks with attorney general over documents seized in FBI's raid at House office
WASHINGTON (www.ktre.com) -- The Senate majority leader has met the attorney general to defuse tension over the FBI's raid on a lawmaker's office last weekend.

ILLEGAL ALIENS
Blame Mexico, Too, for U.S. Immigration Trouble: Amity Shlaes
May 26 (Bloomberg) -- The most important date for the future of immigration in the U.S. is July 2. Not July 2 in the U.S. On that day, a Sunday, those right wingers driving the debate in Congress will be enjoying their ``Independence Day District Work Period,'' aka recess. It is July 2 in Mexico that matters, where it's election day.

Republican Party divided by bitter immigration debate
(news.independent.co.uk) -- The US Senate yesterday passed a sweeping immigration reform bill yesterday, setting up a showdown with the House of Representatives and widening a split in the ranks of the Republican Party.

Critics Say Bill Diminishes Due Process for Immigrants
(www.washingtonpost.com) -- The legislation approved by the Senate yesterday would offer many illegal immigrants a chance at citizenship. But advocates of expanded immigration rights complain that "hidden traps" woven through the bill's 300 pages erode significant due-process protections for all foreign-born people living in the United States.

SCIENCE
06/06/06: Another Date with Para-Science
(www.livescience.com) -- If you're just a bit more cautious on a Friday the 13th, wouldn't fly on 9/11 or could never live in a house numbered 666, you are not alone.

INTERNATIONAL
U.S. Asks Taiwan to End China Trade Limits
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) -- The deputy U.S. trade representative on Friday called on Taiwan to lift its restrictions on trade with rival China, saying the island was putting its own businesses at a disadvantage.

AMERICAS
Brazil's Real Gains on Increased Inflows, Slowing U.S. Growth
May 26 (Bloomberg) -- Brazil's currency gained for a third day on increased dollar inflows and on signs U.S. economic growth is slowing.

IRAN NUCLEAR CRISIS
Iraq respects Iran's right to nuclear program
LONDON, May 27 (IranMania) -- Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said that his country respected the right of Iran to develop nuclear technology but expressed concern over mounting tension in the region, AFP reported.

US, main loser of regional tension -- Mottaki
(www.irna.ir) -- Visiting Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Manoucheher Mottaki said here on Friday evening that the United States would be the main loser of fomenting any tension in the region.

Iran says rejects Iraq talks with US
BAGHDAD (Reuters) -- Iran has decided not to take up an offer from Washington of direct talks over the future of Iraq for the time being, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on a visit to Baghdad on Friday.

MIDDLE EAST
Hamas discuss plan implying recognition of Israel
GAZA (Reuters) -- Hamas and other Palestinian factions on Saturday will discuss a plan indirectly calling for recognition of Israel, which President Mahmoud Abbas has vowed to put to a referendum if it is not adopted by early June.

PSP-Amal brawl forces LAU to shut down
BEIRUT (www.dailystar.com.lb) -- A fight erupted between student members of the Amal movement and the Progressive Socialist Party at the Lebanese American University (LAU) on Friday, causing the university to shut down for the day. "The school was unfortunately forced to shut down in a move to contain the tension caused by students belonging to certain parties and to prevent it from spreading to the entire student body," according to a statement from LAU.

Hamas government withdraws paramilitaries from Gaza
GAZA CITY (AFP) -- The Hamas government has recalled a controversial paramilitary force from the streets of Gaza on the second day of cross-party talks to resolve deadly Palestinian feuding and political crisis.

AFRICA
Mogadishu on edge as residents fear new factional battles
MOGADISHU (AFP) -- Rival gunmen stalked the streets of the lawless Somali capital, girding for fresh fighting after sporadic overnight clashes and a day of bloody battles left dozens dead, witnesses said.

ASIA
Bollywood Khan creating communal tension in India - After Fanaa, Kashmiri goods to be boycotted in Gujarat
(www.indiadaily.com) -- After Fanaa, the saffron brigade is all set to target Kashmiri goods and services in the state from tomorrow in the wake of killing of Gujarati tourists in a grenade attack in Srinagar on Thursday

Oz troops ease Timor tension
(news.scotsman.com) -- FIERCE fighting eased in East Timor as Australian troops arrived in the strife-torn country.

Troops pour into unstable E Timor
(BBC) -- East Timor's capital was reported to be calm but tense on Friday as foreign troops arrived to quell clashes between local security forces and ex-soldiers.

India seeks friendship with both China, Japan
TOKYO (AFP) -- India seeks friendship with both China and Japan, Indian Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee said during a trip to the two countries which have a growing rivalry with each other.

Tags: Daily, terrorism, Middle East, Iran, war, IAEA, nuclear, Arab, Islam, Bush, UN, U.N., United Nations, United States, Iraq, War, Military, terrorism, Middle East, Operation Iraqi Freedom, coalition, Israel, Fatah, Hamas, Hastert, border wall, Immigration, Mexico, illegal, Aliens, Asia, East Timor, India, Africa, Somalia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Russia, EU, Europe, Lebanon, Americas, Brazil, China, Japan
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Images: Combat Camera, Fri. 26 May

The amphibious-assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) passes by the Statue of Liberty May 24, 2006, while entering New York Harbor for Fleet Week 2006. DoD photo by Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Aaron Glover, U.S. Navy. (Released)

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Matthew Biellik searches an abandoned house for hidden weapons during a joint operation with the Iraqi army in Tall Afar, Iraq, on May 23, 2006. Beillik is from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division. DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey, U.S. Air Force. (Released)

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld, left, answers questions from CNN Broadcaster Larry King during an appearance on the television show Larry King Live at the Pentagon May 25, 2006. DoD photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley, U.S. Navy. (Released)

U.S. Army Sgt. Karlo Endaya marks the hand of a child to indicate what type of medical care he needs during a mission to provide basic medical care in Finemy, Baghdad, Iraq, May 24, 2006. Endaya is from Alpha Battery, 3rd Battalion, 6th Artillery Regiment. DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin L. Moses Sr., U.S. Army. (Released)

NOTES: Click for enlargements. Images by U.S. Military; used with permission.

Tags: War, Military, terrorism, Middle East, Operation Iraqi Freedom, United States, coalition, photography, photo, photos, pictures, images, photojournalism, Combat Camera
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Senate Passes 'No Illegal Alien Left Behind' Bill

US Senator John McCain (R), R-AZ, stands next to fellow Senator Edward M. Kennedy (L), D-MA, after an immigration reform bill passed the Senate in Washington DC.
COMMENTLINES
There are a lot of things wrong with the bill passed in the Senate. I guess politicking Republicans signed off on the thing hoping the House would clean up the mess.

Oh well, it's just another example of the white American "guilt-trip" at work in the legislature.

Amnesty by any other name is still amnesty.

NEWSLINES
SEN. GRASSLEY'S TOP 10 FLAWS WITH THE IMMIGRATION REFORM BILL

1. $2,000 Fine -- Under the bill, an illegal alien can go from illegal to legal by paying a small fine of $2,000. Often, illegal aliens will pay more than five times this amount to a smuggler to get across the border. Also, the $2000 fine may not have to be paid until year eight, which allows the illegal alien to live, work, and play in the United States for years free from deportation. This imposes a financial burden on the American taxpayer for health, education, and infrastructure costs that aren’t reimbursed for five or ten years.

2. Taxes -- Under the bill, illegal aliens get an option to only have to pay three of their last five years in back taxes. Law-abiding American citizens do not have the option to pay some of their taxes. The bill would treat lawbreakers better than the American people. The bill also makes the IRS prove that illegal aliens have paid their back taxes. It will be impossible for the IRS to truly enforce this because they cannot audit every single person in this country.

3. Security Clearances in 90 days -- Under the bill, the Department of Homeland Security must perform background checks on illegal aliens in the United States. It also encourages the federal government to complete the background checks on 10 million illegal aliens in 90 days. This is a national security concern because Homeland Security will be pressured to complete these checks without doing a thorough job.

4. Work Requirements -- Under the bill, illegal aliens must prove they’ve worked in the United States for three of the last five years. It also says they have to work for six years after the date of enactment of the bill. However, there is no continuous work requirement for amnesty. They could work for 30 days, take off 30 days, work for 30 days. The bill also says that illegal aliens have to prove that they’ve worked in the United States for three of the last five years by showing IRS or Social Security records, or records maintained by federal, state, or local governments, employers, unions or day labor centers. However, the bill also allows illegal aliens to ask anybody to attest that they have been employed. This invites fraud, and the government cannot realistically investigate all these cases.

5. Confidentiality -- Under the bill, if an illegal alien applies for amnesty, the federal government cannot use information provided in the application for anything but adjudicating the petition. For example, if illegal aliens write in their applications that they are related to Osama Bin Laden, then our government cannot use that information. In fact, it says that the Secretary of Homeland Security can only share that information if someone requests it in writing. This provision severely handicaps national security and criminal investigators.

Also, if a federal agent does use information provided by an illegal alien in an application for amnesty the agent would be fined $10,000. This is five times more than the alien has to pay to get amnesty.

6. Social Security to illegal aliens -- Under the bill, illegal aliens are not prohibited from getting credit for the money they’ve put into the Social Security system if they’ve worked in the U.S. illegally. Illegal immigrants who paid Social Security taxes using a stolen Social Security Number did not do so with the expectation that they would ever qualify for Social Security benefits. (The Ensign amendment would have taken care of this, but it did not pass.)

7. Employers get a tax pardon for hiring illegal aliens -- Under the bill, employers of aliens applying for adjustment of status “shall not be subject to civil and criminal tax liability relating directly to the employment of such alien.” Businesses that hired illegal workers would now get off scott-free from paying the taxes that they owe the government. This encourages employers to violate our tax laws and not pay what they owe the federal government. In addition to not having to pay their taxes, employers are also off the hook for providing illegal aliens with records or evidence that they have worked in the U.S. The employer is not subject to civil and criminal liability for having employed illegal aliens in the past, or before enactment.

8. Family Members of H-2C Visa Holder need not be healthy -- Under the bill, spouses and children of H-2C visa holders are exempt from a requirement proving that they meet certain health standards. The visa holder is required to undergo a medical exam, but their family members are not which potentially puts Americans at risk.

9. Mandatory Departure isn’t really Mandatory -- Under the bill, the Secretary of Homeland Security “may grant” Deferred Mandatory Departure to illegal aliens in the 2-5 year category. The Secretary “may” also waive the departure requirement if it would create substantial hardship for the alien to leave.

10. No Interview Required -- Under the bill, illegal aliens in the 2nd tier who are required to leave the country can re-enter the United States on a visa. However, the bill does not require these individuals to be interviewed. The bill doesn’t give discretion to our consular offices to require an interview. The 9/11 hijackers weren’t subject to appear in person. Today, the State Department requires most applicants to submit to interviews, and waives them only for children and the elderly.

NEWSBYTES
Senate Approves Immigration Bill
(www.washingtonpost.com) -- The Senate yesterday approved legislation that would trigger the biggest changes to U.S. immigration policy in decades, by strengthening border security, establishing a guest-worker program, and providing the means for millions of illegal immigrants to stay in the country and possibly become citizens.

Senate Passes Landmark Immigration Bill
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senators are challenging House Republicans to give ground on their enforcement-only fix for the country's immigration problems and consider offering citizenship to millions of immigrants illegally in the U.S. Senate passage of its immigration bill by a 62-36 vote on Thursday sets...

U.S. Senate passes sweeping immigration overhaul
WASHINGTON, May 25 (Reuters) -- The U.S. Senate on Thursday easily passed an immigration overhaul that would give millions of illegal immigrants a chance to become American citizens, as supporters braced for a bruising battle with the House of Representatives.

Tags: border wall, Immigration, Mexico, illegal, Aliens, protest, United States, Congress, Senate
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The Daily Tension for Thu. 25 May

TENSION NEWSMAKERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Tower of students : Military school students build a human tower during the Youth and Sport Festival celebrations at Inonu Stadium in downtown Istanbul. (AFP/Mustafa Ozer)
US POLITICS
Hastert Says U.S. Probe Report Is Attempt to `Intimidate' Him
May 25 (Bloomberg) -- House Speaker Dennis Hastert accused U.S. Justice Department officials of linking him to a lobbying scandal to ``intimidate'' him in negotiations over documents seized in a raid on a congressman's office.

Senate Passes Immigration Bill Overhaul
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Landmark legislation to secure U.S. borders and offer millions of illegal immigrants a share of the American dream cleared the Senate on Thursday, a rare election-year reach across party lines and a triumph for President Bush. The 62-36 vote cleared the way for arduous summertime...

US Senate approves immigration reform
WASHINGTON (AFP) -- The US Senate adopted sweeping reforms of immigration law that would allow millions of undocumented workers to seek legal status in the United States.

INTERNATIONAL
Landmark visa deal for Russia and EU
(www.euronews.net) -- Tension and angry clashes were predicted at the Russia-EU summit with energy a thorny issue between the two sides.

IRAQ CONFLICT
Bush and Blair Acknowledge Iraq 'Setbacks'
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair acknowledged difficult times in the Iraq war they launched together in 2003, but both vowed to keep troops there until the new Iraqi government takes hold. Both admitted making costly mistakes.

IRAN NUCLEAR CRISIS
Bush to talk incentives if Iran halts nuclear moves
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- President George W. Bush said on Thursday he would consider providing incentives to Iran if it agreed to resume a suspension on nuclear enrichment activities the United States believes is aimed at producing nuclear weapons.

Powers Inch Ahead on Nuclear Deal With Iran
LONDON, May 24 (Reuters) -- World powers made progress but failed to reach consensus in talks Wednesday on a package of incentives and threats to prevent Iran from being able to build a nuclear bomb.

MIDDLE EAST
Abbas plays referendum card as Israel offers arms
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AFP) -- Mahmud Abbas threatened to call a referendum over the borders of a Palestinian state as Israel offered to supply arms to the embattled leader to quell inter-factional fighting.

AFRICA
Somalia: Tension Rises in Kismaio After Prominent Former Militia Killed
Mogadishu (The Shabelle Times) -- Reports from Somalia port town of kismaio indicate that tensions arose after a prominent local resident has been killed last night inside the town.

Zimbabwe: It's Time for Realism for SADC's Black Sheep
Harare (Financial Gazette) -- AGAINST a backdrop of the burgeoning crises bedevilling the country, it is not surprising that the authorities have to resort to torrents of misleading propaganda to maintain a climate of tension and siege in which sacrifices can be demanded of the long-suffering populace.

President Mugabe blocks Annan visit
(www.theindependent.co.zw) -- IN a move that could heighten tension between the United Nations and Zimbabwe, President Mugabe has blocked the UN secretary-general Kofi Annan from visiting the country to tackle the current crisis.

Zambia: New Electoral Law Will Cause More Friction, Says Sikota
Lusaka (The Post) -- THE new electoral law will bring more friction and tension, United Party for National Development (UPND) acting president Sakwiba Sikota has observed.

ASIA
Troops sent to East Timor as tension increases
(news.independent.co.uk) -- Foreign troops flew into East Timor last night to prevent the collapse of the fragile nation as gun battles raged near the President's office, leaving at least nine dead and 27 wounded.

Security forces and Bugtis clash
QUETTA (www.dailytimes.com.pk) -- Fierce clashes and exchange of fire between security forces and armed Bugti tribesmen continued on Thursday in Sangsila and Loti towns of the volatile Dera Bugti district.

Tension rises in Bugo amid protest
(www.sunstar.com.ph) --MORE than 20 Barangay Bugo employees who said they have been terminated by their chairperson Nerio Obliosa held a rally with barangay councilmen in front of the barangay hall at 6 a.m. Thursday.

Bomb scare in Colombo as Oslo mounts peace salvage bid
COLOMBO (AFP) -- Deadly mine attacks and a bomb scare in Sri Lanka's capital brought home the challenge faced by a Norwegian envoy who was set to arrive to salvage peace talks and a tattered ceasefire.

As India's caste quota ire grows, patients can wait
NEW DELHI (Reuters) -- Lying on the floor in a state hospital in New Delhi, 16-year-old Pushpendra has been waiting for a bed since Monday.

Tags: Daily, terrorism, Middle East, Iran, war, IAEA, nuclear, Arab, Islam, Bush, UN, U.N., United Nations, United States, Iraq, War, Military, terrorism, Middle East, Operation Iraqi Freedom, coalition, Israel, Fatah, Hamas, Hastert, border wall, Immigration, Mexico, illegal, Aliens, Asia, East Timor, Sri Lanka, India, Africa, Somalia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, EU, Europe
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Images: Combat Camera, Thu. 25 May

EXPLOSIVE ORDINANCE DISPOSAL, IRAQ

An Iraqi bomb disposal unit assisted their American counterparts in a controlled demolition of damaged ammunition and other ordnance at Camp Taqaddum, Iraq, May 6, 2006. The Americans are developing the Iraqis' bomb disposal company, based out of Camp Habbiniyah, to help the Iraqis refine the skills they need to negate the threat of unexploded ordnance after coalition forces leave. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Daniel J. Redding

An Iraqi explosives ordnance disposal officer looks at the immense task before him and his men at Camp Habbiniyah, Iraq, May 7, 2006, as the Iraqi bomb disposal unit works with its American counterparts to clean up an ammunition supply point last used by Saddam Hussein's regime. The Americans are helping the Iraqis refine the skills they need to negate the threat of unexploded ordnance after coalition forces leave. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Daniel J. Redding

Iraqi explosives ordnance disposal technicians tackle an immense task near Camp Habbiniyah, Iraq, May 7, 2006, as their bomb disposal company works with its American counterparts to clean up an ammunition supply point last used by Saddam Hussein’s regime. The Americans are helping the Iraqis refine the skills they need to negate the threat of unexploded ordnance after coalition forces leave. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Daniel J. Redding

An American explosives ordnance disposal officer and his Iraqi counterpart discuss ordnance disposal tactics and techniques at Camp Habbiniyah, May 7, 2006, while developing an explosives ordnance disposal unit in the Iraqi Army's 1st Division. The Americans are helping the Iraqis refine the skills they need to negate the threat of unexploded ordnance after coalition forces leave. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Daniel J. Redding

NOTES: Click for enlargements. Images by U.S. Military; used with permission.

Tags: War, Military, terrorism, Middle East, Operation Iraqi Freedom, United States, coalition, photography, photo, photos, pictures, images, photojournalism, Combat Camera
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Drive-by Journalism: ABC, Hastert, and Brian Ross

The Yellow Kid (click for more info)COMMENTLINE
ABC News yesterday reported that Speaker of the U.S. House Dennis Hastert is under investigation by the Department of Justice.

However, DOJ refutes the ABC story.

Who to trust ... you decide:

ABC's unnamed anonymous sources (How many sources?)

or

DOJ's Director of Public Affairs Tasia Scolinos and Deputy Attorney General Paul J. McNulty

NEWSLINES
ABC, citing high level Justice Department sources, said information implicating Hastert was developed from convicted lobbyists who are now cooperating with the government.

"Speaker Hastert is not under investigation by the Justice Department," DOJ Director of Public Affairs Tasia Scolinos said in a one-line statement.

Deputy Attorney General Paul J. McNulty, "With regard to reports suggesting that the Speaker of the House is under investigation or 'in the mix,' as stated by ABC News, I reconfirm, as stated by the Department earlier this evening, that these reports are untrue."

NEWSBYTES
House Speaker Hastert under investigation: ABC
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- The Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Dennis Hastert, is under investigation by the FBI, which is probing corruption in Congress, ABC News reported on Wednesday.

DOJ: Hastert is not under investigation
(www.hillnews.com) -- The Department of Justice issued a statement clarifying that Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) is not under investigation Wednesday evening after ABC World News Tonight reported that he was "very much in the mix" of the DOJ’s sweeping congressional bribery probe.

Second DOJ Statement after Midnight

Video

Tags: Hastert, Congress, ABC, journalism, Media
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Dr. John: Mercernary

NEW MUSIC RELEASE PICK OF THE WEEK

SOUNDBYTE
Dr. John: Mercernary
(AMG Review) -- Dr. John's been on a roll since he signed with Blue Note. Each title he's released on the label has been solid, full of New Orleans funk, hot R&B, and swinging, finger-poppin' jazz. Since the Hurricane Katrina disaster, dozens of Crescent City players have been active, and trying to bring the message of the music to the masses like never before. Mercernary is a program almost entirely made up of tunes by the legendary Johnny Mercer. There is no explanation for this, other than Mac Rebennack has always admired his lyricism and the striking rhythmic originality of the rhythmic possibilities in his music. Other than a few guests to fill out the proceedings here and there, the band on all tracks is Dr. John with his fine Lower 911. The music here is joyful, gritty, and slippery — check out the opener "Blues in the Night" that just roars with backline funk, or the spit and polish on "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby," both written with Harold Arlen. Read more.

MAINTAIN THE TENSION: VISIT OUR ADVERTISERS

Buy at Amazon.com

Dr. John: Mercernary

Dr. John Catalog

Download from iTunes

Dr. John: Mercernary

Tags: music, entertainment, Review, Reviews, iTunes, iPod, download, Dr. John, Rock, New Orleans, R&B, Piano Blues
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All Fat and Not a Bit Fluffy

NOTE: All rights are reserved by image owners; site content is linked only.

Tags: photography, photo, photos, pictures, images, photojournalism, pets
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Images: Combat Camera, Wed. 24 May

The Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Rainier (T-AOE 7), center, provides fuel for the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), bottom, and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85) in the Persian Gulf May 20, 2006. All three ships are assigned to the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group, which is conducting maritime security operations in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. DoD photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Aaron Burden, U.S. Navy. (Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Juan Morales, with 2nd Air-Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, lays down a barrage of gunfire to cover his fellow Marines during a firefight in Ramadi, Iraq, May 20, 2006. DoD photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Samuel C. Peterson, U.S. Navy. (Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jeremy Rugg fires an HE grenade towards an enemy position during a firefight in Ramadi, Iraq, as Cpl. Julius Mitchell, left, lays covering fire and Cpl. Adam Gokey, right, spots insurgent positions May 20, 2006. All three Marines are assigned to 2nd Air-Naval Gunfire Liaison Company. DoD photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Samuel C. Peterson, U.S. Navy. (Released)

An Iraqi army soldier and a judge inform citizens about the election process before voting begins to elect candidates to the town council in Sabeaa Al-Boor, Iraq, May 21, 2006. DoD photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Michael Larson, U.S. Navy. (Released)

More Combat Camera Imagery on THE TENSION

Tags: War, Military, terrorism, Middle East, Operation Iraqi Freedom, United States, coalition, photography, photo, photos, pictures, images, photojournalism, Combat Camera
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Images: Combat Camera, Mon. 22 May

Pilots from SkyLink Arabia prepare an Mi-2 Hoplite helicopter for a pesticide-spraying mission near Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Iraq, May 20, 2006. The pilots will spray the surrounding area to try to eradicate the white fly, which has decimated crops all over Iraq. DoD photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Shawn Hussong, U.S. Navy. (Released)

Iraqi army soldiers from the 9th Mechanized Division pass through a highway checkpoint in Mushahada, Iraq, while en route to Camp Taji, Iraq, May 18, 2006. DoD photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Michael Larson, U.S. Navy. (Released)

The Djiboutian Army Artillery Team demonstrates the speed at which they can set up and fire a mortar for coalition forces from Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa in Djibouti City, Djibouti, May 16, 2006. DoD photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Roger S. Duncan, U.S. Navy. (Released)

U.S. Army Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment practice evacuating injured personnel from an armored vehicle on Camp Taji, Iraq, May 19, 2006. DoD photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Michael Larson, U.S. Navy. (Released)

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Tags: War, Military, terrorism, Middle East, Operation Iraqi Freedom, United States, coalition, photography, photo, photos, pictures, images, photojournalism
Global Tags: Washington DC, News and Politics, News, Politics, Current Events, Current Affairs, Life, Culture, Tension