Kosovo to declare independence from Serbia, EU to help organize new state; Musharraf says elections will go ahead in Pakistan...

17 February :: Kosovo to declare independence from Serbia today, according to reports from Pristina, EU agencies; EU officials said "around 1,900 international police officers, judges, prosecutors and customs officials and approximately 1,100 local staff will be based in headquarters in Pristina or located throughout the judicial and police system in Kosovo", according to CNN, with EU staff replacing the UN mission currently aiding in the running of the territory... Musharraf gov't says parliamentary elections will be held as scheduled, despite massive suicide bombing that killed at least 27 at secular candidate's campaign rally; opposition parties have criticized the gov't for the escalation of allegedly extremist-motivated violence, and fear the gov't may use the bombings as a pretext to suspend elections or take measures to fortify Pres. Musharraf's hold on power... New release of economic data paints worrying picture of coming trends in US economy; IHT reports "With the price of oil near record levels, import costs grew in January at the highest annual rate in a quarter century, the Labor Department said. In New York, manufacturing activity fell to its lowest level in five years. And consumers, responding to a national survey, said they felt worse about the economy than any time since the recession era of the early 1990s", also quoting High Frequency Economics economist as saying "The sustained volatility in the markets, the rise in energy and food prices and, of course, the catastrophe in the housing market, is making consumers extraordinarily miserable"... Report suggests organizing everyday household processes to be more environmentally-friendly has become standard part of domestic planning stress in some parts of US; a write-up in IHT suggests "The truth is, we're not living very naturally - we're in our cars, staring at the computer screen, separated most of the day from the people we love", but warns against using ecological considerations as a stand-in for other personal goals... Report suggests economic hardship, political disappointments, marginalization, lack of progress toward democracy, are combining to drive Egyptian youths first toward religion, then in some cases to radical fundamentalist movements that seek Islamic state, abolition of secular culture, specifically "With 60 percent of the region's population under the age of 25, this youthful religious fervor has enormous implications for the Middle East. More than ever, Islam has become the cornerstone of identity, replacing other, failed ideologies: Arabism, socialism, nationalism"...

Bush presents record $3.1 trillion budget; France does not intervene to stop Chad rebels, despite UNSC approval; London creates low-emissions zone...

4 February :: US pres. George W. Bush has presented the nation's first federal budget exceeding $3 billion in spending; while giving generous expansions to defense spending, the budget seeks to cut $196 billion from healthcare spending, and projects near record budget deficits for at least two years; Bush claims that part of the 6% increase in spending is tied to the planned $145 billion economic stimulus package he's working with Congress to implement... Fmr. colonial power, ally France stands aside as rebels attack Chad gov't, though officially it says it supports the elected gov't, UNSC approves unilateral action by France to protect Déby gov't, condemns rebels; Sarkozy gov't says it plans to ensure joint EU "humantarian protection force" for Darfur refugees in eastern Chad (EU's largest ever common defense deployment) be implemented to protect aid routes... French pres. Sarkozy has lost support rapidly among electorate, his approval dropping 13 points in January alone, to 41%, as economic woes seem by many to go unattended; his wedding Saturday to singer Carla Bruni was unannounced, and did not even include the official presidential photographer... London establishes 610 sq mile low-emissions zone, within which violators who do not meet EU emissions standards for transport vehicles will be charged £200 per day to operate; Mayor Ken Livingstone is quoted as saying "In a modern world city, people should have the opportunity to live and work without fear of being poisoned by the air they breathe", though the plan is projected only to eliminate 16% of air pollution by 2012... Millions assemble in cities around world in "global rally" against FARC rebels in Colombia, demanding peace, end to bloodshed; Bloomberg reports "Millions of Colombians dressed in white marched throughout the country and in major cities worldwide today to express outrage at 40 years of violence and kidnapping by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia"; over 100,000 people were reported to have registered their participation in the rally on the social networking site Facebook...

Uzbek vote declared "undemocratic"; Pope uses Christmas address to call for environmental responsibility...

26 December :: Uzbekistan's elections have been criticized for official manipulation and declared "undemocratic", with international observers citing a number of procedural measures and alleged incidents of intimidation that prevented a free and fair vote; Karimov, Uzbekistan's only post-Soviet president officially won 88.1% of the votes tallied; the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which includes Uzbekistan, reported the election "was held in a strictly controlled political environment, leaving no room for real opposition, and the election generally failed to meet many OSCE commitments for democratic elections"... Pope Benedict XVI has called on the world community to do more to protect the natural environment and promote ecological sustainability; Truthdig reports "During his midnight Christmas mass at the Vatican on Tuesday, Pope Benedict XVI paid special attention to what he called the “ill-treated world” and our “selfish and reckless exploitation” of energy. He’s not just all talk: it turns out the Vatican bought carbon credits this holiday season to offset emissions"...

Congress report says Iraq, Afghan wars have cost $1.5 trillion to date; Bhutto barricaded in home, calls for Musharraf ouster...

13 November :: New report by Congressional Joint Economic Committee says wars in Iraq, Afghanistan have already cost taxpayers $1.5 trillion over last 6 years, including long-term cost rises related to oil, veterans' healthcare, borrowing... Bhutto again under house arrest, calls for Musharraf to resign office, form interim "coalition of interests" to govern in run-up to elections; some 4,000 police have barricaded Bhutto's home in Lahore, using concrete, barbed wire and wet-sand barriers; reports say Musharraf forces have jailed over 7,000 opposition activists, British Commonwealth yesterday gave regime 10 days to lift martial law... Two Spanish cartoonists for El Jueves magazine face judgment for "damaging the prestige of the crown"; originally, prosecutors sought 3 years jailtime for cartoon mocking crown prince... Citing evidence Afghan authorities have been torturing detainees, Amnesty Int'l has called for suspension of all prisoner transfers from NATO-controlled ISAF operation to Afghan authorities; Afghan gov't acknowledges police continue to engage in persistent abuse, Pres. Karzai has called on police to cease use of torture as recently as last week... Food prices in China have risen by over 17% in October alone, while pork, the staple Chinese meat, rose by 55% in just one month, with 11-year high inflation across economy, creating concern of political unrest as poor Chinese run out of money to pay for basic food items; many poor Chinese already pay more than 1/3 of their income for food alone, wealth gap growing to historic records, undermining Communist party's claim to economic legitimacy... EU parliament votes to impose emissions caps on airlines, includes int'l flights; IHT reports "The measures, approved by the European Parliament, are fiercely opposed by the United States and the airline industry, which could cost companies billions of dollars and lead to sharp price rises for passengers. On the opposing side, some environmental groups criticized the proposed measure, which still must be approved by individual EU states, as far too timid"...

Mukasey takes helm as AG; 4,000-year-old temple found in Peru; IPCC expected to push binding emissions cuts...

12 November :: Judge Mukasey was sworn in Friday as US attorney general, after key senators said they were re-assured by his promises not to endorse any interrogation practices beyond the law... "A 4,000-year-old temple filled with murals has been unearthed on the northern coast of Peru, making it one of the oldest finds in the Americas, a leading archaeologist said on Saturday" according to Reuters news service... IPCC meeting in Valencia, Spain, gathers representatives and scientists from 140 countries "to draft a report that could increase pressure on countries like the United States and China to make binding cuts in greenhouse gas emissions"; meeting comes just weeks before Bali conference expected to begin draft for replacement to Kyoto Protocol... Texas legislature caught violating rules, multiple members franticly voting multiple times for absent colleagues; rules already propose penalties, new law would make such abuse criminal offense... Oil spill spreads across San Francisco Bay as weather condiditons make containment, clean-up hazardous, unpredictable; state officials continue to call for probe into lax response in early stage of spill... At least 7 were killed, 80 injured in Gaza demonstration when gunfire broke out, allegedly between supporters of rival Fatah, Hamas factions; Hamas said to be planning crackdown on Fatah after deaths...

Musharraf plans to lift state of emergency within 30 days; San Francisco demands answers for fuel spill; Georgia parliament backs martial law...

10 November :: Pakistan gov't announces plans to lift state of emergency within one month, saying it was declared to fight radical fundamentalist militia allegedly spreading from country's northwest border provinces... NY Times reports "The Pakistani police allowed the opposition leader Benazir Bhutto to leave her house today, but blocked her from visiting the home of the ousted chief justice, who has been detained"... Officials from San Francisco, Bay area cities, California gov't, demand answers from US Coast Guard on why it waited so long to notify public of 58,000 gallon fuel spill; Coast Guard acknowledges it might have moved more quickly, but says no inappropriate actions were involved; SF may seek legal action... Reuters reporting "Georgia's parliament on Friday endorsed President Mikhail Saakashvili's state of emergency decree in defiance of local opponents and Western allies, and accused an opposition tycoon of plotting a coup"... 7 human rights groups, including Amnesty Int'l have called on Iranian authorities to release a woman sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison and flogging for peaceful demonstration in which she called for increased rights for women under Iran's Islamic law... British gov't plans to request new legislation to extend detention without charge in terrorist cases, possibly to as long as 56 days; current anti-terrorist legislation permits detaining suspects for up to 28 days without charge, leading many to accuse gov't of discarding cherished freedoms in exchange for prosecutorial assistance which may only erode the integrity of the judicial process, with no clear benefit for catching actual terrorists... European Central Bank pushing efforts to slow growth in value of Euro against dollar, concerned it may be hampering business opportunities for European businesses...

US Senate subcommittee approves emissions cap bill; London police found guilty in shooting death of innocent man in 2005...

3 November :: Senate subcommittee approves America's Climate Security Act, legislation aimed at capping greenhouse gas emissions, now to be voted by full Environment and Public Works committee; bill touted as milestone in US climate policy; Sen. Lieberman has said it is the "Manhattan Project" for climate change that activists have long called for, bill also supported by senators from coal-rich states... London police as a group have been found guilty in the shooting death of innocent Brazilian immigrant on London Tube in 2005; no individuals have been singled out, and punishment beyond fine has been imposed... Antiwar activist faces jury trial for raising hands in "peace sign" during Congressional hearing, in which secretary of State Condoleezza Rice testified, was confronted by another activist... Mukasey nomination facing stiff opposition, even as two key Democrats express support; Pres. Bush has defended the retired judge, along with his refusal to qualify simulated drowning as a form of torture... CSM reports 13 majority-Sunni Muslim nations have declared their ambition to gain nuclear energy, just this year, likely as response to Shi'a-dominated Iran's high-profile nuclear pursuits, which some fear are weapons program in disguise... Minuteman anti-immigrant group, which includes armed militia in border states, spreading to interior states amid lack of legislation to reform immigration process; critics call group dangerous vigilante operation, while Minutemen say they are only trying to ensure that less people "break the law" by entering without papers... Reuters reporting "A federal judge on Friday approved subpoenas for Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and White House national security adviser Stephen Hadley in the case of two former pro-Israel lobbyists accused of disclosing national defense information"... Habitat for Humanity project in Los Angeles aims to build environmentally-friendly homes, as demand for low-emissions, fuel-efficient housing models on rise...

US southeast in tri-state water-scarcity conflict; coal becoming increasingly popular as petroleum costs escalate...

28 October :: US southeast caught up in political conflict over scarce water resources; PhysOrg reports "Hoping to guarantee no one will go thirsty, Georgia authorities want to drastically reduce the outflow from a reservoir that supplies drinking water to three million people. But neighboring Alabama claims that would have devastating economic effects on its population, while Florida says a reduced flow would threaten fragile ecosystems"... Sky-high oil and natural gas prices driving coal boom, making dirtiest fossil fuel a fashion for future development, major threat to climate stability, with new track being laid in Wyoming and Montana, and mining operations across Africa expanding; "An average of 13 Chinese miners die every day in explosions, floods, fires and cave-ins. Toxic clouds of mercury and other chemicals from mining are poisoning the air and water far beyond China's borders and polluting the food chain"... A study from Sept. 2006, available at PhysOrg.com found babies born via elective Caesarian in women considered "low-risk" for infant mortality 3 times more likely to die within 1st month of life as babies born via vaginal delivery with low-risk mothers... Antarctic krill is being overfished in order to feed growing demand for farmed salmon; krill scarcity could harm penguin populations, endanger fragile ecosystems... Assassination of reggae star Lucky Dube in alleged car-jacking incident has brought issue of crime-reduction to forefront of South African politics and popular debate; Dube killing seen as "emotional tipping-point" in society nursing still young democracy with twin problems of mass street crime, HIV-epidemic; trade union leader has said "This atrocity highlights the grim reality of the daily carnage on our streets, the main victims of which are working people and the poor"... CSM reports al-Qaeda-linked groups from Iraq to Lebanon appear to be showing "signs of weakness", less able to mount guerrilla attacks, even as sectarian violence, civilian deaths spread in Iraq, that al-Qaeda-of-Mesopotamia —group commonly referred to as "al-Qaeda-in-Iraq"— "simply is gone" from Sunni-controlled Anbar province, other hotspots...

China to spend $14 bn to clean up toxic lake; FEMA apologizes for sham press briefing...

27 October :: China plans to spend $14.4 billion to clean up Lake Tai, 3rd largest fresh-water lake in country, affected by direct toxic dumping, rampant algal bloom that cut off drinking water to Wuxi, a city of 2.3 million; according to IHT "Lake Tai, known as China's ancient "land of rice and fish," is a legendary setting, once famous for its bounty of white shrimp, whitebait and whitefish. But over time, an industrial buildup transformed the region. More than 2,800 chemical factories arose around the lake, and industrial dumping became a severe problem and, eventually, a crisis"... FEMA has apologized for staging a sham press conference; the Federal Emergency Management Agency gave reporters from around the country only 15 minutes' notice to attend, then had its own public affairs personnel pose questions... DR Congo, US leaders meet to discuss the humanitarian, security situation, as well as economic policies, political viability; fighting in far east of sub-Saharan nation of major concern, rebels say they are fighting to protect the population from outsiders who fled Rwanda after their campaign of genocide there was ended... Georgia Supreme Court orders 21-year-old man freed who was sentenced to 10 years in prison for having consensual oral sex at 17 with 15-year-old, saying the extreme sentence violated Constitutional protection against "cruel and unusual punishment"; court found the sentence "grossly disproportionate", that the activity considered criminal by then state law "did not rise to the level of culpability of adults who prey on children"... CNN reports "An eastern Kentucky school district with one confirmed case of antibiotic-resistant staph infection plans to shut down all 23 of its schools Monday, affecting about 10,300 students, to disinfect the facilities"; drug resistant bacterium suspected of infecting 90,000 Americans per year...

CA plans to sue EPA over emissions; Kurdish rebels offer truce with Turkey; Microsoft cedes to EU regulators...

23 October :: California attorney general Jerry Brown has said he plans to file suit against the EPA, for stalling permission for CA, 11 other states to force automakers to produce cleaner vehicles; suit aims to push emissions regulations designed to reduce threat/pace of human-induced global warming... Kurdish rebel group offers Ankara truce, saying "Our movement and people have the strength to defend itself under any condition; however, we prefer to solve the problems by democratic and peaceful ways rather than armed struggle"; Turkish gov't has explored launching cross-border raids against PKK rebels inside Iraq, US reported to be contemplating airstrikes against rebel positions inside Iraqi Kurdistan... Microsoft has surrendered to antitrust regulators in Brussels, after years of litigation and fines, agrees to free up dozens of patents for license-free consultation by developers; regulatory office says interoperability issues still remain, Microsoft is on warning that other cases are being looked at, dealing with DRM in Vista, 'integrated security' solution, browser functionality... NYT reports "More than a quarter of a million people were urged to flee their homes on Monday as wildfires ravaged Southern California for a second day, destroying hundreds of homes and businesses and charring swaths of scrub and forestland"; the 'paper of record' also reported homes burning "with no firefighters in sight", as shifting winds, spreading fires made it difficult to strategically contain blazes... Scientists rush to get first glimpse of gravity waves, phenomena predicted by Einstein's theory of relativity, but which have yet to be observed in any astronomical event...

Bush says US "will do its part" to curb climate change; Pfizer faces $8.5 billion suit for Nigeria drug test...

1 October :: US pres. George W. Bush has promised in a speech at his climate change conference in Washington, DC, the US "will do its part" to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce risk of dangers caused by human-induced climate change; critics continue to say his approach is designed to postpone any comprehensive global regime limiting carbon emissions... Fmr US House Speaker Gingrich says he will not run for president because campaign finance laws would bar him from having any contact with a political organization he founded, says "The McCain-Feingold Act criminalizes politics"; on prospective rivals, ABC quotes him as saying of Hillary Clinton, "I believe she is very professional. I think the Clinton machine is the most powerful political machine in modern America. I think her husband is the smartest politician in our generation"... Pfizer facing $8.5 billion lawsuit by Nigerian gov't, Nigerian state of Kano, which allege the company tested a drug on meningitis patients without their permission, leading to at least 11 deaths, during 1996 outbreak... Putin may seek premiership after term limits end his tenure as president of the Russian Federation; he has said he would accept the post of PM on two conditions: that his party win the parliamentary elections, and that his successor as president be a "respectable, capable, effective and modern person whom I could work with as a team"... Yuliya Tymoshenko, fmr ally and PM to Ukrainian pres. Viktor Yuschenko, leads opponents 32.59% to 31.62%, appears poised to form coalition to take control of parliament, despite rival pro-Russia party spending $400 million to return Yanukovich to premiership; some observers predict "rift" between fmr Orange Revolution allies so deep Pres. Yuschenko could offer arch-foe Yanukovich coalition and premiership by year's end...

Police fire on demonstrating monks in Rangoon; global carbon footprint 23.881 billion tons...

26 September :: Riot police in Burma (Myanmar under its military dictatorship) have fired on 10,000 Buddhist monks and pro-democracy activists protesting against totalitarian rule; US has announced new sanctions against regime, Bush denouncing "19-year reign of fear"; on Monday, 100,000 marched to support the "saffron rebellion"... Global carbon footprint at 23.881 billion tons, as of 12:00 noon GMT... Iran pres. tells UN General Assembly his gov't will ignore "arrogant" mandates from the Security Council, but will comply with IAEA supervision of its nuclear research; he accused "certain big powers" of using the Security Council "to turn a simple legal issue into a very loud, controversial, political issue"... Germany's foreign minister accuses French, American firms of doing extensive business with Iran; upcoming report will reportedly demonstrate major US firms doing business in Iran, despite sanctions imposed since 1979, via front companies in Dubai...

Ban calls for global action to slow climate change; Antarctic melt moves inland; Ahmadinejad in NY...

25 September :: UN Sec. Gen. Ban Ki-moon has called for concerted action to slow global warming, saying "I am convinced that climate change, and what we do about it, will define us, our era, and ultimately the global legacy we leave for future generations"... Discovery reports "Antarctica's once fringe-thawing is moving well inland, say scientists who have studied water-sensitive microwave satellite data spanning the years 1987 to 2006"; in 2005, considered a major event in terms of hot weather, with melt found more than 500 miles inland and at 5,500 feet elevation in the Transantarctic Mountains... Iran pres. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad addresses Columbia University, after univ. pres. introduces him as a "cruel and petty dictator" who is "astonishingly uneducated", captures US media attention, makes plea for his nation's right to nuclear power; protesters outside called him the "new Hitler"... UK health secretary has announced plans to "remorselessly" fight to eliminate hospital 'superbugs'; Johnson says he plans to see "zero" incidence of MRSA in UK hospitals... Social networking site helps Kentucky youth bring pres. candidate Edwards to town of 229, Columbus, KY, once considered by Thomas Jefferson for national capital after burning of Washington; Shawn Edwards, 24, is also running a campaign to try to unseat Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell...

100,000 march for democracy in Burma; Ahmadinejad says no nukes, no war with US; Gore, Schwarzenegger push emissions protocol...

24 September :: Estimated 100,000 march in Rangoon (Yangon) to support Buddhist monks calling for end to military rule in Burma; some fear junta will impose another harsh crack-down... Iran pres. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said his nation does not need nuclear weapons and is not headed for war with US; news comes amid heightened tensions between Western powers and Teheran, over nuclear allegations, apparent French threat, upcoming UN General Assembly... Reuters reports "U.S. troop movements are being monitored by Iran using satellites and other technology and would be in range of Iranian missiles if an attack was launched, a top Iranian military official said"; Yahya Rahim Safavi, an advisor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, also said he does not expect a US strike, as Iraq is taxing its military resources... US has said it considers Syria a "natural invitee" to Mideast peace conference it will host in November, but urges all participants to renounce violence, commit to peaceful, negotiated solution that recognizes Israel... CA gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and fmr. US vice pres. Al Gore to join world leaders at climate policy summit, aimed at establishing new solutions for global emissions reductions... Pudding Media, a new VoIP venture, is planning to monitor users phone calls in order to harvest keywords and target advertising to their computer screens as they talk; some say business method is one step too far in handing private information to online service providers... The NY Times has apologized for running a political ad criticizing the Petraeus report at a discounted rate; Moveon.org, who purchased the ad has already said it will wire the difference between the "standby rate" —for "political and advocacy groups willing to be flexible about the day their ads run"— and the full rate, according to Reuters...

Six-party talks stalled; Ukraine to seal Chernobyl site with steel shell...

17 September :: The "six-party talks" aimed at dismantling North Korea's nuclear apparatus, normalizing relations with rogue regime, suspended, in move apparently linked to allegations of Syrian nuclear ties; Israel allegedly bombed, in secret, facilities in Syria it now claims contained North Korean nuclear technology, that claim has caused a heightening in tensions between Pyongyang, Washington, just as old foes are readying to "end the Korean war", in the words of Pres. Bush... Ukraine gov't approves plan to seal Chernobyl nuclear facility with giant steel shell, to prevent any further leaks of radiation from the site...

CIA chief defends detention, 'rendition' practices; APEC sets 'goal' to reduce greenhouse gas emissions...

8 September :: Gen. Michael Hayden, head of US CIA, has publicly defended detention and "extraordinary rendition" practices used by CIA in treatment of those captured in association with terror investigations; EU courts investigating abductions, illegal transport of prisoners, detention without judicial review, with evidence suggesting hundreds of clandestine flights related to such practices; lawsuits have been filed in Europe, US, Canada by former detainees who say they were abducted, flown to third countries, then later tortured... Leaders of APEC nations agreed in Australia yesterday to a "long-term aspirational goal" to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but have set no binding targets; major concern is how to bring China into a carbon-emissions regime without undermining its rapid industrial expansion...

Euro Bank injects 42.245 billion € to avert crisis; global carbon footprint 22.199 billion tons...

6 September :: European Central Bank has injected another 42.245 billion € into the euro-zone markets, via monetary auction with minimum interest of 4%; at least 46 banks and financial institutions are reported to have participated in the bidding for extra cash; the move is intended to shore up the euro against increasing 'volatility' as European markets respond to the US mortgage-lending and homeowning crisis... Actor Fred Thompson, a former US senator, has announced his official bid for the Republican nomination for US president; his campaign will be launched by webcast and with an official announcement on NBC's The Tonight Show; reaction is mixed, as the popular former senator has made moves to jockey for visibility that other candidates consider unethical, including taking out a campaign ad before officially announcing, that will air at the beginning of a presidential debate he is skipping... The global carbon footprint is listed at 22.199 billion tons by desmogblog.com, as of 12 noon GMT...

67% of Greeks believe wildfires arsonist conspiracy; RMT Union shuts down London transport; US negotiator says DPRK not 'de-listed'...

4 September :: Greece political climate soured by nationwide fires; 67% of those polled believe fires started deliberately by arsonist conspiracy, 31% say foreign entities, while 26% suspect property developers; Christian Science Monitor reports "European Commission's European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) estimates that 469,000 acres burned between Aug. 24 and 28 alone. The financial ministry now estimates the damage to be more than $1.6 billion, or 0.6 percent of Greece's GDP", while the Greek gov't is saying the fires appear to be part of an "asymmetric threat" plotted by unnamed conspirators; 6 people have been detained so far on arson-related charges; ecological experts, European officials say fires likely linked to extreme dry conditions, climate anomaly across southern Europe, poor land management tied to agricultural practices, and global warming... A strike by the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) has halted Underground trains across London; authorities said trains were running with severe delays or not at all on all lines except the Northern and Jubilee; RMT says failed maintenance-service managing firm Metronet has not provided unequivocal guarantees not to lay off workers or cut pensions in future; another strike is planned by RMT after the current three-day strike, if Metronet does not provide signed guarantees... One day after North Korea's state-run news service reported it had been delisted by the US as a state sponsor of terrorism, in exchange for shutting down Yongbyon nuclear facility, US assistant sec. of State Chris Hill says no such thing has occurred, DPRK still listed as terror-backer, that other unnamed steps are required... La Vanguardia newspaper reports US security, biotech/health sectors seeing surge in investment, Washington, DC, locations, due to Iraq war, with gov't spending soaring, industrial concentration increasing around the funding capital, the Congress, and a massive and growing economic gap between the wealthy interests that rim the city and the inner-city poor that make up a large part of Washington's hometown population...