Skin cells may be 'programmed' to work like stem cells; Pakistan suspended from Commonwealth; Iran says it's ready to defend against attack...

23 November :: Discovery of skin-cell property that allows stem-cell behavior hope for researchers, conservative candidates; the discovery means research into curing diseases through stem-cell treatments need not be held back by ban on research that destroys human embryos, conservative candidates in US need not face criticism for opposing life-saving research... Pakistan has been suspended from the Commonwealth for not lifting emergency rule by deadline; organization is comprised of the United Kingdom, former British colonies and Mozambique, total of 53 nations and a population of over 2 billion people... Musharraf has agreed to end Sharif's forced exile to Saudi Arabia after talks with King Abdullah; not clear whether former PM deposed by general in 1999 will arrive in time to file for January election candidacy... Top Revolutionary Guards commander says Iran is "ready" to defend itself in any way necessary, if military strike is employed by "enemies" to halt its nuclear research... US dollar has hit new record lows against major currencies, nearing $1.49 to the Euro, as concerns about spreading slowdown in US economy, possible recession, take hold...

US military to hand detained AP photographer over to Iraqis; FBI says hate crime up 7% in US; Chávez threatens $200 oil if Iran attacked...

20 November :: US military to turn over AP photographer to Iraqi authorities for prosecution, accusing him of links to terrorist groups; AP says no such links have even been demonstrated, Iraq native —who won Pulitzer Prize with team of AP photographers— was detained by US after offering shelter to people fleeing a bombing raid in Ramadi, allegedly knowing none of them; AP further says identity of alleged militants among those sheltered has never been demonstrated, calls process "a sham of due process"... FBI reports 7% rise in hate crimes across US last year, to more than 7,700 officially recognized cases nationwide; 19% are reported to have been cases where individuals were targetted for their religious beliefs... While Iowa is reported to be "up for grabs", a Wash. Post/ABC News poll shows Obama leading Democrats with 30% support, Clinton with 26%, Edwards with 22% support; the poll represents an overall gain for Obama, but also, according to the Post, "strategic gains for Obama. His support is up eight percentage points since July among voters 45 and older -- who accounted for two-thirds of Iowa caucus-goers in 2004. He also runs evenly with Clinton among women in Iowa, drawing 32 percent to her 31 percent, despite the fact that her campaign has built its effort around attracting female voters"... Hugo Chávez says oil prices will double, to $200/barrel, if the US takes military action against Iran, also calling on OPEC to drop the dollar-based pricing scheme, use "basket" of currencies; Chávez made declaration as he, Iran pres. Ahmedinejad annoucned binational joint bank, invited other OPEC members to join... Pakistan announces 8 January date for parliamentary, regional assembly elections; opposition leaders say they will boycott if emergency rule not lifted, jailed opposition figure Khan on hunger strike until ousted supreme court justices reinstated...

Bank of England warns UK of economic slowdown; Pakistan detains another opposition leader, as student movement grows...

17 November :: Bank of England governor warns coming year will be hardest economically for Great Britain, with credit problems, banking tightness and housing slump contributing to general tightening of purse-strings, possible consumer slowedown as well; Bank gov. Mervyn King said it will be 2009 "before growth picks up and inflation is brought under control", according to the Guardian... IHT reporting from Lahore: "The opposition politician Imran Khan emerged from hiding Wednesday to the cheers of hundreds of students at a demonstration against General Pervez Musharraf at a university here, but he was quickly seized by hard-line students and turned over to the police, witnesses said"; Musharraf moves to contain virtually all aspects of opposition organization, leadership increasingly evident, US calls into question security rationale behind emergency rule... CSM, also reporting from Lahore: "What began last week as a protest against the arrests of academics at a university in Lahore has quickly spread across larger campuses, energizing new movements and inciting old student political groups from a near two-decade slumber. But when opposition leader Imran Khan, a perceived hero of the student movement, arrived Wednesday to address students in Lahore, members of a powerful and established Islamist student group quickly handed him over to police"... Google is offering $10 million in prize money for developers who produce the most effective software for its proposed open-platform mobile phone operating system; 'G-prize' for revolution in cellular software could herald new model of mass-market technology development... As Congress wrestles with question of telecom complicity in extralegal spying, Truthdig report revealing in terms of possible link between gov't backing of major telecom mergers, data-mining programs; report reveals that NSA in 2000, in efforts to gather new resources, maintain relevancy in post-Cold-War period, launched a "government-industry partnership for information technology infrastructure services"...

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"...

Germany, US agree to push for diplomatic solution in Iran; Pakistan gov't says elections should be held by 9 January, chief justice still detained...

11 November :: German chancellor Angela Merkel and US pres. George W. Bush have declared their mutual intention to press for a diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear ambitions; both leaders say they believe diplomacy and economic measures can be effective in persuading the Islamic republic to abandon its alleged pursuit of nuclear weapons capability; speculation of a US-backed strike on Iran had grown dramatically after Israel launched a missile strike on an alleged nuclear research facility in Syria, in September... Pakistan leader says parliamentary elections should be held by 9 January 2008, in effort to demonstrate allegiance to democratic process, as extended state of emergency continues to draw criticism; deposed chief justice remains under security forces arrest, unable to meet with opposition, associates... UK gov't refuses seriously injured soldiers who've served in Iraq and Afghanistan permission to participate in veterans Remembrance Day parade, saying serving soldiers do not technically qualify as veterans, despite 1,500 civilians marching with veterans last year, officials saying this year's ceremonies are focused on those who have served in 'recent conflicts'; critics say gov't is 'ashamed' of badly wounded young soldiers, prefers they be hidden from view...

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...

Bhutto home surrounded by Pakistan security forces; CA sues EPA for emissions inaction; Mukasey approved by Senate as next AG...

9 November :: Musharraf's forces in riot gear have surrounded home of Bhutto's home, alleging suicide bombers are waiting to strike, no one being allowed in or out; move is aimed at preventing her holding massive rally in Rawalpindi; after she attempted to leave, she was prevented by gov't forces, she has been placed under house arrest by 30-day detention order... California leads lawsuit by 15 states against EPA, alleging negligence in responsibility to act to diminish risk of global climate change; CA gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said if the EPA does not move to permit the state's new emissions regulations, "We sue again, and sue again and sue again until we get it"... US Senate has voted 53-40 to approve Judge Mukasey as next attorney general; vote came even as leaders like judiciary committee chair Leahy stiffly opposed the nomination, declaring "I do not vote to allow torture"... Senate votes 79-14 to override Bush water bill veto, confirming first override of Bush presidency; CNN reports "Supporters said the projects authorized under the Water Resources Development Act are necessary to rebuild the Gulf Coast after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, restore the Everglades and Great Lakes fisheries and build flood-control projects nationwide", while Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), a major backer of the measure told president "You should respect the Senate, the House, the Congress and American people because we are elected, too"... Georgian pres. Mikheil Saakashvili, facing demands for his resignation and having declared martial law alleging media conspiracy to overthrow him, has set date for early elections, saying he seeks to demonstrate his democratic mandate, also alleging "cunning plots" by hostile foreign powers to steal Georgian land; security forces had targeted press, arresting reporters, opposition politicians, confiscating cellular phones in alleged effort to prevent reporters' informing outside world or asking for US diplomatic pressure... Brazil announces major oil discovery, which could turn it into a major oil exporter; new find estimated to equaal 40% of all petroleum ever found in Brazilian territory... Fmr NY police commissioner, Giuliani ally Bernard Kerik to be indicted for corruption; while Kerik and Guiliani were business partners, the presidential candidate has not been implicated in the investigation, to date... US military in Iraq has released 9 Iranians it had held for up to 3 years, saying they are neither threat nor of intelligence value...

Musharraf forces beat, gas attorneys calling for rule of law; US energy bill could produce massive shift in national fuel consumption, wean off oil...

8 November :: Musharraf forces beat and tear-gassed demosntrating lawyers before taking them into custody; reports suggest intimidation has been widespread, with int'l press reporting security forces "charged" a group of more than 1,000 lawyers chanting anti-Musharraf slogans in Lahore; deposed supreme court chief Chaudry calls on lawyers to step up demonstrations nationwide, as demands grow for restoration of law-based democratic gov't, Scotsman reporting "A strongly-worded White House statement demanded that those detained under emergency regulations be released immediately, saying it was 'deeply disturbed'"; int'l press reportedly under strict censorship guidelines in new martial regime... CS Monitor reports "Energy-conservation measures in House and Senate bills approved earlier this year could by 2030 save the US twice as much oil as it now imports from the Persian Gulf, slash greenhouse-gas emissions by 40 percent, and reduce electricity use by at least 10 percent"; bill would push major nationwide shift in modes of energy consumption, fuel sources... 1.2 billion sms or text messages being sent per week across Britain in 2007, figure equates to 4,000 sms per second, making it the fastest growing means of wide-market communications; original developers admit they believed the technology would be used for limited business-to-business usage... Voters in NJ on Tuesday rejected a state-borrowing ballot measure to fund stem-cell research at state level, Utah voters similarly rejected school voucher program; worries about gov't debt, personal savings, income stagnation and economic slowdown, reported to be primary concerns driving opposition to spending-based ballot measures; Texas voters supported ballot initiative to spend $3 billion raised from bonds, over 10 years, to expand cancer research... Democrats gain Kentucky governorship, control of Virginia legislature, as corruption, support for Bush policies hamper GOP electoral efforts nationwide; Mississippi governor, Haley Barbour, a Republican, won re-election easily, Reuters reporting "Barbour was one of the few politicians to win praise after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 for working to reopen casinos quickly in coastal cities such as Gulfport that were devastated by the storm as a way of kick-starting the local economy"...

Bhutto calls on Musharraf to restore constitution, or face mass march from Lahore to Islamabad; Turkey to reform "national insult" law...

7 November :: Benazir Bhutto has called on Pakistan pres. Musharraf to restore constitution, fix date for elections, step down as army chief, or she will lead mass demonstration in Lahore, march with thousands of supporters to Islamabad to repeat demands; police used force to put down pro-Bhutto rally outside parliament building in Islamabad... In address to Parliament, Britain's foreign secretary David Milliband has called on Pakistan's pres. Pervez Musharraf to "release all political prisoners, including members of the judiciary and human rights activists", and to declare a specific date for January elections, step down from the role of military chief and establish negotiations with opposition leaders... Turkey reported to be considering changes to Article 301, which bans "insults" to Turkish identity, used to imprison intellectuals, journalists, and activists; the change is aimed at opening Turkey's laws governing freedom of speech, under pressure from Turkish activists, international human rights observers, and foreign gov'ts... China's Three Gorges Dam has provoked collapse of reservoir lake banks, causing dozens of deaths from massive landslides; now 4 million to be forcibly uprooted, many for 2nd time, as dam-critics' predictions appear to be realized, sustainability of dam in question... Scientists in the US have discoverd a 5th planet orbiting the star Cancri 55, 41 light years from Earth, making that star system the only other one known which approaches our solar system (with 8 planets), in density of orbiting planetary bodies; the new planet is 45 times larger than Earth, researchers say Cancri 55 system is not twin to our solar system, as 4 planets closest to sun are size of Neptune... BBC World Service radio reports torture now commonplace in Iraq, both among factional militia and in facilities run by gov't; 'power drill' is particularly disturbing method used by militia groups across south; gov't facilities alleged to include electro-shock, stress-positions, beating of soles of feet; human rights groups say independent monitoring, 24-hour court hearing, end of arbitrary detention, are simple means that can greatly reduce the likelihood of torture...

Musharraf arrests 3,500 in national attack on dissidents; Israel, PA say Annapolis summit can achieve peace; Google launches mobile phone software...

5 November :: Foreign envoys aim to force Musharraf to keep promises to US, UK, to hold elections in January, step down as military chief or face drop in Western support... As reports say as many as 3,500 dissidents have been arrested in Musharraf's 2nd military takeover, the Pakistani president has said on state television "I am determined to execute this third stage of transition fully and I'm determined to remove my uniform once we correct these pillars in judiciary and the executive and the parliament", even as the Daily News reports "In the eastern city of Lahore, about 2,000 lawyers gathered a the High Court. As they tried to march out onto a main road, they were overcome by a swarm of police, swinging clubs and firing tear gas"; Musharraf has reportedly said, without naming a date, that he will step down as military chief and become a civilian leader, when conditions are right... Upcoming mideast peace conference touted as start of negotiations for lasting settlement; Israel has raised possibility of ceding part of East Jerusalem to Palistinian state, hoping to sweeten deal for would-be peacemakers in Ramallah... Palestinian pres. Mahmoud Abbas has said he believes negotiations begun in Annapolis this month could achieve Palestinian state by January 2009, when US pres. Bush leaves office... Google has unveiled a new Open Handset Alliance, to implement and expand its open-platform Android mobile phone software platform, which could free up wireless telecommunications devices for interoperability, customization and serious cost-reduction; no device is expected to implement the new system before mid-2008...

Musharraf declares martial law, suspends constitution, arrests opponents; US looks at closing Guantánamo prison; Google opens online social nets...

4 November :: Pakistan pres. Gen. Pervez Musharraf declares martial law, suspends constitution, fires chief justice, raising ire of world leaders; opposition politicians, top lawyers, including Chief Jutice Muhammad Iftikhar Chaudhry's personal lawyer, were detained in raids across the country... "U.S. officials are considering granting Guantánamo Bay detainees substantially greater rights as part of an effort to close the detention center and possibly move much of its population from Cuba to the United States, according to officials involved in the discussions", according to the IHT... Google OpenSocial to create community of software developers across Internet, freeing up user information, embedded applications for use across array of social networks; project has won backing of MySpace, the largest social networking site in the world; move could be challenge to prevalence of closed networks like Facebook, which Google says threaten openness of online medium... Press reporting "shoo-in" for Mukasey, despite widespread opposition, after Feinstein cites answers that were "crisp and succinct, and demonstrated a strong, informed and independent mind", Schumer says he is not "ideal", but will "clean the stench of politicization" from Justice, is "far better than anyone could expect from this administration"; Pres. Bush meanwhile says no "responsible nominee" could meet the "new standard" of being compelled to qualify cruel treatment as torture and renounce its use, suggests he will use unconfirmed "acting" attorney general through rest of term if Mukasey is opposed by Senate... Man shot by London police in "botched" 2006 raid says he was later cornered in 2nd incident by armed police who threatened his life, used racial slurs; Guardian reports "Mohammed Abdul Kahar, 23, who was shot in the shoulder during a raid by police on his home in Forest Gate in 2006, says he and his brother Abul Koyair, 20, were stopped by armed police with one officer shouting 'shoot him, shoot him'", as allegations of abusive practices dog Met police chief, calls for resignation increase... Scientists at Harvard, MIT have genetically modified mice to release glowing proteins when neurons fire, proteins help map neural fabric as they spread along fibers; researchers aim to use process to trace brain activity, learn about structure of brain...

US fears catastrophic dam collapse in Iraq could kill 500,000; UK power Grid officials warn of possible energy crisis this winter...

31 October :: US authorities fear catastrophic dam failure in Iraq: "A catastrophic failure of the largest dam in Iraq would send a wave 65ft high hurtling down the valley of the river Tigris, killing up to 500,000 people, US engineers warned yesterday" reports UK's Independent; Army Corps of Engineers warns failure of the two-mile-across earth-filled dam could flood Mosul —with 1.7 million residents— with 60 feet of water... UK officials warn of possible energy crisis this winter, as natural gas prices are 40% above continental Europe; supplies likely to be undercut by plant outage, shortages could lead to electricity cuts if 300 extra megawatts are not generated for peak home-usage hours; officials moderated warning, saying reports are precautionary requests, aimed at increasing elasticit of overall system to face shortages... HRW reports Burmese military junta enslaving children as young as 10 years old to prop up its unpopular regime, finding that "Military recruiters are literally buying and selling children to fill the ranks of the Burmese armed forces"; the 135-page report 'Sold to be Soldiers' is available free online... On an intensifying crackdown against press by Azerbaijan authorities, HRW reports "On October 30, Azerbaijan’s Grave Crimes Court convicted Fatullayev, the outspoken editor-in-chief of the independent Realni Azerbaijan and Gundelik Azerbaijan newspapers, for terrorism, inciting ethnic hatred, and tax evasion. The conviction is a culmination of a concerted effort by the Azerbaijani authorities to silence Fatuallyev and his newspapers"... NY Times reporting "All State Department security convoys in Iraq will now fall under military control, the latest step taken by government officials to bring Blackwater Worldwide and other armed contractors under tighter supervision"; Pentagon authority asserted could protentially bring contractors under Uniform Code of Military Justice, after State Dept. officials without authorization offered immunity to Blackwater guards accused of murder, Iraq gov't has approved draft law to revoke immunity granted to foreign contractors by Coalition Provisional Authority...

Vacancies in US executive at worrying high; US House to debate Armenian genocide; China's Communist party congress opens...

15 October :: Unfilled vacancies in top-level executive-branch positions in US gov't startlingly common, leaving multi-billion-dollar agencies without leadership; interim appointees can serve for up to 210 days with full authority, while approval of nominees runs through Senate, 462 days remain in Bush term as of today; IHT quotes Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), ranking Republican on the judiciary committee, as saying "In the long history of the country, I don't think the Justice Department has been in such disarray", citing unconfirmed openings throughout the top ranks; observers speculate raft of vacancies reflects belief next admin. will be led by Democrat, meaning less 'job security' for able Republicans if named now; 3 Cabinet posts remain unfilled... Pelosi has announced she will bring the resolution on the 1915 Armenian genocide, at the hands of Ottoman Turks, to the full House for debate and passage; Turkey's top general has warned passage would permanently damage the strategic alliance with the US... China's Communist party congress opened today in Beijing; NYT reports Pres. Hu "promised to address social fissures, a degraded environment and rampant corruption during his second term as China’s top leader, but he all but ruled out more than cosmetic political reform"... Sir Menzies 'Ming' Campbell has resigned as leader of UK Liberal Democrat party, the nation's 3rd largest, after mounting criticism in party, press, that his leadership was not strong enough to represent a serious opposition... US, EU talk of barring all new investment in Burma, in effort to completely isolate junta, a move that goes far beyond the current sanctions regime...

UN Security Council unanimously 'deplores' Burma crackdown; Gore wins Nobel Peace Prize; Afghanistan closes 2 security firms, probing 10 more...

12 October :: UN Security Council passes unanimous non-binding declaration that it "strongly deplores" the violence used by Burma's military gov't against peaceful demonstrators; statement also calls for release of "all political prisoner and remaining detainees", as well as urging direct talks with opposition, pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, significant action to move Burma toward a lasting democratic process; statement is first ever Council action on Burma's military junta... Fmr US VP Al Gore and the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to raise global awareness of the climate change crisis; since spring 2007, Gore has won an Academy Award, an Emmy and now the Nobel, he said in response "We face a true planetary emergency. The climate crisis is not a political issue, it is a moral and spiritual challenge to all of humanity", two advisers told the press the award does not make it more likely he will run for US presidency... CNN reported yesterday "Afghan authorities this week shut down two private security companies and said more than 10 others —some suspected of murder and robbery— would soon be closed, Afghan and Western officials said Thursday"; move comes amid growing concerns over role of private security firms in Iraq violence, UN urging US to investigate alleged crimes... Crude oil hits record high trading price of $84/barrell, just after noon New York time; cost for alternative fuels expected to drive adoption of new fuel sources, transport costs straining overall economic output... Russian Soyuz rocket launched from Kazakhstan carrying American, Russian, Malaysian to Int'l Space Station; Peggy Whitson to be first woman to command Space Station, Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor 9th Muslim in space, 1st Malaysian...

China facing Three Gorges fallout; Turkey says US Armenian genocide resolution strains ties; UN calls for Iraq contractors to face justice...

11 October :: China plans to relocate some 4 million additional people to curb ecological fallout from massive reservoir, "irrational development", ecological collapse around Three Gorges Dam; move comes after top officials, engineers at site warned gov't the project could lead to "environmental catastrophe"; ENN reports "Environmentalists have long criticized the project, saying silt trapped behind the dam is causing erosion and warning that the dam's reservoir will turn into a cesspool of raw sewage and industrial chemicals backing onto Chongqing"... Turkey's gov't has condemned a resolution passed by the US House recognizing the WWI massacre of Armenians by Ottoman Turks as genocide; PM Tayyip Erdogan, head of the conservative ruling party, has been preparing to push for permission from Parliament for a military incursion into Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq, says US resolution will damage strategic relationship "make relations with a friend and ally, and a strategic partnership nurtured over generations, more difficult"... Reuters reports "The United Nations wants probes to determine whether private security contractors in Iraq have committed war crimes and for governments to ensure that the rule of law is applied, U.N. officials said on Thursday"; statement comes after a shooting incident in which a Dubai-based security firm allegedly "shot randomly" at security checkpoint, killing two female civilians, amid mounting pressure to rein in security firms after Blackwater guards allegedly killed 17 Iraqi civilians in mid September shooting... Monks detained by Burmese junta reportedly told "you are no longer monks", as guards abused, threatened them, forced them to stand in cages for days with no toilet or wash area...

Scientists craft synthetic chromosome, to announce first "artificial life"; first lady poised to succeed husband as president, of Argentina...

6 October :: Guardian reports "Craig Venter, the controversial DNA researcher involved in the race to decipher the human genetic code, has built a synthetic chromosome out of laboratory chemicals and is poised to announce the creation of the first new artificial life form on Earth"; if achieved, breakthrough will spur heated ethical debates on genome generation, manipulation, could lead to new energy sources; new chromosome based on Mycoplasma genitalium, a bacterium, which could be controlled in uses for cleaning up excess atmospheric carbon dioxide... New age of dynasties: a 2nd Clinton in 8 years (immediately after a 2nd Bush in 8 years)? Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, wife of Argentine pres. Kirchner may succeed him? India's Congress party names another Gandhi to poss. pre-PM post, could be 4th consecutive generation to hold office; Japan names PM whose father was also PM previously; Philippine pres. daughter of fmr. Philippine leader; even Burmese opposition leader Suu Kyi is daughter of former leader; Putin, Chávez, Musharraf, just want to rule indefinitely as themselves... Democrats in US Congress vow to override Bush veto of expansion to Children's Health Insurance; Bush reiterates position that bipartisan legislation is not fully funded, while House majority leader Hoyer says new tobacco taxes will cover costs... Unsold US homes on offer reach record 10 months' worth of sales; prices are dropping in key markets, as dollar reported to have lost 40% of its value in 6 years... Geneva-based International Organization for Migrants (UN assoc.) reports 480,000 Iraqis have "registered" officially as internally displaced refugees since start of 2007, 2.2 million since war began; further 2.2 million estimated to have fled abroad means 4.4 million Iraqis (approx. 16.9% of pop.) have been made refugees in 4.5 years of conflict... Fujimori to stand trial on murder, corruption charges in Perú, after Chile's Supreme Court ordered his extradition...

Two Koreas seek formal peace; Blackwater involved in 195 shootings since 2005; Bush vetoes children's health insurance expansion...

4 October :: North and South Korean leaders to call summit to establish formal lasting peace to 1950-53 conflict; analysts say "hermit" regime in North still appears unwilling to make necessary concessions to bring about re-unification, end to dictatorship; North signed new pact to dismantle nuclear facilities one day before... Burmese military junta reported to be planning to jail for two to five years "those who clapped" during pro-democracy rallies in the capital; dissenters are being rounded up, even as military occupation of Rangoon is slowly "relaxed"... Blackwater security firm involved in at least 195 shootings since 2005, according to Congressional report, which also criticized the State Dept. for poor to non-existent oversight of contractor's activities... Of 3,200 South African gold miners trapped 1.4 miles underground, 1,950 were rescued during an all-night mission, using a small lift for safety reasons; rescue ongoing, with general manager classifying morale among those remaining below ground "fairly brittle"; workers blame "negligence" and 24-hour operation of mine... NPR reports "President Bush on Wednesday vetoed a bipartisan bill that would have dramatically expanded children's health insurance, after saying the legislation was too costly and had strayed from its original intent", some Republicans complain Bush's 4th veto in 7 years could be used against the party in 2008 elections... Editor & Publisher and Boston Globe report family of Ciara Durkin "says she had told them to push for an investigation if anything ever happened to her"; Durkin, an Irish-born US soldier was killed by a single gunshot-wound to the head while serving with finance unit in Afghanistan, family says military "dragging its feet" on releasing information from investigation, observers suspect Durkin may have been killed for uncovering financial wrongdoing or possibly because she was a lesbian... Canadian dollar pulls even with US dollar, trading at 1 to 1, amid worries of spreading fallout from US sub-prime mortgage crisis...

Bush gives $25 million fuel aid to North Korea; Gambari to meet Suu Kyi, seek compromise in Burma; Karzai wants talks with Taliban...

30 September :: US pres. George W. Bush has approved $25 million in fuel aid for North Korea, as part of a February deal to shut down nuclear facilities, dismantle weapons and allow IAEA inspections; the Yongbyon reactor was shut down in July... Six-party talks to negotiate North Korean denuclearization have been suspended for two days, to allow six nations' negotiators to contemplate discussions to date... Tutu, Mandela's 'The Elders' initiative gathers established elder humanitarians to "speak freely, be fiercely independent and respond fast and flexibly in conflict situations", will make first formal visit to Sudan, in effort to end Darfur killing; group has said chair is left open for detained Burmese opposition leader Suu Kyi... Burmese junta has reportedly allowed UN negotiator Ibrahim Gambari to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi, opposition leader under indefinite house arrest; security forces have reportedly detained more religious and lay 'activists'; EU foreign minister Solana has said the Union is examining all possible measures that could be taken if military does not cease attacking demonstrators; military reported to be assaulting anyone with camera in streets of Rangoon... Sufi muslims celebrate 800 years since birth of mystic poet Rumi, Turkey will hold great 'dance of the whirling dervishes' to observe history of the pacifist Sufi order; the poet was "born in 1207 in Balkh in Central Asia, now part of Afghanistan", reports BBC; in Afghanistan, the Taliban attempted to eliminate Sufism by banning music, imposing fundamentalist dogma... As Afghan conflict now longer than WWI, Pres. Hamid Karzai has said he wants negotiations with the Taliban, would "go to them", may offer them position in gov't... Intense flooding over western and central Africa has hit 20 nations; Togo has made an urgent appeal for food and medical aid; the EU has promised some 2 million € to help Togo, Burkina Faso and Ghana collectively... Hundreds have gathered to protest state violence in Islamabad, used to suppress bloody riots spurred by ruling allowing Musharraf to run for president while holding control of military... UK PM Brown rumored to be considering an early election to capitalize on high poll numbers just weeks after taking power from Blair; Conservative party calls national conference to prepare for possible vote... Ecuador voting today to choose delegates to new Constituent Assembly, aimed at replacing Congress, traditional power structures...

Burma crackdown reportedly leaves hundreds dead, satellite images may show proof; Bush pushes 'voluntary' emissions caps...

29 September :: 2 thousand gathered in Rangoon to call for end to military rule, bystanders applauding protesting students; US bars 3 dozen members of military gov't, their families from travel to US, in response to mounting violence in Burma; pressure mounting as demonstrations thin, calls for general to cede power spread; CNN reports "British Prime Minister Gordon Brown says he believes the death toll in the Myanmar crackdown to be 'far greater' than has so far been reported, The Associated Press has said"; one eyewitness has told of 35 bodies in one location lined up with mourners praying, while opposition groups have said at least 200 have been killed... Satellite cameras have shown proof Burmese junta burned villages earlier this year, with "square-shaped burn scars the size of houses"; now activist groups are calling on satellite imaging companies to release satellite images that may show proof of junta's violence against demonstrators... US pres. Bush lays out plan to create climate change regime of voluntary emissions limits; critics say Washington climate conference has been a "charade"; fmr. US pres. Clinton says there is immense public support for "aggressive" action to curb carbon emissions, combat global warming... Bush has told House Speaker Pelosi he will veto Congress' expansion of funding for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP); the pres. called the plan "irresonsible" in his radio address and called for a different approach that would cover only the poorest families...

Falling water tables put Chinese economy at risk; int'l day of protest supports Burma monks; CA electoral reform fails, still 'winner takes all'...

28 September :: Shijiazhuang, a city of 2 million on the North China Plain has seen 11% growth, construction boom, even as irreplaceable aquifers are drying up, water tables fast dropping; as IHT reports, "China is scouring the world for oil, natural gas and minerals to keep its economic machine humming. But trade deals cannot solve water problems. Water usage in China has quintupled since 1949, and leaders will increasingly face tough political choices as cities, industry and farming compete for a finite and unbalanced water supply"... CA ballot initiative designed to split Electoral College vote by Congressional districts folds, as backers resign from signature drive; CA gov. has twice rejected initiatives to sign on to National Popular Vote accord with other states, while GOP-backed initiative would have undermined Dems' dominance in most elector-rich state... Blackwater security firm said to be involved in twice as many violent incidents as other private contractors operating in Iraq; according to IHT, the firm "has gained a reputation among Iraqis and even among American military personnel serving in Iraq as a company that flaunts an aggressive, quick-draw image that leads its security personnel to take excessively violent actions to protect the people they are paid to guard"; Congress, the Pentagon and the Iraqi gov't are investigating... Burmese military junta reportedly cuts off internet across nation; demonstrators in Makati, Philippines shave heads, protest outside Burmese embassy; Indonesian Parliament ministers stand in moment of silence for demonstrators killed by Burmese regime; junta has closed monasteries, detained more Buddhist monks, declaring "no go" zones around targeted monasteries and shrines; Guardian reports "Yesterday, a Japanese photographer, Kenji Nagai, 50, was among those killed in fierce clashes", Burmese civilians continue gathering, cursing at and insulting military and police... Mychal Bell, the only youth convicted in Jena case free on bond after court vacated conviction; prosecutor may face investigation for abuse of office... LA Times reports "lesser-known Republican presidential candidates condemned their top rivals Thursday for skipping a debate on minority issues and said their absence hurt the party's image and amplified racial divisions", GOP contender Mike Huckabee said "I'm embarrassed for our party, and I'm embarrassed for those who did not come, because there's long been a divide in this country, and it doesn't get better when we don't show up", while Sen. Brownback (R-KS) called it "a disgrace for our country"...