Congress demands documents on torture policy; UN envoy warns Burma reform needed; Musharraf offers Bhutto power-sharing deal...

5 October :: House and Senate judiciary committees have ordered Justice Dept. to turn over legal opinions on harsh interrogation techniques, alleging the Department's lawyers, who had in 2004 found torture "abhorrent" had in 2005 "reversed themselves and reinstated a secret regime, in essence reinterpreting the law in secret"; White House spokesman says "The policy of the United States is not to torture", adding "The president has not authorized it, he will not authorize it”, while suggesting that policy was "within the corners of the law"... UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari has warned the Burmese military gov't it cannot return to past practices, must release jailed dissenters, cease using violence to crush democracy movement... Pakistan pres. Musharraf gives fmr. PM Bhutto immunity for corruption charges in hopes of forming power-sharing gov't after elections, Bhutto seeks more protections before signing on to new deal, Supreme Court still to rule if Musharraf permitted to continue serving dual role as pres., head of military... Canadian dollar passes US dollar in currency markets, rising today to $1.02, its highest mark since 1976 against the US currency; new job data cited as cause for day's jump, US dollar has been steadily falling against major currencies in recent months, stands now at $1.41/1€, $2.04/£1... Global carbon footprint is 24.627 billion tons, as of mid-day GMT... New 'green' roofing material reflects heat back into atmosphere, reduces weight stress, reduces overall demand on heating, cooling; ENN reports "The product, many say, represents a major shift in the roofing industry because existing roofing materials of the last 100 years resemble heavy metal armor. The ArmorLite roof is lightweight and strong, like a Kevlar bulletproof vest that replaced heavy armor vests"... Climate campaigners including fmr US vice president Al Gore nominated for Nobel Peace Prize; if group wins award, it would signal shift away from traditional role for prize, rewarding statesman, political leaders who enhance conditions for political settlements...

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...

Sarkozy campaign against 'sans papiers' includes police storming homes, woman killed, child in coma, public mounts 'resistance'...

3 October :: Guardian newspaper reports Sarkozy campaign against immigrants has led to police "storming" private residences, people falling from balconies —at least one woman killed, one youth in coma—, new underground network of conscientious citizens hiding children to prevent parents' deportation, estimated 20,000 have joined 'new resistance' to prevent rounding up of neighbors... Intense ice-melt across Canadian Arctic has split Ayles Ice Island —iceberg the size of Manhattan— in half, with one section traveling up to 98km in one week; record ice-melt has startled climatologists, Coast Guard... Chinese scientists and officials have warned Three Gorges dam project will cause "environmental catastrophe unless accumulating threats are quickly defused, senior officials and experts have warned"; according to the Environmental News Network, even top officials at the dam itself, who have formerly defended its safety, now say local ecosystems are facing calamitous stresses and action needs to be taken...

HRW says killing of peacekeepers in Darfur is war crime; Democrats plan to stall funding for Bush war budget...

2 October :: HRW says killing of 10 African Union peacekeepers, civilian police in Darfur is war crime, calls on Khartoum, gov't forces in region to aid investigation, punish those responsible... WSJ reports "Frustrated by the stalemate over Iraq, House Democrats spelled out a strategy that would stall action on President Bush's 2008 war budget and rely on incremental funding to sustain troop operations in until next spring"... Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Seymour Hersh has reported "intensification" of White House planning for war with Iran; according to Hersh "What had been presented primarily as a counter-proliferation mission has been reconceived as counterterrorism", with focus now shifted toward attacks on Revolutionary Guard facilities, supplies and infrastructure... Cuban doctors have reportedly provided eye surgery to the man responsible for killing Ernesto "Che" Guevara, through a program by which Cuban physicians provide eye treatment across Latin America... 'The Caucus', a NY Times blog reports "Senator Barack Obama today will propose setting a goal of eliminating all nuclear weapons in the world, saying the United States should transform its nuclear posture and dramatically reduce nuclear stockpiles to reduce the threat of nuclear terrorism"... US pending home sales index fell to record low in August, amid spreading mortgage crisis, index now 21.5% lower than just 12 months ago, 16% lower than two months ago...

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...

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"...

Burmese junta threatens "extreme action", fires on demonstrators, as protests grow; Georgia accuses Russia of interference in Abkhazia...

27 September :: Reports emerge from Rangoon military junta has raided monasteries in effort to end pro-democracy rallies; UN Security Council has urged regime to meet with special envoy, China says it views Burma crisis as "internal affair"; reports suggest 70 monks were abducted from one monastery alone by security forces; junta has warned demonstrators to cease protests or face "extreme action"; today, on 10th day of demonstrations, reports from Rangoon suggest thousands of "very angry" ordinary citizens "spontaneously" began gathering to demand end to violence against monks; security forces have again opened fire on protesters in Rangoon... China, Russia have blocked UN Seceurity Concuil actions to condemn violence against civilians; Russia reportedly suggested it would use the logic of western powers to bring France before the Security Council next time there are riots or police violence there... Georgian pres. accuses Russian military of direct involvement in Abkhazia independence movement, says Russian officer was among militants killed in firefight in Abkhazia; Georgian gov't spokesman broadcast on BBC saying "Is there not enough territory in Russia, are there not enough forests in Russia for Russian officers to die in Russian territory and Russian forests?"... US defense sec. Gates says he is not pleased with regulation of private security firms in Iraq, has ordered a comprehensive investigation of their activities in Iraq... Bush to host 2-day meeting with world's most prolific carbon emitters (China, India, western Europe) to discuss possible terms for future greenhouse-gas controls; opponents warn they believe Bush may be seeking to stall global emissions regime or ensure that major powers support only voluntary limits; China, Russia have called for all future global regimes to be constructed through the UN... According to the NY Times, in an apparent move to stop pro-choice group communicating with its membership, "Last week, Verizon rejected a request from the abortion rights group Naral Pro-Choice America for a five-digit 'short code.' Such codes allow people interested in hearing from businesses, politicians and advocacy groups to sign up to receive text messages"; Verizon has since apologized, calling the refusal "incorrect", and granted the request...

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...

Israel raid on Syria turns up alleged 'nuclear-related' material; Cheney said to have "mulled" Israel strike on Iran; Merkel meets Dalai Lama...

23 September :: Sunday Times reports "Israeli commandos seized nuclear material of North Korean origin during a daring raid on a secret military site in Syria before Israel bombed it this month, according to informed sources in Washington and Jerusalem"; nuclear-related material not named, report also says Israel raid carried out with US backing... Newsweek has reported fmr. aide to US vice pres. told "a small group" Cheney was "mulling" plan to ask Israel to strike Natanz nuclear site in Iran in hopes of provoking Iranian attack on Israel, then using Iran action as justification for massive air campaign against the Islamic republic... FBI reported to be investigating neo-nazi site that calls for lynching of the young African Americans known as the "Jena Six"; activists have called for Justice Dept. to provide full security for youths, families... FBI reported to have secretly recorded Sen. Ted Stevens' conversations in corruption investigation, long before he made public information that he was being investigated... US Senate has blocked legislation that would have ordered withdrawal of most US combat troops from Iraq within 9 months; 3 Republicans voted with 44 Democrats in favor of passage, bill needed 60 votes to pass... German chancellor Angela Merkel has defied Beijing and held a private audience with the Dalai Lama; the Chinese regime considers the meeting an implicit vote of support for Tibet's independence movement, for whom the Dalai Lama has long been the most visible spokesman...

Al-Qaeda wants to retake al-Andalus; 10,000 march in Jena, Louisiana, to support jailed teen...

22 September :: Al-Qaeda has announced its intention to recapture the medieval caliphate of Al-Andalus, which covered much of modern Spain; alleged 2nd in command al-Zawahiri says retaking Maghreb and Al-Andalus is an 'obligation', will begin with assault on Spanish, French interests in north Africa, threatening to kidnap westerners working or living in areas where it operates... Two French nationals, one Italian and six Algerians, injured in suicide attack, terrorist group calling itself Al-Qaida pour le Maghreb islamique (AQMI) —or Al-Qaeda for an Islamic Maghreb— claimed responsibility for "first strike" against western Interests in the territory of the medieval western caliphate; AQMI is reportedly operating in Tunisia, Morocco and Mauritania as well... 10,000 protesters march in Jena, Louisiana, to call for release of Mychal Bell, whose conviction on charges of aggravated battery, conspiracy, was thrown out by appeals court, demand justice for African-American students accused of attempted murder for beating student who allegedly participated in racial threats, which included nooses hanging from oak tree; DA Walters said of the nooses strung up "I cannot overemphasize what a villainous act that was. The people that did it should be ashamed of what they unleashed on this town", while the NY Times quotes Latese Brown, a 40-year-old demonstrator saying, "If you can figure out how to make a school yard fight into an attempted murder charge, I’m sure you can figure out how to make stringing nooses into a hate crime"...

Spain airs anti-migration ads in Senegal; NASA restores $105 million mission to survey black holes...

21 September :: Spain has begun airing commercials in West Africa urging would-be migrants not to attempt the perilous journey by boat to Spanish soil in the Canary Islands; adverts show weeping families, drowned migrants, urge viewers to see themselves as "the future of Africa"; the 6-week, $1.4 million campaign was launched on Senegalese TV... BBC reports on rally for the 'Jena Six' that "Racial tensions had been running high at the school after three nooses were found hanging from a tree in the school yard, the day after a black pupil had sat in its shade... The three white pupils responsible for that act were not disciplined"; estimated 10,000 people from across the US attended rally in town of 3,000... NASA has restored the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR), a $105 million mission to study black holes; New Scientist reports "NuSTAR will carry out a census of black holes of all sizes, from small ones weighing a few times the mass of the Sun to 'supermassive' black holes weighing millions or billions of Suns"... US sec. of State Rice says scheduled summit on Mid-east peace must lay groundwork for Palestinian state, negotiated peace, otherwise there's no point inviting the two sides to the talks... US dollar fell yesterday to record-low $1.4018 against the euro, after Fed cut interest rates to ease economic crisis spurred by mortgage bank failures, weak dollar expected to help Eurozone firms reduce costs, hurt exports as US is largest Eurozone trading partner; in July dollar fell to record low against the Chinese yuan, when the Chinese central bank raised interest rates to stabilize currency, investment prospects, central bank sets 'mid-point' from which yuan is allowed to rise or fall in value by maximum of 0.5% per day...

China, Russia spying on Cold-War scale; Netanyahu admits to Israel airstrike on Syria; Ahmadinejad request to visit WTC denied...

20 September :: US Director of National Intelligence says China, Russia now spying on scale not seen since Cold War; claims comes as reports suggest China, India invovled in ballistic missile build-up, concerns over Asian arms race; Pentagon recently alleged its computer network was attacked by Chinese hackers... Israeli gov't criticizes opposition leader Netanyahu for confirming allegations about Israel airstrike on Syria earlier this month, move characterized as "irresponsibility" on part of fmr PM... NY Police Dept. has refused Iranian pres. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's request to lay a wreath at 'Ground Zero' —site of 11 Sept. 2001 attacks—, citing ongoing construction and security concerns; presidential candidates from both parties had revolted at the request, citing Iran's alleged support for militant groups in Middle East; Iran spokesman says intent was "to lay a wreath at the site of ground zero in order to pay tribute to the victims of the terrorists attack of September 11, 2001", while US ambassador to UN, Zalmay Khalilzad said "Iran can demonstrate its seriousness about concern with regard to terrorism by taking concrete actions, such as dropping support for Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and suspending their uranium enrichment program"... Israel's ambassador to UN had called on US authorities to refuse Ahmadinejad access to UN, saying he should be arrested and tried for "incitement to genocide"; Ha'aretz reports "Gillerman says he is aware of the American obligation as the UN host-country to allow any member of the organization to enter the US" but classified Iran as a special case because its president had called for the destruction of a fellow member-state...

US suspends diplomats' travel in Iraq, security firm under scrutiny; 170,000 Iraqi families have fled homes due to conflict; NYT online now free...

19 September :: US suspends all road travel outside Baghdad 'Green Zone' by its diplomats in Iraq, after Iraqi gov't prohibits private military firm Blackwater from providing security or operating in Iraq, amid allegations Blackwater agents fired "indiscriminately" on civilians with no apparent provocation; BBC reports Blackwater operations difficult to trace, company claims to have "come under fire"... Israel cabinet officially declares Gaza Strip, governed by Hamas, a "hostile entity", meaning it can now impose harsh economic sanctions on the territory; Hamas accuses Israel of "collective punishment" of civilian population... Iraq population migrating in ways that reshape country's ethnic and sectarian make-up; migration data from survey by Iraqi Red Crescent organization show "in Baghdad alone there are now nearly 170,000 families, accounting for almost a million people, that have fled their homes in search of security, shelter, water, electricity, functioning schools or jobs to support their families"... Burmese ruling military junta (which has renamed country Myanmar) has fired teargas into crowd of 1,000 Buddhist monks demonstrating against totalitarian regime in Sittwe; nationwide call for religious boycott of military junta led to demonstrations in numerous other cities, as lay people, some Muslims, joined protests; regime closed the Shwedagon Pagoda, the nation's holiest shrine, to prevent dissidents from organizing religious groups there; Pagoda was to be visible center of campaign for monks to refuse alms from anyone tied to the regime... IHT reports "The New York Times will stop charging for access to its Web site, except for some of its archives, effective at midnight Tuesday, reflecting a growing view in the industry that subscription fees cannot outweigh the potential advertising revenue from increased traffic on a free site"; move comes as media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, still in talks to finalize purchase of DowJones, said to be suggesting removing all fees for online access to the website of its flagship publication, the Wall Street Journal...

North Korea denies nuclear assistance to Syria; French FM plays down call to war with Iran...

18 September :: North Korea's gov't says rumors it provided nuclear assistance to Syria are "conspiracy" designed to prevent its normalizing relations with the US... Russia, China have raised "alarm" over comments by French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner that the nation should prepare for war with Iran; Reuters reports "Kouchner sought, however, to play down his weekend remarks, saying they were meant as a 'message of peace'"... Israel's PM Olmert has said he respects Syrian pres. Bashar al-Assad and does not rule out dialogue with Damascus; Syria accuses Israel aircraft of firing on its territory earlier this month; alleged intel leaked to press suggests Israel may seek to defend actions claiming target was facility where Syria was working on nuclear technology obtained from North Korea; Syria, N. Korea deny allegations... Venezuelan man wakes up as coroners begin autopsy surgery; no official word on how death certificate was issued, autopsy ordered, on man whose heart, brain were still functioning; Reuters has published images provided by Carlos Camejo to a El Universal newspaper, showing his facial scar and the document ordering his autopsy...

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...

Gingrich mulls run for presidency, wants to stop Clinton; Greenspan says Bush admin. ideological on fiscal policy...

16 September :: Former US Speaker of the House of Representatives, Newt Gingrich, has said he is contemplating a late run for the presidency, to help Republican party overcome "chaos" in primary field; some see possible run as attempt to take on old foe Hillary Clinton... UK gov't faces criticism over policy of deporting political asylum-seekers back to DR Congo, where it says they face no imminent peril; new report says opposite, with testimony for former DRC security forces operative says such political refugees and dissidents face detention, truly brutal torture, rape and murder at hands of regime... In his new book, Alan Greenspan, chairman of the Federal Reserve for nearly two decades, criticizes Bush admin. for ideologically-driven fiscal policy; of the Republican-controlled Congress, he reportedly writes they "lost their way", adding "They swapped principle for power. They ended up with neither"; media reports suggest Rove's political apparatus had excessive influence over economic policies, Rove met with Greenspan briefly, only once or twice...