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British Prime Minister Gordon Brown warned in an interview on the eve of today's G8 summit that the world is now facing a “second wakeup call” – a crisis of growth and employment as severe as the credit crisis of the past year.

WASHINGTON, July 8, 2009 – Combat operations some 4,000 Marines began last week in southern Afghanistan and an influx of additional forces represent a big step toward carrying out a more comprehensive U.S. strategy there, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff says. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addresses a National Press Club luncheon in Washington, D.C., July 8, 2009. Mullen discussed and took questions from the audience on a multitude of subjects including the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the fiscal year 2010 budget request and ongoing care for wounded warriors...

One could be forgiven for thinking that contracts in shipping are no longer worth the paper they are written on. First we had charterers in the dry bulk sector simply walking away from unfavourable contracts at the top of the market. Now in container shipping we have lines on the transpacific trade trying to unilaterally increase rates on annual contracts just months after they were agreed. It would certainly be interesting to be a fly on the wall when shipping line sales people meet major US shippers and try to explain that they now, in effect, want to tear up...

BILLINGS, Mont. — Montana and Idaho are moving to host the first open gray wolf hunts in the lower 48 states after the animal's removal from the endangered list across much of the Northern Rockies.

Panetta Says CIA Officials Have Misled Congress Since 2001 By SIOBHAN GORMAN WASHINGTON -- Central Intelligence Agency Director Leon E. Panetta has told lawmakers that CIA officials misled Congress "for a number of years" since 2001, according to a letter released Wednesday from six Democratic lawmakers. The lawmakers say the CIA also withheld information about unspecified "significant actions." The letter didn't identify when Mr. Panetta made the statements or to what they referred. "This is similar to other deceptions of which we are aware from other recent periods, " the letter continued. CIA spokesman George Little said "it is not...

WASHINGTON, July 8, 2009 – U.S. forces strengthened relationships with their Iraqi counterparts in recent days as they worked to help a city in need and to improve health care and quality of life throughout Iraq. U.S. forces are providing humanitarian aid to the residents of an Iraqi city recovering after a devastating truck bomb attack in June. Representatives from the 1st Cavalry Division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team and the Kirkuk provincial reconstruction team traveled to Taza, south of Kirkuk, on June 27 to assist in the recovery. Forces assessed the security situation, delivered much-needed water and inspected a tent...

PHOENIX, AZ—Based on an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, a Globe woman was indicted by a federal grand jury Tuesday afternoon for allegedly embezzling approximately $1.18 million from a Gila County credit union. Marlene Aguilera Pena, 45, has been charged with 25 counts of embezzlement from the now defunct Marian Miami Federal Credit Union, of Miami, Ariz. Pena was hired by the credit union in 1994 and became its manager in 2000. The indictment alleges that beginning in January 2001, through at least December 2006, Pena operated a scheme to defraud the credit union. The indictment goes on...

~Favorite STAR Song~ The Elegants - Little Star Where are you little star? (Where are you?) Whoa oh, oh, oh-uh-oh Ratta ta ta too-ooh-ooh Whoa oh, oh, oh-uh-oh Ratta ta ta too-ooh-ooh Twinkle twinkle little star How I wonder where you are Wish I may, wish I might Make this wish come true tonight Searched all over for a love You're the one I'm thinkin' of Whoa oh, oh, oh-uh-oh Ratta ta ta too-ooh-ooh Whoa oh, oh, oh-uh-oh Ratta ta ta too-ooh-ooh Twinkle twinkle little star How I wonder where you are High above the clouds somewhere Send me...

What are the most important and enduring characteristics of the Great Depression? And what should we monitor to determine how severe today’s situation really is? The stock market will give important clues. But the economy, especially unemployment, defines depressions. Yes, there was a spectacular stock market crash in 1929. But a stock market crash does not a depression make. Remember 1987? There was a very similar crash … but no depression. Not even a mild recession. The crash of 1929 proved to be only the prelude to further heavy losses in 1930-1932. After the initial crash from 381 to 199,...

Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) is blocked by Senate Democrat Leadership from having a vote on his amendment to audit the Federal Reserve, based on a bill authored by Congressman Ron Paul (R-Texas) in the House, H.R. 1207, and Senator Bernie Sanders (D-Vermont) in the Senate, S. 604.

Britain's Prince Charles warns of climate doom From correspondents in London AAP July 09, 2009 09:17am BRITIAN'S Prince Charles has warned of environmental catastrophe, saying the world must "urgently confront" pressing green issues to avoid destroying "our children's future." Charles, the heir to the throne, warned that today's consumer society comes at an enormous cost to the planet and we must "face up to the fact'' that it was no longer sustainable. He also said that preserving and maintaining the world's ecosystems was inextricably linked to the economic well-being of nations. The prince, who has campaigned on safeguarding the rainforests...

Leading The News DCCC, Murtha face decisions on funds donated by indicted defense contractor By Susan Crabtree Posted: 07/07/09 07:47 PM [ET] Kickback charges against a defense contractor are putting the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee under pressure to return $17,000 in campaign donations. At press time, the DCCC had not said whether it would return funds donated over the last three election cycles by Richard Ianieri,  former president and CEO of Coherent Systems International Corp., who faces the kickback charges. He also gave $13,500 to Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.). Other Coherent Systems employees gave an additional $21,300 to Murtha....

...Palin's nod is indeed an asset for Perry, helping him cement his appeal to social conservatives in the Lone Star State. But his boast also may be intended as a dig at his Republican opponent, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison -- who herself was a potential 2008 veep choice before Palin got the job. Hutchison is said by some to still be miffed at having been eclipsed by a female governor with much less experience.....

The Reproductive Health Bill currently being considered by Filipino lawmakers has stirred up significant debate over its potential to promote economic development and improve access to healthcare, particularly reproductive healthcare. But one crucial point has been neglected: the Reproductive Health Bill is essential to remedy egregious violations on Filipino women’s international and national legal rights occurring under restrictive, ideologically driven policies, such as Manila City’s de facto ban on birth control. The Manila City ban on contraception, also known as Executive Order 003, was passed nine years ago by former Mayor Jose “Lito” Atienza to effectively prohibit Manila City women...

If you thought last week’s job numbers were bad, take a look at the latest from Morgan Stanley’s chief economist, Richard Berner.

Republicans have a choice. Are we going to be the party of political expediency or are we going to be the party driven by principle? Many have argued that if Republicans pacify the Democrats and their liberal ways, Independents will naturally flow to the Republican side of the aisle. This was in part the John McCain strategy. It failed because it demonstrated that the party was rudderless on principle and had nothing unique to offer voters. Sen. McCain’s effort to join Barack Obama in supporting the $700 billion bailout further demonstrated to America and the Republican base that there was...

WASHINGTON, July 8, 2009 – The United States continues to face severe security and governance challenges in Afghanistan this year, but U.S. efforts remain fixed on defeating extremism and boosting the Afghan government. That’s the conclusion drawn in the latest Pentagon assessment of U.S. achievements and setbacks in Afghanistan. Congress requires the so-called “1230 Report” every 180 days. The report released today covers the first half of 2009, a period during which President Barack Obama’s administration assessed the multinational effort in Afghanistan, unveiling a new strategy in late March. The strategy has yielded the appointment of a new top U.S....

In my Open Letter to Sarah Palin I tried to explain why so many people seem to hate her, and I think I did. But the extreme kind of hysterical malignity displayed by some toward Mrs. Palin is beyond explanation. This irrational hatred is very widespread, and I'm not the only one noticing it. Lorie Byrd observes that nothing seems to "explain the Sarah Palin hatred. It is so deep as to be pathological." She includes a list of some of the lies that are being told about Sarah, and it's always lies. If Sarah is worthy of such hatred,...

At this time, I would also like to congratulate him on the 9.7% (and rising) unemployment rate...

SAN JUAN, PR—Yesterday, a grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an eight-count indictment charging 12 individuals with conspiracy to commit a carjacking that resulted in death and conspiracy to violate civil rights. The events, which occurred from about April 2008 until May 2008, resulted in the death of Elis Manuel Andrades-Telleria, announced U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, Rosa Emilia Rodriguez-Vélez. The defendants were arrested today by FBI agents with the collaboration of the Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD). Defendants Noel Rosario-Colón, aka “Nuni,” a former Sergeant with the Puerto Rico Police Department; Daniel Cruz-Andino,...