5,000 allies, plus families, can come
to America annually
New York Times Jul 25, 08 7:57 AM CDT
(Newser)
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The US embassy in Baghdad announced a major expansion of its visa program for Iraqi employees of the American government, raising tenforld the number of work permits it currently offers. The move is the latest step by the Bush administration to answer criticism that it has neglected the Iraqis, particularly translators and supervisors, whose lives have been endangered because of their association with the US, the New York Times reports.
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Report suggests 127 million Americans' information unsafe
Washington Post Jul 4, 08 7:45 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Government employees have been taking unauthorized peeks at electronic passport records of celebrities, says a State Department report that suggests the travel data of 127 million Americans is at risk. One high-profile person's records were opened 356 times by more than six dozen people, the Washington Post reports. Five contractors have been fired and dozens are being probed.
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Bush crony's Kurdistan deal undermined Baghdad government
New York Times Jul 3, 08 3:04 AM CDT
(Newser)
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The State Department was fully aware that a Texas firm linked to President Bush planned to sign a controversial Kurdistan oil deal that undermined the Iraqi government, reports the New York Times . Documents released by a congressional committee yesterday reveal that Hunt Oil—run by a close associate of the president—kept the administration up to date on its plans, which some US officials appeared to welcome.
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US takes icon off terrorist watch list
CNN Jul 2, 08 4:52 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Former South African President Nelson Mandela is finally being removed from US terrorism watch lists , CNN reports. The 90-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate was designated a terrorist because he battled against the old apartheid regime in South Africa. His name was never officially removed from the US lists until a new bill was signed into law yesterday by President Bush.
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Israel won't let the students leave Gaza
to study abroad
New York Times May 30, 08 6:17 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Eight Palestinians have had their Fulbright scholarships taken away because Israel won't grant them visas to leave the Gaza Strip, reports the New York Times. Israel has isolated Gaza since Hamas took control of the territory last year. The State Department has allocated the prestigious scholarships to students the West Bank instead, to avoid losing them, the AP reports, and the Gaza students have been advised to apply again next year.
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Lure of huge rewards does little to dent al-Qaeda leadership
Washington Post May 17, 08 1:17 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Money may be the root of all evil, but the almighty dollar is doing a poor job to stop it: Washington’s efforts to catch terror suspects using steep bounties is largely a bust, the Washington Post reports. “The program could use some rejuvenation,” said one ex-official. “You can’t just put a price on someone’s head and expect something to happen.”
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Safe havens in Pakistan have helped group recharge
Reuters Apr 30, 08 4:21 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Al-Qaeda remains the terrorist group that most threatens the US, Reuters reports. An annual State Department survey of worldwide terrorist activity, out today, said the group killed 5,400 civilians—50% Muslims—in 2007. Though weaker now than in 2001 due to multilateral anti-terrorism efforts, the group has used the lawless tribal areas of northwest Pakistan to rebuild its strength.
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Ex-president draws widespread criticism for talks with Palestinian group
Associated Press Apr 18, 08 1:47 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Jimmy Carter met today with Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal despite protests from the US State Department and the Israeli government. A Hamas deputy told the AP the agenda would include strategies to calm tensions between Israel and Hamas, as well as the fate of a kidnapped Israeli soldier. Carter has said that the group must be engaged for peace talks to make progress.
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Yanks face orders
to fill understaffed
Bagdad embassy
CNN Apr 16, 08 4:28 AM CDT
(Newser)
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American diplomats may be forced to serve in Iraq if enough qualified candidates don't come forward voluntarily, reports CNN. The US embassy in Baghdad is chronically short-staffed, and the State Department has threatened that no other diplomatic jobs will be filled until the Baghdad bureau is up to speed. A similar threat last year, eventually withdrawn, drew huge protests among the foreign service.
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State Dept. 'counseled against' Syrian trip
Reuters Apr 10, 08 4:42 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Jimmy Carter plans to visit leaders of Palestinian extremist group Hamas in Syria next week despite warnings by the State Department that the rendezvous violates the Bush administration’s policy of isolating terrorist organizations, Reuters reports. Carter has scheduled talks with Khaled Meshaal, who heads Hamas’ Syrian branch and claims responsibility for suicide bombings targeting Israel.
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Audit: Nearly half of purchases broke rules
Washington Post Apr 9, 08 8:50 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Millions of dollars government employees charged to federal credit cards went for less-than-appropriate perks ranging from digital cameras to dating services, sexy lingerie, laptops, and a $13,000 postal party, reports the Washington Post . An investigation by the Government Accountability Office found that 48% of major purchases on federal credit cards violated rules .
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She's 'last to know about it,' quips aide
Washington Post Apr 8, 08 6:32 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has once again quashed speculation that she is seeking the vice presidential nomination as John McCain's running mate, reports the Washington Post . A McCain-Rice ticket would satisfy many of McCain's conservative critics and represent a formidable challenge to a Dem ticket headed by a woman or African American.
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