Latest News & Commentary --- 7-31
William J. Astore | Our Military's Disturbing Transition to Warriors. --- What a Legal Pot Economy Would Look Like . --- Breakthrough? Abbas Gets Arab Backing to Enter Israeli-Palestinian Peace Talks. --- A Trove of FDR's Papers Finally Available to the Public. --- Zach Carter | Four Bogus Attacks Bankers and Their Political Puppets Are Using to Attack Elizabeth Warren. --- Dave Lindorff | National Insecurity: Afraid of the Truth. --- News in Brief: Migrant Bodies Piling Up in Arizona Heat.... and more. Visit the Truthout Web site for continuously updated news and commentary.

Network Has Helped Afghan Soldiers Escape to Canada
Since 2002, 46 Afghans have deserted their armed forces while in the U.S. for language and military training. Of those 46, roughly half--at least 22--have found their way north of the border. They made the trip with the help of a network of people, including Afghans who left Lackland Air Force Base before them; a group of naturalized and undocumented Mexican women in Texas; relatives of current and former Afghan military students living in the West; and at least one Iranian taxi driver who runs a human smuggling business at the Canadian border. Full story HERE

China Calls for Change in U.S. Policy
The United States should alter policy to take account of China's role as a major player on the world stage if it wants to avoid friction and instability, a major state newspaper said on Thursday.

Arrest Warrants Issued in Spain for U.S. Servicemen
A Madrid judge reissued arrest warrants Thursday for three U.S. servicemen over the death of a Spanish journalist killed by American tank fire in Iraq in 2003. Judge Santiago Pedraz acted in response to a recent order from the Spanish Supreme Court that the case be reopened after twice being shelved by a lower court. Cameraman Jose Couso was one of two journalists killed when the U.S. soldiers responded to what they said was hostile fire from a Baghdad hotel that housed Western journalists during the invasion of Iraq. The soldiers, Sgt. Shawn Gibson, Capt. Philip Wolford and Lt. Col. Philip DeCamp, were all from the U.S. 3rd Infantry Division, based in Fort Stewart, Georgia, and have never appeared in Spain in connection with the case.

Plane Crash in Pakistan Kills 152
An Airblue jet departing from Karachi crashed amid heavy rain and fog, killing all 152 on board — including two Americans. No names have been released.

Hayward Gets Golden Parachute
BP is facing a $17 billion loss, while Tony Hayward exits with a performance award that could top $20 million. The company has also set aside $32 billion to cover costs of devastating Gulf oil spill. American Bob Dudley has been officially named to replace Hayward.

Afghan War Records Leaked
The Obama administration condemned the unprecedented leak of thousands of classified documents on the Afghanistan war, saying Web site Wikileaks.org "made no effort" to contact the federal government before releasing them but that the "irresponsible leaks" would not hurt the war effort. Full story HERE
Tuesday U.S. officials and Middle East analysts said some of the most explosive information contained in the WikiLeaks documents detail Iran's alleged ties to the Taliban and Al Qaeda, and the facilitating role Tehran may have played in providing arms from sources as varied as North Korea and Algeria.

138 Die in Boat Accident
One hundred thirty-eight people have died in a boat accident in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to provisional police reports. The accident took place in the vast country's western Bandundu province on Wednesday.

Body of Second Missing Sailor Deepens Mystery
The discovery of the body of a second U.S. sailor who vanished in Afghanistan last week only deepened the mystery of the men's disappearance nearly 60 miles from their base in a dangerous area controlled by the Taliban. The bodies of Petty Officer 3rd Class Jarod Newlove, a 25-year-old from the Seattle area, and Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin McNeley, 30, of Wheatridge, Colorado were identified this week. Full story HERE

Bangkok Named Top City to Visit
Bangkok city officials say they are humbled and inspired after receiving Travel + Leisure magazine's "Top City" award, despite recent street riots that sent tourists packing. Bangkok Gov. Sukhumbhand Paribatra told a news conference that the award offers a morale boost to the battered capital and called on political protesters to behave themselves. The recent political upheaval prompted dozens of international travel advisories and emptied hotels.

Russia Objects to Sanctions Against Iran
Russia's foreign ministry said Tuesday that new European Union sanctions against Iran show scorn for the United Nations and the six nations working to resolve disputes over Iran's nuclear program.

New Drug Gang in Mexico
Mexican authorities are investigating the possible emergence of a new drug gang that appeared to take credit for six killings through a message left with the bodies Monday. At least seven major drug trafficking cartels operate in Mexico, but there are many smaller gangs throughout the country, often affiliated with one of the bigger groups. The cartels have increasingly splintered since President Felipe Calderon launched an intensified crackdown after taking office in late 2006, deploying thousands of troops and federal police across Mexico.

Costly Lawsuits Pending
BP PLC and the other companies involved in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill are faced with fast-multiplying lawsuits that will provoke one of the most drawn-out and costliest legal battles in U.S. history, one that could easily consume the $20 billion set aside by BP to pay for the disaster, according to legal experts and attorneys nationwide.

100 Days of Living With The Oil Spill
People along the Gulf of Mexico from Texas to Florida have been heavily impacted by the oil spill. Full story HERE

Marker Mistakes at Arlington Cemetery
Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill, the Missouri senator whose subcommittee is investigating potential contracting fraud at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday said the number of mislabeled graves there could be in the thousands.

Latest on The Feds VS Arizona
Arizona's controversial court-altered immigration law took effect at midnight as the state preps new court battle to appeal decision to block certain provisions. Attorneys for Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer have asked a judge to throw out the U.S. Justice Department's challenge to the state of Arizona's new immigration law. The governor's lawyers said Monday the federal government hasn't shown it has suffered actual harm from the law and instead bases its claim on speculation. The federal government says the state law is trumped by federal law and that it has hurt U.S. relations with Mexico. It is scheduled to take effect Thursday. Attorneys for Brewer say Mexico's disapproval of the law doesn't make it unconstitutional.

Cheating on Tests In the FBI?
The Justice Department is investigating whether hundreds of FBI agents cheated on a test of new rules allowing the bureau to conduct surveillance and open cases without evidence that a crime has been committed. In some instances, agents took the open-book test together, violating rules that they take it alone. Others finished the lengthy exam in record times.

"Tea Party" Caucus Formed in Washington
Some GOP members of the U.S. House of representatives have formed the House Tea Party Caucus. Members say the goals of the Caucus are the same goals as those of the Tea Party Movements across America. Eight Texas GOP congressmen have joined the Caucus, which has 35 Republican members so far.
Congressman Ralph Hall has joined the newly formed Tea Party Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives. The caucus was formed to acknowledge the political power of the TEA parties around the country and bring attention to the concerns of Americans who are calling for fiscal responsibility, adherence to the Constitution and limited government.

More Wildfires in California
Firefighters plan an aggressive air attack at first light Friday against a fast-moving wildfire that exploded in northern Los Angeles County, burning more than 7 square miles of dry brush, forcing thousands of evacuations and burning at least three structures. Wednesday, firefighters battled a wildfire that burned 40 homes and forced some 2,300 people to evacuate.

Farmers Creating Habitats for Birds
The government is paying U.S. farmers to create wetlands for migratory birds whose natural habitats have been overrun with oil. Full story HERE

Trash From Honolulu Won't Come to Washington State
A temporary restraining order has been issued to halt the inaugural shipment of trash from Honolulu to Washington state. The order was issued Thursday by U.S. District Judge Edward Shea of Spokane, Wash. He questioned whether the U.S. Department of Agriculture had adequately assessed the environmental impacts of the planned shipments. Hawaiian Waste Systems LLC was to have begun shipping the trash last November. The latest start date was today.

East Texas Nursing Home Honored
The Clyde W. Cosper Texas State Veterans Home in Bonham, was among nursing homes commended nationwide for outstanding patient and workforce satisfaction. The facility, which is professionally managed in cooperation with the Texas Veterans Land Board received the Excellence in Action Award from My Innerview, a leading provider of performance improvement solutions for the senior care profession.

Major Grant To Agency in East Texas
SAFE-T has been awarded a $779,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Shelter Agencies for Families in East Texas was started in 1995 by residents and businesses to provide shelter services for abused women and children in Northeast Texas. It was started in Mt Pleasant, and now also has facilities in Sulphur Springs and Paris. SAFE-T is one of seven organizations in Texas that got part of the total $5.2 million grant.

BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES CONFERENCE 2010
July 27, 2010 8:00am—5:00pm -- Presented by Northeast Texas Community College Small Business Development Center a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Held at the Mount Pleasant Civic Center, 1800 N. Jefferson in Mount Pleasant, Texas. What technologies does your business or medical office really need? What can you do without? Explore the latest and greatest techniques, strategies and products to enhance your marketing and assure your systems' security. Network with technology experts. For more information and to register, go to northeasttxsbdc.org
Or call 903-223-1370