CitizenSugar -- Breaking News, Together.

Guard the Nukes! Rate of Nuclear Thefts Disturbingly High

LibertySugar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 09:00:45 -0700

Almost 250 thefts of nuclear or radioactive material were reported last year. The chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency explained this week: “The possibility of terrorists obtaining nuclear or other radioactive material remains a grave threat. Equally troubling is the fact that much of this material is not subsequently recovered.”

Experts say health consequences of a dirty bomb are minimal compared to the panic that it would cause. But, there's no need to panic quite yet —all the material stolen last year combined would not be enough to build a device.

Last week, a new commission created by Australia and Japan to bring together officials from nuclear powers and other interested parties, met to discuss the spread of nuclear weapons since the Cold War. In 2009, the commission will meet again in Washington, DC to push for the adoption of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, a treaty that still awaits US ratification.

Hopefully, other crises like the financial or climate crises don't cause world leaders to take their eyes off this dangerous issue.

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North Korea No Longer State Sponsor of Terror

LibertySugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 03:00:12 -0700

North Korea just got cut from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. By presenting the isolated regime with the carrot of taking it off the bad-guy list, some in the Bush Administration hope Pyongyang will honor its promise to end its nuke program.

A few days ago North Korea banned inspectors, raising concerns that the deal, only a few months old, would collapse. But after he determined the country had cooperated with verification requirements of the agreement, Bush made the decision to take North Korea off the list.

Before Sarah Palin called Bush's move "wise," John McCain indicated that it was a mistake to take North Korea off the list, unless it clearly showed its commitment to stop pursuing nuclear weapons. If the US wants countries to start acting friendly, must the US treat them like friends first; or, is removal from the terror list something that must be earned unequivocally?

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White House Disappointed with North Korea Move

CitizenSugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:40:19 -0700

White House Disappointed With North Korea Move The Bush administration warned Wednesday that North Korea would isolate itself from the world community if it backtracks and reactivates the plant that once provided plutonium for an atomic test explosion. North Korea barred UN nuclear inspectors from its main nuclear plant on Wednesday, and within a week, it plans to reactivate the plant that once provided the plutonium for the explosive test two years ago. The North ordered the removal of the UN seals and surveillance equipment from the Yongbyon reactor, a sign it is making good on threats to restart its nuclear program.

CIA Director Hayden Says Biggest Threat is a Nuclear Al-Qaeda

CitizenSugar — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 08:00:24 -0700

Sometimes a news story doesn't allow for any ducking and covering, and this is one of those: the possibility of al-Qaeda acquiring nuclear weapons. While nuclear weapons in countries like Iran and North Korea are worrisome, CIA Director Michael Hayden said yesterday that the agency's top nuclear threat is al-Qaeda.

Hayden said, "There is no greater national security threat facing the United States than al-Qaida and its associates." The concern of course, is that al-Qaeda is more likely to use them. Talking about North Korea's off-again on-again nuclear relationship and Iran's complicated situation, Hayden said with them, "The question is not of capability, but intent."

The intent of course is clear with al-Qaeda. Hayden says, "Bin Laden has said repeatedly that he considers acquisition of nuclear weapons a religious duty. And we know that al-Qaida remains determined to attack our country in ways that inflict maximum death and destruction." It's believed that Osama bin Laden is no longer overseeing the day-to-day operations of al-Qaeda. Hayden added that the best thing the next president could do to help the CIA wrestle with these problems is to step aside and allow the agency to work.

To see the complicated state of Iran's program,

Front Page: US to Send $1 Billion to Georgia, New Orleans Residents to Return, North Korea Reassembling Nukes

CitizenSugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 07:01:11 -0700

US to Send $1 Billion to Georgia:
The Bush administration is set to announce $1 billion in aid to help Georgia rebuild after its conflict with Russia last month. The package reflects an increase of support from the administration. In addition, Vice President Cheney has visited the region, and the aid and visit will probably increase tension with Russia.

New Orleans Residents to Return:
Mayor Ray Nagin has given New Orleans residents the go-ahead to return to their homes tomorrow — at their own risk. A curfew will still be in effect, and many homes are without electricity or working toilets. Nagin said, "It's my humble opinion that the city is still in a very, very vulnerable state." 800,000 people are still without power in the state.

North Korea Reassembling Nukes:
North Korea has begun to reassemble its main nuclear facility saying the US has delayed its removal from the list of terror sponsors. In response, Washington has reiterated its condition that North Korea commit to a plan verifying the accounting of the nuclear program submitted in June. The US is talking to North Korean officials to "look for solutions."

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Hiroshima Mayor Asks US To Back Nuclear Ban On 63rd Anniversary of Atomic Bomb

CitizenSugar — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:07:22 -0700

Hiroshima Mayor Asks US to Back Nuclear Ban on 63rd Anniversary of Atomic Bomb Hiroshima's mayor on Wednesday urged the next US president to support a proposed ban on nuclear weapons, as Japan marked the 63rd anniversary of the atomic blast that obliterated this city and killed 140,000 people. In a ceremony, Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba also announced the launch of a two-year study to gauge the psychological toll of the Aug. 6, 1945, attack in the closing days of World War II.

Report: Iran Now Has 6,000 Centrifuges for Uranium

CitizenSugar — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 09:45:39 -0700

Report: Iran Now Has 6,000 Centrifuges for Uranium President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Saturday that Iran now possesses 6,000 centrifuges, a significant increase in the number of uranium-enriching machines in its nuclear program. The new figure is double the 3,000 centrifuges Iran had previously said it was operating. Ahmadinejad made the announcement a week after the US reversed course by sending a top American diplomat to participate in negotiations with Iran, prompting hopes for a compromise.

Front Page: Hurricane Dolly Hits Texas, China to Allow Protests, Iran Says No Concessions

CitizenSugar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 06:56:59 -0700

Hurricane Dolly Hits Texas:
Hurricane Dolly arrived on the Gulf Coast early Wednesday with heavy rain and winds ramping up before the center of the storm hits towns on the Texas-Mexico border later today. The hurricane will bring up to 15 inches of rain, threatening local levees that gave way 41 years ago in Hurricane Beulah. The National Hurricane Center said Dolly could approach Category 2 strength when it makes landfall today.

China to Allow Protests:
China has announced that protests will be allowed in three specific city parks during the upcoming Olympics. To protest, one has to apply for permission from the city government and police, and stay within the parks. The director of the Beijing committee said the parks are "close to the city proper and the Olympic venues," but didn't know how the application process would work "at this time."
Iran Says No Concessions:
The president of Iran says the country will not back down in its nuclear activities. The US, UN, and EU have instructed Iran to give an answer on the issue within two weeks or face sanctions. President Ahmadinejad responded in a televised speech, "the Iranian people are steadfast [they] will not retreat one iota in the face of oppressing powers."

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Obama Warns Against 'Fighting the Last War'

CitizenSugar — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:10:49 -0700

Obama Warns Against 'Fighting the Last War' Democrat Barack Obama warned Wednesday about the danger of "fighting the last war" as he pledged to focus on emerging nuclear, biological and cyber threats if elected president. "As long as nuclear weapons exist, we'll retain a strong deterrent. But we will make the goal of eliminating all nuclear weapons a central element in our nuclear policy," Obama said. He added, "The danger ... is that we are constantly fighting the last war, responding to the threats that have come to fruition, instead of staying one step ahead of the threats of the 21st century."

Front Page: Rice Warns Iran, China Foils Olympic Terrorists, Six Die at US Consulate in Turkey

CitizenSugar — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 07:03:01 -0700

Rice Warns Iran:
The tension between Iran and the US elevated today as Iran tested missiles for the second day in a row. The action prompted Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to assert that the US will defend its allies and interests against an attack. At a press conference Rice said, “we will defend our interests and defend our allies. We take very, very strongly our obligations to defend our allies and no one should be confused of that." An Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander was quoted as saying, "our hands are always on the trigger and our missiles are ready for launch." Meanwhile, the subject of Iran's nuclear program has led President Bush to count heavily on diplomacy hoping to assuage the mounting situation in Iran that newscasters can't stop describing as "sabre-rattling."

China Foils Olympic Terrorists:
China has foiled plans by five "terrorism" groups aiming to target the Beijing Olympics, as reported by the state media. So far this year, police have detained 82 people in the country's unsettled Xinjiang region who had allegedly been planning to sabotage the Beijing Olympics.

Six Die at US Consulate in Turkey:
Shots were fired outside of the US Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, yesterday, killing at least three police officers, with three assailants killed in a brief gun battle that followed. Officials report a fourth assailant escaped. The attack was the first on a diplomatic outpost in the city since 2003, when attacks on the British Consulate killed 62 people. Turkish and American officials consider yesterday's attack one of terrorism.

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Front Page: Iran Fires Missiles, Polygamy Leader Hospitalized, Darfur Peacekeepers Attacked

CitizenSugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 06:59:24 -0700

Iran Fires Missiles:
Iran has test-fired nine missiles today, including one capable of reaching Israel. The tests coincide with escalating negotiations over Iran's nuclear program as well as US and UK warships conducting naval maneuvers in the Persian Gulf. The tests make this quote from yesterday stand out. A senior Iranian official said yesterday that Iran would respond to any military attack by striking Israel and America’s vital interests around the globe. He said, “In case that they commit such foolishness, Tel Aviv and the US fleet in the Persian Gulf would be the first targets to burst into flames receiving Iran’s crushing response.”

Polygamy Leader Hospitalized:
Polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs has been taken from jail to a Las Vegas hospital for an unknown medical problem. President of the now well-know FLDS sect, Jeffs was sent to prison after a conviction by a Utah jury last year on two counts of first-degree felony rape as an accomplice. His health has been in jeopardy while in prison because of a self-imposed fast as well as attempted suicide combined with throwing himself against the walls and banging his head.
Darfur Peacekeepers Attacked:
Six members of the joint peace mission between the United Nations and African Union in Sudan's Darfur region have been killed in an attack. A convoy of 40 armoured vehicles ambushed the peace force while on patrol in North Darfur. Reports say that about 17 peacekeepers are still missing. The UN-AU mission struggles against the violence with only 9,000 of the planned 26,000 troops. It's unclear at this point who was behind this attack. Since the conflict began in Darfur five years ago, the UN estimates that 300,000 people have died and another two million have fled their homes.

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Front Page: Voters Led to Polls in Zimbabwe, N. Korea Blows, al-Qaeda Figure Dead

CitizenSugar — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:00:10 -0700

Voters Led to Polls in Zimbabwe:
As the Zimbabwe election dawns, any voter turnout could be credited to fear. Marshals are rounding up and leading voters to polling stations, with reports that voters fear punishment or even death if they can't produce the red-tipped finger that signifies a vote. One woman says, "I've got no option but to go and vote so that I can be safe." Not just a vote, a vote for current President Robert Mugabe, as a man concurs, “I voted for Mugabe because I didn’t want to risk my life.” Voters are being told to copy down the serial number on their ballot so that it could later be confirmed that they voted for Mugabe. Opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai (who dropped out on Sunday) said, “today is not an election. Today is a shameful humiliation, another tragic day in our nation’s history.”

North Korea Blows:
A huge explosion rocks North Korea as the country demolishes its nuclear cooling tower, one day after agreeing to release the details of it's nuclear program. The tower was the largest visual symbol of the problematic program; its destruction is seen as "a significant and very important step," according to a State Department official.

al-Qaeda Figure Dead:
The US military reports that a militant killed earlier this week has been identified as the leader of al-Qaeda in Mosul. The man whose goes by the name Abu Khalaf had planned and executed many attacks before being shot and killed by US troops during a raid in Mosul. For the past month, US and Iraqi forces have been battling to drive al-Qaeda from the city, which US and Iraqi officials say is al-Qaeda's last urban stronghold in Iraq. Mosul has seen several large attacks in past days, directed toward local anti-Qaeda leaders.

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Front Page: North Korea Declares Nuclear Program, Iraq Bombings, Immigration Raid

CitizenSugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 07:02:25 -0700

North Korea Declares Nuclear Program:
North Korea has submitted for inspection the long-awaited declaration of the extent of its nuclear program. Immediately after the move, the Bush administration announced it would remove the country, formerly on the "axis of evil" list, from the list of states who sponsor terrorism, as well as lifting commercial restriction on the country. President Bush said, "this can be a moment of opportunity for North Korea. If it continues to make the right choices it can repair its relationship with the international community."

Attack Kills 33 in Iraq:
At least 33 people have been killed in two massive bombings in Iraq today, including 18 people hit by a car bomb in the northern city of Mosul. The US military gave initial reports from Mosul saying that another 71 civilians and nine policemen were wounded. The second attack was carried out by a suicide bomber, killing the mayor and 14 senior members of an anti-Qaeda group. US commanders have said that Mosul is the country's last urban stronghold of al-Qaeda.
Immigration Raid Leads to 160 Arrests:
Federal immigration agents raided a used clothing plant in Houston, leading to 160 arrests, 70 percent of whom were women. The raid was the largest ever in the area, and the second major raid in Houston in the past two months. Two hundred immigration agents were involved in what was part of a yearlong investigation. A lawyer for the company said, “We want to abide by the law, and we're going to abide by the law. If we have an illegal employee, we don’t know it. No way. Tell us what the law is, and we’ll obey it.”

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Does Syria Have the Bomb? UN Experts Begin Investigation

CitizenSugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:00:16 -0700

Syria is getting a secret probing from UN experts in search of a hidden nuclear program. After the discreet aerial bombing of an alleged Syrian nuclear site by Israeli jets in 2007, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is sending a four person team to inspect. Although Damascus has repeatedly denied such claims, Israel and the US claim that the installation was a nascent nuclear reactor.

In April, Washington released photographs showing what they believed to be North Korean experts inside a reactor closely resembling one in Yongbyon, North Korea. Syrian officials claim that the site bombed by Israel was an unused military facility but deny it had anything to do with a reactor.

The IAEA has criticized both Israel and the US for delaying sensitive information and engaging in an act of war before inspectors had a chance to inspect any evidence. They have also asked Syria for complete transparency when they make their inspection. The IAEA visit is promoted as a fact-finding mission, though if inspectors uncover evidence of a nascent nuclear program, it could mark the start of a massive investigation similar to the agency's five-year probe into Iran's activities.

Do you think the US and Israel acted appropriately, especially if Israel is involved in secret nuclear programs of its own? Is Syria developing nuclear weapons?

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Fully Loaded? Britain Brags, Sells Most Weapons to the World

LibertySugar — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:45:21 -0700

Britain saw £9.7 billion in new business last year, thanks to its role as the world's biggest arms exporter. The country's Minster for Trade and Investment boasted that the achievement highlights that the UK has "some of the world's most technologically sophisticated companies." Britain beat out the US, who was the five-time defending defense champion, as well as Russia.

One British citizen offered his two pence on the London Times website: "It is a sorry state of affairs that a country that sent its own troops into Iraq on the premise of removing 'weapons of mass destruction' is the largest exporter of those weapons around the world." Do you see any hypocrisy?

Meanwhile, Barack Obama seems content on letting Britain win the weapon crown from now on. In a video for the Caucus4Priorities, Obama says he will slow the development of new combat systems and will not weaponize space. Obama explains that as president he would set a goal of a world without nuclear weapons; America would lead the way by not developing any new nukes itself. Obama says his sole priority for defense spending would be protecting Americans, not defense contractors.

Do you think Obama's attitude toward defense will protect or endanger America? Is he brilliant or naive?

To see a very pacifistic Obama explain his views,

Front Page: Iran Declares Victory, US Strike Angers Pakistan, Canada Apologizes

CitizenSugar — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 07:00:58 -0700

Iran Declares Victory: Meeting with leaders during his European farewell tour, President Bush won support yesterday to consider additional punitive sanctions against Iran if they reject an offer of incentives to suspend its uranium enrichment program. The European-backed punishment includes restrictions on its banks. Britain, France and Germany are at the forefront of European diplomacy on Iran, and Bush is seeking their support of stronger UN sanctions. Meanwhile in Iran, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad voiced defiance against pressure to suspend the program, declaring victory in a televised speech saying, "with God's help today (the Iranian nation) have gained victory and the enemies cannot do a damned thing."

US Strike Angers Pakistan: Following a US-led operation in Pakistan against the Taliban that ended up killing 11 Pakistani troops along with 8 Taliban militants, Pakistan's military has condemned the air strike as a "cowardly attack". Details of the incident on the border with Afghanistan are still unclear but it comes amid rising tensions between the US and Pakistan militaries. The soldiers' deaths occurred overnight at a border post in one of Pakistan's tribal areas. A Pakistani spokesman said the attack "hit at the very basis of cooperation and sacrifice with which Pakistani soldiers are supporting the coalition in war against terror"
Canada Apologizes: Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is delivering a public apology in Parliament today to more than 80,000 students of Canadian Natives who were taken from their parents and sent to state schools. Similar to the apology made to Australia's aboriginal population, Aboriginal Canadians will get their apology, one that Harper says, they "have been waiting a very long time to hear." The Canadian act of contrition comes with compensation as well, part of a lawsuit settlement.

Two Air Force Leaders Ousted For Nuclear Mishap

LibertySugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:45:27 -0700

Two US Air Force leaders must resign due to their involvement in the accidental sending of four nuclear warhead fuses to Taiwan, in place of helicopter batteries.

The ousting of Air Force secretary Michael W. Wynne, as well as the force's chief of staff, Gen. T. Michael Moseley, come after a still classified report leveled serious allegations against the two.

America, which has criticized Russia for its management of nuclear weapons and material, seems to be having trouble of its own. Irresponsible handling of dangerous weapons impedes the US's ability to make the case that countries like Iran and North Korea should be halted from developing nuclear power. When the US cannot keep track of its nuclear program, it appears dangerous as well.

Meanwhile, Iran has threatened to sue Western states. To see why,

Layoffs at US Nuke Plants Could Hurt National Security

LibertySugar — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 09:00:40 -0700

Hundreds of scientists working in a top US nuclear weapons lab have been laid off. This year Congress cut $100 million from the California lab, which was simultaneously hit with $180 million in unexpected costs.

US Senator Dianne Feinstein says the employment issue is a "serious national security danger point." All of the 440 scientists most recently laid off had put in at least 20 years of work at the location. Some fear that these highly trained specialists, in need of a livelihood, could go work for other countries, and potentially those hostile to the US.

You can rest a little easy for now. The National Nuclear Security Administration, the agency which keeps up on all current and former employees of the US nuclear program, does not know one instance in which a former employee went to work for another country.

Still, even if they don't go work for a foreign friend or foe, replacing humans with computer nuclear experts might still threaten US national security. Representative Jerry McNerney explains that the US needs the human expertise to help put together clues from other countries' nuclear programs.

In this case, will you lose sleep over someone else's pink slip?

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Front Page: IAEA Concerned About Iran, Zimbabwe Toll, Fox Commentator Apologizes

CitizenSugar — Tue, 27 May 2008 06:55:05 -0700

IAEA Concerned About Iran: The International Atomic Energy Agency issued an honest and specific report yesterday saying that Iran’s suspected research into the development of nuclear weapons remained “a matter of serious concern” and that Iran continued to owe the agency “substantial explanations.” The report pegged Iran with a willful lack of cooperation, especially answering whether nuclear capabilities are intended more for military use than for energy generation. According to Western intelligence agencies, Iranians have ventured into explosives, uranium processing, and a missile warhead design — nuclear weapons activities. One official said of Iran's actions, “There are certain parts of their nuclear program where the military seems to have played a role. We want to understand why.”

Zimbabwe Toll: Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai said today of the violence resulting from the contested election held in March, "Over 50 Zimbabweans have been killed in the past six weeks. More than 25,000 people have been displaced. I've been saddened that Zimbabweans are willing to shed the blood of other Zimbabweans over political differences." The runoff election between Tsvangirai and incumbent Robert Mugabe is to be held June 27.
Fox Commentator Apologizes: Over the weekend, Fox analyst, Liz Trotta, said while discussing Hillary Clinton's RFK remark “now we have what some are reading as a suggestion that somebody knock off Osama, um, Obama — well, both, if we could.” The Fox News anchor interviewing her was startled saying, “Talk about how you really feel,” as Trotta laughed. Yesterday Trotta went back on Fox News Channel to apologize. She said, “I am so sorry about what happened yesterday in that lame attempt at humor. I sincerely regret it and apologize to anybody I’ve offended. It’s a very colorful political season, and many of us are making mistakes and saying things that we wish that we hadn’t said.”

To see the video of the incident,

Front Page: Strike Explodes in Lebanon, India Fires Missile, Medvedev Sworn In, Chile Volcano

CitizenSugar — Wed, 07 May 2008 06:53:35 -0700

Strike Explodes in Lebanon: Explosions and gunfire heralded protests in the Lebanese capital of Beirut as opposition supporters held a one-day general strike for higher pay. Unions protested demanding the government triple the minimum monthly wage — currently $200. Tensions were fanned yesterday after the government announced it would shut down Hezbollah's private telecommunications network. Lebanon is in the midst of its biggest political crisis since the civil war, and it's been without a head of state for five months following a power struggle between the Western backed government and the Hezbollah-led opposition, which is supported by Syria and Iran.

India Fires Missile: India has just test-fired a nuclear-capable ballistic missile, Agni-III. The long-range missile is capable of hitting targets as far away as Beijing, or almost 2,000 miles, and it's capable of carrying a 1.5 ton nuclear payload. Agni means "fire" in Hindi and Sanskrit.
Medvedev Sworn In: Dmitry Medvedev was just sworn in as Russia's new president. He has promised to extend Russia's civil and economic freedoms, saying at his inauguration, "human rights and freedoms . . . are deemed of the highest value for our society." Medvedev follows Vladimir Putin's administration, becoming Russia's third leader since the collapse of the USSR in 1991. Almost immediately after the ceremony, Medvedev nominated Putin to be prime minister.
Chile Volcano: The Chaitén volcano in southern Chile erupted ash and lava a dozen miles into the air yesterday. The government has ordered the immediate and complete evacuation of everyone living within a 30-mile radius of the volcano, which began trembling last Friday. President Michelle Bachelet has visited the area and is announcing subsidies and other aid for affected families.

Front Page: Not Guilty in Bell Case, al-Sadr Calls Truce, Syria Secret Nuclear Program

CitizenSugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 07:03:45 -0700

Not Guilty in Bell Case: Three New York City police officers have just been found innocent of all charges in the shooting death of an unarmed black man, Sean Bell, who was killed by 50 bullets on his wedding day. Bell, 23, was shot along with two friends, after a bachelor party at a strip club in November 2006. The case has generated outrage in New York's black community. A New York State Supreme Court judge cleared two officers of manslaughter and other charges and a third of reckless endangerment in the death.

al-Sadr Calls Truce: Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr this morning called for an end to fighting between his militia and Iraqi troops. al-Sadr declared that his threat of an "open war" will be carried out only on US-led foreign forces. al-Sadr urged Iraqi soldiers and policemen "not to support the occupiers in combating your brothers." In other Iraq news, the largest Sunni bloc has just agreed to return to Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki’s cabinet after a boycott of almost a year. A recently passed amnesty law and the government’s crackdown on Shiite militias were cited as reasons for the move.
Syria Secret Nuclear Program: The United States has accused North Korea of helping Syria build a nuclear reactor that "was not intended for peaceful purposes." The US released photographs it said linked North Korea to a plutonium-producing reactor under construction in Syria. The accusation was an effort to put pressure on Pyongyang to come clean about proliferating nuclear technology. Though the accusations are not expected to derail international talks aimed at ending the communist state's own nuclear arms program, Japan is concerned saying, "of course, if North Korea was helping Syria's secret. . . nuclear activities, then this is a serious issue."

Spies Among Us Prove Israel Has the Bomb?

CitizenSugar — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 09:02:15 -0700

Yesterday, an American mechanical engineer for a US Army weapons center was arrested for disclosing classified defense information to none other than our own allies, the Israelis.

Ben-Ami Kadish is being accused of acting as an illegal agent (read: spy) for the Israelis from 1979 to 2008 without notifying anyone in the US Attorney General’s office. Between 1979 and 1985, it is alleged that Kadish took classified documents to his home in New Jersey where his contact (code named CC-1) would photograph the sensitive material. One of the documents contained restricted information concerning nuclear weaponry.

Even more interesting, are rumors that are circulating concerning Israel’s current nuclear capabilities. Mordechai Vanunu, who has been imprisoned in Israel for eighteen years for treason, was convicted for telling a British newspaper in 1986 about his work as a technician at Israel’s main atomic reactor. This was the first time anyone was willing to come forward with physical proof of Israel’s nuclear assets. It gets trickier, just

Front Page: eBay Sues Craigslist, Zimbabwe Recount, India Rebuffs US

CitizenSugar — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 06:53:37 -0700

eBay Sues Craigslist: The "shop victoriously" eBay is suing the popular no-frills community and ad website Craigslist, saying it needs to "safeguard its four-year financial investment." eBay claims that Craigslist executives took actions that "unfairly diluted eBay's economic interest by more than 10 percent." No further details of that action were gvien. Craigslist responded saying it was surprised and disappointed by eBay's "unfounded allegations." Craigslist is the seventh most popular English-language website.

Zimbabwe Recount: In a recount, Zimbabwe's ruling party (Zanu-PF) has been confirmed as the winner of the first of 23 constituencies to analyze the results of March's election. The opposition, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has questioned the recounts as an attempt to rig the election and overturn its parliamentary majority. The initial results of the election have not been announced. The deputy information minister said that Zanu-PF was preparing for a second round in the presidential election."We are waiting for the official announcement of results to say, we're waiting for a re-run, that's a fact. MDC knows that, Zanu-PF knows that, that there is no clear winner. No-one has got 51 percent." Post-election violence in Zimbabwe has displaced 3,000 people, injured 500 and left 10 dead.
India Rebuffs US: India has declined a call by the US for it to ask Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment program. India's foreign ministry said neither India nor Iran needed US guidance on how to proceed with relations. The rebuff came after a senior US official said the US would welcome India telling Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to curtail Tehran's nuclear program. Ahmadinejad is set to visit Delhi next week. A foreign ministry spokesman said, "India and Iran are ancient civilizations whose relations span centuries. Both nations are perfectly capable of managing all aspects of their relationship with the appropriate degree of care and attention. Neither country needs any guidance on the future conduct of bilateral relations as both countries believe that engagement and dialogue alone lead to peace."

Front Page: Afghanistan Attack, North Korea Agreement, Kenya Riots, San Francisco Torch

CitizenSugar — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 06:58:08 -0700

In Afghanistan, Taliban insurgents ambushed a group of road construction workers and their security guards, killing 18 of the guards and wounding seven. It was one of the worst attacks in months. The security guards killed were young boys working for $150 a month. The president of the International Committee for the Red Cross said, “we are extremely concerned about the worsening humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. There is growing insecurity and a clear intensification of the armed conflict, which is no longer limited to the south but has spread to the east and west."

The US and North Korea have reached an agreement on what North Korea will receive from the US in exchange for disclosing its nuclear activities. Negotiations on US political compensation for the declaration have been holding up progress in disarmament talks. The US had accused Pyongyang of missing a year-end deadline to make a full nuclear declaration as promised.
Renewed riots erupted in Kenya yesterday after opposition leaders announced that they were suspending talks with the government over a stalled power-sharing agreement. Protesters took to the streets shouting, “no cabinet, no peace!” referring to the division of power after the disputed presidential election last December. The riots are the first major incident since Feb. 28. At the center of the conflict is the division of power. The government headed by President Mwai Kibaki is refusing to cede enough powerful ministries, like finance, foreign affairs, or internal security, to satisfy the opposition. The post-election violence has left more than 1,000 people dead and hundreds of thousands still displaced.
San Francisco is preparing for the US leg of the Olympic torch relay today. The run will start at 1:00 p.m. PDT, and heavy protests are expected. Mayor Gavin Newsom said he had been in touch with officials in the UK and France to discuss ways of handling the controversy saying, "I'm not naive to the challenge associated with this event."

Iran Celebrates National Nuclear Day With Uranium Enrichment

LibertySugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:00:52 -0700

Iran plans to install 6,000 nuclear centrifuges. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced the news today — Iran's "National Day of Nuclear Technology." Today, state television plays patriotic music, and Iranian children chant "nuclear energy is our natural right" in honor of the national holiday. I wasn't exactly sure what a centrifuge does, but it sounded serious so I checked into it.

OK, here's the low down: centrifuges are used to enrich uranium, which can be used to build nuclear bombs. Iran probably already has 3,000 centrifuges, and tripling the number will significantly increase its nuclear capacity. Iran says it's innocently pursuing alternative nuclear energy, and that the country has the right to proceed with peaceful enrichment. But, the UN Security Council has demanded it cease enrichment, and has repeatedly sanctioned Iran.

Whether or not Iran has intentions to build a nuclear weapon, it's clearly intent on defying Western powers and international pressure. China announced today that officials from world powers will meet in Shanghai on April 16 to discuss Iran's nuclear program. Will sanctions help convince an Iran content on not making concessions?

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Sarkozy Slashes Nukes By 33 Percent

CitizenSugar — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 08:00:40 -0700

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has announced he is cutting the number of France's airborne nuclear warheads by one-third. The cuts will leave France with fewer than 300 missiles, half of their stockpile from the Cold War. He added that despite the cuts, France is committed to a nuclear weapon's program as a "life insurance" policy.

In a speech dedicating a new nuclear submarine (called the Terrible) Sarkozy said, "by giving this information, France is fully transparent since it has no other weapons than those in its operational stocks. Moreover, I confirm that none of our weapons are targeted at anybody."

Are you impressed by this bold assertion? Is this an example the rest of the world should follow? Is he compromising French safety, or should other nuclear countries adopt similar plans?

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