08 Jan 11
Judge and 4 Others Killed, Rep Wounded in Arizona Rampage
Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is in an intensive care unit following surgery for a gunshot wound in the head at close range, the University of Arizona Medical Center announced Saturday afternoon. Dr. Peter Rhee, a surgeon and chief of the trauma, critical care and emergency surgery, said he is "very optimistic" about the congresswoman's recovery.
Jewish congresswoman shot in Arizona
Shocking attack in US: Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords shot in the head during public event in Tucson; conflicting reports about her condition. Giffords was first Jewish woman from Arizona to be elected to Congress More than 10 people were reportedly shot when an unidentified gunman ran up and began shooting indiscriminately as Giffords addressed supporters.
China's New Fighter Jet Could Pose 'Terrifying' Challenge to U.S. Fleet
While the Pentagon downplays China’s rollout this week of what appears to be a jet fighter designed using sophisticated stealth technology, military experts are warning that the aircraft – reportedly capable of besting America’s F-22 in speed and maneuverability – could pose the greatest threat yet to U.S. air superiority.
'Mother,' 'Father' Changing to 'Parent One,' 'Parent Two' on Passport Applications
The words “mother” and “father” will be removed from U.S. passport applications and replaced with gender neutral terminology, the State Department says. “The words in the old form were ‘mother’ and ‘father,’” said Brenda Sprague, deputy assistant Secretary of State for Passport Services. "They are now ‘parent one’ and ‘parent two.’"
Iraq Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr urges Iraqis to unite
Anti-US Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr has told an enthusiastic crowd of followers in Iraq to give the country's new government a chance. The radical cleric was making his first speech since returning to his stronghold in Najaf after nearly four years of self-imposed exile in Iran. Last month his movement secured a deal to join the new government with seven ministries and 39 seats in parliament.
US wants Twitter details of Wikileaks activists
The US government has subpoenaed the social networking site Twitter for personal details of people connected to Wikileaks, court documents show. The US District Court in Virginia said it wanted information including user names, addresses, connection records, telephone numbers and payment details.
House Republicans Push Bill to Shut Down White House 'Czars'
House Republicans have President Obama's "czars" in their crosshairs once again, introducing a bill this week that would effectively shut down their offices. ...Scalise's office estimates that 39 officials in the Obama administration fall under this description. The bill would order Congress to cut off all funding for them and the offices they control. Presumably, the president could afterward try to reinstate them by seeking Senate confirmation.
Moqtada al-Sadr calls for Iraqis to 'resist occupiers' by peaceful means
In his first public speech since his homecoming on Wednesday after years of self-imposed exile in Iran, the one-time firebrand urged his supporters to give Iraq's new government led by Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki a chance. "We are still fighters," said Mr Sadr, a Shi'ite cleric, who led two uprisings against the US military after the 2003 invasion.
BBC: British government warns aviation industry of terror threat
British transport authorities have warned aviation officials that al-Qaida is considering an attack against a U.K. airport or other airline industry target in a threat described as credible, the BBC reported Friday. The warning, delivered in a letter, went on to say that no changes to security will be made and the planned method of attack is unclear.
39 Percent Of NYC Pregnancies Result In Abortion
Archbishop Timothy Dolan is calling for efforts to make abortions in New York City “rare.” Dolan gathered with other religious leaders on Thursday to draw attention to the city’s high abortion rate. The city health department last month released statistics that showed 39 percent of pregnancies ended with induced termination in 2009.
North Korea renews South overture
North Korea says it wants to reopen talks with the South - the latest in a series of conciliatory gestures. The North's reunification committee issued a statement calling for "unconditional and early" talks. Seoul officials said they would review the latest proposals from Pyongyang. The South dismissed a similar offer earlier this week as "propaganda".
