Weekly Issues Alert

Duke Garden, Raleigh, North Carolina

February 2 - 8

"I think we have more machinery of government than is necessary, too many parasites living on the labor of the industrious." --Thomas Jefferson

NC General Assembly (RECONVENED ON JANUARY 24, 2007)

Lawmakers spar over death penalty and suggestion of a moratorium — Herald Sun

On the eve of a meeting where state leaders are to consider a new execution procedure, lawmakers bickered Monday about when they should join the debate over the role a doctor plays when the state puts an inmate to death. Read
State Senator Files Bill for Execution Moratorium — WRAL

A state lawmaker filed a bill Wednesday that would impose an official moratorium on lethal injection until legal and ethical questions can be answered. Read
Bill would allow oaths using non-Christian texts — News and Record

Courtroom oaths could be taken using sacred texts other than the Bible in a bill filed in the state Senate on Wednesday, three weeks after a state appeals court agreed to let a lawsuit challenging the existing state law continue. Read

Legislation

NC Courts

Black Associate Pleads to Obstruction Charge — WRAL

An optometrist linked to questionable fund-raising for former House speaker Jim Black struck a plea deal Tuesday to avoid going to jail . Read
Grandparents Fight for Child's Custody By Ed Crump — ABC11TV.com

A bitter custody battle continued in Wilmington Wednesday. Read
Ex-Fayetteville Cop Sentenced to 19 Years for Burglaries — WRAL

A former Fayetteville police officer was sentenced to nearly 19 years in prison Tuesday for his role in helping a ring of burglars steal guns, drugs and electronics from houses. Read
North Carolina Court of Appeals Orders New Trial, Cites Judge's Behavior — WRAL

A convicted killer will get a new trial because a former judge with a history of legal run-ins could have biased the jury with improper comments, the North Carolina Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday. Read

North Carolina Politics

Easley had asked Nifong not to run — Herald Sun

Gov. Mike Easley did not want an "heir apparent" in the Durham district attorney's chair, and that is why he extracted a promise from Mike Nifong not to run for the office when he was appointed to it in 2005, a state spokeswoman said Monday. Read
Easley appointment complete NC ethics commission — Herald Sun

Gov. Mike Easley rounded out the North Carolina State Ethics Commission on Monday by appointing restaurant franchiser Mayo Boddie of Rocky Mount to the retooled panel. Read
Edwards' $5.3M Chapel Hill enclave is par for the presidency — Herald Tribune

President Bush has the "Western White House" at his ranch in Texas. Should John Edwards win the race to replace him, he'll have a "Southern White House" ready to go. Read
John Edwards to Skip Public Campaign Financing — Newsmax.com

Democrat John Edwards has joined the growing list of presidential candidates who are skipping public financing of their campaigns.

Edwards' decision, first reported Tuesday in USA Today, applies to both the primary and, if he wins the nomination, the general election. It will allow him to raise and spend unlimited private money. Read

Other North Carolina News

Fort Bragg-based Soldier Killed in Iraq — ABC11TV.com

A 26-year-old soldier based at Fort Bragg died over the weekend in Iraq. Read
Camp Lejeune Paramedic Killed in Iraq — ABC11TV.com

A sailor based in North Carolina was one of seven people killed when a U.S. Marine transport helicopter crashed in Iraq on Wednesday, his mother said Thursday. Read
US Army admits private security contract in Iraq — Indian Express.com

Associated PressPosted online: Thursday, February 08, 2007 at 0000 hrs Print Email

Washington, February 7: After numerous denials, the Pentagon has confirmed that a North Carolina company provided armed security guards in Iraq under a sub-contract that was buried so deeply the government could not find it. Read
Math prodigy corrects Discovery Place — Charlotte Observer

Exhibit pulled after boy shows it doesn't add up Read
Baptist church to leave NC convention rather than face expulsion — Heald Sun

Another Baptist church has voted to leave the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina rather than face expulsion under a new policy to ban congregations that welcome homosexuals. Members of St. John's Baptist Church tentatively voted Sunday to drop affiliation with the convention, three months after the state Baptists decided at its annual meeting in Greensboro to investigate and expel member churches that accept gays and lesbians. Read
Tribal Law to Banish Members for Drug Dealing — WRAL

Members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians convicted of drug dealing would be banished from the reservation under a tribal law signed today by the tribe's principal chief. Read
New Tax Structure Could Ease Growing Pains By Ed Crump — ABC11TV.com

There's a new idea to pay for the Triangle's explosive growth: Drop income and property taxes and replace them with more, but lower sales taxes. Read
N.C. "city" serves as Air Force target practice — Herald Sun

From the air, the 18-building city looks ordinary. It has a mosque, a hospital and a water tower. But nobody lives in the Dare County town. The $1.2 million city built out of empty steel cargo containers serves only as target practice. "This is what our guys are seeing over in Iraq," said Maj. Travis Ingeer, the officer in charge of the Air Force range. Read
Council of State Approves Death Penalty Protocol — WRAL

The Council of State approved a revised plan Tuesday set forth by the state Department of Correction for carrying out the death penalty in North Carolina. Read
Costs of Google incentives could hit $260 million — Charlotte Observer

The cost of wooing Google to the state's foothills could far exceed initial estimates, potentially reaching $260 million. Read
Campbell tops Duke, UNC in passing the bar — Triangle Business Journal

Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Wake Forest University may have better-known law schools nationally, but when it comes to the dreaded bar exam, it's a spunky little school in Buies Creek that's tops in the state. Read
Tobacco Payments More Than $300 Million in North Carolina — WRAL

Tobacco quota owners, producers, and other contract holders in North Carolina will receive more than $317 million this year as part of the federal buyout of the price-support system, the U.S. government said Tuesday. Read
Pro-Family Leader's Life Threatened on 'Gay' Web Site — Christian Newswire

Lesbian activist Pam Spaulding's popular weblog Pam's House Blend is known for its outrageous and controversial content. In addition to promoting anti-Christian bigotry, the North Carolina-based Web activist's favorite pastime appears to be smearing pro-family leader and Americans for Truth president Peter LaBarbera with bizarre and hateful accusations and insults. However, House Blend's typically intolerant and obscene content may have recently shifted from the absurd to the criminally violent. Read
Johnston Man Accused of Online Solicitation — WRAL

A Four Oaks man is charged with trying to lure a teenage girl to Greensboro for a sexual rendezvous. It turns out he was talking with a Johnston County detective. Read
Little Debbie Nutty Bars Recalled — ABC11TV.com

Little Debbie Nutty Bars are being recalled from North Carolina and three other states because metal may be in an ingredient. Read
Public Can Learn More About Proposed Wake Toll Roads — WRAL

Residents can get input Thursday on three highways in western Wake County, which could become the state's first toll roads. Read
Biotech center gives $375K to North Carolina colleges — Triangle Business Journal

The North Carolina Biotechnology Center has awarded more than $375,000 in nine grants to boost biotech research and instruction at colleges and universities across the state. Read
North Carolina Company to Step Up Gas Production — WRAL

Air Products & Chemicals Inc. plans to expand production capacity at two of its factories by a combined 850 tons a day, which includes one in North Carolina. The company will increase the capacity of its Reidsville, North Carolina, factory by nearly 400 tons a day by the second quarter of next year. Production at its Ashland, Kentucky, facility is expected to increase by about 450 tons per day by the third quarter of 2008, the company said in a statement Monday. Read
State looking at grants, tax breaks to spur biofuel growth — Triangle Business Journal

To boost the use of alternative fuels, the state is looking into a variety of incentives, including grants and tax breaks. Read
Raleigh Looks at Punishing Landlords for Tenants' Crimes — WRAL

Raleigh City Council members are going to consider punishing landlords if their tenants break the law, but many residential landlords question how they are supposed to know about illegal activity at their houses. Read
Two North Carolina ports among largest for fish — Triangle Business Journal

A pair of North Carolina ports rank among the nation's largest commercial fisheries, according to a recent study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The port of Beaufort-Morehead City ranked 41st among ports across the country in terms of the value of fish landed there. Beaufort-Morehead City hauled in $19.3 million worth of fish in 2005, the latest year for which results are available. Read

Congress

Senate GOP blocks Iraq resolution — The Washington Times

Senate Republicans yesterday blocked a resolution that would have condemned President Bush's plan to send an additional 21,500 troops to Iraq. Read
Democrats to Wage War on Iraq Spending — AOL News

Tired of waiting for an opportunity to try to stop the war in Iraq , some Democrats say they want to use legislation approving billions of dollars in war spending to insist that President Bush not send more troops. Read
White House Defends Pelosi Plane Request — WRAL

The White House on Thursday defended House Speaker Nancy Pelosi against Republican criticism that her desire to fly in an Air Force transport plane is an extravagance. Read
Sen. Barack Obama Shuns Public Funds for 2008 — Newsmax.com

Following the lead of his chief rivals, Sen. Barack Obama will not accept public campaign financing for either the Democratic presidential primaries or the general election if he's the nominee. Read
Senate Approves Casey for Army Top Post — WRAL

The Senate handily confirmed Gen. George Casey as the next Army chief of staff Thursday in a roll call vote that some lawmakers used to dramatize their anger over his direction of the war in Iraq. Read
Hillary Clinton's Goal: $75 Million for 2008 — Newsmax.com

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has embarked on one of the more ambitious fundraising efforts, with a goal of raising $15 million by the end of March and amassing more than $75 million before 2008. Read
Senate Panel Reacts to Attorney Firings — WRAL

A Senate panel advanced a bill Thursday to curb the Justice Department's power to replace federal prosecutors indefinitely, after seven forced resignations sparked accusations of political favoritism. The Judiciary Committee voted 13-6 to send the measure to the Senate floor. Read
Sen. Joe Lieberman Pushes Tax to Fund War on Terror — Newsmax.com

Sen. Joseph Lieberman said on Tuesday that Congress should consider a tax to fund the U.S.-declared war on terrorism and reduce the need to cut domestic programs to pay for security spending. Read

Christianity/Pro-Family/Religion/Ethics

Gay Lutheran pastor defrocked for having partner — Citizen Times

An Evangelical Lutheran Church in America discipline committee ruled Thursday that a gay minister from Atlanta who announced he has a partner must be removed from the clergy. Read
ACLU sues for removal of Ten Commandments from courthouse steps — Herald Tribune

The American Civil Liberties Union is suing to force rural Dixie County to remove a hulking Ten Commandments monument from the courthouse steps. Read
Leftist Group Seeks To Use 'God Talk' To Lure Christians To Democrat Party — Traditional Values

A two-year-old public relations firm called "Common Good Strategies" is working behind the scenes to help Democrats convince Christians that they should vote for Democrats of "faith." Read
Race, religion sensitive subtext in presidential campaign — Chicago Tribune

South Side church's tenets spark criticism of Obama by some conservatives Read
Catholic group calls on Edwards to fire 'bigots' on staff — CNN

Two bloggers hired recently by Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards were criticized Tuesday by a Catholic group for posts they had written elsewhere on the Internet. Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, demanded that Edwards fire Amanda Marcotte and Melissa McEwan. "John Edwards is a decent man who has had his campaign tarnished by two anti-Catholic, vulgar, trash-talking bigots," Donohue wrote in a statement. "He has no choice but to fire them immediately." Read
Oconee County Officials Cave Into Pressure From The ACLU — Evangelical News

Under pressure from the American Civil Liberties Union, Oconee County officials voted today to no longer open meetings with public prayer, opting instead for a "moment of silence." Read
Inmate pushes to end ban on his prison preaching — Herald Tribune

A warden's decision to ban a convicted killer from preaching to fellow inmates violates his right to practice religion behind bars, the prisoner's attorney told a federal appeals court Wednesday. Read
The Communitarian Influence on the Bible Literacy Project — Christian Newswire

Communitarians believe individuals' needs and rights should be de-emphasized or balanced against the interests of the community or society as a whole. About half the original advisory board of the Bible Literacy Project (BLP) are self-proclaimed communitarians. Read
Arizona Bill Would Help Mothers Leaving Polygamous Relationships — Citizen Link

But family advocates say it might also grant legitimacy to polygamy. Read
Death-Defying Ministry — ChristianityToday.com

Protestant leaders practice grassroots justice — and keep a low profile. Read
First Ever Prime Time Christian Drama Series Set to Air — Christian Newswire

'7th Street Theater' will be the first ever prime time weekly Christian drama series to air on a national television network in the history of broadcasting. Read
India Militants Attack Pastors' Conference, 10 Injured — Worthy News

At least 10 Christians were recovering from their injuries Monday, February 5, after Hindu militants reportedly attacked a pastors' conference in Raipur, the capital of India's Chhattisgarh state. Read
Arkansas Lawmakers Vote Down ERA — Citizen Link

Feminists trying to revive the 1970s-era federal Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) suffered a "stunning setback" when a panel of the Arkansas Legislature voted down a ratification resolution (HJR 1002) ... Read
Uzbekistan Pastor Remains Jailed; Family in Hiding — Worthy News

An evangelical pastor remained behind bars in Uzbekistan Monday, February 5, more than two weeks after he was detained by secret police on charges of "incitement to hatred on national, racial or religious grounds." Read
Descendant of Muhammad converts to Christianity — WorldNetDaily.com

A Turk who claims to be a descendant of Islam's prophet Muhammad has converted to Christianity while living in Germany. But Sedar Dedeoglu, of Luedenscheid, now faces a threat to his life if he's forced to return to Turkey, and is seeking help from German authorities. Read

Courts

Court OKs class action suit against Wal-Mart — Yahoo News

A U.S. appeals court ruled on Tuesday that a discrimination lawsuit on behalf of women who have worked for Wal-Mart Stores Inc.(NYSE:WMT — news) could go forward as a class-action suit. Lawyers representing plaintiffs in the case, Dukes v. Wal-Mart, estimate that 1.6 million women who have worked for Wal-Mart in its U.S. stores since 1998 could join the lawsuit. The suit claims the world's largest retailer discriminated against its female store staff in promotions and paid them less than their male counterparts. Read
Will 8th Circuit Strike Down or Uphold Faith-Based Prisoner Rehabilitation? — Christian Newswire

The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis will hear oral arguments on Tuesday, Feb. 13, in an appeal of a federal judge's ruling against Prison Fellowship, the InnerChange Freedom Initiative (IFI), and the State of Iowa. Last June, in a lawsuit brought by Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, Judge Robert Pratt ruled that the IFI program in Iowa is unconstitutional. Read
Michigan court deals blow to homosexual activists — OneNewsNow.com

Opponents of same-sex "marriage" are expressing delight over a ruling from the Michigan Court of Appeals. The decision bars public universities and governments from providing insurance to partners of homosexual employees. A three-judge panel concluded such policies violate a voter-approved ban on homosexual marriage. Read
N.D. Student's Killer Sentenced to Death — Herald Sun

A rapist who killed college student Dru Sjodin six months after being released from prison was formally sentenced to death Thursday in a case that led to tougher sex-offender laws. Read
Judge asked to reverse ruling on Christian health plan — OneNewsNow.com

The Kentucky Insurance Departmet has asked a circuit court judge to reconsider his decision to let Medi-Share, a Christian-only health care program, continue operating in the state. The group's CEO says the faith-based medical cost-sharing plan is not a form of insurance and he doubts the judge will reverse his ruling. Read
Court urged to reconsider closing ranch for troubled teens — OneNewsNow.com

Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) attorneys are challenging a decision by the three-judge panel of a federal appeals court — a ruling the lawyers feel is responsible for forcing a faith-based outreach to troubled teens in Michigan to close its doors. Read
Judge Says Priest Files Must Be Released — AP

A judge Tuesday ordered the Roman Catholic Church to release insurance records and confidential files related to a priest who had been convicted of molestation before being transferred to California. Read

Abortion/Pro-Life

Wisconsin Legislature to Debate Coerced-Abortion Measure — Citizen Link

If pro-life Wisconsin lawmakers have their way, women seeking an abortion would have to sign a statement saying they have not been pressured into taking the action, the (Madison, Wis.) Capital Times reported. Read
'We Shall Overcome ... Abortion' by Day Gardner, President, National Black Pro-Life Union — Christian Newswire

"...More than 44 million children have been killed by abortion — 15 million of them were black children. Abortion has become the number one killer of black people in this country — killing more African Americans that accidents, heart disease, stroke, crimes, HIV-AIDS and all other deaths ... COMBINED!" Read
Virginia Lawmakers Pass Two Pro-Life Bills — Citizen Link

The Virginia House of Delegates approved two measures designed to ensure abortion-minded women are informed about the risks and outcomes of such a decision, LifeNews.com reported. Read
Abortion ban back again for debate — ArgusLeader.com

Just months after voters shot down an abortion ban, South Dakota lawmakers on Monday announced new plans to put strong restrictions on the controversial procedure. But this time, they would allow for key exceptions. Read
Pro-Life Legislation Saves Lives — Citizen Link

Study finds parental-involvement laws and Medicaid-funding restrictions lead to fewer abortions. Read

Alcohol/Drugs/Health

Harvard Fish Study Leads Novartis to Diabetes Drugs (Update4) — Bloomberg

A Harvard Medical School scientist's experiments with fish discarded along the coast near Boston have led, 20 years later, to a new class of diabetes drugs. The latest, from Novartis AG, may get U.S. approval this week. Read
N.D. Issues Nation's First Hemp Permits — AP

North Dakota issued the nation's first licenses to grow industrial hemp Tuesday to two farmers who still must meet federal requirements before they can plant the crop. The farmers must get approval from the Drug Enforcement Administration, which treats hemp much the way it does marijuana and has not allowed commercial hemp production but has said it would consider applications to grow it. Read
Study Uses Adult Stem Cells from Patients' Own Fat — Citizen Link

Medical researchers continue to turn to adult stem cells to provide therapies and cures for patients. Now you can add stem cells from fat tissue as a promising therapy for heart disease. Read

Education/Sex Ed/Teens/Children

Gov Perry's HPV vaccination order angers pro-family group — OneNewsNow.com

A Texas pro-family group says Governor Rick Perry's executive order mandating HPV shots for schoolgirls entering sixth-grade not only usurps the authority of the State Legislature, but also the rights of parents. In addition, the American College of Pediatricians has recommended against the vaccine for young girls. Read
Parents warned about GLSEN's week-long school program — OneNewsNow.com

The president of a pro-family group in Pennsylvania is accusing the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network of trying to sneak its agenda into public schools through innocent sounding programs and initiatives. Endorsed by such groups Girl Scouts of America and Simon Schuster Children's Publishing, "No Name-Calling Week" includes lesson plans and recommended reading that carry pro-homosexual messages. Read
American Bible Society Survey Finds Teens Look To Parents, Teachers, Siblings, Local Religious Leaders And Jesus As Role Models And Heroes — Evanglical News Read
Making a Difference for International Graduate Students at University of Maryland — Voice of America

A native of Chile, Ron Earnest, who tutored fellow students while he was in graduate school, is a volunteer for the English Editing for International Graduate Students program. He talks about the program. " Some years back I was looking for volunteer opportunities. I was hoping I would be able to do some high school tutoring, but my schedule didn't really allow it," he says. By the time I was done with work, high school was long over. Then I discovered that the University of Maryland several programs that one could volunteer for and one of them is an editing program for graduate students whose first language is not English," he says. Read
Easy-Bake Ovens Being Recalled — ABC11TV.com

Easy-Bake Ovens that have been sold since last May are being recalled because children can burn their hands on them. Read
School Accused of Covering Up Assaults — AP

Teachers and administrators at Central Elementary School knew they had a problem with F.H., a 12-year-old who had been accused of going into a bathroom stall and sexually assaulting a first-grade boy. But instead of calling police and removing F.H., district officials covered up the attack and allowed him to remain in class, leading to the sexual assault of three more first-graders, parents say. Read
Tenn. University Aids New Orleans School — AP

More than a year after Hurricane Katrina, Southern University at New Orleans is still hurting. Read
Harvard U.: Time to Overcome U.S. 'Parochialism' — Newsmax.com

Harvard University announced on Wednesday its biggest curriculum overhaul in three decades, putting new emphasis on sensitive religious and cultural issues, the sciences and overcoming U.S. "parochialism." The curriculum at the oldest U.S. university has been criticized as focusing too narrowly on academic topics instead of real-life issues, or for being antagonistic to organized religion. Efforts to revise it have been in the works for three years. Read

Gambling

Gov. Proposes Selling Texas Lottery — AP

Gov. Rick Perry on Tuesday proposed selling the state lottery for at least $14 billion to create an endowment for Texans without health insurance and a trust fund for cancer research. Read

God and Country/National Security/Politics

Seven Killed in Crash of U.S. Copter in Iraq — AOL News

A Sea Knight helicopter crashed Wednesday northwest of Baghdad, sending flames and black smoke into the sky, the fifth chopper lost in Iraq in just over two weeks. The U.S. military believes all seven people aboard a CH-46 helicopter that crashed in Iraq on Wednesday were killed, and indications are that it was not hit by hostile fire, a senior U.S. defense official Read
Border Agent Imprisoned with Drug, Immigration Offenders — Christian Newswire

According to Monica Ramos, wife of imprisoned U.S. Border Patrol agent Ignacio Ramos, her husband has been moved to a federal prison where he is serving time alongside immigration and drug offenders — the same types of criminals Ramos is in prison for attempting to apprehend. Read
Gunmen Kill 3 Illegal Immigrants in Ariz — WRAL

Gunmen stopped a pickup truck full of illegal immigrants, shot several and took the rest captive Thursday in an attack that left at least three men dead and two people wounded, authorities said. Authorities were trying to determine who the gunmen were. Read
Ex-Border Patrol Agent Beaten in Prison — AP

A former Border Patrol agent who was convicted of shooting a drug smuggling suspect and then lying about it has been beaten by fellow inmates in prison. Prison officials on Tuesday confirmed assertions by a congressman and relatives of Ignacio Ramos. He was attacked Saturday night after his case was described on the TV show "America's Most Wanted," the officials said. Read
Five indicted in alleged reconstruction kickback scam — CNN

A grand jury indicted three Army Reserve officers and two civilians Wednesday on charges they steered more than $8.6 million in Iraq reconstruction funds to a contractor in exchange for kickbacks including vehicles, jewelry and real estate. Read
Inspector confronted on Capitol Hill, says promised 'proof' does not exist — WorldNetDaily.com

A Department of Homeland Security official admitted today the agency misled Congress when it contended it possessed investigative reports proving Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean confessed guilt and declared they "wanted to shoot some Mexicans" prior to the incident that led to their imprisonment. Read
Imprisoned border agent did report shooting — WorldNetDaily.com

WND has obtained a Department of Homeland Security memo indicating Border Patrol agent Jose Compean made a complete, in-person verbal report to his supervisor at the scene immediately following the shooting incident for which he and colleague Ignacio Ramos are now in prison. Read
Connecticut Woman Ordered to Remove U.S. Flag From Condo — FOX

Her son is fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan, but one Connecticut mother is waging a war of her own over her right to fly Old Glory on her front lawn. Read
Air Force Conducts Missile Test in Calif — AP

An unarmed intercontinental ballistic missile was launched early Wednesday on a test flight that began with its silo's 105-ton door being blasted open, officials said. Read
Lawmaker in Iraq Convicted for Embassy Blasts in '83 — NYT

Iraqi and American officials confirmed today that a sitting member of the Iraqi parliament is the same man who was convicted of planning bombing attacks on the American and French embassies Read
Wider Death Penalty Sought — AOL News

At least a half-dozen states are considering broadening the death penalty, countering a national trend toward scaling back its use. Read
Oil rises toward $59 as cold grips US — Reuters

Oil held near $59 a barrel on Tuesday as bitter cold continued to blast the United States, bolstering demand for heating fuels in the world's biggest energy consumer. Read
Defense Chief Says US Could Begin Iraq Withdrawal This Year — Voice of America

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday the United States could begin withdrawing troops from Iraq later this year, if several security and political factors are right. Read
Astronaut Charged With Murder Attempt — USA Today

A NASA astronaut accused of trying to kidnap a romantic rival for a space shuttle pilot's affections will remain in jail because authorities planned to charge her with attempted first-degree murder, an official said Tuesday. Read
Pentagon source: No plans to release 'friendly fire' video — CNN.com

The Pentagon has no plans to release the cockpit video from a U.S. fighter jet involved in an apparent friendly fire incident in Iraq, according to a Pentagon source. The statement contradicts an announcement Tuesday by the UK prime minister's office that the United States would release the video to the British coroner investigating the death of a British soldier killed in the 2003 incident. Read
Top US Trade Official Optimistic About Global Trade Talks — Voice of America

U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab says she believes the meeting of trade ministers in the Swiss Alpine village of Davos last week has given momentum to the restarting of the stalled Doha Round of Trade Negotiations. About 30 trade ministers met on the sidelines of the annual World Economic Forum. Read
Boston scare suspect videotaped bomb squad — CNN

One of the men criminally charged after placing blinking cartoon advertisements around the city and causing a terrorism scare videotaped a police bomb squad removing one of the devices, but did not tell the officers the object was harmless. Surveillance cameras caught 27-year-old Peter Berdovsky videotaping officers removing what they thought was a possible bomb last week.

Read
Pa. state senator indicted on 139 counts — USA Today

State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo has vowed to clear his name. "I know in my heart that I have not done anything illegal," Fumo, a 63-year-old lawyer and banker, said Monday. State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo, one of the most powerful figures in Pennsylvania politics, was indicted Tuesday on 139 counts, including federal charges of mail fraud, wire fraud and use of Senate employees as campaign aides. Read
Klan growing, fed by anti-immigrant feelings, report says — CNN

The Ku Klux Klan has rebounded by exploiting current hot-button issues, especially immigration, according to a new report released by the Anti-Defamation League. The Klan, and other white supremacist groups like skinheads and neo-Nazis, grew significantly more active in the past year, holding more rallies, distributing leaflets and increasing their presence on the Internet — much of it focused on stirring anti-immigrant sentiment, according to the report. Read
Hackers attack key Net traffic computers — AP

Hackers briefly overwhelmed at least three of the 13 computers that help manage global computer traffic Tuesday in one of the most significant attacks against the Internet since 2002. Read
Voter Recruiter Pleads Guilty Fraud — AP

A man who worked for an advocacy group that signs up new voters pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to voter registration fraud, the U.S. attorney's office said. Read
Air America Selling for $4.25 Million — Newsmax.com

A New York realtor is paying $4.25 million to acquire Air America Radio, the liberal news and talk radio network, according to bankruptcy court documents. Read

Pornography/Homosexuality/Immorality/Obscenity

2,360 Suspects in Global Child Porn Ring — AOL News

Austrian authorities said Wednesday they have uncovered a major international child pornography ring involving more than 2,360 suspects from 77 countries, including hundreds in the United States, who paid to view videos of young children being sexually abused. Read
Counselor: Disgraced Evangelist Isn't Gay — CBS News

Minister Who Oversaw Counseling Says Rev. Ted Haggard Is Convinced He's "Completely Heterosexual" Read
Police Want Sex Charge for Boyish Con — ABC News

Investigators said Tuesday they will recommend felony molestation charges against a sex offender who passed himself off as a schoolboy, saying they have a videotape of him having sex with an 11-year-old Oklahoma boy. Read
The Homosexual Assault On Traditional Marriage — Conservative Voice

There are those who do not believe that the institution of marriage is under assault. There are those who do not believe that same-sex marriage is a knowing attempt to undermine the nature of marriage. There are those who do not believe that many homosexuals bear a particular animus for heterosexual marriage, and have designs beyond mere tolerance. Read

Other News

Iran has set up 328 centrifuges, diplomats say — Boston Globe

Iran has set up two cascades of 164 centrifuges each in its underground nuclear plant, laying a basis for full-scale enrichment of uranium and upping the stakes in a standoff with the West, European diplomats said yesterday. Read
Police resumes Temple Mount high alert — Jerusalem Post

On Tuesday, Islamic leaders called for a new wave of violence against Israel over the archeological excavation near the Mount. "The danger in Jerusalem has increased. It is high time for the intifada of the Islamic people," the leader of the Islamic Movement in Israel, Raed Salah, told reporters near the holy site on Tuesday. Read
Nearly 60 Nations Pledge Not to Use Child Soldiers -FOX

Nearly 60 nations pledged Tuesday not to use children to wage war and to disarm and rehabilitate underage soldiers — an agreement seen as a strong moral step against the problem, though it carries no legal weight. Signatories to a new document released in Paris include countries notorious for child fighters such as Sierra Leone, Liberia and Congo. Several other countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, and all 27 nations of the European Union, also signed. Read
Iran's Guards to hold war games in Gulf, reports say — Ynet News

Iran's Revolutionary Guards will hold two days of war games in the Gulf and Sea of Oman this week, focusing on launching missiles, Iranian news agencies reported on Tuesday. Read
Iran challenges Europe to hand over Holocaust 'proof' — Breitbart.com

An Iranian government-sponsored body set up to probe the veracity of the Holocaust has challenged Europe to hand over documents about the mass slaughter of Jews in World War II. Read
Muslim protests as Israel digs at holy site — UK Guardian Unlimited

Israeli archaeologists began digging up a stone ramp near the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem's Old City today, bringing immediate protests from Palestinians and condemnation from the king of Jordan. The work is the first stage in a scheme to build a new, raised walkway up to the site, which is known as the Haram al-Sharif to Muslims and the Temple Mount to Jews. Next to the walkway is the Western Wall, which dates from the time of the Second Temple and is the holiest site in Judaism. Read
Mexican President in Spain to Strength Diplomatic, Economic Ties — Voice of America

Felipe Calderon (l) speaks with Spain's King Juan Carlos at the Zarzuela Palace, 30 Jan 2007 Mexican President Felipe Calderon is in Spain for talks aimed at increasing economic cooperation. Read
Israeli Official: Foreign Sources Arming Hezbollah, Hamas at Alarming Rate — FOX

Hezbollah is presently receiving a "constant stream of armaments" from Syria, Iran and other foreign sources, senior Israeli officials said Tuesday, and the terror group is "preparing for violence" in an increasingly radicalized Middle East. Read
Suicide Bombing At Pakistan Airport — CBS News

Attacker Detonates Bomb In Parking Lot Of International Airport; 2 Wounded Read
Cuban TV Shows Ailing Castro for First Time in 3 Months — Voice of America

Cuba's state television has broadcast the first images in three months of ailing President Fidel Castro. Read
Blair is warned about an attack on Iran — Boston Globe

Foreign policy specialists warned Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday that military action against Iran could worsen violence across the Middle East and urged him to persuade the United States to hold talks with Tehran. Read
Richest US Jew pledges USD 25 million to Taglit — birthright israel — Ynet News

A new gift to the Taglit — birthright Israel program (BRI) will double to at least 20,000 the number of free summer trips to Israel offered by BRI this summer. Read

Disclaimer: The Christian Action League of North Carolina does not necessarily endorse or agree with every opinion expressed in every article posted on this site.

Index of Weekly Issues Alerts

2007

2006