Obama Justice Dept. Won’t Prosecute Bush Lawyers Who Authored Torture Memos

6 May 09 | LAT

In a draft report, Justice Department investigators are said to recommend against charges for Bush administration lawyers, instead advocating possible state disciplinary action against 2 of them.

Opposition Riots in Georgia Admist NATO War Games After Journalist is Beaten

6 May 09 | RT and BBC

Georgian opposition members have clashed with police near the Tbilisi Police headquarters, according to the Itar-TASS news agency. (22:02):

Anti-government protesters and police have clashed in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, over the alleged beating of a local journalist.

BofA, Citigroup Need Nearly $85bn in Capital

6 May 09 | FT

Citigroup and Bank of America have emerged as the US banks with the biggest capital shortfalls after the completion of the government’s “stress tests”, with Citi projected to require more than $50bn in fresh equity and BofA nearly $35bn.

AIPAC Conference Pushes Hard Line on Iran

by Daniel Luban

6 May 09 | AWC

The annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the powerful and hawkish pro-Israel lobby, wrapped up on Tuesday with a speech from Vice President Joe Biden, capping three days that were primarily devoted to the threat of a nuclear Iran.

Obama Urged to Sign Native Rights Declaration

6 May 09 | IPS

The United States is considering whether to endorse a major U.N. General Assembly resolution calling for the recognition of the rights of the world’s 370 million indigenous peoples over their lands and resources.

Saberi Ends Hunger Strike in Iran

6 May 09 | BBC

The jailed US-Iranian reporter Roxana Saberi has ended a two-week hunger strike, her father Reza Saberi says.

Israeli Troops Kidnap Ten More Palestinians

6 May 09 | PTV and Ha’aretz

Israeli forces have abducted ten more Palestinians in various parts of the West Bank as Tel Aviv continues a kidnapping campaign to silence activists.

Sudan-Backed Rebels Erupt in Chad

6 May 09 | AJE

Chad has accused Sudan of backing a rebel group’s push into the country.

Tsvangirai: Mugabe Not Respecting Power-Sharing Deal

6 May 09 | PTV

The Zimbabwean premier has criticized President Robert Mugabe for flouting the agreement over the country’s new unity government in the case of the detention of some activists.

U.S. Wants Nuclear Israel to Come Clean?

6 May 09 | PTV and Ha’aretz

The US claims it seeks universal nuclear adherence to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in remarks that specify the sole Mideast possessor of nukes — Israel.

NATO War Games Begin in Georgia

6 May 09 | BBC, RT and AJE

A series of NATO military exercises has begun in Georgia, amid angry condemnation from Russia.

Pakistan Forces Attack Taliban in Swat Valley; What Pakis Would Tell Obama

5/6 May 09 | FT and LAT

Pakistani troops launched a fresh offensive on Wednesday to retake government buildings occupied a day earlier by Taliban militants in the northern Swat valley.

‘150 Afghan Civilians’ Killed in Fresh U.S. Strikes

6 May 09 | PTV

Afghan officials say up to 150 non-combatants including women and children have been killed in fresh US-led strikes in the western Afghanistan.

Obama Team Writes off $7 Billion Taxpayers Loaned Chrysler

6 May 09 | Raw Story and BBC

Earlier this week, Senate Democrats quashed an attempt to amend a bankruptcy bill that would have given judges the power to reduce the principal on mortgages of distressed homeowners, swallowing an explanation from the banking industry that reducing the value of mortgages would make it harder for other Americans to get a loan.

Jon Stewart: Wimp, Wuss, Moral Coward

6 May 09 | AWC

Can a Democrat commit war crimes? Of course not!