Iraq imposes day time curfew to stem violence

Iraq imposed a day time curfew in order to curb further violence after a major mosque was attacked. Officials admit that while they cannot stop the insurgents they want the situation to at least be contained.

MN Legislature set to reconvene on Wed. March 1st

DP World will resubmit proposal for approval

After a firestorm on Capitol Hill by Congress, DP World has announced that they will be resubmitting their proposal to transfer port operations from P&O a British owned company to an Arab based company just weeks before the contract was to take effect. The original proposal was announced in major publications months ago but no one in Congress noticed.

University of Texas student possibly exposed to deadly poison

A University of Texas at Austin student was potentially exposed to a deadly poison Ricin. The FBI and Homeland Security are on scene and investigating. Ricin is manufactured is not formed naturally and is deadly to humans even in small amounts. Preliminary tests results indicate that the substance is not Ricin but is still being investigated. Anthrax another deadly poison was found going through the postal system shortly after 9/11. Several postal employees died from the exposure. No one has been charged in that case.

South Dakota tests Roe v. Wade

The South Dakota Senate recently passed a bill all but outlawing abortion except for the life of the mother. The state House passed a similar version. The governor is likely to sign a final version in to law. South Dakota is attempting to challenge the legality of the Supreme Courts decision on abortion since two conservative justices were nominated to the court and a third may retire before the end of Bush's 2nd term.

Congress concerned over port deal; White House not worried

Members of Congress have become increasingly concerned about a deal that would transfer port operations from a British company to a company in Dubei from the United Arab Emirates. The White House defended the transaction stating that they did the necessary clearances and security checks. They also said that the company would only be overeeing operations not security. The US would still have security presence at all ports.

Feds indict 3 OH men of plotting to kill US soldiers in Iraq

The US Attorney's Office has announced that a federal grand jury has indicted three Ohio men of plotting to kill US soldiers in Iraq. One of the men was also indicted for threatening to kill or injure the president.

NY State Appeals court upholds traditional marriage

The New York State Appeals Court ruled to uphold the traditional definition of marriage being between one man and one woman. The lawsuit was brought by a group of gay and lesbian couples.

Federal judge denies bail request for Jose Padilla

Bush Administration joins case in Texas Redistricting

The Supreme Court granted a request by the Bush Administration to join Texas in a redistricting case.

NWA Pilots and Flight Attendants poised to strike if bankruptcy judge imposes paycuts

The pilots and flight attendants unions have said they will strike if a bankruptcy judge imposes a paycut as part of the proceedings. NWA says that a strike would be illegal during a bankruptcy and filed legal motions to prevent a strike should the union and airline fail to come to an agreement. Airline experts say unlike the mechanics strike the airline could not sustain a strike by the pilots. A pilots strike would likely put NWA out of business for good.

VP Cheney responds to accidental shooting to Fox News

House Cmte releases report, Senate Cmte holds hearing on Katrina

A House committee released a report blasting the government for failing to adequately respond to a major disaster which further caused the misery of hundreds. The republican led committee also blasted the White House's role in the disaster saying that the president should have acted more quickly. The report also stated that there was not a unified command at the state and local levels which contributed to the confusion.

The Senate Government Reform Committee had DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff about the departments role in Katrina with respect to FEMA. Senators criticised Chertoff for not taking control of the situation and providing adequate resources to state and local governments.

Asbestos bill sent back to Senate Judiciary Cmte

The Senate voted to send the asbestos bill back to the Senate Judiciary Committee after languishing for several days on the Senate floor. This issue has been in the works for nearly thirty years. The bill would create a $140B trust fund from those who were affected by asbestos. The trust fund would be paid for by companies who owned the businesses that had asbestos. The bill failed to get 60 votes needed to keep the bill on the Senate calendar. It is likely to get reconsidered at a later date.

Judge prohibits Moussaui from attending penalty phase

A federal judge has prohibited Moussaui from attending the jury selection in the penalty phase of the trial. Moussaui pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiracy. He is the only charged in connection to 9/11. He has had repeated outbursts in court. He will be allowed to view the proceeding via short circuit television.

MA State Board of Pharmacy orders Wal-Mart to stock emergency contraceptives

The MA Board of Pharmacy today ordered Wal-Mart to stock emergency contraceptives. Wal-Mart said it would comply with the order. Wal-Mart only stocks emergency contraceptives in IL where it is required by law. A group of pharmacists have challenged the IL law in court.

US Attorney to resign

US Attorney for Minnesota Thomas Heffelfinger announced his resignation today. He was appointed shortly after the September 11th attacks. His resignation is effective at the end of the month. He plans to return to private practice.

U.A.E. to take operational control of 6 U.S. ports in deal

The United Arab Emirates is set to take over the operational control of 6 ports in the United States. The White House has said it is ok with the deal. However security experts are concerned with the deal because the 9/11 attacks were planned there and that a very small percentage of the imports are inspected by US authorities.

Iran commits to nuclear nonproliferation treaty

Iran announced that it is committed to nuclear nonproliferation after initially saying that it was considering ignoring the treaty.

Iran to ignore nuclear proliferation protocols

Former FEMA officials testify at Senate Cmte on Katrina

In a strange twist of fate former FEMA Director Michael Brown testified to the Senate Government Reform Committee on the role of the federal agency on Katrina. Republicans blasted Brown for the agencies incompetence. Democrats defended Brown saying that the White House should have been better prepared. Brown also disputed the timeline the White House has claimed in response to Katrina. Brown said that part of the problem was that since FEMA was under the Homeland Security Department that it was difficult to get anything done. He also said that he was in the process of getting FEMA back on track when Katrina hit New Orleans. FEMA was originally a separate federal agency until the Department of Homeland Security was created. An odd element to this drama was whether the White House was exerting executive privelege. This privelege is usually exerted when a presidential advisor testifies before congress. This is so that advisors can be candid with the president without public scrutiny. The White House did not exert executive privelege because Brown was no longer a federal employee.

Former Chief of Staff to VP says superiors authorized leak of CIA operative

Winter Olympics begin in Torino, Italy

Retailers to challenge MD law regarding health insurance

Large retailers have filed a lawsuit challenging a MD law that requires large employers such as Wal-Mart to contribute a percentage of corporate income toward healthcare costs. The state says it will defend the law in court because the state is trying to control escalating health care costs which the state large retailers should be able to afford for their employees. Retailers argued that this would drive up the cost of doing business and unfairly targets certain employers.

Former MN National Guard member accused of aiding Iraqi insurgency

German judge releases Al-Qaeda convict while on appeal

A German judge ordered the release of a Al-Qaeda convict convicted of charges related to the events of 9/11. The judge said that the convict must be ordered released while the conviction is on appeal.

Lawmaker cuts Iraqi trip short

State representative John Lesch cut his trip short after being criticised by US and Iraqi officials. Security is still extremely tight in Iraq especially for Americans.

Judge rules Twins not obligated to Dome after 2006 Season

A judge ruled today that the Minnesota Twins are not contractually obligated to stay in the Metrodome once the 2006 Season is completed. This may put pressure on the legislature to authorize the local option sales tax requested by Hennepin County for a new stadium. The Twins ownership however stated that there are no plans to move the team and no offers to buy the team at this time.

Steelers win Super Bowl XL

AG to testify on warrantless wiretaps at Senate hearing

The US Attorney General is expected to testify on Capitol Hill at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing regarding the administrations use of warrantless wiretaps without going to the FISA court. The committee is particularily interested in Attorney General Gonzalez because he was White House Chief Counsel before becoming Attorney General. The Attorney General is expected to defend the presidents use of warrantless wiretaps on the grounds that he has constitutional authority, congress authorized all neccessary force in the War on Terrorism, FEISA court ill equipped to deal with certain wiretaps.

New York subway station to get airport like security

A subway station in New York City will be given a trial run of a security system that is designed to thwart terrorism in our subway system. While airports have been the focus of security since 9/11, subway systems have become a concern for security officials. The subway security system will be modified from the airports to accomodate situations specific to the subway system.

Convicted Al-Qaeda escape Yemen prison

Interpol has put out an all points bulletin for Al-Qaeda convicts who were convicted of the deaths from the USS Cole and other terrorist bombings.

IAEA refers Iran to UN Security Council over nuke program

The IAEA votes to refer Iran for further review to the UN Security Council. Some of the issues concerning Iran include the issue of dual use. Technologies that have a civilian and military use.

Wetterling to run for Congress in 6th CD

After dropping out of the US Senate race, Patty Wetterling announced today that she is running for congress in the 6th CD. She previously ran against Congressman Mark Kennedy. She will have another DFL candidate as an opponent for the DFL endorsement. Currently there are four candidates vying for the republican nomination.

Wetterling to run for Congress in 6th CD

AFter dropping out of the US Senate race, Patty Wetterling, announced today that she is running for congress in the 6th CD. She will be competing with another candidate who is vying for the DFL endorsement. Currently four candidates are vying for the republican nomination.

Wetterling to run for Congress in 6th CD

AFter dropping out of the US Senate race, Patty Wetterling, announced today that she is running for congress in the 6th CD. She will be competing with another candidate who is vying for the DFL endorsement. Currently four candidates are vying for the republican nomination.

Congressional republicans elect new majority leader

Congressional republicans elected Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) to be their new majority leader. He beat out Rep. Rory Blount of MO who is currently the majority whip.

West Virginia Governor orders mines to stop work until investigations complete

After two major accidents in less than a month the governor of West Virginia has ordered all mining operation in the state to cease until the investigations in to those accidents are complete.

House begins first step in lobbying reform

In the first step toward lobbying reform the House passed rules today prohibiting former Members and their spouses who become lobbyists to have access to the House chamber and gym. This has been in response to the Abramoff scandal that is still ongoing with the Justice Department.

Patriot Act likely to get another extension

Congress is likely to pass another extension for the Patriot Act as the House and Senate continue to iron out differences between the two versions. The next deadline is expected to be March 10.