Bush Authorizes New Covert Action Against Iran

May 22, 2007 --

Litvinenko Suspect Denies Charges
The Russian man the UK wants to charge with murdering Alexander Litvinenko has denied any involvement and said the case is "politically motivated". (BBC)

Key Figures in the Litvinenko Affair
Key figures in the investigation into Alexander Litvinenko's murder: (AP)

U.S. Government Gave Airtime to Terrorists, Official Admits
Al Hurra television, the U.S. government's $63 million-a-year effort at public diplomacy broadcasting in the Middle East, is run by executives and officials who cannot speak Arabic, according to a senior official who oversees the program. (ABC News)

Doctor Convicted of Supporting Al-Qaida
A Florida doctor on trial for pledging to help al-Qaida had hoped to convince a jury that he did not know he had offered his medical expertise to the terror group. (AP)

Online Exposure of Federal Witnesses Prompts U.S. to Curb Access
There are three "rats of the week" on the home page of whosarat.com, a Web site devoted to exposing the identities of witnesses cooperating with the U.S. government. The site posts their names and mug shots, along with court documents detailing what they have agreed to do in exchange for lenient sentences. (International Herald Tribune)

Hostage Crisis Builds at Lal Masjid
Pakistani authorities have detained about 40 Islamist students amid a stand-off over two policemen held hostage at an extremist mosque in the capital Islamabad, officials said on Monday. (Times of India )

Gunmen Kill Eight Students in North Baghdad-Police
At least eight college students were killed and another three wounded when gunmen opened fire on their minibus in northern Baghdad on Tuesday, police said. (Reuters)

Gunmen Kill Iraqi Family, Including Infant - Police
Militants killed a family of six, including an infant and three other children, when they stopped their car at a fake security checkpoint north of the Iraqi capital Baghdad on Tuesday, police said. (Reuters)