100s of Radio Stations in Payola Probe
INVESTIGATIONS
U.S.
100s of Radio Stations in Payola Probe
FCC Commissioner: Evidence of 'Systematic Betrayal of the Responsibility of Broadcasters' (ABC News)
Ex-CIA Official Faults Use of Data on Iraq
Officer who headed U.S. intelligence on Middle East until last year accuses administration of "cherry-picking" information used to justify war. (Washington Post)
Libby: White House 'Superiors' OK'd Leaks
A former top aide to Vice President Dick Cheney told a federal grand jury that his superiors authorized him to give secret information to reporters as part of the Bush administration's defense of intelligence used to justify invading Iraq, according to court papers. (AP)
France
France Secretly Upgrades Capacity Of Nuclear Arsenal
Modification increases range of missiles. Altitude bomb to knock out electronic systems. (The Guardian)
Guantanamo
U.S. Frees 7 Afghans From Guantanamo
Seven detainees were freed from the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and sent to their home country of Afghanistan this week, Defense Department officials announced yesterday, the latest step in Pentagon efforts to reduce the number of captives in the facility over coming months. (Washington Post)
Force-Feeding Breaks Protest At Guantánamo
Lawyers say abuse at prison has left only four on hunger strike. (The Guardian)
Nigeria
Nigeria Confirms Bird Flu Spread
The deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu has been found on three more farms in northern Nigeria, where thousands of poultry have died recently. (BBC)
Afghanistan
Bomb Attacks Kill Afghan Troops
Bomb attacks in rugged eastern mountains have killed eight Afghan troops and wounded six others, an official said. (AP)
LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS
Patriot Act Compromise Clears Way for Senate Vote
White House, key lawmakers agree to revisions that are likely to ensure extension of law. (Washington Post)
IRAQ NEWS
Kidnapped U.S. Reporter Appeals for Help
Kidnapped U.S. Reporter Appeals for Supporters' Help to Do Whatever It Takes to Win Her Release. (AP)
Iraqi Army Searches for New Al Qaeda Hideouts
Iraqi army units are searching for Al-Qaeda members in a remote hilly area where they are believed to have fled after falling out of favor with tribal leaders in former strongholds. (AFP)
US Offered to Exile Saddam If He Curbed Insurgents: Lawyer
The United States offered to let Saddam Hussein live in exile like Napoleon on St Helena if he would use his influence to end the Iraqi insurgency, a lawyer for the deposed leader said. (Sydney Morning Herald)
Sunni Cleric Kidnapped in Baghdad
Men wearing Iraqi police uniforms snatched a Sunni Arab cleric from his Baghdad home. Also, a car bomb exploded outside a Sunni Muslim mosque in Baghdad. (AP)
Dec. 15 Iraqi Election Results Certified
Dec. 15 Iraqi Election Results Certified, Key Step in Forming Government. (AP)
ANALYSIS & OPINION
Danger? Drabness? No Date? Iraqis Find an Outlet Online
On a recent rainy afternoon, Ahmad Nader Ali sat in a booth at the ShreifiNet Cafe, sending instant messages to his brother who lives in Finland on one screen window and his fiancée, Nour, on another. A tiny Web camera sat atop the computer, beaming live images of him to Nour's home screen across Baghdad. (NY Times)
Iran Nuclear Crisis: Iranians Speak
With the Iranian nuclear crisis escalating, the BBC News website and BBCPersian.com spoke to six Iranians in the country's capital, Tehran, for their thoughts on the crisis. (BBC)
On Iran, The Problem Is Lack of Trust
The underlying problem in the current dispute over Iran's nuclear program is one of a lack of trust and of hostile perceptions. (The Daily Star)
In Iranian Eyes, the 'Cross-Eyed British' Are to Blame
The Embassy of Denmark was attacked and pelted with gasoline bombs two days in a row because of the caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad published in a Danish newspaper. The Austrian Embassy was stoned and all its windows were smashed for the same reason. The United States has been dubbed the World Oppressor, and Israel has always been at the top of the enemies list. (NY Times)
The Insider Daily Investigative Report (DIR) is a summary of major news articles and broadcasts relating to investigative news, including international terrorism and developments in Iraq. The DIR is edited daily from foreign and U.S. sources by Chris Isham, Hoda Osman and Ellen Gustafson of the ABC News Investigative Unit. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ABCNEWS.