Transparency Needed to Crush Corruption Deutsche Welle
In its 2005 Global Corruption report, Transparency International reveals how corruption in the construction sector undermines economic development, and of the potential for crooked dealings in the reconstruction of Iraq.
Transparency Report Focuses On Corruption In Construction Radio Free Europe
Progress slow in global anti-corruption Washington Times
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The Report 2005

Senate Votes to Open Alaskan Oil Drilling ABC News
This undated file photo provided by the US Fish and Wildlife Service shows caribou grazing inside the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska. Mindful of rising oil and gasoline prices, a sharply divided Senate on Wednesday voted to open the ecologically rich Alaska wildlife refuge to oil drilling, delivering a major energy policy win for President Bush. The Senate, by a 51-49 vote, rejected an attempt by Democrats and GOP moderates to remove a refuge drilling provision from next year's budget, preventing opponents from using a filibuster a tactic that has blocked repeated past attempts to open the Alaska refuge to oil companies.
US Senate OKs Alaska wildlife refuge drilling CBC New Brunswick
Senate vote means ANWR drilling could start this year CBC North
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US's Snow-Wolfowitz choice ensures smooth handover Reuters
US Treasury Secretary John Snow said on Wednesday President George W. Bush's choice of Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz to be World Bank president ensures a seamless succession at the institution. ...
Wolfowitz To Rule the World Bank Yahoo News
Bush nominates Wolfowitz for World (Bank) job RTE News
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Bush, Berlusconi Discuss Italian Troop Withdrawal from Iraq Voice of America
President Bush says Italy's decision to begin withdrawing troops from Iraq is not a blow to the international coalition supporting the formation of a new government in Baghdad.
Bush says Italy withdrawal from Iraq not a change of policy Designerz.com
Different takes on Italy's Iraq decision Christian Science Monitor
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UN Praises US Move on Iran, Urges Tehran Be Frank ABC News
A new US-European strategy to persuade Iran to abandon sensitive nuclear programs is a big step, but diplomacy can work only if Tehran is more open, the UN nuclear chief said Wednesday.
No incentives enough for Iran to halt nuclear programme: Khatami Channel News Asia
Bush Says Iran Faces UN Action If It Won't End Nuclear Program Bloomberg
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UN Calls Eastern Congo Worst Humanitarian Crisis Voice of America
The UN top humanitarian official, Jan Egeland, says the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is the world's worst humanitarian crisis, displacing Sudan's Darfur region, which until recently held that dubious distinction.
Rising death toll in Sudan Salon
UN pulls staff from western Sudan CBC News
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Police Arrest 500 in World Pedophilia Probe, Spain Says Bloomberg
Police in a dozen European and Latin American nations arrested more than 500 people in connection with the distribution of child pornography, the Spanish Civil Guard, who coordinated the investigation, said.
Police: 500 Web pedophile ring arrests CNN International
500 arrested in global Internet paedophilia sweep: Spanish police Channel News Asia
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Islamic Jihad demands timetable for truce Xinhua
A leader of the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad (Holy War) said Wednesday the group demanded a timetable for truce with Israel, Egypt's official MENA news agency reported.
Egypt Urges Israel, Palestinians on Peace San Francisco Chronicle
Egypt hosts ‘Palestinian’ terror summit Jerusalem Newswire
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Prisoner Deaths in US Custody San Francisco Chronicle
Using information provided by the military and documents obtained by the American Civil Liberties Union, The Associated Press compiled a partial list of people who have died while in US custody in Iraq and Afghanistan.
US detainee death toll 'hits 108' BBC News
Report: Many died in US custody in war Seattle Post Intelligencer
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Greenspan speaks up; readers speak out MSNBC
We received several hundred e-mails in response to our story on Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan speaking out on Social Security and tax reform.
Greenspan Ponders Greying Of America Bayou Buzz
Greenspan Defends His Support of Tax Cuts New York Times
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High emotions during Scott Peterson sentencing Lex 18
Some heated words during Scott Peterson's sentencing for the murders of his wife and unborn son. Laci Peterson's brother, Brent Rocha (ROH'-chuh), gave a victim impact statement, saying, "Laci and Conner are the true victims here.
Judge sentences US man to death for murder of pregnant wife Turkish Press
California Judge Sentences Scott Peterson to Die ABC News
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Bush Defends Packaged News Stories from Government ABC News
President Bush said on Wednesday that the US government's practice of sending packaged news stories to local television stations was legal and he had no plans to cease it.
Mr. Schwarzenegger Goes To Washington Yahoo News
Viewer Beware Washington Post
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Phil Angelides Hellenic News of America
I am worried about the direction our state is headed. The common values you and I share are under attack from the right. But there is one man who can help put California back on track: Phil Angelides.
Phil Angelides Announces Candidacy for Governor KXTV
Phil Angelides Running For Governor KFSN
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All Charges Against Rosario Dawson Dropped Elites TV
A New York judge has dismissed all charges against actress Rosario Dawson resulting from her arrest at an anti-Bush rally outside the Republican National Convention in August. Dawson had been charged with ...
Actress's Case Is Dismissed in GOP Protests New York Times
Rosario Dawson Off the Hook Fashion Monitor Toronto
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Oil prices jump to new high above $56 mark BusinessWeek
MAR. 16 2:49 PM ET Oil prices jumped to a new record above $56 a barrel on Wednesday when traders reacted to shrinking fuel supplies in the United States and brushed off a largely symbolic effort by OPEC to cool the red-hot market.
Oil surges to record, market shrugs OPEC hike FXStreet.com
OPEC winds up 135th meeting in Isfahan Tehran Times
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Many Iraqis Losing Hope That Politics Will Yield Real Change New York Times
Haithm Ali, a wiry blacksmith, was welding an iron gate in his shop in Sadr City, the vast Shiite slum in northeastern Baghdad, when he was asked for his thoughts about the country's new national assembly.
Iraq's National Assembly Holds Historic Meeting Los Angeles Times (subscription)
Iraq’s post-Saddam parliament opens without deal on government Khaleej Times
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Taiwan Leader Criticizes China New York Times
President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan on Wednesday night strongly criticized mainland China's adoption of an antisecession law, and urged residents to join an islandwide day of protest on March 26.
China's law alters the status quo in the Strait Taipei Times
Ethiopia's parliament speaker supports China's Anti-Secession Law Xinhua
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EU delays Croatian entry talks Guardian
The EU postponed membership talks with Croatia yesterday because it has failed to do more to track down a key war crimes suspect. An alliance led by Britain and Germany warned Zagreb that talks would open ...
Croatia's EU talks halted in row over 'war criminal' Times Online
EU postpones talks with Croatia International Herald Tribune
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North Korea rejects nuclear negotiations: New Kerala
North Korea Wednesday announced it would not return to nuclear negotiations in Beijing following criticism from Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
North Korea attacks Rice 'tyranny' claim Telegraph.co.uk
North Korea backs out of talks in Shanghai Asahi Shimbun
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Iranian Offers 'Guarantees' to Europe New York Times
President Mohammad Khatami said Wednesday that his country would not drop its uranium-enrichment program but was ready to provide "objective guarantees" that European negotiators were seeking about Iran's nuclear program.
Bush Urges Patience, Diplomacy on Iran Reuters
UN Praises US Move on Iran, Urges Tehran to Open ABC News
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New York to Continue International Arms Network Investigation Voice of America
In the wake of the breakup of an international arms smuggling network in New York Tuesday, prosecutors says they will continue to investigate the weapons trafficking ring.
Arms-smuggling sting sheds light on US security efforts Christian Science Monitor
18 Suspected Arms Smugglers Were 'Amateurs' Moscow Times
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Current account reaches record high: New Kerala
The US current account deficit in the fourth quarter reached a record high, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.
US current account deficit hits record amount New Zealand Herald
Trade gap sets records CNN International
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US Industrial Output Up 0.3% In February Industry Week
Factories, mines and utilities boosted production by 0.3% in February after a revised 0.1% increase in January, the Federal Reserve said March 15.
Feb. industrial output up 0.3 percent: New Kerala
US industrial production up 0.3 percent in February Xinhua
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Yahoo Tests Content-Sharing Blog Service eWeek
Yahoo on Tuesday confirmed that it will start beta testing a new community service this month that will let users share blogs, photos, music and other content with their friends.
Yahoo to Step Into Blogs, Social Networking Reuters
Yahoo! annonunces entry into Blogging Market Blog Herald
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Jury acquits Blake in shooting death of his wife four years ago Winston-Salem Journal
A jury acquitted tough-guy actor Robert Blake of murder yesterday in the shooting death of his wife four years ago, bringing a stunning end to a case that played out like pulp fiction.
Blake Is Found Not Guilty Los Angeles Times (subscription)
EXCLUSIVE: Bonny Lee Bakley's Mother Speaks to News Channel 3 WREG
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House Backs Federal Court Role in Schiavo Case Reuters
The US House late on Wednesday approved a bill that would give federal courts the power to hear the case of a brain-damaged Florida woman whose feeding tube is scheduled to be removed on Friday.
US House OKs Bill to Delay Schiavo Case ABC News
Florida Lawmakers Work to Finalize Bill Protecting Terri Schiavo LifeNews.com
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The accused: Jubiliation and relief Globe and Mail
The two men acquitted of masterminding the mass murder of 329 people aboard Air-India Flight 182 walked out of court to waiting, triumphant family members and supporters yesterday. ...
CANADIAN JUSTICE: Judge acquits accused in Air India bombing The Union Leader
Court verdict a 'betrayal', say relatives of Kanishka bombing Indo-Asian News Service
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Hezbollah rejects Bush call to disarm Xinhua
Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, has rejected a call from US President George W. Bush for the movement to disarm. He said that the party was being asked to disarm so that Lebanon ...
Can Hezbollah be coaxed to trade terrorism for politics? USA Today
Hezbollah Rejects Disarmament Call Voice of America
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French woman arrested for murder of banker Edouard Stern: judge Channel News Asia, Singapore
Swiss police have arrested a French woman who allegedly confessed to the sex-related killing of banker Edouard Stern, one of France's richest men, the judge in charge of the case revealed. Swiss radio said a French woman involved in Geneva's sado-masochistic scene had been detained and that the shooting of Stern had been sex-related.
French Woman Arrested in Edouard Stern Murder, Swiss Police Say Bloomberg
French Woman Arrested in Stern Murder, Police Say Bloomberg
Swiss woman held in Stern killing BBC News
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Wolfowitz Must Convince Doubters He's Right for World Bank Job Bloomberg
Paul D. Wolfowitz, the deputy US defense secretary who helped wage the Iraq war amid European opposition, must now prove he is a man of peace who can lead a global effort to fight poverty as president of the World Bank. ...
Bush Rules Out Timetable for Iraq Pullout Al-Jazeerah.info
A New Boss for the Bank Washington Post
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McCartney sisters won support from US Xinhua
Five Catholic sisters from Northern Ireland have won strong support from a group of US Senators in their struggle to have the Irish Republican Army, or IRA, identify the killers of their ...
Shunning Sinn Fein Washington Post
Irish eyes Charleston Gazette
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Italy's Prime Minister says timing of Iraq withdrawal not fixed Reuters India
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said on Wednesday that he hopes to withdraw troops from Iraq starting in September, but that the timing was not fixed and could be changed if necessary.
Berlusconi qualifies Iraq troop withdrawal stance ABC Online
Berlusconi calls Bush: I want my troops outta here Times of India
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Bus explosion kills 30 in China Japan Today
A bus exploded on an expressway in southeastern China early Thursday, killing about 30 people, injuring seven others and causing damage to nearby houses, the state-run Xinhua News Agency said.
Powerful bus blast kills up to 30 in Jiangxi China Daily
About 30 killed in bus blast in east China Press Trust of India
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'Vampire of the desert' put to death Independent Online
"Hit him harder, the bastard," yelled Ali Khosravi, whose 10-year-old son was last year kidnapped and killed by 22-year-old Mohammad Bijeh.
Thousands attend killer's public execution Telegraph.co.uk
Child sex killer flogged and hanged in front of cheering crowds The Herald
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Bush selects Martin to be new FCC chairman Washington Times
President Bush promoted Kevin J. Martin to chairman of the Federal Communications Commission yesterday, choosing a consistent critic of indecency on the airwaves as the nation's chief regulator of the media and telecommunications industry.
Bush names Powell's successor as FCC chief Atlanta Journal Constitution (subscription)
A Deal Maker Named by Bush to Lead FCC New York Times
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DeLay expected to rake it in at tonight's ROMP fundraiser The Hill
House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) will receive an overwhelming outpouring of support - in cold, hard cash �-rom his fellow GOP lawmakers at tonight’s Retain Our Majority Program (ROMP) fundraiser.
President Supports DeLay as Investigations Widen New York Times
House Member May Face DeLay Probe Conflict ABC News
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Episcopalians ban consecration of new bishops Houston Chronicle
Episcopal bishops have banned the consecration of all new bishops for more than a year in an effort to avert a potential split with the worldwide Anglican Communion.
Episcopalians Halt New Bishops and Gay Unions Washington Post
Episcopalian plan stays consecrations Washington Times
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Woman charged in death of girl missing for nearly 5 years Kansas City Star
A Miami-Dade grand jury on Wednesday indicted a former caregiver in the murder of Rilya Wilson, the long-missing foster child whose cherubic ...
Caretaker of missing Fla. girl charged with murder Minneapolis Star Tribune (subscription)
Ex-Caregiver Charged With Murdering Girl Guardian
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Blast Kills at Least Five in Southern Afghan City Reuters
At least five people were killed and more than 30 wounded Thursday in blast blamed on Taliban fighters in Kandahar, according to a senior security officer in the southern Afghan city. ...
5 killed in roadside blast in Afghanistan Xinhua
Afghan roadside blast wounds at least 25 Kansas City Star
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Russian electricity boss survives attack unharmed ABC Online
The head of Russia's electricity monopoly, Anatoly Chubais, has escaped unharmed after his car was raked with automatic weapons fire following an explosion.
CEO of UES Chubais survives assassination attempt Thu PRIME-TASS (subscription)
Russia UES CEO Survives Assault on Car -- Company Reuters
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Reported Abuse Cases Fell After Abu Ghraib Washington Post
By Josh White. The number of reported detainee abuse cases against US Army soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan declined sharply after the abuses at the Abu Ghraib prison came to light last spring, with incident ...
US Military Calls 2 Dozen Detainee Deaths Homicide Reuters
Army Probes Deaths of Iraq, Afghanistan Detainees NPR (audio)
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Iraqi Leaders Make History, Not Progress Los Angeles Times (subscription)
Shrugging off insurgent mortar fire that rattled the windows, the National Assembly met Wednesday for the first time, with speeches celebrating its democratic ...
Historic Opening of Iraqi Parliament Arab News
Parliament holds first meeting Sydney Morning Herald (subscription)
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Businesses give mixed response to tainted Japan ties Korea Herald (subscription)
This was supposed to be a great year for Korea and Japan. The neighboring countries agreed to call it the "Korea-Japan Friendship Year" and initiated talks to pave the way for a free-trade agreement.
Tokyo Urged to Stop Justifying Past Misdeeds Korea Times
Japanese Press Urges Calm Over Dokdo Chosun Ilbo
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Italian troop pullout: did Berlusconi cave to popular pressure or not?

http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0316/dailyUpdate.html

Senate considers bill to force govt. to reply faster to FOIA requests.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0317/dailyUpdate.html

Rice Supports Pakistan Elections Effort, Visits Afghanistan Muslim American Society
Before visiting Afghanistan on a tour of South Asia , US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told Pakistan 's military ruler President Pervez Musharraf that the United States supports Pakistan 's move toward ...
Afghans Again Put Off Parliamentary Elections, Citing Logistics New York Times
US Secretary of State praises Pakistan Age (subscription)
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