Think tank reports signs of possible increase in Indo-Pakistani nuclear arms race

Both India and Pakistan may be close to launching new projects that could increase the nuclear arms race in the volatile region, an influential think tank says.International Herald Tribune (AP) - VIENNA, Austria: In twin reports e-mailed to The Associated Press late Thursday, the Institute for Science and International Security noted that India appears close to more than doubling its centrifuge capacity to between 5,000-6,000 machines that produce enriched uranium. And it said satellite imagery shows that Pakistan may intend to start a new reprocessing facility "capable of separating weapons-grade plutonium out of spent reactor fuel."

No immediate Indian or Pakistani comment was available, but diplomats based in Vienna from the two countries promised to respond later in the day.

Both countries posses nuclear weapons but remain outside the Nuclear Nonproliferation treaty. In India's case, refusal to sign that treaty has prompted criticism within the United States and abroad of Washington's decision to let America share its nuclear know-how and fuel with New Delhi.

They have fought three wars — two over the disputed territory of Kashmir — after gaining independence from Britain in 1947. However, relations between them have improved and they have held three rounds of talks since 2005, when their leaders agreed to resolve all outstanding disputes through talks.

Pakistan and India have a history of bitter relations.

Bush won't reauthorize eavesdropping

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush has decided not to renew a program of domestic spying on terrorism suspects, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said on Wednesday, ending an law-enforcement tactic criticized for infringing on civil liberties.

"The president has determined not to reauthorize the Terrorist Surveillance Program when the current authorization expires," Gonzales wrote in a letter to congressional leaders.

Bush has reauthorized the program every 45 days, and the current authorization is mid-cycle, a senior Justice Department official said. Gonzales said a recent secret-court approval allowed the government to act effectively without the program.

The program, adopted after the September 11 attacks, allowed the government to eavesdrop on the international phone calls and e-mails of U.S. citizens without a warrant, if those wiretaps were made to track suspected al Qaeda operatives.

Critics have said the program violated the U.S. Constitution and a 1978 law, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which made it illegal to spy on U.S. citizens in the United States without the approval of the special surveillance court.

"Any electronic surveillance that was occurring as part of the Terrorist Surveillance Program will now be conducted subject to the approval of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court," Gonzales said.
Gonzales said a judge on the secret FISA court recently approved a government proposal allowing it to target communications into and out of the United States when probable cause exists that one person is a member of al Qaeda or an associated terrorist organization.

What if Saddam and George Bush Shared a Room in College?

iLaugh hosts a great collection of original cartoons. It dubs itself “the second sweetest comedy portal on earth”. The site is well built, welcoming, and easy to navigate making it a fun place to visit. More importantly, they have some great original content. My favorite is “Becoming Georgie” an animated short about a scenario in which Saddam Hussein and George Bush are college room mates. (via TeevBlogger)