News Desk Friday, November 9, 2007

LAPD to build data on Muslim areas

An extensive mapping program launched by the LAPD's anti-terrorism bureau to identify Muslim enclaves across the city sparked outrage Thursday from some Islamic groups and civil libertarians, who denounced the effort as an exercise in racial and religious profiling. MORE>>>

Police ring Bhutto home in crackdown

LAHORE, Pakistan — Security forces placed former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto under virtual house arrest early today as a crackdown on President Pervez Musharraf's opponents continued, a day after he bowed to enormous political pressure and pledged to hold parliamentary elections by mid-February. MORE>>>

Gangs Terrorize Nigeria’s Vital Oil Region

PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria — Rosemary Douglas has no connection to the oil business that pumps more than two million barrels of crude a day from beneath the swampy Niger Delta. But the violence surrounding it pierced her home in September anyway, when a bullet shattered her upper left arm as she napped with her 2-year-old daughter. MORE>>>

On Campaign Bus, Obama Opens Up About Challengers

CHARITON, Iowa, Nov. 8 -- Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) took on his two principal rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination Thursday, arguing that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) cannot appeal to independents and Republicans as effectively as he can and asserting that former senator John Edwards's populist message does not square with his record. MORE>>>

Nigeria sues over child smokers

Nigeria's government says it has begun legal action against three leading international cigarette companies. It is demanding more than $40bn in compensation over their alleged role in promoting underage smoking. MORE>>>

Senegal: Journalist Arrested for Allegedly Offending President

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called on the government of Senegal to put an end to the "oppression" of journalists after the arrest of an editor this morning. This is the fourth arrest of a reporter or editor in the last month for allegedly offending the President or endangering national security. MORE>>>