Witnesses say Security 5 killed in Syria RAID - voice of America

VOA News April 25, 2011 a man throws a rock at a passing tank in a place given as Deraa in this still image of an amateur video, April 25, 2011

Witnesses in southern Syria say security forces have killed five people, as authorities to expand their crackdown on a five-week anti-Government uprising.

Monday said they saw the bodies in a car the witness, had attacked the security forces is ' A, after rolled tanks and soldiers in the city.

Permission groups reported also shot by security forces in the Duma, a suburb of the capital Damascus.

On Sunday, permission groups said security forces killed at least four civilians and city Jableh, protest against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad of last night arrested many activists of the opposition in the coastline after pro-democracy.? Witnesses say that the murders occurred even if no protests underway.

In the meantime, police raids in Syria Sunday, especially around Damascus and the central city of Homs conducted secret.? Arrests more than grieving funerals for protesters killed last during the two days.

Sweeps against the Government, the demonstrators despite last week lifting the country's nearly 50-year-old emergency law have escalated. The New York Times, quoting the Managing Director who said Syrian rights group Insan Wissam fare, 217 people have disappeared since Friday.

Funerals were held for the victims of the violence Friday and Saturday.? Human rights groups say that at least 120 people were killed in the two-day crackdown.

The US Human Rights Watch called Sunday for a UN investigation into the death and international sanctions to the officials for the murder charge.

President Assad signed a decree ending decades of State of emergency last week.? The ruling was part of his efforts against the Government stop unrest, by an important demand protesters.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.

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DealBook: When Galleon, spotlight on Rajat Gupta

In the entire Raj Rajaratnam randomised trial, the jury, as soon as Monday could go, it has an elephant in the courtroom: Rajat k. Gupta.

Mr Gupta, once one which most respected businessmen, is not here the world attempting to still it has criminally been charged. But hardly a day if it is the jury in Mr. Rajaratnam study - the Government has largest insider trading case in a generation - Mr. Gupta, the former head of McKinsey & consultancy company not heard.

A wiretap on which Mr tells Gupta, a former Director at Goldman Sachs, Mr. Rajaratnam, the Galleon group hedge fund ran, the Bank of secret Board judges heard discussions.

Alessandro Della Bella/Keystone, via associated press Rajat k. Gupta, a co-conspirator is excellent.

You heard a tape of Mr Rajaratnam boasting to a colleague, that Goldman Director him on the Bank's earnings over a public announcement of typed had. In another recorded call Mr. Rajaratnam said its agents, that he had received word, the somewhat good idea was to happen at Goldman.

Public prosecutors was also telephone bills, as well as trading records, that Mr. Rajaratnam soon after his phone calls with Mr Gupta Goldman shares traded.

Mr Gupta still is mentioned in the Government not accusation against Mr Rajaratnam. The United States attorney's Office in Manhattan, the Mr Gupta role in the case for at least three years was investigated, appointed a co-conspirator of Mr. Rajaratnam but has not paid him him criminally.

Instead, federal prosecutors of their formal charges against Mr Rajaratnam have built around five cooperating witnesses guilty involvement in insider trading conspiracies with the defendant pleaded have.

Legal experts say there are too many reasons for prosecutors conducting a criminal investigation accuse some co-conspirators during the loading process others do not.

"What drives the strength of the evidence against each individual co-conspirators and tactical considerations, these decisions", said Anthony M. Sabino, law professor at St. John's University.

There was no indication that Mr Gupta in Mr. Rajaratnam case in the months before the study would play no role. But the beginning of March, one week before selection jury, the Securities and Exchange Commission shockwaves through corporate America sent, if there is a civil administrative proceedings against Mr Gupta filed. The Agency accused him leaking Board meetings to Mr. Rajaratnam of Goldman and Procter & gamble, serving also as Director to resign last month.

"The S.E.C. completely unfounded claims", said Gary p. Naftali's, Mr. Gupta lawyer, at the time. "Mr Gupta 40-year record is ethical behavior, to guard integrity and commitment to its customers trust unconditional."

Mr. Gupta, an Indian of Kolkata and graduated from the Harvard Business School, is the most famous Executive ensnared by far reaching the Government investigation into insider dealing with hedge funds. From grace his sudden case has stunned the business world.

As global managing director of McKinsey, Mr. Gupta, 62, was a trusted advisor to Chief executives including Jeffrey R. Immelt of General Electric and Henry R. Kravis of private-equity firm Kohlberg of Kravis Roberts. A prominent philanthropist, he was a senior advisory on the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

While the last decade it rose close to Mr. Rajaratnam, a major financial supporter of the Indian School of business, highly regarded graduate school, Mr. Gupta contributed to starting. At the time of his retirement by McKinsey in 2007, he went into business with Mr. Rajaratnam, a private equity company was founded. Mr investment Gupta also with Mr Rajaratnam.

It was during this time a nine month stretch in 2008, that the Government of Mr. Rajaratnam wiretapped phone. Have these recordings helped to bring the Government charges against 26 persons, 20 of them pleaded guilty.

Federal prosecutors seem weaker evidence against Mr Gupta as against some of Mr. Rajaratnam other co-conspirators have. Outsourcing tips with Mr. Rajaratnam, for example, two cooperating witness - Anil Kumar and Rajiv Goel - several wiretaps can be heard.

Mr. of Gupta's case played federal prosecutors only a wiretap on the Mr Gupta Goldman passed, Board meetings to Mr. Rajaratnam. A call of July 2008, Mr Gupta Mr Rajaratnam said that the Bank Board was a purchase of Wachovia or the American international group.

Prosecutors not evidence, but present, traded the Mr. Rajaratnam on this tip.

Prosecutors also prevent certain rules could be used against Mr Gupta two of the most onerous eavesdropping during the process played, legal experts say.

In a call, Mr. Rajaratnam, a colleague, says "yesterday I heard from someone who on the Board of Goldman Sachs, they are going, losing $2 per share." In the other, Mr. Rajaratnam says its agents, "I have a conversation said that something good happen Goldman."

Because these conversations between Mr. Rajaratnam and his team have been, a judge could they evidence, declare inadmissible hearsay that is, it also indirect or speculative against Mr Gupta used.

But prosecutors could try the talks against Mr Gupta under the co-conspirators exception to the rule referred to use hearsay. The theory is that Mr. Rajaratnam suspected the statements about Goldman to promote conspiracy between Mr. Rajaratnam and Mr Gupta have been made.

Without these two statements by Mr Rajaratnam on tips of Goldman, prosecutors were obliged to evidence such as telephone bills and trading records, Mr guilt produce leave Gupta.

In the S.E.C. civil proceedings, the Agency has to do a lower burden of proof as federal prosecutors in a criminal action. A S.E.C. administrative judges not hearsay is subject to rules.

An unusual twist Mr Gupta S.E.C. sued last month, dissenting, that an administrative proceeding by a jury in wrong Federal Court had excluded him. Mr Gupta had more protection is in one administrative procedures, including the right to check proof of S.E.C.. Judge has still not ruled on the question.

If the S.E.C. There is, a judge could fines Mr Gupta and bar him impose of as an officer or Director of a company.

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Libyan official: Army suspends operation in Misratah - voice of America

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THE Guantanamo files: Rebel Libyan layers of prisoner and US of ally of the species

Mr Qumu, 51, is today to oust an important figure in the Libyan rebels battle, Colonel Muammar el-Qaddafi, reportedly one of the leaders of a ragtag band of fighters known as the Darnah Brigade for his birthplace, this shoddy port city of 100,000 people in the northeastern Libya. The former foe and prisoner of the United States is now an ally of the kind, a remarkable turnabout as a result of the shift of American policy, rather than any obvious change of Mr Qumu.

He was a tank driver in the 1980s Soviet troops take years, while the Central Intelligence Agency was religious militant billion expenditure in the Libyan army trying to support of Afghanistan. Mr Qumu moved to Afghanistan in the early 1990's, as well as Osama bin Laden and other former mujahideen were forcibly against their former benefactor, the United States apply.

He was in Pakistan after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the membership of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, Colonel Qadhafi accused that taken prisoner and after Guantanamo sent - partly on the basis of the information Government.

"The Libyan Government prisoner a ' dangerous man with no qualms about committing terrorist acts," "says that designated 2005 review, obviously, results obtained by the New York Times quote Libyan intelligence."?"He was known as one of the commanders of the Afghan Arabs, extremist'"the Libyan information on, to Arab fighters who remained in Afghanistan after the anti-Soviet Jihad."

If this evaluation of Guantanamo was written, was the United States service on terrorism works closely with Colonel Qadhafi intelligence. The United States now, is supplier of the international coalition a leading, try - to force Colonel Qadhafi and is with air makes the rebels, including Mr Qumu secure.

The classified Guantanamo review of Mr Qumu claims that he suffered under "non-specific personality disorder" and tells - again relying on the Libyan Government as a source - a history of drug addiction and drug trafficking, and charges of murder and armed assault.

1993 The document claims, Mr Qumu escape from a Libyan prison, fled to Egypt and went on to Afghanistan, to training in a camp run by Mr bin Laden. Mr Qumu denied in Guantanamo know terrorist activities. He said he feared prosecution for Libya, where he confronted and asked to go where "you (the United States) me, according to a hearing summary can look at" returned to another country.

However, 2007, he is released from Guantanamo after Libya and in the next year in an amnesty for militants.

Colonel Qadhafi has allegations about Mr. Qumu past in statements Al Qaeda blamed for the entire Libyan uprising quoted. Series found in the rebels nervously the presence of at least a few former members American officials.

The walls of buildings along the street in Darnah are with the usual anti-Gaddafi and pro-Western slogans, in English and Arabic, all found eastern Libya decorated. But there are extensions: "No. Qaeda" and "no to extremism."

Darnah has reason to be sensitive. The city has a long history of Islamic militancy, including a revolt against Colonel Qadhafi rule led by Islamists in the mid-1990s, which led a vicious crackdown. Activists from here are credited with beginning the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, which later announced, that it was with Al-Qaeda branch company, and fight the militant as Mr. Qumu in Afghanistan.

Darnah has although, notably, a claim to the world's most productive recruiting ground for suicide bombers. An analysis of the 600 suicide bombers in Iraq by combating terrorism Center at West point that that the 440, that their residence in a recruiting roster 52 of Darna, the best of each city, with Riyadh, Saudi Arabia waren40 time send as 1930–32 lists, as the next largest source of 51.

In addition to Mr Qumu, say local residents the Darnah Brigade of Abdul Hakim al-Hasadi, another Libyan thought to be in Afghanistan during the reign of the Taliban, a militant, was when Al Qaeda had training camps, is run.

Mr Qumu last week to enable Mr Hasadi, but has not for a promised interview, in crumpled fatigues with light beard and a lazy left eye, constantly half closed. He denied that Mr Qumu was in his group, recently the martyrs of Abu Salim Brigade, according to a prison in Tripoli, where 1,200 inmates were slaughtered in 1996 renamed. Mr Qumu sons said in his Brigade, he.

Mr Hasadi said "I white not convince such as everyone, that we here are not Al Qaeda,". "Our goal is to overthrow Qadhafi," he added. "I know that you never believe you me, but it's true."

At the moment seem Western observers in Benghazi, the temporary rebel capital 180 miles from here, content, to accept the assurances. "We are more concerned about Al Qaeda infiltration of outside as the indigenous,", said one. "Most of them have a local agenda so that they present not as much as a threat to the West."

Rod reported Nordland from Darnah, and Scott Shane from Washington. Kareem Fahim contributed reporting from Benghazi, Libya.

This article was revised and according to the following correction:

Correction: April 25, 2011

An earlier version of the image caption with this article identified Abdul Hakim al-Hasadi incorrectly as Abu Sufian Ibrahim Ahmed Hamuda am Qumu.

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The Guantanamo files: Classified files provide new insights in prisoners

WASHINGTON-A treasure trove of more than 700 secret military documents offers new and detailed accounts of men who have made time in the prison of Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, as well as new insights into the evidence against 172 men up there still locked.

The US prison in Guantanamo Bay holds still 172 prisoners, most rated "high risk". This article is based on a huge treasure trove of secret government documents leaked last year for the anti-secrecy organization of WikiLeaks, and to the New York Times from a different source on condition of anonymity made available.Editors and journalists, who edited this article will choose you answer questions about the coverage of the material. Prayed a prisoner in the Guantanamo Bay prison outside his cell in 2007, in an area for the most compatible prisoners.

Military intelligence officials, in reviews of prisoners written from February 2002 until January 2009, its history evaluated and provided insights into the tensions between captors and prisoners. What started as a jury-rigged experiment after the terrorist attacks of 2001 now seems a permanent American institution, and the leaked files, show why setting of bare the patchwork and contradictory evidence, which would never have stand in many cases in criminal court or a military tribunal.

The documents record meticulously the prisoners ' Pocket litter "if it is collected: a Kabul bus ticket, fake passports and forged student ID, a receipt restaurant also a poem. You list the prisoners diseases - hepatitis, tuberculosis, gout and depression. You note their serial interrogations, enumerate - even after six or more years of relentless questioning - remaining "areas of potential use." Describe in mates' infractions - die-cutting waking, apart tear slippers, screaming about cell blocks. And the analysts try to strengthen, it years of the prisoners comments to a different data set the case for further detention.

The secret documents, the New York Times and several other news organizations, show that most of the remaining 172 prisoners as a "high risk" of posing a threat to the United States and their allies, if published without appropriate rehabilitation and oversight have rated. But they show that about a third of the 600 already transmitted also a greater number of prisoners who have - left Cuba on other countries - have been called "High risk" before they were released or handed over to the custody of other Governments.

The documents are largely silent - including sleep deprivation, of loops in stress positions and prolonged exposure to cold temperatures - about the use of harsh interrogation tactics at Guantánamo, moved the global condemnation. Several prisoners, but are as shown, make up false stories about subject to abuse.

The Government basic accusations against many detainees have long public and often from prisoners and their lawyers have been challenged. But the dossiers, prepared under the Bush administration a deeper look at the frightening, if flawed, intelligence, which has the Obama administration, also persuaded, that the prison can not easily be closed.

Prisoners who worried especially counterterrorism officials include some defendants, assassins vowed for Al Qaeda, activists for a cancelled suicide mission and prisoners to their interrogators that she would wreak revenge against America.

The military analysts files offer new information about the berüchtigsten their prisoners, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the planner of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. At some point to March 2002 he ordered a former Baltimore resident, don suicide bomb vest and perform a "martyrdom" attack on Pervez Musharraf, then Pakistan's President, according to the documents. But as the man, Majid only a test Khan, the Pakistani mosque that he had said that Mr Musharraf would visit the assignment proved for his "willingness to die for the cause."

The files show the method of forecast years in the case of a false identity collect intelligence in war zones, or simple accident led to the police buildings innocent men. In May 2003, for example, included Afghan national army of prisoner 1051, an Afghan named Sharbat, close to the scene of a roadside bomb explosion that display documents. He denied involvement, saying that he was a shepherd. Guantanamo de Briefers and analysts agreed, citing its consistent history, his knowledge of animals and his ignorance of "simple military and political concepts," Beware of depending on its assessment. A "enemy combatants" explains still a military tribunal to him anyway, and he was not sent home until 2006.

Obama administration officials condemned the publication of classified documents, obtained last year by the anti-secrecy group of WikiLeaks, however, to the times from a different source. The officials pointed out, that an administration task force set up in January 2009 came the information in the prisoners reviews and in some cases checked at different conclusions. So they said, can the documents of the times published not a current view of the Government of prisoners at Guantanamo is.

See the results in the files:

?Switching 20th hijacker: the best documented case an abusive interrogation methods at Guantanamo survey was the coercive, end of 2002 and early 2003, by Mohammed Qahtani. A Saudi believes man 11 attacks to have been an intended participant in the Sept., Mr Qahtani was sexually humiliated like a dog, and forced to urinate on themselves restricted. His file says, "Although publicly shared entries claim that prisoner was subject to harsh interrogation methods in the early stages of detention," his confessions "appear to be true and are confirmed in the reports from other sources." But claims that it allegedly found made of at least 16 other prisoners have - especially in April and May 2003 - are cited in their files without any reservation.

Charlie Savage reported from Washington, and William Glaberson and Andrew W. lessons from New York. Scott Shane contributed reporting from Washington, and Benjamin Weiser and Andrei Scheinkman from New York.

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A statement from the Government of the United States

Lincoln ordered a blockade of the South and forces leave Union two arsenals. A room for debate Forum on what endangered plant and animal species can save, if the endangered species act not.

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Legislator search Street after confirmation to help Unclog

The proposal to the end of the Senate would be validating approximately 200 executive positions pare the most serious effort in the last few years which makes Constitutional Chamber of the advice and consent. Amounted to a rare voluntary surrender of congressional power, and it has high-profile cross-party support with approval, of the majority leader Harry Reid of Nevada and the Republican leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

"We are very good people lose, because the process so overwhelming, so long and has become so double", said Senator Susan Collins, Republican of Maine, and a leading proponent of the Bill. "Why should a complete f.b.i. background check will return to that to age of 18 years for a single, in a part time Board?"

Since the Senate President George Bush's selection of John G. Tower as Secretary of Defense 1989 refused, have Senate confirmations bruising become public relations to delve that deeply into a nominee background. President Obama first picks for several cabinet posts moved their nominations to the process embarrassing details.

Several Presidents, frustrated by delays, tried to work around that by so-called recess appointments while Congress is not in the meeting. Mr Obama the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid install services used this tactic last summer.

Backers of the confirmation measure say she want a difficult task for medium-sized nominated trying the Senate a charged partisan era navigate call to facilitate it. While it not senior positions, the legislation and related proposal to speed up filling about 250 part-time jobs would affect an explosion in ├╝berpr├╝fbare posts from about 280 to repent, when President John F. Kennedy in 1961 to 1,400 in the beginning.

It's never easy to tinker with the rules in an institution known for its resistance to change.

With a view to the list of Secretaries, Department Directors, chief finance officers and advisory board members are from the Senate docket would be removed, some conservative for wizard type see the effort that white expand House carte blanche for bureaucratic urban sprawl. The change would limit the leverage, the legislators have management by reducing the number of dates, which could block them to win concessions or other relevant information.

Writing for the conservative Heritage Foundation, urged David S. Addington, Chief of staff, Vice President Dick Cheney was the defeat of the Bill, the editors say the Constitution "the President appoint the Royal power, give the officers of the Government itself."

Conservative senators have raised similar objections.

"The President appoint Tsar and bureaucrats without Congressional oversight allows the problem adds a constantly growing, unaccountable Government", Moira Bagley, said a spokeswoman for Senator Paul, Republican of Kentucky, the objections to the measure has led to the expression.

Others make, officials of confirmation be exempted to downgraded stature among colleagues, who lose the contributions taken into account.

And some say the Senate, where the slow pace and partisan maneuvering on acknowledgment has held free offices for long distances at high level, is too timid and should more far-reaching changes for all Presidents appointed.

"This is a start, but it not the real problems with the rules or with the confirmation process, address", said Senator Tom Udall, Democrat of New Mexico, which has to discuss proposed shortening of the time that legislators to cut a nomination a filibuster up to 4 hours of 30. "These are small steps."

Mr. Udall helped push the Senate in considering an overhaul of the confirmation of order earlier this year process he limit threatened a ground battle for a proposal to the filibusters force. Procedural changes agreed to avert a showdown, to look at the lead, and the proposal, the number was confirmation of the Senate a result.

Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, the No. 3 Republican in the Chamber and a former Cabinet Secretary, said the plunge of the jobs, the confirmation has cut the time for more pressing issues in the Senate and put on an unnecessary burden nominated require.

"We pull some unsuspecting citizen through this gauntlet investigations and questioning," said Mr Alexander syndrome has called the process of "innocent until nominated". "they are very happy if they made by all without a criminal will be displayed."

The legislation, which the Senate homeland security and Affairs earmarked this month charged, would some 200 bodies remove - many of them public affairs or Congress relations jobs for various agencies - the Senate control. Among the notable positions on the list are the United States Treasurer, which officials say has become a largely ceremonial position, and the Director of the Mint.

Authors of the Bill said that they have selected positions, which they consider not central setting policy or money. For example, contains the list of the Assistant Secretary of agriculture for the Congressional Relations; the Assistant Secretary of Defense for networks and information integration; and the Assistant Attorney General for legislative affairs, among others. The Bill also proposes to stop confirmation of the chief finance officers in many agencies.

Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, the Connecticut independent, the State Committee of leads, said that the decline in jobs requiring confirmation President vacancies more quickly fill enabled should be.

Mr Lieberman said "Eighteen months in the Obama administration, 25 percent of its candidates were still unconfirmed,". "This is not a blind alley."

In addition to the exemption of 200 jobs, the measure would create a working group in Central Administration to report within 90 days of proposals for the creation of one single "smart forms" candidates "all those one way questions enable sollzu a single point in time."

The legislation - you would have to be approved by both houses of Congress, when the House in the Senate on these issues delayed - is to be complemented by a new rule Senate which automatically place would the names of dozens of appointed boards and commissions in the Senate once they have submitted calendar for approval a required questionnaire. Senators would have 10 days to intervene.

Mr Alexander said "Instead our time confirmed an appointment, to spend the literary society or the Morris k. Lee Udall Scholarship Fund, we should work on the reduction of the debt". "We end up with more than 1,000 nominated, which is still more than President Clinton had and four times more than President Kennedy appointed."

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