Justice official refused to OK wiretaps
WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A top Justice Department official refused in 2004 to approve key parts of the Bush administration's domestic eavesdropping program, it was reported.
The top deputy to then-Attorney General John Ashcroft declined to approve some elements of the program, prompting two top White House aides to try to get approval from Ashcroft himself -- as he recovered in a hospital from gall bladder surgery -- the New York Times reported.
Citing officials knowledgeable about the episode, the newspaper said Ashcroft's deputy, James Comey -- who was acting attorney general when Ashcroft was hospitalized in March 2004 -- would not certify important parts of the program to monitor domestic communications without warrants.
Comey's refusal prompted White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card and then-White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales to visit Ashcroft at George Washington University Hospital to review the program -- during what aides have described as a difficult recovery, the Times reported.
Neither the White House nor Ashcroft would comment Saturday on the report.
The Times said it was unclear whether the White House ever persuaded Ashcroft to approve the program or whether the White House moved forward without his approval.
Military death toll in Iraq 844 in 2005
BAGHDAD, Iraq, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The U.S. military death toll in Iraq in 2005 almost matched that of 2004.
The New York Times reported at least 844 service members were killed in 2005, while the total for the previous year was 848. The total since the invasion began in March 2003 was 2,178 hours before the end of the year.
The Times statistics came from the military and from a non-profit organization, the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count.
Through Dec. 3, 5,557 military personnel were wounded in Iraq in 2005. The total for 2004 was 7,989, with 15,955 wounded since the invasion in March 2003.
The two deadliest months of 2005 were January with 107 killed and almost 500 wounded, and October with 96 killed and 603 wounded. Both months saw a run-up in violence before elections.
Roadside bombs caused 427 deaths in 2005.
The death toll for Iraqis is larger and harder to pin down. Iraq Body Count estimates 30,000 have died since hostilities began.
Tube strike dampens London festivities
LONDON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A threatened 24-hour strike on the London Tube went into effect Saturday.
While Transport of London claimed the job action was having little effect on service, The Independent reported the full force of the walkout would not be felt until late in the evening. Some drivers with shifts ending at 9 p.m. local time continued to work.
Before the strike was announced, officials expected 150,000 people to gather in Trafalgar Square and on the Thames Embankment for a midnight fireworks display and other festive events. But many were expected to stay home, fearing that if they went into the heart of the city they would be walking home or trying to squeeze onto a crowded bus.
The RMT, which represents employees on the Tube, called the job action because of staffing changes union leaders say are unsafe. But some union members were expected to work after seeing a news photo of one leader, Bob Crowe, enjoying a vacation in Egypt.
Heavy rains flood northern California
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- One of the heaviest rain storms in years threatened Saturday to damp down New Year's Eve in Northern California.
Flood warnings were posted for 19 counties across central California from the Sacramento area to the Sierras. Mudslides closed several highways in the Sierras, including Interstate 80.
Steve Jackson -- owner of King's Sporting Goods in Guerneville on the Russian River north of the Bay Area -- reported a brisk business in storm supplies from ponchos and boots to batteries. He told the San Francisco Chronicle one anxious customer even picked up an inflatable boat and life jackets.
At least one Guerneville resort canceled its New Year's Eve party because of the weather.
In Sacramento, officials ordered a round-the-clock watch on the levees that protect the state capital from flooding.
Scattered evacuations were reported and several thousand homes and businesses were without power.
More rain is in the forecast through Monday.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A top Justice Department official refused in 2004 to approve key parts of the Bush administration's domestic eavesdropping program, it was reported.
The top deputy to then-Attorney General John Ashcroft declined to approve some elements of the program, prompting two top White House aides to try to get approval from Ashcroft himself -- as he recovered in a hospital from gall bladder surgery -- the New York Times reported.
Citing officials knowledgeable about the episode, the newspaper said Ashcroft's deputy, James Comey -- who was acting attorney general when Ashcroft was hospitalized in March 2004 -- would not certify important parts of the program to monitor domestic communications without warrants.
Comey's refusal prompted White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card and then-White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales to visit Ashcroft at George Washington University Hospital to review the program -- during what aides have described as a difficult recovery, the Times reported.
Neither the White House nor Ashcroft would comment Saturday on the report.
The Times said it was unclear whether the White House ever persuaded Ashcroft to approve the program or whether the White House moved forward without his approval.
Military death toll in Iraq 844 in 2005
BAGHDAD, Iraq, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The U.S. military death toll in Iraq in 2005 almost matched that of 2004.
The New York Times reported at least 844 service members were killed in 2005, while the total for the previous year was 848. The total since the invasion began in March 2003 was 2,178 hours before the end of the year.
The Times statistics came from the military and from a non-profit organization, the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count.
Through Dec. 3, 5,557 military personnel were wounded in Iraq in 2005. The total for 2004 was 7,989, with 15,955 wounded since the invasion in March 2003.
The two deadliest months of 2005 were January with 107 killed and almost 500 wounded, and October with 96 killed and 603 wounded. Both months saw a run-up in violence before elections.
Roadside bombs caused 427 deaths in 2005.
The death toll for Iraqis is larger and harder to pin down. Iraq Body Count estimates 30,000 have died since hostilities began.
Tube strike dampens London festivities
LONDON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A threatened 24-hour strike on the London Tube went into effect Saturday.
While Transport of London claimed the job action was having little effect on service, The Independent reported the full force of the walkout would not be felt until late in the evening. Some drivers with shifts ending at 9 p.m. local time continued to work.
Before the strike was announced, officials expected 150,000 people to gather in Trafalgar Square and on the Thames Embankment for a midnight fireworks display and other festive events. But many were expected to stay home, fearing that if they went into the heart of the city they would be walking home or trying to squeeze onto a crowded bus.
The RMT, which represents employees on the Tube, called the job action because of staffing changes union leaders say are unsafe. But some union members were expected to work after seeing a news photo of one leader, Bob Crowe, enjoying a vacation in Egypt.
Heavy rains flood northern California
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- One of the heaviest rain storms in years threatened Saturday to damp down New Year's Eve in Northern California.
Flood warnings were posted for 19 counties across central California from the Sacramento area to the Sierras. Mudslides closed several highways in the Sierras, including Interstate 80.
Steve Jackson -- owner of King's Sporting Goods in Guerneville on the Russian River north of the Bay Area -- reported a brisk business in storm supplies from ponchos and boots to batteries. He told the San Francisco Chronicle one anxious customer even picked up an inflatable boat and life jackets.
At least one Guerneville resort canceled its New Year's Eve party because of the weather.
In Sacramento, officials ordered a round-the-clock watch on the levees that protect the state capital from flooding.
Scattered evacuations were reported and several thousand homes and businesses were without power.
More rain is in the forecast through Monday.
© 2005 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
» Next in Top News:
Justice official refused to OK wiretaps
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (R) visits a military academy in Kostroma, some 300 km (188 miles) northeast of Moscow, on May 15, 2008. Medvedev promised on Thursday to provide the necessary funding for Russian nuclear forces to counter global threats. (UPI Photo/Anatoli Zhdanov)
Russian President Medvedev visits a military academy in the city of Kostroma
Full Photo
| Slideshow
Latest Headlines
Most Popular