headlines i like to see

* headlines i like to see, msnbc (we'll see if it's accurate):

"Judge settles classified info fight in Libby case
Limited intellgence details decision likely eliminates prospect of 'graymail'

A federal judge has accepted a series of redactions and substitutions proposed by Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald - to be provided to I Lewis "Scooter" Libby's defense team - which will limit what Libby can share with jurors at his upcoming trial on some of the specifics of his top-secret White House briefings
[]
The new substitutions submitted by Fitzgerald may also effectively end what prosecutors say was Libby's attempt to try to get the case dismissed by demanding so much sensitive information that the government would have no choice but to refuse. The legal gambit is called "graymail."
[]
Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald has said he might appeal Walton's ruling, a move that could delay a trial scheduled to begin in January. Late last month, Fitzgerald notified the court that he may appeal Walton's ruling on the standards the judge will use for determining which classified materials Libby may use as evidence in defending himself."

* last weekend i mentioned that FredBarnes could barely contain his excitement when he said that Bush should bomb iran on his last day of office. C&L now has the video.

* ron at raw:

"Former Rep. DeLay, indicted on state campaign finance charges, begins new 'career' as blogger"

jane has more.


* ehren watada's mum was on democracy now. very touching.

* amy:

Report: Iraqi Political Group Meet to Oust al-Maliki
The Associated Press reports major partners in Iraq's governing coalition are holding behind the scenes talks to oust Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. The new alliance would be reportedly led by the pro-Iranian Shiite politician Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim, who met with President Bush last week.

* amy:

Iraq Gov't Drafts Law to Open Oil Fields to Private Firms
The Iraqi government has moved closer to passing a new oil law that is expected to trigger the start of massive private development of the country's oil fields. Dow Jones Newswires obtained a copy of the draft hydrocarbon law. It recommends the government sign production sharing agreements with foreign oil companies to develop Iraq's oil fields. An Iraqi oil ministry official said that the new law proposes allowing - for the first time - local and international companies to carry out oil exploration in Iraq. During the rule of Saddam Hussein exploration activities used to be carried out only by the government.

* amy:

Congress OKs U.S.-India Nuke Deal
Congress has overwhelmingly approved a deal to lift a 30-year-old ban on sending nuclear technology to India. Critics said the plan could spark a regional arms race. The Senate passed the bill by a voice vote. In the House 59 lawmakers opposed it. Massachusetts Democrat Ed Markey said "This bill is an historic mistake, a mistake which will come back to haunt the United States and the world."

Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA): "You cannot preach temperance from a bar stool. The hypocrisy is at historical heights when the U.S. believes the rest of the world will listen to us preach."

Congressman Ed Markey also warned that the accord would set off a "nuclear weapons domino effect" by encouraging other nations to ignore the nuclear nonproliferation treaty. Under the deal, the United States will send nuclear fuel shipments for civilian use. Critics say this will allow India to use its existing nuclear fuel to build up to 50 nuclear weapons.

* amy:

Israel Blocks Desmond Tutu From Fact-finding Mission in Gaza
In other news from the region, Israel has blocked a United Nations fact-finding mission to the Gaza Strip that was supposed to have been led by Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Tutu was scheduled to investigate the killings of 19 civilians in the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanoun. Israel refused to grant Tutu the necessary travel clearance.

* amy:

Kofi Annan to Criticize U.S. Human Rights Policies
Meanwhile Kofi Annan is reportedly preparing to criticize the Bush administration's human rights record during a farewell speech today in Missouri. According to USA Today, Annan will accuse the administration of trying to secure the United States from terrorism in part by dominating other nations through force, committing human rights abuses and taking military action without broad international support. According to one UN historian, Annan's remarks will be the harshest criticism of the United States ever dealt by an outgoing UN secretary general.