Experts: Army's Suicide Rate is Alarming

Army's Suicide Rate Has Outside Experts Alarmed
LUFKIN, Texas - Outside experts have said the rate is alarmingly high compared with the military's average suicide rates. A report by a 12-member team of military and civilian mental health professionals dispatched to Iraq in October to evaluate mental health of soldiers is expected to be released after the holidays, officials said.

The Real Hero in the Ambush at Nasiriya
Nasiriya, Iraq - It is a dateline that doesn't exactly role off the tongue, and chances are the average Joe on the street would be hard-pressed to recall the significance associated with the name. But mention the name of Jessica Lynch and the light goes on. It was in the town of Nasiriya in April of last year that the 19-year-old Army private first class was credited with carrying out extraordinarily heroic acts during a March 23 attack on her unit, the 507th Maintenance Company.

Pentagon Freezes Iraq Funds Amid Corruption Probes
WASHINGTON -- The Pentagon has frozen new funds approved for Iraqi reconstruction amid growing allegations of corruption and cronyism associated with the rebuilding process. The freeze will almost certainly mean the United States will not issue new contracts until well after the initial Feb. 1 target date.

Immigration Reform on Bush Agenda
President Bush plans to kick off his reelection year by proposing a program that would make it easier for immigrants to work legally in the United States, in what would constitute the most significant changes to immigration law in 18 years, Republican officials said. Lobbyists working with the White House said Bush is developing a plan that would allow immigrants to cross the border legally if jobs are waiting for them. The sources said the administration also wants to provide a way for some undocumented workers in the United States to move toward legal status.

Sources: Nation of Islam Aiding Jackson
LOS ANGELES - Members of the Nation of Islam have begun playing a role in Michael Jackson's affairs, The Associated Press has learned, although the controversial group denies having any official part in the pop star's life. Sources close to the Jackson camp, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the AP that Nation of Islam members have handled security at the singer's Neverland ranch and have begun taking over some of his business affairs since he was accused of committing lewd acts on a child.

Bush Bends to WTO Ruling
In "WTO Dictating U.S. Trade Policy" in our December 1 issue, THE NEW AMERICAN stated that President Bush would likely abide by the World Trade Organization’s edict that his steel tariffs violate WTO rules.

Israeli Army Warns Settlers to Leave Outposts
GINOT ARYE, West Bank -- Israeli soldiers posted eviction orders on Tuesday at four unauthorized Jewish outposts in the West Bank slated for removal under a U.S.-backed "road map" for peace. Israel says the planned removal of four settlements built without government approval is in line with its commitment to the plan, but Palestinians dismiss it as a publicity stunt. Only one of the outposts in occupied territory is inhabited.

St. Patrick's Day Parade Organizers Win
Lawsuit In Dispute Over Anti-War Marchers
BOSTON -- Organizers of Boston's main St. Patrick's Day parade won a court victory Monday in a dispute over whether an anti-war group should have been allowed to march at the end of this year's parade. The South Boston Allied War Veterans Council, which hosts the event, sued the city in October after police allowed the anti-war group to walk behind the main procession.

Posted by Editor at December 30, 2003 09:01 AM