the big story

Reuters Chief Spikes Story on Killing of His Own Staffers In Baghdad

Reuters Chief spikes story on killing of his own staffers in Baghdad

David Schlesinger, the editor in chief of Reuters, declined to run a story by one of his own reporters containing claims that the 2007 killings of two Reuters staffers in Baghdad by U.S. troops may have been war crimes.

Reuters staffers Namir Noor-Eldeen and Saeed Chmagh were killed by U.S. helicopter gunships in Baghdad in 2007. Video of the attack, which shows the journalists standing next to unidentified armed men on a Baghdad street and records the destruction of a van attempting to retrieve a wounded Chmagh, was published this week by Wikileaks.

The video has launched a debate about the legality of the attack, which also wounded two children (you can read our take here). Yesterday, Reuters' deputy Brussels bureau chief Luke Baker filed a muscular story repeating allegations from several human rights and international law experts that the killings may have constituted war crimes. But Reuters chief David Schlesinger, a tipster says, spiked the story because "it needed more comment from the Pentagon and U.S. lawyers." It never ran, but you can read it in full here.

Reuters' response to the disclosure of the video has been relatively muted.

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RELATED: Reuters Will Kill a Story If a Hedge Fund Manager Asks Nicely

ALSO: US military 'cannot find Iraq tape'

CoOlDiGgY news

Three American 'Hostages' in Iran Worked for Intelligence Services

The Iranian intelligence minister says Tehran has compelling evidence that three Americans arrested in Iran last year were cooperating with intelligence services.

In an exclusive interview with Press TV, Heydar Moslehi said Iran will present its evidence to the media soon.

Shane Michael Bauer, Joshua Felix Fattal, and Sarah Emily Shourd were arrested in the western Iranian district of Marivan, at Malakh-Khur border point on July 31.

In November, Tehran chief prosecutor Abbas Jafari-Dolatabadi also said that the trio had entered the country to carry out acts of espionage.

But the United States says they are hikers and has called for their release.

Moslehi also warned neighboring countries against working with Israeli and US intelligence services, emphasizing it would destabilize the region.

Read more...


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*US developing new non-nuclear missiles, conventional warheads could strike anywhere in less than an hour

*Afghan Official Says U.S. Raiders Hid Killings

*Health care overhaul spawns mass confusion for public

*US initial jobless claims up 18,000 to 460,000

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*Town's citizens allowed to pass out parking tickets

*Former Kyrgyz president: "current situation is because of his cooperation with the US driven by economic interests"

*UK troops trained by firing at 'replica mosques'

*Census Bureau concerned about head count problems

*Gases Lead to New Setback in Mine Rescue



*Qatari Diplomat Sneaking Smoke Sparks Bomb Scare

*American parents send adopted 8-year old back to Russia – by himself

the Girls of CoOlDiGgY tm

(coming soon)

the fairer sex

Has Jennifer Love Hewitt Lost Her Looks?

Some have said that Jennifer Love Hewitt no longer has that "it" factor any longer. Not us, are standards are really low here at CoOlDiGgY HQ (Bubbe's garage off Fairfax). It's probably just that really stupid hairdo she has now but she has a lot of her fans less in JLove. Let us know...

girl blurbs

*Chelsea Handler has a person that plays with her butt

*Whitney Houston should just say no

*She stole a sweater, let her act already: Winona Ryder is making a comeback

*There's always Rachel-based Friends spin-off: Jennifer Aniston film a UK bomb

*Katie Holmes' boobs are, they are, uh, her boobs are, well, um, they are...

*She's still the most successful America's Next Top Model: Adrianne Curry Brings Her Naked Ass to Twitter

*Crazy Brunette News: Bai Ling being herself

the random

In the latest issue of Elle magazine, Fergie says that it hurts to be called "fugly." Stop it, America! He's a nice guy whose never done anything to you

CoOlDiGgY tech & media

UK Embraces '3 Strikes' for File Sharing

The U.K.'s House of Commons overwhelmingly voted in favor of creating a law that would enable copyright owners to seek the suspension of Internet service of those accused multiple times of illegal file sharing.

The House of Commons voted 189 to 47 to pass the Digital Economy Bill, which also seeks to give the country's government the authority to block access to Web sites suspected of engaging in pirated material, according to British publication The Telegraph.

The bill still needs to go back to the House of Lords, which is nothing more than a formality since that's where it originated.

What this means is that some of the major European governments seem to be lining up behind copyright owners. France passed a similar law in October. Copyright owners applauded the results of the vote.

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*Internet, GPS and state-of-the-art eye tracking technology could be combined to enhance everyday experiences

*Apple launches ad system for mobile devices in race with Google

sports & health

Tracking Tiger’s Return

Follow it hole-by-hole

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Tiger crushed his tee shot off the first tee down middle of the fairway. No nerves. He was met with mostly applause and shouts of support, although there was a smattering of boos laced in there. Crowd in his favor, but not unanimous.

Read more...

*VIDEO: Tiger's temper


*Is Tiger’s sex scandal driving women away from the sport?

*H1N1 Spread Linked to Seasonal Flu Shots

the frivolous

TMZ: 'Scrubs' Star Needs $$$ Help, Stat

Donald Faison from "Scrubs" may be the next celebrity domino
to fall in the great housing crunch.

Luther Burbank Savings just filed a lawsuit, claiming he hasn't been paying the mortgage on an apartment complex he bought in Inglewood, CA for $525,000 back in 2008.

The bank claims Faison hasn't paid a dime since November and wants permission to initiate a foreclosure action.

The bank is also suing for $514,657.76

"Scrubs" -- like Faison's apartment -- is in limbo.

Read more...