Countrywide mortgage will modify mortgages so people will not lose their home. The mortgage aid includes revising customers’ payments so they don’t exceed 34 percent of income. Other options include reducing interest rates and adjusting principal so that borrowers don’t wind up actually losing equity under some payment plans. This is not exactly what I … Read more

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for leaders of the Lords Resistance Army in 2005. No one has arrested them. On 17 Sep, the group attacked more civilians and abducted children. The US refuses to participate in the ICC.

Alaska’s legislature issued subpoenas–legal orders to give testimony–to multiple people in the Palin administration. A TX group sued to block the subpoenas, but the judge said that they are valid.

The Saudis hosted 11 Taliban representatives and two Afghani government officials last month for four days of peace talks. US officials were not present.

Germany bailed out its second largest commercial lender today, total: $69 billion.

Both of the VP candidates said they opposed “gay” marriage. (This term suggests that “gay” marriage is different than “straight” marriage.) Biden went so far as to say that he supported civil unions and other rights (i.e. hospital visitation) for gay couples that are equivalent to the rights of couples that have different genitalia. So, … Read more

Russia says it is “dismantling” it’s bases in “security zones” in Georgia, but it also says that two provinces of Georgia are no longer Georgia. Since August, Russia has said it was leaving Georgia multiple times.

Muslim groups had planned a march to support independence for Kashmir, so the government imposed a round-the-clock curfew and arrested a Muslim leader.

Citigroup agreed to buy a portion of Wachovia last Monday, but four days later, Wells Fargo agreed to buy all of Wachovia. Citigroup sued, and the judge called time-out.