World Politics Central

Upon conclusion of Pentagon’s review of Iraqi documents, it has been found that there are no evidence to connect Saddam Hussein and al-Qaida.  There were 600,000 documents seized after the invasion of 2003 to investigate a direct operational link.  The Institute for Defense Analyses has done this study, and now it is undergoing a declassification review.

There was an official from the U.S. Defense Department who has pleaded officially guilty for an espionage charge in passing defense information to China.  Acting assistant attorney general Patrick Rowan has said that the official – Greg William Bergersen – has betrayed his own oath to serve and protect the nation.  He could receive up to 10 years of prison term when he is sentenced a few months from now.

Civilian deaths in Iraq have been rising again.  In this month alone, Washington Times reported 674 Iraqi security officials and civilians were killed.  Although there was improved security in the country ever since the troops of United States surged in 2007, the increased civilian deaths now have significantly affected the morale of their citizens.

Workers in Notre Dame Basilica (Montreal’s landmark) are getting ready for a possible strike.  These workers have been working without a contract since end of 2005, and they said that they are frustrated with slow pace of negotiations.  The group includes technicians, boutique employees, tour guides and office workers earning $19.40-$25 an hour.

In the examination of a British military expert, the recent missile launch of Iran means that it is developing a long-range missile.  In addition, Iran is developing a space center, which requires an identical technology to these missiles’ capability.  The report also stated that the capability and size of Iran’s arsenal has been found similar to the facilities of North Korea.

Former Haitian alleged cocaine trafficker and rebel leader Guy Philippe has eluded capture in eight months.  Helicopters and jets have tried to capture Philippe when he escaped from his southern Haiti home.  This 39-year-old guy has led an insurrection that has prompted Jean-Bertrand Aristide (Haiti’s former president) to leave.  However, he is denying engagement in drug trafficking.