By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, July 29, 2008 – Reports of electrical hazards caused by negligence in Iraq are overblown, a senior Defense Department spokesman said here today.
Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell spoke at a news conference on the eve of testimony before the House Government Reform Committee. Acting DoD Inspector General Gordon S. [...]

HarpBlaster.com News Wire
WASHINGTON, July 29, 2008 — Sen. Ted Stevens said today he is “innocent” of federal charges that allege he lied on financial disclosure forms.
Stevens, R-Alaska, was charged today in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia with seven counts of making false statements related to Stevens’ financial [...]

Special to HarpBlaster.com News Wire
WASHINGTON, July 29, 2008 – Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, was charged today in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia with seven counts of making false statements related to Stevens’ financial disclosure forms, Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Friedrich of the Criminal Division announced.
The seven-count [...]

PRNewswire
NEW YORK, July 29 — From jetting overseas for a culinary experience to a desire to learn life-enriching skills while on vacation, travelers are intent on continuing to pursue travel experiences that allow them to indulge in their personal interests despite the softening economy, according to a recent survey of 501 U.S. adults by American [...]

Voice of America
The State Department says the United States is awaiting a definitive Iranian reply to the offer of incentives for it to halt uranium enrichment.  Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, in a U.S. television interview, called for talks based on an Iranian statement submitted in Geneva earlier this month.  VOA’s David Gollust reports from the [...]

Budget Deficit Expected to Hit Record
Voice of America
The Bush administration says the ballooning U.S. federal budget deficit will rise even higher next year, shattering the record set four years ago.
In a report to Congress, the Bush administration says federal expenditures will exceed revenues by $389 billion this year, and by a record-high $482 billion in [...]

Special to HarpBlaster.com News Wire
ATLANTA — Todd DeFeo was honored by the Georgia Press Association (GPA) with a first place award for investigative reporting. DeFeo won the award for articles he wrote while serving as a reporter with the Athens (Ga.) Banner-Herald. DeFeo left the Athens Banner-Herald in May 2007 to join Weber Shandwick.
As part [...]

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, July 27, 2008 – The security situation in Iraq’s northern provinces has improved, but Iraqi and coalition troops will continue to pursue al-Qaida in Iraq and other criminal groups, the U.S. commander in the region said during a briefing in Baghdad today.
Army Maj. Gen. Mark P. Hertling, the commander [...]

American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, July 27, 2008 – Coalition forces killed several militants and detained others during an operation in Kapisa and Paktia provinces over the past two days.
In Paktia province’s Zadran District yesterday, coalition forces searched several compounds targeting a Haqqani Network Taliban militant known to conduct operations against the Afghan government and coalition [...]

American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, July 27, 2008 – Coalition and Iraqi forces continue to push terrorists and criminals in operations throughout Iraq.
In a major success, coalition forces captured two suspected Special Groups leaders in Baghdad today. These key leaders were taken in the Rusafa district of Baghdad.
Coalition and Iraqi forces continued operations over the weekend [...]