SPB News for Monday

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Concern over white phosphorus use on civilians in Afghanistan Afghanistan's leading human rights organization said Sunday it was investigating the possibility that white phosphorus was used in a U.S.-Taliban battle that killed scores of Afghans. The U.S. military rejected speculation it had used the weapon but Col. Greg Julian, the top U.S. military spokesman in Afghanistan, said the U.S. did not use white phosphorus as a weapon in last week's battle. Julian noted that military officials believe that Taliban militants [!] have used white phosphorus at least four times in Afghanistan in the past two years.

Al Qaeda's world base in Pakistan, says Petraeus Pakistan has become the nerve centre of Al Qaeda’s global operations, Gen David Petraeus has said. The head of the US Army’s Central Command, who oversees the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, has told an interviewer that Al Qaeda leaders have re-established its organisational structure and stronger ties to Al Qaeda offshoots in Iraq, Yemen, Somalia, North Africa and parts of Europe.

Report: Syria criticizes renewal of U.S. sanctions Syria rejected the Obama administration's decision to renew economic and diplomatic sanctions against Damascus and urged Washington to abandon foolish policies, a state-run newspaper reported Sunday. The State Department announced Friday that President Barack Obama felt compelled to renew the sanctions, which were first imposed by George W. Bush's administration four years ago as diplomatic contact dwindled. The decision came even as two U.S. envoys were in the Syrian capital exploring prospects for improved relations.

U.S. gets tough on Canadian border --A passport or travel ID will be required June 1. High above the rugged border, an unmanned Predator B drone equipped with night-vision cameras and cloud-piercing radar has scanned the landscape for signs of smugglers, illegal immigrants or terrorists. Armed agents checked the identification of border crossers while radiation sensors and other devices monitored vehicles entering by road. Soon, a network of telescopic and infrared video cameras mounted atop 80-foot metal towers will rise above key locations.

Last week's poll had asked:

There is speculation that President Obama will appoint a woman to replace Judge David Souter. Do you believe so? Majority of readers answered yes. This week's poll is now up.