The Daily Muck

The Bush administration has been conducting extensive espionage on Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, as well as others in his staff and government, according to a new book by Bob Woodward entitled The War Within: A Secret White House History 2006-2008. One source claims that “We know everything [Maliki] says”. Woodward’s book, scheduled to be published on Monday, details the “groundbreaking” covert operations behind recent U.S. efforts in Iraq. (Washington Post)

The same KBR and Halliburton executive who recently pleaded guilty to bribing officials in Nigeria has secured questionable contracts all over the world, according to Justice Department documents. Albert Stanley had a central role in securing multi-billion dollar construction contracts in Malaysia, Egypt and Yemen, which included $10 to $15 million “success fees” given to an unnamed consultant, who allegedly gave kickbacks to Stanley. (Wall Street Journal)

Another senior official of the Service Employees International Union has stepped aside, and two additional staffers have been fired over charges of retaliation against employees in connection to the widening scandal over the union’s misuse of funds. It is alleged that SEIU employees who had refused to sign a letter showing support for Los Angeles area SEIU president Tyrone Freeman had been transfered, and had their cell phone service suspended, and that one such employee was fired. SEIU president Andy Stern told the Los Angeles Times that retaliation against employees was “deeply offensive to our core values as a union” and that the union will move “immediately and aggressively” to punish those responsible. (Los Angeles Times)

A U.S.-educated Pakistani scientist was tortured by officials of either the government of Pakistan or the government of the United States, according to her attorney. Aafia Siddiqui, who lived in the United States for 12 years while studying at M.I.T. and Brandeis, was arrested in Afghanistan based on an anonymous tip. She is currently facing trial for murder and firearms charges. Her attorney argued that as a result of her trauma, Siddiqui is mentally unfit for trial. (Washington Post)

Representative Charlie Rangel (D-NY) has failed to report over $75,000 since 1988 in income on his federal and state tax returns. The additional income is from a villa that Rangel owns in the Dominican Repubilc. Rangel is the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, which writes the federal tax code. In July, the New York Times reported that Rangel has four rent-controlled apartments in Manhattan in violation of city regulations that require rent-controlled apartments to be used as a residence. (New York Times)

Recent U.S. airstrikes in Afghanistan have strained relations between the government of the U.S. and the government of President Hamid Karzai. Karzai recently told villagers that he has “tried day and night to prevent these incidents from happening,” and vowed to punish those responsible. The U.S. has claimed that only seven civilians were killed in the strikes, which conflicts with reports by human rights groups and the U.N. that up to 90 civilians were killed. (AP)