The American Observer keeps you up to date on the latest news in the U.S. and around the world.

National Headlines

Cheney’s Former Chief of Staff Found Guilty of Lying in CIA Leak Case
A jury convicted I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney’s former chief of staff, of lying and obstruction of justice in the CIA leak scandal. Libby, the most senior White House official to be convicted of a felony since the Iran-Contra scandal of the 1980s, faces up to 25 years in prison. But his sentence is expected to be drastically reduced, to as little as 20 months, and President Bush could issue a pardon. For the full story, go to The New York Times.

Army Apologies for Poor Conditions at Walter Reed
Top Army commanders offered condolences for the poor care provided to soldiers at Walter Reed Medical Center. Two generals lost their jobs in the scandal, first reported by The Washington Post, and lawmakers opened an investigation into outpatient services and bureaucratic difficulties plaguing the nation’s premier military hospital. For the full story, go to The Washington Post.

Obama, Hillary Woo Black Voters; Giuliani Courts Conservatives
The 2008 presidential campaign began heating up as the former First Lady (along with hubby Bill) and junior senator from Illinois descended on Selma, Ala., to celebrate the 42nd anniversary of Bloody Sunday, when hundreds of civil rights marchers were attacked by police with clubs and tear gas. For the full story, go to The Chicago Tribune. Meanwhile, Republican presidential candidate and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani courted conservatives, wary of liberal stances on gun control, abortion and illegal immigration. For more, go to MSNBC.com.

International Headlines

At least 23 dead, More Than 100 Escape Indonesian Jet Crash
An Indonesian passenger jet crash landed and burst into flames Wednesday in Yogyakarta, killing 23 people trapped inside. An estimated 117 people escaped the fiery wreckage. For more, go to CNN.com.

Turkey Blocks Access to YouTube
A Turkish court ordered the country’s largest telecommunications provider to restrict access to the popular video sharing Web site, YouTube, after videos surfaced allegedly insulting the modern country’s founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. For more, go to The Guardian.

College Headlines

A Year Later, Duke Lacrosse Makes History at No. 1
A year after its season was cancelled amid accusations of rape against three players, the Duke lacrosse team found itself at the top of national rankings for the first time in the program’s history, the Associated Press reported.

Gallaudet at Risk of Losing Its Accreditation
Gallaudet University, the nation’s only liberal arts university for the deaf, is at risk of losing its accreditation over weak academic standards, ineffective governance and a lack of tolerance for diverse views, the Associated Press reported. In the fall, the college shut down for several days in response to student protests, which forced the board to revoke the appointment of a new president. Read more in The Washington Post.