To the Point
Videotapes, Torture and Evidence in the War on Terror
As the CIA Director talks behind closed doors on Capitol Hill, there's new information about the destruction of secret videotapes. Also, terrorists strike at the capital of Algeria, and interest rates, Wall Street and consumer spending.
By Warren Olney • • 1h 0m ListenAs the CIA Director talks behind closed doors on Capitol Hill, there's new information about the destruction of secret videotapes. Did they show that terrorist suspects were tortured? Was destroying the tapes obstruction of justice? What's being revealed about the quality of US intelligence? Also, terrorists strike at the capital of Algeria. On Reporter's Notebook, will another cut in interest rates encourage consumers to get deeper in debt?
In this episode
3 storiesCar Bombs Kill at Least 22 in Algeria
Estimates of the death toll range from 45 to 62 in today's bombing of United Nations buildings in Algiers, the capital of Algeria. Ron Redman, spokesman for the UN's High Commission on Refugees, said that the blast destroyed everything in one UN office and that another building across the street collapsed, trapping several under the rubble.
Read the story6 minThe CIA Torture Tapes
In 2005, the CIA destroyed videotape that showed interrogations of terrorist suspects. Today's New York Times reports that CIA lawyers gave written permission--despite advice from the White House and the Department of Justice, and without asking their own boss. CIA Director Michael Hayden says the objective was protecting the identities…
Read the story35 minFed Cuts Interest Rate
While job growth declined in November, although not by as much as expected, the sub-prime mortgage collapse and declines in consumer spending have led to fears of a coming recession. Today, the Federal Reserve cut a key interest rate by one-quarter of a percent. Michael Mandel is chief economist for BusinessWeek magazine.
Read the story8 min
