Countdown Newsletter: 06/28/06 -- New York Times in the Crosshairs

Hi, Carey! Nice to see you back at work. :)

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The chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday asked for a formal investigation into whether national security had been damaged by recent news reports unearthing details of two controversial Bush administration anti-terrorism programs. "Numerous recent unauthorized disclosures of sensitive intelligence programs have directly threatened important efforts in the war against terrorism," Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) wrote in a letter to National Intelligence Director John D. Negroponte. Roberts said he was particularly concerned with disclosures that the administration was monitoring phone calls and Internet traffic without a warrant and accessing an international database of bank transactions. "We have been unable to persuade the media to act responsibly and protect the means by which we protect this nation," he wrote. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/la-na-swift28jun28,1,2954070.story?coll=la-news-politics-national&track=crosspromo

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Democrats ratcheted up their election-year push for an increase in the federal minimum wage on Tuesday by promising to block a congressional pay hike unless some of the lowest-paid hourly workers get their first raise in nearly a decade. "Congress is going to have earn its raise by putting American workers first: A raise for workers before a raise for Congress," said Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada. Reid refused to spell out exactly how he will block a $3,300 pay raise scheduled for Jan. 1 for members of Congress, who currently earn $165,200 annually. He said with 40 Senate Democrats backing the maneuver, "We can stop anything they (Republicans) try to do with a congressional pay raise." http://today.reuters.com/investing/financeArticle.aspx?type=bondsNews&storyID=2006-06-27T203220Z_01_N2778436_RTRIDST_0_CONGRESS-WAGE-UPDATE-1.XML

Rep. Jack Murtha has been heavily criticized by right leaning personalities for his alleged anti-American comments he made during a recent speech in Florida. It turns out the local paper had his quote out of context. The paper is expected to clarify the situation today. Will the shows that vilified Murtha correct the record as well?

The "Snakes On a Plane" trailer is out. Monica Novotny updates the internet sensation for a movie yet to be released.

Star Jones Reynolds was booted from "The View" Wednesday, one day after surprising ABC and Barbara Walters by saying on the air that she wouldn't be returning to the daytime talk show in the fall. Reynolds was quickly erased from the show's opening credits, now down to three women from the usual five. "It is becoming uncomfortable for us to pretend that everything is the same at this table," show creator Walters. "Therefore, regrettably, Star will no longer be on this program." http://msnbc.msn.com/id/13594874/

That's some of what we're planning for tonight's show.

Finally,
LOS ANGELES -- Several city officials on Tuesday sharply criticized a planned bikini contest to raise money for spaying pets, saying the "Hooters for Neuters" event was degrading to women. Hosted by the Hooters restaurant chain, the July 13 fundraiser will donate money to the spay and neuter programs at Los Angeles Animal Services. Animal Services Director Ed Boks apologized for making people upset, but said the "Charity Benefit Bikini Contest" would go on as scheduled. The original flier showed a bikini-clad woman, but the latest version shows a dog wearing a T-shirt that says "Hooters for Neuters." http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SPAY_CAMPAIGN_FLAP?SITE=NWCN&TEMPLATE=STRANGEHEADS.html

-- Carey Fox

Countdown Home: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/

Other News:
Torrential rain across the Northeast has caused the deaths of at least 10 people - including two truck drivers swallowed up by a sink hole Wednesday - forced 2,200 people to flee a weakened Maryland dam, and led Coast Guard crews to rescue dozens from rooftops in Pennsylvania. http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&q=jack%20murtha&sa=N&tab=wn

Israel turned up the pressure on Palestinian militants to release a captive soldier Wednesday, sending its warplanes to bomb a Hamas training camp after knocking out electricity and water supplies for most of the 1.3 million residents of the Gaza Strip. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13580436/

President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday ordered Russia's special services to hunt down and "destroy" the killers of four Russian diplomats in Iraq, the Kremlin said. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13163804/

Honda Motor Co. will build a $550 million auto assembly plant near Greensburg, Ind., as part of a $1.18 billion global expansion, company officials said Wednesday, ending a five-state scramble and bringing jobs to a state hit hard by manufacturing losses. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13583311/

Few big-screen franchises have fallen so far or so fast as Superman, who has been absent from multiplexes for nearly two decades. "Superman Returns" provides a most satisfying resurrection, especially for those who have always regarded the Superman story as a Christ allegory. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13557852/

:hi: