Spy spending to drop
U.S. intelligence agencies are bracing for lean times. The U.S. intelligence budget, which is classified, is believed to have doubled over the past decade, to $48 billion a year. But officials say spending on intelligence-gathering is likely to fall, amid soaring deficits and economic woes. “Everyone senses we’re reaching the end of growth for the intelligence budget,” said former CIA official Mark Lowenthal.
Guantánamo visits approved
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A military judge ruled that defense lawyers may visit a secret facility in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, where top al Qaida suspects are held. Judge Ralph Kohlmann said lawyers could visit the facility to evaluate whether detainees are psychologically fit to stand trial. Among the prisoners are 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and Ramzi Binalshibh, allegedly the liaison between the 9/11 attackers and Osama bin Laden.
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