'LIBERTY CITY SEVEN UPDATE: Judge allows 3rd trial in terrorism case against group of Miami blacks.

The terrorism case against Miami’s “Liberty City Seven” appeared weak from the beginning. And after two mistrials, it appears even weaker.

Nevertheless, a federal judge last week announced that he would allow a third trial against the six remaining inner city defendants.


All charges against the seventh defendant were dropped after the first mistrial.


The men from a low income Miami neighborhood are accused of conspiring with Al-Qaeda to blow up buildings in America including Chicago’s Sears Tower.


The prosecutors say their aim was to bring down the U.S. government. Although critics accused the government of engaging in “over-charging” the defendants, prosecutors maintain the alleged plot was serious even though it was only in the talking stages.


The defense, on the other hand, says the alleged Al-Qaeda operative was actually a government informant and the men only pretended interest in carrying out terrorist attacks in order to con the informant out of money.


Thus far, the government has been unable to convince a jury that the plot was serious. The date for the start of the third trial has not yet been announced.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 01.18.08

Bush to present plan to boost economy.

President Bush is putting together an economic stimulus package in an effort to jump-start the sagging economy. He's scheduled to unveil his plan later today. That reportedly includes income tax breaks for people...up to $800 for individuals and $1,600 for married couples. Yesterday, Bush discussed options over the phone with lawmakers with Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson. Those on Capitol Hill are reportedly considering smaller rebate checks and more money for the unemployed and people on food stamps.

And time may be running out for Republican presidential hopefully Fred Thompson. Thompson has reportedly admitted that a disappointing finish in tomorrow's GOP primary in South Carolina may end his chance in the race. The former Tennessee senator is hoping that a combination of his Southern roots and conservative views will lead to a breakthrough in South Carolina for his campaign. Thompson came in third in Iowa and received one percent of the vote in New Hampshire.

The CIA says Al-Qaida and followers of a tribal leader are to blame for the death of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. CIA Director Michael Hayden says fighters allied with Pakistani leader Baitullah Mehsud (By-too-la May-sood), with support from Al-Qaida, plotted Bhutto's assassination. The two groups are also apparently behind the violence that threatens to destabilize Pakistan. Hayden warns that they intend to do more harm to the country in the future.

The Israeli Defense Minister has ordered that border crossings be closed that lead to and from the Gaza Strip. This comes after days of rocket firings into Israel by Palestinian militants in Gaza. More than a hundred rockets have reportedly been fired. The Israeli Army has retaliated with military strikes that have apparently killed at least two-dozen Palestinians. The border closings will block food, fuel and medicine from entering Gaza.