Punked  —  The "compromise" will, as I predicted, allow the "tough interrogations" by amending the war crimes act.  And they will reportedly create a new JAG office to review classified information and determine if terrorist suspects can see it if it's being used against them in a trial.

A Bad Bargain  —  Here is a way to measure how seriously President Bush was willing to compromise on the military tribunals bill: Less than an hour after an agreement was announced yesterday with three leading Republican senators, the White House was already laying a path to wiggle out of its one real concession.

Bush, GOP Rebels Agree on Detainee Bill  —  WASHINGTON — The White House and rebellious Senate Republicans announced agreement Thursday on rules for the interrogation and trial of suspects in the war on terror.  President Bush urged Congress to put it into law before adjourning for the midterm elections.

Republicans Reach Deal on Detainee Bill  —  The Bush administration and Congressional Republicans reached agreement Thursday on legislation governing the treatment and interrogation of terrorism suspects after weeks of debate that divided Republicans heading into the midterm elections.

The Abuse Can Continue  —  THE GOOD NEWS about the agreement reached yesterday between the Bush administration and Republican senators on the detention, interrogation and trial of accused terrorists is that Congress will not — as President Bush had demanded — pass legislation …

Agreement Is Reached on Detainee Bill  —  Three Republican senators said this afternoon that they had reached an agreement with the Bush administration on legislation to clarify which interrogation techniques can be used against terror suspects and to establish trial procedures for those in military custody.

CHAVEZ REPEATS 'DEVIL' COMMENT AT HARLEM EVENT  —  NEW YORK — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, appearing Thursday at a Harlem Church for an oil-for-poor event, repeated his 'devil' reference hurled a day earlier at President Bush during a speech at the United Nations.

Iraq torture 'worse after Saddam'  —  Torture may be worse now in Iraq than under former leader Saddam Hussein, the UN's chief anti-torture expert says.  —  Manfred Nowak said the situation in Iraq was "out of control", with abuses being committed by security forces, militia groups and anti-US insurgents.