Summary Box: SEC watchdog finds agency bungled probes of Madoff’s business despite warnings

September 30th, 2009 Summary Box: SEC IG urges changes after MadoffMADOFF AFTERMATH: To prevent another breakdown like the Bernard Madoff fraud, the Securities and Exchange Commission's inspector general is recommending a new system for handling the thousands of tips and complaints the agency receives, among other changes. CHANGES AT THE SEC: Inspector General David Kotz says it should be easier for junior-level enforcement attorneys to bring their concerns to top managers, and that people with backgrounds in Ponzi schemes should be put on investigating teams.

September 23rd, 2009 EASA issues warning for Airbus instrumentBERLIN — The European Aviation Safety Agency has issued a safety warning for an instrument to measure air speed that is used on Airbus A330 and A340 jets. The directive in effect from Wednesday says malfunctions have been reported in the instruments, known as pitot probes.

September 9th, 2009 UN nuclear watchdog begins Iran debateVIENNA — The International Atomic Energy Agency's 35-nation board of governors has begun discussing Iran's disputed nuclear program. Iran insists its program is peaceful and aimed at generating electricity.

September 2nd, 2009 SEC IG: agency never did competent probe of MadoffWASHINGTON — The watchdog of the Securities and Exchange Commission has found that the agency consistently mishandled its investigations of Bernard Madoff's business, despite ample warnings of the multibillion-dollar fraud. But SEC inspector general David Kotz's report found no evidence of any improper ties between agency officials and Madoff.

August 21st, 2009 Summary Box: Bank failures are mountingWAVE OF BANK FAILURES: Eighty-one banks have been closed by regulators so far this year, the most since 1992 at the height of the savings-and-loan crisis. The biggest this year: Colonial BancGroup Inc., with about $25 billion in assets.

July 31st, 2009 Summary Box: Researchers urge smart-grid cautionGET SMART: Security researchers are worried about a potential vulnerability in upgraded meters that enable "smart" grids that utilities are building to make more efficient use of power. THE HACK: At a hackers convention in Las Vegas, security consultant Mike Davis showed how a computer worm could hop between certain meters.

June 30th, 2009 A look at the proposed consumer financial watchdogA look at Obama's proposal to create a Consumer Financial Protection Agency: —The agency would oversee products used by consumers such as mortgages, credit cards, payday loans and terms on savings accounts. —The agency would be in charge of implementing a law passed by Congress this spring that protects consumers from sudden interest rate increases on unpaid credit card balances.

June 9th, 2009 Judge consolidates Madoff bankruptcy casesNEW YORK — A federal judge has consolidated two bankruptcy cases involving Bernard Madoff's business and personal assets. The decision Tuesday by U.S.

June 7th, 2009 Summary Box: New park offers view of Gateway ArchTHE VISION: St. Louis lawyer Malcolm W.

June 3rd, 2009 Summary Box: Weatherization plan sparks pros, consBIG BOOST: The federal stimulus program is expected to provide a $5 billion investment in weatherization projects across the nation. BIG BELIEVERS: Advocates of the program say it is money well spent because it will put people to work while helping some low-income residents cut their utility bills for years to come.

May 20th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - A summary of Pakistan's budget for fiscal 2009-10 has been sent for approval to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani ahead of its expected presentation in parliament June 6. 'It is up to the prime minister to approve June 6 or any other date for the announcement of the national budget in parliament,' APP news agency Wednesday quoted a top finance ministry official as saying.

May 16th, 2009 BERLIN - Mohamed ElBaradei, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has warned that any Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities would be a great mistake. 'It would be utterly mad to attack Iran.

April 23rd, 2009 Trustee: 3 new bids arrive for Madoff's businessNEW YORK — A trustee says three new bids have been made for the securities-trading operation once run by fallen financier Bernard Madoff (MAY'-dawf). Trustee Irving Picard announced Wednesday the bids for the legitimate market-making business had been made to compete with one from Castor Pollux Securities.

January 20th, 2009 VIENNA - Arabic states have filed charges with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that the weapons Israel used in its recent offensive in the Gaza Strip contained partially-enriched uranium, an official said Tuesday evening. A letter containing the complaint was received by the IAEA Monday, an official of the UN nuclear watchdog in Vienna said.

December 26th, 2008 LUCKNOW - Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Saturday said she was ready for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the murder of an engineer provided the central government conceded her requests for similar probes into other cases involving the opposition Samajwadi Party. 'I would not mind entrusting the (murder) case to the CBI only if the union government concedes our earlier requests for CBI probes into several other cases,' Mayawati told reporters.