Stem cell research

The Washington Post, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and USA Today lead with scientists announcing that they have devised a way to turn skin cells of a mouse into cells that act the same way as embryonic stem cells. If, as the biologists suspect, they are able to replicate this process with humans, it means that embryonic stem cells could be created without using human eggs or destroying embryos, which has been a source of much controversy. Although scientists warned that it could be a while before the technique is successfully adapted to humans, everyone seems excited about the possibilities.
The Wall Street Journal tops its worldwide newsbox with word that federal prosecutors are investigating whether the Kuwaiti company that is building the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad tricked and abused foreign employees who were brought into Iraq to work on the $592 million project. First Kuwaiti General Trading & Contracting was barred from using Iraqi workers out of security concerns, so the company hired cheap labor from countries such as Bangladesh and Egypt. The company allegedly told employees they would be working in Dubai, and then confiscated their passports when they reached Baghdad so they couldn't leave. First Kuwaiti denies the allegations. Both the State Department and the U.S. military have already investigated the company over similar claims and said they couldn't find evidence of any wrongdoing.