Blackwater Worldwide

Four former executives described the plan under the condition of anonymity, the newspaper said. Iraqis had long complained about ground operations by the North Carolina-based company, now known as Xe Corp. Then the shooting by Blackwater guards in Baghdad’s Nisoor Square in September 2007 left 17 civilians dead, further strained relations between Baghdad and Washington and led US prosecutors to bring charges against the Blackwater contractors involved. Read Full Story

FBI scientists were unable to match bullets from a deadly 2007 Baghdad shooting to guns carried by Blackwater Worldwide security guards, according to laboratory reports that leave open the possibility that insurgents also fired in the crowded intersection. Five Blackwater guards face manslaughter and weapons charges for their role in the shooting, which left 17 Iraqis dead and inflamed anti-U.S. sentiment abroad. Prosecutors say the contractors launched an unprovoked attack on civilians with machine guns and grenade launchers. The guards maintain their convoy was ambushed by insurgents. The FBI lab reports, obtained by The Associated Press from someone not involved in the criminal case, ... Read Full Story

Some Iraqis wounded in the September 2007 shootout by guards for the former Blackwater Worldwide security firm are angry the company will continue work in Iraq longer than previously thought. Hassan Jabir, a lawyer hit by gunfire in the deadly melee, says he is outraged at the Iraqi government for not taking a harder stance against the company, now known as Xe, which is pronounced 'zee.' Another Iraqi, Sami Hawas Hamoud Abu al-Iz, is demanding Iraqi authorities bring charges against the contractor. The shooting in Baghdad's Nisoor Square left 17 civilians dead. The company's contract to protect diplomats ends next month. But officials in ... Read Full Story

I want to take a moment and say this is not a normal story I would write about for fantasy hunting. Before I begin this story I want you to take everything out of your head that you know about Blackwater . This story only pertains to my background in the understanding of what it takes to start a company. Also I am not associated with Blackwater nor do I know anyone from there. About 4 years ago I tried starting a manufacturing company and I lost everything. My kids never new it because for the 4 years I have been working two jobs ... Read Full Story

AP - The Pentagon wrote in 2007 that Blackwater Worldwide contractors in Iraq are not subject to U.S. civilian criminal laws. That position undercuts the Justice Department's effort to prosecute five Blackwater security guards for manslaughter. Read Full Story