|
Older News Archivescom0116
NEWS TUESDAY,
MAY 13 , 2008 NEWS
EARLY EDITION
Court
Won't Block U.S. Lawsuit By Apartheid Victims
The Supreme Court said that it can't intervene in an important dispute
over the rights of apartheid victims to sue U.S. corporations in U.S. courts
because four of the nine justices had to sit out the case over apparent
conflicts. The result is that a lawsuit accusing some prominent companies
of violating international law by assisting South Africa's former apartheid
government will go forward. The court's hands were tied by federal laws
that require at least six justices to hear any case before them. Short
of the required number by one, the court took the only path available to
it and upheld an appeals court ruling allowing the suit to proceed. Fox
News
VOA VIEW: The Court punted.
McCain Hopes To Attract
Young Voters
He's a Republican, for starters. He describes himself as "older than
dirt." And he makes no apology for an Iraq war that is especially unpopular
on
college campuses. Doesn't sound like a recipe for winning the hearts of
young voters. And yet John McCain has vowed to make a serious play for
the 18- to 29-year-old crowd that's often identified with "Obama-mania."
Several polls, including a recent AP-Ipsos survey, show Democrats Barack
Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton faring far better with that age bracket
when pitted individually against McCain. But in the last month or so, there've
been blips in McCain's favor. One recent AP-Yahoo News poll found that
38 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds supported McCain, while 37 percent were
for Obama. CNS
Gasoline
And Diesel Prices Soar To Records
U.S. drivers dug deeper into their pockets to fill up at the pump,
as the average price for gasoline skyrocketed 10.9 cents over the last
week to a record of $3.72 a gallon, the federal Energy Information Administration
said. The national price for regular, self-service gasoline was up 62 cents
from a year ago due to soaring crude oil prices. Crude hit a record $126.40
a barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Congress is hoping to give
consumers some relief. Both the Senate and House of Representatives will
vote on legislation today that supporters believe will help bring down
oil and gasoline prices. Reuters
Bush
Hits New Low As 'Wrong Track' Rises
Public disgruntlement neared a record high and President Bush slipped
to his career low in the latest Washington Post poll. According to a new
poll, the Bush's approval rating has dramatically dropped. Eighty-two percent
of Americans now say the country's seriously off on the wrong track, up
10 points in the last year to a point from its record high in polls since
1973. And 31 percent approve of Bush's job performance overall, while 66
percent disapprove. The country's mood, and the president's ratings, are
suffering from the double whammy of an unpopular war and a faltering economy.
ABC
News
Clinton
Deadline Looms
Hillary Clinton may have a financial incentive to remain in the presidential
race for a while. And she has Senator John McCain to thank for it. Clinton
loaned her struggling campaign $11 million in recent months. A little-known
provision of a 2002 campaign- finance law cosponsored by McCain prevents
candidates who drop out of the race from raising money after the nominating
conventions to repay themselves for personal loans. Should Clinton fail
to come up with the funds by the Democratic convention in August, she'll
be
out the $11 million. If she quits the campaign before then, she may find
it hard to get people to keep giving cash just so she can retire her debt.
Bloomberg
PLEASE DO BUSINESS WITH THOSE WHO DO BUSINESS
WITH US -- OUR ADVERTISERS.
Congress
Eyes Major Expansion Of GI Bill
Congressional Democrats are pushing what could become the most dramatic
expansion of college aid for military veterans since World War II, with
a bill they hope will buoy them this election season and become an albatross
for Republicans. Pitched by the Democrats is a plan that would essentially
guarantee a full-ride scholarship to any in-state public university, along
with a monthly housing stipend, for individuals who serve the military
for at least three years. The proposal would give veterans 15 years to
use the benefit, instead of the current 10-year limit, and would set up
a new government program that matches financial aid by more expensive private
institutions.
CBS
New
Older
Brains Don’t Benefit From Painkillers
Results from a large government experiment are dimming hopes that two
common painkillers can prevent Alzheimer's disease or slow mental decline
in older people. The arthritis drug Celebrex and the over-the-counter painkiller
Aleve showed no benefit on thinking skills, new findings show. Earlier
results from the same research showed the two drugs didn't prevent Alzheimer's,
at least in the short term. Las
Vegas Sun
Obama
Touts Commitment To Israel
Democratic presidential leader Barack Obama said he regrets the division
that has grown between Jews and blacks and he remains committed to ensuring
Israel's security. Obama discussed his relationship with the Jewish community
and Israel in an interview posted Monday on The Atlantic magazine's Web
site, part of his continuing effort to reassure Jewish voters who have
expressed some unease about his candidacy. The situation didn't improve
as an adviser to the militant Palestinian group Hamas recently said they
hope Obama wins the presidency. Newsday
Marine Corps Surpasses
Recruiting Goal
The Marine Corps far surpassed its recruiting goal last month and could
eventually be more than a year ahead of schedule in its plan to grow the
force to 202,000 members. All military services met or exceeded their monthly
recruiting goals in April, with the Marine Corps signing 142 percent of
the number it was looking for, the Pentagon said. The Army signed 101 percent
of its goal, recruiting 5,681 against a goal of 5,650. The Navy and Air
Force met their goals — 2,905 sailors and 2,435 airmen. The Marine Corps
enlisted 2,233 recruits against a goal of 1,577. MSNBC
Florida
Governor Declares Wildfire Emergency
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist declared a state of emergency as wildfires
fed by drought conditions threatened homes and businesses and forced the
closing of part of Interstate 95 in Brevard County. Seven to 10 structures,
including some homes, have been destroyed by the largest of the fires,
said Yvonne Martinez of the Palm Bay Fire Department. Three firefighters
were injured, including one who was airlifted from the scene, but she did
not know the nature of their injuries. Children from two schools
in Palm
Bay were sent home early because of the threat of smoke and fire. Martinez
said those schools likely would be closed Tuesday. Gov. CNN
THANK YOU FOR VISITING OUR WEB PORTAL.
PLEASE TELL A FRIEND.
Obama
Defends Patriotism, Battles McCain On Veterans Benefits Bill
Addressing criticism he expects this fall, Sen. Barack Obama emphasized
his patriotism and support for a strong and humane military, while Sen.
Hillary Rodham Clinton implored West Virginians to sustain her hopes of
somehow denying him the Democratic presidential nomination. Obama expects
Clinton to win Tuesday’s primary in West Virginia, which has large numbers
of working-class whites, a group that usually backs the former first lady,
as well as a strong military tradition. He used his visit to Charleston
to combat critics’ claims that he is not particularly patriotic or ready
to be commander in chief, in part because he never served in the military,
no longer wears a lapel flag pin and opposed the Iraq war from the start.
Fox
News
Genetically
Modified Human Embryo Stirs Criticism
News that scientists have for the first time genetically altered a
human embryo is drawing fire from some watchdog groups that say it's a
step toward creating "designer babies." The idea of designer babies is
that someday, scientists may insert particular genes into embryos to produce
babies with desired traits like intelligence or athletic ability. Some
people find that notion repugnant, saying it turns children into designed
objects, and would create an unequal society where some people are genetically
enriched while others would be considered inferior. Las
Vegas Sun
California
City Will Be Litmus For Bankruptcy Cases
A northern California city that declared bankruptcy last week has thrust
itself into the national spotlight as a test case for thousands of floundering
cities desperate to unload their extravagant public employee contracts.
There's a wave of this coming across the U.S., an adviser to struggling
public entities. By declaring Chapter 9 bankruptcy, the city hopes to freeze
its debts and gain time to renegotiate its police and fire contracts, which
comprise about 74 percent of its $80 million general fund budget. It also
hopes a judge will void part or all of the contracts, allowing the city
and unions to start from scratch. SHNS
U.S.
Obesity Rates Alarmingly High
New research shows "alarming levels" of obesity in most ethnic groups
in the United States. The study also confirms the potentially deadly toll
obesity exacts on the heart and blood vessels. Among 6,814 middle-age or
older adults participating in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis,
or "MESA" study, researchers found that more than two thirds of white,
African American and Hispanic participants were overweight and one third
to one half were obese. Obesity rates were far lower in Chinese Americans
in the study, with 33 percent overweight and just 5 percent obese. Reuters
YOU can speak
out and be heard by having your own "Column"
- Visit the "Public Opinion" Section
above.
Former
Republican Bob Barr Seeks Presidency As Libertarian
Former Republican Rep. Bob Barr launched a Libertarian Party presidential
bid Monday, saying voters are hungry for an alternative to the status quo
who would dramatically cut the federal government. His candidacy throws
a wild card into the White House race that many believe could peel away
votes from Republican Sen. John McCain given the candidates' similar positions
on fiscal policy. Barr said he is not getting into the race to play spoiler
or to make a point. CNS
Superdelegates Put
Obama Within Reach
Barack Obama's wave of superdelegate endorsements puts him within reach
of the Democratic presidential nomination by the end of the primary season
on June 3 even if he loses half of the remaining six contests. The Illinois
senator has picked up 26 superdelegates in the past week. At that pace,
he will reach the number of delegates needed to clinch the nomination 2,025,
in the next three weeks, when delegates from the remaining primaries are
included. MSNBC
Gas
Prices Making It Hard For Economy To Grow
U.S. President George W. Bush said on Monday that while the U.S. economy
is expanding, soaring gasoline prices have hampered the level of growth.
"It's just too darn bad because this economy was doing fine and then we
had the housing issue and then this gasoline issue is making it even harder
for the economy to recover," Bush said in a radio interview. "It's growing,
don't get me wrong, but it could be a lot better with lower gasoline prices,"
he said. Reuters
Congress
Divided On Energy Plan
As millions of people approach the summer vacation season under the
threat of $4-per-gallon gasoline, Congress is scrambling to respond. But
don't wait for anything that will drive down prices at the pump. A Senate
vote on a GOP plan is scheduled, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
has promised to bring up a Democratic package before the Memorial Day congressional
recess. Except for halting the flow of oil into the government's Strategic
Petroleum Reserve, neither plan is likely to go very far. Both will be
challenged by filibusters by opponents, meaning they would require 60 votes
to advance. CBS
News
ATTENTION TALK SHOW HOSTS:We
are honored that many radio talk show hosts use our Web Portal for their
"show prep." We would appreciate your occasional mention of our site
to your audience. Thanks!
McCain
Appeals To Independents With Environment Pitch
Kicking off a week-long push seen as outreach to independent and Democratic
voters in crucial swing states, John McCain delivered a speech outlining
his vision for combating global warming. Sen. John McCain's stance on global
warming has put him at odds with some members of his party. McCain's commitment
to fight global warming puts him at odds with some Republicans in Congress
and with the Bush administration, which has not made climate change a top
priority. CNN
Dems
To Clinton: Don't Say Anything To Hurt Us
Sen. Hillary Clinton, pressed her campaign ahead of West Virginia primary
as Democratic Party leaders warned her not to do or say anything that could
hurt Democratic front-runner Sen. Barack Obama, in November. Clinton is
considered likely to win West Virginia's
primary, perhaps by as many as
30 percentage points, but the victory in the small state is not expected
to shake Obama's apparent hold on the party's nomination. What Democrats
fear could have a lasting impact is what Clinton might say about Obama
that could split the party or be gleefully reused by Republican John McCain
in the fall election. ABC
News
Bush's
Promised Mideast Agreement Still Mission Unaccomplished
Six years after President George W. Bush's historic pledge to help
create a Palestinian state, his habit of delving into Middle East peacemaking
in fits and starts may yield little on the ground when he leaves office.
Bush heads to the region tomorrow, on what will probably be his last trip
there as president, mainly to celebrate Israel's 60th anniversary. While
the president says he still wants to ease the conflict between Israel and
the Palestinians, years of U.S. neglect have diminished that prospect.
Bloomberg
Concern
Grows Over Veterans Suicide Figures
The number of veterans who commit suicide is growing, and it is causing
major concern among veterans groups and lawmakers. A recent report now
supported by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, indicates that an
average of 18 veterans commit suicide every day nationwide. The suicide
figures among veterans have caught congressional attention. Two senators
have demanded the resignation of Ira Katz, the VA official who wrote "Shh"
at the top of the e-mail dealing with suicide attempts and disputed the
statistics in public testimony while confirming them in internal documents.
A House committee has scheduled a hearing on veterans' suicides this week.
SHNS
ADVERTISEMENT:If
you want to advertise your business or web site on this Web Site, send
us an email by clicking on to "Contact" above. It could be the best
business decision you make.
Putin Announces
Cabinet Line-Up
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is proposing the names of ministers
in his new government, which will work with President Dmitry Medvedev.
Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin will be retaining his post and Foreign Minister
Sergei Lavrov also keeps his position. Anatoly Serdyukov stays as Defence
Minister and ex-PM Viktor Zubkov is First Deputy PM and Fisheries Minister.
Mr Putin moved to the post of PM last week after his protege, Mr Medvedev,
assumed the presidency. Mr Putin read out the names at a government meeting
attended by reporters. BBC
News
Israel
Leaning Toward Gaza Cease-Fire
Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for Monday's attack, after which
certain defense officials warned against accepting the Egyptian-proposed
cease-fire with Hamas and called for a military response to the continued
rocket fire. A half-dozen rockets fell in the western Negev area, including
one
that landed in Ashkelon. Jerusalem
Post
Thousands
Die In China Quake
Rescuers struggled this morning to reach victims of the devastating
earthquake that killed thousands of people in central China and trapped
thousands more in the rubble of collapsed schools, factories, hospitals
and homes. Road, rail, air and phone links to the epicentre of the 7.8
magnitude shock were cut, hampering relief efforts and the flow of information
on the scale of the catastrophe. Some Chinese troops were marching up to
100 miles through the night to reach affected areas. Guardian
Housing
Market Worst For 30 Years
Confidence in Britain's housing market has sunk to its lowest level
for more than 30 years, figures to be published today will reveal, as property
prices continue to fall and mortgage lenders restrict home loan finance.
The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors says that 95 per cent more surveyors
reported a fall in house prices in April than a rise, the worst figure
it has reported since it began publishing monthly property market surveys
in January 1978. Independent
News
UN
Frustrated At Burma Response
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has expressed his "immense frustration"
at Burma's slow response to the cyclone that hit the country nine days
ago. Mr Ban said aid had been able to reach less than a third of all those
at risk. He said he had still not been able to speak to the leader of Burma's
military government, General Than Shwe. The official toll for the cyclone
has risen to almost 32,000, although foreign aid workers say the real number
of dead may be much higher. BBC
High-Powered
US Delegation Gets Cool Reception
The most senior US aid and military delegation to visit Burma in years
left Rangoon empty-handed yesterday after the regime refused to give any
firm commitment about accepting increased aid for the victims of the cyclone
disaster.
The team that accompanied the first US flight loaded with emergency supplies
met cabinet ministers from the ruling junta to offer relief, disaster management
expertise and a muscular military capability to deliver aid to the hardest
hit areas. Guardian
Violence
Grips Lebanese City
Pro-government Sunni Muslim gunmen and militiamen loyal to Lebanon's
Iranian-backed Shia Hizbollah have fought with machine guns and rocket-propelled
grenades in the northern city of Tripoli. Security sources said six people
were wounded when Sunni government supporters in Tripoli's Bab Tebbaneh
district exchanged machine gun and grenade fire with Alawite militiamen
allied to Hizbollah in the nearby Jebel Mohsen area. Hizbollah and its
pro-Syrian allies have swept through Beirut and hills to the east, defeating
loyalists of the US-backed government before handing its conquests to the
Lebanese army, which has stayed out of the fighting. Independent
News
Abbas
Viable Partner For Peace
US President George W. Bush said on Monday that he could not envisage
the Middle East evolving "without a Palestinian state that's free and democratic."
Bush, who flies to Israel on Tuesday, told The Jerusalem Post that he remains
convinced
that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is a partner for peace.
And he went on to say, at a briefing with the Post and three other Israeli
journalists in the Oval Office, that he was still convinced that an accord
on Palestinian statehood was attainable this year. Jerusalem
Post
ABC Online Canada
National Post Daily
Telegraph The Observer Wired
News Xinhua News
VOA VIEW -- Is
the
opinion of Voice of America, Inc. The founding fathers of this great
nation gave us the First Amendment. You too can express your opinion
on this web site. Click on the blue "Public Opinion" button at the
top of this page for full details. The opinions expressed are not
necessarily the opinions of the ownership or advertisers of this web site.
|
