The California Senate finally passed the state’s budget on Thursday morning after a marathon session.
California resolves budget standoff
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The Quiet American: How the World Sees Obama
At this year’s U.S.-Islamic World Forum in Doha, Qatar, speaker after Muslim speaker had nothing particularly awful to say about the United States. The Muslims were, in fact, hopeful about, and slightly amazed by, the new American President. Some even wondered aloud what they could do to help him succeed.
The Catholic Crusade Against a Mythical Abortion Bill
The U.S. Catholic Church’s crusade against the Freedom of Choice Act has all the hallmarks of a well-oiled lobbying campaign. A national postcard campaign is flooding the White House and congressional offices with messages opposing FOCA, and the Catholic bishops have made defeating the abortion rights legislation a top priority
UK woman loses assisted suicide appeal
A British woman who suffers from multiple sclerosis has lost her appeal to clarify Britain’s laws on assisted suicide, a charity working with the woman said Thursday. But the woman did get a strong hint that anyone who helped her travel to a country where assisted suicide is legal would not be prosecuted.
Clinton heads to South Korea as missile controversy brews
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton headed for South Korea on Thursday on the third leg of her four-nation tour of Asia. The visit comes at a time of escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula and after U.S.
Iraqi shoe thrower: Bush’s ‘soulless smile’ set me off
Muntadher al-Zaidi, the Iraqi journalist on trial for throwing his shoes last year at then-President George W. Bush, said the former American leader’s "bloodless and soulless smile" and his joking banter provoked him.
Australian fires burn as death toll rises to 208
The death toll from bushfires in southeastern Australia has risen to 208, the Australian Red Cross said Thursday. Five fires are still burning across the state of Victoria, a spokeswoman with the Country Fire Authority said
Netanyahu edges towards coalition deal
Likud Party leader Benjamin Netanyahu has picked up tentative support that could give him the inside track on forming a coalition government and becoming Israel’s next prime minister.
Stanford saga prompts run on banks
Politicians and banking regulators across Latin American and the Caribbean called for calm Wednesday after panicked investors pulled their money from banks owned by the Stanford Group, whose owner is accused in a multibillion dollar investment and sales fraud scheme.
British couple, four children in cocaine bust, reports say
A British couple has been detained at Margarita Airport in Venezuela after 24 kilograms of cocaine was allegedly found in their luggage, according to press reports. “This bank does not have any problem, is a healthy financial institution,” Edgar Hernandez Behrens, Venezuela’s superintendent of banks, said of Stanford Bank Venezuela, the state-run ABN news agency reported. An estimated $2.5 billion to $3 billion has been invested in the bank, he said