Friday, July 4
McCain, Obama promise better times
WASHINGTON, July 4 (UPI) -- The presumptive Democratic and Republican presidential nominees each blamed the other party Thursday for the latest bad economic news.
Report: Zanu-PF plans to kill to win
HARARE, Zimbabwe, July 4 (UPI) -- Leaked minutes show the Zanu-PF Party plans to use assassination to regain its majority in the Zimbabwean parliament, The Times of London reported Friday.
Report: Obama camp mulls stadium speech
DENVER, July 3 (UPI) -- Barack Obama may give his Democratic presidential nomination acceptance speech at Denver's Invesco Field at Mile High, the Denver Post said.
Obama: Troop safety key to Iraq pullout
FARGO, N.D., July 3 (UPI) -- Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., rejected claims Thursday that he has changed his position on withdrawing U.S. combat troops from Iraq.
President breaks ground for new hospital
BETHESDA, Md., July 3 (UPI) -- U.S. President Bush broke ground Thursday on a new hospital in Maryland that will combine services for all branches of the military.
Hostages' release 'joyous,' Bush says
WASHINGTON, July 3 (UPI) -- The rescue of 15 hostages, including three Americans, held by Colombian insurgents is a "joyous occasion," U.S. President George Bush said Thursday.
McCain, Obama close race a surprise
WASHINGTON, July 3 (UPI) -- Republican political analysts say they are surprised that the U.S. presidential race is so close, given the handicaps facing their party.
Radio station nixes Bush 'Big Oil' ad
PHILADELPHIA, July 3 (UPI) -- A Philadelphia radio station manager says he won't run an ad featuring the impersonated voice of President Bush endorsing a "Big Oil" agenda.
Mistrial in Ky. fen-phen lawyers' case
COVINGTON, Ky., July 3 (UPI) -- A federal judge declared a mistrial Thursday in the trial of two lawyers accused of taking too much money out of Kentucky's $200 million fen-phen lawsuit settlement.
YouTube orders worry privacy advocates
NEW YORK, July 3 (UPI) -- Privacy advocates say they are concerned about a New York federal judge's order requiring Google to turn over a database of YouTube viewers.
U.S. contractors may lose Iraqi immunity
WASHINGTON, July 3 (UPI) -- Employees of Blackwater and other U.S. military contractors may lose their shield from Iraqi prosecution under a new status of forces agreement.
Grateful Dead may perform gig for Obama
CHICAGO, July 3 (UPI) -- Mickey Hart said he and two other surviving members of the Grateful Dead may reunite for a concert to support U.S. presidential hopeful Barack Obama.
British military eyeing improved carriers
LONDON, July 3 (UPI) -- The British Ministry of Defense has finalized contract talks worth nearly $6.4 billion aimed at constructing larger aircraft carriers, top officials say.
Weapons cache found at Russian border
MURMANSK, Russia, July 3 (UPI) -- A weapons depot containing two guided missiles has been found on the Russian side of the Russia-Norway border, officials say.
Federal judge tosses wiretap suit
SAN FRANCISCO, July 3 (UPI) -- A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit alleging U.S. President George Bush acted illegally when he ordered phones tapped to sniff out suspected terrorists.
Caroline Kennedy discreet in VP vetting
WASHINGTON, July 3 (UPI) -- Caroline Kennedy's discretion was a major reason why Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., tapped her to help vet potential running mates, those who know her say.
Judge dismisses cell phone lawsuit
CHICAGO, July 3 (UPI) -- The current ban on cell phone use while driving in Chicago is "rational," a federal judge said in dismissing a related lawsuit.
Politicians opposing Pakistani offensive
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, July 3 (UPI) -- The Pakistani government's new offensive against Islamist insurgents is "not very effective," several Pakistani politicians say.
Obama promotes large-scale volunteerism
COLORADO SPRINGS, July 3 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Barack Obama urged his audience "to do your part" and volunteer for national service, pledging to expand opportunities for those who heed his call.
Medvedev: McCain's G8 stance 'not serious'
MOSCOW, July 3 (UPI) -- Comments by U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., about Russia's membership in the Group of Eight were "not serious," Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says.
Republican candidates target ANWR's oil
WASHINGTON, July 3 (UPI) -- Five congressional candidates are headed to Alaska to show support for opening a wildlife refuge up to oil development, sources said.
Warehoused munitions explode near Sofia
CHELOPECHENE, Bulgaria, July 3 (UPI) -- Powerful explosions from a military storage area were expected to rock the Sofia, Bulgaria, and surrounding areas throughout the day Thursday, police said.
Two die, several captured in Iraqi raids
BAGHDAD, July 3 (UPI) -- Raids by coalition forces in northwestern Iraq led to the deaths of two people and the detention of two others, the U.S. military said.
'Unprecedented' Military Sting Liberates Hostages in Colombia
BOGOTA, Colombia -- The rescuers came wearing Che Guevara T-shirts and logos declaring them delegates of some obscure organization.
Zimbabwe opposition chief won't join gov't
HARARE, Zimbabwe, July 2 (UPI) -- Zimbabwe's opposition leader said Wednesday he will not join a government headed by President Robert Mugabe, who used violence and torture to win re-election.
U.S.-Iraq agreement may be hard sell
BAGHDAD, July 2 (UPI) -- An Iraqi official Wednesday hinted at delays in negotiations toward an agreement to keep U.S. troops legally in the country.
Israeli Airstrike on Iran Would Come at a High Price, Mullen Says
On Iran's western border, the U.S. military is more than five years into a war in Iraq that has taken 4,113 American lives and cost U.S. taxpayers more than $600 billion. And on Iran's eastern border, American commanders are now openly questioning whether they have lost their way in the fight against a resurgent Taliban.
June 'tough' in Afghanistan, Bush says
WASHINGTON, July 2 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush acknowledged Wednesday that troop deaths in Afghanistan in June surpassed casualty levels in Iraq for the second straight month.
McCain campaign changes leadership
WASHINGTON, July 2 (UPI) -- Sen. John McCain's U.S. presidential campaign staff has been altered, with political adviser Steve Schmidt tapped to take over the day-to-day leadership role.
Liberal groups want Lieberman out as chair
WASHINGTON, July 2 (UPI) -- Several liberal groups said they will submit a petition to U.S. Senate leaders asking that Sen. Joe Lieberman, Ind-Conn., be stripped of his chairmanship.
McCain touts free trade while in Colombia
BOGOTA, Colombia, July 2 (UPI) -- Free trade and better U.S.-Colombian relations headlined discussions between Sen. John McCain and his host, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe.
Mullen urges diplomacy for Iranian nukes
WASHINGTON, July 2 (UPI) -- Diplomacy is the preferred option to diffuse Israeli-Iranian tensions over Iran's nuclear program, Adm. Mike Mullen, U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, said.
Mullen Urges Diplomacy for Iranian Nukes
Diplomacy is the preferred option to diffuse Israeli-Iranian tensions over Iran's nuclear program, Adm. Mike Mullen, U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, said.
McCain addresses economy from Columbia
CARTAGENA, Colombia, July 2 (UPI) -- Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain interrupted a trip to Columbia Wednesday to describe his understanding of the U.S. economy.
'Laramie Project' producer sues school
BEAVERTON, Ore., July 2 (UPI) -- A ex-high school teacher is seeking damages from an Oregon school district, saying he was forced to quit because he tried to stage a controversial play.
Blockbuster collects DVDs for U.S. troops
DALLAS, July 2 (UPI) -- Blockbuster Inc. and the United Service Organizations announced they are teaming up to send DVDs and games to U.S. service members and their families.
Ex-waitress sues Jay-Z's club for back pay
NEW YORK, July 2 (UPI) -- A former waitress is suing hip-hop mogul Jay-Z and his New York nightclub 40/40 for failing to pay overtime and the minimum wage.
Sen. Kennedy begins healthcare push
BOSTON, July 2 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., has begun meetings to lay the groundwork for a new plan for universal healthcare, the Boston Globe reports.
McCain calls for Colombia free trade
CARTAGENA, Colombia, July 2 (UPI) -- Presumptive Republican U.S. presidential candidate John McCain is calling for approval of a free trade deal with Colombia, citing progress on human rights.
Afghan deaths hit highest-ever totals
KABUL, Afghanistan, July 2 (UPI) -- Coalition deaths in Afghanistan reached their highest-ever monthly totals in June as U.S. military officials warned they face a more complex insurgency.
Polish sailor returns to face sentencing
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., July 2 (UPI) -- A Polish national who arranged phony marriages while serving in the U.S. Navy has voluntarily returned to Florida for sentencing.
Lieberman no help to McCain in Conn.
HAMDEN, Conn., July 2 (UPI) -- Sen. John McCain would do little to cut Sen. Barack Obama's commanding lead in Connecticut by adding Sen. Joseph Lieberman to his ticket, a poll indicated.
Rules of engagement not clear, Marine says
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif., July 2 (UPI) -- U.S. Marine snipers weren't given clear rules about when suspected insurgents could be killed at long range, a platoon commander said in a manslaughter case.
Lawyers detail health problems from 9/11
NEW YORK, July 2 (UPI) -- Lawyers for those who worked at the World Trade Center in New York after the 2001 terrorist attacks say 67 percent suffer from respiratory disease.
U.S. sailor shot dead aboard carrier
NORFOLK, Va., July 2 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy says it is investigating the shooting death of a sailor aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt in port in Virginia.
U.S spying on Iraqi forces, official say
WASHINGTON, July 2 (UPI) -- The U.S. military is using devices normally used to spy on adversaries to track the U.S-backed Iraqi army, current and former military officials said.
Chemical weapons transport plan decried
WASHINGTON, July 2 (UPI) -- The Pentagon is considering a plan to ship chemical weapons to U.S. military sites to speed up their destruction, a report to Congress indicated.
Report: Security lax at U.S. nuclear sites
WASHINGTON, July 2 (UPI) -- A U.S. Air Force study found lax plant security and inadequate personnel experience at most overseas storage facilities for U.S. nuclear weapons.
Campaign, bank say Obama's mortgage proper
CHICAGO, July 2 (UPI) -- Campaign officials and the financial institution involved say terms Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., received on his Chicago home mortgage were proper.
Dismissal of same-sex marriage ban sought
SAN FRANCISCO, July 2 (UPI) -- Same-sex marriage supporters are asking California's courts to throw out a ballot initiative seeking to restrict same-sex unions.
Poll: Obama has big lead among Hispanics
PRINCETON, N.J., July 2 (UPI) -- Likely Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama has a commanding lead among Hispanic voters, a Gallup Poll indicated Wednesday.
Gitmo, Chinese interrogation skills linked
WASHINGTON, July 2 (UPI) -- U.S. military trainers based interrogation classes on 1950s techniques used by Chinese Communists the U.S. government labeled as torture, documents indicate.
GOP insiders: McCain campaign aimless
WASHINGTON, July 2 (UPI) -- U.S. Republican Party strategists say they are becoming increasingly alarmed by the way likely presidential nominee John McCain is running his campaign.
Canadian poll: Give U.S. deserters status
TORONTO, July 2 (UPI) -- Nearly two-thirds of Canadians polled said they support Canada giving defecting U.S. soldiers permanent resident status.
Chinese army's quake response said lacking
SICHUAN, China, July 2 (UPI) -- The performance of China's army in leading rescue efforts after the devastating May 12 earthquake revealed its strengths and weaknesses, analysts said.
Precedent overlooked in child-rape ruling
WASHINGTON, July 2 (UPI) -- U.S. Supreme Court justices overlooked the new military justice code when they declared there were few precedents for executing child rapists, observers say.
African Union urges Zimbabwean unity
CAIRO, July 2 (UPI) -- The African Union passed a resolution urging Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to compromise with the opposition party, a move aides said Mugabe rejects.
Wednesday, July 2
Multiple vaccines not cause of ill health
LONDON, July 1 (UPI) -- Multiple vaccinations have not been a cause of ill health in British military personnel deployed to Iraq, researchers at Kings College London say.
CNN/ORC poll: McCain, Obama nearly even
ATLANTA, July 1 (UPI) -- John McCain and Barack Obama are neck and neck with four months to go before U.S. voters mark their presidential ballots, a poll released Tuesday indicates.
San Francisco mayor seeks governorship
SAN FRANCISCO, July 1 (UPI) -- San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom said Tuesday he wants to become California's next governor two years down the road.
McCain pulls Web ads from anti-Obama sites
WASHINGTON, July 1 (UPI) -- Republican U.S. presidential hopeful John McCain will stop advertising on Web sites that have vilified his Democratic rival, the McCain campaign said.
Bomb cleanup begins in Fla. neighborhood
ORLANDO, Fla., July 1 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has begun a $10 million cleanup of World War II-era bombs buried below a Florida neighborhood, officials said.
Italian defense minister on Afghan visit
KABUL, Afghanistan, July 1 (UPI) -- Italian Defense Minister Ignazio La Russa visited Italian troops Tuesday in two regions of Afghanistan.
Nader says he's on the Illinois ballot
WASHINGTON, July 1 (UPI) -- Ralph Nader's independent presidential campaign will be on the Illinois ballot in the November general election, Nader's campaign said Tuesday.
Wash. told to improve foster child care
BELLINGHAM, Wash., July 1 (UPI) -- A judge has ordered the Washington state Department of Social and Health Services to settle a suit over foster care within 30 days.
Patient died ignored at N.Y. hospital
NEW YORK, July 1 (UPI) -- Lawyers suing a New York hospital have released video that allegedly shows a patient lying ignored on the floor in the psychiatric emergency unit.
Fraternity sued over student's fall
SEATTLE, July 1 (UPI) -- A recent University of Washington graduate has sued a fraternity to recover medical expenses from a fall out of the window when he was a freshman pledge.
McCain criticizes high court's rape ruling
INDIANAPOLIS, July 1 (UPI) -- John McCain, the likely GOP presidential candidate, criticized the U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday for overturning the death penalty for a child rapist.
Poll: Israel, Palestinians get low marks
COLLEGE PARK, Md., July 1 (UPI) -- Israel, Palestine, the United States and Arab leaders are seen as weak in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a global poll released Tuesday indicated.
Zimbabwe: Mugabe critics can 'go hang'
SHARM EL SHEIK, Egypt, July 1 (UPI) -- Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's spokesman said Tuesday at an African Union summit conference in Egypt the regime's detractors can "go hang."
Obama opposes Calif. marriage initiative
SAN FRANCISCO, July 1 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, in a letter to a California political club, has said he opposes a referendum that would ban same-sex marriage in the state.
Police officer settles gay harassment suit
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., July 1 (UPI) -- A Los Angeles-area police department has agreed to settle a suit by a gay officer by paying him $4,000 a month for the rest of his life.
Tankleff vows to find 'real' killers
GARDEN CITY, N.Y., July 1 (UPI) -- An exonerated convicted murderer says he's going to focus on finding the "real criminals" responsible for the 1988 Long Island, N.Y., slayings of his parents.
Nat'l Guard mobilized for Calif. wildfires
BIG SUR, Calif., July 1 (UPI) -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Tuesday called out the California National Guard to help battle a stubborn swarm of wildfires burning in the state.
Money woes helped Algerian al-Qaida rise
ALGIERS, Algeria, July 1 (UPI) -- Algerian insurgents, all but gone a few years ago, have grown into one of the most deadly al-Qaida affiliates, observers said.
Big Bush donors not giving to McCain
WASHINGTON, July 1 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush's major contributors have yet to sign on with U.S. Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican candidate to succeed Bush.
Hollywood sign upsets Plymouth vets
PLYMOUTH, Mass., July 1 (UPI) -- Plymouth, Mass., the oldest town in New England, has been roiled by a dispute over a large sign reading "Hollywood East" that blocks views of a war memorial.
Appeal planned over Chicago lineup data
CHICAGO, July 1 (UPI) -- A Chicago legal group says it will appeal a ruling supporting the police department's refusal to release data on the use of lineups to identify suspects.
'Convention-al' funding wisdom corporate
WASHINGTON, July 1 (UPI) -- Likely presidential rivals U.S. Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain may eschew lobbyists and their money but their party's conventions don't, an analysis shows.
McCain position on Amtrak analyzed
WASHINGTON, July 1 (UPI) -- U.S. presidential candidate John McCain may have to answer for his Senate record on funding Amtrak, The Boston Globe said Tuesday.
Texas suit charges mistaken foreclosure
AUSTIN, Texas, July 1 (UPI) -- Attorneys for JPMorgan say they are working to make things right with a Texas couple whose house was mistakenly cleaned out by an affiliated mortgage company.
Mrs. Obama, children to be more visible
WASHINGTON, July 1 (UPI) -- Michelle Obama says she and her family will be more visible in the U.S. presidential campaign now that school is out for the summer.
NRA sets $15M sight on Obama
WASHINGTON, July 1 (UPI) -- The powerful National Rifle Association says it plans to spend $15 million to try to paint Sen. Barack Obama as a threat to the Second Amendment.
Experts: VP pick needs economic clout
WASHINGTON, July 1 (UPI) -- Presumptive Republican U.S. presidential nominee John McCain should pick a running mate with strong economic credentials, analysts say.
Charges expected in military show shooting
PARIS, July 1 (UPI) -- A French army sergeant accused of mistakenly using live ammunition at a military show, injuring 17 people, faced charges Tuesday.
Swift boat bank-rollers donating to McCain
WASHINGTON, July 1 (UPI) -- GOP Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign accepted nearly $70,000 from donors of a group whose tactics he condemned four years ago, an analysis shows.
Release of CIA Iran nuke papers sought
WASHINGTON, July 1 (UPI) -- An ex-CIA agent is seeking the release of documents he says show that the spy agency ignored intelligence about Iran's nuclear program.
Poll: People split on change of status quo
PRINCETON, N.J., July 1 (UPI) -- U.S. voters seem closely divided about not getting enough change and getting too much with the next president, a Gallup poll indicates.
Poll: More U.S. swing voters this year
PRINCETON, N.J., July 1 (UPI) -- There are more swing voters in the U.S. electorate this year than in 2004 and they're more receptive to pitches from candidates, a Gallup Poll indicates.
Tuesday, July 1
Tiger victim's family to sue zoo
SAN FRANCISCO, July 1 (UPI) -- An attorney for a California teen killed by an escaped tiger at the San Francisco Zoo says he'll file a negligence lawsuit against the city.
Iraqi war wounded say care is lacking
BAGHDAD, July 1 (UPI) -- Some wounded Iraqi war veterans say the Iraqi government has turned its back on them, providing little, if any, financial and medical assistance.
Malaysian opposition leader fights charge
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 1 (UPI) -- Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, accused in a sodomy complaint by his former aide, has been promised fair treatment by police.
8 dead in Pakistan blast
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, July 1 (UPI) -- An explosion killed eight people and destroyed a pro-Taliban commander's compound in Pakistan's northwest region, the scene of an anti-insurgency campaign.
Man fired over offensive children's rhyme
NEW YORK, July 1 (UPI) -- A New York drug counselor says he is trying to get his job back after being fired for reciting a children's rhyme an African-American colleague found offensive.
Monday, June 30
White House says terror attack might loom
WASHINGTON, June 30 (UPI) -- The White House said Monday it agreed with an assessment by U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman, who warns terrorists could test the next president with an attack.
Ex-Peruvian spy chief defends ex-leader
LIMA, June 30 (UPI) -- Former Peruvian spy chief Vladmiro Montesinos testified Monday the country's former president did not commit human rights violations as widely alleged.
Suspected USS Cole bomber charged
WASHINGTON, June 30 (UPI) -- The U.S. government says it has officially charged a man from Saudi Arabia in the attack on the Navy destroyer USS Cole about eight years ago.
Wilde, Sarsgaard tape young voter PSAs
NEW YORK, June 30 (UPI) -- Actors Olivia Wilde and Peter Sarsgaard are encouraging young people to register and vote in the U.S. presidential election in November, a youth group says.
Brown calls on AU to press Mugabe
SHARM EL-SHEIK, Egypt, June 30 (UPI) -- British Prime Minister Gordon Brown called on the African Union to tell Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe the African country needs a new government.
U.S. Army admits mistakes made in Iraq war
WASHINGTON, June 30 (UPI) -- U.S. military leaders made several mistakes in the beginning of the Iraq war and were unprepared for disorder, the Army's official history of the war says.
Defense Department rejects EPA demands
WASHINGTON, June 30 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Defense is defying demands from the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct cleanup efforts at three military sites, officials say.
Obama praises McCain, warns critics
INDEPENDENCE, Mo., June 30 (UPI) -- Likely Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama praised his Republican opponent in a speech Monday on U.S. patriotism in Independence, Mo.
Disabled man urges leniency for deputy
TAMPA, Fla., June 30 (UPI) -- A disabled Florida man who was dumped from his wheelchair by a jailer is urging officials to spare the deputy from going to trial.
Would-be Karzai assassins were Afghans
KABUL, Afghanistan, June 30 (UPI) -- The alleged members of an assassination plot against Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai were mostly government employees, officials said.
Another Romney supporting McCain
DETROIT, June 30 (UPI) -- The brother of primary rival Mitt Romney is among those rallying around presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Sen. John McCain of Arizona.
Survey looks at the politics of Gen Y
ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 30 (UPI) -- An online community opened its e-doors Monday with a report providing U.S. presidential candidates info on Generation Y's political leanings.
Aide: Obama, Bill Clinton to meet
WASHINGTON, June 30 (UPI) -- A top aide to Hillary Clinton says former President Bill Clinton and likely U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama will soon meet.
Sonic boom frightens Pakistanis
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, June 30 (UPI) -- Pakistan's Air Force says a fighter jet breaking the sound barrier was responsible for two loud blasts Monday morning that frightened residents of Rawalpindi.
Holding Basra a key test for Iraq gov't
BASRA, Iraq, June 30 (UPI) -- The Iraqi government's ability to hold the peace in Basra in the wake of its battles with Shiite militants is a key test, Iraq officials say.
McCain to visit Colombia, Mexico
WASHINGTON, June 30 (UPI) -- John McCain, likely GOP U.S. presidential nominee, will head to South and Central America, where aides said he'll discuss free trade and the war on drugs.
Bush signs war funding measure
WASHINGTON, June 30 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush Monday signed the $162 billion supplemental appropriations bill to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Michelle Obama keys on working families
WASHINGTON, June 30 (UPI) -- Michelle Obama says as first lady she would focus on helping people balance work and family, and particularly the struggles of U.S. military families.
Obama pursues aggressive Southern strategy
WASHINGTON, June 30 (UPI) -- Aides say likely U.S. presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama is aggressively courting voters in the U.S. South, a region long considered hostile to Democrats.
U.S. had direct hand in Iraq oil decision
BAGHDAD, June 30 (UPI) -- U.S. officials had a hand in an Iraqi decision to allow five Western oil companies do to business in the country, sources say.
Iran prepping graves in case of attack
TEHRAN, June 30 (UPI) -- Iran is preparing hundreds of thousands of graves along border regions in case the country is attacked, an Iranian military official said.
Report: Ohio city believes Obama rumors
FINDLAY, Ohio, June 30 (UPI) -- Some residents of an Ohio city say they refuse to believe likely U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., isn't a Muslim.
Party wings take on McCain's war record
WASHINGTON, June 30 (UPI) -- Left- and right-wing political commentators are tackling a subject moderate Democrats and Republicans won't touch: U.S. Sen. John McCain's military record.
Poll: Democrats in good shape in Congress
PRINCETON, N.J., June 30 (UPI) -- Democrats are in good position to keep their majority in Congress during the U.S. general election in November, a Gallup Poll indicates.
Report: Al-Qaida strategy mired in dispute
WASHINGTON, June 30 (UPI) -- Arguments within the Bush administration and the CIA have hampered efforts to counter an al-Qaida build-up in Pakistan, The New York Times reported Monday.
Israeli Cabinet Approves Hezbollah Prisoner Swap: Killer-for-Soldiers Deal is Wrenching
Jun. 30--JERUSALEM -- After an emotional public debate, Israel's Cabinet on Sunday approved a deal with Hezbollah for the return of two Israeli soldiers believed to be dead and whose capture two years ago triggered a monthlong war with the Lebanese guerrilla group.
'Prairie' mowed down during GOP convention
ST.PAUL, Minn., June 30 (UPI) -- A play about pioneer life will give way to the reality of political life when the Republican National Convention begins in St. Paul, Minn.
Sunday, June 29
Pentagon resists EPA cleanup agreements
WASHINGTON, June 29 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Defense is resisting orders from the Environmental Protection Agency to clean up three military bases, officials say.
Live ammo used in demonstration; 16 hurt
CARCASSONE, France, June 29 (UPI) -- Sixteen people were wounded Sunday when live ammunition was unexpectedly fired during a military shooting demonstration at a barracks in France, officials said.
Nader renews attacks on Dems, GOP
WASHINGTON, June 29 (UPI) -- Five-time presidential candidate Ralph Nader sallied forth Sunday with more attacks on the presumptive Democratic and Republican nominees for U.S. president.
McCain's judicial plan draws conservatives
WASHINGTON, June 29 (UPI) -- Presumptive GOP presidential nominee John McCain is drawing support among U.S. conservatives for his promise to appoint conservative judges, analysts say.
Iran poised for counter-strike on Israel
TEHRAN, June 29 (UPI) -- Iran has missiles aimed at the site where the Israeli nuclear program is believed to be based, The Times of London reported Sunday.
Obama camp adviser works on 'God gap'
WASHINGTON, June 29 (UPI) -- The campaign of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has hired an adviser for religious affairs, officials said.
Lieberman says McCain ready to lead
WASHINGTON, June 29 (UPI) -- Sen. Joe Lieberman, Ind-Conn., says he wants John McCain to be the next president in case the United States' enemies attack early in the next administration.
Report: Defense sector not sold on McCain
WASHINGTON, June 29 (UPI) -- Presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain is seen as a defense hawk, but is not well liked among all military contractors, The Boston Globe said.
Political novices producing attack videos
LOS ANGELES, June 29 (UPI) -- Some of the most effective Internet political attacks in the current U.S. campaign have come from political amateurs, The New York Times said Sunday,
Two Virginias mirror national voting shift
WASHINGTON, June 29 (UPI) -- Changes in political alignment in Virginia and West Virginia echo a national shift of voter preference for the two major parties, The Washington Post reports.
Schwarzenegger backtracks on McCain
WASHINGTON, June 29 (UPI) -- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Sunday defended presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain's environmental record.
McCain meets with the Rev. Billy Graham
MONTREAT, N.C., June 29 (UPI) -- Presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain met Sunday with evangelists Franklin Graham and Billy Graham at the request of the Arizona senator.
Fishing company seeks to limit liability
SEATTLE, June 29 (UPI) -- The owners of a fishing boat that sank in the Bering Sea are asking a federal judge to limit the Seattle firm's liability for the accident, court papers show.
Men sue Iran in death of father
NASHVILLE, June 29 (UPI) -- A Tennessee family is suing Iran for the 1982 death of their father, who they say was beaten, tortured and killed in that country.
Crocker denies U.S. operations in Iran
WASHINGTON, June 29 (UPI) -- U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker denied Sunday the United States is conducting cross-border operations in Iran.
Latino stars come out for Obama
MIAMI, June 29 (UPI) -- A handful of Latino musicians, actors and celebrities are urging their fans to support Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama.
Candidates seek ticket balance
WASHINGTON, June 29 (UPI) -- The Democratic and Republican candidates for U.S. president need different qualities in a vice presidential running mate, political analysts say.
Police investigate anti-Obama vandalism
ORLANDO, Fla., June 29 (UPI) -- Sixty city vehicles in Orlando, Fla., were spray-painted with hate messages against likely Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, police say.
U.S. asks Japan for Okinawa costs
OKINAWA, Japan, June 29 (UPI) -- The U.S. government is asking Japan to spend $4.7 million from next year's budget to help relocate U.S. Marines from Okinawa, sources say.
Court could become top U.S. election issue
WASHINGTON, June 29 (UPI) -- U.S. Supreme Court observers say recent cases have reinforced perceptions that its future rulings could be determined by this year's presidential election.
McCain's campaign emphasis questioned
WASHINGTON, June 29 (UPI) -- Some Republican Party strategists say they're puzzled by the foreign policy emphasis in the campaign of likely GOP U.S. presidential nominee John McCain.
Army historians fault Iraq planning
WASHINGTON, June 29 (UPI) -- U.S. Army historians chronicling the Iraq war say planning of the conflict's post-invasion phase was seriously flawed by optimistic assumptions.
Police eye pregnant soldier's death
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C., June 29 (UPI) -- Authorities say a U.S. Army special operations soldier is a "person of interest" in the death of a pregnant female soldier near Fort Bragg, N.C..
Saturday, June 28
Japanese destroyer makes historic visit
ZHANJIANG, China, June 28 (UPI) -- The Japanese warship Sazanami left a southern Chinese port Saturday after a historic five-day visit.
Sri Lankan president vows no cease-fire
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, June 28 (UPI) -- Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse expressed no interest Saturday in easing off his military's offensive against Tamil Tiger rebels.
Arizonans to vote on gay marriage ban
PHOENIX, June 28 (UPI) -- Arizona voters are preparing once again to vote on whether a gay marriage ban should be added to the state's constitution, lawmakers say.
Iran says it has missiles to hit Israel
TEHRAN, June 28 (UPI) -- Iranian leaders say they have missiles capable of striking Israel, which will deter an attack.
Pakistan shells Taliban positions
PESHAWAR, Pakistan, June 28 (UPI) -- Pakistan officials said they shelled Taliban positions outside Peshawar Saturday in response to the militants' increasing forays into the city's outskirts.
Alexander quits as head of Scottish Labor
GLASGOW, Scotland, June 28 (UPI) -- Wendy Alexander, leader of the Scottish Labor Party, resigned Saturday after an ethics committee found she had broken rules on political contributions.
Richardson criticizes McCain proposals
WASHINGTON, June 28 (UPI) -- Like GOP presidential candidate John McCain's ideas to curb rising U.S. energy prices are simply "gimmicks," New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said Saturday.
U.S. congressman meets with Mubarak
SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt, June 28 (UPI) -- Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak met Saturday with U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman, head of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia.
Judge rules Faberge egg is a fake
LONDON, June 28 (UPI) -- A Faberge egg thought to be worth nearly $20 million is actually counterfeit and only worth $200,000, a British High Court judge says.
Nanny allegations fill Lowe court papers
SANTA BARBARA, Calif., June 28 (UPI) -- A nanny suing TV star Rob Lowe for alleged sexual harassment has been accused of being sexually promiscuous, California court documents show.
Chechen rebels kill 4 Russian troops
GROZNY, Russia, June 28 (UPI) -- Russian officials said Saturday four Interior Ministry soldiers were killed and four others wounded battling Chechen separatist guerrillas.
Military: Iraqi raids leave three dead
BAGHDAD, June 28 (UPI) -- Military raids of suspected al-Qaida sites in Iraq Saturday left three suspected insurgents dead, the U.S. military said.
Six Mexican cops ambushed, slain
CULICAN, Mexico, June 28 (UPI) -- Analysts say the slayings of six Mexican police officers shows the government to be weak in the face of an escalating drug war.
NRA sues Chicago, suburbs on handgun ban
CHICAGO, June 28 (UPI) -- The National Rifle Association, after a legal victory in the U.S. Supreme Court, is suing the city of Chicago in an effort to repeal its handgun ban.
Air crash victims found in Indonesia
JAKARTA, June 28 (UPI) -- Indonesian officials said Saturday they've found the bodies of all 18 passengers of a military transport plane that crashed Thursday.
NRA sues to overturn San Francisco gun ban
SAN FRANCISCO, June 28 (UPI) -- The National Rifle Association filed suit Friday challenging the San Francisco Housing Authority's gun possession ban in city-administered public housing.
Friday, June 27
McCain predicts 11th-hour victory
LORDSTOWN, Ohio, June 27 (UPI) -- Presumptive Republican nominee John McCain says he is the underdog but he expects to pull ahead in the final days of the U.S. presidential election campaign.
Report: Obama sets Iraq trip
WASHINGTON, June 27 (UPI) -- Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama plans to travel to Iraq and Afghanistan next month, ABC News reported Friday.
Cameron: By-election disastrous for Labor
HENLEY-ON-THAMES, England, June 27 (UPI) -- British Conservative Party leader David Cameron said the outcome of Thursday's Henley-on-Thames by-election was "disastrous" for the Labor Party.
Serbia signs coalition agreement
BELGRADE, Serbia, June 27 (UPI) -- Serbian National Assembly President Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic announced a coalition deal has been signed for a ruling majority.
Norquist: Obama is 'Kerry with a tan'
LOS ANGELES, June 27 (UPI) -- Republican activist Grover Norquist told the Los Angeles Times Friday that likely Democratic presidential nominee Barrack Obama is "John Kerry with a tan."
Obama's health plan may change directions
WASHINGTON, June 27 (UPI) -- Likely U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama's health plan may become more like that of former rival Hillary Clinton, an adviser's remarks suggest.
U.S. government settles 2001 anthrax case
WASHINGTON, June 27 (UPI) -- A deal was reached Friday with the U.S. Army doctor who sued the government for casting suspicion on him in the 2001 anthrax attacks, federal officials said.
J. Lo ordered to testify in civil suit
NEW YORK, June 27 (UPI) -- Singer-actress Jennifer Lopez has been ordered to testify in a civil lawsuit stemming from a 1999 New York shooting involving her then-boyfriend Sean "Diddy" Combs.
Lawyer gets five years for bribing judge
JACKSON, Miss., June 27 (UPI) -- One of Mississippi's best-known lawyers, Dickie Scruggs, was sentenced to five years in federal prison Friday for conspiring to bribe a judge.
Prosecutors considered Obama-Rezko link
CHICAGO, June 27 (UPI) -- Prosecutors in the corruption trial of Tony Rezko considered showing a tie between Rezko and U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., court records indicate.
McCain adviser outlines strategy
WASHINGTON, June 27 (UPI) -- An adviser to Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee for U.S. president, has outlined a strategy to depict Democrat Barack Obama as self-serving.
Honor the cease-fire, Hamas leader says
JERUSALEM, June 27 (UPI) -- All Palestinians should honor the Israeli-Hamas cease-fire in Gaza, a senior Hamas leader said Friday hours after mortar rounds were fired.
Poll: Economy voters' top issue
PRINCETON, N.J., June 27 (UPI) -- U.S. voters said they are more concerned about the economy than terrorism, a Gallup Poll released Friday indicates.
NBC settles 'Predator' case
NEW YORK, June 27 (UPI) -- NBC has confirmed it settled a lawsuit brought by the family of a Texas man who shot himself in the head when confronted by "To Catch a Predator" cameras.
Survey: 'toss-up' states election key
WASHIINGTON, D.C., June 27 (UPI) -- The outcome of the 2008 presidential election race is likely to hinge on a half-dozen hotly contested battleground states, a survey indicates.
Pregnant U.S. soldier's death investigated
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C., June 27 (UPI) -- U.S. Army officials are investigating why a pregnant soldier's absence from Fort Bragg, N.C., was unreported almost a week before her body was found in a motel.
Russia launches military satellite
BAIKONUR, Russia, June 27 (UPI) -- Russia successfully launched a military satellite aboard a Proton-K rocket Friday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Itar-Tass reported.
Lawsuit: HBO's 'Paradise' 'irresponsible'
NEW YORK, June 27 (UPI) -- HBO relied almost entirely on the statements of a distributor of fake sports memorabilia for its "Forger's Paradise" report, a lawsuit filed in New York said.
Coalition releases anti-torture statement
WASHINGTON, June 27 (UPI) -- A bipartisan group has asked U.S. President George Bush to reinstate pre-Sept. 11, 2001 standards for treating prisoners.
Chronic fatigue firing upheld, damages out
OTTAWA, June 27 (UPI) -- Canada's Supreme Court issued a split opinion Friday wiping out punitive damages to a Honda Canada employee who was fired based on his chronic fatigue syndrome.
McCain appeals to Ohio conservatives
CINCINNATI, June 27 (UPI) -- Participants in a closed-door meeting with John McCain said the likely Republican U.S. presidential nominee would consider an anti-abortion rights running mate.
Ex-senators still raise, spend big bucks
WASHINGTON, June 27 (UPI) -- Former Republican U.S. Senate leaders Rick Santorum and Bill Frist, a year out of office, are raising and spending big bucks, campaign finance records show.
U.S. colonel dismissed, gets prison term
WICHITA FALLS, Texas, June 27 (UPI) -- The former commander of the 82nd Training Group at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas has been sentenced to prison, fined and discharged for a series of crimes.
Calif. governor opposes offshore drilling
MIAMI, June 27 (UPI) -- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, speaking at a climate change conference in Florida, said advocates of offshore drilling are "blowing smoke."
European court to rule on WWII dispute
STRASBOURG, France, June 27 (UPI) -- A Latvian who fought with Soviets against the Nazis is seeking damages for his conviction years after the fact for killing villagers who betrayed partisans.
Thursday, June 26
Mugabe campaigns despite criticism
HARARE, Zimbabwe, June 26 (UPI) -- Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, facing no opposition in a run-off election, refused to consider Thursday canceling the vote.
Verne Troyer sues TMZ over sex tape
LOS ANGELES, June 26 (UPI) -- Hollywood actor Verne Troyer, currently appearing in "The Love Guru," is suing TMZ for $20 million for airing clips of what he claims was a stolen sex tape.
Obama donates $2,300 to Clinton
WASHINGTON, June 26 (UPI) -- Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama Thursday donated $2,300 to the campaign of his former rival, Hillary Clinton, at a Washington meeting.
Obama says he bit his tongue
WASHINGTON, June 26 (UPI) -- Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama said he bit his tongue many times during his primary fight against Hillary Clinton, his colleagues say.
AFL-CIO endorses Obama
CHICAGO, June 26 (UPI) -- Presumptive Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Barack Obama Thursday received the endorsement of the AFL-CIO.
Iraqi bombings kill 36, injure 100-plus
BAGHDAD, June 26 (UPI) -- At least 36 people died Thursday in two bombing incidents in the northern city of Mosul aimed at targeting local government officials.
Obama clarifies position on D.C. gun ban
WASHINGTON, June 26 (UPI) -- Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama Thursday sought to clarify his position on a Supreme Court ruling striking down a Washington gun ban.
Poll: Lautenberg challenger still unknown
TRENTON, N.J., June 26 (UPI) -- The former congressman trying to oust veteran U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg in New Jersey has a name recognition problem, a poll indicated.
McCain: Obama's gun position 'elitist'
WASHINGTON, June 26 (UPI) -- Presumptive Republican presidential nomine John McCain criticized his Democratic rival Thursday, accusing Barack Obama of having "elitist" gun views.
Dems to drop Sopranos theme from ad
SEATTLE, June 26 (UPI) -- Democrats in Washington state say they will remove the theme from "The Sopranos" from a video attacking Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi.
Obama wants NAFTA amended
CHICAGO, June 26 (UPI) -- Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama is committed to free trade agreements, but wants pacts to benefit countries equally, an adviser said.
Rove calls Obama self-centered
WASHINGTON, June 26 (UPI) -- Karl Rove, the man often credited with making George W. Bush, governor of Texas and U.S. president, attacked Barack Obama as arrogant Thursday.
'Millionaire' campaign law struck down
WASHINGTON, June 26 (UPI) -- The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a campaign finance law allowing political candidates to accept larger-than-usual donations if opponents use their own funds.
Controversial priest returns to the pulpit
CHICAGO, June 26 (UPI) -- The controversial Chicago Catholic priest who was suspended for mocking then-presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton has returned to the pulpit.
Obama, Clinton use lawyer to move to unity
WASHINGTON, June 26 (UPI) -- A high-powered Washington lawyer is helping Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton work through several issues to unify the party for November, spokesmen say.
War bill may jeopardize bigger military
WASHINGTON, June 26 (UPI) -- The Pentagon needs more than $100 billion to repair and replace war equipment, vehicles and weapons, officials say.
Obama campaign offers magnet to donors
WASHINGTON, June 26 (UPI) -- Sen. Barack Obama's U.S. presidential campaign is offering a car magnet as incentive to contribute before June's financial reporting period ends Monday.
Hospital sued for parting lesbian couple
MIAMI, June 26 (UPI) -- A Washington woman said she filed a federal lawsuit accusing a Miami hospital of "anti-gay animus" after workers refused to let her see her dying partner.
Poll: Obama nips McCain among Catholics
PRINCETON, N.J., June 26 (UPI) -- Catholics and Hispanics identifying themselves as Catholics favor Sen. Barack Obama over Sen. John McCain in the U.S. presidential race, a poll indicates.
GOP anti-Obama tactic falters
WASHINGTON, June 26 (UPI) -- Republican strategists are pulling back on a tactic to defeat Democratic U.S. congressional candidates by linking them with Sen. Barack Obama. GOP leaders say.
Wednesday, June 25
Korean War MIA ID'd
WASHINGTON, June 25 (UPI) -- The remains of a U.S. soldier killed in the Korean War have been identified as those of an enlisted man from Indiana, the military said Wednesday.
McCain's wife said pressured in beer deal
PHOENIX, June 25 (UPI) -- Cindy McCain, wife of the likely GOP U.S. presidential nominee, is facing some pressure over a possible sale of Anheuser-Busch, politicians' comments suggest.
Nader: Obama appealing to 'white guilt'
DENVER, June 25 (UPI) -- Independent U.S. presidential candidate Ralph Nader has accused his Democratic rival, Barack Obama, of trying to "talk white" and appealing to "white guilt."
Clinton urges backers to take Obama's side
WASHINGTON, June 25 (UPI) -- Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., has called on her former backers to take the side of presumptive Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Barack Obama.
Handwriting analyst sues HBO for $5M
NEW YORK, June 25 (UPI) -- A New York handwriting expert, who specializes in autographed sports memorabilia, is suing HBO for incorrectly linking him to a forgery ring.
African leaders urge Mugabe to delay vote
HARARE, Zimbabwe, June 25 (UPI) -- A group of African leaders Wednesday urged Zimbabwean leaders to delay the runoff election, saying results would be illegitimate if it were held on Friday.
Countersuit filed in Elvis photo flap
BOCA RATON, Fla., June 25 (UPI) -- A Florida firm hired to decontaminate the former headquarters of the National Enquirer after an anthrax incident is suing a developer who bought the building.
Park hours snarl Denver protest plans
DENVER, June 25 (UPI) -- Denver officials are citing the city's "no camping" laws in a dispute with organizers of a planned anti-war protest during the Democratic National Convention.
McCain seeks undecided voters for events
WASHINGTON, June 25 (UPI) -- Aides say U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., doesn't want his town hall meetings to be filled with people who already support him.
Eastern Afghanistan shows rise in attacks
KABUL, Afghanistan, June 25 (UPI) -- Insurgent activity in Afghanistan has increased and spread into areas once considered stable, U.S. military data indicate.
McCain pollsters: Obama lead not that big
WASHINGTON, June 25 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign says that polls that give presumptive Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama a big lead are skewed.
Pet food settlement leaves mixed feelings
CLEVELAND, June 25 (UPI) -- A $24 million legal settlement isn't likely to leave Ohio pet owners and others nationwide totally compensated for their losses due to tainted food.
Obama intervenes in labor dispute
LONDON, June 25 (UPI) -- Sen. Barack Obama has asked the head of a British-based supermarket chain to reconsider its policy of not dealing with labor unions in the United States.
Killer to get compensation for train crash
LONDON, June 25 (UPI) -- A British man who became a killer two years after a train crash is owed damages for post-traumatic stress disorder, a court ruled Wednesday.
Bill Daley said considering Ill. gov run
CHICAGO, June 25 (UPI) -- Sources say former U.S. Commerce Secretary William Daley is considering a run for Illinois governor to succeed the scandal-tainted Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Suit: Citizens swept up in alien raids
LOS ANGELES, June 25 (UPI) -- U.S. citizens who say they are being swept up in aggressive raids aimed at illegal immigrants are filing more claims and lawsuits against the government.
Supreme Court cuts Exxon Valdez damages
WASHINGTON, June 25 (UPI) -- The U.S. Supreme Court ruled punitive damages were allowed in a suit over the Exxon Valdez oil spill, but lowered the award to $507.5 million from $2.5 billion.
Olmert, Barak reach Knesset compromise
JERUSALEM, June 25 (UPI) -- A looming political showdown over the fate of embattled Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was avoided Wednesday after a deal was reached with the Labor Party.
Durable goods orders up slightly in May
WASHINGTON, June 25 (UPI) -- Durable goods orders increased slightly in the United States in May, the U.S. Commerce Department reported Wednesday.
McClellan says presidential vote undecided
SAN FRANCISCO, June 25 (UPI) -- Former White House spokesman Scott McClellan says he may jump the Republican ship for this year's U.S. presidential election.
Dead woman identified as pregnant soldier
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C., June 25 (UPI) -- Police in Fayetteville, N.C., said the woman found dead in a hotel room during the weekend was a pregnant soldier from Fort Bragg.
Ouyahia named Algerian prime minister
ALGIERS, Algeria, June 25 (UPI) -- Algerian President Abdulaziz Bouteflika Wednesday named Ahmed Ouyahia prime minister, his third time in the post, replacing Abdul Aziz Belkhadem.
N.Y.: Sept. 11 health claims exaggerated
NEW YORK, June 25 (UPI) -- Attorneys for New York City say many of the injury claims made by Sept. 11, 2001, rescue and cleanup workers are spurious and exaggerated.
Blasts in Mosul, Baghdad kill eight
MOSUL, Iraq, June 25 (UPI) -- Three U.S. soldiers and an interpreter died in a roadside bombing in northern Iraq and two more U.S. troops died in Baghdad's Sadr City, officials said.
Obama asks supporters to help Clinton pay
WASHINGTON, June 25 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Barack Obama has asked key contributors to help retire the debt of his former Democratic U.S. presidential nomination rival Sen. Hillary Clinton.
Former FAA inspector claims retaliation
SEATTLE, June 25 (UPI) -- A former safety inspector is suing the FAA in Seattle, claiming gender discrimination and retaliation for her efforts to enforce rules at Alaska Airlines.
Tuesday, June 24
Army officer, wife plead guilty
SAN ANTONIO, June 24 (UPI) -- A U.S. Army officer and his wife have admitted their roles in a bribery and money-laundering scheme involving military contracts in support of troops in Iraq.
Deliberations begin in fen-phen case
COVINGTON, Ky., June 24 (UPI) -- A jury began deliberations Tuesday in the trial of three Kentucky lawyers charged with defrauding plaintiffs suing over the diet drug fen-phen.
GAO criticizes oversight of Pakistan aid
WASHINGTON, June 24 (UPI) -- The United States is giving Pakistan billions of dollars in federal aid with little oversight, a congressional report found.
Poll: Obama leads McCain by 12 points
WASHINGTON, June 24 (UPI) -- Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama has a 12-point lead over his likely Republican opponent, John McCain, a poll indicates.
General: Russia must guard Arctic region
MOSCOW, June 24 (UPI) -- Russia must be ready to fight for its national interests in the Arctic region, home to vast untouched natural resources, a military official said Tuesday.
Dallas sued for alleged job discrimination
DALLAS, June 24 (UPI) -- The city of Dallas was sued by the federal government Tuesday for allegedly firing a city employee on the basis of race, the U.S. Justice Department said.
Pastors target Planned Parenthood money
WASHINGTON, June 24 (UPI) -- A group of black pastors say they will be in Washington Thursday to demand candidates reject money from Planned Parenthood, the largest U.S. abortion provider.
Ben-Veniste: Black remark 'disappointing'
WASHINGTON, June 24 (UPI) -- The campaign for Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama lashed out at a senior adviser to Republican John McCain over a remark he made about terrorism.
Elian legacy may haunt Obama in Miami
MIAMI, June 24 (UPI) -- Political analysts say the ties between members of Barak Obama's campaign staff and the Elian Gonzalez matter will cost Obama votes in Florida.
Dobson says Obama 'distorts Bible'
WASHINGTON, June 24 (UPI) -- Conservative leader James Dobson has accused likely Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Barack Obama of personally attacking him and "distorting the Bible."
Schwarzeneger still a big fundraiser
SACRAMENTO, June 24 (UPI) -- Even as a non-candidate, Republican California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is still raising millions of dollars each year for ballot initiatives.
Gallup poll finds Obama leads on economy
PRINCETON, N.J., June 24 (UPI) -- A Gallup poll released Tuesday indicates likely Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama leads his probable GOP opponent on key economic issues.
Germany sends more troops to Afghanistan
BONN, Germany, June 24 (UPI) -- In a move likely to be politically unpopular, the German government Tuesday said it wants to contribute more combat troops to the NATO mission in Afghanistan.
Poll: Obama has big Florida lead
MIAMI, June 24 (UPI) -- A voter preference poll indicates U.S. Sen. Barack Obama is far ahead of likely Republican presidential nominee John McCain in the key swing state of Florida.
U.S. Muslim leaders feel Obama snub
WASHINGTON, June 24 (UPI) -- U.S. Muslim leaders say likely Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama faces a dilemma over the enthusiastic initial support he received from them.
Bush names first female four-star general
WASHINGTON, June 24 (UPI) -- President George Bush has nominated a U.S. Army general for a promotion that would make her the first female four-star general in U.S. military history.
Fines levied against McCollum campaign
MIAMI, June 24 (UPI) -- The 2004 U.S. Senate campaign of Florida Attorney Gen. Bill McCollum has paid a $50,000 fine for failing to report all spending in a Republican primary.
U.S. Capitol security called unprepared
WASHINGTON, June 24 (UPI) -- Members of an elite U.S. Capitol Police bomb squad say morale is low because of inadequate equipment and training to cope with future terrorist attacks.
Islamic Jihad breaks Gaza cease-fire
GAZA, June 24 (UPI) -- The Islamic Jihad movement's military wing says it's responsible for firing two mortar rounds into Israel Tuesday, the first violation of the Gaza cease-fire.
Businessmen charged with Iran exports
MIAMI, June 24 (UPI) -- Federal prosecutors in Florida say two naturalized U.S. citizens have violated an export ban by selling military parts to Iran for use in its air fleet.
Shooting victim sues Remy Ma for $10M
NEW YORK, June 24 (UPI) -- The woman Remy Ma was convicted of shooting in the stomach is suing the rapper for $10 million in New York's Bronx Supreme Court.
Clinton to appear at Obama rally Friday
WASHINGTON, June 24 (UPI) -- Sen. Hilary Clinton will appear at a New Hampshire rally with Sen. Barack Obama that The Washington Post Tuesday portrayed as an appeal for the women's vote.
U.S. aims to quell female suicide bombers
BAGHDAD, June 24 (UPI) -- With female suicide bombing incidents rising in Iraq, the U.S. Army says it's training Iraqi women to spot would-be bombers among them.
Two GIs among six dead in Sadr City blast
BAGHDAD, June 24 (UPI) -- U.S. officials said two U.S. soldiers and a pair of embassy employees were among six people killed Tuesday from a bomb blast in Baghdad's Sadr City area.
Tsvangirai praises U.N. resolution
HARARE, Zimbabwe, June 24 (UPI) -- Former Zimbabwean presidential candidate Morgan Tsvangirai, holed up in the Dutch Embassy in Harare, praised a U.N. resolution condemning violence there.
Report: 36 dead in Sri Lanka violence
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, June 24 (UPI) -- The Sri Lankan military said at least 31 Tamil Tiger rebels were killed while the government lost five soldiers in clashes in the northern region.
Appeals panel rules in favor of detainee
WASHINGTON, June 24 (UPI) -- A federal appeals court has ordered the Bush administration to give a Guantanamo Bay detainee a new military hearing or release him, court papers indicate.
New York Senate leader won't run again
ALBANY, N.Y., June 24 (UPI) -- The New York state Legislature's highest ranking Republican announced Monday he will not seek re-election in November.
McCain adviser apologizes for terror line
FRESNO, Calif., June 23 (UPI) -- A senior adviser to presumptive GOP presidential nominee John McCain apologized Monday for saying a terrorist attack would help his candidate get elected.
Obama, Clinton to go on trail together
WASHINGTON, June 23 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., may take attention away from Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama when they go on the stump, observers say.
Sandhurst academy locked down for illness
SANDHURST, England, June 23 (UPI) -- Britain's Sandhurst military academy has been put in lock-down after at least 200 cadets fell ill with vomiting and diarrhea.
'Don't ask, don't tell' impacts women
NEW YORK, June 23 (UPI) -- The Army and Air Force have discharged lesbians at higher rates than gay men under the U.S. military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, statistics show.
3 U.S. troops killed by Iraqi politician
BAGHDAD, June 23 (UPI) -- Iraqi officials say a member of the city council in a town southeast of Baghdad shot and killed at least three U.S. soldiers Monday.
Obama, McCain approach Mich. differently
DETROIT, June 23 (UPI) -- The two likely U.S. presidential major party candidates are taking different routes to secure votes in the key swing state of Michigan, analysts say.
Third parties can sue for pay phone fees
WASHINGTON, June 23 (UPI) -- Collection companies can recover long-distance telephone fees for pay phone companies disputing charges owed, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday.
Iraq elections threatened by Shiite feuds
BAGHDAD, June 23 (UPI) -- Iraq's provincial elections may be threatened by rivalries between Shiite groups whose differences affect the country's balance of power.
Tripoli battles rage for second day
TRIPOLI, Lebanon, June 23 (UPI) -- Fierce factional fighting in Tripoli, Lebanon, continued Monday for a second day as residents fled or hid in underground shelters, a security official said.
Illegal immigration foes seek state help
RALEIGH, N.C., June 23 (UPI) -- Supporters of tighter immigration laws say they're working on state and local levels since they disagree with the top U.S. presidential candidates' positions.
Obama win would be first for Chicagoan
CHICAGO, June 23 (UPI) -- Observers say if Barack Obama wins in November, he will be the first person from Chicago, known for its gangsters and politics, to live in the White House.
Poll: Obama's inexperience hurts him
WASHINGTON, June 23 (UPI) -- U.S. voters are concerned about likely Democratic candidate Barack Obama's experience and ability to handle the job of president, a poll indicates.
Obama reintroducing himself to electorate
WASHINGTON, June 23 (UPI) -- Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., has begun his general election presidential bid by reintroducing himself to U.S. voters, his campaign media advisers say.
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