DeMint scolds GOP for not stripping Murkowski’s committee leadership, seeks money for opponent

DeMint scolds Republican colleagues on Murkowski

JUNEAU, Alaska – South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint is scolding Republican colleagues for refusing to strip Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s leadership position on the energy committee.
DeMint says in a fundraising appeal that seeing this result was more than he could bear. He views colleagues’ decision as hurting Murkowski opponent Joe Miller …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

US walks out of Ahmadinejad UN speech, Iranian says most people think US staged 9/11 attacks

US walks out of Ahmadinejad UN speech
UNITED NATIONS – President Barack Obama and his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad traded accusations about their nations’ nuclear programs, but both left the door open to further negotiations about the nuclear impasse.

In his speech Thursday to the annual summit of world leaders, Ahmadinejad also raised the possibility that “some … Read : US walks out of Ahmadinejad UN speech, Iranian says most people think US staged 9/11 attacks.

Chavez, opponents hold final rallies in campaign for Venezuela’s legislative elections

Chavez, opponents rally before Venezuela vote

CARACAS, Venezuela – Opponents and supporters of President Hugo Chavez held their final rallies on Thursday ahead of legislative elections that both of Venezuela’s political camps view as a critical test.
Venezuelans on Sunday will elect 165 members of the National Assembly, which has been almost entirely pro-Chavez since opposition parties … Read : Chavez, opponents hold final rallies in campaign for Venezuela’s legislative elections.

NASCAR drivers Busch, Newman, Kenseth, others spend time with troops at Walter Reed hospital

NASCAR drivers visit Walter Reed hospital
WASHINGTON – NASCAR drivers Kurt Busch, Ryan Newman and Matt Kenseth all have their moments of angst and frustration over the course of a racing season.

However those lows pale in comparison after visiting members of the U.S. Military on Thursday at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
“Just to see what … Read more >>.

Feds object to injunction on ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ being considered by federal judge

Feds object to ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ injunction

SAN DIEGO – Attorneys for the Obama administration objected Thursday to a proposed worldwide injunction being considered by a California federal judge that would halt the military’s ban on openly gay troops.
Calling the possible move “untenable,” Department of Justice attorneys filed their objections in U.S. District Court in …. Read the original article  : Feds object to injunction on ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ being considered by federal judge.

Kenya’s president: Key leaders say south Sudan independence referendum will be held in January

Kenya’s Kibaki expects south Sudan vote in January

UNITED NATIONS – Kenya’s president says he has received assurances from Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir and south Sudan’s leader Salva Kiir that a crucial referendum on southern independence will take place on schedule in January.
President Mwai Kibaki told the U.N. General Assembly’s annual ministerial meeting on Thursday that …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

International aid groups say new US strategy will better help poor people abroad

Aid groups cheer Obama development plan
UNITED NATIONS – International aid and advocacy groups are welcoming President Barack Obama’s new global development policy, saying they expect it will make U.S. foreign assistance more effective and better help those who really need it.

Obama’s strategy, spelled out at an anti-poverty summit at the United Nations this week, for …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

EU’s walk-out on Ahmadinejad: His comments ‘outrageous’

NEW YORK – The European Union Thursday said its 27 members walked out on a UN speech by Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad because his claims were “outrageous and unacceptable”.

Catherine Ashton, the EU high representative for foreign affairs, was reacting to claims by the Iranian leader that the US government had “orchestrated” the 2001 terrorist attacks …. Original source  : EU’s walk-out on Ahmadinejad: His comments ‘outrageous’.

Republican National Committee head says he’s tired of infighting, ‘nitpicking’ within party

Steele tired of ‘nitpicking’ within GOP ranks

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said Thursday he’s tired of infighting within GOP ranks after heated primaries this year, telling party members they must stay unified to win in November.
Steele rallied activists during a stop at the Arkansas Republican Party headquarters in Little Rock. …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Republican National Committee head says he’s tired of infighting, ‘nitpicking’ within party.

Victims’ advocates demand explanation for why Wis. regulators didn’t discipline ’sexting’ DA

Groups demand explanation of ’sexting’ DA inaction

MADISON, Wis. – Pressure is building for regulators to explain why they failed to sanction a Wisconsin prosecutor who admitted sending sexually charged text messages to a domestic abuse victim.
Two victims advocacy groups demanded Thursday that the Office of Lawyer Regulation publicly reveal how it handled the case of … Read more »».

US, China need ‘frank’ talks on economy, currency: Obama

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK – US President Barack Obama Thursday pressed China to allow its yuan currency to rise and said the world’s two largest economies would need to hold “frank discussions” in the future over the dangerous imbalances still facing the global economy.

Obama and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, meeting on the sidelines of the UN summit …. Source article  : US, China need ‘frank’ talks on economy, currency: Obama.

The wife of a US contractor detained in Cuba on suspicion of spying visits him on island

Wife of detained US contractor visits him in Cuba

HAVANA – The wife of an American contractor detained in Cuba for nine months on suspicion of spying has been allowed to come to the island and visit him, two people familiar with the case said Thursday.
Alan and Judy Gross met in mid-August, apparently at a beach … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : The wife of a US contractor detained in Cuba on suspicion of spying visits him on island.

National GOP group launches launches nearly $2M ad blitz against Mass. governor, an Obama ally

National GOP spends $2M on Mass. gov race ads

BOSTON – The Republican Governors Association is airing nearly $2 million worth of negative ads in the Massachusetts governor’s race against one of President Barack Obama’s close Democratic allies, Gov. Deval Patrick.
The RGA is hoping to boost Republican candidate Charles Baker by reprising the strategy it used …. Original source  : National GOP group launches launches nearly $2M ad blitz against Mass. governor, an Obama ally.

Report: China says 4 Japanese illegally filmed military targets

China says 4 Japanese filmed military targets

BEIJING – Chinese state media said Thursday that four Japanese are being investigated after being accused of entering a military zone without authorization and illegally filming military targets.
The report comes as China and Japan are in sharp diplomatic dispute over the detention of a Chinese fishing boat captain near …. Original source  : Report: China says 4 Japanese illegally filmed military targets.

Losses mounting, attendance low, Stan Kasten resigning as president of Washington Nationals

Nationals president Stan Kasten leaving club

WASHINGTON – Stan Kasten says he will resign as president of the Washington Nationals at the end of the season.
Kasten’s announcement Thursday comes with the Nationals headed toward a third consecutive last-place finish in the NL East.
In May 2006, Kasten was part of the group led by Washington-area real estate …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Losses mounting, attendance low, Stan Kasten resigning as president of Washington Nationals.

Stop wasting time, Obama says at UN, the time is now to drive for Israeli-Palestinian peace

Obama challenges the world: Time for Mideast peace

UNITED NATIONS – Grasping for peace, President Barack Obama on Thursday challenged a pessimistic world to overcome decades of shattered promises and help Israelis and Palestinians close a historic deal within a year. “This time will be different,” he declared, offering a now-or-never choice between Mideast stability and …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Rep. Castle, beaten by O’Donnell in Del. Senate primary, says he hasn’t ruled out write-in run

Del. Rep. Castle mulls write-in Senate campaign

WASHINGTON – A spokeswoman for Delaware Congressman Mike Castle says he’s considering a write-in campaign for Senate after his Republican primary loss to Christine O’Donnell.
Spokeswoman Kate Dickens says there’s a “fraction of a chance” he would run. She said he hadn’t considered it until constituents began asking him to … Original source on Gaea Times at : Rep. Castle, beaten by O’Donnell in Del. Senate primary, says he hasn’t ruled out write-in run.

Who’s a real tea partier? GOP claims trickery as questions loom over NJ House hopeful

Who’s a ‘tea partier’? Question looms in NJ, US

MOUNT HOLLY, N.J. – When independent candidate Peter DeStefano’s name appears on the congressional ballot on Nov. 2, this will be underneath: New Jersey Tea Party.
That doesn’t sit easily with, well, the New Jersey tea partiers, whose leaders are DeStefano’s most strident critics. DeStefano, they say, is …. Source  : Who’s a real tea partier? GOP claims trickery as questions loom over NJ House hopeful.

UN chief urges tolerance to combat growing social inequalities and political polarization

UN chief urges tolerance to combat polarization

UNITED NATIONS – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned kings, prime ministers and presidents Thursday of growing political polarization and social inequalities and implored U.N. members to show greater tolerance and mutual respect to bring the world together.
In his keynote speech to the opening of the General Assembly’s annual ministerial meeting, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : UN chief urges tolerance to combat growing social inequalities and political polarization.

Monthly premiums to rise for 7 of top 10 Medicare prescription plans in 2011

Double-digit hikes for some Medicare drug plans

WASHINGTON – A new analysis of government data finds that millions of seniors face double-digit hikes in their Medicare prescription premiums next year unless they shop for cheaper coverage.
The analysis of Medicare data comes from a private research firm, Avalere Health.
Premiums will go up an average of 10 percent …. Original source  : Monthly premiums to rise for 7 of top 10 Medicare prescription plans in 2011.