Partisan showdown looms on filibusters
Frist calls GOP justified in changing Senate rules
By Michael Kranish, Globe Staff April 25, 2005
WASHINGTON -- Senate majority leader Bill Frist said yesterday that Republicans are justified in trying to prevent Democrats from using filibusters against judicial nominees, and his vote-counting ally said the GOP has enough votes to end the filibuster tactic.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2005/04/25/partisan_showdown_looms_on_filibusters/
Outcry of 'stuck kids' goes to court
Suit challenges mental care rules
By Carey Goldberg, Globe Staff April 25, 2005
BROCKTON -- She has always been a fighter, the Brockton store clerk and single mother says. But when it comes to getting her handsome 12-year-old son the right help for his bipolar disorder, she is frustrated to tears: The state system will provide a psychiatric hospital bed when he falls into crisis, but not the at-home treatment that could keep him from needing hospitalization.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/04/25/outcry_of_stuck_kids_goes_to_court/
Mentally ill sent to Mental health courts
By Samira Jafari, Associated Press Writer April 25, 2005
MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- At 16, Kimberly Hudson was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, but medication was not prescribed because of her age. The next few years were a nightmare of mood swings that she tempered with marijuana and cocaine, until drug and theft charges landed her in court.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2005/04/25/mentally_ill_sent_to_mental_health_courts/
U.S. prison population soars in 2003, '04
By Siobhan McDonough, Associated Press Writer April 25, 2005
WASHINGTON -- While the U.S. crime rate has fallen over the past decade, the number of people in prison and jail is outpacing the number of inmates released, the government reports.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2005/04/25/us_prison_population_soars_in_2003_04/
THIS IS A HUGE JOKE. The Repuglicans have absolutely no respect for the USA Constitution. They rather burn it rather than abide by it.
GOP stressing Constitution in judge battle
By David Espo, AP Special Correspondent April 25, 2005
WASHINGTON -- Buffeted by poor poll numbers, Senate Republicans are stressing the Constitution rather than religion or retribution against activist judges as the reason to deny Democrats the right to block votes on President Bush's court nominees.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2005/04/25/gop_stressing_constitution_in_judge_battle/
Last Syria Units Pack to Leave Lebanon After 29 Yrs
By Lin Noueihed April 25, 2005
BEIRUT (Reuters) - The last Syrian forces packed to leave Lebanon on Monday, effectively ending its 29-year military and intelligence domination of its tiny neighbor.
http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2005/04/25/last_syria_units_pack_to_leave_lebanon_after_29_yrs_1114420315/
Shortchanged colleges
April 25, 2005
THE STATE'S public colleges and universities are educating 262,000 students, but the schools lack the capacity to fully accomplish their missions.
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2005/04/25/shortchanged_colleges/
Backsliding in Haiti
April 25, 2005
FOURTEEN MONTHS ago, armed rebels overthrew the elected Haitian government of Jean-Bertrand Aristide, the former slum priest who had a checkered record of governance but the support of much of the country's desperately poor population. Since then, neither an interim appointed government nor a force of 7,500 United Nations peacekeeping soldiers and police officers has been able to create the stability needed for economic growth and the development of strong public and private institutions. Elections this fall could produce a government with more credibility, but Haiti will need the peacekeepers and other international assistance long after the elections.
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2005/04/25/backsliding_in_haiti/
A vaccine Catch-22
April 25, 2005
THE PANIC over the flu vaccine shortage last fall showed a fault line in the nation's system for supplying the best weapons against infectious diseases. Last Sunday The Washington Post revealed that there is also a deep flaw in the government's program for ensuring a stockpile of childhood vaccines.
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2005/04/25/a_vaccine_catch_22/
The China Daily
Officials react angrily to US moves on yuan
By Xu Binglan (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-04-25 06:10
BOAO: China's top financial officials reacted to re-emerging calls from across the Pacific to force China to revalue its currency by saying it was China's own business and others should mind their own.
The remarks won wide support from international financial officials at the Boao Forum for Asia.
China sees its domestic development as the most important aspect in deciding its foreign exchange policy and does not "pay attention solely to the trade deficit of certain countries," Wen Benhua, deputy director of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, said yesterday in a panel discussion at the forum.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-04/25/content_437097.htm
China, Japan mend fences, pitfalls ahead
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-04-25 08:53
The leaders of China and Japan pulled their relations back from the brink at a weekend meeting, but analysts said bitter memories of Japan's wartime history and rivalry for influence will keep ties fragile.
Chinese President Hu Jintao and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi appear to have papered over their countries' worst row in three decades during talks in Jakarta Saturday, a day after Koizumi made an unusually public apology for Japan's past atrocities in Asia, Reuters reported
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-04/25/content_437160.htm
China initiates five proposals on ties with Japan(Xinhua)Updated: 2005-04-24 08:47
Chinese President Hu Jintao said Japan should seriously reflect over its wartime history and properly handle the current difficult situation in the Sino-Japanese relations.
Chen 'okays' opposition leader's visit
(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2005-04-25 09:17
Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian has given his "blessing" to this week's landmark mainland visit by the island's major opposition leader, reversing earlier criticism of the trip, a senior Taiwan official said.
Chen had repeatedly accused Kuomintang (KMT) leader Lien Chan of being the mainland’s promotional tool.
Another opposition leader James Soong, chairman of the People First Party, has also accepted Beijing's invitation to visit the Chinese mainland. A group of officials from Soong's party flew to Beijing Sunday to discuss the arrangements for the trip.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-04/25/content_437188.htm
Taiwan parties prepare for mainland visit
By Xing Zhigang, Cao Desheng (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-04-25 06:06
Official talks between Taiwan's opposition People First Party (PFP) and the Communist Party of China (CPC) over the schedule of PFP Chairman James Soong's planned visit to the mainland began yesterday in Beijing.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-04/25/content_437082.htm
EU ups textile pressure on China
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-04-25 14:59
EU trade chief Peter Mandelson stepped up pressure on China to curb a "ruinous" surge in textile exports, urging it to take action or face possible EU steps to protect Europe's clothing industry.
Mandelson made the call as he gave details of the surge in Chinese imports since the end of a quota system in January, and confirmed plans to investigate specific areas where the European Union (EU) might impose import ceilings.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-04/25/content_437292.htm
China to be biggest US trading partner
(People's Daily Online)
Updated: 2005-04-25 14:02
It is probable that China will take over Canada this year to be the largest trading partner of the United States, said former US Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky at a trade negotiation recently.
Continued investment from the US in factories in China over the recent years led to an explosive expansion of Sino-US trade.
In 2003, China surpassed Mexico to be the second exporter to the US.
Last year, the US imported from Canada US$256 billion of goods, mostly automobile, mineral ore and fuel, while its US$197-billion imports from China were mainly computer, sports goods and clothes.
China is now the third-largest trader in the world, after the US and Germany.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-04/25/content_437278.htm
Official: Iran to resume nuke enrichment
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-04-25 08:25
Iran will resume uranium enrichment regardless of the outcome of its negotiations with three European powers over its nuclear program, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Sunday.
Speaking to reporters five days before Iran is to resume nuclear talks with France, Britain and Germany, Hamid Reza Asefi said the Europeans appeared to be serious in seeking an agreement with Iran. But he added that any settlement had to respect Iran's right, as a signatory to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, to enrich uranium.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-04/25/content_437124.htm
The Marietta Times
Awareness growing about global warming
By Connie Cartmell, ccartmell@mariettatimes.com
Paul Garrison had his fling with gas guzzling "dream" cars. Five years ago he opted for a "sensible" car of tomorrow and that's made all the difference.
"Almost every day someone asks me about my car," said Garrison, 69. "I was the first hybrid in Washington County. Now I'm seeing more every day."
http://www.mariettatimes.com/news/story/0423202005_new01warm.asp
More blasting planned on Ohio 7 hillside
By Justin McIntosh, jmcintosh@mariettatimes.com
The Ohio 7 hillside stabilization project south of Marietta is getting ready to move forward with more blasting and the potential for more impact to nearby homes.
The $12 million project will move forward after the Ohio Department of Transportation finishes a utility relocation and after three homeowners in the Bramblewood Heights Road area finish moving.
http://www.mariettatimes.com/news/story/0423202005_new02blast.asp
Vehicle break-ins continue in county
By Jessica Burchard, jburchard@mariettatimes.com
The number of reports of items being stolen from unlocked vehicles continues to increase around Washington County with the report of nearly 10 such thefts this week in New Matamoras.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office began an investigation into the New Matamoras thefts Thursday. They occurred at three different residences on Ohio 260. The sheriff believes the current string of thefts is related to those they've investigated over the last few months, but are uncertain if the same suspects are involved.
http://www.mariettatimes.com/news/story/0423202005_new03breaki.asp
Treasurer touts new way to save
By Justin McIntosh, jmcintosh@mariettatimes.com
Jennette Bradley, Ohio's 45th treasurer, made a brief visit in Marietta Friday touting a new bond program recently made available to all state residents.
The Buckeye Savers Bond Program was previously only available to large institutional investors like insurance companies and mutual funds.
http://www.mariettatimes.com/news/story/0423202005_new04treas.asp
Funds being raised to repair bridge
By Kate York, kyork@mariettatimes.com
Area volunteers are raising money for repairs to the Harmar Railroad Bridge, even as one-time ideas for renovating the bridge are discarded.
Members of the Historic Harmar Bridge Co., which owns the bridge linking downtown Marietta to the Harmar village, said ideas discussed last year to add side rails, decking and other features to the bridge are unlikely to ever happen.
http://www.mariettatimes.com/news/story/0423202005_new05bridg.asp
The Moscow Times
Armenia Remembers Victims of Genocide
YEREVAN, Armenia -- Hundreds of thousands of people clutching tulips, carnations and daffodils climbed a hill in Armenia's capital on Sunday to lay wreaths and remember the 1.5 million they say were killed 90 years ago in Ottoman Turkey.
From the top, the crowds could see the heights of Mount Ararat, now in eastern Turkey, the region where Armenia says its people were slaughtered in a deliberate genocide during the chaos surrounding the disintegration of the Ottoman Empire.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2005/04/25/251.html
Putin Allays TNK-BP Worries
President Vladimir Putin offered a show of support for the country's top oil exporter, TNK-BP, during a Kremlin meeting Friday with BP's chief executive, Lord Browne.
In a sign of possible upcoming relief for the oil major, which is grappling with a back tax claim of nearly $1 billion, Putin said he hoped the 50-50 joint venture between BP and Tyumen Oil would continue to grow at the same rapid rate it has since its creation in February 2003.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2005/04/25/001.html
Investors Weary of Presidential Promises
By Alex Fak
Staff Writer
While some investors hope that President Vladimir Putin will reiterate recent promises to business during his televised state of the nation address Monday, others say they will not be tuning in at all.
The reason is that the main changes investors want -- less state interference in business; property rights guarantees; banking reform; less red tape for small and medium-sized enterprises; and a diversified economy -- have all been promised by Putin in his previous five addresses.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2005/04/25/002.html
Tokyo Ready to Support WTO Bid
Japan's foreign minister said Friday that Tokyo was ready to formally endorse Moscow's bid to join the World Trade Organization by the end of this year, after the two sides signed a memorandum to boost trade.
Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura had met with Industry and Energy Minister Viktor Khristenko to discuss steps to increase two-way investment and trade, ahead of a vote on adding Russia to the WTO, the body that sets rules for global commerce.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2005/04/25/041.html
Unhedged Optimism
It's official: High oil prices are here to stay. Any doubts on this point were laid to rest when the government decided on April 7 to raise the cutoff oil price above which surplus revenues are channeled into the stabilization fund from $20 to $27 per barrel. In raising the cutoff price, the government is betting that average oil prices are going to remain well above long-term historical levels more or less indefinitely.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2005/04/25/006.html
The Cheney Observer
KAPLAN: Hearts, Minds, And Dollars
Apr 23, 2005
By David E. Kaplan
As war games go, this one was unique: the first-ever exercise on "strategic communications," its sponsors said. It was July 2003, and the government's leading players in winning the "war of ideas" against terrorism had gathered at National Defense University, in Washington, D.C. There were crisis managers from the White House, diplomats from the State Department, Pentagon specialists in psyops--psychological operations. Washington's quick victory over Saddam Hussein's Army that spring had done little to quell surging anti-Americanism overseas. Across the Muslim world--including U.S. allies like Indonesia and Jordan--polls showed Osama bin Laden a more trusted figure than George W. Bush.
http://www.jihadunspun.com/intheatre_internal.php?article=102483&list=/home.php
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia with US to fight global terrorism: Cheney
WASHINGTON, April 23 : US Vice President, Richard Cheney acknowledged Friday that "Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are working closely with the United States and our allies to fight global terrorism."
He said the United States "will continue" working with other governments to track down the terrorists, and to stop the proliferation of the world's most dangerous weapons.
Dick Cheney remarked this in his address to the Republican National Lawyers Association, held at the National Press Club. He said President Bush and "and I will never lose sight of our primary responsibility every day we serve in public office: We will do all that is necessary to protect the liberty and the lives of the American people. We will keep at the effort to defend the homeland and improve our intelligence capabilities."
http://www.pakistanlink.com/Headlines/Apr05/23/05.htm
Is work in Iraq worth the risk?
Halliburton reconsidering its $1.2 billion oil field contract
By DAVID IVANOVICH
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON - Halliburton Co. is reconsidering whether its contract to rebuild southern Iraq's oil industry is worth all the risks involved.
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/business/energy/3149155
HALLIBURTON MAY EXIT DEAL
Bloomberg News
Halliburton Co., the largest U.S. contractor in Iraq, said Friday that it may withdraw from an agreement to help restore the war-torn nation's oil fields because of increasing attacks by insurgents. "We are evaluating the scope and all of our options on this contract," Chief Operating Officer Andrew Lane told analysts and investors Friday. Less work can be done because of the attacks, leading to "an unattractive risk-and-reward profile," he said.
http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/business/11471002.htm
Cheney joins fight in Senate on judges
He says he'd break tie to change rule on using filibusters
David D. Kirkpatrick, New York Times
Saturday, April 23, 2005
Washington -- Vice President Dick Cheney plunged the White House into the judicial confirmation battle Friday by saying he supported changing the Senate rules to stop the Democrats from using filibusters to block judicial nominees and would, if needed, provide the tie-breaking vote. In addition, Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, the majority whip, asserted that Republicans would have the votes needed to execute that change.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2005/04/23/MNGBQCDVPP1.DTL
Cheney comes to Bolton's defense
Douglas Jehl, New York Times
April 23, 2005 BOLT0423
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- As members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee agreed Friday to allocate two more weeks for its examination of John Bolton, Vice President Dick Cheney called for solidarity with the embattled nominee, who is seeking Senate confirmation as ambassador to the United Nations.
"If being occasionally tough and aggressive and abrasive were a problem, there are a lot of members of the United States Senate who wouldn't qualify," Cheney said in a speech to Republican lawyers.
http://www.startribune.com/stories/484/5364919.html
Cheney to vote to end filibusters
Published: Saturday, Apr. 23, 2005
WASHINGTON (AP) – Vice President Dick Cheney said Friday he would vote in the Senate to stop filibusters of judicial nominees if given the chance.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., wants to change Senate rules by banning judicial filibusters – a tactic in which opponents can prevent a vote on a nomination with just 41 votes in the 100-member body. Democrats have used the tactic to block confirmation votes on 10 of Bush’s nominees.
http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050423/NEWS03/50423010/-1/news
Putin delights in pouring oil on BP's troubled waters
THREADNEEDLE
BP BOSS Lord Browne has been seeking reassurances about the business climate in Russia at a meeting with president Vladimir Putin. But while he heard soothing noises from the Russian leader, he is too shrewd to mistake words for actions; and by his actions, Putin is saying Russia is still a risky place to put investors’ money.
http://business.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=435092005
Iranians included in Rover interest
NICK BEVENS
FIRMS in the Middle East, India and Russia have expressed an interest in buying parts of stricken car company MG Rover.
Administrators called in to run the Longbridge-based car maker this month are evaluating the potential bids.
Joint administrator Tony Lomas said yesterday: "Interest has been expressed by potential buyers from Asia, the Middle East, India, Russia and China as well as from the UK. We have had over 200 expressions of interest."
http://business.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=438652005&20050425095924
Start-ups show rise in 'love money' funding
JENNIFER HILL
INFORMAL investment in new business in Scotland has recovered faster than early-stage investment, after a post-11 September crash, according to a report to be unveiled tomorrow.
Hundreds of millions of pounds of informal investors’ money have flowed into new businesses north of the Border, the majority being "love money", the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship at Strathclyde University found.
Its Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) study revealed the annual amount of investment by individuals in new businesses owned by others was an estimated £390 million.
http://business.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=438932005
Annan Remark on Oil Sales Draws Nods of Agreement
By WARREN HOGE
Published: April 24, 2005
UNITED NATIONS, April 22 - When Secretary General Kofi Annan declared in an unguarded moment last week that Saddam Hussein made most of his money "on the American and British watch" rather than from the United Nations oil-for-food program, he was expressing a view that is widely held but seldom uttered at the organization as it tries to avoid clashing with Washington.
Speaking to former United Nations communications officials and thinking his comments were confidential, Mr. Annan said Mr. Hussein pocketed far more from sanctions-skirting oil sales to Jordan and Turkey, which were being monitored by the United States and Britain, than from the scandal-tainted relief program run by the Security Council. "They were the ones who had interdiction," he said. "Possibly they were also the ones who knew exactly what was going on, and the countries themselves decided to close their eyes to smuggling to Turkey and Jordan because they were allies."
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/24/international/middleeast/24nations.html
Report: ExxonMobil Spends Millions Funding Global Warming Skeptics
A new investigation by Mother Jones magazine has revealed that ExxonMobil has spent at least $8 million dollars funding a network of groups to challenge the existence of global warming. We speak with the author of the report, a member of one the organizations that receives money from Exxon and a journalist covering environmental and climate change issues. [includes rush transcript]
Today is the 35th anniversary of Earth Day. To commemorate the occasion we take a look at the debate over global warming.
A new investigation by Mother Jones magazine has revealed that ExxonMobil has spent at least $8 million dollars funding a network of groups to challenge the existence of global warming.
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=05/04/22/1338256
Mobilize Against the “Poster Child for War Profiteering”
Halliburton Shareholders Meeting Protest In House
More and more revelations about contract abuse by Halliburton come out regularly. Just last week Rep. Henry Waxman issued a report that found Halliburton overcharging in Iraq now totaled more than $200 million, see: http://www.democrats.reform.house.gov/ . Activists in Houston are working with national groups, including Democracy Rising, to highlight corporate contract abuse by Halliburton when they hold their shareholders meeting this May 18. In the interview below with DemocracyRising’s Kevin Zeese, Scott Parkin, a Community Organizer for Houston Global Awareness describes their plans and how it fits into the overall goals of the organization.
http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=15&ItemID=7687
Big Dig Called Safe for Cars, but Not So for Pocketbooks
By KATIE ZEZIMA
Published: April 24, 2005
BOSTON, April 23 - While officials say that the leak-prone Big Dig tunnel project is safe for motorists, they can give no assurance that taxpayers will not be soaked more to pay for repairs.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/24/national/24dig.html>
OAS Official Says Attacks on Journalists in the Americas Rising
Inter-American Commission cites 11 murders of media workers in 2004
20 April 2005
By Eric Green
Washington File Staff Writer
Washington -- Journalists in the Americas increasingly are being harassed and threatened and remain subject to assassinations, according to a human rights official of the Organization of American States (OAS). In an April 19 statement, the OAS official, Eduardo Bertoni, said 11 journalists were murdered in the Americas during 2004; in 2003,seven journalists were killed.
http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/m-news+article+storyid-9587.html
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