Los Angeles Time (USA)
First step begins in the healthcare fray: Committee setting up ground rules
The House Rules Committee has begun its work on the parliamentary procedures that will be used in reconciling the House and Senate versions of the healthcare legislation. Upon passing the Rules Committee, the bill moves to the full House.
The House Rules Committee began its work Saturday morning as Democrats kicked off a weekend of parliamentary maneuvering, lobbying and arm-twisting in the healthcare debate ahead of showdown votes set for Sunday.
Pope Benedict apologizes to Irish victims of abuse by priests
But the pontiff specifies no punishment of accused clergy even as the crisis spreads across Europe. He calls on wrongdoers to submit 'to the demands of justice,' but activists are left disappointed.
Pope Benedict XVI apologized Saturday to victims of priestly abuse in Ireland, acknowledging that the scandal had brought the church into disrepute but offering no specific action to punish clergy accused of involvement even as the crisis spread across Europe.
Santa Monica sushi restaurant to close after serving whale meat
A Santa Monica sushi restaurant facing federal charges for serving endangered whale meat appears set to close its doors Saturday, according to a statement posted to The Hump's website Friday which called the decision a "self-imposed punishment."
Democrats make final healthcare push
Obama and Pelosi work to nail down support from wavering lawmakers ahead of Sunday's vote. Abortion continues to be a sticking point.
With the clock ticking down to Sunday's vote on the $940-billion healthcare package, President Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) labored Friday to sustain their momentum in the face of continuing dissent in Democratic ranks over abortion and other issues.
Nepal leader who helped end king's rule dies at 86
Nepal's former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, who served five terms and led mass protests that ended the king's authoritarian rule in the Himalayan nation, died Saturday. He was 86.
L.A., Anaheim vie to steal Comic-Con from San Diego
The huge comic book and pop culture convention is outgrowing the San Diego Convention Center. All three cities want the crowds and their tourist dollars.
Call it a clash of the titans.
GOP senator: Healthcare bill may cost immigration overhaul
Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has indicated that he'd lend key support to an immigration effort, but he's angry about Democrats' tactics in advancing a healthcare bill.
The lone Republican senator inclined to support the Obama administration's bid to pass a major immigration overhaul said Friday that if a healthcare bill passes this weekend, the immigration effort is dead for the year.
Clinton upbeat on Israel ties
She and others at a Moscow meeting of the 'quartet' push for revived Mideast talks.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton hailed "useful and productive" signs from Israel on Friday as the so-called quartet of Middle East peacemakers called on Israelis and Palestinians to resume stalled negotiations.
Afghan detainee releases aimed at earning goodwill
The community-release program is part of a U.S.-led effort to redress a major Afghan grievance over suspected insurgents being held for months with little or no opportunity to make their case.
After the Koranic verses had been chanted, after the mullahs and military commanders had talked of the need to put past mistakes behind, each detainee bent over a document written in his native Pashto, carefully affixing his thumbprint.
Dutch reject contention that gay troops undermined military
After retired U.S. Gen. John Sheehan criticized the Dutch policy, linking it to the Srebrenica massacre in 1995, the Netherlands' defense minister calls the comments 'unworthy of a soldier.'
"Scandalous," declared one. "Way off the mark," fumed another.
The House Rules Committee has begun its work on the parliamentary procedures that will be used in reconciling the House and Senate versions of the healthcare legislation. Upon passing the Rules Committee, the bill moves to the full House.
The House Rules Committee began its work Saturday morning as Democrats kicked off a weekend of parliamentary maneuvering, lobbying and arm-twisting in the healthcare debate ahead of showdown votes set for Sunday.
Pope Benedict apologizes to Irish victims of abuse by priests
But the pontiff specifies no punishment of accused clergy even as the crisis spreads across Europe. He calls on wrongdoers to submit 'to the demands of justice,' but activists are left disappointed.
Pope Benedict XVI apologized Saturday to victims of priestly abuse in Ireland, acknowledging that the scandal had brought the church into disrepute but offering no specific action to punish clergy accused of involvement even as the crisis spread across Europe.
Santa Monica sushi restaurant to close after serving whale meat
A Santa Monica sushi restaurant facing federal charges for serving endangered whale meat appears set to close its doors Saturday, according to a statement posted to The Hump's website Friday which called the decision a "self-imposed punishment."
Democrats make final healthcare push
Obama and Pelosi work to nail down support from wavering lawmakers ahead of Sunday's vote. Abortion continues to be a sticking point.
With the clock ticking down to Sunday's vote on the $940-billion healthcare package, President Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) labored Friday to sustain their momentum in the face of continuing dissent in Democratic ranks over abortion and other issues.
Nepal leader who helped end king's rule dies at 86
Nepal's former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, who served five terms and led mass protests that ended the king's authoritarian rule in the Himalayan nation, died Saturday. He was 86.
L.A., Anaheim vie to steal Comic-Con from San Diego
The huge comic book and pop culture convention is outgrowing the San Diego Convention Center. All three cities want the crowds and their tourist dollars.
Call it a clash of the titans.
GOP senator: Healthcare bill may cost immigration overhaul
Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has indicated that he'd lend key support to an immigration effort, but he's angry about Democrats' tactics in advancing a healthcare bill.
The lone Republican senator inclined to support the Obama administration's bid to pass a major immigration overhaul said Friday that if a healthcare bill passes this weekend, the immigration effort is dead for the year.
Clinton upbeat on Israel ties
She and others at a Moscow meeting of the 'quartet' push for revived Mideast talks.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton hailed "useful and productive" signs from Israel on Friday as the so-called quartet of Middle East peacemakers called on Israelis and Palestinians to resume stalled negotiations.
Afghan detainee releases aimed at earning goodwill
The community-release program is part of a U.S.-led effort to redress a major Afghan grievance over suspected insurgents being held for months with little or no opportunity to make their case.
After the Koranic verses had been chanted, after the mullahs and military commanders had talked of the need to put past mistakes behind, each detainee bent over a document written in his native Pashto, carefully affixing his thumbprint.
Dutch reject contention that gay troops undermined military
After retired U.S. Gen. John Sheehan criticized the Dutch policy, linking it to the Srebrenica massacre in 1995, the Netherlands' defense minister calls the comments 'unworthy of a soldier.'
"Scandalous," declared one. "Way off the mark," fumed another.
Published on Tuesday, December 9 2008 by Medias Libres
