Senate Republicans again blocked legislation that would repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy giving the Obama administration another blow. On a vote of 57 to 40, Senator Harry Reid, the majority leader, found himself 3 votes short of the 60 needed to clear a procedural hurdle that would have opened the way for passage [Continue]
Online activists/hackers have targeted and attacked government and private websites including VISA, MasterCard, PayPal, Amazon and even politicians that criticized or they deemed hostile to the WikiLeaks organization and its jailed founder, Julian Assange. Sarah Palin was also among the attacked and said her credit card was tampered with after she [Continue]
China has hit back at US criticism over North Korea saying military threats are not the answer. The US was hoping that China, the only country with diplomatic influence over North Korea, would rebuke the country for shelling South Korea last month. But that was not the case. China’s most senior diplomat, Dai Bingguo, met [Continue]
The “date which will live in infamy” was remembered yesterday. Dec. 7, 1941 will always be a day to remember those who died during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and all those who served during World War II. Most of the survivors are now in their 80′s and 90′s and remember the day like [Continue]
Elizabeth Edwards, estranged wife of John Edwards, a former senator and the 2004 Democratic vice presidential nominee, died today after battling cancer. The family issued a statement: “Today we have lost the comfort of Elizabeth’s presence but she remains the heart of this family,” the statement said. “We love her and will [Continue]
Julian Assange, the ounder of WikiLeaks, has threatened to release many more confidential diplomatic cables if legal action is taken against him or his organization. Mr. Assange’s threat poses a problem for the Obama administration as it explores ways to prosecute Mr. Assange or the group. Lawyer Mark Stephens told reporters in London that [Continue]
Six major powers began talks with Iran in Geneva Monday in their latest attempt to persuade Tehran to accept limits on the nuclear research program the other nations suspect is aimed at building a bomb. Western officials see the Geneva meetings as a test of whether Iran is more willing to bend to international pressure. [Continue]
A French judge ruled on Monday that Continental Airlines and one of its mechanics were guilty of involuntary manslaughter for their role in the 2000 crash of an Air France Concorde jet that killed 113 people. The airline, now United Continental Holdings following a merger, and aerospace group EADS (the aircraft manufacturer), must split 70-30 [Continue]
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has accused Prime Minister Julia Gillard of betraying him as an Australian citizen in her eagerness to help the United States attack him and his organization. From a location in England the Queensland-born Mr Assange questioned what it meant to be an Australian citizen. Mr Assange lashed out at the Australian [Continue]
Employment barely grew in November and the jobless rate unexpectedly hit a seven-month high, hardening views the Federal Reserve would stick to its $600 billion plan to shore up the fragile recovery. The US economy gained a disappointing 39,000 jobs last month and the unemployment rate rose to 9.8 percent, up from 9.6 percent, the [Continue]