-
Morning Buzz: March 20, 2008
Tweet Share on Facebook March 20, 2008 Comment (1)More than a dozen are dead after buckets of rain doused the Midwest and rivers crept over their banks, creating flooding in parts of Ohio, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Kentucky. While it was sunny this morning in Ohio, authorities warned that the rain wasn't over yet and many rivers would still crest well above flood stage.
A day after thousands of pages of Hillary Clinton's schedules were released from the time she was first lady, a conservative group today is pressing in federal court for the release of 20,000 pages of Clinton's phone logs. The National Archives is pushing back against the request, estimating that it will take at least two years to process the phone logs and citing limited resources.
Being happily married is good for your blood pressure. Being unhappily married is not. And contrary to popular belief, being single is better for your blood pressure than being unhappily married, a new study conducted through the Brigham Young University has found. The study, which first appeared online today from the Annals of Behavioral Medicine, is one of few that have looked at marital quality instead of just marital status to determine the risk for high blood pressure.
-
Pentagon's Fallon May Be Called to Testify
Tweet Share on Facebook March 19, 2008 CommentSenate Democrats eager to reveal the divisions within the military and administration over the direction of the Iraq war are considering asking retired Adm. William Fallon, who quit as head of U.S. Central Command, to give his thoughts on the effort at an upcoming hearing.
-
Trial for Key Chinese Human-Rights Activist
Tweet Share on Facebook March 19, 2008 CommentChinese authorities have put on trial prominent human-rights activist Hu Jia, who used the Internet to publicize the plight of other dissidents. His case has drawn international attention as China cracks down on human-rights crusaders in advance of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. As U.S. News reported in February, Hu was held under house arrest by the Chinese authorities before being arrested and imprisoned last December.
-
Morning Buzz: March 19, 2008
Tweet Share on Facebook March 19, 2008 CommentMarking five years since the beginning of the Iraq war, President Bush plans to speak at the Pentagon today. On the other side of the Potomac River, thousands plan to take over downtown Washington for antiwar demonstrations. Bush is expected to discuss the success of the surge.
Hillary Clinton's daily schedules as first lady—11,046 pages of them—will be released this morning at former President Clinton's presidential library in Little Rock, Ark., and online. Clinton had been criticized by rival Barack Obama and Republicans for previously not making documents public from her time spent at the White House.
Stocks are moderately higher this morning as investors digest higher-than-expected first-quarter earnings at Morgan Stanley. The investment bank's results indicate that it's in much better shape than Bear Stearns, which collapsed over the weekend. In addition, Wall Street is pleased that the government intends to free billions of dollars at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, a move that could help struggling homeowners and increase the demand for mortgages.
-
GOP Crystal Ball: Congress Looks Dim, but McCain Can Win
Tweet Share on Facebook March 18, 2008 CommentRepublican strategists are increasingly upset about GOP prospects in the congressional elections this fall but are upbeat about John McCain's chances in the presidential race.
-
California Urged to Push for Zero Emissions Vehicles
Tweet Share on Facebook March 18, 2008 CommentEnvironmental groups are ratcheting up pressure on California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the state Air Resources Board to revive the state's program for Zero Emissions Vehicles, otherwise known as electric cars, immediately.
-
Morning Buzz: March 18, 2008
Tweet Share on Facebook March 18, 2008 CommentIs there something in the water in Albany? According to the New York Daily News, New York Gov. David Paterson, after being questioned by the paper, has admitted to having an affair from 1999 to 2001 with another woman while still being married to his wife, Michelle. But here's a twist: Michelle, the paper reports, had an affair as well. "This was a marriage that appeared to be going sour at one point," Paterson is quoted as saying. "But I went to counseling and we decided we wanted to make it work. Michelle is well aware of what went on."
Responding to continued unrest in Tibet, the Dalai Lama has threatened to abdicate his post as leader of the Tibet-in-exile government if his followers abandon a nonviolent posture against Chinese forces. "If the Tibetans were to choose the path of violence he would have to resign because he is completely committed to nonviolence," one of the Dalai Lama's top aides said. "He would resign as the political leader and head of state, but not as the Dalai Lama. He will always be the Dalai Lama."
The Federal Reserve is preparing for another round of "aggressive" interest rate cuts when it meets today, analysts say. The central bank is expected to cut rates by up to a whole point to help stabilize the sinking national economy.
-
Clinton Campaign Remains Confident
Tweet Share on Facebook March 17, 2008 CommentCORRECTION: An earlier version of this item misrendered the last name of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.
Barack Obama's difficulty in handling racially inflammatory comments by the Rev. Jeremiah Wright and the continued push for do-over primary elections in Florida and Michigan are keeping the Clinton campaign hopeful of scoring an upset victory in the presidential race.
-
Morning Buzz: March 17, 2008
Tweet Share on Facebook March 17, 2008 CommentJPMorgan Chase & Co. struck a deal and will absorb Bear Stearns, once one of its largest rivals on Wall Street, for a shockingly low price of $2 per share. Bear Stearns bet on mortgage-backed investments and is now the first major bank to be undone by the subprime mortgage market's collapse. Unwinding Bear Stearns, the nation's fifth-biggest investment house, should provide insight into what other financial institutions might have on their books.
Two prominent Republicans are visiting Iraq today as the capital city of Baghdad has been rocked by explosions. Presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain and Vice President Cheney are visiting the country and its leaders. Earlier today McCain met with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki shortly before the Iraqi leader began separate talks with Cheney. McCain has linked his political future to U.S. military success in Iraq.
Parts of downtown Atlanta are still off limits to commuters this morning as city and state officials continue their efforts to assess the amount of damage caused by a tornado that tore through the area Friday night. The storm, which cut a 6-mile path through the metropolitan area with estimated winds around 130 mph, injured at least 27 people. Two deaths were reported from a related storm in northern Georgia on Saturday.
-
Bush Advisers Expect 'I Told You So' Legacy
Tweet Share on Facebook March 14, 2008 CommentAs they assess his legacy, White House advisers are more confident than ever that historians will eventually see the wisdom of President Bush's most controversial policies, even if Congress wouldn't go along during his time in office. In fact, a senior administration official says Bush will be known for leading the "I-told-you-so presidency."
