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05 Jan 2009 04:53

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U.S., World: Attacks in Iraq continue into the new year

  • 35+ Shia pilgrims were killed in a suicide bombing attack on Sunday source

05 Jan 2009 04:44

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U.S., World: We hear a new U.S. Iraqi embassy is opening

  • Why a new one? Security in the highly-protected Green Zone, long a safe haven for international interests (including the U.S. military), was handed back to Iraqi forces on January 1. source
  • Why a new one? Security in the highly-protected Green Zone, long a safe haven for international interests (including the U.S. military), was handed back to Iraqi forces on January 1.
  • Big and secure The new embassy, scheduled to open today, will house 4,000 workers. Security is so tight for the opening ceremony that film crews will not be allowed to show its buildings. source
  • Why a new one? Security in the highly-protected Green Zone, long a safe haven for international interests (including the U.S. military), was handed back to Iraqi forces on January 1.
  • Big and secure The new embassy, scheduled to open today, will house 4,000 workers. Security is so tight for the opening ceremony that film crews will not be allowed to show its buildings.
  • Going forward … Ambassador Ryan Crocker, who will preside over the opening ceremony, says recent attacks show al-Qaeda in Iraq to be a continuing threat despite great leaps forward in security. source

05 Jan 2009 04:05

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U.S.: He’s not even getting in the Oval Office on coattails

  • Given the gravity of the economic situation the nation is facing, I could not in good conscience ask the President-elect and his Administration to delay for one day the important work that needs to be done.
  • Bill Richardson • New Mexico governor, 2008 presidential candidate, and to-be U.S. Secretary of Commerce, who withdrew his name from consideration due to a pending federal investigation • source

02 Jan 2009 18:44

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U.S.: See, stocks are rebounding!

  • 9034.69 The Dow’s closing number today source

02 Jan 2009 14:41

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U.S.: Will someone give these men a chair?

  • Stay standing, Roland Burris He was appointed by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich – not exactly something you want to show off on your resume right now. Senate Democratic leaders are fighting his appointment. Who didn’t see that coming? source
  • Stay standing, Roland Burris He was appointed by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich – not exactly something you want to show off on your resume right now. Senate Democratic leaders are fighting his appointment. Who didn’t see that coming?
  • Stuart saves his seat – almost Al Franken has a lead of just a just a few dozen votes over Norm Coleman for his Minnesota Senate seat – and that’s after a recount. He’s almost a senator. Is that good enough? source

02 Jan 2009 13:10

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U.S.: Imagine Sarah Palin saying this in your head

  • You need to know that both Levi and Bristol are working their butts off to parent and going to school and working at the same time. They are certainly not high school dropouts.
  • Former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin • on her daughter Bristol and boyfriend Levi Johnston, who are now with child • source

02 Jan 2009 12:58

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U.S.: It’s National Blood Donor Month. Why you should.

  • 39,000 units of blood are needed in hospitals at any time source
 

02 Jan 2009 08:34

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U.S.: The saddest, most depressing NYE ever

  • I’m so relieved, and I’m so mad at the bus company for leaving him.
  • Leslie Rivera • whose brother, Edwin, was left on a school bus overnight (on New Year’s Eve, in cold weather) in New York City. Edwin suffers from cerebral palsy and can’t speak. • source

02 Jan 2009 08:19

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U.S.: Muslim family barred from AirTran flights

  • What happened The family, scheduled to fly yesterday, was detained after a passenger misconstrued comments they made about the “safest” spot to sit. The FBI questioned them and released them, but AirTran would not let them on another flight. source
  • What happened The family, scheduled to fly yesterday, was detained after a passenger misconstrued comments they made about the “safest” spot to sit. The FBI questioned them and released them, but AirTran would not let them on another flight.
  • Airtran says The family, who was headed from D.C. to Orlando on vacation, had the FBI’s go-ahead but not AirTran’s. Despite not booking the family on another flight, the company offered the family full refunds and an opportunity to fly for free in the future. source

01 Jan 2009 22:03

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U.S.: Claiborne Pell, 1918-2009: He granted your Pell.

  • Who was he? Pell, who died today at age 90, was a longtime Rhode Island senator. First elected in 1960, the six-term senator had suffered from Parkinson’s Disease since 1994. source
  • Who was he? Pell, who died today at age 90, was a longtime Rhode Island senator. First elected in 1960, the six-term senator had suffered from Parkinson’s Disease since 1994.
  • His greatest act Pell, soft-spoken and friendly, was best-known for sponsoring the 1972 Pell Grant program, which has helped 54 million low-income people attend college. source
  • Who was he? Pell, who died today at age 90, was a longtime Rhode Island senator. First elected in 1960, the six-term senator had suffered from Parkinson’s Disease since 1994.
  • His greatest act Pell, soft-spoken and friendly, was best-known for sponsoring the 1972 Pell Grant program, which has helped 54 million low-income people attend college.
  • Quirky & popular The Democrat, well-known on Capitol Hill, was known for being a little eccentric, jogging in tweed coats, and occasionally absent-minded. Sounds like our kind of guy. source