Home

Politics

Japanese want U.S. base plan to be shifted out

Sun, 11/08/2009 - 19:17 by Jaspreet Kaur

Ginowan, Japan, November 8: Hordes of Japanese carried out a protest on the southern island of Okinawa on Sunday to demand the shifting of a U.S. Marine base out of the region. The number of protesters have been estimated a huge 21,000.

Mayor, 92, wins fifth term

South Coatesville, Pa. -- A 92-year-old mayor just elected to a fifth term is older than the Pennsylvania town he represents.

James C. Kennedy of South Coatesville is not the oldest mayor in the United States, an honor believed to be held by Dorothy Gechen, the 101-year-old mayor of Ocean Breeze, Fla., the Philadelphia Daily News reported Saturday. But he is old enough that he decided to rest instead of attending a victory party Tuesday.

Kennedy, a Democrat, won 85-59. Four years ago, when he sought a fourth term, he was unopposed.

South Coatesville was incorporated in 1921, when Kennedy was 4 years old. The population has risen above 1,000 since the 2000 Census, when it was 997.

Congressman admits illegal airport parking

Charlotte, N.C. -- A U.S. congressman illegally parked his Ford Explorer at the Charlotte (N.C.) Douglas International Airport, a spokesman has admitted.

Brock McCleary, a spokesman for Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., told Wednesday's Gaston (N.C.) Gazette the congressman was pressed for time Sunday afternoon when he left his car straddling the curb in the parking lot.

"He was running late for a flight and there were no available parking spots," McCleary reportedly wrote in an e-mail Monday. "He made a mistake in not leaving the vehicle in a proper parking spot."

The newspaper said McHenry's car had its front tires on the curb, while its back tires were in the driving area of the parking lot, with one of them atop a yellow speed bump.

Al Gore to be a guest on 'Letterman'

New York -- Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore has agreed to be a guest on "Late Show with David Letterman," CBS said Tuesday.

The author and environmental activist is expected to make his sixth appearance on the "Letterman" episode to be broadcast Nov. 3.

"Gore will release his new book about the climate crisis, 'Our Choice: A Plan to Solve the Climate Crisis,' on the same day as his 'Late Show' appearance," CBS said in a news release. "The 45th vice president of the United States, who served with President Bill Clinton for eight years, Gore has also authored the bestsellers 'Earth in the Balance: Ecology and the Human Spirit,' 'An Inconvenient Truth' and 'The Assault on Reason.'"

U.S. Chamber, White House trade non-barbs

Washington -- A lobbyist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said it would take the high road in what he called a "name-calling campaign" from officials at the White House.

"We're not going to take the bait and engage in a name-calling campaign here of invectives back and forth. We're going to stay focused," lobbyist Bruce Josten said, The Washington Post reported Monday.

The White House denied it was trying to alienate the chamber. "There has, of course, been disagreements," said Deputy Press Secretary Jen Psaki. "But we're going to continue to work with the chamber on a variety of issues," Psaki said.

Analyst expects Berlusconi media response

ROME, Oct. 17 -- Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi will likely use his media industry influence to defend himself against criminal charges, an Italian media analyst says.

Fabrizio Perretti said Berlusconi could use his Mediaset/Medusa TV-movie conglomerate to offer his own take on the bribery and cost falsification allegations he faces, Variety reported Friday.

"Right now we are expecting Berlusconi's media counterattack," Perretti said. "There will be a point at which he wants to write a new chapter in this story, with the same narrative as the previous ones. Namely: He is being attacked by enemies ... and his enemies are the bad guys."

Venezuela to tax high electricity use

Caracas, Venezuela -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said he would direct his administration to assess a tax for high consumption of electricity and set subsidies for low usage.

"Those who use energy above a ceiling will have to pay a surcharge. They must pay more. Those who spend less energy, under a minimum limit, will be subsidized and
will pay lower rates." El Universal quoted Chavez saying.

"There is a world energy crisis, for God's sake, we must understand it! Some people turn on their air conditioners and let them on all night. It's like wasting water day and night," he said.

Chavez said a lack of rainfall to replenish the headwaters of the Caroni River had become "a serious situation that has affected the supply of electricity."

Michelle Obama action figures store-bound

New York -- A New York man who found success with his President Barack Obama action figures said a plastic figure of first lady Michelle Obama is soon due in stores.

Sculptor Jason Feinberg said the Michelle Obama action figure, due to be released Nov. 20 for $12.99, comes with three outfits based on the dresses she wore during various appearances since the start of her husband's presidential campaign, the Chicago Tribune reported Wednesday.

Michelle Obama's office declined to comment on the toy.

Feinberg said his company, Jailbreak Toys, has thus far sold 200,000 of its President Obama action figures "and it's still selling."

The sculptor said he is an avowed Obama fan and he hopes the first couple see the dolls as compliments.

Tories consider cutting disability program

London -- British Conservative Party leader David Cameron is proposing changes that would force 500,000 disability recipients to return to work, The Times of London said.

The switch would immediately save about $40 per week per recipient as it shifts a portion of those collecting disability benefits to job seeker status. Cameron said unemployment was "one of the most serious things we face as a country," The Times reported Monday.

"If we don't deal with it, it is not just bad for those people who are unemployed now, there is a danger that short-term unemployment becomes long-term unemployment and builds up massive problems for our families and for our country in the future," Cameron said.

Canadian PM gets by with help from friends

Ottawa, Oct. 4 -- Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper surprised a National Arts Centre audience by playing a Beatles' tune on piano at a gala event supporting young artists.

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma and Ottawa band Herringbone provided a little help as Harper regaled attendees Saturday by playing "With a Little Help from My Friends" at the performance in Ottawa, the Ottawa Citizen reported Sunday.

The performance came just a year after Harper said he did not think "a bunch of people at a rich gala" had much in common with "ordinary working people."

Recent Comments