Thursday, May 22

  • Petraeus: Iraq violence at turning point  (UPI / 1:05PM EDT on 05/22) WASHINGTON, May 22 (UPI) -- U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus said Thursday the Iraqi government's willingness to take on a Shiite militia was a turning point in the conflict.
  • Poll: Abortion not hot button for now  (UPI / 12:44PM EDT on 05/22) PRINCETON, N.J., May 22 (UPI) -- The politics of abortion hasn't had much of an impact during the 2008 U.S. presidential campaign yet, a Gallup poll released Thursday indicates.
  • Audit points up two interrogation policies  (UPI / 11:54AM EDT on 05/22) WASHINGTON, May 22 (UPI) -- Two schools of thought about interrogation were highlighted in a U.S. Justice Department audit on abusive treatment of detainees at U.S. installations.
  • Petraeus: Further Iraq reductions possible  (UPI / 11:34AM EDT on 05/22) WASHINGTON, May 22 (UPI) -- U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus said Thursday he thinks he will be able to order further U.S. troop reductions in Iraq come September.
  • High court throws out fly in water appeal  (UPI / 11:34AM EDT on 05/22) OTTAWA, May 22 (UPI) -- Canada's Supreme Court Thursday denied damages to a man who claimed major psychological damage after finding a dead fly in his bottled water.
  • McCain aide's lobbying past under scrutiny  (UPI / 10:34AM EDT on 05/22) WASHINGTON, May 22 (UPI) -- Lobbyist Charles Black, a friend and key adviser to U.S. Sen. John McCain, has come under fire for his representing foreign interests, including dictators.
  • Iraq becoming a top U.S. arms buyers  (UPI / 10:24AM EDT on 05/22) WASHINGTON, May 22 (UPI) -- Iraq is becoming one of the United States' largest arms customers, switching from cheaper, less sophisticated Soviet weapons, a U.S. government official says.
  • Obama's position on Israel concerns Jews  (UPI / 10:24AM EDT on 05/22) BOYNTON BEACH, Fla., May 22 (UPI) -- American Jews, one constituency on which Democrats rely for support, say they're conflicted about Sen. Barack Obama as a potential presidential candidate.
  • Canadian PM's chief of staff leaving  (UPI / 8:34AM EDT on 05/22) OTTAWA, May 22 (UPI) -- Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's chief of staff is stepping down after allegedly influencing the U.S. Democratic Party primary race.
  • Suicide bombing at Gaza crossing kills one  (UPI / 8:24AM EDT on 05/22) GAZA, May 22 (UPI) -- A Palestinian suicide bomber apparently was the only casualty when an explosives-laden truck detonated Thursday on the Gaza-Israel border, officials said.
  • McCain invites 3 VP hopefuls to ranch  (UPI / 7:44AM EDT on 05/22) WASHINGTON, May 22 (UPI) -- Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., apparently eyeing a running mate for his presidential run, has invited three hopefuls for a weekend session, GOP sources say.
  • Georgian president declares party victory  (UPI / 7:05AM EDT on 05/22) TBILISI, Georgia, May 22 (UPI) -- The president of Georgia declared victory for his party in the country's parliamentary elections, despite claims of vote-rigging by the opposition.
  • Court revives gay's suit against military  (UPI / 6:54AM EDT on 05/22) SAN FRANCISCO, May 22 (UPI) -- A U.S. appeals court in San Francisco ruled a U.S. Air Force major dismissed for being gay can pursue her legal battle against the military.
  • Foreign militaries can help in quake aid  (UPI / 1:24AM EDT on 05/22) BEIJING, May 22 (UPI) -- China, after taking in foreign medical and rescue groups for its earthquake relief effort, is now willing to accept similar help from foreign militaries.

    Wednesday, May 21

  • Man convicted of stealing submarine parts  (UPI / 9:24PM EDT on 05/21) NORFOLK, Va., May 21 (UPI) -- A New York man accused of stealing parts from the attack submarine USS Hampton has been convicted of a federal theft charge, officials said.
  • Developer sues cleaner over Elvis photo  (UPI / 8:44PM EDT on 05/21) WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., May 21 (UPI) -- A Florida developer who bought the National Enquirer's Boca Raton headquarters is suing a man he claims stole a famous photo of Elvis Presley from the building.
  • Firm paid taxes for campaign donors  (UPI / 8:44PM EDT on 05/21) DETROIT, May 21 (UPI) -- Geoffrey Fieger testified Wednesday his law firm paid the taxes on bonuses he paid his employees who contributed to John Edwards' 2004 presidential campaign.
  • Lebanese, Hezbollah Leaders Agree to Uneasy Deal  (AP / 8:34PM EDT on 05/21) BEIRUT -- The Iranian-backed Hezbollah movement secured all its key demands in a major political deal announced Wednesday by Lebanon's feuding factions, heralding an end to the long political crisis that had pushed Lebanon dangerously close to civil war.
  • DNC panel ponders delegate seating  (UPI / 4:34PM EDT on 05/21) WASHINGTON, May 21 (UPI) -- Arguments about seating delegates from Michigan and Florida will be presented to the Democratic National Committee's Rules and Bylaws Committee.
  • San Diego delays Blackwater plans  (UPI / 4:24PM EDT on 05/21) SAN DIEGO, May 21 (UPI) -- San Diego's mayor has delayed the controversial military contractor Blackwater Worldwide's plans to convert a warehouse to an anti-terrorism training facility.
  • N.M. county accused of sexual harassment  (UPI / 3:54PM EDT on 05/21) WASHINGTON, May 21 (UPI) -- The U.S. Justice Department has sued Dona Ana County, N.M., alleging the county discriminated against female employees based on their sex.
  • NYPD files internal charges in shooting  (UPI / 1:24PM EDT on 05/21) NEW YORK, May 21 (UPI) -- Three New York police officers acquitted in the Sean Bell shooting and a fourth officer who wasn't charged face new internal departmental charges.
  • Canada sued over human trafficking case  (UPI / 1:04PM EDT on 05/21) LAVAL, Quebec, May 21 (UPI) -- The first two people Canada charged for human trafficking are suing the government and police in Quebec for $5 million after the charges were dropped.
  • Obama crosshairs photo stirs blogger ire  (UPI / 11:54AM EDT on 05/21) ROSWELL, Ga., May 21 (UPI) -- A Georgia newspaper publisher says he won't be intimidated by the outcry over an illustration showing Barack Obama in the cross hairs of a sniper rifle.
  • N.Y.'s Intrepid project needs more money  (UPI / 10:24AM EDT on 05/21) NEW YORK, May 21 (UPI) -- Funding problems plague efforts to turn the aircraft carrier Intrepid into the main attraction of a sea, air and space museum in New York.
  • FBI concerns about interrogations ignored  (UPI / 10:14AM EDT on 05/21) WASHINGTON, May 21 (UPI) -- FBI reports about alleged abuses at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and other U.S. military sites were ignored by Bush administration leaders, a federal audit said.
  • Judgeships sway conservatives to McCain  (UPI / 9:14AM EDT on 05/21) WASHINGTON, May 21 (UPI) -- Conservatives signal they would rally behind Sen. John McCain because of the presumptive Republican U.S. presidential nominee's stand on federal judgeships.
  • Iraqi forces secure Sadr City  (UPI / 8:54AM EDT on 05/21) BAGHDAD, May 21 (UPI) -- Iraqi troops patrolled the streets Wednesday in Baghdad's Sadr City following a raid in the stronghold of anti-American cleric Moqtada Sadr, officials said.
  • Obama casts eye to U.S. general election  (UPI / 8:44AM EDT on 05/21) DES MOINES, Iowa, May 21 (UPI) -- Sen. Barack Obama returned to Iowa, site of his first win in the race for the Democratic Party presidential nomination, focusing on November's general election.
  • Clinton to stay in race for varied reasons  (UPI / 8:34AM EDT on 05/21) LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 21 (UPI) -- Sen. Hillary Clinton vowed to stay in the Democratic Party U.S. presidential hunt, saying she believes she can be the nominee or at least achieve some goals.
  • Use of child soldiers still a problem  (UPI / 8:24AM EDT on 05/21) NEW YORK, May 21 (UPI) -- Recruitment of child soldiers hasn't stopped and the military-controlled Myanmar is the worst offender, the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers says.
  • Lebanese factions broker deal in Qatar  (UPI / 7:54AM EDT on 05/21) DOHA, Qatar, May 21 (UPI) -- Lebanese opposition movements and the Western-backed government declared a deal Wednesday in Qatar to end the 18-month political conflict and elect a president.
  • Officials say quake claimed 41,000 lives  (UPI / 7:24AM EDT on 05/21) BEIJING, May 21 (UPI) -- The official death toll from last week's earthquake in China rose to 41,353 Wednesday, government officials said.
  • Obama, Clinton each win one Tuesday  (UPI / 3:14AM EDT on 05/21) LEXINGTON, Ky., May 21 (UPI) -- The two Democratic U.S. presidential hopefuls each scored a primary win Tuesday but it was Barack Obama who moved closer to the party's nomination.
  • Merkley wins nomination to take on Smith  (UPI / 2:24AM EDT on 05/21) SALEM, Ore., May 21 (UPI) -- Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley has won the Democratic nomination to take on U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., in November.
  • Obama projected winner in Oregon primary  (UPI / 12:04AM EDT on 05/21) SALEM, Ore., May 20 (UPI) -- Barack Obama was the projected winner of Tuesday's Democratic presidential primary in Oregon, hours after losing the Kentucky primary to Hillary Clinton.

    Tuesday, May 20

  • Clinton wins Ky.; Obama claims milestone  (UPI / 11:44PM EDT on 05/20) LEXINGTON, Ky., May 20 (UPI) -- Hillary Clinton won the Kentucky Democratic presidential primary Tuesday, but Barack Obama claimed victory in winning the majority of state-by-state delegates.
  • Serbian Socialists mull coalition  (UPI / 10:44PM EDT on 05/20) BELGRADE, Serbia, May 20 (UPI) -- The leader of the Socialist Party of Serbia says his group is torn over which of two political parties it should partner to form a coalition government.
  • War bill may be done by Memorial recess  (UPI / 10:24PM EDT on 05/20) WASHINGTON, May 20 (UPI) -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., says an emergency war spending bill before Congress should be finished before Congress's Memorial Day recess.
  • Student sues Lohan over missing mink  (UPI / 10:05PM EDT on 05/20) NEW YORK, May 20 (UPI) -- A New York college student and model reportedly is suing actress Lindsay Lohan for allegedly taking her $11,000 mink jacket from a Manhattan nightclub.
  • Dream ticket not dreamy for Obama backers  (UPI / 9:14PM EDT on 05/20) WASHINGTON, May 20 (UPI) -- Congressional supporters of Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., say they'd prefer someone besides presidential rival Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., as a running mate.
  • Survey: Iceland first, Iraq last in peace  (UPI / 6:24PM EDT on 05/20) ST. LEONARDS, Australia, May 20 (UPI) -- The United States and Russia are in the bottom half of an annual study ranking nations on how peaceful they are, surveyors said Tuesday.
  • Iraqi Kurd leader calls for end to bombing  (UPI / 6:14PM EDT on 05/20) ARBIL, Iraq, May 20 (UPI) -- The prime minister of the autonomous Kurdish government in northern Iraq has called for Turkey and Iran to stop bombing the region.
  • Palestinian civilian killed at checkpoint  (UPI / 5:34PM EDT on 05/20) NABLUS, West Bank, May 20 (UPI) -- Palestinian medical sources in Nablus said a civilian was shot and killed by Israeli gunfire at a West Bank military checkpoint.
  • McCain says he sees a free Cuba  (UPI / 4:24PM EDT on 05/20) MIAMI, May 20 (UPI) -- Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said he envisioned a Cuba destined to be free and an ally to the United States, he said in a speech in Miami.
  • Candidate doesn't want Bush's coattails  (UPI / 4:14PM EDT on 05/20) RICHMOND, Va., May 20 (UPI) -- Former Virginia Gov. James Gilmore III says he's not interested in riding President George Bush's coattails in his quest to win the state's U.S. Senate seat.
  • Union still spending on Clinton's behalf  (UPI / 4:05PM EDT on 05/20) WASHINGTON, May 20 (UPI) -- Campaign records show that supporting Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton has forced a U.S. major labor union to take out a $1 million loan.
  • Report: Bush apologizes for shot-up Koran  (UPI / 3:44PM EDT on 05/20) BAGHDAD, May 20 (UPI) -- Iraqi television said President George Bush telephoned Iraq's prime minister to offer a personal apology for the desecration of a Koran by a U.S. soldier.
  • Iraqi police draftees killed in attack  (UPI / 12:34PM EDT on 05/20) BAGHDAD, May 20 (UPI) -- As many as 11 police draftees were killed Tuesday in an attack on a recruitment station near the northern Iraq city of Mosul, police officials said.
  • Poll: Obama surges to double-digit lead  (UPI / 12:14PM EDT on 05/20) PRINCETON, N.J., May 20 (UPI) -- Groups usually supporting Hillary Clinton are gravitating to Barack Obama giving the U.S. presidential hopeful a double-digit lead, a Gallup poll indicates.
  • White House denies plan to attack Iran  (UPI / 12:05PM EDT on 05/20) JERUSALEM, May 20 (UPI) -- The White House Tuesday flatly denied an article in an Israeli newspaper stating U.S. President George Bush intended to attack Iran.
  • Obama woos American Indian voters  (UPI / 8:24AM EDT on 05/20) HELENA, Mont., May 20 (UPI) -- Sen. Barack Obama's grass-roots strategy attracts American Indian voters for the June 3 presidential contests in Montana and South Dakota, representatives say.
  • Obama expects pledged delegate majority  (UPI / 8:14AM EDT on 05/20) WASHINGTON, May 20 (UPI) -- Sen. Barack Obama was expected to have a majority of pledged delegates after Tuesday's primaries in Oregon and Kentucky, but he says he won't claim victory.
  • GOP lacks minority candidates  (UPI / 12:05AM EDT on 05/20) WASHINGTON, May 19 (UPI) -- The Republican Party faces a shortage of competitive minority candidates in races for the U.S. House and Senate, The Politico reported Monday.

    Monday, May 19

  • Ethics complaint filed against Fossella  (UPI / 9:34PM EDT on 05/19) WASHINGTON, May 19 (UPI) -- A Washington watchdog group Monday filed a formal ethics complaint against Rep. Vito Fossella, R-N.Y, over his admission to an affair with an Air Force officer.
  • Fossella mum on re-election run  (UPI / 9:34PM EDT on 05/19) WASHINGTON, May 19 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Vito Fossella, R-N.Y., has not said if he will run for re-election, raising questions about his political future as he faces a drunk driving charge.
  • Artist claims Web site is selling his art  (UPI / 8:44PM EDT on 05/19) NEW YORK, May 19 (UPI) -- A Brooklyn, N.Y., artist is suing the proprietor of a Web site for allegedly selling reproductions of his work without permission.
  • 'Footprints' authorship questioned in N.Y.  (UPI / 8:34PM EDT on 05/19) NEW YORK, May 19 (UPI) -- The son of the late presumed author of the poem "Footprints in the Sand" is suing two women, who claim they penned the verse, in a New York court.
  • Obama expected to win Oregon  (UPI / 7:34PM EDT on 05/19) SALEM, Ore., May 19 (UPI) -- Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton is not expected to win Oregon's primary Tuesday, but that has not deterred her supporters in the state.
  • Army translator sentenced to 10 years  (UPI / 7:05PM EDT on 05/19) WASHINGTON, May 19 (UPI) -- A U.S. Army translator has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for unauthorized possession of classified defense documents, the Justice Department said Monday.
  • Libertarians to converge on Denver  (UPI / 6:14PM EDT on 05/19) DENVER, May 19 (UPI) -- Two former congressmen are among 14 contenders vying to be the Libertarian presidential nominee heading into the party's national convention in Denver.
  • McCain, Obama blast each other over Iran  (UPI / 5:05PM EDT on 05/19) CHICAGO, May 19 (UPI) -- Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., ripped Democratic hopeful Sen. Barack Obama for calling the threat by Iran to the United States tiny compared to the Soviet Union.
  • Ground rent reform has day in court  (UPI / 3:54PM EDT on 05/19) BALTIMORE, May 19 (UPI) -- Ground rent reform laws in Maryland are facing their day in federal court, properties owners say.
  • Bob Barr fundraising group analyzed  (UPI / 3:54PM EDT on 05/19) WASHINGTON, May 19 (UPI) -- Campaign finance records indicate most of the money raised by former Rep. Bob Barr's political action committee goes to administrative and operating costs.
  • Troop deployment schedule announced  (UPI / 3:44PM EDT on 05/19) WASHINGTON, May 19 (UPI) -- About 39,000 U.S. troops will be deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan later this year, a Defense Department official said Monday.
  • Obama: GOP Internet ad 'just low-class'  (UPI / 12:34PM EDT on 05/19) NEW YORK, May 19 (UPI) -- Sen. Barrack Obama fired back Monday at what he portrayed as an early round of attack ads using a statement made by his wife, Michelle.
  • Obama doesn't plan victory declaration  (UPI / 12:24PM EDT on 05/19) WASHINGTON, May 19 (UPI) -- Sen. Barack Obama's campaign says it won't declare victory in the Democratic presidential nomination race, a shift from an adviser's earlier remarks.
  • Election could change Supreme Court  (UPI / 12:14PM EDT on 05/19) WASHINGTON, May 19 (UPI) -- The two leading presidential candidates have sharply contrasting views when it comes to the U.S. Supreme Court, an analysis by the Los Angeles Times indicates.
  • U.S. begins relief flights to China  (UPI / 11:44AM EDT on 05/19) CHENGDU, China, May 19 (UPI) -- The U.S. military commander in the Pacific says disaster aid is being flown into earthquake-damaged areas of China aboard Air Force transports.
  • Polls: Clinton, Obama split Ky., Ore.  (UPI / 10:24AM EDT on 05/19) BOSTON, May 19 (UPI) -- The next Democratic primaries find Hillary Clinton solidly ahead in Kentucky while Barack Obama leads a tight race in Oregon, Suffolk University polls indicate.
  • Clinton accused of hypocrisy  (UPI / 9:34AM EDT on 05/19) WASHINGTON, May 19 (UPI) -- Two California attorneys say Sen. Hillary Clinton is being hypocritical when she criticizes opponent Sen. Barack Obama for having ties to 1960s-era radicals.
  • Edwards' wife denies plans to back Clinton  (UPI / 9:34AM EDT on 05/19) WASHINGTON, May 19 (UPI) -- Elizabeth Edwards has rejected speculation that she might endorse Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York for the Democratic presidential nomination.
  • Myanmar to let in South Asian experts  (UPI / 8:04AM EDT on 05/19) YANGON, Myanmar, May 19 (UPI) -- Myanmar's military regime agreed to let in experts from neighboring countries to assess the amount of aid needed by survivors of Cyclone Nargis.
  • Rift among Democrats running deep  (UPI / 8:04AM EDT on 05/19) WASHINGTON, May 19 (UPI) -- Some supporters for Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama say they will have second thoughts about voting if their favorite candidate isn't heading the ticket.
  • Dozens die in Sri Lankan violence  (UPI / 7:14AM EDT on 05/19) COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, May 19 (UPI) -- The Sri Lankan military and Tamil Tiger rebels fought fierce battles in the troubled northern region during the weekend, leaving dozens of people dead.
  • Minister: India open to talks with Nepal  (UPI / 1:44AM EDT on 05/19) NEW DELHI, May 19 (UPI) -- India's Foreign Ministry says New Delhi is open to talks with Nepal on the 1950 peace and friendship treaty the Himalayan country's Maoists want to scrap.
  • Suicide attack kills 12 in Pakistan  (UPI / 1:14AM EDT on 05/19) ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, May 19 (UPI) -- A suicide bomb attack in a military garrison area in the northwest Pakistan town of Mardan Sunday killed 12 people and injured several more.

    Sunday, May 18

  • More than 110,000 troops work quake relief  (UPI / 11:44PM EDT on 05/18) BEIJING, May 18 (UPI) -- China, facing a rising earthquake death toll and fading hopes for trapped survivors, is pressing on with its massive relief efforts under trying conditions.
  • Obama, Clinton campaign hard  (UPI / 11:24PM EDT on 05/18) PORTLAND, Ore., May 18 (UPI) -- A crowd estimated at 75,000 people cheered on Democratic U.S. presidential contender Barack Obama at a riverbank rally in Oregon Sunday.
  • Rezko case could shape governor's race  (UPI / 11:05PM EDT on 05/18) SPRINGFIELD, Ill., May 18 (UPI) -- Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's decision to seek re-election could hinge on the outcome of the trial of his fundraiser, Antoin "Tony" Rezko, observers say.
  • 12 dead as rural elections end in Bengal  (UPI / 8:54PM EDT on 05/18) MURSHIDABAD, India, May 18 (UPI) -- Violence between supporters of the Congress Party and the Communist Party of India killed 12 people Sunday as rural elections ended in Bengal.
  • Nevada Democrats vote on delegates  (UPI / 8:34PM EDT on 05/18) RENO, Nev., May 18 (UPI) -- Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois received 14 national convention delegates at Saturday's Nevada state Democratic convention.
  • Finance chief quits McCain campaign  (UPI / 8:34PM EDT on 05/18) WASHINGTON, May 18 (UPI) -- Tom Loeffler, a Texas congressman turned lobbyist, resigned as finance co-chairman of John McCain's presidential campaign Sunday.
  • At Least 12 Dead in S. African Attacks  (AP / 8:34PM EDT on 05/18) A new spate of attacks on immigrants in Johannesburg, South
  • Poll: McCain leads Obama in rural areas  (UPI / 6:54PM EDT on 05/18) WHITESBURG, Ky., May 18 (UPI) -- Presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain leads Democratic hopeful Barack Obama among rural voters in battleground states, a poll indicates.
  • Kyl: Obama comments showed 'naivete'  (UPI / 6:24PM EDT on 05/18) WASHINGTON, Conn., May 18 (UPI) -- Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama's comments about talking to notorious world leaders showed "weak judgment" and "naivete," U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl says.
  • Crist: Republicans must embrace 'roots'  (UPI / 6:14PM EDT on 05/18) WASHINGTON, May 18 (UPI) -- The Republican Party must embrace the "optimism" of its foremost historical leaders to win the upcoming election, Florida Gov. Charles Christ said Sunday.
  • Biden criticizes Bush's Obama comments  (UPI / 6:05PM EDT on 05/18) WASHINGTON, May 18 (UPI) -- President George W. Bush was making a "political hit" on Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., with comments in Israel last week, Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., said Sunday.
  • Webb 'not that interested' in VP bid  (UPI / 5:54PM EDT on 05/18) WASHINGTON, May 18 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., is "not that interested" in a vice presidential spot on the Democratic ticket this year, he said Sunday.
  • Blackwater, out of spotlight, growing  (UPI / 4:54PM EDT on 05/18) WASHINGTON, May 18 (UPI) -- U.S. security contractor Blackwater has overcome a rash of negative publicity to record steady business growth, The Raleigh (N.C.) News & Observer said Sunday.
  • Police official probed in 'remains' case  (UPI / 4:44PM EDT on 05/18) SAINT HELLIER, Jersey, May 18 (UPI) -- A police official in Jersey is being probed for allegedly misrepresenting material found at a former children's home as human remains, The Mail on Sunday said.
  • Expert: Books helped define Obama image  (UPI / 3:54PM EDT on 05/18) CHICAGO, May 18 (UPI) -- The two non-fiction books written by U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., helped define his image for the Democratic primaries, publishing industry experts say.
  • Letter against Conn. ethics chief a fraud  (UPI / 3:34PM EDT on 05/18) HARTFORD, Conn., May 18 (UPI) -- An anonymous letter that led to the firing Alan Plofsky as the state of Connecticut's ethics chief has been determined to be a fraud, court papers show.
  • Obama policy on Cuba draws criticism  (UPI / 3:05PM EDT on 05/18) MIAMI, May 18 (UPI) -- Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama has drawn criticism from some Cuban Americans who disagree with his policy on negotiating with U.S. enemies.
  • RNC raising big bucks for McCain  (UPI / 3:05PM EDT on 05/18) WASHINGTON, May 18 (UPI) -- The Republican National Committee is trying to raise $120 million for the its presumptive presidential nominee, Arizona Sen. John McCain.
  • Hospitals admit errors to avoid lawsuits  (UPI / 1:34PM EDT on 05/18) NEW YORK, May 18 (UPI) -- Some U.S. hospitals are admitting medical errors in an effort to avert costly malpractice litigation, healthcare industry observers say.
  • Bundchen target of worker's lawsuit  (UPI / 12:44PM EDT on 05/18) NEW YORK, May 18 (UPI) -- A carpenter is suing Gisele Bundchen for injuries he claims he suffered during a fall at the Brazilian supermodel's New York apartment, his lawyer says.
  • Wedding singer being sued for no-shows  (UPI / 12:34PM EDT on 05/18) NEW YORK, May 18 (UPI) -- A New York band is suing Greek singer Yianni Papastefanou for allegedly failing to take part in a number of wedding performances, a lawsuit indicates.
  • Prison inmate suing over '50 Cent' film  (UPI / 12:05PM EDT on 05/18) NEW YORK, May 18 (UPI) -- The film, "The Infamous Times of the Original 50 Cent," misrepresents one of the real-life characters it features, a New York prison inmate's lawsuit alleges.
  • Democrats look to unify against McCain  (UPI / 11:06AM EDT on 05/18) WASHINGTON, May 18 (UPI) -- Top Democratic Party leaders discussed plans to mount a united campaign against presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain, officials said.
  • Japanese military defuses dud WWII bomb  (UPI / 10:34AM EDT on 05/18) TOKYO, May 18 (UPI) -- Japanese troops evacuated about 16,000 people from a Tokyo neighborhood Sunday to defuse a bomb left over from World War II, authorities said.
  • Clashes in Baghdad kill 4, injure 38  (UPI / 8:34AM EDT on 05/18) BAGHDAD, May 18 (UPI) -- Overnight fighting between Shiite rebels and U.S. and Iraqi soldiers in Baghdad killed four people and left 38 people injured, authorities said Sunday.
  • U.S. boosts naval presence near Lebanon  (UPI / 8:04AM EDT on 05/18) BEIRUT, Lebanon, May 18 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy has positioned its advanced communications flagship off the coast of Lebanon ahead of a larger mission, an intelligence report says.
  • Obama leads Clinton by 9 points in poll  (UPI / 7:44AM EDT on 05/18) WASHINGTON, May 18 (UPI) -- Illinois Sen. Barack Obama has a 9 point lead over rival Democratic presidential hopeful and New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, a Gallup poll indicates.
  • Commanders apologize for Koran shooting  (UPI / 7:14AM EDT on 05/18) BAGHDAD, May 17 (UPI) -- A U.S. commander personally apologized Saturday to Sunni tribesmen in Iraq for an incident in which a U.S. soldier used a copy of the Koran for target practice.
  • Texas group sues to stop border fence  (UPI / 1:14AM EDT on 05/18) WASHINGTON, May 18 (UPI) -- The Texas Border Coalition, which includes a number of cities along the U.S.-Mexico border has filed a lawsuit against the border fence.
  • McCain tells Democrats to keep fighting  (UPI / 12:44AM EDT on 05/18) NEW YORK, May 18 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., appeared on "Saturday Night Live," urging the Democrats not to be too quick to pick a presidential nominee.

    Saturday, May 17

  • Obama to spend primary day in Iowa  (UPI / 9:14PM EDT on 05/17) WASHINGTON, May 17 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Barack Obama plans to wait for the results of the Kentucky and Oregon primaries in Iowa, the state that kick-started his campaign four months ago.
  • McCain: Dems will infringe arms rights  (UPI / 6:54PM EDT on 05/17) LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 17 (UPI) -- Presumptive U.S. Republican presidential nominee John McCain said his Democratic opponents would infringe on the rights of gun owners if elected.
  • Kuwaitis go to polls in assembly election  (UPI / 2:24PM EDT on 05/17) KUWAIT, May 17 (UPI) -- Elections for Kuwait's National Assembly were under way Saturday, the first election under a new system reducing its political districts from 25 to five.
  • Zimbabwe prepares for June 27 run-off  (UPI / 1:05PM EDT on 05/17) HARARE, Zimbabwe, May 17 (UPI) -- Zimbabwe was preparing Saturday for a presidential election run-off after a June 27 date was set for the next round of the hotly contested political struggle.
  • Becerra calls for better veteran benefits  (UPI / 12:54PM EDT on 05/17) LOS ANGELES, May 17 (UPI) -- U.S. soldiers returning from overseas military service should receive better benefits, U.S. Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif., said Saturday.
  • McCain builds ties to liberal bloggers  (UPI / 2:14AM EDT on 05/17) WASHINGTON, May 17 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is reaching out to liberal and non-partisan bloggers in an effort to bring new voters to his presidential campaign.
  • Edwards: Not running for VP  (UPI / 12:14AM EDT on 05/17) NEW YORK, May 16 (UPI) -- Former U.S. Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., who backed Barack Obama for president this week, said he does not want to run for vice president again.

    Friday, May 16

  • Pentagon to build new prison at Bagram  (UPI / 11:44PM EDT on 05/16) WASHINGTON, May 16 (UPI) -- The Pentagon is moving forward with a new prison at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, The New York Times reports.
  • New Clinton ad questions Obama lock  (UPI / 10:44PM EDT on 05/16) WASHINGTON, May 16 (UPI) -- Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton is airing ads in Kentucky and Oregon, with one ad challenging the notion that she is all but out of the race.
  • Huckabee apologizes for Obama gun joke  (UPI / 8:44PM EDT on 05/16) LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 16 (UPI) -- Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee Friday apologized for telling an audience of gun rights supporters an offstage noise was Barack Obama ducking a gunman.
  • Groups sue to stop Texas border fence  (UPI / 8:14PM EDT on 05/16) HOUSTON, May 16 (UPI) -- Nineteen Texas border communities Friday asked a federal court to halt construction of 70 miles of border fencing, court documents show.
  • Senator: McCain's military roots limit him  (UPI / 6:54PM EDT on 05/16) WASHINGTON, May 16 (UPI) -- GOP presidential hopeful John McCain sees "everything" through his experience in the military and that can be "dangerous," Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, said Friday.
  • Amputee sprinter eligible for Olympics  (UPI / 4:34PM EDT on 05/16) LAUSANNE, Switzerland, May 16 (UPI) -- Oscar Pistorius, the 21-year-old South African sprinter who runs on prosthetic limbs, was declared eligible Friday for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.
  • Canada unveils own Victoria Cross  (UPI / 3:54PM EDT on 05/16) OTTAWA, May 16 (UPI) -- Canada now has its own version of Britain's Victoria Cross military medal to award to its outstanding military officials, officials say.
  • McCain move favors Ariz. developer  (UPI / 3:44PM EDT on 05/16) GLENDALE, Ariz., May 16 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., helped guarantee funds for an action that helped a developer whose top employees donated money to his campaign, records show.
  • McCain: Hamas statement mischaracterized  (UPI / 3:05PM EDT on 05/16) WASHINGTON, May 16 (UPI) -- The campaign of Republican presidential contender John McCain said Friday that a 2006 statement McCain made about dialogue with Hamas had been mischaracterized.
  • Obama hits back at Bush, McCain  (UPI / 2:45PM EDT on 05/16) WATERTOWN, S.D., May 16 (UPI) -- Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama, campaigning in South Dakota, fired back at comments made by U.S. President George Bush and Sen. John McCain.
  • Fiji accused of Australian death threats  (UPI / 2:05PM EDT on 05/16) SYDNEY, May 16 (UPI) -- The Fijian military has been accused by Australian authorities of making "credible" death threats against High Commissioner James Batley, officials say.
  • Iraq: Military arrests 14 terror suspects  (UPI / 12:34PM EDT on 05/16) MOSUL, Iraq, May 16 (UPI) -- Multi-National Force and Iraqi soldiers took 14 terrorist suspects into custody in northern Iraq, an official said Friday.
  • Republican party slams Michelle Obama  (UPI / 10:54AM EDT on 05/16) NASHVILLE, May 16 (UPI) -- The Tennessee Republican Party has released an online video of Michelle Obama saying she felt proud of the United States "for the first time in my adult life."
  • U.S. cities fight back on foreclosed homes  (UPI / 10:54AM EDT on 05/16) MINNEAPOLIS, May 16 (UPI) -- U.S. communities watching their neighborhoods crumble due to foreclosures are striking back by filing lawsuits, observers of the mortgage crisis said.
  • Senate panel OKs wartime spending package  (UPI / 9:14AM EDT on 05/16) WASHINGTON, May 16 (UPI) -- The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee approved a sweeping emergency wartime funding package.
  • Lockheed Martin wins Air Force contract  (UPI / 8:44AM EDT on 05/16) WASHINGTON, May 16 (UPI) -- The U.S. Air Force has approved a $1.5 billion bid from Lockheed Martin to develop 12 navigational satellites, U.S. military officials announced.
  • McCain, Obama moving to center on Iraq  (UPI / 7:05AM EDT on 05/16) LOS ANGELES, May 16 (UPI) -- Despite the emotion the Iraq war causes among voters, analysts say the presumptive U.S. presidential nominees have moved toward a pragmatic center on the issue.
  • Court overturns Vioxx verdict  (UPI / 1:05AM EDT on 05/16) SAN ANTONIO, May 16 (UPI) -- The Texas Fourth Court of Appeals overturned a $7.75 million verdict against Merck & Co. in a lawsuit over the heart risk of the painkiller Vioxx.

    Thursday, May 15

  • Interpol says FARC document not altered  (UPI / 11:14PM EDT on 05/15) BOGOTA, Colombia, May 15 (UPI) -- Colombian officials did not tamper with computer files that belonged to rebel leaders indicating rebel ties to Venezuela, Interpol officials said Thursday.
  • Emergency war spending fails in House  (UPI / 10:05PM EDT on 05/15) WASHINGTON, May 15 (UPI) -- House Republicans, accusing Democrats of "political games," blocked passage Thursday of a bill to fund military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
  • Obama monkey tees may prompt lawsuit  (UPI / 9:24PM EDT on 05/15) ATLANTA, May 15 (UPI) -- The publishing company that owns the Curious George image says it may sue to stop sales of a T-shirt linking the monkey to Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.
  • Attorney general appeals No Child ruling  (UPI / 8:44PM EDT on 05/15) HARTFORD, Conn., May 15 (UPI) -- Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has appealed a federal judge's dismissal of the state's lawsuit challenging the No Child Left Behind Act.
  • Nader sees 'bigotry' in two major parties  (UPI / 8:05PM EDT on 05/15) SEATTLE, May 15 (UPI) -- Long shot independent presidential hopeful Ralph Nader says the two major parties unfairly dominate the U.S. political landscape.
  • McCain's health under the microscope  (UPI / 7:54PM EDT on 05/15) WASHINGTON, May 15 (UPI) -- Presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain's health has become a frequent campaign issue given his age and life experiences, analysts say.
  • Navy jet bomb strays, starts forest fire  (UPI / 6:44PM EDT on 05/15) JACKSONVILLE, Fla., May 15 (UPI) -- A Navy fighter jet has been blamed for starting a large Florida forest fire when its bomb missed a target, officials said.
  • McCain predicts Iraq war won by 2013  (UPI / 12:40PM EDT on 05/15) COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 15 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., predicted Thursday the Iraq war will be won by 2013 but said he thinks the Taliban threat in Afghanistan will still be active.
  • Quake death toll could hit 50,000  (UPI / 12:30PM EDT on 05/15) BEIJING, May 15 (UPI) -- Chinese officials Thursday said the death toll from Monday's massive earthquake could top 50,000.
  • USW endorses Obama  (UPI / 12:10PM EDT on 05/15) PITTSBURGH, May 15 (UPI) -- The United Steelworkers union Thursday endorsed U.S. Sen. Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nod -- the second major endorsement in as many days.
  • Obama accuses Bush of political attack  (UPI / 11:50AM EDT on 05/15) WASHINGTON, May 15 (UPI) -- U.S. Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama Thursday accused U.S. President George Bush of launching a political attack on him.
  • Obama says 'sorry' for 'sweetie' remark  (UPI / 10:40AM EDT on 05/15) DETROIT, May 15 (UPI) -- Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., said he was sorry for calling a Michigan reporter "sweetie" when she posed a question.
  • Rapper ordered to pay Lil' Kim $500,000  (UPI / 10:40AM EDT on 05/15) NEW YORK, May 15 (UPI) -- A U.S. court judge in New York has ordered James Lloyd to pay his fellow former Junior MAFIA rapper Lil' Kim $500,000 for featuring her in an unauthorized film.