Luesse Lot

The United Auto Workers said Sunday that they had reached a tenative agreement over concessions in their contract with Chrysler LLC, CNN reported on Sunday.

The union said in a statement that an agreement had been made between Chrysler, Fiat, and the Treasury Department. The move represents an important step for the automanufacturer in avoiding bankruptcy.

The union said the deal includes modifications to the their 2007 collective bargaining agreement and the trust program dedicated to retiree health benefits, although they did not specify them, reported CNN.

This helps Chrysler move closer to making an alliance with Italy's Fiat Group, crucial to their survival. They had to meet the thursday deadline to gain concessions from their unions and debtholders, reported the Star Tribune.

"We commend the UAW's leadership for their endless determination and perseverance in reaching this tentative agreement especially during these unprecedented economic circumstances that plague the automotive industry," Al Iacobelli, Chrysler's chief labor negotiator and vice president of employee relations, said in a statement, reported CNN.

Chrysler still has two critical deals to make by the deadline, reported CNN.

CNN: http://money.cnn.com/2009/04/26/autos/chrysler/index.htm
Star Tribune: http://www.startribune.com/business/43748167.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUac8HEaDiaMDCinchO7DU

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Former C.I.A. Chief Gen. Michael V. Hayden, director during the last two years of the recent Bush Administration, heavily criticized President Barack Obama on Sunday for his release of four Bush-era memos, reported the New York Times.

Hayden said the release of the memos, which detailed intense interrogation practices, would hinder the C.I.A.'s ability to pursue terrorists in the future.

"What we have described for our enemies in the midst of a war are the outer limits that any American would ever go to in terms of interrogating an al Qaeda terrorist. That's very valuable information," Hayden said during an appearance on "Fox News Sunday, reported CNN.

The memos discussed harsh techniques such as waterboarding from 2002 to 2005. In 2008, Hayden told a congressional committee that the practice had been dropped in 2006 and was likely done illegally when it had been, according the New York Times.

The Obama administration outlawed harsh interrogations early in their administration and ordered the C.I.A.’s secret prisons closed on his second day in office. President Barack Obama had said that the practice of so-called “enhanced interrogation techniques” amounted to a dark chapter in American history, reported the New York Times.

"By taking [certain] techniques off the table, we have made it more difficult -- in a whole host of circumstances I can imagine -- for CIA officers to defend the nation," Hayden said.

New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/20/us/politics/20CIA.html?ref=us
CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/19/cia.torture.chief/index.html

Posted by luess004 at 11:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

President Barack Obama said Friday that he sees 'glimmers of hope' of in the U.S. economy, reported the BBC.

Obama spoke after a meeting with his top economic advisers, and along with hope, he cautioned that the economic system is still under a 'severe strain', reported the BBC.

“You will be seeing additional actions by the administration,” Obama said after the meeting Friday, reported the New York Times.

The BBC reports that Obama said he and his team had discussed the stability of the financial system, the housing market and their plans to help clear the bank's books of bad assets.

The New York Times reported that there were indications of growing tension between the Obama administration and the nation's banks over the next steps of financial rescue.

"If we stick with it, if we don't flinch in the face of some difficulties, then I feel absolutely convinced that we are going to get this economy back on track,"Obama said, reported the BBC.

Obama referenced the increase in loans to small businesses, tax cut checks being distributed, and the new infrastructure and energy projects being started a signs of hope for the economy, according to the BBC.

"We still have a lot of work to do, and over the next several weeks you'll be seeing additional actions by the administration," Obama said.

BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7994186.stm
NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/11/business/economy/11bank.html?_r=1&hp

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President Barack Obama made an unexpected flight to Iraq Tuesday where he told U.S. troops it was the Iraqis turn to take over their country, reported the Star Tribune.

Meeting with top U.S commanders and Iraqi leaders, Obama said it was the beginning of the end of America's combat role in the conflict that has lasted six years and cost 4,265 lives of American soldiers, and thousands more Iraqi lives, reported the Star Tribune.

"You have given Iraq the opportunity to stand on its own as a democratic country. That is an extraordinary achievement," Obama told some 600 troops, reported the Star Tribune.

The unannounced flight into Iraq's dangerous war-zone came just hours after a car bomb killed eight Iraqis. Obama's four hour visit was limited to Camp Victory, the largest U.S. military base of the war, according to the Star Tribune.

Among thunderous cheers and applause, Obama predicted that the next year and half would be "trying" as U.S. troops begin leaving with still many security and political problems.

Obama also warned that Iraq's upcoming national elections would reveal its many unresolved political problems, reported the Pioneer Press.

In his meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, the president emphasized America's support in uniting opposing political factions such as assimilating the minority faciton Sunni's into the government and security forces.

"They have got to make political accommodations," Obama said. "They're going to have to decide that they want to resolve their differences through constitutional means and legal means."

Star Tribune: http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/president/42581057.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUycaEacyU
Pioneer Press: http://www.twincities.com/ci_12094245?nclick_check=1

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American officials condemned the launching of long-range rocket by North Korea on Sunday, reported CNN.

President Obama called it a "provacative act" reported CNN, and according to the New York Times called for new United Nations sanctions, laying out a new approach to American nuclear disarmament policy.

“In a strange turn of history, the threat of global nuclear war has gone down, but the risk of a nuclear attack has gone up,” Obama told a huge crowd in Prague’s central square, reported the New York TImes. “Black market trade in nuclear secrets and nuclear materials abound. The technology to build a bomb has spread.”

The rocket was a Taepodong 2 that North Korea launched around 11:30 a.m. local time Sunday at a base in the northeastern part of the country, reported CNN.

While the North Korean government described the event as a peaceful, successful launch of a satellite into orbit, American military intelligence called the launch a failure. Obama said it was a clear violation of a United Nations resolution that "expressly prohibits North Korea from conducting ballistic missile-related activities of any kind", reported CNN.

CNN reports that the United States and other nations fear the launch could serve as a test for a possible missile with a warhead attached, despite it being uncertain whether the payload of the rocket was a satellite.

"For the time being it is believed that North Korea launched a satellite. But we have yet to determine whether it was a success or not." said South Korean Foreign Minister Yoo Myung-Hwan, reported CNN.

CNN:http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/04/05/us.nkorea.reaction/index.html
NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/06/us/politics/06prexy.html?em

Posted by luess004 at 11:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Rick Wagoner, the chairman and chief executive of General Motors, resigned Sunday at the request of the White House, a government official confirmed, reported the BBC.

Wagoner, leader of the ailing automaker, said he would step down immediately after serving as G.M.'s CEO since 2000, reported the New York Times.

His resignation come as 'part of a broad agreement with the Obama administration to funnel more government aid to the ailing auto giant', according to people close to the decision, reported the New York Times.

President Barack Obama is readying outline terms over additional aid to GM as well as Chrysler, who is also struggling, reported the BBC.

The BBC reports that Chrysler is requesting an additional $5 billion, and GM another $16.7 billion. The two firms have already received $17.4bn (£14.4bn) in bail-outs.

GM had no comment on the resignation, but said that it would issue a statment after the President reveiled the details of his rescue plans for the American auto industry, reported the New York Times.

In an interview with CBS, Obama said the firms must do more to justify further aid, saying "they're not there yet", reported the BBC.

"We think we can have a successful US auto industry," said the President, reported the BBC. "But it's got to be one that's realistically designed to weather this storm and to emerge - at the other end - much more lean, mean, and competitive than it currently is."

The president’s task force is expected to announce more short-term aid for G.M. and Chrysler, but with stricter rules on the money as well as a deadline on getting concessions from union workers and creditors, reported the New York Times.

GM plans to cut some 47,000 jobs, and Chrysler another 3,000, while cutting some car models. The BBC reports that cuts will take place by the end of 2009, and represents the largest work-force reduction announced by a US firm in the current recession.

New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/30/business/30auto.html?hp
BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7971202.stm

Posted by luess004 at 10:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Seventeen people, children among them, died Sunday in a plane crash in Montana, reported the BBC.

The single-engine plane had been coming from Oroville, California, where it refueled and departed for Montana. The plane crashed just 500 feet from the runway at the airport in Butte, Montana, killing all 17 people aboard, reported CNN.

"There were some adults and children on board," said Police Chief Kirk Trostle, of the Oroville area, reported CNN. He noted this when the passengers had gotten out and stretched while the pilot refueld the plane.

The plane was originally headed for Bozeman, Montana, but the pilot had rerouted the flight plan to go to Butte. Early reports show that the pilot did not declare an emergency on the plane before it crashed, said Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Mike Fergus, reported CNN.

"We think that it was probably a ski trip for the kids," Mr Fergus said to the BBC.

Martha Guidoni said she and her husband witnessed the crash, where they "watched this plane just take a nosedive."

The plane was a Pilatus PC-12 Swiss-made turboprop aircraft, built in 2001 reported CNN.

CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/03/22/montana.plane.crash/index.html
BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7958383.stm

Posted by luess004 at 10:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

'Watchmen' weighs in at the top spot in the box office with $55.7 million in ticket sales, reported the Star Tribune.

'Watchmen'', Director Zach Snyder's graphic novel adaptation of a team of twisted superheroes, becomes the 2009's largest grossing film so far after its opening weekend. CNN also reported that the film premiered in more theaters (3,611) than any other R-rated movie in history.

No one is failing to notice however that 'Watchmen's' $55.7 millions comes up short of Snyder's previous graphic novel film '300', which earned some $70.9 million its opening weekend.

Dan Fellman, head of distribution for "Watchmen" studio Warner Bros., said it was unfair to compare the two films, according to the Star Tribune.

"They're two different movies," Fellman said Sunday. "This is a movie that runs two hours and 45 minutes. That really only leaves the exhibitor with one showing a night. If you have an 8 o'clock show, the next show is at midnight. So with essentially one show a night, I think this is outstanding."

CNN reported that the film's audience declined over the weekend after pulling in strong numbers opening night and day. After $25.1 million Friday, 'Watchmen' only pulled in $19 million Saturday and $11.5 million Sunday.

The graphic novel film faced no other sizable competition at the box office, with Tyler Perry's 'Madea Goes to Jail' earning $8.8 million and 'Taken' garnering another $7.5 million.

CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/03/08/boxoffice.ew/index.html
Star Tribune: http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/movies/40923422.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUsr

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President Barack Obama is expected to lift restrictions on government funding for new stem cell lines on Monday, reported the BBC.

Officials say that Obama will revoke the ban by executive order on Monday, indicating a major change in U.S. policy since former President George Bush banned the use of any government money to fund research on human embryonic stem cell lines.

The debate has always been between scientists, which say the stem cell research would lead to major medical breakthroughs, and religious groups which oppose the research.

The Star Tribune reported that the president's overturning will make a major declaration that science — not political ideology — would guide his administration. The BBC reported a similar message, saying it would make clear that his administration wants scientific research to be free from political interference. It will also satisfy a campaign promise.

"We've got eight years of science to make up for," said Dr. Curt Civin to the Associated Press, whose research allowed scientists to isolate stem cells and who now serves as the founding director of the University of Maryland Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine. "Now, the silly restrictions are lifted."

It is also thought that the timing of the announcement and the order is to allow enough time for health officials to create research guidelines before a deadline for government stimulus money runs out.

BBC:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7929690.stm
Star Tribune: http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/40929702.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUsT

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Two NFL players are among four boaters that are reported missing off Florida's Gulf Coast, said an agent for one of the players Sunday, reported CNN.

Detroit Lions defensive end Corey Smith and Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper are two of four that have been missing since Saturday when their boat disappeared in the waters off Clearwater, Florida.

The players were on a fishing trip aboard a 21-foot vessel that left Clearwater pass Saturday morning, but did not return as expected, reported the New York Times. A helicopter and a 47-foot boat were used by crews to search a 750-square mile area west of Clearwater Pass on Sunday according to the New York Times.

CNN reports that the Coast Guard said it was directing an extensive search Sunday for the boaters.

The Coast Guard dispatched a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat, HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, C-130 Hercules fixed-wing planes and a Cutter Crocodile to search 750 square miles west of Clearwater Pass, reported CNN.

Smith is currently a free agent with the NFL, and played defensive end for the Detroit Lions last season. The two other people on board were Nick Schulyer and Will Bleakly the Coast Guard told the New York Times.

CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/03/01/florida.missing.boaters/index.html
New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/03/01/sports/AP-Missing-Boaters-NFL.html?_r=1&hp

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Several Republican governors said Sunday that they will turn town some of the funds alloted to them by the stimulus plan signed into law last week by President Obama, reported CNN.

Despite support of federal action to aid their states during the recession, there is a major divide among Republican governors over whether the stimulus plan money will help or not, reported the New York Times.

The disagreements were clear among Republicans during the annual National Governor's Association meeting, over differences in approach to their state's deficits, as well as reactions to the president's new stimulus bill.

"If we were to take the unemployment reform package that they have, it would cause us to raise taxes on employment when the money runs out -- and the money will run out in a couple of years," Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour told CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday.

Also in agreement are Republican governors of Alaska, Idaho, Lousiana, South Caroline and Texas.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California said he is in support of the stimulus funds, and told CNN that he does not foresee a need for a tax hike in the future to sustain the unemployment provisions.

"I don't like this bill, but it is now the law. ... It's now our responsibility and opportunity to try to implement it," Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty told "Fox News Sunday", said CNN.

CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/22/stimulus.governors/index.html
NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/23/us/politics/23govs.html?_r=1&ref=us

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With the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, the BBC and Star Tribune broke down its details and truths on Saturday.

The $787 billion Stimulus Plan passed in Congress Friday, and will be signed into law by President Barack Obama next week, where the Star Tribune reports the stimulus will go to "paychecks to pavement, health insurance to schools."

The BBC reports that the plan is made of tax cuts, infrastructure investments, and aid to states dealing with their own budget deficits. Around one-third will go to tax cuts, and the infrastructure projects will include repairing roads, bridges and classrooms, and improving home insulation.

The Star Tribune gave details on the tax cuts, including tax breaks for "families that send a child to college, purchase a new car, buy a first home or make the ones they own more energy efficient." They also said the plan allots $87 billion for states to administer Medicaid, $90 billion for infrastructure projects, and $42 billion for energy-related investments.

"The stimulus package is likely to reduce the severity of the recession, although not eliminate its impact entirely" according to the independent Congressional Budget Office reported the BBC, but that much will depend on the reactions of citizens and government officials. Tax cuts will need to be spent rather than saved to be beneficial, while infrastructure projects must not be delayed or slow to be implemented.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment plan will be funded by borrowed money, likely pushing the year's budget deficit over $1 trillion.

BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7874407.stm
Star Tribune: http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/congress/39610517.html?page=2&c=y

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The United States Senate approved the $838 billion economic stimulus plan on Tuesday reported the BBC.

The stimulus bill was passed in the Democrat-controlled Senate by a vote of 61-37, with the crucial support of 3 Republicans. Intense talks and negotiations now begin to merge the Senate bill and the version the House of Representatives passed last week.

President Obama says the stimulus bill will create some 4 million jobs and jumpstart the economy. He has called to have the final bill on his desk by Feb. 16 and said that today's vote was a good start.

"We've still got to get the House bill and the Senate bill to match up before it gets sent to my desk, so we have a little more work to do over the next couple of days,"said Obama.

The New York Times reports that officials have said that negotiations were on the fast track to possibly have the legislation completed by the end of the week.

“You are in the legislative branch,�?said White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel. “Anything is possible." He added, "Everybody knows the seriousness of the economic crisis.�?

Along with Emanunel, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate majority leader Harry Reid and other senators close to the stimulus bill worked through the night to reconcile the two versions of the bill.

“We’re not there," Reid told the New York Times, "but we have made a significant amount of progress in the last 10 hours."

BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7882143.stm
NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/11/us/politics/11obama.html?_r=1&hp

Posted by luess004 at 12:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

President Barack Obama said Friday that the Senate's delay on the passage of his some $900 billion stimulus plan is irresponsible and inexcusable the BBC reported.

"The situation could not be more serious," said the president. "It is time for Congress to act."

Pushed by Obama's reaction, the Senate resumed its efforts Friday to come to an agreement on the plan, the New York Times reported. They are likely to vote on the stimulus bill late Friday according to Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid.

This all after the Labor Department released a new economic report showing that in January alone, 600,000 Americans lost their jobs; the worst month of job losses in 35 years.

The stimulus bill is largely made up of tax cuts and investments in job creation. Moderate members of both parties are hoping to cut some $90 billion out of the plan, as they jockey and debate for a compromise.

The House of Representatives passed their version of the stimulus package last week, and if the Senate approves their plan, the two versions will have to merged by a joint House-Senate commitee before a final vote. President Obama has said he wants the bill to be completed and on his desk to sign into action by February 16.

“If we succeed, there will be plenty of credit to go around," said Senator Reid, "But if we fail, our entire country will suffer the consequences.�?

BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7875520.stm
NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/07/us/politics/07stimulus.html?_r=1&hp

Posted by luess004 at 2:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The House of Representatives passed Barack Obama's $819 billion stimulus bill Wednesday evening.

The bill was passed along party lines with an overall vote of 244 to 188, garnering no republican support despite the new president's serious efforts for a bipartisan backing according to CNN. Republicans claim the bill is too expensive and will not create new jobs, while Obama believes it will create a healthy environment for the American economy to prosper.

"I hope that we can continue to strengthen this plan before it gets to my desk.We must move swiftly and boldly to put Americans back to work, and that is exactly what this plan begins to do," said President Obama in a post-vote statement.

The economic stimulus plan is compromised of major tax cuts for people and businesses, as well as initiatives to put money into infrastructure repair, unemployment benefits, school renovations, and a green electricity grid.

The bill will likely be considered by the Senate next week, where the slimmer Democratic majority could create more resistance reported the BBC. The Democrats will need sixty votes for passage, which is expected, but the issue is about the extent of the support. They hope to have the bill on the president's desk by mid-february to be signed into law.

CNN: http://money.cnn.com/2009/01/28/news/economy/house_vote_wednesday/index.htm?cnn=yes
BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7857276.stm

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