UPDATE: House adjourns; overtime likely

Updated 3:07 p.m.The House of Delegates has adjourned until noon Saturday as negotiators from each chamber continue to seek a deal on the state budget.House Majority Leader H. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, said that while it remains possible, he does not consider it likely that lawmakers will approve a budget in time to adjourn on Saturday.Earlier:RICHMOND — Two days of legislative negotiations have produced modest advances toward a new state budget, but both sides say a shift in attitudes may be the most promising development.A dozen lawmakers expected to toil late into Thursday evening hoping to shake hands on a deal by Friday. With a deal in place...

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Israeli troops, Palestinians clash near Jerusalem

By DALIA NAMMARIThe Associated PressSaturday, March 13, 2010; 11:30 AMJERUSALEM -- Several dozen Palestinian women scuffled with Israeli troops on the outskirts of Jerusalem on Saturday amid rising religious and political tensions in the disputed city.The confrontation erupted at the Qalandiya crossing between the West Bank and Jerusalem.The women chanted "Jerusalem is Arab, our eternal capital," briefly planted a Palestinian flag on one of the crossing's metal gates and tried to push through it. Israeli troops scuffled with the women and dispersed them with tear gas. At one point, a firebomb hit a military jeep and soldiers rushed to extinguish...

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Democrats seek agreement, vote on health care

By DAVID ESPOAP Special CorrespondentUnder White House pressure to act swiftly, House and Senate Democratic leaders reached for agreement Friday on President Barack Obama's health care bill, sweetened suddenly by fresh billions for student aid and a sense that breakthroughs are at hand."It won't be long," before lawmakers vote, predicted Speaker Nancy Pelosi. She said neither liberals' disappointment over the lack of a government health care option nor a traditional mistrust of the Senate would prevent passage in the House.At the White House, officials worked to maximize Obama's influence over lawmakers who control the fate of legislation that...

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Obama pushing on health care end game

WASHINGTON—President Barack Obama is pushing a new anti-fraud plan and his top health official is challenging the nation's insurers as the administration cranks up the pressure for a sweeping overhaul of the nation's medical system. DiscussCOMMENTS (1)Obama is to speak Wednesday in suburban St. Louis, his second health care address in three days. His speech comes as congressional Democrats stand on the brink of delivering the president a dramatic success with passage of his massive overhaul legislation -- or a colossal failure if they can't get it done.As part of the administration's campaign, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius...

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Lost Boys star Corey Haim dies age 38 after 'drug overdose'

ACTOR Corey Haim has died at the age of 38 after an apparent accidental drug overdose.The actor who was best known for his role in the 1987 vampire film The Lost Boys, was found in an unresponsive state at an apartment, near Burbank, California.Police said Haim's mother was at the home at the time.The actor, who struggled with drug addiction, was pronounced dead Providence St. Joseph's Medical Centre.Canadian-born Haim was a teen heartthrob in the 1980s and appeared in several movies with fellow Lost Boys star Corey Feldman, with the two dubbed the Two Coreys.However, his career never took off and the quality of his roles steadily decreased.As...

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Roberts: Scene at State of Union 'Very Troubling'

U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts said Tuesday the scene at President Obama's first State of the Union address was "very troubling" and that the annual speech to Congress has "degenerated into a political pep rally."TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts said Tuesday the scene at President Obama's first State of the Union address was "very troubling" and that the annual speech to Congress has "degenerated into a political pep rally."Responding to a University of Alabama law student's question about the Senate's method of confirming justices, Roberts said senators improperly try to make political points by asking questions they know...

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Maddox is a brainy child besides speaking fluently Khmer

Maddox and Mom (AP)MADDOX JOLIE-PITT IS A BRAINY CHILD10th March 2010Daily Star (UK)NOT only does Maddox Jolie-Pitt have the world’s best-looking parents, he’s also got the brains of a mini-Einstein.Angelina Jolie, 34, and Brad Pitt, 46, have been raving to pals that their adopted eight-year-old from Cambodia is intellectually gifted and has a high IQ.A Hollywood source said: “Maddox is amazingly smart and loves books and tinkering with gadgets.He is a gifted painter and sketch artist, takes piano lessons, does well in football and speaks fluent English, French, Spanish and his native Khmer.”Yep, we feel slightly inadequate.Click to Read More...Posted...

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Obama Bypasses Members of Congress and Heads Right for Their Constituents

President Obama has finished trying to turn the Republican tide on health care reform and is now focusing his sights on average Americans. It is through their prism that Mr. Obama hopes to prod members of congress to urgently pass his health care reform legislation and he did so in full-on campaign style Monday in Pennsylvania.A deafening crowd welcomed the President to Arcadia University, just north of Philadelphia, where Mr. Obama told them he gets it."We need to give families and businesses more control over their own health insurance and that's why we need to pass health care reform; not next year, not five years from now, not ten years from...

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Is it still the man’s job to approach a woman?

During this Women’s Herstory Series, I want to discuss relevant issues that women face today while also honoring great women of the past and present. As the economy has moved away from the agrarian society and into the industrial sector, more women have left conventional roles of homemaker, housewife, and other domestic occupations. Now, we see more women in powerful positions making strides in the professional sector. Women have fought for equal rights, representation, and access to resources that their male counterparts freely enjoy. We demand equal pay and opportunity in all sectors both private and public. But for all of the fuss that women...

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Dr. Edgar Wayburn, Medal of Freedom Winner, Sierra Club Hon. President, dies at 103

A Towering Figure in the Modern Conservation MovementPublished on Mar 8, 2010 - 7:44:57 AMSan Francisco, CA Mar. 8, 2010 - Honorary Sierra Club President and Presidential Medal of Freedom winner, Dr. Edgar Wayburn died late Friday night at his home in San Francisco in the presence of his family. He was 103.The following is a letter from Sierra Club Deputy Executive Director, Bruce Hamilton, followed by a biography of Dr. Wayburn:"Ed Wayburn was one of the towering figures on the national and world stage of conservation. He was the 20th Century John Muir.""Ed would take a vision such as protecting 100 million acres of Alaska or protecting the...

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