Jimmy Carter: Racism Behind Opposition To Obama?

US President Obama has been the target of some very stringent criticism recently. In a gathering, which was held few days ago, Rep. Joe Wilson had suddenly shouted “you lie” at Obama while the President’s speech on the much discussed and somewhat controversial healthcare plan was going on. In this context Jimmy Carter who is a former president of US, has said that he thinks much of the criticism as well as opposition that Obama has to face is due to his color, or in other words it emanates from a racist perspective.

Blagojevich attending funeral for former fundraiser, who died of suspected overdose

WESTERN SPRINGS, Ill. — Ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is attending the funeral for his former chief fundraiser, who authorities say died of a suspected overdose.

Biden meets with political leaders, 3 suspects in rocket attack released

BAGHDAD — Vice President Joe Biden met with senior Iraqi officials on his first full day in Iraq on Wednesday as he sought to smooth political differences among its fractious political leadership as the American military moves ahead with plans to pull troops out of the country.

BRE Properties picks Stephanie Andre to be vice president, treasurer

SAN FRANCISCO — BRE Properties Inc., which owns apartment buildings in California, Arizona and Washington, on Wednesday appointed Stephanie Andre as vice president, treasurer, effective immediately.

Mugabe calls for investment in Zimbabwe, says property rights will be respected

HARARE, Zimbabwe — President Robert Mugabe told businessmen Wednesday that their potential investments in Zimbabwe would be safe, while the finance minister announced the country is $5.7 billion in debt.

House ethics panel defers investigation of Jesse Jackson Jr. at request of law enforcement

WASHINGTON — The House ethics committee said Wednesday it will put off for now an expanded investigation into whether Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. or his representatives tried to buy President Barack Obama’s former Senate seat.

EU farmers in white heat over low milk prices, dump millions of quarts (liters) in protest

BRUSSELS — Belgian farmers sprayed 3 million liters (790,000 gallons) of fresh milk onto their fields Wednesday, furious over the low milk prices they say are bankrupting farmers.

Full, uncertified Afghan vote tally shows Karzai at 54 percent; fraud probes pending

KABUL — Afghanistan’s election commission released preliminary vote totals Wednesday showing President Hamid Karzai with 54.6 percent of the vote in the first full results to be released since the country’s Aug. 20 election.

Sen. Baucus releases long-awaited health overhaul bill; would cost $856 billion over 10 years

WASHINGTON — Sen. Max Baucus on Wednesday brought out the much-awaited Finance Committee version of an American health-system remake — a landmark $856 billion, 10-year measure that starts a rough ride through Congress without visible Republican backing.

Obama’s ‘jackass’ remark about Kanye West was off the record, says CNBC

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama’s ‘jackass’ remark about Kanye West were off the record, claimed John Harwood, CNBC’s chief Washington correspondent.

‘Embarrassed’ Musharraf’s close aides shying away from commenting on his misdeeds

ISLAMABAD - : Close aides of former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf are too embarrassed and are shying away from responding to the former general’s claims that he had taken the November 3, 2007 actions only after consulting various top officials, including the then Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and the current Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani.

‘Austerity drive may be extended to MPs after an all party meet’

NEW DELHI - The UPA Government’s austerity drive is expected to be extended to all Members of Parliament (MPs) following an all party meeting, according to sources.

Syria’s president, Turkey’s prime minister discuss stalled peace process with Israel

ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey encouraged Syria on Wednesday to think of ways to revive the stalled peace talks with Israel, but the Syrian president said Israel does not appear to be a partner in the process.

Linda McMahon steps down as World Wrestling CEO to run for Dodd’s US Senate seat from Conn.

STAMFORD, Conn. — World Wrestling Entertainment Inc., the sports entertainment company behind shows such as “Friday Night SmackDown,” said Wednesday that Linda McMahon has resigned as its CEO to seek the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Connecticut Democrat Christopher Dodd.

Musharraf may avoid noose but won’t be playing golf in Pak for long time: Editorial

ISLAMABAD - With President Asif Ali Zardari disclosing that his predecessor General Pervez Musharraf was given a ’safe exit’ from the country, it appears, Musharraf may have avoided a high treason trial for his unconstitutional actions, but according to an editorial there is hardly any possibility of the former general returning to Pakistan in the near future.

European Parliament gives Jose Manuel Barroso 2nd term as European Commission president

STRASBOURG, France — The European Parliament gave Jose Manuel Barroso another five-year term as European Commission president Wednesday, but its vote reflected lingering misgivings about the conservative ex-Portuguese premier.

Israel rejects call for independent inquiry into Gaza war, says its military probes are enough

JERUSALEM — Israel on Wednesday rejected U.N. calls to open an independent inquiry into its conduct during last winter’s Gaza Strip military offensive and said it would launch a diplomatic offensive to block any attempt to bring its soldiers before an international war crimes tribunal.

THE INFLUENCE GAME: Health interests donate $11 million to senators crafting health overhaul

WASHINGTON — Sen. Max Baucus, a leader in the troubled effort in Congress to write a health care overhaul bill, has received more campaign donations from the health industry than any elected federal official except President Barack Obama and three other senators.

US farmers on verge of giant corn harvest after good weather, but frost could chill high hopes

DES MOINES, Iowa — Darrel McAlexander has been farming for 43 years and he’s never seen his corn crop look so good.

Czech constitutional court cancels early elections in October; President slams court ruling

PRAGUE — The Czech Constitutional Court ruled Thursday that early national elections scheduled for Oct. 9-10 will not take place because the law that allowed them to occur suspended the constitution.

Russia, Venezuela sign package of oil deals

MOSCOW - Russia and Venezuela signed Thursday a package of deals, including one to develop the Latin American country’s Orinoco oil belt, with estimated reserves of 235 billion barrels of heavy oil.

Brown, Obama say ties are as ’strong as ever,’ despite furor over Lockerbie bomber’s release

LONDON — British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Thursday discussed the release of the Lockerbie bomber with President Barack Obama in their first talks since U.S. officials criticized Scotland’s decision to free the man.

Obama: Accepts Rep. Wilson’s apology, says he’s big believer ‘that we all make mistakes’

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says he accepts Republican Rep. Joe Wilson’s apology for shouting “You lie!” at the president during his speech to Congress Wednesday night.

55 percent polling in by-polls in seven states (Roundup)

NEW DELHI - Nearly 55 percent polling was recorded Thursday for by-polls to 20 assembly constituencies in seven states - an exercise seen as the first major popularity test for various parties after the Lok Sabha elections.

Iraqi shoe thrower might use star power to promote humanitarian causes after prison release

BAGHDAD — The Iraqi television reporter who threw his shoes at former President George W. Bush in one of the more bizarre episodes of the Iraq war might use his new iconic status in Iraq to promote humanitarian causes, his family said.

Vandals attack church near Bangalore

BANGALORE - A mob Thursday attacked a church at Hebbagudi near here and damaged the statues of Mother Mary and Infant Jesus in the premises, police said, adding that a hunt was on to nab the vandals.

Health Insurers’ stocks gain ground following Obama speech on health care reform

NEW YORK — Shares of health insurers gained some ground Thursday after President Barack Obama reaffirmed his commitment to reforming the health care system in a televised speech to a joint session of Congress.

Zardari rejects Obama’s AFPAK policy

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday questioned the efficacy of President Barack Obama’s AFPAK policy that links US policy on Pakistan and Afghanistan to ending a Taliban insurgency in the region.

Western Command Air and Army chiefs meet

CHANDIGARH - Lt. Gen. T K Sapru, GOC-in-C, Western Command and Air Marshal N A K Browne, AOC-in-C, Western Air command met at the Western Command headquarters at Chandimandir on Thursday.

With lifestyle diseases on the rise, healthcare should be future focus: Ansari

RANCHI - Vice President M Hamid Ansari on Thursday said with the number of lifestyle diseases increasing, healthcare facilities should be strengthened to meet future demands of the country.