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Quote of the day. "Today, I have submitted my official formal request to the council to cancel the election result. I urge you, Iranian nation, to continue your nationwide protests in a peaceful and legal way." Mir Hossein Mousavi, a defeated candidate in Iran's presidential election, on the disputed election results. (Al Jazeera)
Health care. Obama Under Pressure to Push Unpopular Tax on Health Benefits “The White House is caught in a battle within its own party over how to finance a comprehensive overhaul of America's health-care system , as key Democrats advocate a tax plan that could require President Obama to break his campaign pledge not to raise taxes on the middle class.” Obama Open to Reining in Medical Suits “In closed-door talks, Mr. Obama has been making the case that reducing malpractice lawsuits — a goal of many doctors and Republicans — can help drive down health care costs, and should be considered as part of any health care overhaul, according to lawmakers of both parties, as well as A.M.A. officials.” Obama outlines $313 billion in Medicare, Medicaid spending cuts “Under pressure to pay for his ambitious reshaping of the nation's healthcare system, President Obama on Saturday outlined $313 billion in Medicare and Medicaid spending cuts over the next decade to help cover the cost of expanding coverage to tens of millions of America's uninsured.”
Climate change. Democrats Struggling for Consensus on Climate, Energy Bills “Democratic allies remain at odds over provisions of a House climate bill and a Senate energy bill, even as congressional leaders and Obama administration officials are pressing to complete work on the legislation.”
Joan Kroc & Salvation Army. Plan for Dozens of Salvation Army Centers Falters “At her death in 2003, Joan B. Kroc, the widow of the founder of the McDonald’s Corporation, left a grand idea and $1.8 billion to make it happen. She wanted the Salvation Army to build some 30 lavish community centers around the nation, … But more than five years later, her plan is sputtering.”
Hard times. California's hard times driving people back to the 'Dust Bowl' “Fleeing the Great Depression and a drought unprecedented in American history, a vast wave of Oklahomans and Texans dubbed "Okies" loaded everything they could onto crowded vehicles during the 1930s and headed west for California. Today, in huge numbers, their grandchildren are moving back. The reasons: low housing prices and jobs.” Finding Purpose in Serving the Needy, Not Just Haute Cuisine “About 40 trained chefs now work at 28 food banks affiliated with Feeding America, a nonprofit network based in Chicago, double the number a decade ago,”
Vegetable gardens. Recession Leads to More People Buying Seeds, Trying to Grow Vegetables “In 1784, an Englishman named David Landreth opened a seed store in downtown Philadelphia, confident that newly independent Americans would also want the freedom of growing their own food. … But if Landreth were looking down on his enterprise today, he probably would be grinning. After years in the doldrums, the consumer demand for vegetable seeds has abruptly climbed at a rate even industry veterans have never seen.”
Iran election. Tens of thousands defy rally ban in Tehran Tens of thousands of Iranian opposition activists have taken to the streets of Iran for a third day protesting against the disputed presidential election, defying a ban by the Interior Ministry. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei orders inquiry into vote-rigging claims in Iranian poll “The turmoil following Iran's disputed presidential election intensified today, after the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ordered an investigation into claims of vote rigging and an opposition protest rally was cancelled amid fears protestors would be fired upon.” Iran's supreme leader orders probe of vote fraud “Iran's supreme leader today ordered an investigation into allegations of election fraud, marking a stunning turnaround by the country's most powerful figure and offering hope to opposition forces who have waged street clashes to protest the reelection of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.” Iran bans pro-Mousavi rally “Supporters of Mir Hossein Mousavi, a defeated candidate in Iran's presidential election, have called off a rally to protest against the re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad after the authorities refused to permit the march.” Iran tries to put a lid on election protests “Iran's capital erupted in violence and civil disobedience for a second day Sunday, as protesters angered by what they consider rampant vote fraud in Friday's presidential election hurled rocks, set fire to storefronts and shouted anti-government slogans.” In Iran, Mousavi Exhorts Election Protesters “A defiant Mir Hossein Mousavi, leading an opposition movement against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, called on his supporters Sunday to continue protesting the outcome of the election in which the incumbent was proclaimed the landslide winner.”
Netanyahu & Palestinian state. PM accepts limited Palestinian state “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday said he would agree to the establishment of a Palestinian state, on condition that it be demilitarized and that its leaders recognize Israel as a Jewish nation-state.” Netanyahu Backs Palestinian State, With Caveats “The prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, on Sunday endorsed for the first time the principle of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, but on condition that the state was demilitarized and that the Palestinians recognized Israel as the state of the Jewish people.” Netanyahu relents on goal of 2 states “Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu bowed to U.S. pressure Sunday and accepted the goal of a Palestinian state. But it was unclear whether the breakthrough, welcomed by President Obama, would lead to a revival of peace talks with the Palestinians, who immediately rejected the sharp limits Netanyahu would place on their nation's sovereignty.” Palestinians reject Israeli terms “Palestinian officials have condemned a major policy speech by Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, saying it had "closed the door" on moves to reach an agreement between the two sides.”
Pakistan. Pakistan to ramp up fight against Taliban after market bombing “Pakistan announced late Sunday that it planned to expand its offensive against Taliban militants into the troubled South Waziristan region. The announcement came just hours after a bomb in a crowded market killed eight people and wounded 38.” Pakistan to Strike at Leader of Taliban “A Pakistani government official said late Sunday that the country’s military had been ordered to start an operation against the Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud, the first official confirmation of plans to pursue him.” Pakistan declares war on Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud “The move signals that Islamabad is serious about fighting Islamic extremism, but promises to engulf the country in bloodshed. Mehsud's terrorist network spans Pakistan and he has grown so powerful that U.S. officials believe he poses an "existential" threat to nuclear-armed Pakistan, a key American ally.”
Editorial. Doctors and the Cost of Care (New York Times) “As the debate over health care reform unfolds, policy makers and the public need to focus more attention on doctors and the huge role they play in determining the cost of medical care — costs that are rising relentlessly.”
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