AP Political NewsBrief at 4:01 pm EDT

 

Thursday, Apr 16,2009, 1:15:41 PM   Click:

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Obama willing to represent the United States as a partner for the Americas
WASHINGTON (AP) _ Add this challenge to Barack Obama Travel in Latin America: to convince the leaders of half the globe that the monster of power to the north is a humble, eager partner. Obama's priority list for the trip that begins Thursday is stacked with topics of concern throughout the Western Hemisphere _ crippling recession, global warming, drug trafficking, the gloom of poverty. The crime, despair and political unrest in the south of the border can be harmful to U.S. interests.


EPA selected 50 sites to boost money
WASHINGTON (AP) _ Fifty of the most polluted and hazardous waste sites were selected Wednesday to receive a federal stimulus money to continue the cleanup. The Environmental Protection Agency announced that $ 528 million in recently approved economic stimulus funds that would be used to help clean up sites in 28 states.


Republicans criticize report on groups of extreme right
WASHINGTON (AP) _ Some Republicans have criticized a Homeland Security Department intelligence assessment, saying it unfairly described as veterans of the extremist right. House Republican leader John Boehner said he wants the Homeland Security Department to apologize to veterans.



United States, Europe mull next steps on Iran
WASHINGTON (AP) _ Top U.S. and European diplomats met Wednesday to plan a way forward to deal with Iran's suspected nuclear program, just hours after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he was ready to build a new relationship with the United States. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and foreign policy of the European Union chief Javier Solana, met for talks on Iran just hours after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he was open to seeking new ways to deal with the United States. Ahmadinejad said he is preparing new proposals to break the impasse with the West over its nuclear program in the country.


United States to assist shippers to improve the defenses of the high seas
WASHINGTON (AP) _ Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Wednesday the State Department will work with shippers and insurers to improve their defense against hackers, part of a diplomatic initiative to thwart attacks on commercial vessels off the coast of Somalia. "These pirates are criminals, they are armed to the sea route and these attacks must be stopped," said Clinton, the State Department.


DEA: Mexican cartels pushed south
WASHINGTON (AP) _ drug cartels in Mexico are creeping south in Central America, the enforcement of drug in the United States said Wednesday that the Obama administration put new pressure on drug use pivots to come President's visit to Mexico City. Drug Enforcement Administration said there are growing signs of intensified efforts of law enforcement on the US-Mexico border are the lifeblood of cartels south to Central America.


Obama: Getting the fear of the deadline date
WASHINGTON (AP) _ President said Barack Obama on tax filing day it aims to facilitate the fear of the deadline day with "a simple tax code that rewards work and the pursuit of the American dream." "For too long we have seen taxes as a corner to scare people into supporting policies that increased the burden on workers instead of helping them to live their dreams," Obama said. "This must change, and that the work we started."


U.S. sailors who have thwarted pirates steal home in the United States
WASHINGTON (AP) _ The merchant seamen of the United States who took their boat back from Somali pirates flew back Wednesday to join their families and wait for the boss recognizing released after five days as a hostage. "I like kissing my mother," third mate Colin Wright said before the crew of the Maersk Alabama left Kenya aboard a special flight to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.



Apparent Protesters throw tea bags at the White House
WASHINGTON (AP) _ The Secret Service says a suspicious package on top of the fence and the White House on the North Lawn was not dangerous. Tax protesters threw what appeared to be a box of tea bags at the White House on Wednesday, prompting officials to the isolation of the complex. The Secret Service also used a robot to inspect the package thrown into a clear act of defiance meant to echo the rebellion of the Boston Tea Party.


White House seeks gov't health plan compromise
WASHINGTON (AP) _ President Barack Obama's senior adviser for health said Wednesday a compromise is within reach on a health plan of the government of the middle class that would not drive private insurers from business. Offering coverage for government workers and their families has become one of the most controversial issues in the debate on reforming health care to cover the uninsured and reduce costs. Obama has proposed a public, and liberals insist it is an integral part of any final agreement. But the Conservatives and the fear that companies could open the door to a resumption of system administration.