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WASHINGTON - The State Department has a message for White House candidates wanting to expound on sensitive diplomatic issues: Shut up. Traditionally silent during presidential campaigns filled with divisive foreign policy debates, the department on Friday delivered a rebuke to would-be nominees of both parties whose recent comments have complicated U.S. efforts to overcome deep suspicion about the war on terrorism in the Muslim world. "Those who wish to hold office can speak for themselves and whoever is elected in 2008 and comes into office in 2009 will then be in a position to talk about what they intend or...

N Ireland SAS hero looks back  The Falls Road then ... In the summer of 1969, a young soldier warily patrols the troubled area of Belfast - the start of the Army's 38-year operation     August 01, 2007       SAS hero Andy McNab learnt his Army trade on the streets of Northern Ireland. During the 1970s it was one of the most dangerous places in the world.Today British troops officially pull out of Northern Ireland after 38 years.Operation Banner was the longest-running continuous campaign in Army history, with 300,000 soldiers serving and 763 killed by paramilitary terrorists.Here, as...

BELFAST, Northern Ireland (CNN) -- Northern Ireland's major Protestant and Catholic parties join together Tuesday to form a power-sharing government, marking a "new era of politics" and an end to three decades of sectarian conflict in the British province. Long the guiding hands over the peace process, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern will attend the swearing-in ceremony at Stormont, the Northern Ireland assembly, near Belfast. (Watch the long path Northern Ireland took to get to this point ) The breakthrough came in late March during the first face-to-face talks between the Protestants of Ian...

Dems Looking for Source of Troubles? Try a MirrorCommentary by Betty Arenson Monday March 26, 2007 The Democrats who were so hungry for power and proliferate with promises to make things better for the United States continue to fall short and disappoint us. We were promised an end to corruption and deception. However, we still have Rep. William Jefferson remaining unscathed in his House seat while the issue of his $100,000 bribe languishes. He was caught on tape, red-handed, taking the bribe, and the money was found in his home freezer. Everyone is completely mute on the subject. Democratic House...

President George W. Bush's poll numbers -- even among Republicans who are hapy about tax cuts and the judicial appointments -- scream trouble. Trace the dismal numbers to three things -- the war in Iraq, spending, and Bush's perceived soft stance on illegal aliens. Let's go over them. As to the war in Iraq, the Bush administration argues that mainstream media ignores good news and focuses on the bad. General Barry McCaffrey, who worked as a division commander in the first Persian Gulf War before becoming President Clinton's drug czar, recently returned from Iraq. McCaffrey reported his findings in a...

Former Police Chief Jerry Sanders defeated Councilwoman Donna Frye last night to become San Diego's 34th mayor, capturing the decisive victory that eluded his predecessor a year ago. Both addressed their supporters about 11 p.m., with Sanders declaring victory and saying he was very proud to be elected, and Frye saying she planned to call him shortly to congratulate him. "In late 2004 and 2005, as I watched the meltdown at City Hall, I knew I had something to offer – the experience and the skill to turn things around," Sanders said to loud applause. "To my surprise, I discovered...

How CNN brought the message to States  By Sean O'Driscoll 29 July 2005 When the CNN anchorwoman announced that they were now going "live to Northern Ireland, specifically Dublin" you knew it wasn't going to go well. Having rearranged the geography of Ireland, CNN was ready to bring Sinn Fein to America. Hours after the IRA had released their statement to the world's media, CNN announced to America that "according to sources" the IRA had made a major breakthrough and were ready to give up their weapons. Bringing you the world for 25 years, this is CNN. And so...

SACRAMENTO - California has put a lot of expenses on plastic lately and may add billions more next year. In March 2004, voters approved $27 billion worth of borrowing, including a $15 billion bond to refinance state debt. Last fall, they passed a $3 billion bond to pay for research into stem-cell technology, along with $750 million for seismic improvements at children's hospitals. Since then, legislation to place almost $30 billion in new borrowing on next year's fall ballot has passed initial committee tests. The bonds -- which could pay for projects ranging from a new courthouse in downtown San...

The word in Michael Jackson circles is that the beleaguered pop star has found a white knight: billionaire Ron Burkle. Jackson has gone to the tycoon hoping that Burkle, who is reportedly worth $2.3 billion, can stave off the former King of Pop's much-needed sale of his portion of Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Jackson is currently at risk of defaulting on over $270 million in loans from Bank of America. Burkle owns the largest supermarket chain in America, thanks to his acquisition of Kroger Stores. He is also the largest supplier of produce to McDonald's. His Yucaipa Companies also owns the...

SAN DIEGO – San Diego City Attorney Michael Aguirre called Tuesday on Mayor Dick Murphy and members of the City Council to conditionally accept findings of his reports on the city's debt-ridden pension plan. The request was the first of eight recommendations Aguirre described as "an integrated plan" and "the things we need to get us out" of current problems. The second of two reports on the pension deficit – released by Aguirre on Feb. 9 – alleged "substantial evidence" that Murphy and the council committed civil violations of federal securities laws. Murphy has denied the allegations in the report,...

WASHINGTON - Despite President Bush (news - web sites)'s clear margin of victory in the 2004 presidential race, voting and civil rights advocates say the election did not go as smoothly as Americans might think. Reports of long lines at some polling places, voting machine errors, absentee ballots that never arrived and problems with provisional ballots dominated a daylong conference Tuesday, and experts said more changes are needed to eliminate obstacles to voting. "We learned on Election Day that our voting methods remain troubled and that many Americans continue to experience difficulty navigating a system that falls far short of our...

An offer that could lead to the IRA's demise was made by republicans as part of a deal to restore devolution in Northern Ireland, political sources said yesterday.Talks to find a solution to the province's two-year political impasse continued last night.   The IRA offered to decommission Gerry Adams, the Sinn Fein leader, offered to decommission most of the IRA's arsenal and a form of guarantee to end all paramilitary activity was put on the table.Before the summit at Leeds Castle in Kent started Mr Adams prepared republicans for an end to the IRA by saying that the terrorist...

Museum lays off all of its employees The African American Museum in Philadelphia cited delays in large donations. Volunteers are keeping the building open. By Anthony S. Twyman and Patricia Horn Inquirer Staff Writers The African American Museum in Philadelphia has laid off its entire paid staff because of a short-term budget shortfall and is operating with volunteers, the museum's director said yesterday. Harry Harrison, the museum's president and chief executive officer, said that on Monday he laid off 15 full-time workers and four part-time employees, primarily because corporate and foundation donations expected in March are now due in June....

<p>SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Despite chronic budget troubles, University of California officials have approved a $27,300 pay raise for a UC San Francisco executive.</p> <p>The 12.9 percent hike for Bruce Spaulding, vice chancellor at UCSF, was approved by UC President Robert Dynes and Board of Regents' chairman John Moores.</p>

Mrs Blair's troubles are not unlike those of Hillary Clinton - it's an image thing By Donald Macintyre 06 December 2002 Let's suppose that Cherie Booth had issued the statement she made yesterday late on Saturday night when The Mail on Sunday broke That Story. It's highly unlikely that it would have survived beyond Tuesday, let alone generated the unbridled media excitement it began to do yesterday. Let's further suppose that in some carefully selected television slot a little later she gave an interview in which she said: "Look, we don't own any property in the south. I wanted to...