Washington, United States (AHN) - U.S. State Department\'s special adviser for nonproliferation and arms control, Robert Einhorn, has announced that the Obama administration will try to persuade China, the UAE and other Asian, Middle Eastern and Latin American governments to support tough sanctions against Iran over its defiance on nuclear program.
Speaking at the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Einhorn said that China was particularly important to them in this regard, adding that he would raise the issue during his visit to the region at the end of next month. Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorist Financing Daniel Glaser would also accompany him at the visit.
"We need for them to enforce the Security Council resolutions conscientiously and we also need for them not to \'backfill\' when responsible countries have distanced themselves from Iran," he said.
Joseph Christoff, a top international affairs and trade official said that the United Nations\' sanctions on Iran have failed to stop China from aggressively investing in the Islamic nation. He hoped that China might argue on its dependency on Iran\'s energy sector to secure its oil and gas needs for their booming economy.
Einhorn said that Washington believes that they are overachieving in terms of their energy security needs. "We think they have to rebalance their priorities," he added.
Before going to China, the two diplomats will visit Japan and South Korea next week in a bid to get their Asian partners\' support against Iran. Stuart Levey, a top U.S. Treasury official in charge of sanctions, will start three-nation Middle East tour next month when he will visit - the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, and Bahrain.
Christoff is also looking to convince the UAE despite its closer bilateral relations with Iran and in spite of the fact that it is currently the No 1 exporter to the Islamic nation.
The department said that another delegation would travel to Brazil and Ecuador.
Washington, United States (AHN) - U.S. State Department\'s special adviser for nonproliferation and arms control, Robert Einhorn, has announced that the Obama administration will try to persuade China, the UAE and other Asian, Middle Eastern and Latin American governments to support tough sanctions against Iran over its defiance on nuclear program.
Speaking at the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Einhorn said that China was particularly important to them in this regard, adding that he would raise the issue during his visit to the region at the end of next month. Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorist Financing Daniel Glaser would also accompany him at the visit.
"We need for them to enforce the Security Council resolutions conscientiously and we also need for them not to \'backfill\' when responsible countries have distanced themselves from Iran," he said.
Joseph Christoff, a top international affairs and trade official said that the United Nations\' sanctions on Iran have failed to stop China from aggressively investing in the Islamic nation. He hoped that China might argue on its dependency on Iran\'s energy sector to secure its oil and gas needs for their booming economy.
Einhorn said that Washington believes that they are overachieving in terms of their energy security needs. "We think they have to rebalance their priorities," he added.
Before going to China, the two diplomats will visit Japan and South Korea next week in a bid to get their Asian partners\' support against Iran. Stuart Levey, a top U.S. Treasury official in charge of sanctions, will start three-nation Middle East tour next month when he will visit - the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, and Bahrain.
Christoff is also looking to convince the UAE despite its closer bilateral relations with Iran and in spite of the fact that it is currently the No 1 exporter to the Islamic nation.
The department said that another delegation would travel to Brazil and Ecuador.
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) - In less than a week after website WikiLeaks published tens and thousands of secret military documents on the Afghanistan war, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has sought the Federal Bureau of Investigation\'s assistance in investigating the leak.
Speaking at a press conference in Pentagon on Thursday, Gates confirmed that he contacted FBI director Robert Muller on Wednesday and sought his organization\'s assistance in the investigation as a partner.
Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen, who was also at the press conference, said that everyone knew about some of the problems highlighted in the leaked documents, however, he added that the release definitely caused the damage.
He further warned that the leak might prompt Afghan militants to attack on the sources identified in the documents, adding that it was potentially dangerous for the U.S. troops and allies. Mullen said that, "Leakers might already have on their hands the blood of some young soldier or that of an Afghan family".
Robert Gates said that the battlefield consequences of the release of these documents were potentially severe and dangerous for U.S. troops, their allies and Afghan partners, and might well damage their relationships and reputation in that key part of the world. "It is important that we have all the resources we need to investigate and assess this breach of national security," he added.
He also vowed to take tough actions against those who were responsible for the leak, adding that stringent methods will be applied in future to restrict access to classified documents.
Pentagon, meanwhile, suspected 22-year old intelligence analyst Bradley Manning\'s involvement in the leak. He is also believed to have accomplices in the military. Presently, he is in Kuwait in custody after he allegedly leaked other information earlier this year.
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) - In less than a week after website WikiLeaks published tens and thousands of secret military documents on the Afghanistan war, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has sought the Federal Bureau of Investigation\'s assistance in investigating the leak.
Speaking at a press conference in Pentagon on Thursday, Gates confirmed that he contacted FBI director Robert Muller on Wednesday and sought his organization\'s assistance in the investigation as a partner.
Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen, who was also at the press conference, said that everyone knew about some of the problems highlighted in the leaked documents, however, he added that the release definitely caused the damage.
He further warned that the leak might prompt Afghan militants to attack on the sources identified in the documents, adding that it was potentially dangerous for the U.S. troops and allies. Mullen said that, "Leakers might already have on their hands the blood of some young soldier or that of an Afghan family".
Robert Gates said that the battlefield consequences of the release of these documents were potentially severe and dangerous for U.S. troops, their allies and Afghan partners, and might well damage their relationships and reputation in that key part of the world. "It is important that we have all the resources we need to investigate and assess this breach of national security," he added.
He also vowed to take tough actions against those who were responsible for the leak, adding that stringent methods will be applied in future to restrict access to classified documents.
Pentagon, meanwhile, suspected 22-year old intelligence analyst Bradley Manning\'s involvement in the leak. He is also believed to have accomplices in the military. Presently, he is in Kuwait in custody after he allegedly leaked other information earlier this year.
New York, NY, United States (AHN) - Stocks finished lower for the second straight day on Thursday after utilities, consumer staples and technology firms reported disappointing second-quarter earnings and investors turned edgy ahead of Friday\'s second quarter GDP report.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 30.72 points or 0.3 percent to close at 10,467.
Standard & Poor\'s 500 index shed 4.6 points or 0.4 percent to finish at 1,102.
The Nasdaq Composite index fell 13 points or 0.6 percent to 2,252.
U.S. light crude for September delivery rose $1.40 to $78.39 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Comex gold delivery for August also rose $7.10 to $1,167 an ounce.
New York, NY, United States (AHN) - Stocks finished lower for the second straight day on Thursday after utilities, consumer staples and technology firms reported disappointing second-quarter earnings and investors turned edgy ahead of Friday\'s second quarter GDP report.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 30.72 points or 0.3 percent to close at 10,467.
Standard & Poor\'s 500 index shed 4.6 points or 0.4 percent to finish at 1,102.
The Nasdaq Composite index fell 13 points or 0.6 percent to 2,252.
U.S. light crude for September delivery rose $1.40 to $78.39 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Comex gold delivery for August also rose $7.10 to $1,167 an ounce.
New Orleans, LA, United States (AHN) - The government\'s overseer for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill described a three-pronged recovery plan Thursday that relies heavily on cooperation from New Orleans residents.
As oil company BP prepares to permanently seal the leaking well, retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen said the federal government is trying to organize efforts to repair the damage.
Meanwhile, a first hearing for the more than 200 lawsuits filed in the case was held Thursday in Boise, Idaho.
Allen met Thursday with Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and parish presidents on how to coordinate a local, state and federal response. He said their first priority is a regional recovery plan for which Allen wants local officials to submit ideas by next week.
At the same time, he is trying to revise procedures for minimizing the dangers from storms that could spread the leaked oil over a wider area.
A third part of the plan calls for the government to hire "vessels of opportunity" for the cleanup, Allen said.
He was referring to local boat operators, most of whom are fishermen prevented from fishing because of the oil.
Normally, the cleanup work would be done by contractors, Allen said. Now, the government wants to help the boat operators return to work by giving them jobs in the oil spill recovery.
As much as 5.2 million barrels of oil is estimated to have gushed into the Gulf of Mexico since gas and oil leaked from the well April 20 and ignited.
Before the recovery effort can start, BP and the Coast Guard must ensure the oil leak has been sealed.
The oil company has set a target date of Monday for a "static kill" procedure that involves pumping mud and cement down the well to plug it up.
Later in the week, BP officials said they hope to pump mud and cement through a relief well deep down into the well\'s shaft.
"We continue to make good progress towards both the static kill and the bottom relief well," Allen said during a press conference. "We look to be laying the casing line into the relief well later on this evening and cementing that."
Drilling for the relief wells started shortly after BP\'s Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded and sank, killing 11 crewmembers.
Even if the company is successful in permanently stopping the leak, its legal troubles are only starting.
On Thursday, a panel of federal judges met in Idaho to consider where lawsuits arising from the leak will be heard. The judges plan to consolidate all of the lawsuits into a single case.
New Orleans and Houston are the leading candidates for the class action lawsuit.
Attorneys for BP argued that Houston would be the best place for what is likely to be a lawsuit with an estimated $49 billion in damages paid by the oil company.
"The better access to evidence is in Houston," BP attorney Andrew Langan said during the 90-minute hearing.
Houston is an unofficial headquarters for the U.S. oil industry. It also is the site of BP\'s control center for the environmental disaster.
However, attorneys for people suing the British energy giant said a federal court in New Orleans should hear the case.
"The oil spill is a threat to our culture," said attorney Russ Hermann, who is representing fishermen, hotels and food processing companies. "This is the place that has suffered the most impact. That\'s why we want the pre-trial in the Eastern District of Louisiana."
Also being sued in the case are Transocean Ltd., which owns the sunken oil rig and leased it to BP, Cameron International Corp, the manufacturer of the blow-out preventer device that failed to shut down the well as it was designed to do, and Halliburton Energy Services, which built the rig.
New Orleans, LA, United States (AHN) - The government\'s overseer for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill described a three-pronged recovery plan Thursday that relies heavily on cooperation from New Orleans residents.
As oil company BP prepares to permanently seal the leaking well, retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen said the federal government is trying to organize efforts to repair the damage.
Meanwhile, a first hearing for the more than 200 lawsuits filed in the case was held Thursday in Boise, Idaho.
Allen met Thursday with Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and parish presidents on how to coordinate a local, state and federal response. He said their first priority is a regional recovery plan for which Allen wants local officials to submit ideas by next week.
At the same time, he is trying to revise procedures for minimizing the dangers from storms that could spread the leaked oil over a wider area.
A third part of the plan calls for the government to hire "vessels of opportunity" for the cleanup, Allen said.
He was referring to local boat operators, most of whom are fishermen prevented from fishing because of the oil.
Normally, the cleanup work would be done by contractors, Allen said. Now, the government wants to help the boat operators return to work by giving them jobs in the oil spill recovery.
As much as 5.2 million barrels of oil is estimated to have gushed into the Gulf of Mexico since gas and oil leaked from the well April 20 and ignited.
Before the recovery effort can start, BP and the Coast Guard must ensure the oil leak has been sealed.
The oil company has set a target date of Monday for a "static kill" procedure that involves pumping mud and cement down the well to plug it up.
Later in the week, BP officials said they hope to pump mud and cement through a relief well deep down into the well\'s shaft.
"We continue to make good progress towards both the static kill and the bottom relief well," Allen said during a press conference. "We look to be laying the casing line into the relief well later on this evening and cementing that."
Drilling for the relief wells started shortly after BP\'s Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded and sank, killing 11 crewmembers.
Even if the company is successful in permanently stopping the leak, its legal troubles are only starting.
On Thursday, a panel of federal judges met in Idaho to consider where lawsuits arising from the leak will be heard. The judges plan to consolidate all of the lawsuits into a single case.
New Orleans and Houston are the leading candidates for the class action lawsuit.
Attorneys for BP argued that Houston would be the best place for what is likely to be a lawsuit with an estimated $49 billion in damages paid by the oil company.
"The better access to evidence is in Houston," BP attorney Andrew Langan said during the 90-minute hearing.
Houston is an unofficial headquarters for the U.S. oil industry. It also is the site of BP\'s control center for the environmental disaster.
However, attorneys for people suing the British energy giant said a federal court in New Orleans should hear the case.
"The oil spill is a threat to our culture," said attorney Russ Hermann, who is representing fishermen, hotels and food processing companies. "This is the place that has suffered the most impact. That\'s why we want the pre-trial in the Eastern District of Louisiana."
Also being sued in the case are Transocean Ltd., which owns the sunken oil rig and leased it to BP, Cameron International Corp, the manufacturer of the blow-out preventer device that failed to shut down the well as it was designed to do, and Halliburton Energy Services, which built the rig.
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) - Top defense officials from the Obama administration on Thursday called 92,000 leaked U.S. documents on the Afghan war, "dangerous" risks for Americans in battle and for diplomatic relationships.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Admiral Mike Mullen addressing a joint press conference at the Pentagon, condemned the leaks by the website WikiLeaks, warning "the battlefield consequences" are "potentially severe and dangerous for our troops."
Gates noted, "The battlefield consequences of the release of these documents are potentially severe and dangerous for our troops, our allies and Afghan partners, and may well damage our relationships in that key part of the world."
Mullen echoed the sentiments of the defense secretary, saying that he is "appalled" with the "recklessness" of leaks.
Mullen called into question condition of the mind of the person, saying that Wikileaks founder Julian Assange "can say whatever he likes about the greater good he and his source are doing, but the truth is they might already have on their hands the blood of some young soldier."
The documents, "do not, in my view, fundamentally call into question the efficacy of our current strategy in Afghanistan and its prospects for success," noted Gates, adding, "the incident is a pointed reminder that much secret information is treated as such to protect sources of information, to protect the lives of our men and women in uniform, to deny our enemies the information about our military operations, and to preserve our relationship with friends and allies."
He added that the Defense Department is conducting a "thorough" investigation into how the leak occurred. "We have a moral responsibility," said Gates, to "mitigate the consequences." He also disclosed that he has personally reached out to the head of the FBI for cooperation in this investigation.
Gates, a former CIA director, did fall back on his experience to say that the massive leak jeopardized the trust vital to gathering intelligence in the field, adding, "We have considerable repair work to do," to fix relationships damaged by the leak.
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) - Top defense officials from the Obama administration on Thursday called 92,000 leaked U.S. documents on the Afghan war, "dangerous" risks for Americans in battle and for diplomatic relationships.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Admiral Mike Mullen addressing a joint press conference at the Pentagon, condemned the leaks by the website WikiLeaks, warning "the battlefield consequences" are "potentially severe and dangerous for our troops."
Gates noted, "The battlefield consequences of the release of these documents are potentially severe and dangerous for our troops, our allies and Afghan partners, and may well damage our relationships in that key part of the world."
Mullen echoed the sentiments of the defense secretary, saying that he is "appalled" with the "recklessness" of leaks.
Mullen called into question condition of the mind of the person, saying that Wikileaks founder Julian Assange "can say whatever he likes about the greater good he and his source are doing, but the truth is they might already have on their hands the blood of some young soldier."
The documents, "do not, in my view, fundamentally call into question the efficacy of our current strategy in Afghanistan and its prospects for success," noted Gates, adding, "the incident is a pointed reminder that much secret information is treated as such to protect sources of information, to protect the lives of our men and women in uniform, to deny our enemies the information about our military operations, and to preserve our relationship with friends and allies."
He added that the Defense Department is conducting a "thorough" investigation into how the leak occurred. "We have a moral responsibility," said Gates, to "mitigate the consequences." He also disclosed that he has personally reached out to the head of the FBI for cooperation in this investigation.
Gates, a former CIA director, did fall back on his experience to say that the massive leak jeopardized the trust vital to gathering intelligence in the field, adding, "We have considerable repair work to do," to fix relationships damaged by the leak.
Torrance, CA, United States (AHN) - Toyota Motor Corp. announced that it is recalling 412,000 passenger cars for steering problems linked to three accidents. The model most heavily affected is the carmaker\'s Avalon model.
The 373,000 Avalons from the 2000 model year through to 2004 are slated for recall to fix an improper casting of the steering lock bar - a component for the steering system. Left unfixed cracks can develop on the surface.
According to the company in some cases, the crack can cause the lock bar to break, possibly leading the vehicle\'s steering wheel lock to lock.
Toyota said no injuries have been reported from the accidents that may be caused by the defect.
In addition to the Avalon being recalled Toyota\'s luxury brand is also affected. 39,000 Lexus LX 470s for the 2003-2007 model years are also being recalled due to a separate steering problem, but one that centers on the steering shaft.
The latest recall comes on top of some 8.5 million vehicles that have been recalled around the world by Toyota Motor Corp. since October for a numerous of problems ranging from faulty floor mats, defective gas pedals and braking software glitches.
In the wake of the numerous recall crisises Toyota\'s reputation for quality and customer service have taken a serious hit.
The recall crisis has damaged Toyota\'s reputation for quality and customer service.
Torrance, CA, United States (AHN) - Toyota Motor Corp. announced that it is recalling 412,000 passenger cars for steering problems linked to three accidents. The model most heavily affected is the carmaker\'s Avalon model.
The 373,000 Avalons from the 2000 model year through to 2004 are slated for recall to fix an improper casting of the steering lock bar - a component for the steering system. Left unfixed cracks can develop on the surface.
According to the company in some cases, the crack can cause the lock bar to break, possibly leading the vehicle\'s steering wheel lock to lock.
Toyota said no injuries have been reported from the accidents that may be caused by the defect.
In addition to the Avalon being recalled Toyota\'s luxury brand is also affected. 39,000 Lexus LX 470s for the 2003-2007 model years are also being recalled due to a separate steering problem, but one that centers on the steering shaft.
The latest recall comes on top of some 8.5 million vehicles that have been recalled around the world by Toyota Motor Corp. since October for a numerous of problems ranging from faulty floor mats, defective gas pedals and braking software glitches.
In the wake of the numerous recall crisises Toyota\'s reputation for quality and customer service have taken a serious hit.
The recall crisis has damaged Toyota\'s reputation for quality and customer service.
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) - Last week\'s number of applications for state unemployment insurance benefits fell by 11,000 to 457,000, the U.S. Labor Department reported on Thursday.
The figure was below economists\' forecast of 460,000 insurance claims for the jobless.
The four-week average for initial claims ending on July 24 was 452,500. At 4,500 less, the figure is the lowest since May.
The advance number of actual initial claims under state programs, unadjusted, totaled 411,107 in the week ending July 24, a decrease of 91,366 from the previous week, the department said. There were 511,628 initial claims in the comparable week in 2009.
Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) - Last week\'s number of applications for state unemployment insurance benefits fell by 11,000 to 457,000, the U.S. Labor Department reported on Thursday.
The figure was below economists\' forecast of 460,000 insurance claims for the jobless.
The four-week average for initial claims ending on July 24 was 452,500. At 4,500 less, the figure is the lowest since May.
The advance number of actual initial claims under state programs, unadjusted, totaled 411,107 in the week ending July 24, a decrease of 91,366 from the previous week, the department said. There were 511,628 initial claims in the comparable week in 2009.
Tallahassee, FL, United States (AHN) - The latest poll on Florida\'s gubernatorial race has a political newcomer leading state attorney general Bill McCollum, a little more than a week before voters choose their candidate in the Republican primary.
Quinnipiac University said businessman and Tea Party favorite Rick Scott leads McCollum by 11 points. However, 23 percent of voters are still undecided, and 43 percent of those who have declared their support for a candidate said they may change their minds before the primaries.
Some 39 percent of voters have a positive view of Scott, a former health executive who has tapped his personal fortune to fuel his campaign. Twenty-six percent hold a negative view of the conservative, while 31 percent haven\'t heard enough to form an opinion.
McCollum, meanwhile, has an even number of voters, 34 percent, holding favorable and unfavorable views of him, and 27 percent saying they haven\'t received enough information about him.
Scott showed the most improvement since the Quinnipiac\'s poll in June in terms of favorability ratings.The number of voters with negative views of him rose 14 points since that previous survey, and the number of those saying they hadn\'t heard enough about him dropped by 15 points. His favorable rating remains virtually the same.
In contrast, the number of voters who had no opinion of the state attorney general fell only by 9 points. Unfavorable views of McCollum rose by 15 points while favorable views of him declined by 7 points.
Scott officially entered the race in April, launching a multi-million dollar television blitz that touted his establishment of a group, Conservatives for Patients\' Rights, that actively supported town halls in opposition to healthcare reform. He has never held public office.
"In most election years, McCollum\'s almost two decades of experience in government would be a major asset, but this year it appears to be a liability, since Scott has scored points labeling his opponent a \'career politician,\' " Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, said in a statement.
McCollum, once the presumptive GOP candidate, is now in the same position as the former Republican he seeks to succeed, Gov. Charlie Crist, who was leading the Senate race by an overwhelming margin until the Tea Party backed a more conservative rival.
The state attorney general also trailed Scott in Quinnipiac\'s poll last month by 13 points. He is working to turn around his numbers with endorsements from the Florida Chamber of Commerce and former Gov. Jeb Bush.
McCollum, 66, is also bolstering his conservative credentials with the backing of Gary Bauer, founder of the Campaign for Working Families and former Family Research Council president.
He is struggling amid anti-incumbent sentiment that has ended the election hopes of Democrats and Republicans alike this year. A former U.S. congressman, he has sought to warn voters about his rival\'s "pro-life" stance and record as a healthcare executive.
Scott was ousted as chief executive officer of Columbia/HCA, a company that pleaded guilty in 2001 to Medicare fraud and paid $1.7 billion in fines in the nation\'s largest fraud settlement.
The businessman was not charged in the case, but his role in the company is now under scrutiny, as well as his pro-life agenda given that Columbia/HCA\'s chain of hospitals "profited from elective abortions," according to the McCollum campaign.
The Annenburg Public Policy Center\'s Factcheck.org has also said an ad from a group founded by Scott "falsely accuses McCollum of supporting \'abortion providers.\' "
The two GOP contenders will faceoff in two debates next week, events that pundits say will help undecided voters make an informed decision.
The primaries in the Sunshine State are Aug. 24. Early voting begins Aug. 9.
Tallahassee, FL, United States (AHN) - The latest poll on Florida\'s gubernatorial race has a political newcomer leading state attorney general Bill McCollum, a little more than a week before voters choose their candidate in the Republican primary.
Quinnipiac University said businessman and Tea Party favorite Rick Scott leads McCollum by 11 points. However, 23 percent of voters are still undecided, and 43 percent of those who have declared their support for a candidate said they may change their minds before the primaries.
Some 39 percent of voters have a positive view of Scott, a former health executive who has tapped his personal fortune to fuel his campaign. Twenty-six percent hold a negative view of the conservative, while 31 percent haven\'t heard enough to form an opinion.
McCollum, meanwhile, has an even number of voters, 34 percent, holding favorable and unfavorable views of him, and 27 percent saying they haven\'t received enough information about him.
Scott showed the most improvement since the Quinnipiac\'s poll in June in terms of favorability ratings.The number of voters with negative views of him rose 14 points since that previous survey, and the number of those saying they hadn\'t heard enough about him dropped by 15 points. His favorable rating remains virtually the same.
In contrast, the number of voters who had no opinion of the state attorney general fell only by 9 points. Unfavorable views of McCollum rose by 15 points while favorable views of him declined by 7 points.
Scott officially entered the race in April, launching a multi-million dollar television blitz that touted his establishment of a group, Conservatives for Patients\' Rights, that actively supported town halls in opposition to healthcare reform. He has never held public office.
"In most election years, McCollum\'s almost two decades of experience in government would be a major asset, but this year it appears to be a liability, since Scott has scored points labeling his opponent a \'career politician,\' " Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, said in a statement.
McCollum, once the presumptive GOP candidate, is now in the same position as the former Republican he seeks to succeed, Gov. Charlie Crist, who was leading the Senate race by an overwhelming margin until the Tea Party backed a more conservative rival.
The state attorney general also trailed Scott in Quinnipiac\'s poll last month by 13 points. He is working to turn around his numbers with endorsements from the Florida Chamber of Commerce and former Gov. Jeb Bush.
McCollum, 66, is also bolstering his conservative credentials with the backing of Gary Bauer, founder of the Campaign for Working Families and former Family Research Council president.
He is struggling amid anti-incumbent sentiment that has ended the election hopes of Democrats and Republicans alike this year. A former U.S. congressman, he has sought to warn voters about his rival\'s "pro-life" stance and record as a healthcare executive.
Scott was ousted as chief executive officer of Columbia/HCA, a company that pleaded guilty in 2001 to Medicare fraud and paid $1.7 billion in fines in the nation\'s largest fraud settlement.
The businessman was not charged in the case, but his role in the company is now under scrutiny, as well as his pro-life agenda given that Columbia/HCA\'s chain of hospitals "profited from elective abortions," according to the McCollum campaign.
The Annenburg Public Policy Center\'s Factcheck.org has also said an ad from a group founded by Scott "falsely accuses McCollum of supporting \'abortion providers.\' "
The two GOP contenders will faceoff in two debates next week, events that pundits say will help undecided voters make an informed decision.
The primaries in the Sunshine State are Aug. 24. Early voting begins Aug. 9.
Chevy Chase, MD, United States (AHN) - Vitamin D deficiency is linked to stiffening of the arteries, a risk factor for heart disease and stroke, in black teens, according to a new study.
"While we think of the sun as providing humans with most of our body\'s requirement of vitamin D, 95 percent of the 44 black teenagers living in sunny Georgia who took part in this study were classified as vitamin D deficient," said Dr. Yanbin Dong of the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta and lead author of the study. "Our study shows that vitamin D supplementation may improve cardiovascular health in black teens who don\'t get enough vitamin D from their diet and sun exposure."
Researchers studied 44 black teenagers, male and female, randomly assigned to receive either 400 IU of vitamin D each day or 2,000 IU of vitamin D each day. Study subjects taking 400 IU of vitamin D per day, the recommended allowance, did not achieve vitamin D sufficiency, while their peers who took more became vitamin D sufficient.
Arterial stiffness in study subjects was measured using pulse wave velocity, a non-invasive procedure where a pulse is emitted at two arterial sites. The pulse\'s transit time and distance travelled helped researchers reliably calculate arterial stiffness.
Results from the study showed that vitamin D may protect vascular systems and that sufficient additions of vitamin D could make positive changes in the arterial system and in cardiovascular function.
Chevy Chase, MD, United States (AHN) - Vitamin D deficiency is linked to stiffening of the arteries, a risk factor for heart disease and stroke, in black teens, according to a new study.
"While we think of the sun as providing humans with most of our body\'s requirement of vitamin D, 95 percent of the 44 black teenagers living in sunny Georgia who took part in this study were classified as vitamin D deficient," said Dr. Yanbin Dong of the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta and lead author of the study. "Our study shows that vitamin D supplementation may improve cardiovascular health in black teens who don\'t get enough vitamin D from their diet and sun exposure."
Researchers studied 44 black teenagers, male and female, randomly assigned to receive either 400 IU of vitamin D each day or 2,000 IU of vitamin D each day. Study subjects taking 400 IU of vitamin D per day, the recommended allowance, did not achieve vitamin D sufficiency, while their peers who took more became vitamin D sufficient.
Arterial stiffness in study subjects was measured using pulse wave velocity, a non-invasive procedure where a pulse is emitted at two arterial sites. The pulse\'s transit time and distance travelled helped researchers reliably calculate arterial stiffness.
Results from the study showed that vitamin D may protect vascular systems and that sufficient additions of vitamin D could make positive changes in the arterial system and in cardiovascular function.
Seattle, WA, United States (AHN) - Amazon unveiled Thursday a new and better version of its Kindle e-reader but priced the same as the previous model.
The Kindle 3, dubbed Shasta, is smaller but with the same six-inch screen and lighter at only 8.7 ounces. Its battery lasts longer--one month when on wireless mode or 10 days when it is turned on.
Kindle 3 also holds more e-books, about 3,500 titles. Page turning is faster.
Built-in Wi-Fi allows for maximum use of free unlimited wireless 3G service that comes with the device, which sells for $189. A Wi-Fi only version with free access to AT&T hotspots in the U.S. is cheaper at $139.
Some Kindle features are better than the Apple iPad, which weighs 1.5 pounds and costs $499 each. The iPad\'s 3G service also costs $15 to $25 a month.
Amazon said Kindle 3 would begin shipping Aug. 27.
The Kindle dominates the U.S. e-reader market. Of the 3.7 million such devices, two-thirds are Kindles.
Seattle, WA, United States (AHN) - Amazon unveiled Thursday a new and better version of its Kindle e-reader but priced the same as the previous model.
The Kindle 3, dubbed Shasta, is smaller but with the same six-inch screen and lighter at only 8.7 ounces. Its battery lasts longer--one month when on wireless mode or 10 days when it is turned on.
Kindle 3 also holds more e-books, about 3,500 titles. Page turning is faster.
Built-in Wi-Fi allows for maximum use of free unlimited wireless 3G service that comes with the device, which sells for $189. A Wi-Fi only version with free access to AT&T hotspots in the U.S. is cheaper at $139.
Some Kindle features are better than the Apple iPad, which weighs 1.5 pounds and costs $499 each. The iPad\'s 3G service also costs $15 to $25 a month.
Amazon said Kindle 3 would begin shipping Aug. 27.
The Kindle dominates the U.S. e-reader market. Of the 3.7 million such devices, two-thirds are Kindles.