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| Virtual goods 'to make billions' The sale of virtual goods is turning into a billion dollar industry and one of the hottest trends in technology say experts. news.bbc.co.uk |
Violence Hits Both Sides of Kashmir India and Pakistan saw violence in Kashmir, as Islamic militants battled Indian police and a suicide bomber killed three Pakistani soldiers. online.wsj.com |
Iraq: Explosives Seized in Baghdad Iraqi officials said they arrested 25 suspects and seized large amounts of explosives Tuesday, thwarting what they said was a large-scale bombing plot but also shutting down Baghdad for most of the day. online.wsj.com |
Democrats fight to retain Kennedy seat Barack Obama joins Martha Coakley campaign trail with eye on saving country's health reform billBarack Obama goes to Massachusetts today to rally Democrats amid increasing fears that his domestic agenda is in peril if the senate seat long held by the late Ted Kennedy falls into Republican hands.At stake in Massachusetts' special senate election on Tuesday is the president's healthcare plan and legislative action for next year, as a Republican victory would give the opposition party the senate votes to block ambitious Democratic proposals, from immigration reform to climate change regulations.The US president hopes to rescue the flagging campaign of the Democrat Martha Coakley, the state's attorney general, who was expected to coast to victory in a liberal state that has not elected a Republican senator since 1972. Kennedy, a Democratic champion of healthcare reform and other liberal causes, died last year after 48 years in the senate.In recent weeks Scott Brown, Republican state senator in Massachusetts, has ridden populist anger about the healthcare plan, corporate bailouts and government spending, to a virtual tie in the polls, energising Republicans and members of the conservative "tea party" movement across the country.Although only the residents of Massachusetts may vote, Republicans are portraying the race as a national Âreferendum on the healthcare plan, and on Obama."This has electrified the country," said the Republican senate leader Mitch ÂMcConnell, of Kentucky. "People have been looking at this healthcare bill and think it's a terrible proposal. They want us to stop it and all of a sudden they realise there's an election somewhere in the country where we can have an impact."As the race has narrowed, both sides have pulled out their big guns. Brown campaigned with Rudolph Giuliani, presidential candidate and former New York City mayor. Bill Clinton and John Kerry, the state's senior senator, dazzled a packed house of Democrats on Friday."In the past 24 hours, the lights have come on," Ellen Malcolm, founder of the abortion rights group Emily's List, said while campaigning with Coakley on Saturday. "Democrats have woken up."Obama's healthcare plan is in its final stages with house and senate leaders. Its passage hangs in the balance, with the Democrats needing 60 senate votes, including the interim Democrat who has filled in for Kennedy since his death, and Coakley, if she wins. Brown has pledged to block the measure if he is elected.The president today will join Coakley at a Democratic rally at Northeastern University in Boston."The president sees a pretty clear distinction between a candidate in Martha Coakley who's going to fight for Massachusetts and a candidate on the other side who feels comfortable fighting for the insurance industry and big banks," the White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters on Friday.Since Obama won in November 2008, the Republicans have enjoyed a modest resurgence, retaking the governorships of New Jersey and Virginia in November. They will use a Brown victory to argue that the US has already turned its back on Obama, just a year after he took office.About 49% of Americans approve of the work Obama is doing, compared with 47% who disapprove. That is down from 60% and 32% respectively in June.By campaigning for Coakley, the president has put his prestige on the line, though the White House believes that if he does not appear for her and Brown wins, the political damage would be severe.Coakley rejected the idea that Obama's visit meant her candidacy was in trouble. "I don't think he has to come, I think he wanted to come. He was excited to come," she said on Saturday. "Who wouldn't want the president of the United States campaigning for her in a historic race?"Brown seemed unconcerned about Obama's visit. "I hope he has a safe trip and enjoys himself and has a good trip looking around a great state," he said.Obama administrationUS politicsDemocratsRepublicansUS healthcareUnited StatesDaniel Nasawguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Jaguar Land Rover boss to depart The chief executive of Jaguar Land Rover, David Smith, is to stand down, the Indian-owned carmaker confirms. news.bbc.co.uk |