U.S. Housing Secretary Resigns

-Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson announces his resignation today.

The U.S. Housing secretary will be leaving office on April 18. Alph0nso Jackson is currently under investigation for his role in government contracts. His resignation will trigger changes in personnel. Senator Christopher J. Dodd hopes the replacements will create policy change which will bring an end to the current sub-prime mortgage crisis.
During a press conference, Jackson said he had "improved housing opportunities for all Americans" during his time spent as secretary.
"There comes a time when one must attend more diligently to personal and family matters," Jackson added.

1. HUD Secretary Leaves
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-jackson1apr01,1,1929624.story

2. Bush Administration Corrupt?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-dreier/hud-secretary-alphonso-ja_b_94787.html

3. Embattled Administrator Gives Up
http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2008/03/31/daily1.html

4. Farewell to Quitter?
http://wonkette.com/374182/farewell-alphonso-jackson-latest-bush-official-to-quit

No refinery delay in Kuwait

-Kuwait does not expect a delay in the construction of an oil refinery, despite a land dispute with Saudi Arabia.

There will be no delays in the construction of one of the largest oil refineries in the world, according to Kuwait National Petroleum Co (KNPC).
Kuwait is set to complete the oil refinery as soon as possible, as evidenced by KNPC's project update.
KNPC wants to build the refinery in the neutral zone between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia despite the fact that Saudi Arabian Chevron has a lease on a portion of the land.
"We are currently in the stage of evaluating the bids. Once contractors are selected, the execution will begin," said Ahmad al-Jemaz, deputy managing director of KNPC's Shuaiba refinery.
Contracts will be awarded in April, according to newspapers.

1. No Arguments
http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKL3065861320080330?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0
2. Land Dispute
http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNewsAndPR/idUSL1159674620071011
3. Major World Disputes
http://www.didyouknow.cd/story/disputes.htm
4. Political Upheaval Won't Delay
http://www.gulfbase.com/site/interface/NewsArchiveDetails.aspx?cntr=0&n=57446

Ex-Governor Free

-Former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman has been released on bond today.

Don Siegelman is no longer in prison today after the United States Court of Appeals overturned a federal judge's refusal to release him on bond.
"It feels great to be out," he said. "I wish I could say it was over. But we're a long way from the end of this."
The former governor was convicted in June of taking half a million dollars from Richard Scrushy in exchange for an appointment to Alabama's hospital licensing board.
The New York Times states that the case "... has become a flash point for Democratic contentions that politics influenced decisions by the Justice Department."
Siegelman may testify to the House Judiciary Committee about "the nature of his prosecution," sources say.

1.Politics Played Role
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/29/washington/28cnd-siegelman.html?_r=1&hp=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1206929413-XebGCvMxgRByRYLtGKu6Ig
2. Raw Deal?
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/21/60minutes/main3859830.shtml
3. Political Persecution Possible
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/21/rove-wanted-dirty-details-on-siegelman/
4. Rove Involved?
http://markcrispinmiller.blogspot.com/2007/12/siegelman-speaks-ex-gov-calls-02.html

Internet Politics

-Presidential candidates are branching out by embracing the Internet as a useful tool.

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are two of the presidential hopefuls creating Internet Web sites as a part of their campaign strategies.
More than half of the U.S. population use the Internet, and young adults make up a large portion of this figure. By using untapped resources such as the Internet, the candidates are reaching voters who get their news and information from sources other than television and radio.
However, Clinton has used the Internet not only to promote herself but also to denounce the other candidates. She told reporters "...well, now the fun part starts," when she was telling of her plans to attack Democrats until the caucuses in Iowa begin.
With the unlimited amount of space available via the Internet, regulations may be needed in order for the politicians to play fairly with their new resources.

1. Hillary's MySpace Page
http://www.myspace.com/hillaryclinton

2. Obama's Facebook
http://http://www.facebook.com/barackobama

3. Youtube Smackdown
http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ytGaPqclSA

4. Clinton Web sites Attack Obama
http://http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=4032659

Olympics Are On

-Bush is planning for a trip to the Beijing Olympics despite turmoil from within.

President Bush will attend the Beijing Olympics amid protesting in Tibet.
The protests are in response to Chinese rule over the country, and they have drawn a harsh response from Beijing. Over 300 people have already been hurt, according to authorities.
The European Union is speaking out against boycotting the Beijing Olympics, however, because they believe it would not help the issue in China.
Bush hopes his decision will "shine a spotlight on all things Chinese."
"This should be about the athletes and not necessarily about politics," presidential spokeswoman Dana Perino Bush told The Associated Press.

1. Bush Going To China
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gsyGHt8_6nQVs3lCPm-UWHQkFceAD8VH8ADG0
2. Human Rights Issue In Beijing
http://www.rsf.org/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=174
3. Amnesty International Upset
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2007-08-07-1143000254_x.htm
4. Possible Terror Plots
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/beijing_olympics

McCain Draws In Votes

-Peace in the Middle East is being sought by McCain.
Senator John McCain has met with Israel's Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni to discuss the possibility of peace between Israel and Palestine.
The two countries are caught in a religious tug-of-war, and if McCain serves as a mediator between the two feuding nations, it could gain votes from the Jewish community.
Although the efforts to relieve tension will stand out to voters, so to will his lack of communication with Palestinian officials, sources say.
"I would have loved that he showed up...Maybe one day Palestinians will have money for your campaigns in the United States," said veteran Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat.

1. Palestine Not Reached
http://teresacentric.com/2008/03/some-quick-politics-hits-for-a-monday-night/
2. Tale of Two Nations
http://www.merip.org/palestine-israel_primer/toc-pal-isr-primer.html
3. McCain Enters Fight
http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-caucus0320.artmar20,0,2583681.story
4. McCain Backing Reprisals
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23709662/

Obama Making Speech

-Presidential candidate Barack Obama will discuss race and politics in Pennsylvania.

Illinois Democrat Barack Obama will be giving a speech in Philadelphia today, during which he plans to discuss the role of race in American politics.
Race is an issue which Obama has tried to avoid during the presidential campaign, sources say. The speech could make or break his political career, depending on what is said.
Obama's aides say his choice to give the speech is driven partially by developments which are sensitive to the issue of his race.
"If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position," said Geraldine A. Ferraro, former Democratic vice presidential candidate.

1. Obama preparing speech
http://presidentialpolitics.blogspot.com/2008/03/obamas-race-speech.html
2. Race and Politics in Pennsylvania
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/la-na-campaign18mar18,1,2281462.story
3. Speech Over Pastor
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/03/18/obama_to_take_on_race_politics_unity_in_us/
4. Major Obama Speech
http://teresacentric.com/2008/03/some-quick-politics-hits-for-a-monday-night/

Possible Casinos In Kentucky

- Kentucky has been put on hold this week by the House.

A proposed constitutional amendment for the state must wait for the House to pass a budget this week. The amendment would allow nine casinos in Kentucky.
Steve Beshear, governor of Kentucky, said more support for the amendment is needed to pass the House.
This slowdown will give the state more time to obtain support for the proposed amendment.
"We're still trying," said Beshear.

1. Beshear Wants Support
http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/politics/2008/03/beshear-says-casino-bill-effectively-on.html
2. Possible Tourism Increase
http://www.wbko.com/home/headlines/16011712.html
3. Casino Plan Failing
http://www.wbko.com/home/headlines/16011712.html
4. Benefits vs. Chaos
http://www.topix.com/forum/city/owingsville-ky/TGMQ8HJ4KTP9IFMAS

Prime Minister Retiring

-Nepali Prime Minister Prasad Koirala announces his plans for retirement.
After the upcoming Constituent Assembly (CA) polls, Nepali Prime Ministers plans to retire from the world of politics.
"I am old now," he told The Associated Press.
The CA polls will be held April 10.
A new generation of politicians will take over leadership of the Nepali Congress leadership.
Koirala hopes the Nepali Congress gets the majority in the CA election.

1. PM to retire
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-03/11/content_7767438.htm
2. CA Poll Controversy
http://www.election.gov.np/EN/detail_news.php?id=83
3. Core Aim of CA elections
http://www.mainstreamweekly.net/article338.html
4. Possible Election Observance
http://www.aboutxinjiang.com/news/content/2008-03/17/content_2491782.htm

Possible Tax Cut In Canada

-Ottawa could face a tax break.

Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty feels tax cuts could stimulate economic growth in Canada.
This news comes after Flaherty blamed Premier Dalton McGuinty of undercutting the Ontario economy with high business taxes. McGuinty has been polarized by parts of the business community because of the accusation.

Flaherty, who is concerned with the economic stability of Ottawa, said "Dalton McGuinty likes to blame others for his problems."

1. Canada in Turmoil
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/326788
2. U.S. Rates Monitored
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601082&sid=aAKEOy6pOzPg&refer=canada
3. Flaherty's Budget
http://www.canadianbusiness.com/managing/strategy/article.jsp?content=20080226_203406_7004
4. Tax Reforms Needed
http://www.canadianbusiness.com/after_hours/opinions/article.jsp?content=20071119_198720_198720

Death Strikes Fear

- Spain's politics are divided into two popular fractions.

Isaias Carrasco, a socialist former councillor, has been murdered in Spain. His murder came just two days before Spain's general election, and it struck fear into some citizens.

On Friday, the parliamentary parties signed a joint declaration with the Popular Party (PP), which has been competing with the socialists for political power in Spain.

The PP remains under the influence of the Catholic Church, and some fear that the country has been divided politically into "two Spains," according to news reports. With the loss, some citizens question whether the country could survive losses financially or otherwise.

"The slowing of the economy is widespread across Europe," said Rosa Cabellerro, an insurance worker living in a Madrid suburb.
1. Two Spains
http://www.sundayherald.com/misc/print.php?artid=2104832
2. Carrasco Shot
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iDJC5tha4zocxrRh0JWDSAeEAb1A
3. Will Spain Unite?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/03/07/wspain207.xml
4. ETA Plays Part
http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/5-17-2005-70098.asp

Loss of Aide

-Obama's foreign policy advisor resigns after a British newspaper published a statement about Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Samantha Power, foreign policy adviser to Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, has resigned. Her resignation follows a statement published by The Scotsman, a British newspaper.

During an interview with the newspaper, Power said "She is a monster, too - that is off the record- she is stooping to anything." The presidential race has proven itself challenging, and both Clinton and Obama are trying to dot their I's and cross their T's in order to gain votes.

Obama must now regain the composure of his campaign in time for the primary in Wyoming this weekend. Power's statement could be enough to tip the vote in Clinton's favor this weekend, according to political analysts.

1.Advisor Resignation
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/07/AR2008030700781_pf.html
2. Gloves come off
http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/trailhead/archive/2008/03/07/power-outage.aspx
3. Off the record
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/latestnews/Inside-US-poll-battle-as.3854371.jp
4. Obama Rethinks Position
http://www.smh.com.au/news/us-election/obama-reeling-after-jibe/2008/03/08/1204780127216.html

Bush Makes Promise

-The president has pledged American aid in Columbia.



President Bush told Colombian President Alvaro Uribe that America will offer support and $600 million per year to Columbia should war occur between the country and Venezuela.



"I told the president that America fully supports Columbia's democracy and that we firmly oppose any acts of aggression that could destabilize the region," Bush told the associated press.



There is a distinct possibility that the country's actions could result in war between Columbia, Venezuela, and Ecuador. With Bush's pledge, American troops could be preparing to pack their bags for another war on foreign soil.



Columbia has been in conflict with Venezuela and Ecuador since Colombian forces killed Raul Reyes, a Colombian Marxist, who was on Ecuadorian soil at the time.



Venezuela and Ecuador considered the action to be a call for war.



With Bush's time in office coming to an end, his promises will have a direct impact on the next president's agenda while in the White House.



Please visit the articles listed below for more information:
1. Daily Habit Reports on Bush
http://the115.wordpress.com/2008/03/05/the-daily-habit-politics-7/

2. Bush Is "Devil"
http://www.salem-news.com/articles/march052008/chavez_buildup_3-5-08.php

3. Troops At Colombian Border
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0304/p04s01-woam.html

4. Colombian Raid in Ecuador
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=87922264

Texas and Ohio

-Texas and Ohio primaries could be the last stop on Clinton's campaign trail.

The last chance for Clinton's campaign could be at the state primaries in Texas and Ohio.

The two states may be the deciding factor between Clinton and Obama. The two Democrats are in a race for their party's nomination. The winner of the primaries will be competing against Republican John McCain, political analysts say.

Obama has overcome Clinton's lead in Texas, and defeat in the state could knock Clinton out of the election altogether.

"Obama is quite capable of being a formidable candidate," said Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas senator. "He'd do a fine job as president."

However, the race isn't over yet, and many Clinton supporters refuse to go down without a fight.

Former president Bill Clinton believes his wife will receive the nomination if she wins in Texas and Ohio.

Pennsylvania's primary will be held April 22, and the election will occur Nov. 4.

For more information, visit the following:
1. Killing A Political Giant
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=aGibqe.b3IlY&refer=home#

2. Controversy Surrounds Political Ads
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-talk/2008/03/clinton_obama_aides_tangle_ove.html?hpid=topnews

3. Media Bias
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/03/business/media/03us.html?ref=business

4. Obama's Plan of Action http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20070701faessay86401/barack-obama/renewing-american-leadership.html