UPI VIDEO NEWS 12.04.07

Report says Iran stopped nuclear production.

A new U.S. intelligence report states that Iran stopped working on nuclear weapons four years ago. It also says that it's unlikely to be able to produce enough enriched uranium for a bomb until 2010 to 2015. That declassified summary is less severe than a report two years ago that said Iran was determined to develop nuclear weapons despite international pressure. The White House responded saying the report doesn't change U.S. policy toward Iran and that the country still remains a serious threat.

Nearly 3 thousand Palestinian pilgrims are expected to cross into Egypt this week to perform the annual Muslim Hajj pilgrimage. Yesterday, hundreds of pilgrims passed the border to eventually reach Saudi Arabia, which is home to Islam's two most holy sites, Mecca and Medina. This is the first time Palestinians have been allowed to cross directly into Egypt since Hamas militants seized control of Gaza in June.

Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor is now laid to rest after thousands attended his memorial service in Miami yesterday. The entire Redskins team paid tribute to Taylor along with more than two-dozen other NFL players. The Reverend Jesse Jackson spoke at the service, calling for an end to violence. Taylor died last week after being shot during a break-in at his home.

Children of service men and women are returning to school today after spending time at the White House yesterday. President Bush and the First Lady hosted the annual Children's Holiday Reception. They told the children to thank their parents for their service on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Bush. There was also an educational lesson involved in the reception. The pair taught the youngsters about the country's national parks.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 12.02.07

Larry Craig denying new sex allegations.

Idaho Senator Larry Craig is denying new sex allegations. Yesterday, the Idaho Statesman published the identities of four men who claim they had sex with the senator or the senator made sexual advances toward them. Craig responded, calling the statements of the accusers completely false. The Statesman said it had no physical evidence to back up its reporting. Craig pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge in August, two months after he was arrested in a sex sting in an airport men's bathroom.

Venezuelan voters have rejected a constitutional reform project that would have granted Hugo Chavez the presidency indefinitely. It would have also tightened socialism's grip on the oil-rich country. The present law prohibits Chavez from seeking re-election when his term ends in 2012. Chavez also wants full authority over the autonomous Central Bank and the nation's economic policy. After the vote, the President thanked those who opposed his proposals and said the election results proved that Venezuelan democracy was maturing.

Europe and the U.S. are demanding that Russia investigate alleged abuse in an election won overwhelmingly by President Vladimir Putin's party. In yesterday's vote, Putin's United Russia party swept 70 percent of the seats in the new legislature. Some say the campaign was flawed by biased media coverage and misuse of government resources in favor of Putin. Germany has already denounced the poll as undemocratic, and France is asking the government to shed light on the allegations. A Putin party leader says the vote was a successful referendum on the President's eight years in office.

Pakistan election officials have disqualified opposition leader and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif from participating in January parliamentary elections. A spokesman for Sharif said he had been barred by the election commission because of a previous criminal conviction. The former prime minister returned to Pakistan last month after seven years in exile in Saudi Arabia. He was convicted of terrorism, hijacking and tax evasion after Musharraf seized power nearly 20 years ago.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 11.30.07

Bush calls on Congress to approve war funding.

President Bush is urging Congress to approve billions of dollars in war funding before Christmas. He said that if Congress doesn't clear the funds, the Army would have to shut down bases and start laying off more than 100 thousand civilian workers by mid-February. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has already ordered the Army and Marine Corps to plan for cutbacks. A spokesman for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the speaker has no plans to revisit war funding before the end of the year.

Meanwhile, Congress is close to raising fuel economy standards for most U.S. cars and trucks. The bill would increase the corporate average fuel economy standard to 35 miles per hour fleet-wide by 2020. Right now, the standard for cars is 27 and a half miles per gallon and just more than 22 for trucks. However, the legislation also has several significant loopholes that would allow auto companies to get around the new limits. The Senate passed the mandate in June, and the House is expected to vote next week.

Pakistan's Pervez Musharraf says his country's state of emergency will be lifted and the constitution restored in less than three weeks. That's before the general election is held January 8. Musharraf made the announcement yesterday, after being sworn in to presidential office as a civilian for another five-year term. The move was welcomed by main opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, who intends to take part in the general elections under protest. But former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said his party would boycott and demanded the reinstatement of judges done away with by Musharraf.

Public health officials are calling for tighter restrictions on salt content in food. They argue that cutting back on its overuse could save thousands of lives each year. The Center for Science in the Public Interest wants the Food and Drug Administration to beef up labeling, require manufacturers to cut salt in packaged foods, and subject it to stricter regulations. The FDA hasn't considered this issue since 1982 but says it's the right time to revisit it.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 11.29.07

Republican candidates clash over illegal immigration.

Illegal immigration is proving to be a hot topic among Republican presidential candidates. That's after they squared off in their first-ever YouTube/CNN debate last night. Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney attacked former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, saying he promoted illegal immigration. Giuliani shot back saying Romney had quote a sanctuary mansion at his home where illegal immigrants were employed. A viewer also asked the candidates whether they believe every word in the Bible is true. Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee who's also a Baptist minister said he believes the Bible is exactly what it is. Giuliani said he believes the Bible but not literally true in every aspect.

Israel's Prime Minister says his country's survival will depend on a two-state solution with Palestinians. Ehud Olmert told an Israeli newspaper that if the solution collapses, the country would face a struggle for equal voting rights for all, including the Palestinians. This comes after Olmert, President Bush and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas pledged to try to reach a two-state settlement by the end of 2008 at this week's Mideast conference in Annapolis, Maryland. Israel worries that Palestinians could eventually outnumber Jews if Israel continues to control all the territory it captured during the 1967 Middle East war.

A former Pakistani Prime Minister is dismissing President Pervez Musharraf's presidency as illegitimate. Nawaz Sharif said the Supreme Court Musharraf did away with to ensure a second term should be restored to rule on his election. He also demanded an end to emergency rule and a release of opponents jailed after the crackdown. Sharif returned from exile in Saudi Arabia this week, eight years after Musharraf, who was then army chief, ousted him.

Washington Redskins fans are mourning the loss of safety Sean Taylor. People are paying their respects to a makeshift memorial set up outside of the Redskins training facility in Ashburn, Virginia. Flowers, balloons, cards and teddy bears are filling the park. Taylor died Tuesday from gunshot wounds after an apparent burglary of his Miami home.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 11.28.07

Pervez Musharraf steps down as army chief.

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf is no longer the country's military leader. He stepped down today, just a day before he takes the presidential oath for a third term as a civilian. In a farewell ceremony to the army, an emotional Musharraf said the army is his life and his passion. The president has been under pressure recently to step down as military leader and end emergency rule in the country.

President Bush and Mideast leaders are forging ahead with the peace process. Yesterday, Bush announced there was quote a joint understanding between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to build a path for peace by the end of 2008. No actual peace deal was reportedly made, but the two leaders made an agreement about the understanding. The two did acknowlege that they haven't yet addressed any divisive issues that have killed deals before, but a joint declaration is a step forward. Last week, it wasn't clear whether there'd even be an actual peace conference.

In the Gaza strip, Hamas supporters are protesting the Middle East peace conference. Tens of thousands rallied peacefully yesterday. The protest was reportedly organized by Hamas militants who weren't invited to the conference because they refuse to recognize Israel and renounce violence. The group's leaders have organized daily protests against the conference for several days now and stepped up their criticism of moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, calling him a traitor to Palestinians.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is trying to restore order in his country. This comes after three consecutive nights of rioting that's caused widespread damage and injuries. Sarkozy chaired a security meeting today in an attempt to diffuse the situation. It all started when two teenagers were killed in a collision with a police car earlier this week. Police are maintaining their innocence. Around the country, twenty cars have been burned and rioters have set fire to two libraries.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 11.27.07

Mideast officials prepare for peace summit.

Mideast officials are working on a joint agreement on how negotiations should proceed at the peace summit today in Annapolis, Maryland. But diplomats say there's no guarantee that any work plan would be agreed upon. Representatives of more than 40 countries, including Arab nations like Syria and Saudi Arabia, will attend the conference at the U.S. Naval Academy. Yesterday, President Bush met with both Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Both expressed optimism that a renewed peace effort would be made.

Vice-President Dick Cheney is expected at work today after doctors shocked his heartbeat back to normal rhythm yesterday. Cheney went to a doctor yesterday, complaining of a cough from a cold. There, it was discovered that he had atrial fibrillation, or an irregular heartbeat. That can lead to an increased risk of stroke. The 66-year-old vice president has had four heart attacks since 1978.

The White House has announced that it's reached a deal with the Iraqi government to negotiate long-term relations between the countries. President Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki signed the "Declaration of Principles" agreement yesterday via video link. The document reportedly moves both countries closer to bilateral relations and is the first of a three-step process.

In sports, Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor has died after he was shot in his Miami home yesterday. Taylor's former attorney says he never regained consciousness after the shooting and lost too much blood. He added that the incident was most likely an attempted robbery. There had reportedly been a previous attempt to break into Taylor's home last week. The 24-year-old football player spent four years with the Redskins, but had been out with a sprained right knee.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 11.26.07

Former Pakistani Prime Minister returns from exile

Tens of thousands of supporters greeted former prime minister Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan when he returned from exile yesterday. Sharif's comeback poses a challenge for President Pervez Musharraf, who imposed emergency rule on his country four weeks ago, and pro-Western opposition leader Benazir Bhutto. His arrival came one day before the deadline for registering to take part in parliamentary elections in January. Party officials said Sharif would register as a candidate. Bhutto is also prepared to register her candidacy.

Two Arab countries have agreed to join Israel and Palestine in the Mideast peace talks this week. A top Palestinian negotiator welcomed both Syria and Saudia Arabia to the summit in Annapolis Maryland, saying the inclusion of the wider international community will correct the mistakes of the last Israeli-Palestinian peace talks in the U.S. in 2000. The countries agreed to attend in these days leading up to tomorrow's conference after a push from the Arab League, which agreed to participate following a meeting on Friday.

Firefighters are starting to gain control over a fierce wildfire that's ripped through Malibu. Forty-nine homes have been destroyed in what officials say is the worst fire to strike the area in 15 years. This was the second fire there in a little more than a month. Officials say the flames are no longer a threat to homes with dying Santa Ana winds, but warned it was too early to declare victory. Investigators believe the fire was started by people.

The sister of former President John F. Kennedy and the founder of the Special Olympics is in the hospital. Eunice Kennedy Shriver is reportedly in fair condition after being admitted more than a week ago to a Massachusetts hospital. There are no other details on her status, but a spokesman says Shriver has had many health challenges in the past several months, but it's expected she'll bounce back. The 86-year-old was hospitalized two years ago after suffering a minor stroke and hip fracture.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 11.21.07

Warren Jeffs sentenced to prison.

Polygomous-sect leader Warren Jeffs has been sentenced to at least 10 years in prison. Jeffs was ordered to serve two consecutive sentences of 5 years to life for being an accomplice to rape. He allegedly forced a 14 year old girl to marry her 19 year old cousin. Jeffs heads the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where the members practice polygamy and arranged marriages. He's been in jail for more than a year now and reportedly attempted suicide.

Former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan says President Bush mislead the public over that CIA leak cover up. In McClellan's new book he blames Bush and Vice President Cheney for deceiving the media on the leaking of CIA operative Valerie Plame. McClellan recounts a press conference in 2003 when he said White House aides Lewis Scooter Libby and Karl Rove had nothing to do with the leak. He now says that statement wasn't true, but he was advised to pass along false information. McClellan says he was advised by Rove, Libby, Cheney and even the President himself. His book "What Happened" wont hit the shelves until April.

Hundreds of thousands of civil servants went on strike yesterday in France. Workers like teachers, hospital staff and train drivers took the streets for a 24 hour day of protest. Demonstrators demanded better pay and more job security from France's President Nicolas Sarkozy. It's predicted that 30 percent of all French civil servants participated in yesterday's walkout. The movement began about a week ago with transport workers who have been on strike regarding pension reforms.

Shoppers are being warned to watch out for toy hazards. Federal regulators outlined a variety of toy dangers to beware of yesterday. Those warnings included lead-based paint...which has caused the recall of millions of products in the past few months. Other hazards include toys like skateboards that cause kids to fall, chargers that could create burns, and small toys which kids could choke on.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 11.20.07

France's transport strike taking toll on economy.

Analysts are warning of the impact of France's transport strike on the country's economy. France is reportedly losing up to 2 billion euros, or $3 billion, a day. National strikes have paralyzed the country's transport system since last week. French commuters have resorted to biking to work or cramming on to the limited number of trains still running.

Democratic Presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are clashing over each other's economic experience. Yesterday, the New York senator suggested that her counterpart wasn't fit to oversee a U.S. economy where more families are struggling to keep their homes. She said everyday learning the ropes is another day of rising costs and mounting deficits. Obama replied saying his team's plan on those issues has been superior to hers and questioned Clinton's background in dealing with an economic slump. This comes as a new poll indicated that Clinton had yet to lead in Iowa, which is the first test in the 2008 campaign.

Meanwhile, four U.S. cities will be the home of the presidential and vice-presidential debates in the general election campaign next year. The Commission on Presidential Debates has chosen Oxford, Mississippi; St. Louis, Missouri; Nashville, Tennessee; and Hempstead, New York. New Orleans reportedly took offense at its omission, with the state's Democratic senator, Mary Landrieu, saying the commission had lost sight of the public interest it was chartered to serve. The city was one of 16 finalists.

President Bush's domestic security adviser is stepping down. Frances Fragos Townsend is the latest Bush aide to resign in a series of senior officials who've left the administration. She gave no reason for her departure other than to say that she wanted to go into the private sector. White House officials are not commenting on a potential replacement.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 11.19.07

Court tosses petitions against Musharraf.

The newly formed Supreme Court of Pakistan threw out legal challenges to last months' re-election of President Pervez Musharraf. That decision paves the way for him to step down as army chief and lead the country as a civilian for another five-year term. Musharraf has repeatedly said that he would resign from the military if the Supreme Court tossed all legal obstacles to his continued presidency. The Pakistani leader won the country's presidential election last month, but the Supreme Court had ordered that the results weren't official until the court heard outstanding challenges by other candidates.

In France, transport unions and the government have agreed to negotiate this week. This comes after six days of a strike that's brought transportation networks in parts of the country to a halt. The Paris metro and France's high-speed trains still face heavy disruption, although they've been functioning better in recent days, and half of the regional railway network is operating at this time.

The chief negotiator for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says he's not holding any more talks with his Israeli counterpart. That's after a meeting over the weekend failed to make progress on a joint policy document. Both negotiators have tried to draft a document to be presented at next week's Middle East conference in Annapolis, Maryland that would describe how to resume negotiations on a Palestinian state. Abbas' negotiator now says he doesn't expect any joint document to be presented.

Queen Elizabeth the second and the Duke of Edinburgh are marking their 60 wedding anniversary today. The two celebrated yesterday at London's Westminster Abby and were joined by their family, including Prince Charles and his sons William and Harry. The anniversary makes the queen the longest-married monarch in British history.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 11.16.07

Sharp criticisms exchanged in Democratic debate.

Democratic White House hopefuls went head-to head in Las Vegas last night, debating issues like health care, illegal immigration and the war in Iraq. All eyes were on Senator Hillary Clinton who's been criticized by her opponents recently. She defended her stance against accusations from opponents like Barack Obama and John Edwards who said she avoids taking strong positions on controversial issues. Other candidates like Joe Biden and Chris Dodd disapproved of the bickering, with Dodd saying that when a campaign is about who's angrier or who's yelling louder, the American people turn off.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto is no longer under house arrest. Authorities freed her earlier today, just before a top U.S. diplomat arrived there to try to persuade President Pervez Musharraf to end emergency rule. Bhutto, who'd been held since Tuesday to stop her from leading a rally against Musharraf, went on the offensive as soon as she was released. She rejected a new caretaker government appointed to oversee elections in that country slated for January and repeated her vow not to re-open talks with Musharraf.

President Bush is taking holiday airline travel into his owns hands. Yesterday, he announced that planes would be able to fly in military airspace to relieve congestion and cut delays. That means flights can be routed through areas off the Atlantic coast where the Air National Guard and the Air Force conduct exercises. The experiment will start Wednesday and run through the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

In sports, home run king Barry Bonds is facing charges after he was indicted yesterday for lying under oath to a grand jury about his steroid use. The 43-year-old slugger is charged with perjury and obstruction of justice. According to the indictment, investigators obtained evidence that Bonds tested positive for anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs during a 2003 raid. Bonds' legal team blasted the Department of Justice for what it called unethical behavior. If convicted, baseball's career leader in home runs, could face up to 30 years in prison.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 11.15.07

Musharraf says he'll step down as army chief.

Pakistan's President, General Pervez Musharraf says he'll resign as army chief this month and rule as a civilian president. The move has strongly been urged by the White House and Musharraf's political opponents. However, Pakistan's leader says he won't lift emergency rule and dismissed calls for his resignation as president. Last week, Musharraf invoked emergency powers, suspended the constitution and ordered sweeping arrests.

The Democratic-controlled House has passed a $50 billion bill that requires all American combat troops out of Iraq by December of next year. The bill awaits a vote in the Senate and faces a veto threat from President Bush. It offers less money to conduct the war than the President requested and bans the government from using the controversial waterboarding interrogation technique.

Investigators carrying bomb-making parts in their luggage and on themselves were able to pass through security checkpoints at 19 U.S. airports without being caught. That's according to the Government Accountability Office. Investigators say most of the time security officers followed Transportation Security Administration policies. But they say they could take advantage of weaknesses in TSA procedures. The TSA chief defended his administration, saying screening checkpoints are just one of a multilayered approach to security.

Democratic presidential hopefuls are preparing for a debate in Las Vegas, Nevada tonight, and Senator Hillary Clinton will be in the hot seat. This comes after she was accused of answering a question inconsistently about driver's licenses for illegal immigrants. Clinton's campaign has also admitted to planting a question with a student attending a campaign event for the New York Senator in Iowa. Polls show Clinton is still the front-runner, but in recent weeks, her lead over Senator Barack Obama has been narrowing in areas.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 11.14.07

Bhutto to stay under house arrest for another day.

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto will remain under house arrest for at least another day. That's according to a senior government official. Bhutto has attempted to lead protests against President Pervez Musharraf over his declaration of emergency rule last week. She also demanded his resignation yesterday, which has deepened Pakistan's political crisis. Meanwhile, the Bush administration is sending its Number 2 diplomat to that country this week to try to end emergency rule.

A national transport strike is crippling parts of France. Some of the country's biggest train stations were deserted during rush hour today. Metro riders in Paris tried to cram on trains still running as transit workers joined the walkout this morning. Others rode to work on their bicycles. Labor unions are in a dispute with French President Nicolas Sarkozy over his plan to curb early retirement benefits of a small group of public sector workers.

A new report out says the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan could balloon to $3.5 trillion over the next decade. That's reportedly because of hidden costs like oil market disruptions, long-term healthcare for veterans, and interest payments on borrowed war funding. The projection, by the Democratic majority on the Joint Economic Committee, is more than $1 trillion higher than a recent forecast by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. The White House defended the administration's Iraq policies, pointing to reduced violence and also said the report had obvious motivations behind it.

New York governor Eliot Spitzer is expected to abandon a controversial plan today that would grant driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants. Last month, Spitzer said his plan was intended to make New York safer, but critics worried about possible voter fraud. About one million people in New York alone reportedly don't have proper documentation. In a debate last week, Senator Hillary Clinton said Spitzer's plan made sense but stopped short of endorsing it.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 11.13.07

Bhutto calls for Musharraf to step down.

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto is calling for President Pervez Musharraf's resignation. Bhutto says Musharraf is running a dictatorship and that's why he must leave. The former prime minister is currently under house arrest for trying to lead a protest today against the President's emergency rule. She also claims that 7 thousand of her supporters were arrested overnight.

Britain's prime minister is pressuring Iran to end its uranium enrichment program. Gordon Brown is proposing a global ban on companies developing Iran's oil and gas fields if the country fails to halt its atomic ambitions. He also says he would seek tougher penalties through the United Nations and the European Union unless Iran complied.

A Fatah leader says nearly 400 people are under arrest in overnight raids after clashes with rival Fatah gunman yesterday. That incident left at least seven Palestinians dead. But Hamas says fewer than 50 Fatah activists were arrested overnight. This all stems from a Gaza rally that began Sunday, commemorating the third anniversary of the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. It was the largest Fatah rally since Hamas took control of Gaza in mid-June.

The Pope is scheduled to make his first visit to New York City next April as leader of the Catholic Church. Pope Benedict will celebrate Mass at Yankee stadium and be the first pontiff to make a pilgrimage to Ground Zero. Before his trip to the Big Apple, Benedict will visit Washington, attend an official White House reception and also celebrate Mass at the new Nationals stadium.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 10.12.07

Opposition urging Musharraf to end emergency rule

Pakistan's opposition parties are calling on President Pervez Musharraf to end a state of emergency rule. They say upcoming parliamentary elections in January will be meaningless if held under emergency laws. Musharraf has said the rule will continue to ensure free and fair elections. Former prime minister Benazier Bhutto says such laws will make campaigning difficult. Bhutto is planning to lead a protest march tomorrow against the state of emergency.

At least seven Palestinians are dead after Hamas security forces and Fatah gunman clashed today at a Gaza City rally. Another 55 are reportedly wounded. The rally was meant to commemorate the third anniversary of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's death. It's unclear how the incident began and who's to blame for it.

Vice President Dick Cheney paid tribute to Iraq veterans in Arlington cemetery over the weekend for Veterans Day. In a speech, Cheney praised troops in Iraq for doing quote a magnificent job. He added that soldiers from past wars and today's fight against terrorism have served their country valiantly and kept Americans free in the U.S. Several hundred people watched as the vice president also placed a wreath on the Tomb of the Unkowns.

And former President George H.W. Bush celebrated the grand reopening of his presidential museum by skydiving. It was his first jump yesterday since he celebrated his 80 birthday with a jump in 2004, but his sixth jump overall. Bush's museum opened a decade ago on the Texas A&M University campus, but has been under renovation recently to add more interactive exhibits. The former president landed in the museum's parking lot, which is a large grass field. The 83-year-old just had hip replacement surgery in January.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 11.09.07

Police block Benazir Bhutto's house

UPI VIDEO NEWS 11.07.07

Sarkozy heads to Congress after White House visit

UPI VIDEO NEWS 11.06.07

More Americans say waterboarding is torture

UPI VIDEO NEWS 11.05.07

U.S. urging Pakistan to restore civilian rule

UPI VIDEO NEWS 11.02.07

Senate passes children's health insurance bill