UPI VIDEO NEWS 02.14.08

Senate panel says Larry Craig acted improperly.

A congressional panel has concluded that Senator Larry Craig acted improperly in a police sex sting. The Senate Ethics Committee issued a letter of admonition to the Idaho senator yesterday in connection with his arrest in a Minneapolis airport bathroom last year. The letter said Craig's actions reflected discreditably on the chamber. The committee also criticized the senator for using more than $200 thousand in campaign funds to pay legal fees related to the case. Craig responded saying he's disappointed and strongly disagrees with the conclusions reached by the committee.

Israel is beefing up its security following the assassination of a top Hezbollah commander. Yesterday, Imad Moughniyah was killed by a car bomb in Syria, and Hezbollah is blaming Israel for his death. The Israeli government has rejected that claim, but it has put its embassies on high alert and has reinforced troops on the Lebanese border. Moughniyah was also on the FBI's 10-most wanted list.

Look your mailbox for a check from the government as early as May. That's because President Bush signed a $152 million economic stimulus bill yesterday. $600 will go towards individual taxpayers who earn less than $75,000. Couple will receive $1,200. And there's a $300 per child tax credit.

Two key aides to President Bush could face contempt charges over the White House's refusal to give information on the firings of those U.S. attorneys. The House will vote today on whether to authorize criminal and civil charges against White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and former White House counsel Harriet Miers. Both have failed to comply with Judiciary Committee subpoenas because President Bush has refused to allow them to testify, citing executive privilege.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 01.25.08

Egpyt closes off parts of border to Gaza.

Egypt is now sealing off parts of its border with Gaza. That's after tens of thousands of Palestinians have crossed back and forth with little interference for the past two days. Earlier this week, Palestinians breached a border crossing, allowing them to get supplies since Israel sealed its border with Gaza a week ago. Egyptian soldiers in riot gear formed a human chain today while other soldiers rolled out barbed wire. The U.S. and Israel have been pressuring the country to close open border areas because they're worried that terrorists with weapons could travel undetected from Egypt into the Palestinian territory.

Washington leaders have agreed on a stimulus plan to give American taxpayers rebates of $600 or more, but people may not see that money for a while. Government officials say it could be May or June before Americans get any real cash. That's because the IRS has to cut the checks, and the agency is now in the middle of the '07 tax-filing season. However, nothing can get started until the bill is passed by the House and Senate. Congressional leaders say they hope to have legislation on the President's desk by the middle of next month.

Democrat Dennis Kucinich is reportedly dropping out of the presidential race. The congressman from Cleveland told a newspaper yesterday that he would make his withdrawal announcement today. The 61 year old has been an outspoken Iraq war critic who's consistently voted against funding the war and led anti-war efforts in Congress. Kucinich has said he won't endorse another candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination.

An explosion in Beirut today has killed four people, including Lebanon's top anti-terror investigating officer. The attack, which wounded 38 others, happened in a Christian neighborhood northeast of the capital. Violence has escalated in Lebanon as pro and anti-Syrian lawmakers in parliament are locked in a battle to elect a president. The country has been without a leader since November when pro-Syrian Emile Lahoud (a-meel la-hood) stepped down at the end of his term.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 01.24.08

Economic stimulus package imminent.

A deal to boost the lagging U.S. economy with a $150 billion stimulus package is reportedly imminent. Government officials say an announcement on the plan could come as early as this afternoon. Final details are still being negotiated, but officials say the current outlines of the package would give individuals a tax rebate check for about $800. Families could get up to $1600.

Two new polls show Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani is slipping in Florida. Florida is a state he once called crucial to his presidential chances. The former New York mayor reportedly registers 15 percent among Republican primary voters. He's tied with former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, who only has a fraction of the organization that Giuliani has in Florida. Polls indicate John McCain is at 25 percent in the state and Mitt Romney's at 23 percent.

And on the Democratic side, Barack Obama's big lead over rival Hillary Clinton has slipped slightly, but he still has the lead in South Carolina. That's according to a new poll just released two days before the state's presidential primary. The Illinois senator reportedly lost three points overnight and is now at 39 percent. Clinton stands at 24 percent. The shift apparently occurred since Monday night's angry debate between the two when they traded harsh accusations. Since then, John Edwards, who wasn't part of the argument, has climbed four points and is now at 19 percent.

People from Gaza are pouring into Egypt for a second day today. Yesterday, militants blew open the border separating Gaza and Egypt, allowing at least 400 thousand people to cross and stock up on supplies. At least 300 thousand Gazans have reportedly crossed today. Last week, Israel blocked off the territory after days of rocket attacks. That's prohibited deliveries of things like fuel and food.