Obama Midwest Visit: President To Make Economic Pitch In Illinois, Missouri

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WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama will make stops in Illinois and Missouri next week to draw attention to the economy and to measures he argues will help step up the recovery.

The White House says Obama will travel Wednesday to Galesburg, Ill., and Warrensburg, Mo., to make his case for spending on infrastructure and for universal pre-school programs. Obama is also expected to highlight the economic benefits of overhauling immigration laws.

Both stops are in rural communities that have seen party switches in their congressional representation within the past three years – one to Democrat and the other Republican.

The day-trip comes during a high point for the White House, a week after the Senate gave Obama a significant victory by approving several stalled administration nominations.

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Barack Obama Nelson Mandela: President 'Madiba' 95 birthday honours

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama say that the world can honor Nelson Mandela by paying attention to their example and serve others.

The Obama are sending their wishes and prayers for the former South African leader in his 95 birthday. Mandela is ill of gravity in the hospital, although he has said to be improving and could be released soon.

The Obama gathered with family of Mandela in South Africa last month and visited Robben Island, where the figure of apartheid he spent 18 years as a political prisoner

The President and first lady said they were deeply moved by the visit to the prison. They always say you get strength and inspiration from the example of Mandela, say that their commitment to equality, dignity and reconciliation should be a beacon for future generations.

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Napolitano will inherit agitation as new President of the University of California

By Sharon Bernstein

LOS Angeles, July 13 (Reuters) - in the hiring of Janet Napolitano to run the University of extension California, State officials have exploits of connoisseurs and fundraising of the head of national security policies for restoring a system built up by years of budget cuts and agitation.

Napolitano, a Governor of two-term Arizona plucked by President Barack Obama in 2009 to be Homeland Security Secretary, said on Friday that he would leave that post to run the system 10-University campus, pending approval by the Board of Regents expected next week.

Chosen from more than 300 candidates in part because of their political ability, 55-year-old Democrat will take the rudder as the University is struggling to recover from the economic crises that have eaten away at the State budget and for almost two decades.

Cuts of almost $1 billion in the past five years have led to increases in tuition and shortage of class and has strained relations with the Faculty and staff through the imposition of days of rest and hiring freezes.

"Your job is to restore the glory of the system," said Jack Stripling, who covers the leadership of the University for the Chronicle of higher education.

So Napolitano will have to convince politicians that control the State budget that a University of high quality is an asset worth paying for - at the time showing the faculty, staff and students 234.000 that she is on their side.

"The thinking is, you bring in someone with statesmanship to resolve what is essentially a political problem," said Stripling.

To make your choice of a new President, the University leaders chosen someone with experience in the management of a large, highly political organization, said the UC Dianne Klein spokeswoman. The budget of the University, including its hospitals and medical centers, is more than $24 billion.

"It is a dynamic position, and she is someone who has experience in the management of large complex organizations," said Klein.

BUDGET

Neapolitan tenure will begin as the campus - along with the State - recovered from the prolonged economic recession. But while the legislature and gov. Jerry Brown have restored some funds, budgets remain tight.

As a result, Napolitano will have to find creative ways to raise funds and cut spending, while preserving the quality of the teaching and research so that the system is known.

"Secretary Napolitano has the strength of character and the mind of a stranger who will serve well the Faculty and students," said Brown in a statement. "It will be exciting to work with her."

But Robert Powell, Professor of chemical engineering at UC Davis Academic Senate who heads system-wide, said Napolitano also will have to spend time knowing College by meeting with students and professors and campus tour.

"She has to go to the campus - meet with faculty, meet with staff, search and see how these places are and how students live here," said Powell.

A lawyer by training, Napolitano is an unusual choice because he has not worked in academia. His predecessor, Mark Yudof, is also a lawyer but was Rector of the University of Texas and President of the University of Minnesota before taking the reins in the most populous United States State.

Napolitano was born in New York City and grew up in Pittsburgh and Albuquerque. He had been appointed a Prosecutor of Arizona of the United States Bill Clinton and later elected attorney general of the State and the Governor.

As head of Homeland Security, she drew the ire of some Republicans, who painted an overly optimistic image of border security, he said.

Napolitano will be the 20th President of the University of California and the first woman. He acknowledged that it was not a typical candidate and said that he would meet with teachers, students, politicians and others to learn about the system.

"If preparing to govern a State or direct an organism so critical and complex as national security, I have found the best way to start is simply to listen,", said Napolitano. (Additional reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Edited by Cynthia Johnston and Sandra Maler)

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Edward Snowden Asylum To Be Offered By Venezuela, President Nicolás Maduro Says

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By Daniel Wallis and Deisy Buitrago

CARACAS, July 5 (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro offered asylum to former U.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden on Friday in defiance of Washington, which is demanding his arrest for divulging details of secret U.S. spy programs.

"In the name of America's dignity ... I have decided to offer humanitarian asylum to Edward Snowden," Maduro told a military parade marking Venezuela's independence day.

"He is a young man who has told the truth, in the spirit of rebellion, about the United States spying on the whole world."

The 30-year-old former National Security Agency contractor is believed to be holed up in the transit area of Moscow's Sheremetyevo international airport.

Russian officials have kept Snowden at arm's length since he landed from Hong Kong on June 23, saying the transit area where passengers stay between flights is neutral territory and he will be on Russian soil only if he goes through passport control.

It was not immediately clear how Snowden would react to Maduro's offer, nor reach Venezuela if he accepted.

There are no direct commercial flights between Moscow and Caracas, and the usual route involves changing planes in Havana. It is not clear if the Cuban authorities would let him transit.

Given the dramatic grounding in Vienna of the Bolivian president's plane this week over suspicions that Snowden was onboard, using European airspace could prove problematic.

One alternative flight plan would involve an aircraft taking off from Moscow, refueling in Vladivostok, and then continuing east over the Pacific to South America.

Russia has shown signs of growing impatience over Snowden's stay in Moscow. Its deputy foreign minister said on Thursday that Snowden had not sought asylum in that country and needed to choose a place to go.

Moscow has made clear that the longer he stays, the greater the risk of the diplomatic standoff over his fate causing lasting damage to relations with Washington.

The White House declined to comment on Maduro's offer.

Raising the possibility of at least one other option, Nicaragua said it had received an asylum request from Snowden and could agree to it "if circumstances permit".

WikiLeaks, the anti-secrecy organization, said on Friday that Snowden had asked six more nations for asylum, bringing to about 20 the number of countries he has appealed to for protection from U.S. espionage charges.

WikiLeaks said on Twitter it would not reveal which six new countries Snowden had applied to for asylum, due to "attempted U.S. interference".

Maduro said Venezuela was ready to offer him sanctuary, and that the details Snowden had revealed of U.S. spy programs had exposed the nefarious schemes of the U.S. "empire."

"Who is the guilty one? A young man ... who denounces war plans, or the U.S. government which launches bombs and arms the terrorist Syrian opposition against the people and legitimate President Bashar al-Assad?" he asked, to applause and cheers from ranks of military officers at the parade.

"Who is the terrorist? Who is the global delinquent?"

'COLONIES OF THE UNITED STATES'

Since narrowly winning a presidential election in April that followed the death of his mentor, Hugo Chavez, from cancer, Maduro has often lambasted the United States - even accusing the Pentagon and former U.S. officials of plotting to kill him.

But the former bus driver and union leader has at times also struck a much more conciliatory note, saying he is ready for better relations with Washington, based on mutual respect.

Already one of Snowden's most vocal supporters on the world stage, Maduro has sharpened his rhetoric in recent days.

It peaked after Bolivia said France, Portugal, Italy and Spain banned a plane carrying its president, Evo Morales, from using their airspace because of suspicions Snowden was aboard.

Latin America's most vocal leftist leaders denounced that as a disgrace and a serious breach of protocol, and Maduro said the CIA, the U.S. spy agency, was behind it all.

Snowden had revealed that the United States was spying on its European allies, Maduro said on Friday, and yet European leaders still caved under U.S. pressure to ground Morales' jet.

"The European people have seen the cowardice and the weakness of their governments, which now look like colonies of the United States," the Venezuelan president said.

Venezuela's opposition leader, Henrique Capriles, accused Maduro of making a fuss about Snowden to distract voters from a dismal economic picture at home, and a host of other problems including one of the highest murder rates in the world.

"Nicolas, you can't use asylum to cover up that you stole the election. That doesn't give you legitimacy, nor make the people forget," Capriles said on Twitter.

Speaking in Managua, President Daniel Ortega said he would gladly give Snowden asylum in Nicaragua "if circumstances permit". He did not say what those circumstances might be.

Nicaragua, one of the poorest countries in the Americas, has benefited greatly from financial support from Venezuela, and Ortega was a staunch ally of Chavez.

A bid by Snowden for Icelandic citizenship hit an impasse on Friday when the country's parliament voted not to debate the issue before its summer recess. (Additional reporting by Ivan Castro in Managua, Robert Robertsson in Reykjavik, and Roberta Rampton in Washington; Editing by Sandra Maler)

Sarah Palin As President? Author Fred Rich Imagines A World Where That's True

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Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) was unsuccessful in her 2008 run for the vice presidency, but a new book puts her in the top spot, imagining a world where Palin is president of the United States.

"Christian Nation," a book by author Fred Rich, describes a world in which John McCain was victorious in the 2008 election over Barack Obama. In the novel, President McCain passes away, leaving America in the hands of Palin.

“If somebody like Sarah Palin, who holds so firmly to this conviction that America is and should be a Christian nation, what would happen if she actually had the power to implement it?” Rich said of his book, According to Politico.

Rich said the book "is not intended to be a shrill, bombastic addition" to the larger conversation about religion as much as an effort to highlight some religious "extremists."

"Those aren’t bad people -- I'm not hitting those people over the head. What I’m doing is shining a spotlight on the fact that some leading opinion makers -- and the ones that can drive the politics in this country -- are extremists.”

Click here to read an excerpt from the book.

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Cesar Conde Resigns As President Of Univision For Big Position At NBCUniversal

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Univision says adios, the competition says hello.

The Spanish-language network’s president, Cesar Conde, announced his departure on Friday morning, the Los Angeles Times reports. Hours later, NBCUniversal announced the 39-year-old businessman would join the company as Executive Vice President.

Univision’s press release announced that Conde, who was appointed president in 2009, had resigned to pursue opportunities in English language media without stating specifics. After over ten years at the Spanish-language media giant, the Peruvian executive now heads to the parent company of its biggest competitor -- Telemundo.

NBCUniversal created the role for Conde and will have him focus on “strategic priorities and special business projects,” according to the company’s press release. As Executive Vice President, Conde will also oversee the company’s International Group.

"Cesar is an impressive business executive with both traditional and emerging media expertise," NBCUniversal’s Chief Executive Officer, Steve Burke, said in the press release. "His experience leading multiple domestic and international businesses will be instrumental in maximizing all the opportunities to grow our portfolio."

Univision beat out English-language networks like ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX in prime time ratings for the first time in July. With Conde's departure, the network also announced a "reorganization of the Univision Network team" which will have President of Programming and Content Alberto Ciurana, President of News Isaac Lee, and President of Univision Deportes Juan Carlos Rodiguez report directly to CEO of Univision Communications, Inc Randy Falco.

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President Obama announces plans to regulation of emissions, Congress ranges

President Obama announcement on Tuesday that will use his Executive authority to regulate emissions of carbon dioxide from existing plants and to finalize the rules for the plants that have yet to be built, is cause for celebration, but also a time of mourning. The announcement reflects the refusal of Congress to pass serious legislation to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Ultimately, if the United States fully contribute to an effective global response to the dangers of a warming of the planet, Congress must stop dithering.

Editor's Note: this was written and published by the participants in the Forum of the Aspen Institute energy worldwide, the economy and security.

Read the full story at www.nytimes.com

Nelson Mandela in critical condition, statement by President Jacob Zuma says

Johannesburg: Nelson Mandela's health has deteriorated and is now in critical condition, said Sunday the South African Government.

President Jacob Zuma's Office said in a statement that he had visited the leading anti-apartheid of 94-year-old at a hospital on Sunday night and was told by the medical team that Mandela condition had become critical in the last 24 hours.

"Doctors are all possible get your condition to improve doing and ensure that Madiba is well then and is comfortable." He is in good hands, "Zuma said in the statement, using the name of the clan of Mandela.

Zuma also met Graça Machel, wife of Mandela, at the hospital in Pretoria and discussed the condition of the former leader, according to the statement. Zuma was accompanied on the visit by Cyril Ramaphosa, Vice President of the party in power in the country, the African National Congress.

Mandela was jailed for 27 years in 1990 and white racist regime. He then played a prominent role in the direction of the country divided since the days of apartheid to democracy, becoming the first Black President of South Africa in the all-race elections in 1994. He was hospitalized on June 8, for what the Government says was a recurring lung infection.

In the statement on Sunday, Zuma also discussed recognition of the Government a day before an ambulance leading to Mandela in Pretoria hospital two weeks ago had engine problems, requiring former President move to another ambulance for your trip. Capital Pretoria, South Africa, is about 50 km (30 miles) from Johannesburg, where Mandela has been living.

"There were seven doctors in the convoy who were in full control of the situation throughout the period."He had expert medical attention, said Zuma. "The ambulance equipped ICU military had a full complement of qualified medical personnel and ICU nurse specialists in intensive care." The doctors also dismissed media reports that Madiba suffered a cardiac arrest. There is no truth at all in that report".

Mandela, a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, is seen by many in the world as a symbol of reconciliation, and Zuma had appealed to South Africans and the international community to pray for the sick former President, his family and the medical team attending to it.

The ruling party expressed its concern at the deterioration in the health of Mandela.

"We welcome the work of the Presidency so that they are informed about the State of health of South African Madiba and people of the world", the party said. "The African National Congress joins the Presidency in calling upon all us to keep President Mandela, his family and his medical team in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."

In Washington, White House National Security Council spokesman said the latest reports from the Government South African condition worsens Mandela.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family and the people of South Africa," said the spokesman Caitllin Hayden.

Before Zuma final statement Sunday, reports from the Government, former President Thabo Mbeki and a grandchild of Mandela indicated that it was improving the health of Mandela, while it has been in the hospital for treatment several times in recent months. In the days following his last hospitalization, Zuma Office described his condition as serious but stable. Members of the family have been making daily visits to the hospital where is being treated Mandela.

Mandela, who has become increasingly fragile in recent years, last made a public appearance at the tournament of football 2010 World Cup, hosted by South Africa. Not to give an address on that occasion and was made against the cold in a stadium full of fans.

On April 29, State television broadcast images of a visit by Zuma and other leaders of the African National Congress to the Mandela House. Zuma said at the time that Mandela was in good shape, but imagery - the first public images of Mandela in almost a year--showed him silent and unresponsive, even when Zuma tried to take his hand.

Between hospital stays in recent months, Mandela has been staying in his house in the neighborhood of Johannesburg's Houghton, where has received what the Government described as "high home care" by a medical team. On April 6, he was discharged from a hospital after treatment for pneumonia, which included a procedure in which doctors drained fluid from the lung area.

Mandela has been vulnerable to respiratory problems since contracting tuberculosis during his imprisonment under apartheid. Most of those years were spent on Robben Island, an outpost of ban on the coast of Cape Town.

Los Angeles school vandalism includes swastikas, possible threat to President Obama

Leichman high school officials woke up to a surprise tomorrow on Monday, when it was discovered that the Los Angeles institution for students with special needs had suffered the weekend.

The vandalism contained a series of offensive messages of graffiti, including a statement that read "Kill Obama?" and was perceived by some as a threat against the President. In addition, there were representations of swastikas, pumps and anti-mensajes of the Police Department of Los Angeles, as a sign of KTLA-TV video.

While President Obama was in Los Angeles on Friday, it is not clear if the vandalism is related to their visit, according to LAist.

The school serves several hundred young people with disabilities between the ages of 14 and 22, but the students did not have to see the vandalism because it is summer school and has not yet begun summer school, reports KTLA. Officials discovered the damage on his arrival early in the morning.

"Is a horrible thing walk on any campus and see an example of the kind of hatred that exists in the world," said the Director of the school of Giovanni Triviño, by the Los Angeles Daily News.

In total, expected that the damage to the school costs about $2,500, advises a local CBS outlet.

The school, which has a surveillance camera, was also vandalized in May. The Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles school police are investigating both events, according to the Daily News of Los Angeles.

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