National GOP group launches launches nearly $2M ad blitz against Mass. governor, an Obama ally

National GOP spends $2M on Mass. gov race ads

Report: China says 4 Japanese illegally filmed military targets

China says 4 Japanese filmed military targets

Losses mounting, attendance low, Stan Kasten resigning as president of Washington Nationals

Nationals president Stan Kasten leaving club

Stop wasting time, Obama says at UN, the time is now to drive for Israeli-Palestinian peace

Obama challenges the world: Time for Mideast peace

Rep. Castle, beaten by O’Donnell in Del. Senate primary, says he hasn’t ruled out write-in run

Del. Rep. Castle mulls write-in Senate campaign

Who’s a real tea partier? GOP claims trickery as questions loom over NJ House hopeful

Who’s a ‘tea partier’? Question looms in NJ, US

UN chief urges tolerance to combat growing social inequalities and political polarization

UN chief urges tolerance to combat polarization

Monthly premiums to rise for 7 of top 10 Medicare prescription plans in 2011

Double-digit hikes for some Medicare drug plans

Lawmakers consider federal law to help protect student athletes from concussion risks

Lawmakers seek to protect student athletes’ heads

Congress votes to change wording in laws referring to intellectual disabilities

Congress changes intellectual disability wording

Congressional hearing takes up need for legislation to address student athlete concussions

Congress takes up student athlete concussions

Louisiana senator holds up OMB nominee vote to protest drilling moratorium

Louisiana senator holds up nominee over moratorium

New Del. Senate front-runner campaigned for Reagan, then became a Democrat after Africa trip

O’Donnell foe’s career marked by political shift

NY GOP gov hopeful: Cuomo lied about NYC mayor vote; Cuomo ad hits foe’s tax break, donations

NY gov GOPer: Cuomo lied about NYC mayor vote

Swedish election results confirmed: Government loses parliamentary majority

Swedish vote confirmed: Gov’t loses majority

UN session urges US, others to ratify and clear way for treaty banning nuclear tests

UN session urges US, others to back nuke test pact

Indian leader’s meeting to discuss problems with scandal-plagued Commonwealth Games ends

Indian ministers’ meeting on games ends

NEW DELHI — An emergency meeting called by the Indian prime minister to take stock of preparations for the Commonwealth Games has ended with no comment from officials.

Envoys offer measures to improve UN Security Council’s work

NEW YORK - The world’s major countries Thursday proposed important measures to strengthen the Security Council’s work on global peace and security, saying new situations require new solutions.

Iran regrets Russia’s decision to cancel arms deal

TEHRAN - Iran Thursday regretted Russia’s decision to cancel an arms deal with the Islamic republic, ISNA news agency reported.

NYPD: Nicaraguan diplomatic official found dead in NYC apartment on day of UN General Assembly

Nicaraguan diplomatic official found dead in NYC

Remarks by President Obama and Premier Wen Jiabao of China before Bilateral Meeting

11:27 A.M. EDT
    
     PRESIDENT OBAMA:  I want to welcome Premier Wen to the United States, and once again say what an outstanding partner he’s been over the last 21 months since I’ve been in office.

Democrats say GOP blocking votes for Obama nominees to lower courts, call tactic unprecedented

Democrats: GOP now blocking picks for lower courts

Bill to require more disclosure in political ads again blocked by Senate Republicans

Senate GOP again blocks campaign finance bill

Emanuel could find himself playing catch-up if waits too long to get into Chicago mayor’s race

Time crunch for Emanuel in Chicago mayor race

Readout of President Obama’s Meeting with Prime Minister of Japan Naoto Kan

The President met today in New York with Japanese Prime Minister Kan to discuss the range of economic, security, and other issues facing both nations.  The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance, which plays a key role in promoting stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and directly benefits both nations.

4 senators call on president to fire Afghanistan spending watchdog over management failures

4 senators urge Obama to fire Afghanistan watchdog

US walks out on Ahmadinejad UN speech as he says some think Americans caused 9/11 attacks

US walks out on Ahmadinejad UN speech

UNITED NATIONS — The U.S. delegation walked out of the U.N. speech of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Thursday after he said some in the world have speculated that Americans were actually behind the Sept. 11 terror attacks, staged in an attempt to assure Israel’s survival.

Fla. judge rejects Republicans in lawsuit seeking repayment of $7.5M in Crist contributions

Fla. judge blocks GOP quest for Crist refunds

Defense official says Army officer in charge of brain injury care reassigned amid allegations

DOD says brain injury office chief is reassigned

Presidential Memorandum–Iran Sanctions Act

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE
                                        THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY

In NY speech, Michelle Obama urges nonprofits to involve veterans, families in their work

First lady urges nonprofits to engage veterans

Calif. GOP gov candidate’s comparison of Fresno, Detroit draws sharp response from Motor City

Detroit to Whitman: Invest in struggling cities

Remarks by President Obama at Luncheon Hosted by U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon

1:58 P.M. EDT
 
     THE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, everybody.  I have already subjected you to one long speech today, so I will not do it again.  But I do want to, as the President of the host country, the United States, thank all of you for your participation.  And I want to thank Secretary General Ban for hosting us.  To all my fellow delegates and all the distinguished guests who are with us today, thank you for your leadership.

US Senate candidates Rand Paul, Jack Conway to face off in debate on Fox News in October

Paul, Conway agree to Fox News debate in October

Obama says US-Japan alliance a “cornerstone” of world peace and security

Obama: US-Japan alliance a security “cornerstone”

Remarks by President Obama and Prime Minister Naoto Kan of Japan Before Bilateral Meeting

5:12 P.M. EDT
 
     PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Let me officially welcome the opportunity to speak again with Prime Minister Kan.  We had an opportunity for intensive dialogue when we met together at the G8 in Toronto. And once again, we have reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance not only to regional stability, not only to the security of both our countries, but we believe it’s one of the cornerstones of peace and security throughout the world.

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Asian Affairs Jeff Bader, and Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications Ben Rhodes

2:08 P.M. EDT
 
     MR. GIBBS:  Good afternoon.  Sorry we are starting late.  The bilateral meeting with Premier Wen of China started late and lasted longer than was previously scheduled.  So before we do questions, we will start first with — I think many of you know Jeff Bader, senior director at the National Security Council for Asia, who can talk a bit about the meeting that was just concluded.  And then we’ll have Ben Rhodes talk and answer questions that you may have about the President’s speech to the General Assembly.

Bill Clinton’s comments that Russian immigrants are obstacle to peace draw Israeli ire

Israeli leaders condemn Clinton immigrant comments

Remarks by the President and the First Lady at the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting

4:10 P.M. EDT

     PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Thank you, everybody.  Thank you.  Please have a seat.  Well, I am thrilled to be here.  I want to thank President Clinton for the kind, although protocol-busting, introduction.  (Laughter.)  And I want to thank him for inviting me back to join you at this year’s meeting. 

Miliband almost certain to be voted next leader of Britain’s Labour Party: But which one?

New Labour leader will be Miliband: But which one?

Statement by the President on the DISCLOSE Act Vote in the Senate

“I am deeply disappointed by the unanimous Republican blockade in the Senate of the DISCLOSE Act, a critical piece of legislation that would control the flood of special interest money into our elections. Today’s decision by a partisan minority to block this legislation is a victory for special interests and U.S. corporations – including foreign-controlled ones – who are now allowed to spend unlimited money to fill our airwaves, mailboxes and phone lines right up until Election Day. And it comes at the expense of the American people, who no longer have the right to know who is financing these ads in an attempt to influence an election for their preferred candidate. Wall Street, the insurance lobby, oil companies and other special interests are now one step closer to taking Congress back and returning to the days when lobbyists wrote the laws. But despite today’s setback, I will continue fighting to ensure that our democracy stays where it belongs — in the hands of the American people.” 

Cuban man who sewed mouth shut in hunger strike to protest DVD confiscation collapses

Cuban man who sewed mouth shut collapses

GUANABACOA, Cuba — A Cuban man who sewed his mouth shut after launching a hunger strike to protest confiscation of electronic devices by customs officials has collapsed and been sent to a hospital, his son said Thursday.

Fact Sheet: Advancing Democracy and Human Rights

As the President made clear in his speech to the General Assembly today, the promotion of human rights and democracy is central to his vision of the world we are trying to build.  Freedom, justice, and peace in the world must begin with freedom, justice, and peace in the lives of individual human beings.

VA defends decision to extend disability benefits to Vietnam vets who get heart disease

VA defends Agent Orange, heart disease links

Joint Statement by Vice President Biden and Deputy Prime Minister Clegg on Pakistan

The UK and U.S. are committed to ensuring the most effective possible international response to Pakistan’s ongoing flood disaster.  We recognize the enormous scale of the devastation and Pakistan’s continuing humanitarian and recovery needs.

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