USA
An elaborate White House welcome was extended to India's prime minister, Manmohan Singh, during his visit to Washington. The pomp, administration officials said, was designed to emphasize what Bush described as the "vast potential" in "transformed" relations with the the world's largest democracy, which is emerging as an economic and military power. One area where the US expects to maintain a hard line in talks is in its opposition to India's bid to gain a seat on the UN Security Council. The White House also is inclined to proceed cautiously in supporting India's nuclear energy ambitions.
The Justice Department acknowledged keeping extensive reports on the American Civil Liberties Union, Greenpeace, and similar advocacy groups, but said it anticipates needing months to process and review thousands of pages before releasing them. The ACLU and Greenpeace have sued under the Freedom of Information Act for release of the documents, which they contend show the FBI has misused counterterrorism powers to scrutinize lawful conduct.
Debate on a Senate bill to grant native Hawaiians federal recognition is expected to end Tuesday, with a vote to follow Wednesday. The bill would bestow the same rights of self-government on native Hawaiians as American Indians and native Alaskans enjoy.
Before wrapping up their annual meeting, state governors were expected to meet Monday with Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff in Des Moines, Iowa, to relate their concerns about burdening motor vehicle departments with security duties. Requiring states to verify that license applicants are American citizens or legal residents would send license fees soaring and require clerks to act as immigration agents, the governors contend. On Sunday, they agreed on a bipartisan proposal to improve the federal-state Medicaid program and to standardize the way they track public school graduation rates. National reports last week added fuel to their work, showing high school students hadn't shown the same academic progress as younger students.
After winning the British Open Sunday at St. Andrews, Scotland, Tiger Woods will now set his sights on the year's final Grand Slam golf tournament - the PGA Championship, which begins Aug. 11 at Springfield, N.J. Woods, who won the Masters in April, now has 10 major pro titles, and trails only Jack Nicklaus (18) and Walter Hagen (11). Nicklaus bid farewell to the majors at St. Andrews.
