USA
San Francisco's Board of Supervisers unanimously approved a universal healthcare plan that requires one more board approval before the city becomes the nation's first to provide medical services to all residents, regardless of immigration or employment status. San Fran- cisco's business community strongly opposes the $200 million plan that would mandate employer contributions.
Authorities found about 100 dehydrated and exhausted illegal immigrants 50 miles west of Phoenix Tuesday. Seven were treated at area hospitals, along with three sheriff's deputies. A search continued for three immigrants who reportedly died in the searing desert.
Louisiana Attorney General Charles Foti (D) said there may be more arrests and victims in the state's months-long criminal investigation into the treatment of the ill and elderly after hurricane Katrina. On Tuesday, accusations by his office led to the arrest of Dr. Anna Pou and two nurses who allegedly used deadly injections to murder four trapped and gravely ill patients at Memorial Medical Center in New Orleans.
US Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D) of Georgia, who made headlines in March after scuffling with a Capitol Hill security officer and then apologizing for the incident, advanced in a state primary to an Aug. 8 runoff against Hank Johnson, a former county commissioner. McKinney is seeking a seventh term. Meanwhile, in Georgia's race for lieutenant governor, former Christian Coalition leader Ralph Reed was unable to overcome ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff and lost a bid for the Republican nod to state Sen. Casey Cagle. Current Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor prevailed in the Democratic primary for governor and will face Gov. Sonny Perdue (R) in November.
The Crown Princess, a new cruise ship, listed badly after departing Port Canaveral, Fla., Tuesday, throwing passengers and crew to the deck and causing more than 90 injuries, some described as serious. The New York-bound ship, which was carrying 4,000 people, later righted itself and returned to port.
Jailed online sports-betting executive David Carruthers remains in custody in Fort Worth, Texas, pending a Friday detention hearing. Carruthers is one of five persons arrested after being charged – along with six others – by federal prosecutors with conspiracy, racketeering, and wire fraud. All of the accused work for BetOnSports PLC, a Costa Rican company that handled $1.77 billion in bets during the last fiscal year.
In a vote that critics said was mainly aimed at revealing where lawmakers stand on same-sex marriage, the House failed Tuesday to pass a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban gay unions. The proposal received majority support but was 46 votes shy of the 289 needed for passage.
