Budget deletes some USDA subsidy programs
WASHINGTON, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- Several U.S. Agriculture Department subsidy programs would be phased out while other programs are beefed up under President Barack Obama's budget plan.
Obama's fiscal blueprint for fiscal year 2010 includes funding to allow the department to offer loans and grants for small business activities, renewable energy projects and telecommunication efforts.
However, it would reduce direct payments to the largest farmers, decrease crop insurance subsidies and eliminate cotton storage credits.
It also would eliminate the Resource Conservation and Development program and reduce program funding for overseas brand promotion.
Concerning nutrition programs overseen by the department, the supplemental Women, Infants and Children program would be funded to serve the more than 9.8 million participants. In addition, the budget outline includes a $1 billion per year authorization for the child nutrition program and supports a pilot program to help increase senior participation in the food stamp program.
The proposal calls for a $250,000 commodity program payment limit.
The budget would fully fund fire suppression costs, establish a discretionary contingent reserve for wildfires and institute reforms on use of fire management resources.
GOP group opposing new unemployment aid
WASHINGTON, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- The $7 billion in U.S. government funds tabbed to help expand unemployment benefits will only create additional problems, six Republican governors say.
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, one of those governors, said the unemployment fund featured in the government's $787 billion economic recovery package would ultimately hurt U.S. businesses, Stateline.org said Thursday.
Jindal said if his state were to accept its portion of the package, along with its conditions, it "would ultimately increase taxes on the very businesses we are working to support during these tough economic times."
The Louisiana governor's position has been supported by Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
The five additional Republican governors all have stated that accepting the laws attached to the stimulus package could result in higher taxes for their constituents.
Stateline.org said federal and state employer payroll taxes are scheduled to pay for the proposed unemployment insurance program under the government package.
Israel bombs Gaza tunnels after attack
SDEROT, Israel, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- Israeli warplanes bombed suspected smuggling tunnels in the Gaza Strip Thursday in response to a pair of rocket attacks from the region.
Palestinian sources said no one was injured in the two cross-border attacks, which involved two rockets launched from Gaza and at least three Israeli missile strikes, The Jerusalem Post reported.
The rockets fired into Israel struck the city of Sderot and Israel's Sha'ar Hanegev region. While no injuries were reported two homes in Sderot were damaged.
Haaretz said the Gaza Strip tunnels targeted by the Israeli air force were allegedly used to smuggle weapons and other goods from Egypt.
The tunnel bombings came a day after Israel targeted seven other suspected smuggling tunnels in the Gaza Strip. An Army official said Wednesday's air strikes were in response to two rocket attacks on Israel that same day.
Fayad wants Gaza aid to go through PA
GAZA, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- Palestinian National Authority Prime Minister Prime Minister Salam Fayad says his government should be used to channel Gaza Strip relief funds.
Fayad has suggested that any countries wishing to donate immediately to the Gaza Strip relief effort should channel their millions of dollars through the Palestinian National Authority, Ynetnews said Thursday.
The prime minister's request comes just prior to next week's conference regarding aid to the Gaza Strip, which is recuperating from recent Israeli military action.
Fayad is scheduled to represent his Palestinian constituents at the aid conference.
In addition to his aid request, Fayad said in a 53-page report released by the International Monetary Fund that his government is in need of $1.15 billion.
The PA official said the funds are needed to pay for external recurrent financing requirements this year.
Ynetnews reported that the IMF report said the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip will cost at least $600 million.
Report: Kim son next in line in N. Korea
PYONGYANG, North Korea, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong II is expected to tab his third son, Jong Un, as his successor, South Korean intelligence officials said in a report.
The South Korean National Intelligence Service said in a report to the National Assembly Intelligence Committee that the predicted move by Kim, 67, would ensure North Korea endures a third generation of Kim family leaders, The Chosun Ilbo said Thursday.
But NIS director Won Sei Hoon, according to claims by South Korean officials, suspects Kim's son, about 25 years old, would only enjoy tenuous control of his country once assuming leadership duties.
Grand National Party lawmaker Lee Cheol Woo and Democratic Party lawmaker Park Young-sun quoted Won in relation to the claim about the next North Korean leader.
The Chosun Ilbo said NIS officials informed the committee such claims in regards to Kim and his successor are been tabbed as "unfounded" in media reports.
Three suspects in Hariri killing released
BEIRUT, Lebanon, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- Three suspects held by investigators in the 2005 assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri have been released, authorities say.
Lebanese judiciary officials said three of seven suspects in the assassination investigation were released on bail Wednesday, including Syrian national Ibrahim Jarjura, The Daily Star reported Thursday.
Those freed included Lebanese brothers Ahmad and Mahmoud Abdel Aal. The release of the suspects reportedly does not mean the men will not face a tribunal in the bombing that took Hariri's life in Beirut.
Hariri was among 23 people who were killed on Feb. 14, 2005 when a massive car bomb exploded.
The three released suspects were taken into custody in late 2005 and early 2006.
Meanwhile, a request to release the remaining four suspects was rejected by an investigative magistrate.
The Star said the suspects still in custody are former Presidential Guards head Mustapha Hamdan, military intelligence official Raymond Azar, Internal Security Forces Director Ali Hajj and General Security official Jamil al-Sayyed.
