Jerry Brown, the contender for Governor, issues the dare at the California Democratic convention as the party seems to respond to the nationwide GOP wave.

On Sunday, the Russian Security Council stressed that there is no reason to not go ahead and deliver the S-300 air defense system to Iran.

Several years ago, Russia and Iran had reached a deal, under which the S-300 systems would be purchased by the latter, but there had been constant delays on the part of Russia over the delivery of the anti-aircraft missiles.

The U. S. House Intelligence Committee has launched an investigation of Central Intelligence Agency briefings given to congress. The Committee will also probe if the Bush administration concealed CIA's plans from congress.

One of the secret programs of CIA was to assassinate senior leaders of Ai Qaeda.

Washington  - A secret operation halted last month by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director planned assassinations of al-Qaeda targets, a newspaper reported Monday.

The unexpected resumption of negotiations between the Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders, on Saturday, might just see the much-required compromise come through, for ending California's fiscal calamity by addressing the $26 billion budget deficit.

Washington  - The Organization of American States (OAS) and the US administration vowed to reject a delegation from the Honduran government installed after the ouster of President Manuel Zelaya.

Washington  - A nearly eight-month dispute over Minnesota's US Senate seat ended Tuesday, as the state's highest court sanctioned the razor-thin election victory of Democratic candidate Al Franken.

Washington  - South Carolina's governor admitted Wednesday to an affair with an Argentinian woman, ending a bizarre mystery that began with his sudden disappearance from his home state last week.

Mark Sanford, a Republican, vanished on June 18 without telling either his family or staff where he was headed.

Washington  - The US Congress has approved a 106-billion- dollar spending bill that includes money for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and a loan to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Washington  - US President Barack Obama on Wednesday extended some benefits for government workers to same-sex partners in a bid to give them greater equality.