Obama Praises “Valiant” Clinton

Democratic hopeful Barack Obama has paid tribute to Hillary Clinton for her campaign to become the party nominee for US president.

He said his former rival had “shattered barriers on behalf of my daughters and women everywhere”.

The praise came after Mrs Clinton formally abandoned her bid for the nomination at a rally in Washington.

She said Mr Obama had proved his “grace and grit”, and she urged her supporters to put their energy into electing him.

Mr Obama is expected to face the Republican presumptive nominee, John McCain, in November’s presidential election.

Michael W. Smith To Record Live

Recently honored by the Gospel Music Association during this year’s GMA Dove Awards, Michael W. Smith is busy preparing for his next project; a live worship CD to be recorded June 20 at Lakewood Church in Houston, TX. Doors open at 6:30 PM and the free event will start promptly at 7:30 PM. Lakewood Church is located at 3700 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77027. Respected as a pop artist, composer, author and worship leader, Smith’s first two worship projects, Worship and Worship Again, garnered fans in the millions, worldwide.

The upcoming album, Smith’s 21st, will be recorded with the African Children’s Choir as he leads worship for a group that is expected to exceed 15,000 in attendance.

700+ Missing In Philippines

A group of 28 ferry passengers and crew washed ashore after drifting at sea for more than a day from the site where a typhoon capsized their ship and left most of the hundreds aboard missing and presumed dead, officials said Monday.

Manila’s DZBB radio said the survivors, 20 male passengers, four women and four crewmen, drifted at sea for more than 24 hours wearing their lifejackets, reaching Mulanay township in eastern Quezon province late Sunday. Coast guard chief Vice Adm. Wilfredo Tamayo announced early Monday that they had been found, raising the total number of survivors to 38. All were discovered after making it to land.

Tamayo said rescuers may have to bore a hole in the ship to allow divers access to area where many aboard the ferry were believed to have been trapped.

US And China In Investment Talks

The US and China have agreed to begin talks on an investment pact that would help protect and expand investments between the two countries.

Bilateral investment treaties are designed to eliminate barriers to investment through reciprocal rules that govern issues like arbitration.

US companies are said to be concerned that Chinese investment regulations favour domestic companies.

US officials said a formal announcement would be made later.

The news comes as high-level delegations from China and the US meet as part of regular talks aimed at tackling trade and currency frictions.