A federal appeals court ordered California to release some 40,000 inmates from its state prisons over the next two years, in a finding that ongoing prison crowding violates constitutional standards for prisoner health care. The administration of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said it would appeal the decision to the US Supreme Court. The ruling by a three-judge panel stemmed from challenges by two inmates who claimed that the state’s 33 prisons were so overcrowded that they were denie...

President Barack Obama celebrated his 48th birthday singing Happy Birthday to himself and a veteran scribe who began reporting from the White House in 1960 -- the year before he was born. Sharing a birthday with reporter Helen Thomas who has covered eight presidents starting with John F. Kennedy, Obama made a surprise appearance in the briefing room carrying six candlelit cupcakes and leading the press corps in singing Happy Birthday. As it was his own birthday as well, the two received birthday...

As President Barack Obama thanked former President Bill Clinton for “the extraordinary humanitarian effort” in securing the release of two US journalists from North Korea, the story behind Clinton’s trip started unfolding. Journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee arrived back in the US with Clinton, who flew to North Korea to negotiate their release after they were sentenced to a labour camp. While Obama never spoke directly with Clinton about this issue, negotiations were under way within the admini...

Singer Beyonce Knowles is helping feed the hungry by spearheading a new campaign to aid US food banks. She has joined hands with food brand General Mills’ Hamburger Helper to launch the Show “Your Helping Hand”, an initiative to benefit poverty-stricken families across America. Last month, Beyonce fans were able to show their support by bringing non-perishable foods to her concert at Madison Square Garden in New York. Now the star is urging more people to take part by purchasing special Hamburge...