Advocates to Brown: Aid disabled

About 20 local advocates, including disabled people and their families, crowded the reception area of Senator Scott Brown’s Boston office yesterday morning in an unsuccessful attempt to persuade him to break ranks with fellow Republicans and vote in favor of more federal health care funding.

Without that funding, budget cuts in Massachusetts will probably end many social services that aid the disabled here, they said.

“We’re hopeful he’ll do the right thing for Massachusetts,’’ said Josh Komyerov, legislative director for the Arc of Massachusetts, a nonprofit that organized the sit-in.

Sarah Palin Criticizes Calif. AG at Gala Dinner

Sarah Palin criticized California Attorney General Jerry Brown Friday over his investigation into her speaking arrangement at a gala dinner at a cash-strapped California university.

The 2008 Republican vice-presidential candidate's speech at the 50th anniversary celebration at California State University, Stanislaus has generated intense intrigue and scrutiny since the nonprofit foundation holding the event first announced her visit in March.

The visit set off a pitched legal feud. Brown launched an investigation into the finances of the university's foundation arm amid allegations that the nonprofit violated public disclosure laws.

Obama administration poised to challenge Arizona immigration law

Reporting from Washington —

A White House showdown with the state of Arizona over its tough new immigration law is likely to unfold next week, when the Obama administration is expected to file a lawsuit aimed at blocking the state's bid to curb illegal immigration on its own, according to people familiar with the administration's plans.

Arizona officials are girding for the legal challenge. The state has raised $123,000 in private donations to defend the law, according to Gov. Jan Brewer's office. Money has come in from all 50 states, in donations as little as $1.

Obama administration officials declined to reveal the basis for the suit. But legal experts say the challenge is likely to include the argument that in passing the law, Arizona violated the Constitution by intruding on the federal government's authority to regulate immigration.

British PM warns against 'destruction' of BP

HUNTSVILLE, Canada — British Prime Minister David Cameron warned against "the destruction" of BP as its shares plummeted close to a 14-year low amid the battle against the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

The new British leader, who will hold his first bilateral talks Saturday with US President Barack Obama, said it was important for transparency over the British company's liability in the catastrophe.

"I think it is also in all our long-term interests that there is some clarity, some finality, to all of this, so that we don't at the same time see the destruction of a company that is important for all our interests," he told Canadian broadcaster CBC.

BP has increasingly come under fire from the US administration for triggering the country's worst ever environmental disaster when a BP-leased rig exploded in the Gulf in April.

Despite desperate efforts, BP is still not capping all of the estimated 35,000 to 60,000 barrels of oil spilling into the sea every day.

Japanese Michael Jackson fans begin memorial sleepover

TOKYO — Michael Jackson's legions of Japanese fans began piling up flowers in Tokyo Saturday to mark the first anniversary of his death, with 50 devotees spending the night with his most treasured possessions.

The diehard fans have paid more than 1,000 dollars each for the sleepover inside an exhibition space showcasing some of the singer's belongings, including his music awards, Rolls Royce and crystal-studded gloves.

Jackson died from a drug overdose at a rented Los Angeles mansion on June 25 last year, a seismic celebrity death that triggered a global outpouring of tributes for the eccentric genius known as "The King of Pop".

Bin Laden hunter on his way back to United States By DAN ELLIOTT (AP)

DENVER — An American on a solo mission to hunt down Osama bin Laden is headed back to the United States, 10 days after authorities found him in the woods of northern Pakistan with a pistol, a sword and night-vision equipment.

Gary Faulkner, who has been detained since June 13, left Pakistan early Wednesday and will arrive in Denver later in the day, his brother Scott Faulkner said.

Scott Faulkner said he spoke to his brother briefly Tuesday, and he reported being treated well Pakistan. By the excitement in his brother's voice, Scott Faulkner said he thinks his brother came close to finding bin Laden.

The 50-year-old Gary Faulkner, of Greeley, told officials he was out to kill the al-Qaida leader. He was then moved to Islamabad, and his brother told The Associated Press on Tuesday that he was being released by the Pakistani government without charges.