Author Archives: Gunjan Priya

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Obama’s official spokesperson Gibbs to resign from White House job

US President Obama’s spokesperson, Robert Gibbs is resigning from his post. However, he is not leaving the job to give more useful service to Obama from outside the White House.

Gibbsannounced  leavig the job of press secretary fromFebruary. He will work then after as a paid consultant for Obama to campaign for next presidential polls. Gibbs stated that he would be able to work more efficiently for Obama outside the office.

The Democrats are gearing up for the 2012 presidential campaign Obama is going to put Gibbs in the front line for speaking in public debates during campaign.

Robert will not be receiving any government salary after February and he won’t even show up in the press room podium.

Gibbs further stated that he did not regret for his decision as he will be involved now in more active roles for the administration and President Obama and would be very happy to do that.

Brad Woodhouse, an official from the Democratic National Committee said that Robert Gibbs’ job in the White House had more limitations and as a consultant he would be more emphatic in commenting on opposition’s actions.

Obama himself had stated about Gibbs as an employee who worked more than what he was paid for. Gives is getting $172,200  per annum right now.

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Republicans plan to repeal Obama’s Healthcare law, block funds

With the new session of US Congress beginning, the opposition is all set to block ways for Obama. Be it his greatest achievement so far—the healthcare legislation or funding, majority achieved after November midterm polls gives Republicans halt any step of the government, revealed the incoming budget committee chief, Paul D. Ryan.

The Democrats however have warned the incoming speaker ij their letter that blocking the legislation’s funding will be harmful for the consumers and may ultimately impact the international market adversely.

Thus, the first step of the Republicans after enter House in majority will be to revoke a law rather than doing any constructive work or proposing something for the welfare of people what they always claim as their top priority. The republicans will propose a different bill that contrasts Obama’s health care law and does not involve that much expenditure.

Republicans will soon go for voting on repealing the law on coming Wednesday but there is divided consensus among Republicans themselves over the success of their own bill which they would propose for revoking the existing law. Republicans hope to have an edge over the Democrats after winning midterm polls by gaining 63 seats and they could easily pressurize Obama to cut spending on the healthcare law.

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US navy dismisses official for anti-gay videos

US administration removes Capt. Owen Honors, from captain’s position in navy.  He has been found guilty of wrong judgment and unprofessional behavior. The incidence follows repeal of the law in US defense– ‘don’t ask, don’t tell.’

Navy decided to remove captain of an aircraft carrier on the issue of  some videos giving anti-gay messages and slurs. The officials in military are yet not very acquainted with the freedom recently given to homosexuals to serve without hiding their sexual orientation.

Capt. Owen Honors’s showed crude of Norfolk, an aircraft carrier making derogatory remarks on gays. Captain Owen was in command of that ship 4 years back.

“An official from US military admitted that most of the security personnel were highly conservative and disclosure of homosexuality often leads to embarrassment and social stigma within their military units for gays.

Navy’s Fleet Forces Command’s chief, Adm. John Harvey, did not use the exact terms which were used in the video on the basis of which he dismissed Captain Honors.

Harvey further stated that Captain Honors’ failure to make proper judgment and conducting unprofessional behavior has spoiled his credibility to retain the prestigious post. He also added that further investigation was being carried to find out about other officials who were involved in the video episode or had been aware of it.

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Christians demonstrate against communal violence in Egypt

Christians and their supporters protested in Cairo against New Year attack on Saints Church in Alexandria, which led to death of 23 people and injured many others. Hundreds of Coptic Christians were paying a mass worship in the church when bomb attack was made.

The protest voiced outrage among Christians against the violence and ignorant behavior of Egyptian administration. There are 80 million Coptic Christians living in Egypt that account for around 9 percent of total population of the country.

The demonstrators vowed to defend cross till their last breath. There was tight security in Cairo during the entire demonstration.  Protests have also been made in other parts of Egypt since the New Year car bombing. Administration has increased security measures in areas where they feel possibility of riots.

The Coptic Christians differ from other sects of Christianity as they believe in a different story regarding divinity of Jesus Christ. Coptic Church believes in Apostle Mark’s teachings. He had introduced Christianity in Egypt.  There have been constant intra-communal violence in Egypt since long time.

Earlier security authorities claimed that there might be some international terrorist groups or probably Al Qaeda involved in the attack. Even President Hosni Mubarak blamed foreign elements for the bombing in the Coptic Church.

However on Sunday Egypt acknowledged that there is a possibility of local groups being responsible for the attack on Christians.

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Jerry Brown sworn in for third time as California governor

Jerry Brown   resumes his post as governor of California for third time on Monday. He has preceded Arnold Schwarzenegger whose tenure ended with Brown’s inauguration.

Schwarzenegger and Brown both have a centrist view regarding administration despite being from different political parties. Brown is a Democrat whereas Schwarzenegger is a Republican leader.

Brown stressed on demarcating the relationship between state and local government and pointed out that Californians might need to sacrifice for the growth and developments of the state as a whole.

There have been tremendous changes in California in comparison to the period when Brown was governor before this. In 1970s Brown replaced Ronald Regan. He gave business as a top priority in the silicon valley. He had set a well remarked hierarchy in allocating responsibilities and planned before taking any step. However many experts consider him chaotic.

On his inauguration day in office Brown arrived in a BMW care with very few companions. He was surrounded by security personnel. The incoming attorney general Kamala Harris was also present there, who is very popular herself. Schwarzenegger and former Gov. Gray Davis also attended the inauguration with Brown and they shared a meal together. The party cost approximately $100, 000, funded by donors for Jerry Brown.

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US offers to help Ivory Coast president for dignified exit

Gbagbo

Amidst pressure from the international community to resign from Ivory Coast president’s post, Laurent Gbagbo gets a more lucrative offer from the United States. US officials revealed that White House would help Gbagbo in leaving the country gracefully after his resignation.

ECOWAS, West African organization failed to convice Gbagbo to hand over power to his rival leader and former Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara. However, Gbagbo is yet not ready to quit easily.

P.J. Crowley, Spokesman for the US State Department stated that they were negotiating with Ivory Coast president and other diplomats in West Africa. He added that US hopes that Gbagbo pays heed to their message and resigns. If he does not follow their advice, US will also support ECOWAS for further action. Presidents of Republic of Benin, Cape Verde and Sierra Leone met Kenyan premier Odinga to negotiate with Gbagbo on his resignation.

U.S. is continuously watching Ivory Coast’s situations and also safeguarding its officials staying in Abidjan. Crowley further added that US is trying to convey message to Gbagbo to give up power and leave for a safe heaven.

Despite receiving offers from many countries Gbagbo is not ready to surrender however sources said that he was interested in going to the US. Though Ivorian president has not received any phone call and refused meeting US envoy.

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Opposition preparing to revoke Obama’s healthcare law

Republicans are preparing to repeal Obama’s health care bill by passing another bill opposite to it. However, Republicans are not likely to win. This will be the first session of Congress with Republicans in majority following their victory in midterm polls in November. The opposition wants to challenge Obama’s milestone work in his tenure—heath care law.

The House of Representatives under Republicans’ dominance is heading to repeal the health care law on January 12, stated the party spokesperson Dayspring and hoped it would pass through. He further added that the healthcare law denied jobs in small and large scale businesses therefore Republicans want to revoke it.  Despite Republicans’ majority, Democrats still control the Senate and they would never let the opposition repeal healthcare law.

Democrats warned John Boehner, the new would be speaker for House that canceling the healthcare law would not be good for the welfare of people as it reduces consumer benefits and they would try their best to retain the law.

The warning came in a letter sent to the incoming speaker by senior Democrat leaders. However, an opinion poll reflected confused voters over the issue. The repeal bill seems to be a focus of Republicans’ campaign in House for the incoming session of the Congress. The opposition will try to block funding of the healthcare law even if they fail in revoking it.

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UN official reveals extra-judicial killings in Ivory Coast

The United Nations faults Ivory Coast for human rights abuse after the November elections. The UN official reveals he has evidence of extra-judicial murders of innocent people to suppress the voices against the President Gbagbo.

However he acknowledged that the suppression of political leaders and their supporters against Gbagbo has gradually decreased.

Raila Odinga, Kenyan Premier is paying a visit to resolve the election dispute in Abidjan.

Ivorian President, Gbagbo is still insistent upon remaining in power despite so much international pressure upon him. He delayed the due presidential polls as far as possible. Finally the polls were organized under international pressure, when Gbagbo’s rival leader Alassane Ouattara was declared a winner by international community. However, Gbagbo nullified Ouattara’s victory and declared himself a winner.

There have been many clashes and demonstration by the supporters of Gbagbo and Ouattara. USA and many other countries have imposed sanctions against Gbagbo and compelling him to resign. US authorities even tried to lure Gbagbo with many offers provided he hands over power to Ouattara.

The UN officials have acknowledged violence against supporters of Ouattara. According to UN report, more than 200 opponents of Gbagbo have disappeared, who have possibly been abducted and killed by Gbagbo’s supporters.

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Obama signs on 9/11 Health and Compensation Bill from Hawaii

9/11 attack on world trade center, New York

President Barack Obama clears way for the 9/11 health bill with his signature to make it into law in Hawaii on January 2. The US President signed the bill while on vacation in Hawaii therefore no celebrations followed the signature. Obama issued a statement regarding the bill expressing his gladness for signing the bill and said that he felt ‘honored’

The bill includes compensation for the victims of attack on World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001.

The President paid gratitude toward security officials, firefighters and volunteers who took initiatives to save people’s lives. He added that the health bill aimed to help those victims who were physically affected by the pollution caused by the 9/11 attacks.

A copy of 9/11 health care bill was sent to Oahu island of Hawaii, where Obama is spending his vacation with family. He is staying there in a rented vacation home in Kailua, where the bill was signed.

Formally known as the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act also covers aid for the workers who cleared the debris of World trade center towers after the attack. The bill involves a package of $4.2 billion for providing compensation to victims and families of those who lost their lives in the attack. 9/11 remains worst terrorist attack on USA killing 2700 people in New York.

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Egyptians agitated following bomb attack on Christians

Saints Church Alexandria, Egypt

The New Year bomb blast in a Church that killed 21 Christians and injured hundreds of them has left Egyptians in outrage. There was intense clash between the security forces and angry crowd that faulted government for the attack targeting a particular religion.

Riot police used tear gas to remove people from the site and people threw stones on the security personnel. There have been demonstrations on the bomb blast site on Sunday.

The Christians in Egypt largely believe that the administration would have taken some stern steps to stop terrorist activities had the attack have been on a mosque—Muslim’s religious place.

The Saturday attack is being considered most severe in terms of casualties and impact so far in recent four decades. The bomb exploded when Christians were doing New Year mass worship at Saints Church in Alexandria on Saturday.

The blast symbolized violence against Coptic Christians in Egypt. Coptic Christians account for 10 percent of the total population of Egypt. Security officials revealed that the attack indicated that communal harmony was totally lost between Christians and Muslim communities in Egypt and there was increasing tension and intra-communal violence.

Experts claimed that within 30 years of President Hosni Mubarak’s rule communal violence was on rise.