Author Archives: Gunjan Priya

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Facebook Chief Joins Richest Americans Group for Charity

Mark Zuckerberg, Founder & CEO, Facebook

Another milestone in the history of philanthropy has been created in the united States. Social network Facebook chief join hands with 16 other richest people of America to devote money for charity issues.

Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, junk bond pioneer Michael Milken and AOL co-founder Steve Case together have joined philanthropic community promising to give away their wealth for social welfare.  Zuckerberg has already devoted $100 million to Newark NJ school education system. Giving Pledge is a charity organization founded by Microsoft  founder Bill Gates and Warren Buffet. Facebook CEO has joined Giving Pledge with other rich people of America and commit to step up his donations toward charity.

The group has already 57 members devoting their wealth for humanity. The members include celebrities like New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, CNN founder Ted Turner and film director George Lucas. But Zuckerberg and Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskowitz, who is just 26 years old.

Today, younger generation is thriving on success so they should initiate work for charity in their youth, he social network chief stated. Though Giving Pledge do not have a criteria about how much money should be devoted for philanthropic causes, most of the members have committed to spend half of their wealth.

By joining the world of philanthropy at this age, Facebook chief has set a milestone for upcoming young entrepreneurs to give it a thought right now.

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US likely to impose sanctions on Ivory Coast over poll verdict

Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo in the center

Abidjan, Ivory Coast – Following the UN allegation over controversial presidential  election in Ivory Coast, the US government has issued a warning against former president  Laurent Gbagbo regarding wrongdoings to the electoral process and showing disrespect for the verdict. The United States has asked the ex-president to leave the presidential office at the earliest as the UN claims that the election was won by Gbagbo’s opponent.

Meanwhile, the African Union has shown deep concerns over the recent developments in the Ivory Coast politics and decided to suspend the country from the union’s membership. Gbagbo did not accept his defeat in the presidential election and rejected the electoral commission’s verdict, which showed that the opposition party leader Alassane Ouattara won the election by a considerable margin of votes.

Ivory Coast has been in news since the verdict came last week. The world community has shown its disapproval over Gbagbo’s unconstitutional act and asked him to immediately step down as a president. Gbagbo has been ignoring the world community’s voice since last week and even did not take call from Barack Obama. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton came openly to talk on the Ivory Coast’s issue and said that the US government has asked Gbagbo to transfer power to his opponent in a constitutional manner otherwise he would be facing a dire consequences.

Gbagbo, who spent many years as an expatriate in France, may face a travel ban as the international community including the European Union and the United Nations have also condemned the act.

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US Steps To Help Illegal Immigrants

The Speaker of the House of Representatives supporting illegal immigration

Taking a step forward toward granting legal status to the illegally migrated youths, the US House of Representatives passed a bill for changing immigration law.

The US representatives voted the bill with a majority [198] to change the current immigration law, that do not permit illegal immigrants to enjoy normal rights. For converting into a law, the bill needs to win 60 votes at least in the House of Chambers.

However, the Republicans plan to block the bill unless Obama administration extends tax cuts initiated by George Bush and before the next fiscal year begins in October.

The proposed bill has also been considered as a DREAM Act as it, if passed would allow illegal young immigrants to get legal rights as residents provided they serve in military or study for 5 years. This provision will come into effect with the cooperation of Representative Howard Berman, a California Democrat, and Representative Lincoln Diaz-Balart, a Florida Republican who would also sponsor the process.

The proposed bill has been titled as a ‘tailored’ transformation of immigration laws to revamp the shattered US economy. This would also promote employment and education.

Democrats regarded the bill targeted youth migrated to the US with their parents who entered the country illegally.

The Opposition however called the measure as an ‘amnesty’ to shade illegal migration and feared that this would again give a chance to foreigners to grab the jobs otherwise meant for American youths.

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US Claims Security Situation Improving in Afghanistan

US expresses confidence that the security situation is finally improving in Afghanistan.

The United States consider its strategies are ‘working’ in Afghanistan. Robert Gates, US defense secretary, Robert Gates stated while addressing American troops in the country and hoped that the troops could be pulled out by 2014.

Gates accepted that more soldiers were being killed from both NATO and Afghan forces but assured for improvement in security situations.

However, General David Petraeus, chief of NATO forces suggested US president to delay removing American Troops from Afghanistan.

Gates expressed his optimism regarding Afghanistan while addressing a press conference in Kabul and predicted that the American troops might achieve their goal in coming few months and situation may improve in near future. The Afghan war has cost too much to the United States in terms of number of soldiers killed as well as money spent on military expenses. The Bush administration was highly criticized over its reluctance to pull off American forces from Afghanistan. Gates expressed regret over the casualties both NATO and Afghan forces suffered so far and said that their sacrifices would bring safety and security to the US and Afghanistan.

The NATO forces are losing their global support base gradually due to prolonged war in Afghanistan due to rising death toll. The Americans have paid too much for their campaign against terrorism or so call ‘war on Terror’ envisaged by former President George Bush.

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US Admits WikiLeaks Endangers American Interests

US officials are worried as new leaks could affected the relations with other nations

The ‘thermonuclear effect’ of Wikileaks disaster has finally been acknowledged. The US administration confessed that the disclosure of confidential documents by the WikiLeaks has raised a question over US foreign policies and its intentions.

State Department spokesman P J Crowley stated that the US considers WikiLeaks action have hampered US interests and put many people’s live under risk by exposing them. Crowley said this while addressing reporters in a press conference and supported Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd who opined the documents were provided to WikiLeaks by somebody within American administration.

Crowley further clarified that the government is taking appropriate actions against those who have violated the Constitution and American laws by leaking confidential information and a suspect has been arrested too. However he stated that nobody could be held responsible from the investigation done so far.

The US secretary of State, Mrs. Hillary Clinton talked with officials and diplomats from different countries to mitigate the aftermath of the damage in foreign relations caused by the disclosure of documents. When asked, Crowley said that he was not aware of any of Clinton’s talks with Australian Minister Rudd or other international leaders regarding WikiLeaks issue.

Crowley also added that Clinton’s conversation with international diplomats showed US adherence to continue its cooperation with other nations and work for each others interests.

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NASA to supply rockets for commercial purpose

SpaceX Falcon 9 heavy-lift launch vehicle

NASA is hopeful to launch rockets for international space station. The organization is set to test it SpaceX Falcon 9 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station situated in Florida.

After successful completion of the test, the device will circle around the earth and sink down in the Pacific Ocean after finishing its tasks. SpaceX Falcon 9 was first tried in the early morning around 9 am but could not take off due to some technical fault. Later it was re-launched after 90 minutes.

This space rocket is being tested for the first time and right now unmanned. NASA however, plans to send humans later on and use the rocket as a cargo to space station.

The United States is very enthusiastic about the launch of SpaceX Falcon 9 and earn from the commercial space industry. The US government further plans to send astronauts to Mars using these rockets.

The incumbent President, Barack Obama tried to increase funds for NASA space projects but could not succeed due to severe resistance from his opponents.

SpaceX is a commercial space company owned by Elon Musk. The company started its venture with a launch of Dragon 9.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 has cost 1 billion of which NASA funded only $253 million.

The launch of SpaceX Falcon 9 is considered a very fast and cheaper venture than previous projects.

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Embattling Obama takes resort to new tax plan, jobs

Obama announcing tax relief plan

President Obama’s last year predictions about economic revival have proved wrong.  Extending the tax cuts, the US president has tried to compensate for the mistakes, the democrats did last time. This is also a step to appease the Republicans in exchange of approval for unemployment benefits, reduction in payroll and other taxes.

The White House has taken a complete ‘U’ turn in its policies. The Health care Bill and financial laws have lost their glories after the hollow noise of economic recovery and the US administration has tuned back to realistic goals now.

However, all the Democrats have not welcomed these moves very warmly. Seeing positive forecasts for economic growth and jobs, the Democrats have no option but to accept the transformation of economic policies.

The midterm poll victory for Republicans gave a clear message to the Obama administration about people’s disappointment with the government. Had Obama changed his strategies on economy before the elections, the result would have been less negative for the Democrats. Even the recent changes are not expected to bring much change in the current unemployment level very soon.

What American expected from President Obama was much more than what has been delivered.  Cutting employee’s portion in tax has not done much advantage to employees.

The new extension to the tax cuts will definitely help economy but would not benefit the Democrats politically.

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‘Super Powers’ fail to negotiate with Iran on nuclear issue

six nations meeting with Iran over nuclear issue

The Istanbul meeting ended without reaching any conclusion over Iran’s nuclear issue. Six world powers could not make Iran agree with their except for the next meet in the coming month. The meeting involved representatives from the US, Britain, Russia, China, France and Germany beside Iran.

The US officials revealed that the meeting could not draw any conclusion over the issue due to contradictory expectations from both sides.

EU foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, stated that the two parties agreed to talk in January to discuss alternatives for cooperation and to find a resolution over the nuclear issue.

However, Iran declared the meeting as ended with ‘vague’ suggestions. The Iranian negotiator Saeed Jalili stated that the next meeting between the six nations and Iran would be towards finding a platform for cooperation, which also he said was not something Iran proposed. It was Lady Ashton, EU foreign minister who said this and other members of the meeting agreed.

Jalai said that Iran was ‘absolutely’ not ready to negotiate over uranium enrichment. The six nations wanted to pressurize Iran to follow the UN resolution that demanded suspension of uranium enrichment.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had mentioned while addressing people in Tehran that Iran would talk further only if the international sanctions against her are dropped.

In the Geneva press conference, Jalali faulted nuclear scientist Shahriari’s murder and indirectly blamed the UN security council. The UNSC had declared four scientists including Shahriari as being involved in ‘banned nuclear activities.’

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Texas Challenges Capital Punishment

Texas lawyers appeal against death penalty

Texas is a state where maximum people get death sentence every year. However, legal experts have challenged the punishment citing violation of constitutional laws. The lawyers have argued that the penalty leaves no hope for even innocent people who get trapped by law without committing an offence many times.

The appeal against death penalty was made during a trial of John E. Green Jr a Texan, who has been alleged of murdering a woman The lawyers stated that there were many faults in the judicial system that needed to be corrected  and death penalty was one among the most heinous and cruel punishment that should be banned.

Many times due to a wrong eyewitness testimony, false interpretation of fingerprint evidences and misjudgment prove innocent people guilty. In case of life imprisonment at least they get a chance to appeal against the accusations but death penalty leaves no chance to get justice for them.

Harris County District Attorney’s Office head, Alan Curry said that the trial should not be held and he would boycott the trial in case it occurred.  He faulted judges of being biased against death penalty and they were trying to exclude him from the trial.

He supported his argument by saying that the Supreme Court had already said that the risk of any innocent person being given death sentence could not defy the punishment as unconstitutional.

Lawyers who have appealed against the death penalty need to prove that the punishment violates the Eighth Amendment ban on cruel and unusual punishment according to the state constitution.

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WikiLeaks Chief ‘s Bail Plea Rejected

WikiLeaks chief Julian Assange arrested in UK

Finally the person behind disclosure of documents with ‘thermonuclear’ effects gets arrested. WikiLeaks chief Julian Assange has been taken into custody over rape allegations in Sweden.

WikiLeaks chief however, denied the allegations and told that he would fight against this.

Assange has been a talk of tongue globally following the release of confidential documents on his website WikiLeaks of the documents exposing diplomats and politicians that have put governments of many countries on their toes.

He will face an arrest warrant in Sweden. According to his lawyer the allegations were false and emerged following a ‘consensual physical relationship. But the officials and government agencies were trying to trap Assange by making it a rape case. Assange was not granted bail by the district court citing he might affect or try to affect the judicial process using his resources.

A filmmaker Ken Loach, Journalist John Pilger and Jemima Khan, a socialite with three other people offered  £20,000 each in the court asking for Assange’s bail.

However the district judge considered Assange accused of serious allegations and did not agree to grant bail fearing he might deny surrendering later.

Assange is also wanted in other four accusations against him in different countries.