Tag Archives: US

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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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‘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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Obama Flays China for ‘Willful Blindness’ Against N Korea

US President Barack Obama with Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao

Washington: US President Barack Obama Warns Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao for ignoring N Korean aggression in the Korean peninsula. Obama called up President Hu Jintao over telephone on Monday. The US president asked China to pressurize N Korea for it provocation followed by military confrontation with South Korea.

Obama further stated that North Koreans needed to understand the consequence of their provocation and its adverse impact on their mutual relation with China, officials revealed.

The US officials also added that Obama recalled Hu Jintao of their meeting in Canada where the former had publicly faulted China for its ‘willful blindness’ toward N Korea’s military aggression. The United States is helping South Korea in taking strict actions against N Korean aggressions including artillery shelling and sinking of a naval warship Cheonan. The warship carried 46 South Koreans all of whom were killed.

N Korea has attacked S Koreans, bombed over S Korean land and also declared recently about its nuclear power. However, China did not check or criticize N Korea for any of its actions.

The Chinese president reportedly ignored White House invitation for scheduling a telephonic call with the US president. However, the US officials denied the report. In the conversation the Hu Jintao neither assured the US nor made any complain over US military actions in collaboration with South Korea.

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San Francisco Appeal Court To Discuss Over Gay Marriage

The demand for same sex marriage has been rising in the United States

The Americans are going to hear a crucial verdict on same sex marriage in a federal appeal court of San Francisco. Michael Hawkins is expected to opine his views over gay marriages in the hearing today. The Appeal court has appointed a three member panel for the purpose to argue on Proposition 8. The panel includes Judge Stephen Reinhardt and Judge N. Randy Smith who were appointed by former presidents of the United States. Michael Hawkins, was chosen by President Clinton and his vote on the same –sex marriage is issue is going to be very crucial on this matter. The panel has been appointed following an appeal against August rule. Vaughn R. Walker, chief jury of San Francisco’s U.S. District Court had made a ruling on this issue saying. that the U.S. Constitution was violated by the 2008 ballot measures. The San Francisco panel would discuss over the legal viability of anti-same-sex marriage appeal against Walker’s ruling and also find out if the 2008 ballot measure were being followed. The measures had revoked a restriction on same sex marriages and thus were contrary to the federal constitutional rights of equality. The hearing is being considered very crucial by the law experts for homosexuals all over the world. Top US legal experts will participate in the hearing handling the anti-gay marriage appeal and contradictory constitutional issues. The San Francisco court had declined defendants challenging the proposition 8 and allowed them only to appeal against August ruling. ProtectMarriage.com is also a part of this appeal it represents voters for the Proposition 8 was allowed to defend the proposition.

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WikiLeaks likely to unleash complete set of unfiltered documents

WikiLeaks chief Julian Assange leaked many confidential military and diplomatic files of the United States and other countries

After a growing demand for trial in sedition and sex-crime charges, WikiLeaks chief Julian Assange has stated that he will release the entire set of unfiltered documents if more pressure mounted on him.

The 39-year-old Australian has been in news for leaking so many confidential military and diplomatic files of the United States and other countries. Mr. Assange has said that the unpublished lot of secret documents will come handy for him in future.

The secret file, protected with an encryption key, contains the entire version of US documents grabbed by WikiLeaks till date. This also includes unpublished part of documents, which had names and details of sources.

After remaining silent for past few day, the WikiLeaks founder has come out more vocal this time, shielding his activities, condemning critics and challenging world leaders.

WikiLeaks chief’s lawyer has issued a warning in which he says if Assange is forced to face trial in the charges levied by the United States and other world leaders, then Assange will decide on releasing the encryption key. The release will make sure that the millions of people who download the file have access to names, addresses and other details mentioned in the file.

Assange’s lawyer further said that his client was facing threats of death or arrest from the U.S. and Saudi governments and the officials were also trying to shut down his websites. In addition he was wanted to answer against sexual-crime allegations by the Swedish court.  However, Mr. Assange had denied all these allegations. He has reportedly taken refuge in Britain.