Clipmarks | Standoff Clips

still no california budget

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 02:54:10 GMT

clipped by: kroqben
clipper's remarks: i'm sure SOMEDAY there's going to be a consequence to this issue.

California Budget Impasse Persists
As GOP Refuses Income-Tax Rise

California's months-long budget standoff hit a low when an emergency State Assembly meeting failed to produce a compromise between Democrats and Republicans over how to compensate for a shortfall exceeding $15 billion.

At issue is the Democrats' proposal to make up for the deficit largely by increasing taxes on California's wealthiest residents -- a plan that Republicans oppose. In a vote Sunday, not a single Assembly Republican voted for the plan to raise $6.7 billion in revenue largely through income-tax increases. Republicans account for 32 of the assembly's 80 seats, but California requires that two-thirds of the legislature approve the budget.

The Energy War Begins: From Russia With Bombs

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:44:02 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: The U.S. and E.U. are also backing an associated project for a natural gas pipeline that would, again, traverse Georgia and Turkey and bypass Russia, thereby lessening Europe’s dependency on gas either sourced from Russia or sourced from Central Asia but controlled by Russia.

Tale of Two Pipelines: Europe Seeks to Lower Dependency on Russian Gas
Friday, March 07, 2008
By Patrick Goodenough, International Editor

(CNSNews.com) - Russia's latest standoff with Ukraine over natural gas supplies has been resolved for now, but the dispute has reinforced the view in Europe that alternatives to Russian energy are sorely needed.

Russia's state-owned Gazprom monopoly early this week cut supplies of gas to Ukraine by 50 percent over a longstanding financial dispute. Gazprom says Ukraine owes it $600 million. But after high-level negotiations the company said the restrictions had been lifted.

http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=18989

Clip Source: www.cnsnews.com

A country smaller than South Carolina, Georgia is noteworthy for its strategic location, squeezed between Russia, Turkey, Azerbaijan and the Black Sea.

In 2005, an 1,100-mile pipeline was launched to carry crude oil from Azerbaijan via Georgia and Turkey to world markets, bypassing Russian territory. Strongly supported by the U.S. and opposed by Russia, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline project bolsters former Soviet republics’ independence from Moscow.

On Sunday, Georgia’s government claimed that Russian bombers had targeted but missed the BTC pipeline, which runs about 60 miles south of Tskhinvali, although the claim could not be confirmed by British energy giant BP, which holds the largest stake in a consortium running the pipeline.

The pipeline’s operations have in fact been disrupted since last week, after a blast on the Turkish section, claimed by Kurdish rebels.

Tags: natural gas pipelin, u.s. and e.u., georgia, turkey, azerbaijan and the black sea, russian hegemony

Russia seeks US help in Georgia-South Ossetia standoff

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:47:13 GMT

clipped by: tommy2balmy

Clip Source: en.rian.ru

MOSCOW, August 4 (RIA Novosti) - Russia counts on the United States to exert a positive influence on Georgia following the latest surge in violence in the breakaway province of South Ossetia, a Russian diplomat said on Monday.

Karasin, speaking after a phone conversation with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried, said: "The Russian side expressed deep concern over the latest surge in tensions around South Ossetia, the unlawful buildup of Georgia's military presence in the region, and the intensive construction of fortifications."

"Russia has already urged Tbilisi to take a responsible approach, and it also counts on constructive cooperation from Washington," he said.

Georgia's Interior Ministry said later on Monday that Tbilisi does not intend to take "emergency action" in the conflict zone, and called on the breakaway republic to de-escalate the conflict.

The U.S. will be joining Russia and Germany at UN-mandated peace talks in Berlin on Aug

15 on

Abkhazia

and South Ossetia

Tags: russia, georgia, south ossetia, former soviet republic

Another deadline passes

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 19:13:02 GMT

clipped by: sillysam
clipper's remarks: This guy is jerking everyone around.

Clip Source: www.foxnews.com

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Sunday that diplomacy is the only way out of his country's standoff with the West over its disputed nuclear program and insisted he was serious about negotiations.

Iran's leader made the comments a day after asserting that his country would not give up its "nuclear rights," signaling that it would refuse demands to stop enriching uranium or at least not to expand its enrichment work.

An informal deadline expired this weekend on an offer of economic and other incentives by six world powers if Iran agreed to curb uranium enrichment. The United States and its European allies fear Iran intends to use the technology to develop material for nuclear weapons under the cloak of a civilian nuclear power program. Iran denies the accusation.

Nonaligned countries back Iran

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:40:18 GMT

clipped by: car2char

Clip Source: ap.google.com

Nonaligned countries back Iran's nuclear program

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — More than 100 nonaligned nations are backing Iran's right to peaceful uses of nuclear power.

Wednesday's endorsement from a conference of the 120-nation Nonaligned Movement is key to Tehran in its standoff with the U.N. Security Council over its refusal to freeze uranium enrichment.

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki says the backing contradicts claims from some countries that the international community opposes his country's nuclear program.

Iran says it wants to create nuclear fuel through enrichment. But the country is under three sets of U.N. Security Council sanctions prompted by concerns it seeks to make the fissile core of nuclear warheads with the technology.

Controller John Chiang for president!

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:42:03 GMT

clipped by: douchrti
clipper's remarks: Thank you Controller John Chiang.

Clip Source: www.sfgate.com

Controller says he won't cut workers' wages

While the governor is poised to order the cuts on Monday, state Controller John Chiang, who is responsible for disbursing state workers' paychecks, said Thursday that he will refuse to go along with the governor, setting up a political standoff and a possible legal fight.

Tags: controller john chiang

Events for July 25, 2008 Vegas 12

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:01:28 GMT

clipped by: skwirlinator

Clip Source: www.lasvegassun.com

Aruba Swing: Free swing dancing lessons! at Thunderbird Lounge, 9 p.m. (Free)

DJ at Satay Malaysian Grille: House, rap, new-age. at Satay Malaysian Grille, 9 p.m.

Dueling Piano Twins : Witness the standoff between twin pianists as they play for the title of best piano player. at Piano Bar at Harrah's, 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill: Live music: Enjoy live music inside Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill complete with country music memorabilia and cowboy hats. at Toby Keith's I Love This Bar, 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Porch Dogs with Michael Soli and Scotty Alexander: at Hooters Hotel-Casino, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Hip Karaoke Dance with Uncle Paul: Dancing and karaoke. at Downstairs Bar, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. (Free)

Eddie Izzard: at The Pearl at the Palms, 9 p.m. ($55 - $75)

Craig Ferguson: Comedy with a Scottish accent. at MGM Grand, 9 p.m. ($60)

Tags: events, july 25, 2008, vegas, birthday

FireFighter Murdered on duty

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:50:49 GMT

clipped by: skwirlinator
clipper's remarks: 2 cops shot as well.
Shooter never located
Economy Murders?
St Louis is DANGEROUS

Clip Source: www.stltoday.com

Maplewood ambush

Maplewood — Investigators planned to continue sifting through the ashes of a Maplewood home today, searching for clues about an ambush that left a rookie firefighter dead, two police officers wounded and a community searching for answers.

Just who was the shooter? Did he die Monday in the flames of a burning house on Zephyr Place? And what prompted the murderous rampage?

Fallen firefighter honored at home, by city, on Web

Former Jeffco cop injured in Maplewood shooting

Fallen firefighter remembered

VIDEO: Emergency responders arriving at the scene

Police believe that the gunman died when the house where they think he was holed up, at 7440 Zephyr Place, burned and collapsed during an hours-long standoff.

"We have no indication that he got out of that house," said St. Louis County police spokeswoman Tracy Panus.

But neither did police report finding any remains.

Tags: fireman, murder, st louis, 2 cops shot

Thai-Cambodian Temple Standoff continues

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 01:07:13 GMT

clipped by: tommy2balmy
clipper's remarks: One of many potential hot spots.

Clip Source: news.yahoo.com

ARANYAPRATHET, Thailand (Reuters) - Talks between Thailand and Cambodia failed on Monday to end a week-long military stand-off over an ancient temple on their border, which regional neighbors feared could turn violent.

Hundreds of troops at the temple will hold their positions, negotiators said after eight hours of talks on an issue that has whipped up nationalist fervor in both southeast Asian nations.

"The best option is to stay where they are, but avoid using weapons," Thai Supreme Commander Boonsrang Niumpradit told reporters.

At the heart of the dispute is a 4.6 sq km (1.8 sq mile) area around the temple, which sits on a jungle-clad escarpment that forms a natural boundary and is claimed by both nations.

The military showdown began last Tuesday when Thai troops moved into the disputed area after three Thai protesters were briefly detained there. Since then, both sides have sent hundreds more soldiers and heavy artillery to the border.

Tags: thai, cambodia, temple, border dispute, hot spot

US to House Diplomats in Iran, Oil Prices Drop

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:24:12 GMT

clipped by: blueridge
clipper's remarks: This is the real reason oil prices dropped sharply today, when this news broke overseas, 5 hours ahead of US time. NBC Nightly News tonight had it right (video here) in interview with economist who said oil prices have included an "Iran premium" due to war rhetoric from US and Israel. Immediately the price fell when it looks like diplomacy might open up a bit.

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

US plans to station diplomats in Iran for first time since 1979

Washington move signals thaw in relations

The US plans to establish a diplomatic presence in Tehran for the first time in 30 years as part of a remarkable turnaround in policy by President George Bush.

The Guardian has learned that an announcement will be made in the next month to establish a US interests section - a halfway house to setting up a full embassy. The move will see US diplomats stationed in the country.

The news of the shift by Bush who has pursued a hawkish approach to Iran throughout his tenure comes at a critical time in US-Iranian relations. After weeks that have seen tensions rise with Israel conducting war games and Tehran carrying out long-range missile tests, a thaw appears to be under way.

The White House announced yesterday that William Burns, a senior state department official, is to be sent to Switzerland on Saturday to hear Tehran's response to a European offer aimed at resolving the nuclear standoff.

Tags: oil prices, iran, israel, war

When they say peace...true peace...

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 02:50:24 GMT

clipped by: grizzley613
clipper's remarks: By the way the news items on this matter keep sounding, it can't be much longer before Iran is hit by a U.S. led nuclear strike....and soon!

Clip Source: news.yahoo.com

Iran indicates it has no plans to halt enrichment

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran indicated Saturday that it has no plans to meet a key Western demand that it stop enriching uranium, a day after Tehran sent the European Union a response to an international offer of incentives for halting enrichment.

White House press secretary Dana Perino told reporters traveling with President Bush en route to a G-8 summit in Japan that the U.S. administration was still evaluating Iran's response.

"We're going out to consult with our allies about what Iran's response means," Perino said. "We'll just have to see how this is received by others before we make a formal response."

The standoff has led to increasingly tense exchanges about the possibility of a military strike by Israel or the U.S. An Israeli military exercise last month was seen as a warning to Iran.

The content of that response has not been made public and there was caution about the prospects of progress.

Tags: iran enrichment nuclear strike

A "heroin tsunami" could hit Europe if the drug interdiction by Iran is weakened!

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:55:45 GMT

clipped by: xpersianx
clipper's remarks: Very important issue!

Clip Source: 0-www.sfgate.com.mill1.sjlibrary.org

Drug traffickers in well-armed desert convoys roll across the border from Afghanistan. Standing in their way are Iranian soldiers and drug agents trying to choke off one of the world's busiest pipelines for opium and heroin.

The battles - waged far from the world's attention in the arid badlands of eastern Iran - represent one of the dwindling patches of common ground between Tehran and the West. The United States has applauded Iran's anti-drug campaign and European nations help fund the fight.

But now this support could be threatened by the standoff over Tehran's nuclear policies.

Western nations have told Iran that they could cut off any new help to Iran's anti-drug units unless the Islamic regime halts uranium enrichment, which Washington and its allies worry could be used to develop nuclear arms.

The warning was a small but potentially significant item tucked into an array of trade and economic incentives seeking to sway Iranian leaders to strike a deal.

Tags: drug, heroin, tsunami

$162 billion in new funds for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 02:22:14 GMT

clipped by: rustajb

Clip Source: news.yahoo.com

House leaders reach deal on war funding bill

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives struck a deal on Wednesday on legislation to provide $162 billion in new funds for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, ending a long standoff with the White House.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, a Maryland Democrat, said the compromise would address "important domestic needs" as well, including expanding job benefits for the long-term unemployed in the United States.

The $162 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan ought to carry U.S. combat troops for a full year, according to congressional estimates.

The White House said Bush can back the emergency spending bill, which it says includes $2.65 billion for future disaster relief.

Obama, an opponent of the Iraq war, says he supports the start of troop withdrawals, while McCain has sometimes talked about a long-term U.S. troop presence in Iraq.

Yglesias on McCain's 'I Hate War' Ad

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 04:45:20 GMT

clipped by: Wisco
clipper's remarks: The Atlantic's Matthew Yglesias nails the problem with John McCain's new I Hate War dead center to the wall.

Clip Source: matthewyglesias.theatlantic.com

At any rate, as is often the case the issue here isn't John McCain's subjective attitude toward war. The issue is the likely consequences of his policies. McCain's stated policy toward Iran is likely to lead to war. McCain has in the past called for a policy toward North Korea that he admitted at the time might well lead to war. McCain's Iraq policy will lead to a prolongation of an ongoing war. McCain's vision of a "League of Democracies" would create a Cold War-style standoff which would likely fuel proxy wars around the world. Whether or not McCain hates war, if you would like to see a president likely to try to avoid getting the country into further wars, you don't want McCain in the White House.

Tags: news

Kouchner invited to visit Gaza by Hamas

Sat, 24 May 2008 15:32:35 GMT

clipped by: dfhfx

Clip Source: www.haaretz.com

Kouchner invited to visit Gaza

Meanwhile, the Hamas government ruling the Gaza Strip called on Kouchner to visit the territory to learn about the suffering of its people.

Taher al-Nounou, a spokesman for the government, said the invitation "was motivated by France's moral stance which was reflected throughout Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner's remarks."

Al-Nounou added that the Hamas government "welcomes an active French role for ending the current divisions among the Palestinians," referring to the standoff between Hamas and President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement.

Clipmarks | Standoff Clips

still no california budget

California Budget Impasse Persists As GOP Refuses Income-Tax Rise

The Energy War Begins: From Russia With Bombs

Russia seeks US help in Georgia-South Ossetia standoff

Another deadline passes

Nonaligned countries back Iran

Nonaligned countries back Iran's nuclear program

Controller John Chiang for president!

Controller says he won't cut workers' wages

Events for July 25, 2008 Vegas 12

FireFighter Murdered on duty

Thai-Cambodian Temple Standoff continues

US to House Diplomats in Iran, Oil Prices Drop

When they say peace...true peace...

Iran indicates it has no plans to halt enrichment

A "heroin tsunami" could hit Europe if the drug interdiction by Iran is weakened!

$162 billion in new funds for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan

House leaders reach deal on war funding bill

Yglesias on McCain's 'I Hate War' Ad

Kouchner invited to visit Gaza by Hamas

California Budget Impasse Persists
As GOP Refuses Income-Tax Rise