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Saturday, July 30, 2011

MACTV News Capital Hill: Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee (D - TX) Says Debt Ceiling Must be Raised for US to Continue its Obligations to Africa

Exclusive Interview: Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee talked with MACTV President Menelik Zeleke





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United States Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX 18th District) says the United States needs to raise its debt limit so as to allow it continue to reach out developing countries especially in Africa.

In an exclusive interview with MACTV, the Congresswoman who represents Texas in Congress said that both parties need to agree on bipartisan basis so as not to put the world’s largest economy at risk of default and downgrade of its status. She told MACTV if the U.S. default of its obligations to raised the debt ceiling limit it will have major impact on the crises facing drought stuck Horn of Africa where hundreds of thousands of people risk starving to death.

According to Jackson, due to the inability for both parties to agree the global markets have been negatively affected with the Dow Jones dropping over 200 points, just as Asian markets have also recorded dramatic drop.

This, she pointed out is not good not only to the developed markets,but most especially for the developing markets that leverage on the growth indices of the advanced markets.

The Congresswoman told MACTV that instead of an opportunity for both parties to unite and move the economy, she is rather shocked to hear individuals saying no surrender, a language she said, is not appropriate for the American people.

Commenting on the activities of the tea party, the Congresswoman said it is unfortunate that they are trying to play game with the nation’s economy saying that will precipitate a global financial crisis which no one needs at a time like now.

“We need to be focusing on what is best for America now,” she noted.

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MACTV News Capital Hill: U.S. debt deal not close, Senator Reid says

July 30, 2011 10:22:08 PM

  USA-DEBT/REID-DEAL (URGENT)

WASHINGTON, July 30 (Reuters) - U.S. Republicans and Democrats are not close to a deal to raise the debt ceiling despite what Republican leaders may say, Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid said on Saturday.

"It's fair to say that the engagement there is not in any meaningful way," Reid said on the Senate floor shortly after returning from a meeting with President Barack Obama. "Republican leaders still refuse to negotiate in good faith."

All south Somalia slipping into famine - U.N., Posted by Meosha Eaton


LIBOI, Kenya, July 29 - The whole of drought- and conflict-wracked southern Somalia is heading into famine as the Horn of Africa food crisis deepens, the United Nations said on Friday.

In a report for countries sending aid, the U.N.'s umbrella humanitarian agency OCHA said the "crisis in southern Somalia is expected to continue to worsen through 2011, with all areas of the south slipping into famine."

Democrats try to break U.S. debt impasse, Posted by Meosha Eaton



(Reuters) - Senate Democrats aimed to seize the initiative in efforts to head off a ruinous U.S. debt default by pushing their deficit-cutting plan on Saturday towards a possible compromise with a divided Republican Party.

Entrenched differences were still hampering a compromise as Democratic leaders accused their Republican counterparts of obstructionism, less than 100 hours before the government says it will run out of money to pay all its bills.

U.S. growth anaemic, debt row poses recession risk, Posted by Meosha Eaton



(Reuters) - The U.S. economy stumbled badly in the first half of 2011 and came dangerously close to contracting in the January-March period, raising the risk of a recession if a standoff over the nation's debt does not end quickly.

Output increased at a 1.3 percent annual pace in the second quarter as consumer spending barely rose, the Commerce Department said on Friday. In the first three months of the year, the economy advanced just 0.4 percent, a sharp downward revision from the previously reported 1.9 percent gain.

What is happening in the debt crisis, Posted by Meosha Eaton

(Reuters) - Here is what is happening on Friday as lawmakers scramble to close in on a deal for Congress to raise the U.S. government's $14.3 trillion borrowing limit by an August 2 deadline and avoid a debt default:

* President Barack Obama says in a televised statement that if the United States loses its AAA credit rating it won't be because the country can't pay its bills. It would be "because we didn't have an AAA political system to match our AAA credit rating." He urges the public to let lawmakers know they want a bipartisan compromise that can pass Congress.

Lawmakers' votes open way for final debt push, Posted by Meosha Eaton

(Reuters) - Lawmakers opened the way on Friday for a last-ditch bid for a possible bipartisan compromise to avert a crippling national default just four days before the deadline to raise the country's debt ceiling.

The Republican-controlled House of Representatives approved a Republican deficit-cutting plan and the Democratic-led Senate quickly rejected it -- moves that underscored the ideological divide but also cleared a path to start negotiating a deal.

Republican rebels force new delay in US debt crisis, Posted by Meosha Eaton

* House puts off vote on Republican measure

* Boehner plan faces opposition from party rebels

* Tuesday deadline looms to avert risk of U.S. default

* Obama administration: Americans want compromise

* House Republicans to meet on Friday morning (Adds Chinese comments)

By Andy Sullivan and Richard Cowan

WASHINGTON, July 28 (Reuters) - Urgent efforts to avoid an unprecedented U.S. debt default suffered a new blow on Thursday when some fiscally hardline Republicans blocked a budget deficit plan proposed by their own congressional leaders.

After hours of trying to get enough votes, the Republicans who control the House of Representatives put off action for the night and scheduled an emergency meeting for Friday morning.

MACTV News: IFC Invests in Advans Cote d’Ivoire to Support Small Business Growth , Posted by Menelik Zeleke




The International Finance Corporation IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, says  it is investing $1 million to help establish Advans Cote d’Ivoire, a microfinance institution that will support the growth of smaller businesses in Ivory Coast as the country rebuilds its economy following political unrest. 

MACTV News: Illinois congressman responds to child support report, Posted by Menelik Zeleke


Rep. Joe Walsh, R-Ill. addresses a tea party rally on Capitol Hill in Washington Wednesday. The Chicago Sun-Times reports Thursday that Walsh's ex-wife, Laura Walsh has sued her ex-husband for more than $117,000 in what she says is unpaid child support and interest. Laura Walsh filed the claim in December in their divorce case. (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg, File)

Read more the full story @http://www.myafricachannel.tv 

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Thursday, July 28, 2011

MACTV BREAKING NEWS: NO VOTE TONIGHT ON DEBT, Posted by Menelik Zeleke

BREAKING NEWS:

July 29, 2011 2:34:12 AM


WASHINGTON, July 28 (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives will not vote tonight on a plan to raise the debt limit as Republican leaders have struggled to line up support for the measure, Republican Representative Kevin McCarthy said on Thursday.

McCarthy and other Republican leaders had delayed the vote for more than four hours as they sought to persuade a faction of their party to change their minds.

MACTV News: US House may vote on Boehner debt bill near 6 pm EDT, Posted by Menelik Zeleke

July 28, 2011 1:51:11 PM

 USA-DEBT/TIMING (URGENT)

WASHINGTON, July 28 (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives is tentatively scheduled to vote between 5:45 p.m. and 6:15 p.m EDT (2145-2215 GMT) on Thursday on a proposal to cut the deficit and raise the debt limit by $900 billion, a congressional aide said.

The proposal by House Speaker John Boehner, the top Republican in Congress, is seen facing a close vote and its chances appear too close to call despite his fierce lobbying efforts over the past few days.
Aides said the scheduled vote time was subject to change.

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UN News: Press Conference: Force Commanders of UN Peacekeeping Operations , Posted by Menelik Zeleke





27 July 2011

Force Commanders of the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, following their address in the Security Council.

Participants will be: General Niamvumba from the African Union/United Nations Hybrid operation in Darfur (UNAMID), General Prakash from the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and Major-General Alberto Asarta Cuevas from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

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UN News: UN Peacekeeping operation - Security Council Meeting , Posted by Menelik Zeleke





27 July 2011

Briefing on United Nations peacekeeping operations

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UN News: Giving it Back, Passing it on: (Part 1) Corporate Engagement and Youth Philanthropy as Pathways to Development , Posted by Menelik Zeleke





27 July 2011

Side Event to the 2011 High Level Meeting on Youth (New York, 25-26 July 2011)

Giving it Back, Passing it on: Corporate Engagement and Youth Philanthropy as Pathways to Development

The UN Programme on Youth/UNDESA

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UN News: Daily Press Briefing , Posted by Menelik Zeleke





27 July 2011

By the Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General.

Elements of Today's Noon Press Briefing:

Lebanon

Horn of Africa

Secretary-General Appointment

Security Council

Pakistan

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UN News: WHO and partners around the globe mark the first ever World Hepatitis Day, Posted by Menelik Zeleke





27 July 2011

Although viral hepatitis is one of the most prevalent, serious infectious conditions in the world, many people remain unaware of its staggering toll on human health. It is an issue in every country and among every age group. Nearly one out of every three people in the world (approximately 2 billion people) has been infected by hepatitis B virus, and one in twelve (more than 520 million people) live with chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus infection.

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Monday, July 25, 2011

MACTV WORLD News: World must rally behind Horn of Africa famine crisis, Australia’s Foreign minister says., Posted by Menelik Zeleke



Australia urge the international community to rally behind United Nations relief efforts in drought stuck Horn of Africa or hundreds of thousands of people risk starving to death.

Read more the full story @http://www.myafricachannel.tv

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MACTV World News: Clinton seeks to reassure Asia on U.S. debt, Posted by Menelik Zeleke

 





U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton tries to reassure Asian investors over U.S. debt worries, and says the government is seeking to stabilize the global economy.

Read the full story @ http://www.myafricachannel.tv

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Israel stops suspected gunrunners in Dead Sea, Posted by Meosha Eaton



July 25, 2011 (Reuters) - Israeli security forces on Monday stopped a small motor boat in the Dead Sea carrying assault rifles and ammunition from Jordan and arrested two Palestinians suspected of smuggling, police said.

The salty desert lake also abuts the occupied West Bank but is generally quiet due to long-standing Israeli-Jordan security cooperation.

MACTV News: GLOBAL MARKETS-US stock futures, dollar fall on no debt deal, Posted by Menelik Zeleke

 July 24, 2011 10:39:58 PM

MARKETS-GLOBAL/ (WRAPUP 2)


* U.S. stock futures drop as debt deal elusive
    * Markets have seesawed on signs of progress, inaction
    * Boehner tells Republicans no deal likely with Obama
 (Adds gold, quote, updates details, prices)

    By David Gaffen

    NEW YORK, July 24 (Reuters) - Wall Street futures fell, the
U.S. dollar dropped and gold rallied as Washington appeared no
closer on Sunday to raising the U.S. debt ceiling to avert a
devastating default.

Clinton arrives in Hong Kong, Posted by Meosha Eaton

July 24 - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrives in Hong Kong for a short visit after attending ASEAN in Indonesia. Rough Cut

Bahrain commission to investigate army, torture claims, Posted by Meosha Eaton

(Reuters) - A commission tasked by Bahrain to investigate weeks of protests that rocked the Gulf island kingdom said Sunday it would look at the role of the security forces in the unrest and examine charges of torture.

At a news conference marking the launch of the five-member panel's investigation, chairman Cherif Bassiouni said his team would look at 30 police officers being investigated by the Interior Ministry for allegedly not following procedures.

He said the army would also be investigated.

Iran blamed U.S., Israel for killing of scientist, Posted by Meosha Eaton



(Reuters) - A senior Iranian official on Sunday blamed the United States and Israel for the killing of an Iranian scientist, who the deputy interior minister said was not linked to Iran's nuclear program as reported by media.

Darioush Rezaie, 35, a university lecturer, was shot dead by gunmen in eastern Tehran Saturday. Some media reports said Rezaie was a nuclear scientist but Deputy Interior Minister Safarali Baratlou said this was not true.

Blasts rock Tripoli as NATO targets Gaddafi compound, Posted by Meosha Eaton



July 24, 2011 (Reuters) - Explosions rocked central Tripoli for the second night in a row and Britain said weeks of NATO bombardment had inflicted extensive damage on Muammar Gaddafi's heavily-fortified compound.

Libya's leader is clinging to power despite a four-month-old NATO air campaign and a lengthening conflict with rebels seeking an end to his 41-year rule and who have seized large swathes of the North African country.