Awaz Apni

Awaz Apni WASHINGTON (CNewsworld.co.cc) -- Barack Obama delivered a sobering assessment of where America stands and a hopeful vision of what it can become during his inaugural address as the nation's 44th president."Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time," Obama told those gathered on the National Mall -- a crowd estimated at about 2 million -- and millions more watching on television and the Internet. "But know this, America -- they will be met," he said. Obama acknowledged the "nagging fear" of an imminent decline of the U.S. He firmly asserted that Americans were up to reversing the trends spawning that fear, whether they be social, economic or political. "Greatness is never a given. It must be earned," he said, further proclaiming that people who question the scale of U.S. ambitions "have forgotten what this country has alread...

Awaz Apni WASHINGTON: Obama-fever swept the globe Tuesday carrying widespread public hopes that the incoming US president would lead the world into a new crisis-free era.In the hours before Barack Obama took the oath of office in Washington, foreign governments and new polls all showed huge support for the Democratic president even though many analysts have warned that expectations for his rule are unrealistic.Pictures of Obama dominated front pages and television news programmes around the world. A Spain's newspaper published a photo of Obama and his wife Michelle above the headline: "The American Dream Comes to Power"Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero said an "Obama effect" could shorten the global recession."We could see a rebound faster than expected, it is a question of confidence because the fundamentals of the global economy are good enough," added the socialist premier.German Chancellor Angela Merkel was looking forward to working close...

Awaz Apni WASHINGTON: President-elect Barack Obama is preparing to issue an executive order his first week in office — and perhaps his first day — to close the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, according to two presidential transition team advisers.It's unlikely the detention facility at the Navy base in Cuba will be closed anytime soon. In an interview last weekend, Obama said it would be "a challenge" to close it even within the first 100 days of his administration.But the order, which one adviser said could be issued as early as Jan. 20, would start the process of deciding what to do with the estimated 250 al-Qaida and Taliban suspects and potential witnesses who are being held there. Most have not been charged with a crime.The Guantanamo directive would be one of a series of executive orders Obama is planning to issue shortly after he takes office next Tuesday, according to the two advisers. Also expected is an executive order about certain interrogation methods...

Awaz Apni WASHINGTON: President-elect Barack Obama has introduced his choices for CIA chief — Leon Panetta — and national intelligence director — retired Adm. Dennis Blair. Obama described them as men of "unquestioned integrity" and "broad experience" who are "uniquely qualified" for the posts. He said they will help the nation stay ahead of emerging threats. The introduction of Panetta and Blair comes four days after their names were leaked to reporters. There was surprise in Washington over the choice of Panetta for the CIA post. The former White House chief of staff has no direct intelligence experience. Blair is a former head of U.S. Pacific Command who was credited with fighting terrorism in southeast Asia after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Awaz Apni WASHINGTON: A spokeswoman for president-elect Barack Obama declined to comment Saturday on Israel's ground offensive into Gaza, saying only the next US president was closely following events. "The president-elect is closely monitoring global events, including the situation in Gaza," his national security spokeswoman Brooke Anderson said in a statement. But she offered no comment on the violence in Gaza and, using a phrase repeated often by Obama and his aides, said: "There is one president at a time and we intend to respect that." Obama is due to take office on January 20. Israeli troops entered Gaza under cover of darkness on Saturday, escalating the war on Hamas after artillery pounded the Palestinian territory and warplanes staged dozens of air strikes.

Awaz Apni WASHINGTON: President-elect Barack Obama spoke with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Saturday about the violence in Gaza, which has left as many as 228 people dead, two transition aides told media."The president-elect appreciated the call and the information from Secretary Rice," one aide said, adding that Obama initiated the eight-minute phone call. "He will continue to closely monitor these and other global events."Israeli airstrikes pounded targets in Hamas-ruled Gaza on Saturday and continued into the night, retaliating against Palestinian militants who have been escalating rocket attacks against southern Israel. The fighting sparked eight days after a six-month Egypt-brokered cease-fire between Hamas and Israel expired.Obama has pledged to make Middle East peace a priority from the beginning of his presidency. Arabs are calling for a more even-handed approach than the Bush administration, but Israel is expecting Obama to stay true to the pro-Is...

AMagazine WASHINGTON/LONDON: President-elect Barack Obama and UN chief Ban ki-moon led the global community condemnation of the terror attacks in Mumbai and called on the nations of the world to work together to "root out and destroy terrorist networks". At least 100 people, including Anti-Terrorism Squad chief Hemant Karkare, were killed when terrorists struck with impunity in Mumbai in coordinated multiple blasts and gunfire in a dozen areas across the city. "These coordinated attacks on innocent civilians demonstrate the grave and urgent threat of terrorism," Obama's Chief National security Spokesperson Brooke Anderson said in a statement. "The United States must continue to strengthen our partnerships with India and nations around the world to root out and destroy terrorist networks," he said. "We stand with the people of India, whose democracy will prove far more resilient than the hateful ideology that led to these attacks," Anderson ad...

CNews CHICAGO: U.S. President-elect Barack Obama promised Tuesday, "Change is coming to America" as he gave a victory speech after becoming the first African-American to be elected to the White House. "It's been a long time coming. But tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change is coming to America," he said in front of a crowd of 65,000 people. Obama called on Americans to back a spirit of unity to attack the country's pressing challenges. Obama cong...