Hamas launches its own news agency

Gaza City (AFP)--the Hamas Movement which controls the Gaza Strip launched its own news agency by the name of Al-Rai (opinion), so the Government of Hamas, announced Monday.

"The first official news agency the Government (of Hamas) has been formed under the name Al-Rai ... with supervision of the Office of Government information," said the Director of the Office that Salameh Maaruf told AFP.

"The news that will be a source of important information about government activities, press releases and letters from the Prime Minister (Gaza) Ismail Haniya," he said.

"The independent news agency in terms of personnel and administration, Office of information, however, the Government will be responsible for watching him," he added.

Al-Rai launched with initial power of 15 journalists who will "focus attention on the problem of Palestine, and the Arab News and international with respect to this issue," he said.

The news agency also will give the community the opportunity to propose a "suggestions and complaints" which will be submitted to government departments concerned.

Maaruf said, despite the Government's official policy line voiced, news agency it will also broadcast other vantage points, including from Fatah, led by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

A number of news agencies have been operating in the Gaza Strip, including SAFA launched in 2007 and which is close to Hamas. Fighters of the Palestinian hardline group that also owns the Al-Aqsa TV in Gaza.

WAFA, the official news agency for the Palestinian Government led by Abbas, based in the West Bank and Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), celebrates the 40th year anniversary in the past year.

WAFA offices in Gaza shut down by Hamas in 2007, when the movement took control of the coastal territory.

The Hamas group took control of Gaza Strip in June 2007 after defeating Fatah forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas in deadly combat for several days.

Since then the impoverished coastal territory dibloklade by Israel. The Palestinians also became two separate Union territory--the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and the West Bank that is under the rule of Abbas. Now that the two camps have been doing reconciliation.

The European Union, Israel and the United States put Hamas to its list of terrorist organizations. (M014)

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Bahrain launches national dialogue to end the political stalemate

Manama (Reuters)-the dialogue of National Consensus, which has long been anticipated in Bahrain, beginning on Sunday (10/2), followed by the country's main political groups, including opposition groups.

Sunday's meeting is aimed at reaching the final agenda that will give shape to the important talks with the aim of ending the political stalemate in Arab countries.

Minister of Waqf, the Islamic religion and Justice Bahrain Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa welcomed the involvement of all parties in the dialogue, which includes representatives from the public and the Legislative Council, political as well as some independent figures.

The Minister conveyed his belief about the positive results that will be obtained, further political consensus that will strengthen Bahrain's national achievements, Xinhua reported.

The main opposition groups are present in the dialogue that is the Al Wefaq National Islamic Society--the Shiites, the National Society berfaham Al Ekha and National Democratic Action Society, National Association of Piagama Action and Al Menbar National Islamic Society.

Meanwhile, some opposition groups staged marches in Sitra, when the second round of talks began.

A number of protestors marched carrying flags of Bahrain. They demanded democracy and freedom. (C003)

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Launches us drones from Ethiopia

28 October 2011 stand 05: 28 GMT by Steve Kingstone BBC News, Washington tried the remote aircraft can be equipped with missiles and satellite guided bombs of the U.S. drone flying military aircraft from a base in Ethiopia, when the fight against Islamist militants in neighboring Somalia started part.

US officials have confirmed the BBC that the base in the southern city of Arba Minch, is now operational.

But she stressed that that were used drones remote tried only for monitoring and not for air strikes.

It is part of a growing terror presence in the region, such as the United States groups with al-Qaeda links tracked.

The US military has allegedly spent millions of dollars update remotely, civil airport - of which, the Reaper drones now have flown.

The remote piloted aircraft can be equipped with missiles and satellite guided bombs.

But officials have told the BBC that the drones fly unarmed because their use is considered as confidential of Ethiopia.

Its role monitoring the militant group al-Shabab - based in Somalia, and already at the heart of the drone flew missions from other bases in the region.

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'Joe the Plumber' Launches Congressional Bid

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — Joe the Plumber is plunging into politics because he thinks it's about time America had a few mechanics, bricklayers and, yes, plumbers in Congress.

Samuel "Joe" Wurzelbacher was thrust into the political spotlight after questioning Barack Obama about his economic policies during the 2008 presidential campaign. He officially launched his campaign for Congress in Ohio on Tuesday night.

Wurzelbacher said he's running as a Republican in Ohio's 9th U.S. House district, a seat now held by Marcy Kaptur, the longest-serving Democratic woman in the House. She's expected to face a primary challenge from Rep. Dennis Kucinich after Ohio's redrawn congressional map combined their two districts into one that appears heavily tilted toward Democrats.

Wurzelbacher has become an icon for many anti-establishment conservatives and has traveled the country speaking at tea party rallies and conservative gatherings since becoming a household name.

[See political cartoons on the Tea Party.]

"Americans deserve all kinds of people representing them," he said. "Not just an elite, ruling class."

He said he's seeking office because he's seen too many people forced out of their homes and leave Ohio because of the poor economy.

"All I'm asking for is a fair shake," he said.

Wurzelbacher insisted that he's not trying to capitalize on his fame. "I've been Joe the Plumber for three years now," Wurzelbacher said. "I haven't made millions of dollars off it."

Republicans who recruited him to run in what is a blue-collar district stretching from Toledo to Cleveland think his fame will help bring in enough money to mount a serious challenge. He set up a website to raise money within the last week.

Cuyahoga County Republican Chairman Rob Frost, who had announced he would seek the GOP nomination, dropped out last week, clearing the way for Wurzelbacher.

"People have said this is a guy who took his 15 minutes of fame and turned it into a half hour," said Lucas County GOP Chairman Jon Stainbrook. "But you've got a guy who's out there and people are relating with him."

He'll appeal to people who are tired of politics as usual, Stainbrook said. "He's tapped into this sentiment that things in Washington are screwed up," Stainbrook said

Politicians, Wurzelbacher said, too often try to patch problems instead of fixing them. "I'm not the kind of plumber who uses duct tape," he said

Wurzelbacher, 37, went from toiling as a plumber in suburban Toledo three years ago to media sensation in a matter of days after questioning Obama about his tax policies and being repeatedly cited by Republican U.S. Sen. John McCain in a presidential debate.

He campaigned with McCain and his running mate, Sarah Palin, but he later criticized McCain and said he did not want him as the GOP presidential nominee.

[See who's in and out for the GOP in 2012.]

Since then, he's written a book, worked with a veterans' organization that provides outdoor programs for wounded soldiers and traveled the country speaking at tea party rallies and conservative gatherings.

He said he's also been building houses and working as a plumber.

Wurzelbacher has shown a disdain for politicians — both Democrat and Republican.

"Being a politician is as good as being a weatherman," Wurzelbacher said at a tea party rally last year in Nevada. "You don't have to be right, you don't have to do your job well, but you'll still have a job."

He said on Tuesday that he decided to enter politics as a Republican because he figured he'd have no chance to win as an independent.

"Is it the lesser of two evils?" he said. "I don't know."

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India launches manufacturing push

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AppId is over the quota
25 October 2011 Last updated at 15:50 GMT By Jill McGivering BBC News Manufacturing output is of paramount importance for India's economic welfare India's cabinet has approved a major new policy to develop national manufacturing.

The policy aims to create a 100 million jobs in the next 10 years and allows for a series of special new zones to support manufacturing growth.

At the moment, that sector only accounts for about 16% of the country's gross domestic product.

That has barely changed in the last three decades and is seen as well below India's potential.

It is also far lower than other Asian countries at a similar level of development.

India has done an impressive job in developing hi-tech and service sector industries - which have given new opportunities to its well-educated middle class.

But that is little comfort to a growing number of rural unemployed who have at best a basic education and few opportunities for work beyond agriculture.

Now India is trying to learn from China - with an ambitious plan which aims to boost manufacturing and deliver factory jobs.

Cutting red tape

The target is for manufacturing to account for a quarter of GDP by 2022 - creating 100 million new jobs.

The government also plans to train the young rural generation so they can take advantage of these jobs.

Special economic zones will be set up - again, following China's model. Seven sites have already been identified.

Their development will be led by the private sector. They are described as self-governing townships.

Companies using the sites will be offered tax incentives.

One of the obstacles for manufacturers in the past has been endless government bureaucracy and red tape. This too will be streamlined.

There is no doubt that India desperately needs a more vibrant manufacturing sector to even out its growth and absorb future workers.

The test will be how successfully this plan translates from paper to the real world.

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