الأحد، 22 يناير 2012

Lincoln Tribune

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Gingrich Surges to Victory in South Carolina Primary

Posted: 21 Jan 2012 10:05 PM PST

Former U.S. congressman Newt Gingrich revived his presidential hopes Saturday with a convincing victory in South Carolina's Republican primary.

Gingrich easily beat former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, former senator Rick Santorum from Pennsylvania and Congressman Ron Paul from Texas by drawing strong support from conservative Republican voters.

The Gingrich victory in South Carolina signals a wide-open, lengthy and potentially divisive battle for the Republican Party's presidential nomination.

It was a jubilant Newt Gingrich who took the stage in front of cheering supporters after his victory in South Carolina.  "We want to run not a Republican campaign.  We want to run an American campaign!"

Gingrich offered some praise for his Republican rivals and turned his rhetorical fire instead on President Barack Obama, promising to run a strong general election campaign if he wins the Republican Party's presidential nomination.

Gingrich said, "What we are going to argue is that American exceptionalism, the American Declaration of Independence, the American Constitution, the American Federalist Papers, the founding fathers of America are the source from which we draw our understanding of America.  He draws his from Saul Alinsky, radical left-wingers and people who don't like the classical America!"

Gingrich trounced Mitt Romney with the support of conservative Republican voters in South Carolina. It is a victory he now hopes to repeat in state primary and caucus votes around the country.

The South Carolina results were a major disappointment for Romney, who had hoped to capitalize on his recent victory in the New Hampshire primary and take a giant step toward securing the nomination.

Gingrich's sizeable margin of victory in South Carolina suggests that Romney still has a lot of work to do to win over conservative voters wary of his past moderate views as a governor and senate candidate in Massachusetts.

Romney tried to rally supporters in South Carolina after his second-place finish.  "I don't shrink from competition.  I embrace it.  I believe competition makes us all better and I know it is making our campaign stronger, and in the coming weeks the ideals of free enterprise and economic freedom will need a very strong defense and I intend to make it!"

Former senator Rick Santorum and Congressman Ron Paul both finished well behind Gingrich and Romney.

Santorum vowed to continue in the race as the only true social conservative among the four remaining contenders.  He said, "Someone who can contrast on all of the issues that are important for America today, the ones that are going to decide this election, the ones of experiences on national security, the consistency on conservative principles that made this country great.  I ask you.  It is a wide open race.  Join the fight!  Thank you!"

Ron Paul also vowed to remain in the race for the foreseeable future and repeated his pledge to end U.S. military involvements abroad and cut foreign aid spending if elected.  Paul said, "So if we want to spend the money, we should work hard to return the money from overseas spending to the people here in this country and they should spend the money!"

The Gingrich victory in South Carolina is significant because it signals what could be a lengthy and potentially divisive battle for the presidential nomination and the right to face off against President Obama in the November general election.

Political analyst Matthew Dowd told ABC television that Gingrich has upended expectations that Mitt Romney was on track to quickly secure the Republican nomination.  "Newt still understands that he has an uphill battle going to Florida and going to these other states.  But this takes a race that everybody thought, 'let's crown Mitt Romney, he's the inevitable nominee,' to a race that has now become wide open."

Surveys of voters leaving the polling places in South Carolina found that Republican voters were most concerned with economic issues and finding the strongest candidate to run against Mr. Obama.

Romney has long argued that he would the stronger candidate to run in November because he would have more appeal to moderate voters.  But the exit polls in South Carolina showed that more Republicans there believe that Gingrich would be a stronger general election candidate against the president.

The campaign focus now shifts to Florida for its primary on January 31st, and two more candidate debates are scheduled over the next week.

US Senators Signal Conditional Support for Lifting Burma Sanctions

Posted: 21 Jan 2012 08:10 PM PST

The United States is ready to lift economic sanctions against Burma if the country's civilian government presses ahead on political reforms including free and fair elections this April.

The call was made by a visiting delegation of senior U.S. senators, led by Senators John McCain and Joseph Lieberman, who made a stop in Bangkok on their way to Burma.  Before the United States makes a final decision, the senators said they who say they will also look to democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.

Speaking to reporters Saturday, Senator McCain, while remaining cautious over the reform process, said a decision on sanctions lay with the international community and judgment on the reform progress in Burma.

"There is no doubt in my mind, absolutely certain that if this is a free and fair election, there will be no problem coordinating with every other country in the world to bring the sanctions to a close," McCain said. "I have to say that I am still a bit skeptical, not a lot, a bit skeptical, but I will certainly try to keep an open mind as we go through this process."

The delegation will hold talks with government leader Burmese President Thein Sein and pro-democracy icon, Aung San Suu Kyi.

Burma is to hold by-elections for the national parliament in April in which Aung San Suu Kyi is registered to stand as a candidate.

The U.S. imposed sanctions against Burma in 2003. They include bans on imports from Burma and a severing of financial services ties. In 2007, the bans were extended after the military suppressed street protests.

These included the freezing of individual overseas assets and those providing "material support" to Burma's government. New investment by U.S. individuals and entities was also banned.

Some countries, such as Australia, as well as the European Union are now taking steps to ease sanctions after the release of hundreds of political prisoners. But other prisoners remain detained.

The U.S. government has recently upgraded diplomatic relations by restoring the post of ambassador following the prisoner release and a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Senator Joseph Lieberman said the U.S. would be looking to Aung San Suu Kyi for guidance over the timing of an easing of sanctions against Burma, also known as Myanmar.

"Our reaction to what happens in Myanmar will be greatly affected by the reaction of Aung San Suu Kyi. In other words we have great admiration for her not only for her but trust in her so I wouldn't say we were giving her total veto but to the extent that she has confidence in the process we will have confidence in the process of change in Myanmar and as a result we will lift sanctions and grow closer to the government."

In an interview this week with The Washington Post newspaper, Burma's President Thein Sein, called for the West to lift sanctions. The president said his government had met international calls for the release of political prisoners, holding of elections and granting greater political freedom to Aung San Suu Kyi.  

But Suu Kyi in a recent interview said the U.S. should lift sanctions when "the time is right" and if Burma's government had met the conditions for their removal.



Crews contain Reno, Nevada wildfire which destroyed 29 homes

Posted: 21 Jan 2012 06:58 PM PST

RENO, NEVADA (BNO NEWS) -- Firefighters on early Saturday morning contained a large wildfire in the U.S. state of Nevada, officials said. The blaze destroyed 29 homes and burned nearly 3,200 acres (1,300 hectares) in two days.

The fire broke out at around 1 p.m. local time on Thursday when an elderly man improperly discarded fireplace ashes at his home on the northern end of Washoe Valley, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of downtown Reno.

The fire, fueled by heavy fuels and high winds, forced the evacuation of more than 2,000 people in the old Washoe City area, Pleasant Valley, and Saint James Village areas. Washoe County Manager Katy Simon declared a state of emergency within hours, followed later that day by a state declaration of emergency by Governor Brian Sandoval.

Sierra Fire Protection District spokesman Mark Regan said the fire was 100 percent contained by 6 a.m. local time on Saturday. "All evacuations were lifted as of 8 a.m. this morning," he said. "The Sierra Front Incident Management Team will transition the Washoe Fire over to Reno Fire Department at 3:00pm today."

Nancy Leuenhagen, a spokeswoman for the Washoe County manager's office, said the wildfire had burned a total of 3,177 acres (1,285 hectares) and destroyed 29 homes. "The emergency boil water notice that was in effect for Sunrise Estates has been lifted," she said.

Earlier, emergency crews recovered the body of 93-year-old June Hargis, who had been warned about the fire but did not evacuate in time. She is believed to have died from smoke inhalation, but an autopsy is being conducted to officially determine whether she died as a result of the fire.

Reno Fire Chief Michael Hernandez earlier said that an elderly man had come forward and admitted to causing the fire when he threw out ashes in a utility trailer in the area. It was not immediately clear if the man, described as being 'extremely remorseful', would face criminal charges.

On Friday, local authorities already estimated that the response cost had reached more than $690,000. Officials expect the damages will reach millions of dollars once a full assessment has been carried out.

In November 2011, more than 30 homes were destroyed when a wildfire broke out near Reno, forcing nearly 10,000 people to evacuate the area. The fire burned some 2,000 acres (810 hectares) and injured one firefighter. One man died of a heart attack while evacuating.

(Copyright 2012 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: sales@bnonews.com.)


Thousands protest in Cairo ahead of uprising anniversary

Posted: 21 Jan 2012 05:00 PM PST

CAIRO (BNO NEWS) -- Thousands of Egyptians protested in Cairo's Tahrir Square on Friday to call for an end to military rule, just days ahead of the first anniversary of the uprising which led to the ouster of former President Hosni Mubarak.

Thousands of people, many of whom participated in last year's revolution, called for an end to military rule and demanded justice for those shot dead by security forces. Tahrir Square is still regularly the scene of large demonstrations, especially in the wake of several incidents which left dozens of protesters killed.

The military council has been in control of Egypt since the regime of Mubarak was toppled in February 2011, following popular protests which began on January 25, 2011, leaving many people killed as a result of a government crackdown. Upon assuming power, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) vowed to end its interim rule after a six-month transitional period.

But the SCAF has remained in power and activists have accused the military of using the same policies as the Mubarak regime, including controversial emergency laws. The Cairo-based Arabic Network for Human Rights Information previously noted a 'sharp decline' in freedom of opinion and expression in Egypt following the ouster of Mubarak.

According to Amnesty International, at least 840 people were killed and more than 6,000 others were injured during the uprising last year. Activists and victims' families have been demanding that those responsible for the killings of protesters be brought to justice in fair trials.

In late November, three people were killed and more than 750 others were injured when hundreds of thousands of protesters gathered in Cairo's Tahrir Square and in the northern city of Alexandria to demand an end to the military rule. During the protests, security forces used tear gas, rubber bullets and shotguns to disperse the protesters.

The resignation of Mubarak last year was seen as a historic change in Egypt and ended his 30-year rule, but many Egyptians have not seen quick enough elections or much change. Presidential elections are scheduled to be held in June.

(Copyright 2012 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: sales@bnonews.com.)


Gingrich Wins South Carolina Republican Primary

Posted: 21 Jan 2012 04:41 PM PST

Former U.S. congressman Newt Gingrich has won the Republican presidential primary in the southeastern state of South Carolina, shaking up the party's campaign to find a candidate for this year's presidential election.

Vote tallies showed Gingrich with about 40 percent of the vote. Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney trailed in second with about 28 percent.  

Gingrich touted his victory with an apparent jab at Romney, who has faced criticism from his rivals over his wealth.

"We don't have the kind of money at least one of the candidates has. But we do have ideas, and we do have people. And we proved here in South Carolina that people power with the right ideas beats big money, and with your help, we are going to prove it again in Florida," said Gingrich.

Just a week ago, Romney was expected to win easily, but his campaign was hard hit by attacks over his career as a venture capitalist.  

After the initial results emerged Saturday, Romney hit back, criticizing both President Barack Obama and Romney's Republican rivals.

"Our president has divided the nation, engaged in class warfare, and attacked the free enterprise system that has made America the economic envy of the world. We cannot defeat that president with a candidate who has joined in that very assault on free enterprise. (applause). When my opponents attack success and free enterprise, they are not only attacking me, they are attacking every person who dreams of a better future," said Romney.

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney speaks at his South Carolina primary night rally in Columbia, Jan. 21, 2012. (Reuters)

In third in the South Carolina vote was former U.S. senator from Pennsylvania, Rick Santorum, with U.S. Congressman Ron Paul of Texas in fourth.

Paul said he expects to end up with four to five times more votes in South Carolina this year than in the 2008 race. He said his cause of liberty is getting more attention now because of current conditions.

"Well the evidence has become clear that the efforts by government are failing, and we can't depend on the government to take care of us from cradle to grave, we can't depend on the government, on its efforts to promote, and to believe that we can police the world, and go in and nation-build, because we're all going broke," said Paul.

Gingrich's upset victory means that all three of the election events held so far have had different winners. Romney won the New Hampshire primary last week, and Santorum won the Iowa caucuses on January 3.  

Santorum made note of the volatility in his speech Saturday night, saying, "Well, three states, three winners, what a great country!"

The battle will continue to be hard fought in the next primary state - Florida.  Republicans there will vote on January 31.

Video of South Carolina voters

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Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
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