Articles about President

As Raila Odinga, leader of the Orange Democratic Movement met with Archbishop Desmond Tutu from South Africa, President Kibaki of Kenya dug in his heels and insisted the election was fair and he was legally elected. Odinga discussed with Tutu the possibility of some form of mediation that might extricate his nation from the violence which has cost the lives of over 300 people. Secretary Rice and Prime Minister Gordon Brown have both suggested various names like former UN Secretary Koffi Annan or President John Kufor of Ghana. Odinga has indicated a willingness to accept either of these names, but, so far it is far from clear if President Kibaki will even entertain the notion of any review of election results. He ruled out the idea of a transitional government and told his opponents to “follow the law” and cease their complaints. His only concession is a willingness to have discussions with “concerned parties” when things have become quiet. Kenya’s Attorney

Mike Huckabee has demonstrated himself eminently qualified to be president of the United States, not by evincing any great knowledge or proficiency or depth of thought, but for showing exactly the opposite.Yes, here is a man with a capacity for calculated dopiness that may exceed that of even Ronald Reagan himself. Yesterday, in an interview with an Iowa newspaper, Huckabee put the full range of his fake doofosity on display for all to see. The former Arkansas governor was challenged by a reporter over his apparent utter lack of foreign policy knowledge, and specifically his ignorance of the recent National Intelligence Estimate on Iran. (more…)

A group of Republican and Democratic congressmen and former senators are getting together to investigate the possibility of enticing Mayor Bloomberg of New York City to enter the presidential election. Former senator David Boren, said, “He brings to the table a tremendous wealth of personal experience and his commitment to bipartisanship is very strong.” Boren and former senator Sam Nunn, two weeks ago invited Republicans like William Cohen and former New Jersey governor Christie Whieman to engage in a dialogue about future political possibilities. The group believes America is a “house divided” and there is need for a president who can reach beyond partisan limits to encompass the nation in a new drive for greatness. Bloomberg will meet with the group which includes Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and former Democratic Senator Gary Hart. There is a distinct possibility the election of 2008 might feature four candidates, one from the Republican party, one from

We’ve known that Jay-Z will step down from the top spot at Def Jam since he made the announcement on Monday. The question now is, once President Carter bows out from rap’s Oval Office — effective Monday, for those keeping score at home — who will Island Def Jam Music Group Chairman L.A. Reid appoint to fill Hov’s shoes, if anyone? The rumors that either Jermaine Dupri, Jimmy “Henchman” Rosemond or Damon Dash will become the new CEO/president of Def Jam have been swirling around almost as long as the ones about Jay-Z leaving his post. But while the latter rumors have become a reality, the former ones haven’t come to fruition yet. JD is already in the same building as Def Jam, serving as the president of Island Urban Music, which is under the Universal umbrella. In fact, when the Atlanta producer came onboard, before his position was identified, Jay suggested the two serve as co-presidents of Def Jam. Rosemond’s name has been tossed in the e

Egypt’s President Mubarak told visiting Israel Minister of Defense, Ehud Barak of his willingness to assume the role of mediator in the dispute between Israel and Syria over the Golan Heights according to a report from the United Arab Emirates’ newspaper, Al-Bayan. Under the proposed Mubarak plan, Israel forces would withdraw from the Golan Heights over a 10-15 year period and when they have departed a force comprising soldiers from Russia, the US and Egypt would assume the role of ensuring there was no violence. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Olmert told visiting US Senator Arnold Spector who was headed to Damascus of his own desire to begin negotiating with Syria over outstanding disputes. The Mubarak offer is fair and can be implemented without any difficulties. It also guarantees Israel security from any future outbreak of violence. This writer would prefer that American forces not be involved in any Middle Eastern compromise and they be replaced by soldiers from Tur

Looks like Jay-Z can loosen up his tie a little more. The iconic-rapper-turned-record-exec announced Monday (December 24) that he will step down from his post as president and CEO of Def Jam Records. According to The Associated Press, Hov said now was the right time for his exit. "It's time for me to take on new challenges," he reportedly said in a statement.Jay-Z's presidential term did have its fair share of misses. Ghostface Killah, Method Man and even his own Roc-A-Fella artists Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek and the Young Gunz all had difficulties getting their latest projects off the ground. Representatives for Jay and Def Jam could not be reached at press time, but just two weeks ago, Hov shot down a newspaper report suggesting that his demands were too steep for Def Jam to keep him. Jay told Entertainment Weekly the issue wasn't the money, and he stuck to what he's said often lately in interviews, that he wants to find a new business model for selling records.Photo: Rob Loud/G

So we've all heard the rumors over the last couple of months of Jay-Z and his "Carter Administration" renegotiating his position at Def Jam. Well after all the speculation, Shawn Carter decides to release a statement of resignation with the powerhouse label. Here's Jay-Z's statement:“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have served as President of such a culturally-defining label as Def Jam over the last three years. During that time, I’ve had the pleasure of working with many of the world’s most dynamic artists and many of the most dedicated and talented executives in the music business today, including [IDJMG Chairman/ CEO] Antonio “L.A.” Reid. But now it’s time for me to take on new challenges. I am pleased to have had the opportunity to build upon the Def Jam legacy, helping to move the company into a new era of artistic success.”L.A Reid also had this to add on Jay's departure:“Jay made it clear to us that he feels the time has come to take on different challeng

Jay-Z's future in Def Jam was uncertain over the past few months as rumors and speculation ran wild throgh the music industry. However, Jay-Z has now (Dec. 24) announced that he will be stepping down as the president of Def Jam Records. Here is what Jay had to say:“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have served as President of such a culturally-defining label as Def Jam over the last three years. During that time, I’ve had the pleasure of working with many of the world’s most dynamic artists and many of the most dedicated and talented executives in the music business today, including [IDJMG Chairman/ CEO] Antonio “L.A.” Reid. But now it’s time for me to take on new challenges. I am pleased to have had the opportunity to build upon the Def Jam legacy, helping to move the company into a new era of artistic success.”Here is L.A. Reid's response to Jay's decision; "While we regret his decision to move on, we certainly respect it. Since Jay joined us as President of Def Ja

Reuters reports Universal Music Group said on Monday that Jay-Z is stepping down as president of its Def Jam Records unit, effective by the end of the year. "Now it's time for me to take on new challenges," the 38-year-old said in a statement. "I am

The French have a tradition in which a nation is invited to devote a six month period in which cultural aspects of their society are presented to the French public, a “country season” as it is commonly termed. The Turkish government in 2006 arranged with France to have 2008 be the year in which a “Turkish season” would display Turkish fashions, literary works, culinary expositions and many other facets of Turkish culture to the people of France. They have now been informed the season will never get going because Turkey has been bumped from the parade. The denial comes on the heels of President Sarkozy’s efforts to block Turkish entry into the European Union. According to a Turkish diplomat, “We think the real reason behind France’s request to postpone the Turkish season is the fact that it just comes ahead of Euro elections” to the European Parliament. Last year, the season featured Armenia, a nation with whom Turkey has poor relations. I

Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas told a donors conference that Israel must make significant changes in West Bank settlements if there is to be a chance for peace. “I’ll be eager to implement all our commitments,” he claimed,”under the road map and I expect the Israel side to do the same comprehensively, and without excuses by them. I expect them to stop all settlement activities without exception.” The strong words reflected the increasing feeling among Palestinian authorities that something must be done to have specific accomplishments as soon as possible. Many economists believe the Palestinian economy needs an end to restrictions in order to get farm production back to prior levels and to ensure that people are working, not being idle. Israel’s Foreign Minister Tzipi Livnia emphasized to the group that creation of a “Palestinian state is in Israel’s interest.” The continued economic depression among Palestinians doe

President Sarkozy of France in an article published today in Le Nouvel Observateur, expressed his concerns over the tension between Iran and Israel which might eventually lead to war. He regards the conflict between Israel and Iran as more dangerous than the possibility of an American air strike on Iran. “The problem for us is,” he said, “not so much the risk that the Americans could launch a military intervention, but that the Israelis consider their security is truly threatened.” Despite the recent US intelligence report which concluded that Iran is not engaged in trying to develop nuclear weapons, many Israeli government leaders and members of the military do not believe those conclusions and are convinced that Iran is pursuing a policy of making nuclear weapons. In his interview, Sarkozy emphasized, “everyone agrees that what the Iranians are doing has no civilian explanation. The only debate is whether they will have military capability in one year

In a surprising move, President Vladmir Putin publicly announced his choice of First Deputy Prime Minister Dimitry Medvedev as the next president of Russia. Due to Putin’s overwhelming popularity there is little doubt his choice will be elected in elections to be held in a few months. Medvedev was announced as the choice of United Russia, and Putin added, “I completely and fully support this proposal.” According to Lila Shevtsova of the Carnegie Moscow Center, “Medvedev is not an extremist. He is not known for any kind of harsh views on politics, and apparently Medvedev better suits Putin’s view of how to achieve continuity.” The real issue is what will Putin do now that he has essentially selected the next president of Russia. Will Putin try to become prime minister and use that position to maintain his power? Will he gracefully step off the stage of power and allow a new person to assume that position? The selection of Medvedev marks the end of an

Everyone’s favorite Fresh Prince, Will Smith, has a big movie coming out this weekend with “I Am Legend“, but Smith doesn’t see any reason to let the silver screen be the limits to his fame and success. In an interview with The Mail Smith detailed out his original plans, how they’ve changed, and what he’d set his sights on first. “I always wanted to be the first black president but Barack Obama stole my idea. That’s OK with me. Barack can go first and then I’ll take my turn. Once I’m in, I’ll start changing a few things that urgently need changing. The basis of human sanity is physical survival, right? So I’d start with universal healthcare and shelter.” Well that’s just great for everyone, right? All it takes to be President of the United States is to really want it and then to know a good doctor. This content brought to you by Wild Bluff Media. ---Related Articles at Wild Bluff Media : Enterta

Iranian students staged a demonstration at Tehran University on Sunday in which they denounced President Ahmadinejad. Demonstrators chanted slogan against the president and carried banners calling for the release of three students who have been held inside May in a high profile case. In October, they were sentenced to three years in jail, a sentence that was denounced by the reform leader, Mohammad Khatami. The demonstration supposedly was led by the Office To Foster Unity, a student reform organization. This was one of several protests students have launched over the past few months in order to express their indignation at the firing of liberal professors and the pressure being exerted on student leaders for reform.Mehdi Arabshahi, a member of the office to Foster Unity, said police had locked the main gate in order to prevent other students from entering to support their demonstration and that’s why the gate was seriously damaged by his group. Another unnamed student told repor

I had a feeling this was going to happen. Thankfully, not too late. WARRENTON - State Sen. Betsy Johnson was the bearer of good news Sunday. She told The Daily Astorian early Sunday afternoon that President Bush has signed a federal disaster declaration which will allow monetary help to individuals in Columbia and Tillamook who have incurred property damage because of last week's giant storm.

For those of us with backgrounds in literature or the social sciences, we should be familiar with the qualities embodied by the cliché character, the postmodern hero. This form of existence abandons with Modernistic pretenses that we somehow form a unified agent, who possesses the same underlying identity from one occasion to the next, despite [...]

According to Saleh Al-Naami, reporting from Gaza, a majority of Arab newspapers are wartning Presdient Abbas, head of Palestine, that accepting Israel-American proposals without significant changes will result in large scale opposition to his authority. Statements by Prime Minister Olmert that 2008 is not an obligatory date for Israel to complete negotiations with the PA or by his deputy, Avigdor Lieberman, who suggested that even the end of 2008 may not be an appropriate date to complete negotiations, raise fears among Palestinians about how serious is Israel to work out a compromise. Palestinians are able to draw upon concerns of Israel human rights advocates about continuing construction of housing in West Bank settlements, and the failure to take action against settlers who build without permits from army authorities. Palestinian critics believe the Bush administration is biased toward Israel and not it has withdrawn a non-binding resolution proposal from the UN Security Council

Yesterday in his press conference, President Bush asserted that Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell told him: “we have new information” on Iran’s nuclear program, but “he did not tell me what the information was.” BUSH: I was made aware of the NIE last week. In August, I think it was John — Mike McConnell came in and said, We have some new information. He didn’t tell me what the information was. He did tell me it was going to take a while to analyze. Later, when a reporter followed-up on this statement, Bush asserted no one ever told him to stop ratcheting up the rhetoric against Iran: REPORTER: Are you saying at no point while the rhetoric was escalating, as World War III was making it into conversation — at no point, nobody from your intelligence team or your administration was saying, Maybe you want to back it down a little bit? BUSH: No — I’ve never — nobody ever told me that. This morning, the cast of Morning Joe (Joe Scarborough) chided Bush

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