Abbas threatens to dismantle PA

Abbas threatens to dismantle PA
Nov 8, 2009 Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is considering dissolving the PA and declaring the failure of the peace process with Israel, PA officials in Ramallah said over the weekend.
Abbas was now waiting to see if the US and other parties would exert enough pressure on Israel to stop settlement construction and recognize the two-state solution before he makes any decision, the officials said.
In his televised speech on Thursday, in which he announced that he has "no desire" to run in the upcoming presidential election, Abbas said that he would also consider taking "other measures" in the future, but did not elaborate.

PM heads to U.S., under threat of Palestinian statehood declaration

PM heads to U.S., under threat of Palestinian statehood declaration
08/11/2009 Concerns are growing in Israel's government over the possibility of a unilateral Palestinian declaration of independence within the 1967 borders, a move which could potentially be recognized by the United Nations Security Council.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently asked the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama to veto any such proposal, after reports reached Jerusalem of support for such a declaration from major European Union countries, and apparently also certain U.S. officials.

US Senators Act to Force Recognition of Jerusalem as Capital

US Senators Act to Force Recognition of Jerusalem as Capital
Seven United States senators have sponsored a bill that would abolish the "security" waiver that American presidents have used to prevent implementing a 1995 law declaring that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. Kansas Republican Senator Sam Brownback, a long-time supporter of Israel, introduced the bill and said, "It is long overdue for America to recognize the sovereign right of Israel to choose Jerusalem as its capital city."

Cameras in Every Room on Capitol Hill Will Bring Transparency to the Federal Government, Congressman Says

Cameras in Every Room on Capitol Hill Will Bring Transparency to the Federal Government, Congressman Says
Friday, November 06, 2009 CNSNews.com) – Smoke no longer fills the room, but at least one politician on Capitol Hill is talking about ending deals being done behind closed doors, and it is not President Barack Obama or even a Democrat.

The idea of transparency in the federal government was floated by a Republican member of Congress during Friday’s meeting of the House Committee on Rules(.

The committee – which crafted the rules that will shape the debate and vote on the House Democrats’ health care bill this weekend or early next week on the House floor – meets in one of the smaller rooms in the Capitol.

Gordon Brown: worldwide snub over tax plans

Gordon Brown: worldwide snub over tax plans
Gordon Brown is facing international embarrassment after leading nations slapped down his proposal for a tax on financial transactions to raise hundreds of billions of pounds.

EU pessimistic about Copenhagen climate change deal

EU pessimistic about Copenhagen climate change deal
Europe has given up hope that a binding global treaty on climate change can be achieved at the UN climate talks in Copenhagen in December.