Government News: Top Stories

	Top Stories UN Secretary-General Ban cheers Zimbabwe deal, urges further talks Zimbabwe talks on power-sharing deal to start in South Africa China signs border demarcation pact with Russia

	Top Stories Awakening of invincibility in Spain through Maharishi's programmes - Part I Announcing a special Live Broadcast Monday, 9 June, in honour of Raja John Hagelin Part I: Maharishi Mahesh Yogi establishes the World Capital of Raam Raj - Seat of administration through silence

	Top Stories Pakistan: Humanitarian situation in northwest deteriorating - rights group Squandered oil wealth leaves Nigeria in dark age Nepal: Former Maoists rebels refuse to form government creating new crisis
Positive Trends 10 Short Summaries of Top Stories UN Secretary-General Ban cheers Zimbabwe deal, urges further talks 22 July 2008 - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed a deal between Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai on Monday that paves the way for talks on forming a power-sharing government. South African President Thabo Mbeki, who mediated the deal, said the agreement committed both sides to bringing substantive negotiations to a speedy conclusion. (more) Zimbabwe talks on power-sharing deal to start in South Africa 22 July 2008 - Zimbabwe's ruling party and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change will begin negotiations on Tuesday on a power-sharing deal that could end the political crisis, the opposition and diplomatic sources said. The main goal of the Pretoria talks will be the creation of a government of national unity. (more) China signs border demarcation pact with Russia 21 July 2008 - China and Russia on Monday signed a pact that finally settled the demarcation of their 4,300-km (2,672-mile) border, the scene of armed clashes at the height of the Cold War. Russia, whose $1.3 trillion economy is booming for a tenth straight year, has forged close ties with China on a number of world issues. (more) Foreign minister of Syria arrives in Beirut for talks 21 July 2008 - Syria's foreign minister has arrived in Lebanon on the first such visit by a senior Syrian official in more than three years. Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem plans to meet later Monday with Lebanese President Michel Suleiman. He's also expected to hand Suleiman an invitation from Syrian President Bashar Assad to visit Damascus. (more) Taiwan to allow China institutions to buy Taiwan shares 21 July 2008 - Taiwan is preparing to allow Chinese funds approved under the Qualified Domestic Institutional Investor (QDII) program to invest up to 3 per cent of their assets in Taiwan stocks, in the latest sign of warming ties across the Taiwan Strait. Once Taiwan and China have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), the cap would be lifted to 10 per cent. (more) Zimbabwe: President Mugabe, opposition leader Tsvangirai sign framework deal 21 July 2008 - Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai on Monday signed a deal laying down the framework for formal talks on forming a power sharing government to end a deep political crisis. It was the first meeting in 10 years between the two rivals. (more) Zimbabwe: Timeline - Hope in election crisis 21 July 2008 - Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai on Monday signed a framework deal committing their political parties to talks to end the country's deep crisis. Here is a chronology of events since the widely condemned 27 June run-off Presidential election, boycotted by Tsvangirai and his opposition Movement for Democratic Change. (more) Iran says nuclear talks a step forward 20 July 2008 - Iran's President described talks with world powers on its disputed nuclear programme as a step forward on Sunday, official media said, even though the meeting in Geneva failed to produce any breakthrough in the standoff. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gave an upbeat assessment of the talks. 'Any negotiation that takes place is a step forward,' he told reporters, according to IRNA. (more) Iraqi Prime Minister to visit Germany, Italy, meet Pope 20 July 2008 - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki flies to Europe this week to meet leaders in Germany and Italy, woo businessmen, and hold talks with Pope Benedict. The trip builds on a flurry of diplomatic activity in the past month as regional countries have moved to upgrade ties with Baghdad, write off debts, and talk about rebuilding Iraq. (more) Libya, Portugal sign investment agreements 20 July 2008 - OPEC-member Libya and Portugal have signed two accords to boost cooperation in the oil and gas industry and allow the north African country to carry out investments inside and outside Portugal, Libya's official news agency Jana said. The agreement also aims to boost bilateral trade and invited Portuguese companies to carry out projects in Libya in sectors such as housing, renewable energy, water purification, and tourism. (more)
Success of Maharishi's Programmes 10 Short Summaries of Top Stories Awakening of invincibility in Spain through Maharishi's programmes - Part I 17 July 2008 - Dr Antonio Bartolome, Raja (Administrator) of Spain for the Global Country of World Peace, gave an inspiring tribute to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and an historical perspective on the rise of invincibility in Spain trough Maharishi's programmes. (more) *Announcing a special Live Broadcast* Monday, 9 June, in honour of Raja John Hagelin 9 June 2008 - The Maharishi Channel announces a special live broadcast on Monday, 9 June 2008, of an international celebration in honour of Raja John Hagelin, Raja of Invincible America for the Global Country of World Peace. The celebration will be broadcast live via satellite and over the Internet on the Maharishi Channel, Channel 3. (more) Part I: Maharishi Mahesh Yogi establishes the World Capital of Raam Raj - Seat of administration through silence** 12 January 2008 - On the evening of the day of Maharishi's inauguration of the Year of Invincibility - Global Raam Raj, on 12 January 2008, to the sound of Scottish bagpipers and fireworks in the magnificent gardens of MERU, Holland, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Founder of the Global Country of World Peace, founded the World Capital of Raam Raj located in the Brahmasthan - geographic centre - of India. (more) *Part II: Maharishi Mahesh Yogi establishes the World Capital of Raam Raj - Functioning capital in the Brahmasthan* (geographic centre) of India 12 January 2008 - In his talk about the crowning achievement of the beautiful day of Maharishi's inauguration of the Year of Invincibility - Global Raam Raj, on 12 January 2008, Dr John Hagelin, Raja [Administrator] of Invincible America for the Global Country of World Peace, said that Maharishi Mahesh Yogi has established the World Capital of Raam Raj, and it is beginning to function today in two vitally important ways. (more) Transcendental Meditation and recidivism 2 January 2008 - Currently, about 1.4 million Americans are behind bars, and experts agree that conventional approaches to rehabilitating prisoners have failed. In fact, nearly two-thirds of all inmates who are paroled return to prison within three years. (more) Report on the 28th Day of the World Congress of Rajas 22 December 2007 - On its 28th day, the World Congress of Rajas (Administrators) of the Global Country of World Peace heard a report on keeping the world's foods safe, discussed a chart on the structure of the rule from silence, and saw a presentation on advances in sustainable building. (more) Bali, Indonesia: Coherence-creating group for United Nations Climate Change Conference - Part I 17 December 2007 - A group of 350 peace-creating experts gathered--through the generosity and incentive of Mr Declan Murphy, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and environmental activist--to practise Maharishi's Transcendental Meditation Programme and its advanced techniques including Yogic Flying in order to create an influence of coherence and positivity during the United Nations Climate Change Conference held 3-14 December 2007 in Bali, Indonesia. (more) 1st Resolution of the World Congress of Rajas of the Global Country of World Peace, proposed by Dr John Hagelin, Raja of Invincible America 23 November 2007 - On this 23rd day of November, 2007 in the Capital of the Global Country of World Peace in MERU, Holland, in the auspicious presence of His Majesty Maharaja Nader Raam, First Ruler of the Global Country of World Peace, in the sublime and royal atmosphere of the World Congress of Rajas, filled with the divine blessings of Guru Dev, having performed Puja to Guru Dev, all the assembled Rajas of Maharaja's Royal Court do hereby unanimously resolve to each individually assume responsibility, initially, to bring enlightenment and invincibility to one country of the world; and in the near future, to assume responsibility for additional countries, until the complete family of 192 nations is raised to enlightenment and invincibility. (more) 1st Session of the Global Congress of Rajas 23 November 2007 - Following Puja [a Vedic ceremony of thanksgiving] to the Vedic Tradition of Total Knowledge, Maharishi addressed the Congress of Rajas, on 23 November 2007, at the International Capital of the Global Country of World Peace, MERU, Holland (more) Continuation of live broadcast of the Coronation ceremony for Dr John Hagelin - Tuesday, 20 November 2007** 19 November 2007 - The Maharishi Channel - Channel 3 - is pleased to announce that the continuation of the Vedic Coronation ceremony for Dr John Hagelin, the Raja of America for the Global Country of World Peace, will be broadcast live on Tuesday, 20 November 2007 starting at 4:00 AM US Central Time (USCT), 11:00 AM Central European Time (CET). (more)
Flops 10 Short Summaries of Top Stories Pakistan: Humanitarian situation in northwest deteriorating - rights group 23 July 2008 - About half a million people in the Kurram Agency along the border with Afghanistan, which has seen fierce fighting between rival groups of militants in the past few months. Asma Jahangir, head of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), told IRIN the fighting had intensified over the past year and that the government had 'lost its writ' in the area. The situation of ordinary people was grim, as the fighting was sectarian in nature, he said, with militias made up of Sunni Muslims (Pakistan's majority sect) fighting Shias, who make up around 42 per cent of the population in Kurram Agency. (more) Squandered oil wealth leaves Nigeria in dark age 23 July 2008 - With oil prices at record highs, government coffers in the world's eighth biggest oil exporter are swollen to unprecedented levels. Yet the vast majority of Nigeria's 140 million people live in no better conditions than their neighbours in West Africa, the least developed region of the world's poorest continent. The same is true of many of Africa's major oil producers -- including Angola, Sudan, Equatorial Guinea and Chad -- but Nigeria's sheer size and 2-million-barrel-per-day output make the poverty-wealth contrasts more striking. Nigeria has earned the equivalent in today's terms of nearly $1.2 trillion from oil production over the past four decades. But its four state-owned refineries are not fully operational, largely due to mismanagement and vandalism, its distribution network is chaotic, and it relies heavily on fuel imports, which cost around $4 billion each year. Healthcare is virtually non-existent, the roads are potholed, unemployment and crime are on the rise, and Nigeria is suffering from spiralling food prices. (more) Nepal: Former Maoists rebels refuse to form government creating new crisis 22 July 2008 - Nepal's former Maoists rebels withdrew plans to form the country's new government on Tuesday, saying they refused to lead after the defeat of their Presidential candidate. The decision pushed the Himalayan nation, which has been without a government since April elections, into fresh political turmoil. Nepal's governing assembly elected the country's first President Monday, rejecting a candidate backed by former Maoist rebels. The Constituent Assembly elected Ram Baran Yadav, a physician from the Madheshi ethnic community in southern Nepal. Yadav has served twice as health minister and has been elected twice to parliament. The last King, who went by just one name, Gyanendra, was forced to give up his rule in April 2006 after weeks of pro-democracy protests and his powers were stripped soon afterward. (more) Talks fail to end Thai-Cambodia temple row 21 July 2008 - Talks between Thailand and Cambodia failed on Monday to end a week-long military stand-off over an ancient temple on their border, which regional neighbours feared could turn violent. Hundreds of troops at the temple will hold their positions, negotiators said after eight hours of talks on an issue that has whipped up nationalist fervour in both southeast Asian nations. At the heart of the dispute is a 4.6 sq km (1.8 sq mile) area around the temple, which sits on a jungle-clad escarpment that forms a natural boundary, which is claimed by both nations. Monday's talks partly bogged down over which maps should be used to settle ownership of the temple and surrounding area, officials said. (more) Philippines: President Arroyo's approval rating hits record low 20 July 2008 - Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's public support rating plunged last month to a record low, making her the country's most unpopular President since democracy was restored in 1986, a survey showed Friday. The independent Social Weather Stations survey found that 22 per cent of Filipinos were satisfied and 60 per cent dissatisfied with President Arroyo's performance. While President Arroyo has been credited with making economic reforms, she has grappled with political unrest stemming from allegations of corruption and influence-peddling involving her husband, and accusations of human rights violations. (more) US: Guns ruling spawns legal challenges by felons 20 July 2008 - Twice convicted of felonies, James Francis Barton Jr. faces charges of violating a federal law barring felons from owning guns after police found seven pistols, three shotguns, and five rifles at his home south of Pittsburgh. As a defence, Barton and several other defendants in federal gun cases argue that last month's Supreme Court ruling allows them to keep loaded handguns at home for self-defence. People on both sides of the gun control issue say they expect numerous attacks against local, state, and federal laws based on the high court's 5-4 ruling that struck down the District of Columbia's ban on handguns. (more) Nepal assembly fails to elect first President 19 July 2008 - The new republic of Nepal failed to elect its first President on Saturday when none of the three candidates was able to muster the majority needed to open the way to the formation of a new government. Nepal has been in political limbo since April, when former Maoist rebels won an historic election which left them short of a parliamentary majority, but enabled them to form a special assembly that abolished the 239-year-old monarchy. The Maoists say they are in talks with other political parties to form a government. But other parties have so far rejected their overtures, saying the former rebels still practise violence and intimidation. (more) Police most corruption-prone in Kenya 18 July 2008 - Kenya's police force was ranked on Thursday as the east African nation's most corruption-prone institution for the seventh time in a row by watchdog Transparency International. The police were rated at 57 out of a 100 in the group's bribery index, where the higher the value, the worse the performance. 'Only the Kenya police exceed the halfway mark of 50,' the group said. Foreign investors frequently cite corruption as a major problem for business in east Africa's largest economy. (more) World's poorest increase despite growth 18 July 2008 - Record growth in the world's poorest countries has failed to prevent an increase in their total numbers of poor people, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said. Recent rising food costs threaten to undercut what modest progress has been achieved, while three quarters of people living in least developed countries (LDCs) still survive on less than $2 a day, it said in a report. Record growth should have provided the opportunity for substantial improvements in living conditions but rapid population increases and other factors mean some 581 million out of a total 2005 LDC population of 767 million continue to live in material deprivation, the report said. (more) Confidence drops in US economic policy: Reuters poll 17 July 2008 - Public confidence in US economic policy dipped this month as unstable markets and shaky financial institutions left Americans uneasy about the future, according to a Reuters/Zogby poll released on Wednesday. The drop came amid a continuing housing crisis, pledges of government help for the top two mortgage finance agencies, and the collapse last week of IndyMac Bancorp -- the third-largest bank failure in US history. The approval rating for Congress is at its all-time low of 11 per cent. Zogby said there was room for public confidence to fall more this summer amid the continued flood of bad economic news and gasoline prices that continue to rise. (more)