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<!--Generated by Squarespace Site Server v5.9.2 (http://www.squarespace.com/) on Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:28:01 GMT--><feed xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"><title>Top News</title><subtitle>Top News</subtitle><id>http://www.talkmedianews.com/news/</id><link rel="alternate" type="application/xhtml+xml" href="http://www.talkmedianews.com/news/"/><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.talkmedianews.com/news/atom.xml"/><updated>2010-03-13T07:18:44Z</updated><generator uri="http://www.squarespace.com/" version="Squarespace Site Server v5.9.2 (http://www.squarespace.com/)">Squarespace</generator><entry><title>Chertoff Explains Significance of Color-Coded Advisory System</title><category term="Michael Chertoff"/><category term="News/Commentary"/><category term="Travis Martinez"/><category term="alert system"/><category term="color-coded"/><id>http://www.talkmedianews.com/news/2009/9/3/chertoff-explains-significance-of-color-coded-advisory-syste.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.talkmedianews.com/news/2009/9/3/chertoff-explains-significance-of-color-coded-advisory-syste.html"/><author><name>Talk Radio News Service (Admin)</name></author><published>2009-09-03T21:02:25Z</published><updated>2009-09-03T21:02:25Z</updated><summary type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[Former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff explained the importance of the Department of Homeland Security's color-coded advisory system, noting that many organizations, such as the separate U.S. military branches, use a similar method of communicating rapidly. (0:43)]]></summary></entry><entry><title>Chertoff Disappointed With Emergency Response Communication</title><category term="Frontpage 3"/><category term="Michael Chertoff"/><category term="News/Commentary"/><category term="Travis Martinez"/><category term="emergency response"/><category term="inter-agency communication"/><category term="national press club"/><id>http://www.talkmedianews.com/news/2009/9/3/chertoff-disappointed-with-emergency-response-communication.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.talkmedianews.com/news/2009/9/3/chertoff-disappointed-with-emergency-response-communication.html"/><author><name>Talk Radio News Service (Admin)</name></author><published>2009-09-03T19:57:46Z</published><updated>2009-09-03T19:57:46Z</updated><summary type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[Travis Martinez, University of New Mexico - Talk Radio News Service

Former Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff noted Thursday that while many improvements have been made in U.S. emergency response capabilities, more can be done to improve communication between different agencies.

 "All of the groups need to make an agreement on the [technological] language used," Chertoff said during a panel discussion at the National Press Club. "We still have a ways to go."

To counter the current shortcomings of inter-agency communication, Chertoff suggested reserving part of the radio spectrum solely for emergency response, thus allowing responders to transmit voice, data, and video more efficiently through portable devices like BlackBerrys and iPhones.

The idea to scrap the system we have now or to wait for equipment to become obsolete is not a viable option, Chertoff warned. 

 $1 billion has been distributed to states and localities to promote interoperable communications. 
  ]]></summary></entry><entry><title>The Tea Party Movement Is Coming To Washington</title><category term="Capitol Hill"/><category term="FreedomWorks"/><category term="Frontpage 2"/><category term="Meagan Wiseley"/><category term="News/Commentary"/><category term="dick armey"/><category term="rally"/><id>http://www.talkmedianews.com/news/2009/9/3/the-tea-party-movement-is-coming-to-washington.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.talkmedianews.com/news/2009/9/3/the-tea-party-movement-is-coming-to-washington.html"/><author><name>Talk Radio News Service (Admin)</name></author><published>2009-09-03T19:43:30Z</published><updated>2009-09-03T19:43:30Z</updated><summary type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[Meagan Wiseley, University of New Mexico - Talk Radio News Service 

The FreedomWorks Foundation is sponsoring a three day event that will give grassroots conservatives the opportunity to express their dissatisfaction with government spending to Congress. The September 12 "March On Washington" will be the largest gathering of fiscal conservatives in history, with tens of thousands expected. 

In a conference call Wedneday to promote the event, FreedomWorks President and CEO Matt Kibbe said, "I do think that our theme of 'government goes to those who show up' is relevant here. We've seen lots of Americans leave their homes and come to townhall meetings and come to Washington." 

September 9th and 10th will be dedicated to workshops, training seminars and rallies. Fiscal conservatives will also have the opportunity to address their congressmen during lobbying visits to Capitol Hill. 

Jenny Beth Martin with The Tea Party Patriots, who also participated in Wednesday's conference call, said of her fellow patriots, "They think it's time for their elected officials to pay attention to what they have to say. They will have that opportunity on Thursday and Friday while they are in D.C." 

The three day event will begin Thursday September 9th. ]]></summary></entry><entry><title>Iranian-Americans Urge U.S. Government To Intervene In Security Of Troubled Refugee Camp</title><category term="Frontpage 1"/><category term="Gary Morsch"/><category term="Iran"/><category term="Iranian exiles"/><category term="Iraq"/><category term="Leah valencia"/><category term="News/Commentary"/><category term="White House"/><category term="camp Ashraf"/><id>http://www.talkmedianews.com/news/2009/9/3/iranian-americans-urge-us-government-to-intervene-in-securit.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.talkmedianews.com/news/2009/9/3/iranian-americans-urge-us-government-to-intervene-in-securit.html"/><author><name>Talk Radio News Service (Admin)</name></author><published>2009-09-03T19:15:38Z</published><updated>2009-09-03T19:15:38Z</updated><summary type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[Leah Valencia, University of New Mexico – Talk Radio News Service

The United States Committee for Camp Ashraf Residents called Thursday for the U.S. government to respond to the alleged mistreatment of Iranian political exiles in an Ashraf, Iraq based refugee camp by transferring control of the camp from Iraqi security forces.

"We have a contractual signed agreements with each of these refugees, we need to honor that," U.S. Army Col. Gary Morsch M.D. during a press conference in Washington, D.C. with the Committee. "We have a responsibility and an opportunity to do something."

The refugees of Camp Ashraf were recognized by the United States as "protected persons" during the Fourth Geneva Convention and were under U.S. military protection until January 2009 when the Iraqi government assumed responsibility for their safety. In July, 2009, a raid by Iraqi security forces wounded over 500 refugees with an additional 36 taken hostage. The hostages remain in critical condition and Iraqi forces are limiting medical resources, food and water supplies. 

In response, many Iranian-Americans have begun a hunger strike to urge U.S. government officials to push for the immediate release of the 36 refugee hostages and  have U.S. forces temporarily take over Camp Ashraf security until a United Nations monitoring post can be established. Hunger stiker Hamid Godarzi  said they have been on strike for 37 days and will not quit until their demands are met.

"This is not simple for us to do. I am a senior research scientist in San Antonio, Texas and I left my ordinary life to be here," Godarzi said. "It is our responsibility to give a voice to the residents of Ashraf."

According to Godarzi, the White House has not issued a response to the hunger strikers.

]]></summary></entry><entry><title>Today At TRNS</title><category term="Frontpage 1"/><category term="Menendez"/><category term="Today at TRNS"/><category term="chertoff"/><id>http://www.talkmedianews.com/news/2009/9/3/today-at-trns.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.talkmedianews.com/news/2009/9/3/today-at-trns.html"/><author><name>Talk Radio News Service (Admin)</name></author><published>2009-09-03T12:52:28Z</published><updated>2009-09-03T12:52:28Z</updated><summary type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[The Washington, D.C. Bureau will be covering the following events:

-A conference call with Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) on the 2010 Senate races.

-A panel discussion with former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.

-A briefing on "The Next 100 Days: Some Final Hurdles to Health Reform" by the Alliance for Health Reform.

-A conference call by Freedomworks on the upcoming march on Washington.

-A news conference on the Iranian refugee residents of Camp Ashraf in Iraq held by the U.S. Committee for Camp Ashraf Residents.

]]></summary></entry><entry><title>Pentagon Gaggle</title><category term="Frontpage 3"/><category term="Pentagon"/><id>http://www.talkmedianews.com/news/2009/9/2/pentagon-gaggle.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.talkmedianews.com/news/2009/9/2/pentagon-gaggle.html"/><author><name>Talk Radio News Service (Admin)</name></author><published>2009-09-02T18:47:14Z</published><updated>2009-09-02T18:47:14Z</updated><summary type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[Iraqi security forces have undertaken a broad self-assessment in the wake of series of deadly attacks in the Iraqi capital last month, a U.S. commander there said today.
A wave of truck bombings in Baghdad killed at least 100 people and injured more than 500 others in the deadly August 19th assault that exposed a lapse in security, according to U.S. defense officials. 
With the current tight economy, consensus exists among officials in the Pentagon, Congress and the White House, "to try to address some of these acquisition issues that have built up cumulatively over a large number of years" said Secretary Gates.
The new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is an all-purpose aircraft that makes financial sense, Gates said. The F-35 will be used by the Air Force, the Marines Corps and the Navy. Once in production, he said, the F-35's unit price will be at less than half the cost of the F-22 Raptor fighter that is being tabbed for exclusive use by the U.S Air Force. 
The Defense Department is slated to purchase 187 F-22s, which Gates called "a great airplane." But finite defense resources compelled the Pentagon to favor the F-35, he said. 



]]></summary></entry><entry><title>US/UN Ambassador Susan Rice Says Iran's Response Should Be Prompt</title><category term="Frontpage 1"/><category term="News/Commentary"/><category term="United Nations"/><id>http://www.talkmedianews.com/news/2009/9/2/usun-ambassador-susan-rice-says-irans-response-should-be-pro.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.talkmedianews.com/news/2009/9/2/usun-ambassador-susan-rice-says-irans-response-should-be-pro.html"/><author><name>Tala Dowlatshahi</name></author><published>2009-09-02T17:08:15Z</published><updated>2009-09-02T17:08:15Z</updated><summary type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[The five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council met today in Wiesbaden, Germany to discuss Iran's nuclear program. The clear outcome of the meeting is still unknown--but a major component is whether Iran intends to fully suspend its nuclear enrichment program.  Germany, not a permanent member of the UN Security Council, played host with a spokesperson from the Foreign Ministry adding the purpose of the meeting was to "consult on possible courses of action....on Iran's unsatisfactory position."

IAEA chief Mohamed El Baradei said tough sanctions being proposed by the United States, France and Germany should be avoided and that "Iran's nuclear program is not the greatest threat to the world. In many ways, I think the threat has been hyped."

Iranians have denied all charges and pledged to use nuclear energy for civilian purposes only. The country's lack of legitimacy follows a bloody election coup this summer. Some international officials believe Iran's recent actions may indeed cut off communication with a previously optimistic President Obama.

Iran's nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili fought back this week claiming, "Iran is prepared to present a revised package of proposals ... and is ready to hold talks with world powers".

Ambassador Susan Rice, who took the reigns as President of the UN Security Council this month suggested "We hope Iran's response which we have not seen as effective, will be prompt."

A US lobby group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) began an online petition this week to garner worldwide support for tougher sanctions on Iran. UANI said it will forward the signatories of the petition to President Obama, G-20 countries, and the mayor of Pittsburgh, where the upcoming G-20 summit will be held on Sept 24-25.]]></summary></entry><entry><title>UAE In Tough Position After Intercepting Goods From North Korea To Iran</title><category term="Frontpage 2"/><category term="News/Commentary"/><category term="United Nations"/><id>http://www.talkmedianews.com/news/2009/9/2/uae-in-tough-position-after-intercepting-goods-from-north-ko.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.talkmedianews.com/news/2009/9/2/uae-in-tough-position-after-intercepting-goods-from-north-ko.html"/><author><name>Tala Dowlatshahi</name></author><published>2009-09-02T01:34:23Z</published><updated>2009-09-02T01:34:23Z</updated><summary type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[<blockquote>It was reported this week the United Arab Emirates (UAE) seized a ship secretly carrying embargoed North Korean arms to Iran.</blockquote>
<blockquote>Under Security Council resolution 1874, the United Arab Emirates has the authority as a member-state of the the United Nations, to intercept any shipments  stipulated by a UN sanctioned arms embargo against the North Korean government.</blockquote>
<blockquote>The ship, ANL-Australia, was carrying 10 containers of  rocket-propelled grenades and ammunition. There were no missiles on the ship.  The TSS, a purchase company working with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards placed the order for ammunition and arms from abroad. The UAE is a central location for shipments of arms from one port to another.</blockquote>
<blockquote>Some diplomats believe the arms were intended for state-sponsored Basij militia who have brutalized and murdered protesters on the streets of Iran in the post-election clampdown.</blockquote>
<blockquote>The UN imposed its sanctions on June 12 this year after underground nuclear tests and several rocket launches by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Warnings by the Security Council to stop went ignored.</blockquote>
<blockquote>The partnership between Iran and North Korea remains strong. Iran is the biggest buyer of North Korean weapons. Iran and North Korea have also partnered up to exchange ideas on enriching uranium while North Korea has produced plutonium for nuclear devices.

Last Friday, the United Nations' nuclear agency, the IAEA, issued a report claiming Iran had increased its number of centrifuges and that Tehran had not suspended its nuclear activities as required. The IAEA also expressed concern about Iran's lack of transparency. The five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany will meet on September 2 to discuss implementing tougher UN sanctions against Iran.</blockquote>]]></summary></entry><entry><title>White House Gaggle</title><category term="Frontpage 1"/><category term="News/Commentary"/><category term="White House"/><id>http://www.talkmedianews.com/news/2009/9/1/white-house-gaggle.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.talkmedianews.com/news/2009/9/1/white-house-gaggle.html"/><author><name>Lovisa Frost</name></author><published>2009-09-01T16:27:03Z</published><updated>2009-09-01T16:27:03Z</updated><summary type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[Schedule: 

This afternoon President Obama will meet with members of the cabinet to give him an update on preparedness and response efforts surrounding the 2009 H1N1 flu virus in the Oval Office. Participants will include White House Homeland Security Advisor John Brennan, Secretaries Sebelius, Napolitano, Duncan and Locke, and Center for Disease Control Director Tom Frieden. In the evening, the President will host a dinner celebrating Ramadan and highlight the contributions of American Muslims in the State Dining Room of the White House.
At the beginning of the meeting this afternoon, the President will be making remarks about reports showing growth in manufacturing, for first time in 18 months. 

H1N1 

When asked if the President has successfully managed to change the name from swineflu to H1N1, Gibbs said that the administration is more concerned about how to respond to it, rather than what you call it. There have been special PSAs using Elmo from Sesame Street, to help get the message out to school children about effectively combating H1N1. 

Iran

The White House has heard reports of Iran’s updated nuclear proposal but not seen anything conclusive. Gibbs said that they still have not responded to the offer from P5+1 from back in April. Political leaders of P5+1 meet this week in Frankfurt to discuss the Iranian nuclear weapons program. The hope and goal is that the Iranians will live up to their international obligations, Gibbs said. 
 
Health Care: 

President continues to work to make progress in September and throughout the fall, but there is no specific announcements to be made.
 
Wild Fires in California: 

The White House is carefully monitoring the situation and regularly updates the President on what is happening. The President and First Lady have sent their condolences to the families of the two firefighters that have died in the line of duty.    


Camp David: 

When asked it this will be more vacation time for the President or if he will have meetings, Gibbs responded that he will bring some form of the McCrystal report with him, which concluded that he should receive parts of it by tomorrow. So far the report is still classified and there is no plan of de-classifying parts of it for public release. When asked if the President plans to respond to the report, Gibbs said that the President is getting daily updates from Afghanistan. President Obama has regular contact with Ambassadors Holbrook and Eikenberry, and General Petreus something that started already during the transition.
When asked about the sense that there is a lack of urgency, Gibbs said that this is an ongoing conversation and that the President is dealing with this every day, seven days a week.
"The notion that there is no urgency from this Administration couldn't be further from the truth."
]]></summary></entry><entry><title>Amidst The Rubble-Iraq Imposes Smoking Ban</title><category term="Frontpage 2"/><category term="News/Commentary"/><category term="United Nations"/><id>http://www.talkmedianews.com/news/2009/9/1/amidst-the-rubble-iraq-imposes-smoking-ban.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.talkmedianews.com/news/2009/9/1/amidst-the-rubble-iraq-imposes-smoking-ban.html"/><author><name>Tala Dowlatshahi</name></author><published>2009-09-01T16:13:34Z</published><updated>2009-09-01T16:13:34Z</updated><summary type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[More Iraqi civilians have died as a result of smoking than by mortar fire and shellings.  Smoking kills an average of 55 Iraqis a day, compared to a average of ten deaths per day from terrorist shootings or bombings.

Israel, Jordan and Qatar have already prohibited smoking in public places.

The new ban, being reviewed by the Iraqi parliament has suggested a ban on smoking in all government, school and other public sector buildings. The goal is to forbid smoking as well in offices, cafes and on public transport. Many Iraqis are angered saying the government should focus on getting them electricity and jobs rather than imposing the ban on their private activities. If caught, Iraqis would be forced to pay over 4,000 US dollars in fines for violating the law.

"The purpose...is to protect the people from the social, health, environmental and economic risks of smoking," said government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh.

The World Health Organization estimates that more than 41% of Iraqi men and nearly 7% of women are smokers. Farhan Haq, from the United Nations Spokesperson's office said "the United Nations has imposed a full smoking ban at Headquarters and the recent WHO report clearly underscores the dangers of smoking."

The smoking ban seems to have hit the US military working in Iraq.

A new proposal to ban smoking in the United States military is also now being reviewed with a goal to promote a tobacco-free environment. The study, completed in June this year by the Institute of Medicine at the National Academy of Sciences says tobacco use impairs military readiness and causes serious health problems, including lung cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Both the Pentagon and the Veterans Affairs Department would like to see the proposal eliminate smoking in the next 10-20 years. Smoking has increased 50 percent by US military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some skeptics of the proposal suggest smoking helps soldiers deal with post traumatic stress disorder and eases stress during deployment.

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