Britain’s National Identity Register, ID cards set to go

LONDON – The British parliament’s public bills committee Tuesday meets for the first time to consider the new coalition government’s proposal to abolish the controversial Identity Cards for all citizens and the National Identity Register.

The Cameron-Clegg government had earlier this month introduced a pubic bill to repeal the Identity Cards Act 2006, which provides the …. Original source  : Britain’s National Identity Register, ID cards set to go.

OZ PM defends partner Tim Mathieson’s pro-Israel lobbyist group job

MELBOURNE – Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has defended the right of her partner Tim Mathieson to work for a property group owned by a pro-Israel lobbyist.

Mathieson is employed as a real estate salesman at a company owned by Melbourne developer Albert Dadon.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Gillard said that her public condemnation … Read more »».

Only members will decide when to expand BRIC: PM

ONBOARD AIR INDIA ONE – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said expansion of the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) membership was a matter that the group would itself discuss, and that it was no proper for him to comment on the issue in isolation
He also said that BRIC is an entity where …. Source  : Only members will decide when to expand BRIC: PM.

Subcontinent’s divisive politics must not derail Indian Diaspora’s achievements: PM

ONBOARD AIR INDIA ONE – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, said on Monday that the Indian Diaspora living abroad must not allow the divisive politics of the subcontinent to derail their cohesiveness and that they must remain united and take pride in their achievements as a community.
Interacting with the media onboard Air … Read more >>>.

India looking forward to Obama visit: PM

ONBOARD AIR INDIA ONE – Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Monday said that he was looking forward to the visit of US President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and their children in November this year, while adding that he was quite satisfied with the way Indo-US relations were progressing.
“Our … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : India looking forward to Obama visit: PM.

Interaction with Pak must be based on trust, which must be verified: PM

ONBOARD AIR INDIA ONE – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Monday said that interaction with the Pakistani leadership in connection with the 26/11 terror attack case would have to be based on trust, but a trust that would have to be verified from time to time.
Responding to a … Read : Interaction with Pak must be based on trust, which must be verified: PM.

Decontrolling of fuel prices necessary for good of country: PM

ONBOARD AIR INDIA ONE – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, said that the deregulation of petrol prices was a much needed reform, and suggested that a similar exercise could be considered for the prices of kerosene and liquified petroleum gas (LPG) with adjustment.
Interacting with media onboard Air India One while enroute … Read more »».

No talks with Obama on Chinese reactors being given to Pakistan: PM

ONBOARD AIR INDIA ONE – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, said on Monday that he had not discussed India’s concerns about China allegedly building two more civil nuclear reactors for Pakistan in the Chashma region of that country.
He said he spent his meeting with US President Barack Obama essentially working … Read more »».

‘Brilliant’ Obama doing a better job than he’s given credit for: Bill Clinton

WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama’s Democratic Party predecessor Bill Clinton has said that Obama is doing a “better job than he’s given credit for.”

Speaking in Cape Town, Clinton said that public perception of the president has lagged behind what he has done to benefit the country.

“I think he’s done a … Read : ‘Brilliant’ Obama doing a better job than he’s given credit for: Bill Clinton.

Toronto G-20, a preparatory exercise for Seoul Summit: Manmohan Singh

ONBOARD AIR INDIA ONE – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Monday said that the recently concluded Group of Twenty (G-20) Summit was in some ways, a preparatory exercise for the fifth summit to be held in November in Seoul, South Korea.

Interacting with media persons onboard Air India One while on his …. Read the original article  : Toronto G-20, a preparatory exercise for Seoul Summit: Manmohan Singh.

Bhopal Gas Tragedy: PM says India to convince US to extradite Anderson

ONBOARD AIR INDIA ONE – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Monday said that he and his government would try to convince the United States to favourably consider the extradition of former Union Carbide Chairman Warren Anderson for his role in the December 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy.

“We will try to ensure … Read : Bhopal Gas Tragedy: PM says India to convince US to extradite Anderson.

Supreme Court ruling dooms longstanding Chicago handgun ban, but mayor vows to fight on

Chicago gun ban on way out, but mayor vows fight

CHICAGO – A Supreme Court ruling finding that Americans have the right to bear arms anywhere they live almost certainly means the end of Chicago’s decades-old handgun ban, but it may not make handgun ownership there much easier if the city’s powerful mayor has his way.
Shortly … Original article on : Supreme Court ruling dooms longstanding Chicago handgun ban, but mayor vows to fight on.

Kagan writings show a sharp wit, acid tongue that won’t be on display at confirmation hearing

Kagan to hide sharp wit at confirmation hearing

WASHINGTON – A Supreme Court nomination hearing is not the place for a would-be justice to display a sharp tongue or a biting wit.
Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan has both, and some of her snarkiness over the years has been directed at the same senators who will be … Read more : Kagan writings show a sharp wit, acid tongue that won’t be on display at confirmation hearing.

Supreme Court nominee Kagan pledges modest approach to judging, echoing other nominees

Kagan pledges modest approach as justice
WASHINGTON – Facing questions from skeptical Republicans, President Barack Obama’s nominee for the Supreme Court, Elena Kagan, is likely to be pressed to say just how deferential she might be to lawmakers as a justice on the high court.
Kagan’s confirmation hearing resumes Tuesday morning before the Senate Judiciary …. Read the original article  : Supreme Court nominee Kagan pledges modest approach to judging, echoing other nominees.

Petraeus’ next mission: convincing Congress he can turn things around in Afghanistan war

Petraeus faces questions from war-weary lawmakers
WASHINGTON – Gen. David Petraeus is on a mission to convince a war-weary Congress that he’s the man to turn around the war in Afghanistan and mend the military’s tattered relations with civilian leaders.
Lawmakers say he’s a shoo-in to replace Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who was fired last week …. Original article  : Petraeus’ next mission: convincing Congress he can turn things around in Afghanistan war.

Time will tell how Pakistan turns: Manmohan

ON BOARD AIR INDIA ONE – Not willing to sound overtly optimistic on India’s ties with Pakistan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday said time alone will tell how the peace talks pan out.
“The home minister has been in Pakistan earlier last week,” the prime minister said, referring to P. Chidambaram’s meeting with his …. Source  : Time will tell how Pakistan turns: Manmohan.

My partner has a right to live his life: Australian PM

MELBOURNE – Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard says that her partner, who works as a real estate salesman for a property group owned by a pro-Israel lobbyist, has “a right to live his life too”.

Gillard’s partner Tim Mathieson is employed at a firm by Melbourne developer Albert Dadon, a pro-Israel lobbyist.
She said her public … Original article on : My partner has a right to live his life: Australian PM.

We are not hiding anything on Bhopal disaster: Manmohan

ON BOARD AIR INDIA ONE – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday said his government was hiding nothing on the aftermath of the Bhopal gas disaster and hoped the US will extradite then Union Carbide chief Warren Anderson.
“We are where we stand. We will try to ensure that the US government takes a more …. Read the original article  : We are not hiding anything on Bhopal disaster: Manmohan.

Preparatory meetings from July for Obama’s India visit

ON BOARD AIR INDIA ONE – US National Security Advisor James L. Jones is visiting India next month to start the preparatory work for President Barack Obama’s maiden official visit to India.
“We have a really ambitious agenda,” Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told journalists Tuesday on his way back from the G20 Summit in …. Source article  : Preparatory meetings from July for Obama’s India visit.

In departure from the past, Palestinian president courts American Jews

Palestinians seek new partner: American Jews
JERUSALEM – The Palestinians have long feared the Jewish lobby in Washington. Now, they are embracing it.
During a swing through the U.S. capital this month, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was the guest of honor at a dinner with a small but influential gathering of more than …. Original article  : In departure from the past, Palestinian president courts American Jews.