Political News – Newsletter for December 6, 2010

Monday, December 6, 2010

No easy entry for Manpreet, says Punjab Congress chief

CHANDIGARH – Punjab’s sacked finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal would have to live up to the expectations of lakhs of party workers before he could be allowed to join the Congress, the party’s state unit head said Monday.

“I am not against anyone joining the Congress party. Anybody who follows the party’s ideologies is welcome. …. Read the original article : No easy entry for Manpreet, says Punjab Congress chief.

Obama discusses Koreas with Chinese president

BEIJING – US President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao discussed the Korean Peninsula by telephone Monday as Hu said he was worried by the “fragile situation” there.

China’s Foreign Ministry said Hu urged a “calm and rational response from all sides to prevent the deterioration of the fragile security situation on the Korean … Original source on Gaea Times at : Obama discusses Koreas with Chinese president.

Lok Sabha adjourned for 17th day over panel demand

NEW DELHI – The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the 17th consecutive day Monday as opposition MPs continued to press for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into the 2G spectrum allocation scam. The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day to mark the death of a sitting member.

In the Lok Sabha, opposition members …. Source : Lok Sabha adjourned for 17th day over panel demand.

Security concerns to dominate GCC summit

ABU DHABI – Security concerns are likely to dominate the two-day summit of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) that begins later Monday in the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The Dec 6-7 summit will be led by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, the president of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi.
“The …. Original article : Security concerns to dominate GCC summit.

Pakistan must fight terrorism strongly: Sarkozy

NEW DELHI – Calling upon Pakistan to fight terrorism with determination, French President Nicolas Sarkozy Monday appreciated India’s efforts to “stretch out its hand” towards its South Asian neighbour.

“We applaud India’s effort to stretch out its hand. We call upon Pakistan to fight terrorism determinedly,” Sarkozy said in reply to a query on counter-terrorism … Read more >>>.

Zardari lacks public leadership acumen, Gilani has “strong leadership skills”: WikiLeaks

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari lacks public leadership acumen, while Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has shown strong leadership skills in building parliamentary coalitions in times of national crisis, a diplomatic cable unveiled by the whistle-blower website WikiLeaks has revealed.

“Prime Minister Gilani has shown strong leadership skills in building Parliamentary coalitions at …. Source : Zardari lacks public leadership acumen, Gilani has “strong leadership skills”: WikiLeaks.

Mamata vows to wipe out CPI-M in Burdwan

BURDWAN – Railway Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee has vowed to wipe the ruling Communist Party of India- Marxist (CPI-M) out from Burdwan District ahead of the state Assembly election.

“The CPM must not get a single seat in Burdwan. All sections must come together for a movement against the CPM,” Mamata told …. Original source : Mamata vows to wipe out CPI-M in Burdwan.

Digvijay Singh blames Mayawati’s party for corruption in Uttar Pradesh

ETAWAH – Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh has slammed Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) for running the most corrupt government in Uttar Pradesh.

Talking to reporters here, Singh said that except for the Congress, all other political parties in the state have corruption on their agenda, and the BSP tops the list.

“BSP’s government in Uttar Pradesh … Read more >>>.

Enhanced economic ties between Pak, Afghanistan can tackle terrorism threat: Gilani

KABUL – The common threat of terrorism can be tackled through enhanced economic ties and increased trade relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said.

“The high level contacts have proved very useful in developing a better understanding between the two countries,” the Daily Times quoted Gilani, as saying.

The interactions have also … Read : Enhanced economic ties between Pak, Afghanistan can tackle terrorism threat: Gilani.

India in UNSC important for global balance: Sarkozy

NEW DELHI – French President Nicolas Sarkozy Monday said that India as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council was important for the “equilibrium of the world”.

“It is not just an important matter for India but for the equilibrium of the world,” Sarkozy said in his opening remarks at a joint press …. Source article : India in UNSC important for global balance: Sarkozy.

India, France sign seven agreements

NEW DELHI – Seven agreements were signed between India and France, including one for setting up nuclear power plants in Maharashtra, after Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and French President Nicolas Sarkozy held talks Monday afternoon.

The agreements include a general framework between Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd and Areva for building two european …. Original source : India, France sign seven agreements.

Sarkozy-Manmohan hold talks, agreements expected

NEW DELHI – French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held talks Monday, following which their countries are expected to sign agreements in the fields of civil nuclear energy and space.

Sarkozy is holding delegation level talks with Manmohan Singh at Hyderabad House, after which the two will address a joint press …. Source : Gaea News Network.

Sarkozy-Manmohan begin talks, agreements to be signed

NEW DELHI – Discussions between visiting French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh began Monday morning and are expected to be followed by the signing of agreements.

Sarkozy, who arrived Dec 4 in Bangalore for a four-day India visit, held delegation level talks with Singh at Hyderabad House, after which they will address … Read more >>>.

Lok Sabha adjourned till 12, Rajya Sabha for day

NEW DELHI – The Lok Sabha was adjourned till 12 noon Monday as opposition MPs disrupted question hour, demanding a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe in the allocation of 2G spectrum. Rajya Sabha was disbanded for the day to mark the death of a sitting member.

This was the 17th successive sitting in the Lok …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Lok Sabha adjourned till 12, Rajya Sabha for day.

Second phase of Jharkhand panchayat polls begins

RANCHI – Polling for the second phase of panchayat elections began in Jharkhand Monday morning amid tight security arrangements, an official here said.

The elections began at 7 a.m. and voters were seen queueing at the polling booths despite the boycott call by Maoists.
More than 700 companies of paramilitary troopers and state police have … Original article on : Second phase of Jharkhand panchayat polls begins.

British MP denies his aide is Russian spy

Moscow, Dec 6 (IANS/RIA Novosti) British Member of Parliament Mike Hancock denied his Russian assistant, who is facing deportation, is a spy, British media said.

The 25-year old Katia Zatuliveter was arrested Thursday over allegations that she is a “sleeper” spy and is currently awaiting deportation.
“She is appealing (against) it, because she feels – … Read more : British MP denies his aide is Russian spy.

Remarks by the President at the Kennedy Center Honors Reception

Release Time:

For Immediate Release

East Room

5:14 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you, everybody. Everybody, thank you so much, please have a seat, have …. Source : Remarks by the President at the Kennedy Center Honors Reception.