Political News – Newsletter for December 9, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Karzai told Brown that Pak “actually a more violent country than Afghanistan”: Leaks
KABUL – Given an increase in al Qaeda training activity in Pakistan, it is a more violent country than Afghanistan, Afghan President Hamid Karzai told the then British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in an August 2008 meeting, a diplomatic cable unveiled by the whistle-blower website WikiLeaks has revealed.
“Karzai and Brown spent a significant portion …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Karzai told Brown that Pak “actually a more violent country than Afghanistan”: Leaks.
India to protest envoy’s ‘pat down’ search in US
NEW DELHI – India will strongly take up the issue of Indian Ambassador to the US Meera Shankar being put through a “pat down” search at a US airport, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said here Thursday and described the incident as “unacceptable”.
Let me be frank, this is unacceptable to India. We are going [..] Read the original article: here.
AGP may again forge ties with BJP
GUWAHATI – Assam’s main opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) may revive ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of next year’s assembly elections in a bid to dethrone the Congress.
“We strongly feel the need for broad opposition unity to install a non-Congress government in Assam. As the main opposition we earnestly appeal to … Original article on : AGP may again forge ties with BJP.
Meera Shankar Patted Down By TSA
WASHINGTON (GaeaTimes.com)- Indian Ambassador to the US Meera Shankar was patted down by TSA agents on her way to Baltimore on December 4. The incident has garnered huge media attention and the latest reports indicate that the Ministry of External Affairs will shoot a strong mail to the US State Department. Reports indicate … Read more : Meera Shankar Patted Down By TSA.
Trade and terror on agenda, PM leaves for Belgium and Germany
NEW DELHI – Counter-terrorism would figure prominently in discussions with leaders of the European Union, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Thursday as he left on a two-nation tour to Belgium and Germany.
Reforms in the United Nations Security Council and expanding trade ties between India and the 27-nation economic bloc top the agenda of … Original article on : Trade and terror on agenda, PM leaves for Belgium and Germany.
Dream Act Approved By House
WASHINGTON (GaeaTimes.com)- In what is being perceived to be a major victory for the illegal immigrants in the United States, the House approved the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act or the Dream Act on Wednesday night. Despite the fact that the bill has been passed by the House, experts feel that … Read more >>>.
US diplomats monitored Gillard’s progress: Wikileaks
MELBOURNE – US diplomats had closely followed the rise of Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, according to classified US diplomatic cables released by whistleblower website Wikileaks.
According to the Age, US diplomats in Canberra had identified Gillard as the ‘rising star’ of the Rudd Labor government, rapidly outshining Treasurer Wayne Swan and all others.
A report … Read more >>.
Government trying to cover criminal culpability: BJP
NEW DELHI – As the logjam in parliament continued for the 20th day, the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged Thursday that the government was denying the demand for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) into the 2G spectrum allocation to cover its “culpability”.
“Government is taking a position it cannot defend. They are …. Read the original article : Government trying to cover criminal culpability: BJP.
‘South Korea, US responsible for deadly shelling’
SEOUL – North Korea Thursday said the US and Seoul were to blame for its shelling of a South Korean island in November, which left four people dead and further raised tensions on the peninsula.
The North’s military fired in response to South Korean drills in the waters around the island of Yeonpyeong, near …. Read the original article : here.
Parliament adjourned over JPC demand
NEW DELHI – As has been the norm this winter session, both houses of parliament were again adjourned Thursday over the opposition’s demand for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into the 2G spectrum allotment of 2008.
Proceedings in the Lok Sabha began with Speaker Meira Kumar welcoming a delegation from Mongolia.
As soon … Original article on : Parliament adjourned over JPC demand.
Telangana groups observe 1st anniversary of centre’s announcement
HYDERABAD – Telangana groups Thursday marked the first anniversary of the centre’s commencing the process of forming a Telangana state and demanded that a bill on this be immediately tabled in parliament.
At least half a dozen Telangana groups paid homage to those who laid down their lives for the cause of a separate state. …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Telangana groups observe 1st anniversary of centre’s announcement.
Cameron snubbed by Gilani over visit request to Pak at end of Afghanistan trip
LONDON – British Prime Minister David Cameron’s attempts to mend fragile relations with Pakistan have been dashed after being snubbed by Pakistan’s prime minister.
Cameron had asked to go to Islamabad at the end of his Afghanistan trip in a bid to try and patch up contact with Pakistan, following his controversial remark during his visit …. Source article : Cameron snubbed by Gilani over visit request to Pak at end of Afghanistan trip.
India to deepen political, strategic cooperation at India-EU Summit: PM
NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Thursday said that India would seek to deepen its political and strategic cooperation with the European Union, including in the area of counter terrorism and other non-traditional threats to security during the 11th India-European Union Summit to be held on Brussels on Friday and Saturday.
Zardari, Manmohan may meet on sidelines on Turkmenistan summit this weekend
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari may meet Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh this weekend on the sidelines of a summit in Turkmenistan, which both leaders will be attending on December 11.
According to sources, Zardari will attend the summit in which the heads of the governments of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and India will also participate … Read more : Zardari, Manmohan may meet on sidelines on Turkmenistan summit this weekend.
I never intended to hurt non-Malay community: minister
KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who said last month that few ethnic Indians and Chinese joined the armed forces because of “low patriotic spirit”, has now acknowledged that many members of these communities had fought against the British and the communists.
He said in the Dewan Rakyat (parliament) Wednesday that … Read more »»».
‘Pakistan wanted India to stop Balochistan interference’
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani told a key US lawmaker that India would have to decrease its footprint in Afghanistan and stop alleged interfering in Balochistan in order to gain his country’s trust, according to the diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks.
Details of the Feb 16 meeting between the Pakistani prime minister … Read more »».
Bad weather cuts short Rahul’s Orissa trip
BHUBANESWAR – Heavy rain and thundershowers forced Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi to cut short his trip to Orissa and fly back to New Delhi Thursday, a day after landing here, an official said.
Gandhi was scheduled to visit Sambalpur and Baripada towns as part of his two-day trip to Orissa’s tribal areas, a police …. Original source : Bad weather cuts short Rahul’s Orissa trip.
India to deepen ties with EU and Germany, says PM
NEW DELHI – India wants to deepen political and strategic cooperation with the European Union and bilateral relations with Germany, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Thursday.
In a statement before departing for Germany and Belgium, the prime minister said counter-terrorism would figure prominently in his discussions with leaders of the European Union.
In Brussels, …. Read the original article : here.
Senator Akaka Backs Middle Class Tax Cut Framework
Release Time:
For Immediate Release
SENATOR AKAKA STATEMENT ON TAX CUT PROPOSAL
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) issued the following statement today:
"On Saturday, I strongly …. Source article : Senator Akaka Backs Middle Class Tax Cut Framework.
St. Louis Mayor Backs Middle Class Tax Cut Framework
Release Time:
For Immediate Release
Statement in a blog post:
mayorslay.com/blog/post.php?postID=17312
Posted: Wednesday, December 08, 2010
President Obama And Congress
Not everyone got what exactly they wanted from this week’s agreement between President …. Original article on Gaea Times at : St. Louis Mayor Backs Middle Class Tax Cut Framework.