Political News – Newsletter for December 11, 2010

PM leaves Brussels for Berlin

BRUSSELS – Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on a two-nation European tour Saturday left the Belgian capital for Berlin where he will hold talks with German leaders on counter-terrorism ties and UN reforms.

In the German capital, where he will spend eight hours, the prime minister will meet German President Christian Wulff and Chancellor [..] Read the original article: here.

David Miliband paid 25K pounds to give speech at luxury Middle East resort

LONDON – It looks like British Labour Party politician David Miliband is following in the footsteps of his mentor and former Prime Minister Tony Blair, by turning to the lucrative foreign lecture circuit after leaving frontline politics.

In a startling revelation, it has emerged that Miliband was paid 25,000 pounds to give a speech on relations … Read more »»».

Gillard facing revolts over Australia’s treatment of WikiLeaks’ founder Julian Assange

MELBOURNE – Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard is facing a revolt from several MPs in her left-wing parliamentary faction, who are enraged at the treatment of Julian Assange, founder of the whistleblower website ‘Wikileaks’ that is releasing over 250,000 classified U.S. diplomatic cables.

According to the Australian, a large number of MPs have expressed grave concerns … Original article on : Gillard facing revolts over Australia’s treatment of WikiLeaks’ founder Julian Assange.

Ban calls for end to racism against people of African descent

UNITED NATIONS – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on the international community to eradicate racism and discrimination against people of African descent, a media report said.

The statement came Friday as Ban launched the International Year for People of African Descent, established by the UN General Assembly to promote awareness and respect for the … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Ban calls for end to racism against people of African descent.

US seeks to cool diplomatic row over envoy pat down

WASHINGTON – Awaiting a formal complaint from India regarding the “pat down” screen of its ambassador Meera Shankar at a US airport, the United States says it’s trying to work out ways to avoid such incidents that may spark diplomatic tensions.

“We have been told that a formal complaint is coming. I just … Original source on Gaea Times at : US seeks to cool diplomatic row over envoy pat down.

TRS legislators again stall assembly

HYDERABAD – Hours after they were forcibly lifted by the police, the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) legislators Saturday returned to the legislative assembly to stall the proceedings to demand withdrawal of cases against students, who participated in the movement for separate state of Telangana.

Deputy speaker N. Manohar had to adjourn the house as 11 …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Putin sings, plays piano at charity event

St. Petersburg, Dec 11 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin played the piano and sang an English song at a charity event in St. Petersburg for children diagnosed with cancer.

The prime minister joined famous actors and entertainers for the charity event Friday.
Guests at the event – held at the Ice Palace in … Read : Putin sings, plays piano at charity event.

US special envoy Holbrooke hospitalised

WASHINGTON – Richard Holbrooke, US special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, was taken to hospital Friday after he fell ill at the State Department office, department spokesman Philip Crowley said.

Crowley said Holbrooke, 69, fell ill when he was working on the seventh floor of the State Department building, where the office of Secretary of …. Source  : US special envoy Holbrooke hospitalised.

Statement from Press Secretary Robert Gibbs on the Reauthorization of Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act and the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

The President is pleased that today Congress passed S. 3817 reauthorizing the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act and the Family Violence Prevention and …. Read the original article  : Statement from Press Secretary Robert Gibbs on the Reauthorization of Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act and the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act.

Congressman Cuellar Backs Middle Class Tax Cut Framework

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar
28th Congressional District, Texas

CUELLAR STATEMENT ON TAX CUT EXTENSIONS

WASHINGTON D.C.– Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) issued the following statement in support …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Congressman Cuellar Backs Middle Class Tax Cut Framework.

Congressman Adler Backs Middle Class Tax Cut Framework

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

Congressman Adler Supports Tax Cuts Which Will Help Grow Our Economy, Demands Fiscal Responsibility from Washington

Washington, DC – Congressman John Adler released the following … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Congressman Adler Backs Middle Class Tax Cut Framework.

Columbia, SC Mayor Backs Middle Class Tax Cut Framework

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

Mayor Benjamin Supports President’s Tax Compromise  

Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin released the following statement today in support of President Barack Obama’s compromise tax proposal:
“President …. Original source  : Columbia, SC Mayor Backs Middle Class Tax Cut Framework.

Remarks by President Obama and Former President Clinton

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

Location: 

James S. Brady Press …. Source article  : Remarks by President Obama and Former President Clinton.

Republican Mayor of Arlington, Texas Backs Middle Class Tax Cut Package

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

Office of the Mayor
City of Arlington, Texas

I commend President Obama for making the hard decision to set aside politics and do what is best …. Original article  : Republican Mayor of Arlington, Texas Backs Middle Class Tax Cut Package.

Ohio Governor Backs Middle Class Tax Cut Framework

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

Strickland Statement on Tax and Unemployment Bill

Columbus, OH – Governor Ted Strickland today issued the following statement on the pending tax and unemployment legislation … Original source on Gaea Times at : Ohio Governor Backs Middle Class Tax Cut Framework.

Orlando Mayor Backs Middle Class Tax Cut Framework

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

Statement of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer in Support for the Agreement for Middle Class Tax Cuts and Unemployment Insurance

“In extending these tax cuts and [..] Read the original article: here.

Akron Mayor Backs Middle Class Tax Cut Framework

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

Statement of Don Plusquellic
Mayor of Akron
Former President, U.S. Conference of Mayors (2004-2005)

I have been asked numerous times my opinion on the agreement reached by …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Readout of Vice President Biden’s Call to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

Vice President Biden spoke today to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to discuss the December 15th United Nations Security Council High-Level Meeting on Iraq … Read more »».

Croatia’s former PM arrested in Austria

VIENNA – Croatia’s fugitive former premier Ivo Sanader was arrested Friday in Austria, a day after fleeing his country, the interior ministries in Vienna and Zagreb confirmed.

“He was arrested at around 3.45 pm (1445 GMT) in Salzburg province,” Austrian Interior Ministry spokesman Michael Girardi told DPA.
Sanader fled Croatia Thursday, hours before the parliament … Original article on : Croatia’s former PM arrested in Austria.

Readout of Vice President Biden’s Call to Lebanese Prime Minister Hariri

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

The Vice President spoke by phone today with Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad Hariri to discuss recent developments in Lebanon and the region.  The Vice …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Readout of Vice President Biden’s Call to Lebanese Prime Minister Hariri.