Political News – Newsletter for December 12, 2010

Indian diplomacy wants to reinvent itself, virtually

NEW DELHI – India’s foreign ministry – the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) – is now in a major exercise to “reinvent” itself, moving away from its perceived ivory tower existence to occupying a more interactive space on public platforms across the multimedia communication space.

In the last six months, the Twitter …. Read the original article  : Indian diplomacy wants to reinvent itself, virtually.

Richard Holbrooke Undergoes Heart Surgery

WASHINGTON (GaeaTimes.com)- The U.S. special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke is presently in a critical condition after a major heart surgery. The State Department’s spokesman Philip J. Crowley said that he was working at Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s office in the morning and then he was taken to George Washington University … Read : Richard Holbrooke Undergoes Heart Surgery.

Sikh MP’s bill gets National Holocaust Monument for Canada

TORONTO – A first-time Sikh member of the Canadian parliament has earned the rare distinction of getting his private member’s bill to set up a National Holocaust Monument in the country passed unanimously.

Bill C-442 moved by Tim Uppal, who was elected to parliament for the first time in the last elections in 2008, was … Original source on Gaea Times at : Sikh MP’s bill gets National Holocaust Monument for Canada.

Jharkhand legislators for retaining development funds

RANCHI – After Bihar decided to scrap the development funds of legislators, their counterparts in neighbouring Jharkhand are divided on this. A majority of them say the funds help in development and should be retained, while some favour the scrapping of the scheme.

The Bihar cabinet Friday decided in principle to scrap the Local Area … Original source on Gaea Times at : Jharkhand legislators for retaining development funds.

WikiLeaks: Information in the public good (Comment)

Julian Assagne’s fatal mistake was the interview he gave last month to a journalist. In this, he claimed to have information about a major American bank that would cause a scandal to rival the one about Enron. Assagne had already taken on the establishment; now he was daring the big business as well.

But … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : WikiLeaks: Information in the public good (Comment).

BJP, Shiv Sena slam Digvijay Singh over controversial remarks on Karkare

NEW DELHI – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ally Shiv Sena have criticized Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh over his controversial remarks on the slain Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare, who was gunned down by militants in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

Singh on Saturday said Karkare called him just hours before … Original source on Gaea Times at : BJP, Shiv Sena slam Digvijay Singh over controversial remarks on Karkare.

Manmohan Singh returns to Delhi after three-day Europe visit

NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, returned to New Delhi on Sunday after completing a three-day visit to Brussels and Berlin.

During his visit to the German capital Berlin, Dr. Singh held talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on issues such as counter-terrorism ties and UN reforms and how to take the next …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

PM returns to India after Europe tour

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Sunday returned to India after a two-nation European tour to Belgium and Germany.

During his three-day tour, Manmohan Singh attended an India-EU summit in Brussels and also held bilateral meetings with Belgian leaders before arriving in Berlin Saturday on an eight-hour trip to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
…. Source  : Gaea News Network.

PM leaves Berlin for India

BERLIN – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday left for India after a two-nation European tour to Belgium and Germany.

During his three-day tour, Manmohan Singh attended an India-EU summit in Brussels and also held bilateral meetings with Belgian leaders before arriving in Berlin on an eight-hour trip to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
… Read more >>>.

PM concludes two-nation European tour, will leave for New Delhi

BERLIN – The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, will leave for New Delhi from here on Saturday after concluding his two-nation European tour of Belgium and Germany.

During his visit to the German capital, Dr Singh held talks with German leaders on counter-terrorism ties and UN reforms.

The Prime Minister also …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : PM concludes two-nation European tour, will leave for New Delhi.

Protest in Rome ahead of Berlusconi confidence vote

ROME – Tens of thousands of people turned out for an anti-government demonstration in Rome Saturday, three days before a no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in parliament.

Berlusconi’s fate depends on the vote, which is due to take place Tuesday. If he loses, elections will be called.
Saturday’s protest was organised by the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Protest in Rome ahead of Berlusconi confidence vote.

India values Germany’s role as Europe’s economic powerhouse: Manmohan Singh

BERLIN – Describing Germany as the economic powerhouse of Europe, and as India’s largest trading partner in Europe, visiting Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, said that it is playing a key role in ensuring financial stability and economic recovery in the Eurozone.

Conveying India’s full …. Source  : India values Germany’s role as Europe’s economic powerhouse: Manmohan Singh.

Relax export control laws, India tells Germany

BERLIN – Visiting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday asked Germany to relax export control laws for opening new horizons for commerce as the two nations have set a target of enhancing bilateral trade to the volume of 20 billion euros by 2012.

Addressing journalists in the federal chancellery building, the Bundeskanzleramt after meeting Chancellor …. Original source  : Relax export control laws, India tells Germany.

German Chancellor Merkel to visit India next year

BERLIN – German Chancellor Angela Merkel Saturday said she would visit India next year after accepting an invitation from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was on a short visit to Berlin.

“I will visit India next year,” Merkel told reporters in a joint press conference with Manmohan Singh.
She said the prime minister had invited … Original article on : German Chancellor Merkel to visit India next year.

Merkel praises Jairam Ramesh’s role at Cancun

BERLIN – German Chancellor Angela Merkel Saturday praised Indias Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh for his “important contributions” at the Cancun climate summit.

Talking to reporters in a joint press conference with visiting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Merkel welcomed the outcome of the Cancun meeting but said much was needed to be done to reduce …. Source article  : Merkel praises Jairam Ramesh’s role at Cancun.

Terror for political goals unacceptable, Germany to Pakistan

BERLIN – In a strong worded message to Pakistan on terrorism, Germany Saturday said it will tell Islamabad that terror as a means to end political issues was “unacceptable”.

“We will talk to Pakistan that terrorism cannot be means to end political issues. Terrorism in unacceptable,” Chancellor Angela Merkel said a joint press conference with …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Sharad Pawar’s birthday to be celebrated with social events

MUMBAI – Several cultural and social events spread over five days will mark the 70th birthday of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar, a party spokesperson said here Saturday.

“Several events like cycle race and blood donation camps have been organised at various party offices across Maharashtra. Deputy Chief Minister …. Original article  : Sharad Pawar’s birthday to be celebrated with social events.

Kamchatka doesn’t want to get closer to Moscow in time

Moscow, Dec 11 (IANS/RIA Novosti) More than 3,000 people attended a protest rally in Russias Far East city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Saturday over plans to further cut the time difference between the region and Moscow.

The Kamchatka region did not switch over to summer time earlier this year along with the rest of Russia. As a …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Kamchatka doesn’t want to get closer to Moscow in time.

JD-U MP opposes Nitish’s move to scrap legislators fund

PATNA – An MP from Bihar’s ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) Saturday questioned Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s move to abolish the legislators’ annual development fund of Rs.1 crore, and demanded the decision be reconsidered.

Rajya Sabha member Upendra Kushwaha said it was not proper to abolish the legislators’ fund meant for development activities.
“I am …. Original source  : JD-U MP opposes Nitish’s move to scrap legislators fund.

Digvijay’s remarks on Karkare personal, says Congress

NEW DELHI – The Congress Saturday termed as “personal” its general secretary Digvijay Singh’s comment that Maharashtra Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare had spoken to him about the threats to his life from some Hindu groups, and said the party has nothing to say on it.

“Digvijay Singh and Hemant Karkare knew each … Original article on : Digvijay’s remarks on Karkare personal, says Congress.