Political News – Newsletter for December 21, 2010

NRIs’ voting method yet to be decided: Vayalar Ravi

NEW DELHI – Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi Tuesday said the election commission and external affairs ministry are evolving a method to include NRIs in the country’s electoral rolls.

“Two rounds of discussions have been held with the election commission and external affairs ministry. Both agreed to enrol the NRIs but how to … Read more »».

India, Russia discuss additional n-reactors in Tamil Nadu

NEW DELHI – India and Russia Tuesday discussed setting up more nuclear reactors in Tamil Nadu, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said.

The two countries discussed setting up “additional nuclear reactors” in Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu, Manmohan Singh said at a joint press conference with visiting President Dmitry Medvedev.
This reflects our mutual desire for strong … Read this article on Gaea Times at : India, Russia discuss additional n-reactors in Tamil Nadu.

India, Russia to step up cooperation on Afghanistan: PM

NEW DELHI – India and Russia have agreed to step up their cooperation for peace and stability in Afghanistan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Tuesday after his talks with visiting President Dmitry Medvedev.

“We have agreed to intensify our consultations on Afghanistan,” Manmohan Singh told reporters after the delegation level talks between the two sides …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : India, Russia to step up cooperation on Afghanistan: PM.

Jagan launches 48-hour fast for farmers

VIJAYAWADA – In his first show of strength since leaving the Congress party last month, Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy Tuesday launched a 48-hour fast along with over 100,000 farmers, demanding relief for the crops lost in recent rains.

The former Kadapa MP, who turns 38 Tuesday, began the fast along with his supporters … Read : Jagan launches 48-hour fast for farmers.

Medvedev to visit Taj Mahal Wednesday

AGRA – Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will arrive here Wednesday morning to visit the Taj Mahal, an official said.

“The programme is confirmed. He is coming at around 11 a.m. and will leave at 2 p.m. from Kheria airport by a special plane to Mumbai,” Additional District Magistrate (Protocol) Alok Shekhar told IANS.
A … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Medvedev to visit Taj Mahal Wednesday.

Naidu continues fast in hospital

HYDERABAD – Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu Tuesday continued his indefinite fast in a hospital here even as doctors have warned that his condition may further deteriorate.

The fast, demanding a relief package for farmers affected by recent rains, entered fifth day Tuesday.
The leader of opposition, who was arrested from the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Naidu continues fast in hospital.

BJP’s high-stakes gamble in Karnataka panchayat polls

BANGALORE – Perhaps never in its past has the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had so much at stake in panchayat elections as in the upcoming one in Karnataka where it is in power for the first time.

A poor show in the Dec 26-31 elections to 176 taluq panchayats and 30 zilla panchayats might not …. Source  : BJP’s high-stakes gamble in Karnataka panchayat polls.

Presidential Nominations and Withdrawal Sent to the Senate, 12/20/2010

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE:
Judith A. Ansley, of Massachusetts, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the United States Institute of … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Presidential Nominations and Withdrawal Sent to the Senate, 12/20/2010.

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts, 12/20/10

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

WASHINGTON – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts:

Judy Ansley, Member, Board of Directors of …. Source  : President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts, 12/20/10.

Presidential Memorandum???Delegation of Certain Functions and Authorities

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
SUBJECT:        Delegation of Certain Functions and Authorities
By the authority vested in me as President … Read more »».

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 12/20/2010

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

Location: 

James S. Brady Press … Original source on Gaea Times at : Press Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 12/20/2010.

Vice President Biden Announces Staff Changes

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

Vice President Appoints Amy Dudley as Deputy Press Secretary, Succeeding Longtime Aide Annie Tomasini

Washington, DC – The Vice President announced today that his longtime … Original source on Gaea Times at : Vice President Biden Announces Staff Changes.

Statement by the Press Secretary

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

On Monday, December 20, 2010, the President signed into law:
 
S. 3817, the “CAPTA Reauthorization Act of 2010,” which reauthorizes thought FY 2015 and makes [..] Read the original article: here.

China urges ‘maximum restraint’ in Korean peninsula

NEW YORK – China Monday called for North and South Korea to exercise “maximum restraint” one day after the UN Security Council failed to adopt a common position to defuse the military crisis in the peninsula.

The deputy permanent representative of China to the UN, Wang Min, issued a statement saying that peace and stability … Read more »»».

Bloomberg Supports Passage of 9/11 Health Bill

WASHINGTON (GaeaTimes.com) — Michael Bloomberg, mayor of New York joined fire and police officials and lawmakers on Monday posing an urge for the proposed health bills for emergency workers.
Bloomberg seemed pretty desperate about the bills, he understood the immense necessity of it, he said,
The time for excuses is over, The Senate has a full …. Source article  : Bloomberg Supports Passage of 9/11 Health Bill.

‘Assange had affair with 16-year-old girl, fathered boy’

LONDON – Julian Assange, the controversial WikiLeaks founder, had an affair with a 16-year-old girl when he was 18 and fathered a boy who is now 20 years old, a media report said Monday.

The revelation by the Daily Mail throws new light on Assange’s formative teenage years.
It is an irony that even … Read this article on Gaea Times at : ‘Assange had affair with 16-year-old girl, fathered boy’.

Statement by the Press Secretary on Belarusian Elections and Political Violence

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

The United States strongly condemns the actions that the Government of Belarus has taken to undermine the democratic process and use disproportionate force against … Read more »».

Russian president arrives in India

NEW DELHI – Russian President Dmitry Medvedev Tuesday touched down here early Tuesday morning on a two-day visit during which the two sides are expected to sign over a dozen agreements, including a key pact on Moscow building more nuclear reactors in India.

Manmohan Singh and Medvedev will discuss a wide range of bilateral and …. Source article  : Russian president arrives in India.

Naidu continues fast in hospital, condition deteriorates (Night Lead)

HYDERABAD – Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu continued his indefinite fast at the hospital where he was shifted after being arrested by police early Monday, prompting his Telugu Desam Party (TDP) to call for a statewide shutdown.

Naidu, whose indefinite fast to demand a relief package for farmers entered the fourth day, …. Read the original article  : here.

Sweden eyes environmental cooperation with UAE

Stockholm, Dec 20 (IANS/WAM) Sweden has expressed its desire to initiate cooperation with the United Arab Emirates on environmental protection, clean energy and waste treatment and related scientific research.

“Sweden is set to take part in the next edition of CleanTech forum, scheduled in Abu Dhabi in April next year,” Staffan Tillander, ambassador for climate …. Read the original article  : here.