Political News – Newsletter for December 22, 2010

Bihar seeks security at all booths for panchayat polls

PATNA – Encouraged by last month’s peaceful assembly elections in Bihar, authorities have decided to deploy security forces at every polling booth for the eight-phase panchayat polls to be held in April-May, an official said Wednesday.

A senior official of the state Election Commission told IANS that the commission has asked for 400 companies of …. Source  : Bihar seeks security at all booths for panchayat polls.

Britain issues coin on William’s engagement

LONDON – Britain has issued a commemorative coin to mark the engagement of Prince William to Kate Middleton.

The engraving of the prince and his fiancee on the five-pound coin released by the Royal Mint is based on a photograph of the couple taken at a polo match a few years ago.
The design was …. Source article  : Britain issues coin on William’s engagement.

Gandhi urges Youth Congress to target panchayat polls

CHENNAI – Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi Wednesday urged Tamil Nadu Youth Congress members to start working at the panchayat level and capture power at the local bodies.

Gandhi arrived here Wednesday on a two-day visit to Tamil Nadu to enthuse more youth and women to join the party’s youth wing.
He was accorded a …. Original source  : Gandhi urges Youth Congress to target panchayat polls.

If Pakistan has N-bomb, we will smash it: Morarji told US

WASHINGTON – The US efforts to discourage a nuclear arms race between India and Pakistan in the 1970s met with stiff resistance from both countries, with then Indian premier Morarji Desai telling Americans that he will “smash” down any Pakistani nuclear efforts.

Recently declassified US government documents from the Jimmy Carter era published Tuesday by …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Face JPC or quit, BJP tells prime minister

NEW DELHI – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Arun Jaitley Wednesday asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to quit if he was not ready to face a joint parliamentary probe into the spectrum scandal.

Addressing a public rally organised by the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) here, Jaitley said only a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) could …. Source  : Face JPC or quit, BJP tells prime minister.

You have lots to hide, Sushma to PM

NEW DELHI – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sushma Swaraj Wednesday said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has lots to hide and that is why the government is so averse to a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into alleged irregularities in the allocation of 2G spectrum.

The prime minister has said no JPC, Sonia Gandhi has …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : You have lots to hide, Sushma to PM.

Delhi caps ministers’ entertainment expenses

NEW DELHI – Thanks to new rules, the Delhi government ministers and bureaucrats will no more be able to splurge on entertaining guests. Even the chief minister will not be able to spend more than Rs.60,000 a month on such expenses, according to an official.

As per a cabinet decision, there will be a … Original article on : Delhi caps ministers’ entertainment expenses.

DMK to counter negative media on spectrum scam

CHENNAI – Tamil Nadu’s ruling DMK has gone into damage control mode and will hold public meetings in districts from Friday to explain its stand on the 2G spectrum scam, which has cost party leader A. Raja his ministership in New Delhi.

“The party has decided to explain to the people the whole spectrum allocation … Original article on : DMK to counter negative media on spectrum scam.

Need to preserve richness of diversity and multi-culturism: Manmohan Singh

NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Wednesday said that it is a major challenge for all of us to ensure that the richness of our diversity and multi-culturism is preserved and nourished.

Speaking on the occasion of conferment of Indian Council of Philosophical Research’s lifetime achievement award here, Dr. Manmohan Singh said: … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Need to preserve richness of diversity and multi-culturism: Manmohan Singh.

National Democratic Alliance to hold massive rally in Delhi

NEW DELHI – After stalling the Parliament for almost the entire Winter Session, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has decided to take its fight against corruption to the streets of the national capital today.

All major leaders of the NDA constituents have arrived in Delhi to take part in the massive …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : National Democratic Alliance to hold massive rally in Delhi.

I don’t think Berlusconi warrants some of the treatment he gets: Daughter

LONDON – Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s daughter has expressed her anger over the sex scandals surrounding her father.

“I have for him (Berlusconi) and his multiple successes, great admiration but I reserve the right to have an intellectual approach to his life,” the Daily Mail quoted Barbara as telling Italian Vanity Fair magazine.

“These episodes (sex …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : I don’t think Berlusconi warrants some of the treatment he gets: Daughter.

Pakistan’s ‘impregnable’ defence capability should never be challenged: Gilani

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s defence capability is impregnable and should never be challenged, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said.

Addressing at the successful launch of Hatf-V ballistic missile that can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads over a distance of 1,300 kilometres, Gilani said that Pakistan’s nuclear weapons were safe, fully secured and under a multi-layered …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Pakistan’s ‘impregnable’ defence capability should never be challenged: Gilani.

Glamorous woman spy to join Russian party

LONDON – Glamorous Russian spy Anna Chapman, deported with nine other agents from the US, will be made a leader in the youth wing of Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party, a report said Wednesday.

The Independent reported that Chapman, who ran a real estate business in New York as a cover for her real role … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Glamorous woman spy to join Russian party.

Lalu to meet election panel over irregularities in EVMs

PATNA – Former Bihar chief minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) head Lalu Prasad will Thursday meet Election Commission officials to formally complain about alleged irregularities in electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the recently held assembly polls.

“Lalu will meet top officials of the commission in New Delhi on Dec 23 and petition a complaint … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Lalu to meet election panel over irregularities in EVMs.

Naidu continues fast for farmers, keeps doctors away

HYDERABAD – Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) head N. Chandrababu Naidu’s indefinite fast demanding a relief package for farmers entered the sixth day Wednesday as attempts by doctors to administer fluids to him failed.

Naidu has been resisting the attempts by doctors at the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences … Read more »»».

US Senate advances nuclear pact with Russia

WASHINGTON – The US Senate voted Tuesday to advance a nuclear arms pact with Russia, setting up a final vote to ratify the treaty, which requires the two countries to reduce their deployed nuclear warheads.

The senate voted 67-28 to end nearly a week of debate on the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or New … Original article on : US Senate advances nuclear pact with Russia.

Statement by the Press Secretary on Adoption of U.S. Sponsored Amendment to Ensure Gays and Lesbians Are Covered By UN Resolution on Extrajudicial Execution

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

President Obama applauds those countries that supported the amendment offered by the United States to ensure that “sexual orientation” remains covered by the United … Read more »».

Readout of the President and Vice President’s calls to Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki

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For Immediate Release

The President and Vice President each spoke to Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki today to congratulate him on the formation of an inclusive government … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Readout of the President and Vice President’s calls to Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts, 12/21/10

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For Immediate Release

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

Jerry Patterson, State Representative, Gulf Coast Ecosystem …. Original article  : President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts, 12/21/10.

Presidential Proclamation???African Growth and Opportunity Act

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For Immediate Release

TO TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS UNDER THE AFRICAN GROWTH
AND OPPORTUNITY ACT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
- – - – - – -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Presidential Proclamation–African Growth and Opportunity Act.