News & Comments

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

USA - Obama to Congress: Extend a Payroll Tax Cut

From: AssociatedPress | Dec 5, 2011

President Barack Obama says Congress needs to extend a payroll tax cut that will expire at the end of the year. The White House says taxes on the average family would increase by $1,000 if the cuts are not extended. (Dec. 5)

Monday, December 5, 2011

Italy - Monti's austerity plan angers unions / Italia - austerità Monti fa arrabbiare piano sindacati

Published on Dec 5, 2011 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.net/ Mario Monti's so-called 'Save Italy' emergency decree measures announced on Sunday have not been well received by the country's unions.

However, in most Italian newspaper editorials Monti was praised for biting the bullet at a difficult moment and for spreading the pain.

The plan consists of 20 billion euros of budget tightening and an additional 10 billion euros to be pumped back into the economy to help businesses and boost growth.

The measures include the return of a property tax that former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi abolished.

Decreto d'urgenza di Mario Monti cosiddetti 'Salva l'Italia' misure annunciate la Domenica non sono stati ben accolti dai sindacati del paese.

Tuttavia, nella maggior editoriali dei giornali italiani Monti è stato elogiato per mordere la pallottola in un momento difficile per la diffusione e il dolore.

Il piano prevede 20 miliardi di euro di serraggio di bilancio e altri 10 miliardi di euro per essere pompato nuovamente dentro l'economia per aiutare le aziende e rilanciare la crescita.

Le misure comprendono il ritorno di una tassa di proprietà che l'ex primo ministro Silvio Berlusconi abolita.

Italy unions call strikes following austerity package / Italia i sindacati chiamano pacchetto di austerità dopo gli scioperi

Published on Dec 5, 2011 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.net/ Italy's Prime Minister Mario Monti has said the country would have suffered a crisis like Greece if a tough austerity package had not been introduced.

The measures were hashed out during an emergency cabinet meeting on Sunday and presented to parliament on Monday.

"The austerity, which is calling for sacrifices from our country, is fundamental for social fairness and, at the same time, is a launching pad for development. The events of the last months prove that our country's and Europe's destinies are strongly connected," Monti told parliament.

Italia il primo ministro Mario Monti ha detto che il paese avrebbe sofferto una crisi come la Grecia, se un pacchetto di austerità duro non fosse stato introdotto.

Le misure sono state hashing durante una riunione di emergenza gabinetto di Domenica e presentato al Parlamento il Lunedi.

"L'austerità, che chiede per i sacrifici del nostro paese, è fondamentale per l'equità sociale e, allo stesso tempo, è un trampolino di lancio per lo sviluppo. Gli eventi degli ultimi mesi dimostrano che il nostro Paese e dell'Europa destini sono strettamente connessi" Monti ha detto al parlamento.

Russia - Medvedev: 'Elections were fair, just and democratic' / Россия - Медведев: «Выборы были честными, справедливого и демократического"

Published on Dec 5, 2011 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.net/ Medvedev: 'Elections were fair, just and democratic'

President Dmitry Medvedev, met with members of United Russia following election results showing a huge drop in support for the party.

Медведев: «Выборы были честными, справедливого и демократического"

Президент Дмитрий Медведев встретился с членами Единой России после выборов результаты, показывающие огромный падение поддержки партии.
.

Rallies in Moscow on day after elections / Митинги в Москве на следующий день после выборов

Published on Dec 5, 2011 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.net/ Several thousand protesters gathered in central Moscow calling for the end to Putin's rule.

They claim that Sundays election was fraudulent, and it is now time for the man who has dominated Russian politics for over a decade to go.

Prominent Russian Blogger Alexei Navalny questioned what Putin had achieved for the country:

Несколько тысяч протестующих собрались в центре Москвы, призывающей к прекращению правления Путина.

Они утверждают, что воскресенье выборы мошенническими, и теперь настало время для того, кто доминирует в политике Россия уже более десяти лет, чтобы уйти.

Выдающийся русский Blogger Алексей Навальный сомнению то, что Путин добился для страны:

Afghanistan - West will not abandon after 2014

Published on Dec 5, 2011 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.net/ The West has signalled that Afghanistan can count on continued support after allied troops withdraw in 2014. International delegates met in the German city of Bonn for a conference on the future of country ten years after a similar meeting was held after the Taliban were ousted.

But Afghanistan's allies are increasingly preparing for a a scenario in which there is no peace settlement with the Taliban in place before withdrawal.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said Afghanistan would not be abandoned:

Iraq - there may be as many as a million widows of about a 27 million population

From: AssociatedPress | Dec 5, 2011

As the American military era in Iraq draws to a close, there may be as many as a million widows in Iraq, among a population of about 27 million, according to Iraqi government figures. (Dec. 5)

USA - Newt Gingrich Explains Backing of Trump-hosted Debate

From: AssociatedPress | Dec 5, 2011

After meeting with Donald Trump in New York, Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich explained his willingness to participate in a GOP debate moderated by Trump. Rival Ron Paul criticized the debate scheduled for December 27 in Iowa. (Dec. 5)

Britain - WikiLeaks' Julian Assange Continues Extradition Fight

From: AssociatedPress | Dec 5, 2011

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was granted permission by judges Monday to continue his legal battle to avoid extradition to Sweden over sex crimes allegations. (Dec. 5)