Political News – Newsletter for November 27, 2010

Saturday, November 27, 2010

‘Atheist’ Oz PM Gillard urged to use more religious terms in condolence speeches

CANBERRA – Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has been advised by professional speechwriters to make use of more ‘religious languages’ at times of national grief, despite her professed atheism.

While expressing her, and the nation’s heartfelt sympathies for the families of the victims of the Greymouth mine disaster earlier this week, the Prime Minister reportedly avoided … Original source on Gaea Times at : ‘Atheist’ Oz PM Gillard urged to use more religious terms in condolence speeches.

Kiran Reddy meets Sonia, PM on cabinet expansion, Jagan

NEW DELHI – Newly-appointed Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy met Congress party president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here Saturday and discussed with them the latest political situation and party affairs in the state.

Reddy consulted Gandhi on the final list of members to be included in the cabinet Sunday, as …. Read the original article : here.

Sushma scoffs at Congress MPs’ decision to forgo allowance

NEW DELHI – A day after Congress MPs expressed their desire to forgo their daily allowance as no work was being transacted in parliament, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sushma Swaraj said it was a “prayshchit” (atonement) for their scams.

“Congress MPs’ decision to forgo Rs.2,000 allowance is ‘prayshchit’ for CWG and 2G scams,” Swarj … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Sushma scoffs at Congress MPs’ decision to forgo allowance.

Bangladesh opposition calls for strike

DHAKA – Ignoring pleas from the business community which said political agitations have an impairing effect on the country’s economy, Bangladesh’s main opposition is preparing for a strike Nov 30.

While opposition leader Khaleda Zia of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) began conferring with her colleagues to ensure success of the dawn-to-dusk hartal (strike) she … Read more >>.

WikiLeaks release may harm ties with India, says US

NEW YORK – The US has alerted India on an upcoming publication of classified documents by online whistleblower WikiLeaks, which it says may harm American interests and create tension with its “friends”.

“We have reached out to India to warn them about a possible release of documents,” State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said.
“We do … Read more : WikiLeaks release may harm ties with India, says US.

India now wary of Tamil issue, says daily (Lead, Superseding earlier story)

COLOMBO – Indian leaders are becoming wary of the ethnic issue in Sri Lanka, now that the war in the island nation is over, a daily said Saturday.

Referring to earlier times when New Delhi at times seemingly acted under pressure from Tamil Nadu leaders, the Daily Mirror said the situation had now changed.
It …. Read the original article : India now wary of Tamil issue, says daily (Lead, Superseding earlier story).

Voters defy Maoists in Jharkhand’s first panchayat polls

RANCHI – Defying a boycott call of Maoists, voters started queuing up at polling booths early Saturday to cast their votes in Jharkhand’s maiden panchayat polls.

“I am standing here since 6.15 a.m. We have got a chance to elect mukhiyas (panchayat heads) and will not let go of this chance,” said Jamunia Devi, a …. Original article : Voters defy Maoists in Jharkhand’s first panchayat polls.

Congress to probe Jagan’s breach of party discipline

NEW DELHI – Union Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy Saturday hit out at Congress MP Jaganmohan Reddy “for violating party discipline” after a TV channel owned by him aired critical remarks against party chief Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Jaipal Reddy said the Congress high command will probe the matter.
Sakshi TV … Original article on : Congress to probe Jagan’s breach of party discipline.

First phase of Jharkhand panchayat polls under way

RANCHI – Voters queued up at polling booths as the first phase of panchayat polls got under way in Jharkhand Saturday – the first such elections since the state was carved out from Bihar in 2000.

Polling began at 7 a.m. amid tight security and by 11 a.m., 15 to 20 percent votes were cast, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : First phase of Jharkhand panchayat polls under way.

Rey Decerega Elbows Barack Obama

WASHINGTON DC (GaeaTimes.com) There was some controversy surrounding as to who was the man responsible for the 44th President of the United States of America’s lip injury on Friday morning, until Rey Decerega broke out the news on Friday afternoon. Rey Decerega who is the director of programs for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, himself …. Source : Rey Decerega Elbows Barack Obama.

New ‘WikiLeaks revelations’ could damage allies’ relationships,
US tells UK

LONDON – The US ambassador to London Louis Susman has reportedly briefed the British Prime Minister David Cameron about the potentially embarrassing revelations by the whistleblower website ‘WikiLeaks,’ which when published within a few days could compromise Britain’s … Read this article on Gaea Times at : New ‘WikiLeaks revelations’ could damage allies’ relationships,
US tells UK.

Andhra’s new chief minister in Delhi to meet Sonia Gandhi

NEW DELHI – Newly-appointed Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy arrived in Delhi Saturday to meet Congress chief Sonia Gandhi to finalise the names of his cabinet ministers ahead of the assembly session commencing Monday.

Reddy will also meet other senior party leaders, including Home Minister P. Chidambaram, Law Minister M. Veerappa Moily, …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Andhra’s new chief minister in Delhi to meet Sonia Gandhi.

India, Sri Lanka now understand Tamil ethnic issues: Lankan daily

COLOMBO – Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna’s visit to Sri Lanka is drawing plenty of media interest in the island nation, with a leading daily Saturday saying that political leaders have now begun understanding Tamil militancy and the ethnic issues that affect both countries.

The article in Sri Lanka’s Daily Mirror newspaper by M.S.M. … Original source on Gaea Times at : India, Sri Lanka now understand Tamil ethnic issues: Lankan daily.

President Barack Obama Receives Stitches

WASHINGTON DC (GaeaTimes.com)- On Friday morning, an unfortunate accident happened to President Barack Obama, for which he had to take 12 stitches. The accident took place while a basketball game was going on, where the President was joined by his family and friends. President Barack Obama is known to be an avid basketball player. However, …. Original article on Gaea Times at : President Barack Obama Receives Stitches.

Traffic off road in Jammu to protest Omar’s remarks

JAMMU – All commercial and commuter traffic stayed off the roads in the Jammu region Saturday morning after a protest call by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) against Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s remarks challenging the nature of Jammu and Kashmir’s accession with India.

The BJP called for chakka jam or road blockade from 8 a.m. … Read more >>.

UN chief of staff visits Myanmar for political assessment

YANGON – The chief of staff of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon arrived Saturday in military-ruled Myanmar to assess the country’s post-election political climate on a three-day trip, which was to include talks with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Vijay Nambiar was scheduled to meet first with Foreign Minister Kyaw Hsan, after which he … Read : UN chief of staff visits Myanmar for political assessment.

President Barack Obama Elbowed in the Face

This is the ground where the President was hit by an unknown co-player who safely got away with the mishap. Well, Mr. Obama though had to bear 12 stitches for the same.
It all happened as Mr. Obama engaged himself in a little pre-presidenting hoop-shooting. Now, according to White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs,
After being …. Original article : President Barack Obama Elbowed in the Face.