Political News – Newsletter for January 1, 2011

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Congress wins Chandigarh mayor poll by one vote

CHANDIGARH – The ruling Congress Saturday managed to scrape through in the crucial election for the mayor of Chandigarh.

Congress candidate Ravinder Pall Singh won by just one vote, defeating the rebel Congress candidate, Jagjit Singh Kang.
Out of the 33 votes counted, Ravinder Pal Singh got 17 while Kang got 16.
Kang, a Congress … Read : Congress wins Chandigarh mayor poll by one vote.

Pak forms probe team to see if Benazir murder plot was hatched in Brigadier’s house

ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Government has set up a joint investigation team (JIT) comprising three officials of the police, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to investigate media reports that the plot to assassinate former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto had been hatched in a brigadier’s house.

The JIT has been asked present …. Source article  : Pak forms probe team to see if Benazir murder plot was hatched in Brigadier’s house.

Pak security forces have not committed rights violation: Gilani

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has rejected charges of human rights violations by security forces made in a US State Department report, terming it part of propaganda to malign the country’s institutions.

“There is no question of human rights violations (by them),” the Dawn quoted Gilani, as saying.

“They want to malign our institutions,” …. Original article  : Pak security forces have not committed rights violation: Gilani.

Japan PM might visit China to improve the soured bilateral ties

BEIJING – Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan is reportedly considering a visit to China next spring with the intention of improving the soured bi-lateral ties.

The China Daily quoted the Kyodo News Agency as saying that if the visit takes place, Kan hopes to improve the bilateral “strategic and mutually beneficial relationship” between both nations. …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Japan PM might visit China to improve the soured bilateral ties.

North Korea says it wants to defuse tension with South

SEOUL – North Korea said Saturday in a New Year message that it wanted to reduce tension with the South but warned of a “nuclear holocaust” if there is another war on the peninsula, a media report said.

The call came against the background of a year in which tension between the two states reached …. Read the original article  : here.

Iran denies WikiLeaks report that Ahmadinejad was slapped

TEHRAN – Iran has denied a WikiLeaks report that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was slapped by the chief of the country’s Revolutionary Guards, the Tehran press reported Saturday.

According to a leaked US diplomatic cable, General Mohammad-Ali Jafari slapped Ahmadinejad in early 2010, as Tehran was still dealing with the fallout from a disputed election.
Original article on : Iran denies WikiLeaks report that Ahmadinejad was slapped.

Dozens arrested after protests across Russia

MOSCOW – Dozens of Kremlin critics protesting for political reform in Russia were arrested Friday when security forces broke up the marches, which had not been approved by authorities, reported Interfax.

The agency reported that more than 120 protesters had been detained after gatherings in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Separately, authorities said numerous young people …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Dozens arrested after protests across Russia.

Statement by President Barack Obama on Removal of HEU from Ukraine

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

“I congratulate President Yanukovych on the recent shipment of highly enriched uranium from Ukraine for secure disposal in Russia, which advances a top priority …. Original article  : Statement by President Barack Obama on Removal of HEU from Ukraine.

Flag row: BJP workers burn Patnaik’s effigy

BHUBANESWAR – Hundreds of activists of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party’s youth wing Friday burnt an effigy of Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for his “disrespect” to the national flag.

Shouting slogans against the chief minister and carrying placards and banners, the activists also criticized the police for its role in the incident.
“Police … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Flag row: BJP workers burn Patnaik’s effigy.

Armed cadres cannot maintain law and order, Chidambaram tells Buddhadeb

NEW DELHI – Describing the killings of political workers in West Bengal as “alarming”, Home Minister P. Chidambaram has in his latest missive to Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said armed cadres cannot take on the role of maintaining law and order.

In a letter written to Bhattacharjee Thursday, copy of which was released on … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Armed cadres cannot maintain law and order, Chidambaram tells Buddhadeb.

Chouhan is ‘Kans mama,’ says Digvijay Singh

BHOPAL – Digvijay Singh, All India Congress Committee general secretary and former chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, Friday took on his successors, describing present Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan as “Kans Mama” (Uncle Kans).

He also suggested that former chief minister Uma Bharti should become a full-time “sadhwi” (ascetic).
The reference is …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Chouhan is ‘Kans mama,’ says Digvijay Singh.

Congress demands arrest of ‘rapist’ BSP legislator

LUCKNOW – The Congress’s Uttar Pradesh unit Friday demanded “immediate arrest” of a ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) legislator and his cohorts allegedly involved in gang-rape of a minor girl in Banda district.

“BSP MLA (member of legislative assembly) Purushottam Narain Dwivedi not only raped the 17-year old girl, belonging to the socially backward Nishad …. Original source  : Congress demands arrest of ‘rapist’ BSP legislator.

Govt. will work with renewed resolve for welfare of people: PM’s New Year message

NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Friday greeting the nation on the eve of the New Year 2011, said the government led by him will work with renewed resolve for the welfare of the people.

Dr. Singh in his message said:”I wish all our citizens a …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Manmohan Singh to inaugurate 98th Indian Science Congress

NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, will inaugurate the 98th Indian Science Congress in Tamil Nadu’s Chennai city on Monday.

The five-day Congress, which will be held from January 3 to 7, will witness the participation of scientists and academicians from all over the … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Manmohan Singh to inaugurate 98th Indian Science Congress.

JPC deadlock persists but speaker hopes for smooth budget session

NEW DELHI – The two-day talks between the government and opposition parties to resolve the impasse over the demand for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into the 2G spectrum scam failed to find a solution though Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar noted party leaders were keen to ensure that parliament’s budget session is not …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : JPC deadlock persists but speaker hopes for smooth budget session.

Aound 60 percent polling in Karnataka district polls

BANGALORE – The second and penultimate phase of elections to Karnataka’s local governing body councils Friday ended peacefully with about 60 percent of over 15 million voters in 17 districts casting their ballots.

“About 60 percent voting has been recorded,” a state Election Commission official told IANS at the end of the day’s polling to … Read more »».

Gallantry awardees to get free parking passes in Chandigarh

CHANDIGARH – The Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh has worked out a new year gift for the city’s gallantry award winners — free car parking.

The Municipal Corporation, in recognition of the gallantry displayed by defence personnel and other brave people in various operations, Friday announced that it would issue free passes for parking cars in …. Original source  : Gallantry awardees to get free parking passes in Chandigarh.

President, Vice President greet nation on New Year’s eve

NEW DELHI – President Pratibha Patil and Vice President Hamid Ansari Friday greeted the nation on New Year’s eve and hoped that 2011 would bring in peace, harmony and all-round progress to the people of the country.

Conveying her wishes to the people in the country and abroad, Patil said: “Let us take a New [..] Read the original article: here.

24 leaders visited India in ‘landmark’ 2010 diplomacy year

NEW DELHI – As 2010 drew to a close, the external affairs ministry Friday hailed it as a landmark year in Indian diplomacy that saw India hosting 24 visiting leaders, including all permanent members of the UN Security Council, and 30 foreign minister-level visitors.

“2010 was an eventful year for Indian diplomacy, … Original article on : 24 leaders visited India in ‘landmark’ 2010 diplomacy year.

Talks stalled as Gujjars seek leaders’ response

JAIPUR – Talks between the Gujjars and Rajasthan’s ministerial committee Friday got caught in a new tangle as the agitators first sought feedback on their demands from the community leaders who are part of the state’s Congress government.

Colonel (retired) K. S. Bainsla, convener of the Gujjar Aarakshan Sangarsh Samiti spearheading the agitation …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Talks stalled as Gujjars seek leaders’ response.

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