Political News – Newsletter for January 2, 2011

At 85, Queen will not slow down in 2011

LONDON – British Queen Elizabeth II, who increased the number of her public engagements in 2010, is set to be busier this year, a media report said Sunday.

Most people of her age would have retired long ago, but the 84-year-old monarch carried out 444 engagements in 2010 – 69 more than in 2009. Her … Read : At 85, Queen will not slow down in 2011.

India’s UN envoy has no problem with pat down searches (With Hardeep Puri main interview)

WASHINGTON – As a “global citizen” India’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Hardeep Singh Puri, has no problem with the controversial ‘pat down’ searches at US airports and seeks no exemption for himself.

“There is no controversy whatsoever. Insofar as I am concerned, no pat down took place,” Puri told IANS referring to an …. Read the original article  : India’s UN envoy has no problem with pat down searches (With Hardeep Puri main interview).

We will have Security Council reform by end 2011-beginning 2012: Hardeep Puri (Interview)

WASHINGTON – As India takes a seat on the Security Council Monday after 19 long years as a non-permanent member, its top UN diplomat, Hardeep Singh Puri, is hopeful that New Delhi will gain a permanent place on the global high table by next year as he expected “Security Council reform” to take place by … Read more : We will have Security Council reform by end 2011-beginning 2012: Hardeep Puri (Interview).

Investigation agencies must disclose names of Benazir’s killers: Qureshi

BHALWAL – Pakistan’s State Minister for Interior Tasneem Ahmed Qureshi has asked the investigation agencies, which probed former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination, to disclose the names of her killers.

“Now, investigation agencies had better disclose names of murderers on their own as …. Read the original article  : Investigation agencies must disclose names of Benazir’s killers: Qureshi.

Congress trying to make Sanjay Gandhi scapegoat for Emergency misdeeds: Advani

NEW DELHI – Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani Sunday charged the Congress with trying to make the late Sanjay Gandhi a scapegoat for all the misdeeds during the the Emergency and said its promulgation was an unforgivble crime against democracy”.

In the latest post “Emergency of 1975 akin to Nazi rule” on …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Bihar legislator 1st Indian to hit Nepal headlines in 2011

KATHMANDU – As Nepal kicked off its tourism year Saturday, along with 10 other foreign visitors, a legislator from Bihar became the first Indian to hit the headlines in the Himalayan republic in 2011 – but for the wrong reason.

Sarfaraz Alam, elected from Jokihat in Araria district as a ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) candidate, … Read : Bihar legislator 1st Indian to hit Nepal headlines in 2011.

Nitish Kumar’s mother cremated

PATNA – Parmeshwari Devi, mother of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, was cremated at the Digha ghat on the bank of the Ganga here Sunday.

Parmeshwari Devi, 92, died Saturday afternoon after a prolonged illness.
Her elder son Satish Kumar lit the pyre while Nitish Kumar was present by his side.
Most cabinet colleagues …. Original source  : Nitish Kumar’s mother cremated.

Gilani resolves to launch “jihad” against corruption in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has expressed his government’s resolve to launch a “jihad” against corruption in 2011.

“It is our resolve for the new year to launch “jihad” against corruption. I have talked to Nawaz Sharif so that we can adopt the accountability bill with consensus. And it is done in a … Read : Gilani resolves to launch “jihad” against corruption in Pakistan.

Brand India may finally win the day against China: Expert

NEW DELHI – Giving a twist to the much-touted race between the Indian elephant versus the Chinese dragon, an eminent expert on ‘nations branding’ says although China’s economy may be far bigger and its military superior, Brand India may just win the game as the world identifies with its values of plurality, diversity and tolerance.

… Original article on : Brand India may finally win the day against China: Expert.

Pakistan, India cannot afford war: Gilani

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan and India cannot afford a war, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said, stressing that dialogue is the only way to resolve outstanding issues between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

Responding to a question on the Pakistan-India relationship during his maiden appearance in a live television show, the prime minister said dialogue is … Read more »»».

China puts history of communist party online

BEIJING – Chinese websites and news portals have begun running a special column describing major events in the history of the Communist Party of China (CPC) as part of the 90th anniversary celebrations of the ruling party.

“Today in Party’s history”, showing the party’s milestone events in a calendar format, was compiled by the Party … Read this article on Gaea Times at : China puts history of communist party online.

New era in Brazil: Rousseff becomes first female president

BRASILIA – Left-wing economist Dilma Rousseff, 63, was inaugurated Saturday as the first female president of Brazil, succeeding her popular mentor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

In her inaugural address in the building that houses the lower house of the Brazilian Congress in the capital, Brasilia, Rousseff vowed that overcoming extreme poverty will be her …. Original source  : New era in Brazil: Rousseff becomes first female president.

Statement by the President on the terrorist attacks in Egypt and Nigeria

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

I strongly condemn the separate and outrageous terrorist bombing attacks in Egypt and Nigeria. The attack on a church in Alexandria, Egypt caused 21 … Read : Statement by the President on the terrorist attacks in Egypt and Nigeria.

Rousseff inaugurated as Brazil’s first female president

BRASILIA – Left-wing economist Dilma Rousseff, 63, was inaugurated Saturday in Brasilia as the first female president in the history of Brazil.

She succeeded her mentor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who left office with record popularity but could not stay on due to constitutional limits on consecutive presidential terms.
Rousseff was inaugurated in lower … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Rousseff inaugurated as Brazil’s first female president.

Karnataka district polls end, outcome to decide Yeddyurappa’s fate

BANGALORE – Karnataka Saturday completed the three-phase elections to local governing bodies with the results on Jan 4 likely to decide the fate of land scam-hit Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa.

In the last phase, polling took place Saturday in Gulbarga district for the 43 zila (district) and 155 taluka (sub-district) panchayats with over 60 percent …. Original source  : Karnataka district polls end, outcome to decide Yeddyurappa’s fate.

President spends New Year’s Day in Diu

NEW DELHI – President Pratibha Patil spent the New Year’s Day with her family in Diu where she is on a week-long vacation, according to sources.

During her stay in the union territory, Patil will visit several historic places like old churches, jail, the Nagwa beach and is also expected to offer prayers at Gangeshwar … Original source on Gaea Times at : President spends New Year’s Day in Diu.

Lalu Yadav visits Jagannath temple to celebrate New Year

PURI – Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav visited the Jagannath temple here on Saturday to mark the beginning of the New Year with god’s blessings.

After his visit to the temple, Yadav told reporters that he came here to pray for his well-being and a …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Lalu Yadav visits Jagannath temple to celebrate New Year.

JD-S to stall Karnataka legislature till Yeddyurappa quits

BANGALORE – The Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) Saturday announced it would not allow the Karnataka legislature, which begins its session Jan 6, to function till Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa quits.

“Yeddyurappa has to go,” former chief minister and JD-S state president H.D. Kumaraswamy told reporters here after meeting Governor H.R. Bhardwaj to greet him on New …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Weekly Address: Democrats and Republicans Have Shared Responsibility to Move America Forward

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

WASHINGTON – In his weekly address, President Obama resolved to do everything he can to make sure the economy is growing, creating jobs, and …. Read the original article  : Weekly Address: Democrats and Republicans Have Shared Responsibility to Move America Forward.

US in secret talks with Syria over peace deal with Israel

KUWAIT CITY – The US has been in secret contact with Syrian officials in the hopes of realising a comprehensive Israel-Syrian peace treaty, the Kuwaiti al-Rai newspaper reported Saturday.

The past few weeks had witnessed an “unprecedented Syrian cooperation” in the peace process, prompting Washington to talk with Syrian officials to reach a peace agreement …. Read the original article  : US in secret talks with Syria over peace deal with Israel.