Political News – Newsletter for January 3, 2011

After Sukhoi, President Patil to ride a golf cart

PANAJI – After making history by flying in a frontline Sukhoi fighter jet a couple of years ago, President Pratibha Patil will hop on to a rather modest machine on her way to a beach here Tuesday – a golf cart.

Patil, who landed in Goa Monday on a four-day private visit to the … Original article on : After Sukhoi, President Patil to ride a golf cart.

Manmohan Singh wants Indian scientists to think out of the box

CHENNAI – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Monday said that Indian scientists needed to think “out of the box” for scientific advancement and innovations in the country.

Addressing the 98th Indian Science Congress here, Dr Singh said: ” The time has come for Indian science to once again think … Original article on : Manmohan Singh wants Indian scientists to think out of the box.

Congress-DMK ties strong, intact, assert PM, Karunanidhi

CHENNAI – Putting to rest speculation about a strain in the Congress-DMK ties, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi Monday spoke in one voice after their meeting here and said the alliance was “strong” and “intact”.

Manmohan Singh, who met the DMK leader here, said the relationship was …. Read the original article  : Congress-DMK ties strong, intact, assert PM, Karunanidhi.

Think big, work with diaspora: PM urges scientists

CHENNAI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday stressed on attracting the young Indian diaspora through joint research projects while urging Indian scientists to “think big” and “out of the box” for scientific advancement and innovations in the country.

“I would like to see more joint research projects between Indians in India and those abroad …. Original article  : Think big, work with diaspora: PM urges scientists.

Gilani seeks support from PML-Q to save government

ISLAMABAD – In an ironic twist, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani Monday sought the support of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), the second largest opposition party in parliament, to shore up his coalition a day after the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) walked out.

Gilani telephoned PML-Q leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain early Monday morning seeking his … Read more : Gilani seeks support from PML-Q to save government.

Former Speaker Bali Ram Bhagat Dead

NEW DELHI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- Bali Ram Bhagat, the ace Congress leader, left for the heavenly abode, at Apollo hospital on Sunday, in New Delhi, at 2.30 am, after undergoing intense treatment for kidney and liver problems. He is survived by his son, wife Vidhya Bhagat and daughter. He was 89.
His body will be brought …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Former Speaker Bali Ram Bhagat Dead.

MQM will stand by PPP after ‘realising ground realities’: Kaira

LAHORE – Pakistan’s Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira has said that prime minister has to take the vote of confidence only once, and that has already been done.

In an exclusive chat with SAMAA TV, Kaira tried to downplay the Muttaheda Qaumi Movement’s decision to sit on the opposition benches, saying that the coalition partner … Read this article on Gaea Times at : MQM will stand by PPP after ‘realising ground realities’: Kaira.

Karunanidhi meets PM, says DMK-Congress ties still strong

CHENNAI – Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi met Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh here today, and said the ties between the Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK) and Congress are still strong.

“It is as strong as the ties between you (media) and me,” he told reporters after meeting.

He said he had also requested Dr. … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Karunanidhi meets PM, says DMK-Congress ties still strong.

Alliance with DMK strong: PM

CHENNAI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi here, Monday said that ties with the DMK were “strong and cordial”.

“The alliance with DMK is strong and cordial,” Manmohan Singh told public broadcaster Doordarshan on the sidelines of the 98th Indian Science Congress.
Karunanidhi, who did not meet the … Read more »».

South Korea still open to dialogue with North

SEOUL – South Korea is willing to talk peace with its Stalinist neighbour, President Lee Myung Bak said Monday, but warned the North Korean regime that it must back up its words with deeds.

“I remind the North that the path toward peace is yet open. The door for dialogue is still open,” Lee said … Read more »»».

Centre gives Chandigarh Rs.31 mn for Garden of Spring

CHANDIGARH – The union territory of Chandigarh is all set to come up with a Garden of Spring that would showcase over 150 species of plants and trees to attract tourists to the city of gardens.

According to the Chandigarh administration, the union tourism ministry has sanctioned over Rs.31 million (Rs. 311.50 lakh) for establishing [..] Read the original article: here.

Michelle Obama Pregnant Rumor

LOS ANGELES (GaeaTimes.com)- Is Michelle Obama pregnant? The question has hit the web and has spread like wildfire all over. It seems as if the new year is bringing with it new rumors, this time with the First Lady expecting a baby. Even though the news have spread all over the web, the White …. Read the original article  : Michelle Obama Pregnant Rumor.

Indian scientists need to think big: PM

CHENNAI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday urged Indian scientists to “think big” and “out of the box” for scientific advancement and innovations in the country.

“The time has come for Indian scientists to think big, think out of the box. The time has come to produce Ramans and Ramanujans as we usher in the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Pir Pagara asks Gilani to ‘quit honourably’ as PPP loses majority

LAHORE – Pakistan Muslim League- Functional (PML-F) President Pir Pagara has advised Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to ‘quit honourably’, rather than being dislodged after humiliation.

On Sunday, the PPP-led Pakistan government lost its majority in the National Assembly, as Muttahida Qaumi Movement, which has 25 MNAs, decided to sit on the Opposition benches on account … Original article on : Pir Pagara asks Gilani to ‘quit honourably’ as PPP loses majority.

Nepal Maoists threaten to move court over UN

KATHMANDU – With the life of the UN agency directly involved in Nepal’s peace process ending in 12 days time and the caretaker government not ready to seek another extension for the world body, the opposition Maoist party has threatened to move court to force the ruling alliance change its mind.

“Centrist forces are plotting … Read more : Nepal Maoists threaten to move court over UN.

MQM bombshell leaves PPP-led Pak coalition govt in crisis

ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)-led government has suffered a severe blow following its key ally Muttaheda Qaumi Movement’s decision to sit in the opposition benches in parliament, leaving Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani as Leader of the House without a …. Read the original article  : here.

Karunanidhi meets PM, says alliance is intact

CHENNAI – DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the Raj Bhavan here Monday morning and said the “alliance is intact”.

The meeting at the Raj Bhavan lasted 25 minutes. Karunanidhi had not met the prime minister as expected Sunday, when Manmohan Singh arrived here.
“The alliance … Original source on Gaea Times at : Karunanidhi meets PM, says alliance is intact.

Iranian president fires 14 senior advisors

TEHRAN – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has fired 14 of his senior advisors, the Mehr news agency reported Sunday.

One of the president’s most senior advisors and closest aide for five years, Mehdi Kalhor, confirmed the dismissals, including his own, but said he did not know the reason.
The media and cultural advisor said he …. Read the original article  : Iranian president fires 14 senior advisors.

Talks between Rajasthan government, Gujjars on

JAIPUR – Talks were on here between the agitating Gujjars and a three-member ministerial committee of the Rajasthan government after the community members Sunday finally decided to send a 51-member delegation for discussions, after a gap of 13 days, on their demand for reservations in government jobs.

The talks which started at around 7 p.m. … Original article on : Talks between Rajasthan government, Gujjars on.

PM, Karunanidhi meeting does not materialise

CHENNAI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived here Sunday but his expected meeting with DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi late in the evening did not take place.

It was being expected that the prime minister and Karunanidhi would meet at the Raj Bhavan after the former’s arrival from New Delhi, … Original article on : PM, Karunanidhi meeting does not materialise.