Political News – Newsletter for January 4, 2011

BJP MLA Raj Kishore Kesri stabbed to death in Purnea

PURNEA – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Bihar’s Purnea district, Raj Kishore Kesri was stabbed to death by a woman visitor at his residence this morning.

The attacker, a teacher in a private school, had accused Kesri of raping her on different occasions over the last three years.

She is in serious condition after the MLA’s …. Source article  : BJP MLA Raj Kishore Kesri stabbed to death in Purnea.

Iran to invite EU, US to visit nuclear sites

TEHRAN – Iran said Tuesday that it planned to invite the European Union (EU) and the US to inspect its nuclear sites this month.

Tehran would invite representatives from the six countries engaged in nuclear talks with it – Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and its political archfoe the US – as well as the … Read more : Iran to invite EU, US to visit nuclear sites.

BJP chief Nitin Gadkari lays stress on accountability in party work

NEW DELHI – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Nitin Gadkari has urged state party presidents to bring in more accountability and transparency in their dealings, during a teleconference with ten state units.

‘There should be evaluation of the work done. State presidents should give an account of the work done,’ Gadkari said, adding that he too … Original article on : BJP chief Nitin Gadkari lays stress on accountability in party work.

Trinamool Congress spreading violence, accuses Buddhadeb

KOLKATA – West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee haslammed the Trinamool Congress (TMC) party for creating a culture of violence in the state.

Addressing a rally here on Monday, Bhattacharjee said: “The opposition party is spreading a blanket of violence over the state. They want power, they want to destroy the State Assembly, they want control …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Trinamool Congress spreading violence, accuses Buddhadeb.

Zardari “solidly stands behind Gilani” against any attempt to destabilise Pak Govt

KARACHI – Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has thrown his weight behind beleaguered Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani against any attempt to destabilise the coalition government.

Zardari called Gilani on Monday and discussed the ongoing political situation, and assured him of full support of the party.

“Zardari has full confidence in the PM and solidly stands …. Source  : Zardari “solidly stands behind Gilani” against any attempt to destabilise Pak Govt.

BJP takes early lead in Karnataka district polls

BANGALORE – Karnataka’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tuesday took early leads in polls to the local governing councils, the winning of which is crucial for Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa to stay in office.

Of the 30 zila (district) panchayats, the BJP was leading in 14, the Congress in seven and the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) …. Source  : BJP takes early lead in Karnataka district polls.

Vote counting for Karnataka district polls begins

BANGALORE – Counting of votes polled for the Karnataka local governing councils began at 171 centres across the state Tuesday morning.

Over 65 percent of the 21 million voters, nearly half of them women, cast their ballots in the elections to the 30 zila (district) and 176 taluka (sub-district) panchayats Dec 26, Dec 31 and …. Source article  : Vote counting for Karnataka district polls begins.

Schwarzenegger makes way for Brown on California stage

SACRAMENTO – Democrat Jerry Brown was sworn in Monday as California governor, replacing former action movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger who completed two terms in office and is not allowed to run again.

Brown, 72, also served for two terms beginning in 1975, before the current term limits were passed into law. He is thus both …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Schwarzenegger makes way for Brown on California stage.

Readout of the Deputy National Security Advisor’s Recent Trip to Afghanistan

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonough traveled to Afghanistan last week, arriving Monday night and returning home on Friday. The purpose of the trip … Original article on : Readout of the Deputy National Security Advisor’s Recent Trip to Afghanistan.

Schwarzenegger cuts prison sentence of ally’s son

SACRAMENTO – Just hours before his term as California governor was to end Monday, Arnold Schwarzenegger reduced the prison sentence of the son of a political ally who was sentenced to 16 years for a 2008 murder.

The move by the former action movie star was made Sunday night as his reign over the financially …. Read the original article  : Schwarzenegger cuts prison sentence of ally’s son.

Statement by the President on signing the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

"I was honored to sign the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act to ensure that rescue and recovery workers, residents, students, and others …. Original source  : Statement by the President on signing the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.

Statement by The Press Secretary

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

On Sunday, January 2, 2011, the President signed into law: H.R. 847, the “James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act,” which establishes the World … Read more : Statement by The Press Secretary.

Krishna to visit Afghanistan Jan 8-9

NEW DELHI – Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna will be visiting Afghanistan on a two-day trip from Jan 8.

A press release by the external affairs ministry said Krishna will be travelling to Afghanistan Jan 8-9 at the invitation of Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmay Rassoul.
“The visit is part of the regular high level …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Krishna to visit Afghanistan Jan 8-9.

Moily takes on Jaitley over IT report on Bofors scam

BANGALORE – Law and Justice Minister M. Veerappa Moily Monday lashed out at senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Arun Jaitley for trying to link Italian businessman Ottavio Quattorcchi to the Congress or its leaders.

Reacting to Jaitley’s comments on the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal order that Quattrocchi and his partner Win Chadha had received a …. Original article  : Moily takes on Jaitley over IT report on Bofors scam.

Congress undecided on disrupting Karnataka house

BANGALORE – The Congress, the main opposition party in Karnataka, indicated Monday it has not decided yet on joining the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) in disrupting the legislature session beginning Jan 6 to force land-scam hit Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa to quit.

“We will carry on the oust Yeddyurappa campaign in both the assembly and the … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Congress undecided on disrupting Karnataka house.

UAE to have non-resident envoy to Nepal

Dubai, Jan 3 (IANS/WAM) The ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to India has been concurrently appointed non-resident ambassador to Nepal.

Mohamed Sultan Al Owais presented his credentials to Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav in Kathmandu and conveyed the best wishes of UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The UAE’s envoy to [..] Read the original article: here.

Elizabeth’s 1957 video has one mn hits on YouTube

LONDON – The first-ever Christmas video message by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth in 1957 has received over one million hits on video-sharing website YouTube.

The Royal family launched a dedicated channel on the website in 2007. This winter the channel passed a milestone of nine million views.
The queen’s 1957 address has received around 1.2 million …. Read the original article  : Elizabeth’s 1957 video has one mn hits on YouTube.

TDP’s Telangana leaders want party to boycott Jan 6 meeting

HYDERABAD – After the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) decided to boycott the Jan 6 all-party meeting called by Home Minister P. Chidambaram on the Srikrishna committee’s report, leaders of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) from Telangana have also urged the party leadership to stay away.

TDP Telangana Forum, which represents … Original source on Gaea Times at : TDP’s Telangana leaders want party to boycott Jan 6 meeting.

BJP pulls up Congress, demands SIT probe in Bofors case

NEW DELHI – Following an Income Tax Tribunal claims that kickbacks of Rs 41 crore were paid to late Win Chaddha and Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi in the Howitzer gun deal, the Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) on Monday slamming the ruling Congress party demanded that the government … Read more : BJP pulls up Congress, demands SIT probe in Bofors case.

Illegal immigrants should be removed from voters list in Assam: Goel

NEW DELHI – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) General Secretary Vijay Goel on Monday demanded that the illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, who are presently living in Assam should be removed from the voters list.

After submitting a memorandum to …. Read the original article  : here.