Political News – Newsletter for January 8, 2011

UN mired in exit row in Nepal

KATHMANDU – With just a week left for its exit from Nepal’s flailing peace process, the UN has become mired in an ugly row with the government, army as well as the opposition Maoist party which has accused it of raising the spectre of President’s Rule, an army-backed coup and a Maoist war on the … Read more »».

Gadkari slams UPA over corruption, says NDA will rule in 2014

GUWAHATI – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) began its two-day national executive here Saturday with party chief Nitin Gadkari launching a blistering attack on the UPA government on charges of rampant corruption, and pledged to work even harder to capture power in New Delhi in the 2014 general elections.

“Congress under the UPA-II presides over …. Source article  : Gadkari slams UPA over corruption, says NDA will rule in 2014.

More Indian cultural centres to showcase soft power: PM

NEW DELHI – India will set up cultural centres in five more countries to showcase its soft power and acquire a global footprint for its rich diversity, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said here Saturday.

“Richness of Indias classical traditions and the colour and vibrancy of contemporary culture are making waves around the world,” the prime …. Source  : More Indian cultural centres to showcase soft power: PM.

Rahul to tour Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW – Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi will visit colleges in Uttar Pradesh Monday and Tuesday in a bid to attract new members to the National Students Union of India (NSUI).

Gandhi will interact with college students in Jhansi, Allahabad, Varanasi, Lucknow and Agra “to spread awareness about the NSUI membership drive”, NSUI Uttar Pradesh … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Rahul to tour Uttar Pradesh.

Goa gets first air conditioned public toilet

PANAJI – Goa’s first air conditioned public toilet was Saturday installed at Chief Minister Digambar Kamat’s legislative assembly constituency in Margao, 35 km from here.

The toilet was built at a cost of Rs.20 lakh, which was shared between the local municipality and sanitation specialist Sulabh International (SI), according to a SI spokesperson. … Original source on Gaea Times at : Goa gets first air conditioned public toilet.

Two-day BJP national executive meet begins

GUWAHATI – The two-day Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national executive opened here Saturday morning with party chief Nitin Gadkari, senior leader L.K. Advani and other leaders in attendance.

The meeting was formally inaugurated at 11.30 a.m.
The other leaders present are Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
The meet is being …. Original source  : Two-day BJP national executive meet begins.

Weekly Address: President Obama Touts Benefits of Tax Cut Package to Take Place in the New Year

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For Immediate Release

WASHINGTON – In his weekly address, President Obama looked forward to how the tax cut package he signed into law in December will benefit … Original article on : Weekly Address: President Obama Touts Benefits of Tax Cut Package to Take Place in the New Year.

North Korea seeks talks with South in a month

SEOUL – North Korea Saturday renewed its call for unconditional talks with South Korea and proposed they be held within a month.

“We formally propose an unconditional and early opening of the talks between the authorities of the North and the South,” the North’s Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland said in a … Read : North Korea seeks talks with South in a month.

BJP to focus on corruption, price rise at executive

GUWAHATI – The two-day national executive of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) opens here Saturday and the party is all set to hit out at the UPA government on issues of corruption and price rise, although RSS leader Swami Aseemanand’s confession about his role in the 2007 Samjhauta Express blast has dimmed the party mood … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : BJP to focus on corruption, price rise at executive.

Readout of the meeting of the National Security Advisor with Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara

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National Security Advisor Tom Donilon met today with Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara in the White House.  They held an in-depth discussion of regional … Read more : Readout of the meeting of the National Security Advisor with Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara.

Statement by the President on H.R. 6523

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Today I have signed into law H.R. 6523, the "Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011."  The Act authorizes funding for … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Statement by the President on H.R. 6523.

Alagiri has not resigned: Karunanidhi

CHENNAI – Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi Friday refuted media reports about his son and union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister M.K. Alagiri resigning his post.

“He has not given any letter to me. They are media reports,” Karunanidhi told reporters here.
It was earlier reported that Alagiri had resigned from the cabinet and also …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Alagiri has not resigned: Karunanidhi.

Remarks by the President on the December Jobs Report and Economic Personnel Announcements

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For Immediate Release

Location: 

Thompson Creek Manufacturing, Landover, …. Read the original article  : Remarks by the President on the December Jobs Report and Economic Personnel Announcements.

Killings a murder of the constitution: Mamata

MIDNAPORE – Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee Friday termed the killings of seven people in the state’s troubled West Midnapore district as “genocide” and “murder of the constitution”.

“This killing is not only barbaric, ghastly, unconstitutional and undemocratic but it is actually murder of the constitution. It is genocide. There is no law and order … Read : Killings a murder of the constitution: Mamata.

‘Disturbed’ Narayanan asks Bengal government to act decisively

KOLKATA – Saying he was “deeply disturbed and concerned” over the killing of seven people in a clash between two groups Friday near Maoist-affected Lalgarh, West Bengal Governor M.K. Narayanan urged the government to act “decisively” before the violence reaches a point of no return.

“I am deeply disturbed, saddened and concerned over the killing … Read this article on Gaea Times at : ‘Disturbed’ Narayanan asks Bengal government to act decisively.

Chidambaram summons Buddhadeb to Delhi ‘immediately’

NEW DELHI – Home Minister P. Chidambaram Friday summoned West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee to Delhi “immediately” in the wake of the “grave incident” of seven deaths in fresh political violence in the Maoist hub of Lalgarh.

“I have written a letter to the chief minister and drawn his attention to this grave incident …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Chidambaram summons Buddhadeb to Delhi ‘immediately’.

CPI-M trying to retain power by killing people, says Mamata

KOLKATA – Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee Friday charged the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) with trying to retain power in West Bengal by resorting to killings and said people will give a befitting answer to “bullets” through the “ballot”.

“They are committing these atrocities only to retain power. Their cadres are being given arms. … Read more >>.

Aseemanand’s confession: Congress for strict action against RSS

NEW DELHI – The Congress Friday asked the government to take strict action against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in the wake of Swami Aseemanand’s reported confession of his involvement in terror activities including the Samjhauta train blast.

Terming it as “Sanghi terrorism”, Congress spokesman Shakeel Ahmed said Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders should … Original article on : Aseemanand’s confession: Congress for strict action against RSS.

Presidential Memorandum – Disestablishment of United States Joint Forces Command

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For Immediate Release

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
 
SUBJECT:          Disestablishment of United States Joint Forces
                           … Read more : Presidential Memorandum — Disestablishment of United States Joint Forces Command.

Seven people die in firing, CPI-M blamed (Third Lead)

LALGARH – Seven people were shot dead and 12 wounded near this Maoist hub in West Bengal Friday, saprking allegations that the killers were sheltered in a camp set up by the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M). The Marxists denied involvement.

The Trinamool Congress shot off letters to Home Minister P. Chidambaram and the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Seven people die in firing, CPI-M blamed (Third Lead).