Political News – Newsletter for January 9, 2011

Manmohan Singh proud of Indians community’s contribution in Malaysia

NEW DELHI – Talking to a 240-member delegation led by Malaysia’s special envoy for infrastructure Samy Vellu in Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) in New Delhi, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said that he feels very proud when leaders of other countries praise and appreciate the role of Indian communities in their nation-building efforts.

He also expressed …. Source  : Manmohan Singh proud of Indians community’s contribution in Malaysia.

Nepal will initiate “new process” if PM not elected by January 12

KATHMANDU – Nepal’s Speaker Subas Nemwang has said parliament would initiate a “new process” if the Prime Minister is not elected by January 12.

Xinhua quoted Nemnwang, as saying that the existing PM election process would end if the parties fail to reach a consensus by January 12.

However, he did not clarify what the new process … Read : Nepal will initiate “new process” if PM not elected by January 12.

Gandhi family behind ‘Hindu atankwad’: Gadkari

GUWAHATI – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Nitin Gadkari has described Swami Aseemanand’s alleged disclosures in connection with the Mecca Masjid case as a conspiracy hatched by Congress President Sonia Gandhi and party General Secretary Rahul Gandhi.

Addressing the BJP’s National Executive meeting in Guwahati on Saturday, Gadkari said: “Whether they talk about the involvement of … Read more >>.

Congress first family should explain Bofors: BJP

GUWAHATI – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national executive Sunday decided to take the issue of corruption and scams to the people and the judiciary, while sharpening its attack on Congress president Sonia Gandhi by seeking an explanation on the Bofors kickbacks.

The BJP national executive has decided to take the issue of corruption and … Read more : Congress first family should explain Bofors: BJP.

Voting begins in Southern Sudan independence poll

JUBA – Southern Sudanese went to the polls Sunday in a historic referendum that is widely expected to see them vote to split from the north.

The week-long vote is the centrepiece of a 2005 peace deal that ended decades of civil war between the mainly Muslim north and the Christian and Animist south – … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Voting begins in Southern Sudan independence poll.

Retired Taiwan spies make sensitive visit to China

TAIPEI – A group of retired Taiwan spies recently visited China, a newspaper reported Sunday, voicing concern that the trip might endanger Taiwan’s national security.

Nineteen former intelligence officers flew to China Dec 4 for a five-day visit at the invitation of the municipal government of Jiangshan City, Zhejiang province, the China Times said.
The … Read more »».

Concluding day of BJP national executive begins

GUWAHATI – The concluding day of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national executive meet began here Sunday to adopt resolutions aimed at cornering the UPA government on issues pertaining to corruption and price rise.

“The political resolution would include corruptions and scandals ranging from the 2G Spectrum to the Commonwealth Games, Adarsh housing scam and …. Original article  : Concluding day of BJP national executive begins.

Clashes ahead of Sudan referendum

JUBA – There were scattered clashes in southern Sudan Saturday, one day before voting starts in a referendum on southern independence.

Fighting in Unity State killed six soldiers under the command of rebel leader Gatluak Gai, according to a spokesman for the southern army.
These are elements that are trying to undermine the referendum,” the … Read more >>>.

Statement by the Vice President

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

The horrific attack in Tucson, Arizona, this morning has taken the lives of at least five people, including a federal judge and a young … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Statement by the Vice President.

Remarks by the President on the Shootings in Tucson, Arizona

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

Location: 

State Dining Room …. Read the original article  : here.

Statement by the President

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

This morning, in an unspeakable tragedy, a number of Americans were shot in Tucson, Arizona, at a constituent meeting with Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.  And …. Original article  : Statement by the President.

Sonia follows up on plenary agenda – writes to ministers, chief ministers

NEW DELHI – Following up on her agenda at party’s plenary last month, Congress party president Sonia Gandhi has written letters to union ministers and chief ministers to pay more attention to party workers’ grievances and proposals, and to also give up discretionary powers in land allotment.

At the Congress plenary Dec 19, Gandhi had … Original article on : Sonia follows up on plenary agenda – writes to ministers, chief ministers.

Karunanidhi requests Kerala to declare Pongal holiday

CHENNAI – Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi Saturday requested the Kerala government to declare local holiday in its border districts for Pongal festival.

In a letter, Karunanidhi asked his Kerala counterpart V.S. Achuthanandan to declare a local holiday in Palakkad, Thiruvananthapuram, Idduki, Pathanamthitta and Wayanad districts so that Tamils living there can celebrate the … Read more >>>.

Almost half of polling stations in Bengal sensitive

KOLKATA – Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) S.Y. Quraishi Saturday expressed concern over the violence in West Bengal and declared almost half of the 51,991 polling stations for the upcoming assembly polls as sensitive.

“After doing the vulnerability mapping we have identified around 25,000 polling stations as sensitive. The sensitive booths are spread across 19 districts,” … Original source on Gaea Times at : Almost half of polling stations in Bengal sensitive.

CPI-M government a bandit government: Mamata

DHULAGARH – Railway Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee Saturday launched a scathing attack on Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M)-led Left Front government and termed it as a government of ‘harmads’ (bandits).

“This CPI-M government is a government of harmads. I have seen cannons during wars and this time cannons are being found from … Read this article on Gaea Times at : CPI-M government a bandit government: Mamata.

Iran makes 40 kg of 20 percent enriched uranium: Official

TEHRAN – Iran has produced 40 kg of 20 percent enriched uranium for a nuclear reactor in Tehran, Ali Akbar Salehi, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), announced Saturday.

“We have produced about 40 kg of 20 percent (enriched) uranium and we hope to witness the injection of the first batch of …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Iran says can produce nuclear fuel

Tehran, Jan 8 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Tehran is capable of making its own nuclear fuel plates and rods, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran said Saturday.

“We have built an advanced manufacturing unit at Isfahan for the fuel plates,” the Fars news agency quoted Ali-Akbar Salehi, head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran …. Source article  : Iran says can produce nuclear fuel.

Congress flays Madhya Pradesh BJP leader for tax evasion

BHOPAL – The Madhya Pradesh unit of the Congress Saturday tried to put the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the dock after one of its state leaders Ramesh Garg was fined Rs.156 crore for tax evasion.

Garg, president of the business cell of BJP’s Madhya Pradesh unit, Thursday paid a fine of Rs.156 crore …. Original article  : Congress flays Madhya Pradesh BJP leader for tax evasion.

Pakistan, India foreign secretaries to meet in Bhutan

ISLAMABAD – The foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan will meet in Bhutan on the sidelines of the upcoming SAARC summit, officials said here Saturday.

They are expected to discuss ways to take forward the stalled peace process between the two countries, the Online news agency reported quoting unnamed officials.
Pakistan has accepted a …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Gadkari slams UPA for corruption, resolution on northeast passed (Night Lead)

GUWAHATI – The first day of the two-day national executive of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ended Saturday with the party launching a blistering attack on the UPA government on charges of rampant corruption, while passing a resolution on the northeast keeping an eye on the upcoming assembly elections in Assam.

“The 20-month old rule …. Source  : Gadkari slams UPA for corruption, resolution on northeast passed (Night Lead).