Political News – Newsletter for January 10, 2011

India, Indonesia to boost anti-piracy cooperation

NEW DELHI – Cooperation between India and Indonesia on maritime security and intelligence sharing on anti-piracy operations is set to get a major boost during navy chief Admiral Nirmal Verma’s four-day visit to the Southeast Asian nation.

Verma left New Delhi Monday and will call on Indonesian ministers and military commanders during his visit, … Original source on Gaea Times at : India, Indonesia to boost anti-piracy cooperation.

CPI-M worker lynched in West Bengal

KOLKATA – A Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) worker was lynched allegedly by Trinamool Congress supported miscreants in Barrackpore area of West Bengal’s North 24-Parganas district Sunday night, police said.

“Sengupta, a worker of the CPI-Ms youth wing Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), was severely beaten up by miscreants near his home at Barrackpore. … Original source on Gaea Times at : CPI-M worker lynched in West Bengal.

Mohan Bhagwat accuses Congress of deliberately linking RSS to terror

SURAT – Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has slammed Congress party for allegedly linking Hindu groups with extremism and said that there was no place for radical elements in the party.

Addressing party workers here on Sunday, Bhagwat said: “Congress is trying to link up RSS and other Hindu organisations with extremist forces to … Read more »».

Mamata Banerjee wants early election in West Bengal

WEST MIDNAPORE – Railway Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee met Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and briefed him on the situation there.

“I briefed him (Mukherjee) on the situation at Netai village in Lalgarh,” Banerjee told reporters after emerging from the meeting.

Their meeting comes in the backdrop of the shootout in Lalgarh …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Mamata Banerjee wants early election in West Bengal.

Malaysian Indian-led party seeks to join ruling alliance

KUALA LUMPUR – A minor multi-racial party led by a Malaysian Indian leader has sought admission to the ruling alliance Barisan Nasional (BN), ahead of the general election that is likely to be held this year.

If not admitted, Parti Satu Malaysia (PSM), led by its pro-tem president Muruga Raj Rajathurai has said it would …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Malaysian Indian-led party seeks to join ruling alliance.

Chinese, US defence ministers meet to strengthen military ties

BEIJING – Chinese Defence Minister Liang Guanglie Monday met with his US counterpart Robert Gates here for talks and called for joint efforts to deal with disagreements between the two sides.

“The China-US military relationship has new opportunities for development. It also faces challenges,” said Liang after receiving Gates at the headquarters of China’s Central …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Chinese, US defence ministers meet to strengthen military ties.

Pranab, Mamata discuss Bengal law and order, alliance

KOLKATA – Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee discussed the law and order situation in West Bengal with Congress heavyweight Pranab Mukherjee here and the formation of an alliance ahead of the assembly polls later this year.

Banerjee, the union railway minister, and Mukherjee, the finance minister, held talks Sunday night.
“Whenever we get time, we … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Pranab, Mamata discuss Bengal law and order, alliance.

PPP gives in to PML-N’s charter of demands

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has bowed to the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) demands, thus bringing the three-day ‘ultimatum’ issued by the party to an end.

A day before the expiry of the provisional deadline given by the PML-N, Gilani talked to party chief Nawaz Sharif on the telephone, and assured him that …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : PPP gives in to PML-N’s charter of demands.

India must resume composite dialogue with Pakistan to resolve outstanding issues: Gilani

ISLAMABAD – India should resume composite dialogue with Pakistan to resolve all outstanding issues- including the Kashmir dispute- peacefully and expeditiously, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said.

Gilani made these comments while talking to the German Foreign Minister, Dr Guido Westerwelle, who called on him along with his delegation members at the PM House …. Source article  : India must resume composite dialogue with Pakistan to resolve outstanding issues: Gilani.

Kuwait aims to set record for world’s longest flag

DUBAI – Kuwait is aiming to set a new Guinness record for the world’s longest flag which will be unveiled next month during its National Day.

Kuwait celebrates its National Day and Liberation Day Feb 25.
The 2,000 metre-long flag was made by the students of Fatima Bin Quais Primary School, Gulf News reported.
The … Read : Kuwait aims to set record for world’s longest flag.

Obama ‘pleased’ with Sudan voting

WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama Sunday greeted the “historic” start of voting in the Southern Sudan independence referendum but called for an end to violence in the disputed border region of Abyei.

He also sent a message apparently aimed at the government in Khartoum that “the world will be watching in the coming days”.
…. Read the original article  : Obama ‘pleased’ with Sudan voting.

Presidential Proclamation???Honoring the Victims of the Tragedy in Tucson, Arizona

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on Saturday, January 8, 2011, in Tucson, Arizona, by …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Presidential Proclamation–Honoring the Victims of the Tragedy in Tucson, Arizona.

Statement by the President on Sudan

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

I am extremely pleased that polling has started for the Southern Sudan Referendum, and congratulate the people of Southern Sudan who are determining their …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Presidential Proclamation???National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on Saturday, January 8, 2011, in Tucson, Arizona, by … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Presidential Proclamation–National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

President Obama Calls for Moment of Silence for Victims of Shooting in Tucson, Arizona

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

“Tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. eastern standard time, I call on Americans to observe a moment of silence to honor the innocent victims of the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Tamil Nadu polls: DMDK open to electoral alliance

CHENNAI – Actor-turned-politician and DMDK leader Vijaykant Sunday assured his party cadres that he would forge an alliance for the ensuing assembly elections without affecting the party’s self-respect.

Speaking at his partys rally at Salem, around 320 km from here, he told party workers: “You leave the alliance decision to me. I … Read : Tamil Nadu polls: DMDK open to electoral alliance.

Southern Sudanese vote in historic 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 : Southern Sudanese vote in historic independence poll.

Left to hold rally against price rise in Delhi: Buddhadeb

SINGUR – Blaming the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for failing to control food inflation, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee Sunday said the Left parties will organise a big rally in Delhi during the budget session of parliament seeking a curb on rising prices.

“We cannot force the UPA government to initiate proper steps … Read more »»».

Ban opinion polls after model code imposed: Quraishi

KOLKATA – Suggesting a ban on opinion polls once the model code of conduct comes into effect, Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi Sunday opposed state funding of elections, saying the money might be misused.

Speaking at the Second Regional Consultation on Electoral Reforms, organised by the union law ministry here, Quraishi also sought powers for … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Ban opinion polls after model code imposed: Quraishi.

Simultaneous polls impractical: Pranab on Mamata’s proposal

KOLKATA – Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee Sunday proposed simultaneous elections to parliament and the state assemblies to cut costs, but Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee termed this impractical.

Speaking at a seminar on electoral reforms at the National University of Jurisdical Sciences, the minister said the West Bengal assembly elections will be “very challenging” for the …. Read the original article  : here.