Political News – Newsletter for January 14, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Tamil Nadu to set up more vegetable shops, farmer markets
CHENNAI – The Tamil Nadu government Friday decided to open more vegetable shops and farmer markets to sell vegetables at cheap rates and to ask the central government to re-impose ban on future trading in sugar.
At a meeting Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi chaired and Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and other ministers attended, it …. Original article : Tamil Nadu to set up more vegetable shops, farmer markets.
Pro-Trinamool intellectuals to meet president, PM
KOLKATA – Carrying their battle against West Bengal’s ruling Left Front to Delhi, a group of painters, theatre activists and economists associated with the Trinamool Congress will meet President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh next week to demand the central government’s intervention in the state.
The group, which will reach the national capital …. Source : Gaea News Network.
Diplomacy possible with North Korea: US defence secretary
SEOUL – Diplomatic involvement with North Korea is “possible” but it must first end “dangerous provocations” and meet its international obligations, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said Friday during a visit to South Korea.
Gates was in Seoul at a time of high tension on the Korean Peninsula for talks with Defense Minister Kim Kwan … Read more : Diplomacy possible with North Korea: US defence secretary.
Israel’s Press Office apologizes for journalists ‘Bra-Gate’ howler
NEW YORK – The director of Israel’s Government Press Office has apologized for the intensive security screening several journalists had to endure before meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to Israeli newspaper Haaretz, several members of the foreign press corps had been invited to a cocktail party with personal invitations and press cards, which could have … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Israel’s Press Office apologizes for journalists ‘Bra-Gate’ howler.
Israeli security asks woman reporter to take off bra to meet Prime Minister
LONDON – A pregnant producer has revealed that she was asked by Israeli security personnel to take off her bra in order to meet Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.
Simri Diab, 31, an al-Jazeera producer, revealed that Israeli security had demanded she remove her bra if she wished to meet the Prime Minister at the annual foreign …. Read the original article : Israeli security asks woman reporter to take off bra to meet Prime Minister.
BJP MP says will complain to President Patil against Governor Bhardwaj
BANGALORE – Blaming Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj for the chaos in the state Assembly, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP D B Chandre Gowda has said party MPs from the state would soon petition President Pratibha Patil seeking his recall.
“Raj Bhavan here has become centre of political activity and the Governor, who is expected to … Read more : BJP MP says will complain to President Patil against Governor Bhardwaj.
Embattled Japanese premier reshuffles cabinet
TOKYO – Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan reorganised his cabinet Friday in the hopes of boosting his support among the public as he struggles with low popularity ratings.
The reshuffle was carried out just before the 150-day regular session of the Diet begins Jan 24 when the government, led by Kan’s Democratic Party of Japan …. Original source : Embattled Japanese premier reshuffles cabinet.
Hizb chief ready to respond to ’sincere’ talks offer
JAMMU – Syed Salahuddin, the Pakistan-based leader of the Hizbul Mujahideen, has voiced his willingness to talk to New Delhi if a “sincere offer” is made by the Indian government, a local newspaper said Friday.
“If the government of India accepts Kashmir as a core issue and comes out with a sincere offer for talks …. Read the original article : Hizb chief ready to respond to ’sincere’ talks offer.
Letter from the President regarding Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d))
Release Time:
For Immediate Release
TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
January 13, 2011
Remarks by Vice President Biden to the U.S. Forces-Iraq Troops
Release Time:
For Immediate Release
Location:
Al-Faw Palace, Camp Victory … Read more »».
Mamata buckles under anti-land acquisition stir, cancels Sankarail project
SINGUR/BORAI – In an irony of sorts, Railway Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee Thursday announced shifting of a proposed railway coach factory from Sankrail in Howrah district following vehement anti-land acquisition protests.
Announcing shifting of the project at a function in Borai of Hooghly district, Banerjee said: “I will not forcibly set up …. Original source : Mamata buckles under anti-land acquisition stir, cancels Sankarail project.
Press Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 1/13/2011
Release Time:
For Immediate Release
Location:
James S. Brady Press …. Original source : Press Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 1/13/2011.
Omar again asks BJP to abandon Kashmir yatra
SRINAGAR – Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Thursday again asked the Bharatiya Janata Party to halt its Kashmir yatra intended to culminate in hoisting the national flag at Lal Chowk, the historic city centre here, on Republic Day Jan 26.
Addressing a public meeting in the Zainakadal area in the old city, he …. Original article : Omar again asks BJP to abandon Kashmir yatra.
Obama to meet Zardari on sidelines of Holbrooke funeral
WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama will Friday privately meet with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, who is visiting America for the funeral of former US ambassador Richard Holbrooke.
Obama will welcome Zardari to the White House, spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters Thursday.
The leaders planned to discuss efforts to combat terrorism and build [..] Read the original article: here.
India protests Chinese stapled visas; Beijing refuses to budge (Second Lead)
NEW DELHI – India Thursday strongly protested against Chinese stapled visas for residents of Arunachal Pradesh saying it was unacceptable. Beijing, however, refused to budge from its position.
“Stapled Chinese visas are unacceptable to India. It has been conveyed to China. We will not accept it,” Defence Minister A.K. Antony told reporters here.
On Tuesday, … Read more »».
Congress refuses comment on criticism of Sibal
NEW DELHI – The Congress Thursday refused to comment on criticism of Communications Minister Kapil Sibal by the government auditor and by Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Murli Manohar Joshi.
A constitutional body is looking into the (Sibal’s) remarks. All stands are there. No doubt that an appropriate body will look into it, Congress spokesman …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Congress refuses comment on criticism of Sibal.
Stapled visas not acceptable, India tells China
NEW DELHI – Strongly reacting to China issuing stapled visas to Indian citizens from Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh, New Delhi said Thursday it will not agree to such actions and had conveyed its protest to Beijing.
Stapled Chinese visas are unacceptable to India. It has been conveyed to China. We will not accept … Original source on Gaea Times at : Stapled visas not acceptable, India tells China.
Krishna to go to Australia, uranium sale, FTA on agenda
NEW DELHI – India will press Australia to review its ban on the sale of uranium to New Delhi and discuss the contours of a free trade area (FTA) pact when External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna goes to Melbourne on a two-day visit next week.
Krishna is expected to leave for Melbourne Jan 18, official …. Original source : Krishna to go to Australia, uranium sale, FTA on agenda.
BJP, Shiv Sena predict fall of UPA soon
MUMBAI – The Bharatiya Janata Party and the Shiv Sena here Thursday said the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) would collapse soon as its 100 sins are over.
This government will collapse any time now… its 100 sins are over, former Lok Sabha speaker Manohar Joshi, a senior Shiv Sena leader, told reporters referring to … Read more >>.
PM’s panel disagrees with NAC on food security law
NEW DELHI – Taking a reality check, a prime ministerial panel Thursday disagreed with the Sonia Gandhi-headed National Advisory Council’s ambitious plans on food security, saying it would be difficult to legally entitle 75 percent of India’s population to subsidised foodgrain.
Unveiling its report, the the prime minister’s expert committee …. Source : PM’s panel disagrees with NAC on food security law.