Political News – Newsletter for January 16, 2011

JD-S corporator shot dead in Bangalore

BANGALORE – Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) Bangalore city corporator Divan Ali was shot dead Sunday morning in a busy south Bangalore area, police said.

Ali, who had several criminal cases against him, was fired upon at Yarabnagar in Banashankari area which he represented in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (Greater Bangalore City Corporation), a spokesperson of … Read : JD-S corporator shot dead in Bangalore.

Pakistan PM reshuffles top officials

ISLAMABAD – In a major reshuffle in Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s secretariat, Khushnood Ali Lashari has been appointed the new principal secretary to the prime minister.

Lashari, who was posted in the Establishment Division, has replaced Nargis Sethi, who has been shifted to Cabinet Division. Sethi would also hold additional charge of health …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Can’t India prevent attacks on fishermen, asks Jayalalithaa

CHENNAI – Opposition AIADMK chief J. Jayalalithaa Sunday said the central government was not doing enough to stop attacks on Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, as incidents were continuing even after last week’s killing.

“Even before calming down of the situation after the killing of a fisherman (Jan 12), the Sri Lankan Navy … Original source on Gaea Times at : Can’t India prevent attacks on fishermen, asks Jayalalithaa.

Australia can discuss uranium sale issue: High Commissioner (Interview)

CHANDIGARH – Australia was willing to discuss the issue of uranium sale if India brought it up during External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna’s visit to that country next week, Australian High Commissioner to India Peter N. Varghese has said.

While maintaining that there is no change at present in Australia’s position on not allowing uranium … Read more >>>.

BJP demands rollback of petrol price hike

NEW DELHI – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has slammed the Central Government for its decision to raise petrol prices and demanded an immediate rollback.

Talking to reporters here, BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said: “This hike is totally unjustified. This is nothing but loot of the common man by the government.”

“A product which costs … Read more »».

NDA to hold anti-corruption rally in Mumbai

MUMBAI – National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders led by senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader LK Advani will hold an anti-corruption rally here today

The “Bhrashtachar Virodhi Mahasangram” rally will be addressed by top NDA leaders.
Besides Advani, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, Party President BJP Nitin Gadkari, Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : NDA to hold anti-corruption rally in Mumbai.

Kashmir government to deal with BJP’s flag hoisting plans

JAMMU – The Jammu and Kashmir government will have to deal with Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) plans to hoist the tricolour at Srinagar’s Lal Chowk Jan 26 and its consequences on its own though the central government has promised to help in whatever way possible.

The central government, according to official sources, has told the …. Read the original article  : Kashmir government to deal with BJP’s flag hoisting plans.

Cherie Blair wore pendant to ‘ward off evil spirits, cope with life at No 10???

LONDON – Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair’s wife Cherie wore a pendant to ‘ward off evil spirits’ because she needed to be ’slightly mad’ to deal with life at No 10.

In the latest installment of diaries by Blair’s former spin chief Alastair Campbell, the first two years of Blair’s premiership have been covered, reports … Read more >>.

Gunfire in Tunisian capital after interim president sworn in

TUNIS/PARIS – Gunfire erupted in the Tunisian capital Tunis just hours after Foued Mbazaa was sworn in as interim president.

Tunisian journalists said it sounded like the army was moving against the presidential guard of longtime leader Zine el-Abidine ben Ali, who fled the country Friday to Saudi Arabia.
Mbazaa, the former speaker of parliament, …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Gunfire in Tunisian capital after interim president sworn in.

Nepal president asks warring parties to form government by Friday

KATHMANDU – With Nepal entering a new stage in its critical peace process Sunday after the exit of the UN, President Ram Baran Yadav has asked the warring political parties to form a new government by Friday.

“All the political parties represented in the Constituent Assembly are being asked to form a national, consensus government … Read more : Nepal president asks warring parties to form government by Friday.

Hundreds stranded at Tunis airport due to curfew

TUNIS – Hundreds of passengers were stranded late Saturday at the airport in Tunis, blocked from exit by a night-time curfew in a capital city full of unrest after the ouster of long-time president Zine el-Abidine ben Ali.

“The situation is very tense, no one may leave the airport,” a soldier said.
Restaurants ran out …. Original article  : Hundreds stranded at Tunis airport due to curfew.

Russia wants officials to be fluent in English

LONDON – Russia wants all its newly-recruited bureaucrats to be English-speaking people from the next year and is taking measures to have at least one-fifth of its federal officials knowing a foreign language by 2020, a media report here said.

The Russian government is moving to address linguistic shortcomings by multiplying the number of polyglot …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Russia wants officials to be fluent in English.

Dikshit discusses development with legislators

NEW DELHI – Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit Saturday interacted with legislators from all constituencies in the capital on developmental issues.

There was a consensus in the meeting to rename slum colonies. A number of legislators demanded reorganization of ration circles. Some legislators demanded extension of Metro routes.
Dikshit appreciated that the legislators gave …. Source article  : Dikshit discusses development with legislators.

Seoul, Tokyo urge Pyongyang for denuclearisation

SEOUL – South Korea and Japan urged North Korea Saturday to take “specific action” to improve the climate to enable the resumption of six-party talks over the north’s nuclear programme.

The call was made as South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung Hwan met his visiting Japanese counterpart, Seiji Maehara in Seoul during the Tokyo minister’s …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

PM, President laud army for dealing with challenges

NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, and President Pratibha Devisingh Patil have lauded the efforts of the army in dealing with the challenges posed to the safety and security of the nation.

Extending his best wishes to the Army, Dr. Singh said the force had distinguished itself by its exceptional performance in the … Read more >>.

Mirchpur violence: Jat conclave demands fresh CBI probe

JIND – Tension prevailed here Saturday as tens of hundreds of members of the Jat Mahapanchayat, a congregation of leaders from over 42 khap (clan) panchayats, threatened to block roads and railway crossings demanding a fresh CBI probe into the Mirchpur violence.

According to police, the protestors squatting near Jind railway station at Delhi-Ferozepur rail … Read more »»».

Mayawati’s birthday celebrated in Agra

AGRA – Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati’s 55th birthday was celebrated in grand style here Saturday with 1,400 beneficiaries of various government schemes being felicitated at a programme at the historic Ram Lila ground.

Of the 1,400, more than 50 percent were from the scheduled castes, Chief Development Officer Raj Srivastav said.
A number …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Mayawati’s birthday celebrated in Agra.

PM condoles death of CPI leader’s mother

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday condoled the death of the mother of veteran Communist Party of India leader D. Raja.

“I was pained to hear of the passing away of your mother. Please accept my heartfelt condolences to you and convey the same to your family. May the Almighty give you the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : PM condoles death of CPI leader’s mother.

Delhi MPs to meet Lt Governor on house tax issue

NEW DELHI – A delegation of MPs from Delhi will meet Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna Monday to protest the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s (MCD) proposal to collect house tax from residents of unauthorised colonies.

The delegation led by Northeast Delhi MP J.P. Agarwal will meet Khanna at 3 p.m. at the …. Read the original article  : Delhi MPs to meet Lt Governor on house tax issue.

Samantha Cameron is breath of fresh air for British Fashion Council

LONDON – Welsh fashion designer Julien MacDonald has said that UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s wife Samantha Cameron is a breath of fresh air for the British Fashion Council.

Samantha, 39, has been an unpaid ambassador for the British fashion industry for only four months, but she is already making heads turn.

“The British Fashion Council has …. Original source  : Samantha Cameron is breath of fresh air for British Fashion Council.