Political News – Newsletter for January 21, 2011

No true Hindu can become a terrorist : BJP leader

RAIPUR – A senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) functionary alleges that a corruption-mired Congress-led UPA government is making a deliberate attempt to involve Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) members in the name of “Hindu terror” to divert people’s attention from its inefficiency and failures. He says no one with basic belief in Hinduism can … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : No true Hindu can become a terrorist : BJP leader.

Poll panel ready for elections in five states, says member

HYDERABAD – The Election Commission of India is prepared to conduct the upcoming assembly elections in five states, Election Commissioner V.S. Sampath said Friday.

“We are in a state of prepardness,” the central Election Commision member told reporters on the sidelines of the conference of election commissioners from South Asia.
“We require minimum logistics and … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Poll panel ready for elections in five states, says member.

National Conference accuses BJP of arousing communal passions

JAMMU – The ruling National Conference Friday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was trying to arouse communal passions in Jammu and Kashmir and the decision to disallow the BJP activists to hoist the national flag in Srinagar on the Republic Day was the “right decision in the right direction”.

“The BJP is trying to … Read : National Conference accuses BJP of arousing communal passions.

No South Asia reference in US-China joint statement

WASHINGTON – The US has made clear that the absence of a reference to Beijing’s role in South Asia in the latest US-China joint statement did not necessarily reflect a change in policy.

“No. There’s no change in the US policy,” State Department spokesman, Philip J. Crowley told foreign media Thursday when asked if … Original article on : No South Asia reference in US-China joint statement.

Myanmar fills military quota in parliament with 388 appointees

YANGON – Myanmar’s junta has appointed 388 legislators to fill the “military quota” of the three chambers of parliament, which will first convene on January 31, state media reports said Friday.

The junta has appointed 110 military officers for the lower house, 56 for the upper house, and 222 for regional and state …. Source article  : Myanmar fills military quota in parliament with 388 appointees.

Never found anybody to spend my life with, says Condoleezza Rice

WASHINGTON – “I just never found anybody that I was going to spend my life with,” said former US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, who was once considered one of the most eligible women in Washington.

In an interview with Piers Morgan on CNN International Thursday, Rice said: “I’ve always said that I expected …. Read the original article  : Never found anybody to spend my life with, says Condoleezza Rice.

Advani voices support for Ekta Yatra to hoist Tricolour in Lal Chowk

NEW DELHI – Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader L.K. Advani has voiced support for the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha’s (BJYM) plans to hoist the national Tricolour at Lal Chowk in Srinagar on Republic Day, despite demands from various quarters to drop the plan.

Speaking at a reception accorded to the Yatra personnel here, Advani said: “I … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Advani voices support for Ekta Yatra to hoist Tricolour in Lal Chowk.

Labour lawmaker demands Oz Govt explanation on move to seek skilled Indian migrants

MELBOURNE – A Labour Party lawmaker in Australia has sought a clarification from Prime Minister Julia Gillard about an Indian newspaper report that suggested that Canberra is seeking more skilled migrants, especially from India.

Reacting to the report that has appeared in the Economic Times in India, lawmaker Kelvin Thomson said Australia should focus on training … Read : Labour lawmaker demands Oz Govt explanation on move to seek skilled Indian migrants.

Pakistani minister withdraws resignation

ISLAMABAD – Nabeel Gabol, who offered to quit as a minister Wednesday, withdrew his resignation after meeting Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, a media report said Friday.

Gabol was the state minister for shipping. He sent in his resignation and in a dramatic move immediately later 11 guards at his Karachi home were rounded up …. Source  : Pakistani minister withdraws resignation.

Nepal parties seek more time to form government

KATHMANDU – With President Ram Baran Yadav’s deadline to form an all-party government expiring Friday and the squabbling parties failing to reach an agreement, political leaders said they would seek five more days to name a new prime minister.

The three largest parties – the ruling communists, their ally Nepali Congress and the opposition Maoists …. Read the original article  : here.

All eyes on Raj Bhavan as Karnataka awaits storm (Letter from Bangalore)

BANGALORE – Karnataka stares at a political storm in the coming days as Governor H.R. Bhardwaj sits in his sprawling 170-year-old bungalow mulling prosecution of Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa over allegations of nepotism in land allotment.

Bhardwaj, who will turn 74 in May, has been poring over a 1,700-page document containing alleged irregularities in land … Original article on : All eyes on Raj Bhavan as Karnataka awaits storm (Letter from Bangalore).

Keep off Tibet, Taiwan, says Hu as US presses rights issues

WASHINGTON – Chinese President Hu Jintao has sought to assuage concerns about his country’s rising economic and military power but made clear status of Tibet and Taiwan was off limit as US legislators strongly conveyed their concerns over Beijing’s trampling of human rights.

Suggesting that both countries as well as the world can benefit from … Read more »»».

Obama likely to seek re-election: White House

WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama is likely to run for re-election in 2012, a White House spokesman has said.

“I think it is likely that is going to happen,” said Robert Gibbs during a regular briefing Thursday, noting the bid would not be official until Obama filed papers with the Federal Election Commission … Read : Obama likely to seek re-election: White House.

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 1/20/2011

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

Location: 

James S. Brady Press …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

REMARKS BY THE FIRST LADY DURING LET’S MOVE! WALMART ANNOUNCEMENT

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

THEARC
Washington, D.C.
 

9:58 A.M. EST
 
MRS. OBAMA:  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Thank you all.  Thank you so much.  Look, I am so excited to be here …. Source  : REMARKS BY THE FIRST LADY DURING LET’S MOVE! WALMART ANNOUNCEMENT.

First Lady Michelle Obama Announces Collaboration with Walmart in Support of Let’s Move! Campaign

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

First Lady Michelle Obama joined Walmart executives today to help launch the company’s Nutrition Charter, a groundbreaking new initiative that has the potential to … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : First Lady Michelle Obama Announces Collaboration with Walmart in Support of Let’s Move! Campaign.

Yeddyurappa accuses Bhardwaj of bias over plea for prosecution

BANGALORE – Karnataka Chief Minister B.S.Yeddyurappa Thursday accused Governor H.R. Bhardwaj of being biased against him over the plea to sanction prosecution of the chief minister over alleged land scams.

Strongly protesting against Bhardwaj’s remark of ‘ulta chor kotwal ko dante (it is like a thief reprimanding police) earlier Thursday, Yeddyurappa said by such statements … Original source on Gaea Times at : Yeddyurappa accuses Bhardwaj of bias over plea for prosecution.

Congress leadership to finalise changes in AICC

NEW DELHI – After the reshuffle in the council of ministers Wednesday, the Congress leadership is expected to finalise changes in the All India Congress Committee (AICC) lineup, party sources here said.

They said that Congress president Sonia Gandhi was finalising the contours of the changes in the party’s office-bearers, and the process may …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Congress leadership to finalise changes in AICC.

South Korea accepts North’s proposal for military talks

SEOUL – South Korea said Thursday that it would accept a proposal from North Korea to hold high-level military talks, but set conditions.

Seoul’s acceptance came after a suggestion for the meeting from the North earlier Thursday.
The overture followed the rising of tensions on the Korean Peninsula with the sinking of a South Korean …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : South Korea accepts North’s proposal for military talks.

Australia assures India about security of Indian students

MELBOURNE – Australia Thursday reassured India that the safety and security of the Indian community and students will continue to be addressed pro-actively.

“I have also just met with the new premier of Victoria Province, who had made the law and order situation in Melbourne as one of the major issues of his election …. Original source  : Australia assures India about security of Indian students.