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Showing posts from June 3, 2012
Who Will Be India's Next President? 9 June 2012:Congress President Sonia Gandhi, is authorised by the party's Working Committee to pick the candidate, is likely to make the announcement around mid June just a couple of days after the expected poll notification by the Election Commission. Significantly, Sonia's Political Advisor Ahmed Patel  meeting with Mukherjee at his North Block office  is seen as big event for occasion.Congress sounded bell for the support of key allies like DMK, NCP, RLD, give government outside supporters like Samajwadi Party.Rashtriya Lok Dal  chief with charge of  Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh on Wednesday described  Mukherjee as a "qualified" candidate for the post of President but said his views on others were equally positive. "The Finance Minister is qualified for President. My views are positive on him, but my views are positive on others as well", Singh said.BSP, another outside supporter, a

Israeli tourism boycott of Turkey

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan defied recent Israeli threat on tourism boycott of Turkey, local newspaper Hurriyet Daily News reported on Friday."We don't need Israeli tourists," the Turkish prime minister was quoted as saying, adding that Israel's tourism boycott will not affect Turkey, as tourists to Turkey had already touched total of 31 million in 2011. Israeli state officials were reportedly warning since mid March citizens not to travel to Turkey. Israeli daily Maariv, Erdogan noted that a possible tourism boycott will not have any effect on the Turkish economy. Erdogan said Israel needs to apologize for the commando raid that killed nine Turkish activists on the Mavi Marmara in 2010, pay compensation to their families and remove the blockade against Gaza in order to improve bilateral relations with Turkey.Relations between former allies Israel and Turkey soured after Israeli marines boarded a Gaza-bound Turkish vessel in May 2010, whi
Slovenia will close its embassies in Sweden, Finland, Portugal and Ireland in autumn Slovenia will close its embassies in Sweden, Finland, Portugal and Ireland in autumn, the foreign ministry announced on Friday.The embassies in Stockholm and Lisbon will close on Sept. 15 and those in Helsinki and Dublin will close on Oct. 15 and Oct. 31 respectively, the ministry said.  Slovenia will also close its general consulates in Dusseldorf, Germany, and New York, the United States, the ministry said, noting that it is harsh economic situation in the country that has made the government to take such decisions. Slovenian Foreign Minster Karl Erjavec told reporters on Thursday that the decision to close four embassies and two consulates was made "to reorganize the diplomatic network" rather than simply saving money. Slovenia, member state of the EU and the NATO, will build closer relations in other parts of the world, especially in Africa, the Middle East,
Hollande:Palestinian and Israeli peace process on cards By sagarmedia on June 8, 2012 | French President Francois Hollande on Friday said he is hopeful to revive the deadlock Israeli-Palestinian peace process, affirming a continuity with his predecessor’s diplomacy in the Middle East. “We seek to be helpful, that’s the position of France. Be useful to ensure that we can give security, to the ones and to the others,” Hollande said at a joint press conference with the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.”We have good relations with the Israelis and the Palestinian Authority, which allows us to pass a number of messages and facilitate the resumption of dialogue,” added the president in his first remarks over the Middle East peace issue since his taking office a month ago.Hollande, who has received Abbas at the Elysee Palace on Friday afternoon, expressed his wish to visit Israel and the Palestinian territories without giving an accurate date.The F

Myanmar issues curfew order in western state regions

Myanmar issues curfew order in western state regions sagarmedia ♦ June 9, 2012 ♦ Leave a Comment  YANGON,  Myanmar Rakhine state’s township governments Friday night issued a dusk-to-dawn curfew orders in unrest-affected regions of Maungtaw and Buthidaung to quell a series of violence taking place since afternoon, an urgent breaking news of the state radio and television said in a night broadcast.Curfew order, banning the gathering of more than five persons, is effective from 6 p.m. (local time) to 6 a.m. for an indefinite period.Since early afternoon, the mob set fire to residential houses of local Rakhinese in Maungtaw, stabbing people in groups and looting properties, the news report said. According to local sources, at least four people were killed in the violence.The outbreak of the unrest came shortly after some bloody incidents occurred in the state over the past several days, in which three Bengali-Muslims were accused of raping and
Vuk Jeremic elected president of the 67th Session of the UNGA Vuk Jeremic elected president of the 67th Session of the UN General Assembly here on Friday. Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic won the backing of 99 of the 185 Assembly members in a secret ballot, ahead of Dalius Cekuolis, the permanent representative of the Republic of Lithuania to the UN. Jeremic to assume office at the start of the 67th Session in September. "I pledge to fulfill my duties as president to the very best of my ability in order to try and justify the confidence you have bestowed upon me," Jeremic said after his election. The post rotates each year between five UN regional groups, with the 67th session being the turn of the Eastern European Group.Jeremic will succeed Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser of Qatar, who was elected last year after endorsement by the Asian Group.Jeremic has held the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia since May 15, 2007.
Capital injection dire need for Eurozone US President Barack Obama has urged European leaders to inject capital into weak banks. He asked them to act quickly to resolve the region's financial problems.Obama held a news conference at the White House on Friday. He said European leaders must make difficult decisions but there are solutions available. Referring to the US government's capital injections into banks in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, Obama said eurozone nations need to make similar efforts to restore public and market trust.Obama said that a recession in Europe could push down US exports. He said he would take measures to strengthen the US economy against shocks from Europe.Obama again called for the opposition Republican Party to back economic stimulus measures, including legislation supporting small and medium-sized companies. European Commission spokesman said Friday that the euro area has instruments "ready t
Putin signs anti-protest law fine upto 300,000 roubles Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a bill on Friday that will significantly increase fines for people taking part in protests that violate public order.The fines will leap from 1,000 roubles to 300,000 roubles, or about 9,100 dollars, an average annual salary. The organizers of rallies could be fined up to 1 million roubles. Opposition leaders question this enactment of  law and say Putin rushed the law through so it would be in place before a demonstration against his rule, planned for next Tuesday.

Clinton, Annan talks 'Syrian Political transition'

U.S. State Secretary Hillary Clinton and UN and Arab League special envoy Kofi Annan on Friday discussed a political transition strategy in Syria, the State Department said. “The greatest amount of time, the general focus of the  was on crafting a unified political transition strategy and the importance of gathering international unity behind a plan that can gain traction in Syria,” U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said. “We have been strongly working with, encouraging the Russians to work with us on a common political strategy,” she told journalists. Nearly  9,000 people have been killed in clashes between the government and opposition forces in Syria since the start of the uprising against the Bashar al-Assad regime, according to UN estimates. Nuland’s statement comes after two massacres in Syria’s Houla and Hama in late May and early June that killed dozens, including women and children. Russia has said the murders in both regions were a “provocation
Teheran has no intentions of developing nuclear weapons Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad has said that Teheran has no intentions of developing nuclear weapons. However if it decided to make them ,it won’t be deterred .The comments made during his meeting with the Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Thursday in China were posted on his website . Experts say it suggest a hardening of Iran's stand ahead of the talks with six major world powers over its nuclear program on June 18-19 in Moscow. The five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany want Iran to shut down its highest level uranium enrichment facilities. The U.S. and its allies suspect Iran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons. Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes like power generation and cancer treatment.
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Japan PM renews plea for nuclear restart Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda on Friday renewed his call for the re-firing of idle nuclear reactors, saying Japan could not do without atomic energy, but stopped short of ordering a restart. Noda called on local authorities to allow operations to resume at the Oi nuclear plant in western Japan and pledged safety would remain a priority. "Units number 3 and 4 should restart to support people's lives, that's my decision," Noda told a news conference."Therefore I want to seek the understanding of local governments.""Nuclear generation is an important power source (and) energy security is one of thentry's most cou important issues." Japan's political classes have been tip-toeing around the unpopular

BJP removes Sanjay Joshi from party

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With skirmishes continuing with bete noire Sanjay Joshi despite forcing him out of BJP national executive, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Friday prevailed over party top brass to show him the door. "Sanjay Joshi has requested BJP President Nitin Gadkari to relieve him from the party and his request has been accepted by the party president," BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar told reporters. Asked what prompted this sudden decision, the spokesperson was evasive and only reiterated the statement. "It is very clear that Joshi requested that he should be relieved from the party and the party president has accepted it. This is so clear in itself and you also understand this," he said. However, sources close to Joshi insisted

Petroleum Minister Jaipal Reddy Presents Petrofed Awards 2011

The annual PetroFed Oil & Gas Industry Awards for 2011 for excellence in performance in various categories were presented by the Union Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas, Shri S. Jaipal Reddy here today. The awards for performance during fiscal 2010-11 were in 11 categories. Shri Reddy congratulated the eight companies in the public and private sector and the individuals who received the awards and commended the apex hydrocarbon industry association for instituting the awards in 2007 to recognise and nurture talent and excellence in the oil & gas industry operating in India. Petroleum Federation (PetroFed) is an Association representing companies from public & private sector which are operating in Indian oil & gas sector .. Welcoming invitees Chairman, PetroFed and Chairman, Indian Oil Shri R. S. Butola highlighted the need for keeping the spirit of healthy competition alive through such awards. Director General, PetroFed Shri

Team Anna to tour villages ahead of July 25 Anshan

In a run up to the indefinite fast beginning July 25 th , 2012, Team Anna would take an extensive tour of villages ( “Gram Sanvad Yatra” ) in the various districts of Western Uttar Pradesh. The ‘Gram Sanvad Yatra’ will begin from June 18 at Rajghat after paying homage to Mahatma Ghandhi. The plan for the proposed tour was formulated during a meeting of social activists from 12 districts who met in Ghaziabad today.   The yatra would be conducted in 4 phases and will end on July 12. In the first phase — from June 18 to 22 – the yatra would travel to villages in Saharanpur via Bhagpat and Shamli districts. In the second phase, from June 25-29, villages around Meerut, Muzzafarnagar, Bijnor and Roorkee will be covered. In the third phase, from July 2 to 6, the yatra would cover villages in Noida, Bulandshehar and Aligarh. The fourth and last phase of yatra would take place in Ghaziabad, Hapur, JP Nagar and Moradabad from 8-12 July.   Team Anna member Manish Sisodi
SCO restrains military intervention in Syria,Middle East Leaders of China, Russia,along four Central Asian countries say they oppose any military intervention to stop the violence in Syria.The leaders in a a joint statement in Beijing on Thursday at the end of a two-day summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a mutual-security and economic body. Chinese President Hu Jintao and Russian President Vladimir Putin took part, while Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attended as an observer.The joint statement says the Shanghai group is against military interference in the affairs of the Middle East and North Africa. It also rejects any enforced handover of power or unilateral sanctions, and stresses the need to resolve problems with dialogue. In an apparent attempt to counter Israel's threat of a military attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, the statement says the use of force could threaten stability in the region and have

Foreign Tourist Arrivals and Foreign Exchange Earnings in May 2012

Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) during the Month of May, 2012 was 3.72 lakh as compared to FTAs of 3.55 lakh during the month of May, 2011 and 3.32 lakh in May, 2010. There has been a growth of 4.6% in May 2012 over May 2011 as compared to a growth of 3.3% registered in April 2012 over April 2011. FTAs during the period January- May 2012 were 28.05 lakh with a growth of 7.8% as compared to the FTAs of 26.02 lakh with a growth of 11.4% during January- May 2011 over the corresponding period of 2010. Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEE) during the month of May 2012 were Rs. 5562 crore as compared to Rs. 5047 crore in May 2011 and Rs 4358 crore in May 2010. The growth rate in FEE in rupee terms in May 2012 over May 2011 were 10.2% as compared to 15.8.% in May 2011 over May 2010. FEE from tourism in rupee terms during January- May 2012 were 37275 crore with a growth of 25.4% as compared to the FEE of 29723 crore with a growth of 11.6% during January- May 201
Appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner The President has appointed the senior-most Election Commissioner, Shri V.S. Sampath as the Chief Election Commissioner in the Election Commission of India. Shri Sampath will assume the charge of the post of Chief Election Commissioner with effect from 11th June, 2012 consequent upon demitting the Office of the Chief Election Commissioner by Dr. Shahabuddin Yaqoob Quraishi on a attaining the age of sixty-five years on 10th June, 2012. Posted just now by Nksagar
Employment Guarantee Scheme for Urban Areas           The Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation has comprehensively revamped the scheme of Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY) with effect from 2009-2010. The revamped SJSRY scheme is aimed at providing gainful employment to the urban unemployed and under-employed poor, through encouraging the setting up of self employment ventures by the urban poor living below the poverty line, skills training and also through providing wage employment by utilizing their labour for construction of socially and economically useful public assets. As per the Estimates of Poverty released by the Planning Commission, the estimated number of urban people living below poverty line in the year 2004-2005 was 807.96 lakhs. A Statement showing State-wise number of persons below poverty line in urban areas is at Annexure-I . With a view to ameliorate the living conditions of the
Gorshkov Russian Aircraft Carrier :CAG Report Subject: Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) recent Reports of Public Interest were on Adarsh Housing Society, 26/11 attack, CWG & 2G Scam. CAG was established on Nov 16, 1850 - It is HQ at 9, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, New Delhi 110124 Head of CAG off 23235797 Dy CAG off 23234820 PR Dept No is 23234889. Website: www.cag.gov.in - we recommend to all readers of this mail to spend half hour to look at their Reports pertaining to your area of work. 100 to 120 audit reports are put out annually.It covers 64000 Govt Units, has 600 offices & has 48000 employees.   CAG is a 150 year old Watchdog - most findings of theirs too, like those of CVC, CBI, CEC, Judicial & Chief Information Commissions have for TOO LONG been swept under the carpet, convienently made to fade from Public Memory & now with lack of Fiscal discipline, Deficit Financing, Black Money in circulation, we h
  Kunal Bhasin & Manav Jaini finish on top after round three Gurgaon, June 7, 2012: Kunal Bhasin of Australia and Delhi’s Manav Jaini hold the joint lead after round three of the PGTI Players Championship being played at the Golden Greens Golf & Country Club in Gurgaon. The two golfers are tied at the top of the leaderboard with identical totals of 10-under-206. Abhinav Lohan of Faridabad is placed third at nine-under-207. Kunal Bhasin (67-72-67), who was overnight tied sixth, made his move up the leaderboard with birdies on the second and eighth that came as a result of a couple of brilliant approach shots. A misdirected tee-shot led to a double-bogey for Bhasin on the ninth. The 33-year-old Mumbai-based professional then had a fantastic run of five birdies on the back-nine thanks to his superb putting. Kunal sank birdie putts from a range of 18 to 20 feet on the 11 th and 16 th respectively and converted a 10-footer for birdie on the 13 th . Bha
Green Rating of the Indian iron and steel industry. ================================================== Fortnightly News Bulletin (June 6, 2012) ================================================== Messages from CSE: Dear Friends, We are happy to announce the release of the Green Rating of the Indian iron and steel industry. The Green Rating Project (GRP) is a very innovative project from CSE, designed to push industries towards better environmental performance and accountability. GRP is a public disclosure programme in which the environmental performance of companies within an industrial sector is assessed and disclosed to the public. The iron and Steel sector is the fifth industrial sector to be rated by GRP. The Project had previously rated pulp and paper (1999 and 2004), automobile (2001), chlor-Alkali (2002) and cement (2005) sectors. In all these sectors, the ratings have led to significant improvements in environmental performance of com
Green Rating of the Indian iron and steel industry. ================================================== Fortnightly News Bulletin (June 6, 2012) ================================================== Messages from CSE: Dear Friends, We are happy to announce the release of the Green Rating of the Indian iron and steel industry. The Green Rating Project (GRP) is a very innovative project from CSE, designed to push industries towards better environmental performance and accountability. GRP is a public disclosure programme in which the environmental performance of companies within an industrial sector is assessed and disclosed to the public. The iron and Steel sector is the fifth industrial sector to be rated by GRP. The Project had previously rated pulp and paper (1999 and 2004), automobile (2001), chlor-Alkali (2002) and cement (2005) sectors. In all these sectors, the ratings have led to significant improvements in environmental performance of com