China, Premier Wen vow to crackdown on corrupt officials

Beijing, Mar. 29 (ANI): China has said that it will step up efforts to crack major corruption cases, especially those with collusion between leading officials and business people.

The guidelines specify 52 unacceptable practices, including officials accepting cash or financial instruments as gifts, or officials using their influence to benefit their spouses and children with regards to their employment, stock trading or business.

The official Xinhua news agency referred to a full text of a speech delivered by Premier Wen Jiabao, as saying on Sunday at a State Council meeting that efforts should be made to investigate those who trade power for money, and those who take advantage of power to do illegal things in areas including urban planning, approving construction programs, mineral resources exploration and bidding and tendering.

Negligence and misconduct behind major work safety incidents and food safety scandals would also be probed.

In his speech, Wen outlined key areas of the government”s anti-corruption fight this year, including government funded projects, state-owned enterprises and financial institutions.

He also called for intensified efforts to trace the fugitives and their illicit money and property, and vowed “not to let those who commit corruption to go unpunished or get a penny out of their illicit gain.”

He said leaders of the State Council or central government departments should refrain from attending ceremonies or forums sponsored by companies.

Expenses on central government organs would be cut by 5 percent this year and government funded overseas trips, vehicle purchase, and reception expenditure should be reduced consequently, he said. (ANI)

‘Dirty tricks’ on drinks bill: Foley

Treasurer Kevin Foley has accused the Liberals of dirty tricks just two days out from the South Australian election.

Mr Foley has been forced to defend taxpayer-funded expenses on overseas trips, in particular a visit to New York two years ago.

He said on Wednesday that a drinks bill at a New York bar was charged partly to taxpayers because he was buying his staff drinks after hard day’s work.

But the Liberals say the itinerary shows there was no official business that day.

The Treasurer insists all his expenses have been properly documented.

“It’s just a grubby attempt before the election for the Liberal Party to attempt to cause embarrassment to me and it just doesn’t warrant further comment,” he said.

Liberal finance spokesman Rob Lucas says Mr Foley clearly got it wrong.

“When Kevin Foley says that it’s a dirty trick and that it doesn’t warrant further comment, it’s a pretty fair indication that the Treasurer’s been caught out,” he said.

Mayawati slams Congress party’s austerity drive

Lucknow, Sep 18 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has ridiculed Congress party’s austerity drive, terming it as a ploy to steer attention away from the steep price rise.

Addressing a mass rally here on Thursday, Mayawati hit out at the Congress party, calling its austerity drive “a drama.”

“Because of the wrong doings by the Congress government at the centre, the prices are rising due to which poor people across the country are suffering. And now to cover up its weaknesses, they have cut down on its travelling expenses by flying economy class and travelling by train. All this is just a drama,” Mayawati said.

“With a drought looming and elections in some states approaching, the Congress-led government has embarked on a much-publicised austerity drive,” she added.

In a country where the hierarchy of politicians is determined by the size of their bungalows and their convoys, Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi has asked party leaders to give up a fifth of their salaries for drought-relief work, and she flew economy class on a commercial flight to Mumbai to launch the poll campaign.

The finance ministry has appealed for fewer overseas trips with smaller entourages, and a ban on conferences in luxury hotels.

Bharatiya Janata Party and other political parties have criticised the austerity measures in view of the economic downturn and drought-like situation prevailing in the country as a case of ‘tokenism’. (ANI)

When Obama travels, White House travels with him

London, March 29 (ANI): While U.S. President Barack Obama is gearing up for his first official overseas trips, it seems that the entire White House staff are preparing to fly with him.

Obama is all set to meet the Queen before joining 19 world leaders at the G20 summit on Thursday in London’s Docklands. He and First Lady Michelle will later fly to France, Germany and the Czech Republic.

Accompanying them on these trips will be at least 500 officials, the back-up staff, and high-tech gadgetry.

Those flying with the President will include 200 or so Secret Service personnel.

Besides, there will be the Service’s Counter-Assault Team, the White House Military Office, the White House Transportation Agency, the White House Medical Unit, the Marine Corps Helicopter Squadron, the State Department Presidential Travel Support Service, the US Information Agency, the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the Customs Service.

Even the chefs and ancillary staff who prepare the presidential nosh will also fly with Obama.

First Lady Michelle will be assisted by eight staff, including a secretary, press officer and her personal bodyguards.

“America is still the sole superpower. And the President must have the ability to handle any crisis, anywhere, anytime. When the President travels, the White House travels with him, right down to the car he drives, the water he drinks, the gasoline he uses, the food he eats,” the Mirror quoted an official as saying, while justifying this vast production.

Also flying with Obama will be Reggie Love, whom the President describes as “the kid brother I never had”.

The 27-year-old personal aide works out with Obama at the start of the day, and they often unwind at the end of the day by watching TV sports.

Love is also on hand if Obama needs pens, Nicorette gum, toothbrushes, breath freshners, throat lozenges, water, tea and aspirins. (ANI)

Prince Charles’ official gifts range from jewellery to sand

London, January 15 (ANI): Prince Charles and wife Camilla have compiled a list of more than 250 gifts, ranging from jewellery to sand, presented to them during their official overseas trips last year.

Clarence House revealed that the royal couple presents from Trinidad and Tobago in March included a plastic seat cover, a key ring, three ties, a pot of organic honey, numerous paintings, an alarm clock, and two sarongs.

While travelling St Lucia and Montserrat, the pair accepted a framed painting, a bottle of rum, a box of Montserrat volcanic ash, and black sand, along with bookmarks, five books and a cocoa stick, reports the Sun.
The Sultan, in Brunei, marked friend Charles’ 60th birthday with a remarkable gold watch while Camilla added a necklace and earrings to her list.

Other gifts included an ever-sharp pencil, a bag of his apples, two packets of a herbal brew, folded paper, an incense burner, a sachet of health drink, a model turtle and more books. (ANI)