Top World News Stories of 23rd October 2008

Daily news summary

Hindraf banned for promoting extremism: Malaysian Home Minister
Malaysian Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar has said that the Hindu Rights Action Front (Hindraf) has been banned "for promoting extremism" and not for promoting "Hindu rights or Indian rights." The Minister said that in some of the speeches Hindraf leaders have said 'our enemies are the Malays, the Muslims'. Five Hindraf leaders and rally organisers been arrested and are serving 2 year jail terms under the stringent Internal Security Act .The government has disregarded appeals for their release. Malaysian government also alleges Hindraf of having terror links, especially with Sri Lanka's LTTE.

Malaysian stranded in India for 31 years hopes to return home now
Malaysian Indian C.K. Ravindran, who was stranded in India for the past 31 years, breathed a sigh of relief after Malaysian officials confirmed his citizenship. He is now hopeful of returning home. He said, “The Malaysian authorities are free to investigate whether I applied for any citizenship documents in India. I have no problems living in India without proper identification. The only setback is that I have to switch jobs many times." Malaysian Foreign Ministry consular division head Aiyuaf Bauchi said, We will look into documents that Ravindran surrendered to the consulate in Chennai. After this his eligibility for a Malaysian document would be decided within a week.” Ravindran forms part of the 2.6 million ethnic Indian community, a bulk of it from Tamil Nadu, that moved to Malaysia during the British era. It forms roughly 8 percent of Malaysia's 28 million population.

Stronger relationship with India is my top priority: Obama
A stronger relationship with India and a close strategic partnership will be a "top priority" for Barack Obama administration, says the Democratic presidential candidate. Senator Obama said,"US should be working with India on a range of critical issues from preventing terrorism to promoting peace and stability in Asia." Obama elaborated on a wide range of issues, from comprehensive immigration reforms and making globalisation and trade work for American workers, to seeking the active participation of the Indian American community in the process of change. The Obama administration, he said, would strive to strengthen ties with Indian American community. He asserted the Democratic nomination was running on the manifesto of "inclusiveness, optimism and hope" that will translate into a "progressive presidency".

France entices Indian tourists
France is launching two new tourism campaigns specifically for Indian holiday crowd. The campaigns are "France with Family" for families and "Romantic France" for honeymooners, couples with double income and no kids. It will be launched in November. The country showcased its tourism potential in the "French Connection 2008", a two-day promotional road show Oct 22-23 to lure more tourists from India. The country has opened "relatively inexpensive" bread and breakfast chateaux which are mostly old homes converted into overnight resorts - for Indian tourists, who holiday in Europe every year. It is estimated that nearly 200,000 Indians visited France as tourists in 2007 and 180,000 the year before.

It’s Diwali in White House tomorrow
The White House will celebrate the festival of lights Diwali coming Friday on October 24. This celebration is the continuation of legacy by the current US President, George W Bush, who had approved Indian American's demand of Diwali celebration at White House five years ago. Like past four years, this year also Diwali is expected to be without Bush. However, a senior member of Bush administration is expected to light the traditional diya and address the Indian American community. The US President insists that a tradition established by him should be continued. Eminent members of the Indian American community are expected to attend the celebration which will be held at the Indian Treaty Room of the Eisenhower Executive Building, an extension of the White House Oval Office.

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