-The Hindu By allowing futures trade in food and diversion of farm land for commercial purposes, the UPA government is fuelling the price rise International agencies are warning of high food prices on a global scale in 2013 if urgent action is not taken. But our government shows little concern. The President’s address to Parliament had only a cursory mention of inflation. “Inflation is easing gradually, but is still a problem,” he...

-The Times of India Three Rajiv Gandhi assassinshave opposed the execution of the death sentence awarded to them by pointing to the 12 year-lag between the Supreme Court's confirmation of the high court's order to send them to the gallows and the rejection of the mercy petition by President. Behind this argument, it turns out, is a well-organized campaign by LTTE cadres, sympathizers and human rights groups opposed to death penalty...

-Outlook Brussels: The European Union has expressed regret over the hanging of the Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and asked India to put a moratorium on executions. EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said it was with "regret" that she learned of the execution of Afzal Guru last Saturday. While recognising that "terrible murders" were committed in the attack and aware of the sufferings of the victims and their families, the EU "reiterates...

-The Hindustan Times The European Union on Friday staunchly defended its decision to re-engage with Narendra Modi a day after it emerged that the Gujarat chief minister had a quiet lunch with the ambassadors of the member countries here early this year, ending a decade-old boycott.   The January 7 lunch is likely to be seen as a major boost for Modi, who after his third successive win in the western state, is...

-Outlook At a time when Narendra Modi is reaching out to cross-section of people nationally and internationally, the European Union today stressed on the "accountability" for the 2002 Gujarat riots, maintaining that the matter was of "interest" to everyone. It also said the issue of 2002 riots figured in its meeting with Modi, who had met the EU delegation last month after victory in the Gujarat assembly polls. "Modi came to (have) lunch...