President Barack Obama has entrusted a young Indian American doctor with the task of leading the US Government's foreign aid agency, which is the central component of the President's plan to repair America's image overseas.

Dr Rajiv Shah, 36, the son of Indian immigrants, was nominated administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on Tuesday. Noting that the USAID's mission is to advance America’s interests by strengthening its relationships abroad, Obama said, "Rajiv brings fresh ideas and the dedication and impressive background necessary to help guide USAID as it works to achieve this important goal." The White House sent Shah's nomination to the Senate, where the doctor is expected to easily win confirmation. If confirmed, Shah will become one of the top serving Indian Americans in the Obama administration.

Obama, whose emphasis on "soft power" only served to highlight the leadership vacuum in an organisation key to such a strategy, had been under fire for not naming a USAID administrator 10 months into his term. In a letter to Obama on September 18, Senators John Kerry and Richard Lugar urged the President to "expeditiously" fill the vacancy at USAID.

"We recommend that you give strong consideration to selecting a candidate that has already gone through the vetting process and that has experience in global development. We believe that time is of the essence, and that the longer we wait for a new leader for the Agency, the more serious the problems become," they wrote. The agency has been led until now by Acting Administrator Alonzo Fulgham.

As part of his "smart power" strategy, which calls for equal roles for diplomacy and development along with defence, Obama hopes to double the amount of foreign aid given by the US. Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan are major beneficiaries of such aid. Since 2002, when the US government re-opened the USAID mission in Islamabad, the agency has given Pakistan more than $3.4 billion for development programmes.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton described Shah as "a leader in the development community, an innovative and results-oriented manager, and someone who understands the importance of providing people around the world with the tools they need to lift themselves out of poverty and chart their own destinies." The White House has adopted a strict vetting process for its nominees, which Clinton has described in the past as "frustrating beyond words." The administration's high bar for nominees prompted many candidates for the USAID job to take their names out of consideration. By nominating Shah, Clinton said, "Obama has reaffirmed that development must be a core pillar of American foreign policy."

Shah has led and worked on many initiatives including the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation, the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria, the Alliance for a Green Revolution for Africa, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Shah currently serves as under secretary for research, education and economics and chief scientist at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). He manages the Agricultural Research Service, the Economic Research Service, the National Agricultural Statistical Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

In this role he is responsible for managing more than 10,000 staff worldwide including 2,200 federal scientists and a budget of more than $2.6 billion. He also leads USDA's participation in Obama’s global food security initiative.

Shah works closely with Congress, the State Department, the White House, and the international development community on issues ranging from health and nutrition to bioenergy and climate change. "If confirmed, Raj will bring an impressive record of accomplishment and a deep understanding of what works in development to his role as USAID administrator. I look forward to working closely with him to advance the President’s agenda and to elevate and integrate development in our foreign policy," Clinton said.

Washington, November 11
A Chicago court has given 60 days deadline to the FBI to complete its investigations and file an indictment into the foiled terror plot in India and Denmark by Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist group. Chief Judge James F Holderman has extended till January 1, 2010, the date of filing indictment for US national David Coleman Headley, arrested along with Canadian citizen of Pakistani-origin Tahawwur Hussain Rana by the FBI on charges of plotting terror attacks in India at the behest of the LeT.

“This court finds that the ends of justice served by extension weigh the best interest of the public and the defendant in a speedy trial because the failure to grant such an extension would deny the government the reasonable time necessary for effective preparation of the evidence for presentation to the Grand Jury, taking into account the exercise of due diligence,” Judge Holderman said in his order.

Earlier, the FBI requested the court to give it more time to complete the investigation and file the indictment arguing that on October 18, federal agents executed four search warrants at four separate locations, and among other items of evidence, seized a number of computers. The FBI agents are “diligently examining the evidence,” the agency told the court.

“Additionally, further investigations regarding the full scope of the two defendant's activity is ongoing and includes gaining assistance from the foreign authorities,” the FBI said, without indicating which these intelligence agencies are.

The officials familiar with the probe, however, said a team of the Indian intelligence officials last week visited Washington and had a series of meetings with the FBI counterparts during which the US intelligence officials shared their investigation and interrogation details with them.

The FBI said it needed more time to complete its probe given the nature of investigation.

Headley, 49, according to the FBI chargesheet, was being used by the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) to target among others the National Defence College in New Delhi. — PTI

Fort Hood (US), November 11
United States President Barack Obama led a poignant memorial service for victims of the Fort Hood army base attack, saying “no faith” could justify the “murderous and craven” shootings.

As questions mounted over the accused gunman's links to militant Islam, Obama consoled grieving relatives before addressing some 15,000 soldiers and their families under a bright Texas sky.

“It may be hard to comprehend the twisted logic that led to the tragedy. But no faith justifies such murderous and craven acts; no just and loving God looks upon them with favour. And for what he has done, we know that the killer will be met with justice, in this world, and the next,” Obama said paying tribute to the 12 servicemen and one civilian killed in last week's atrocity— AFP 

United Nations, November 11
The UN General Assembly has declared July 18 “Nelson Mandela International Day” to mark the South African anti-apartheid leader's contribution to peace.

A resolution adopted by consensus by the 192-member world body calls for commemorations every year starting in 2010 on July 18 Mandela's birthday to recognise the Nobel Peace Prize laureate's contribution to resolving conflicts and promoting race relations, human rights and reconciliation.

By adopting the resolution, General Assembly President Ali Treki said the international community was expressing its appreciation for “a great man” who suffered for the sake of people everywhere.

Mandela led the fight against apartheid in South Africa as head of the African National Congress' armed wing.

He was convicted of sabotage and other crimes and served 27 years in prison. When freed in 1990, he helped lead South Africa's transition toward democracy. — AP