Political News – Newsletter for November 12, 2010

Karunanidhi defends IT minister Raja

CHENNAI – Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi Friday came out strongly in defence of his tainted DMK colleague and central minister A. Raja, saying there was no need for him to quit.

“What wrong has he done? He only went by the rules,” Karunanidhi told reporters here amid growing clamour for the communications and [..] Read the original article: here.

Harvard scholar is frontrunner for Tibetan PM-in-exile

DHARAMSALA – Lobsang Sangey, a senior fellow of Harvard Law School, Friday emerged as the frontrunner during the primary poll to nominate candidates for the Kalon Tripa or ‘prime minister’ of the Tibetan government-in-exile here, an official said.

“Sangey got the maximum number of votes in the Oct 3 primary elections for the Kalon Tripa. … Original source on Gaea Times at : Harvard scholar is frontrunner for Tibetan PM-in-exile.

Myanmar deports two Australian journalists

MELBOURNE – Myanmar has deported two Australian journalists who were working in the country on a documentary on independent media in southeast Asia, media reports said Friday.

A report by Australia’s AAP said that despite having long-stay visas, the Australian film crew were arrested and taken to the airport to be deported Thursday night.
The … Original article on : Myanmar deports two Australian journalists.

Rosaiah, other Congress leaders hold anti-RSS protest

HYDERABAD – Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, state Congress chief D. Srinivas, party MPs and other leaders Friday participated in a massive protest here against RSS leader K.S. Sudarshan’s remarks against their party president Sonia Gandhi.

Addressing protesters at Basheerbagh in the heart of the city, Rosaiah said it was an unpardonable crime if …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Rosaiah, other Congress leaders hold anti-RSS protest.

Gadkari used Sudarshan as proxy to attack Sonia: Congress MP

PANAJI – Worried about his name being dragged into Mumbai’s Adarsh society scam, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Gadkari has used former Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief K.S. Sudarshan as a proxy to make distasteful allegations against Sonia Gandhi, a Congress MP said here Friday.

Goa’s lone Rajya Sabha member Shantaram Naik, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Gadkari used Sudarshan as proxy to attack Sonia: Congress MP.

Corruption, instability mark 10 years of Jharkhand

RANCHI – When Jharkhand was carved out of Bihar 10 years ago, there was euphoria that the economically backward region, with a high tribal population, would finally see prosperity. But the state is looking back at a trail of broken promises, political instability and deep-rooted corruption as it completes a decade Nov 15.

Maoist insurgency …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Corruption, instability mark 10 years of Jharkhand.

UN mission to leave Nepal on January 15

KATHMANDU – Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has said the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) will leave Nepal on January 15 as per the agreement.

According to a RSS report, Prime Minister Nepal said this during a courtesy call paid on him by German Ambassador to Nepal, Verena Grafin von Roedern here Thursday.

“I am fully …. Source  : UN mission to leave Nepal on January 15.

UK fears N. Korean attack on Seoul G20 summit

LONDON – British delegates travelling with Prime Minister David Cameron are taking very seriously the potential threat that North Korea might try to wreck the G20 summit of world leaders in Seoul.

The Guardian quoted a diplomat as saying that there has been speculation that the North Koreans will attempt some kind of “disruptive incursion …. Read the original article  : here.

Berlusconi’s exotic dancer account contradicted by magistrates

LONDON – Italian judicial officials have contradicted Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s account of how he intervened to save a Moroccan teenage exotic dancer from a theft allegation.

Italian magistrates also called into question claims made in parliament by Berlusconi’s interior minister, Roberto Maroni that the 74-year-old tycoon’s intervention in the case of the 17-year-old …. Read the original article  : here.

Economy set to grow nine percent in 2011-12: Manmohan Singh

SEOUL – The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Friday said India will revert to its pre-crisis economic growth rate of nine per cent in the next fiscal.

Addressing the plenary session of the fifth G-20 Summit in Seoul this morning, Dr. Singh said: “I am happy to say that the Indian economy has rebounded fairly …. Source article  : Economy set to grow nine percent in 2011-12: Manmohan Singh.

Manmohan Singh asks G-20 nations to avoid competitive devaluation of currency

SEOUL – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Friday urged G-20 countries to avoid competitive devaluation of currencies at all costs and resist any resurgence in protectionism.

Addressing the plenary session of the fifth G-20 Summit in Seoul this morning, Dr. Singh said: “Advance deficit countries must follow policy of fiscal consolidation. This should be …. Source article  : Manmohan Singh asks G-20 nations to avoid competitive devaluation of currency.

Chidambaram to review security strategy in Assam

GUWAHATI – Union Home Minister P.C. Chidambaram will be here Friday to review the security situation in Assam in view of stepped up attacks by tribal separatists, who have killed 24 people this week.

Chidambaram arrives around 2.45 p.m. and straightaway chairs a meeting of the Unified Command Headquarters at the Border Security Force …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

I am in love with China: Zardari

ISLAMABAD – Stating that visiting China is “like going home”, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari says he has “an internal romance” with the country and is in love with its people and culture.

“I think I have an internal romance with China. I am very biased and I love every part of it, the beauty … Read : I am in love with China: Zardari.

No question of resigning, matter sub judice: Raja

NEW DELHI – Communications and IT Minister A. Raja Friday said he would not resign over allegations of his involvement in the 2G spectrum scam and added that AIADMK chief J. Jayalalithaa had no “moral right” to speak on the matter.

“The matter is sub judice. We will prove everything in the court…The question of …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : No question of resigning, matter sub judice: Raja.

Africa keen to learn from Indian elections: Zambian poll chief

NEW DELHI – African countries are increasingly looking at India as a model democracy and an example to emulate, says Zambia’s poll panel chief, Justice Florence N.M. Mumba, who is here to study electoral practices.

“We have come here to look at the electoral system in India and how the democratic system functions in India. … Read : Africa keen to learn from Indian elections: Zambian poll chief.

No question of my resigning: Raja

NEW DELHI – Communications and Information Technology Minister A. Raja Friday said he would not resign over allegations of his involvement in the 2G spectrum scam.

“The question of my resignation does not arise,” Raja said on the sidelines of a national e-governance event here.
Raja, a DMK MP and a key ally of the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : No question of my resigning: Raja.

Iraqi political impasse ends with key positions filled

BAGHDAD – Iraq ended eight months of political deadlock Thursday when parliament elected a speaker and a president for the country, under a complex political deal that paves the way for the formation of a new government.

Incumbent President Jalal al-Talabani, from a Kurdish party, would remain in his post for another term after winning …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Political deal ‘big step for Iraq’, says US

WASHINGTON – The US Thursday called the breakthrough political agreement in Iraq a “big step” that will result in an inclusive government and major redistribution of power.

“What we’ve seen in Iraq is … the emergence of politics, Iraqis resolving their differences … through the political process,” a senior administration official told reporters.
“That is … Read more : Political deal ‘big step for Iraq’, says US.

US-Israel serious to include Arabs in peace deal: Netanyahu

NEW YORK – Israel and the US are “quite serious” in adding Arab governments in the Middle East peace negotiations, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday in New York before his meeting with US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Both Netanyahu and Clinton told reporters before their meeting that they had conferred by telephone …. Source article  : US-Israel serious to include Arabs in peace deal: Netanyahu.

Political impasse ends as Iraq appoints parliament speaker

BAGHDAD – Iraq achieved a breakthrough Thursday when it named a speaker for its parliament, under a complex political deal that ends eight months of deadlock and paves the way for the formation of a new government.

Parliament voted Iraqiya List member Osama al-Nujaifi, a Sunni Arab nationalist, as its speaker. The only candidate named …. Original source  : Political impasse ends as Iraq appoints parliament speaker.