Political News – Newsletter for December 24, 2010

Nepal crisis not to end by 2010

KATHMANDU – With just a week left for the year to end, the protracted political crisis paralysing Nepal for nearly six months is not likely to be resolved with the formation of a new government by next Friday.

The faint hope of a new government ended with the opposition Maoist party losing their parliament battle …. Source  : Nepal crisis not to end by 2010.

Karunakaran was upset over Congress’ treatment of son

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – K. Karunakaran, Kerala’s veteran Congress leader who died Thursday, was deeply disheartened by the manner in which the state’s party leadership kept delaying the return of his son K. Muraleedharan to the fold. This despite the fact that Muraleedharan once headed the state unit.

In what is believed to be the last …. Original source  : Karunakaran was upset over Congress’ treatment of son.

Musharraf sent questionnaire over security lapse in Benazir Bhutto’s assassination

ISLAMABAD – As part of the investigation into former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination, Pakistan’s Interior Ministry has sent a questionnaire to former president Pervez Musharraf to record his statement.

“We have sent the questionnaire to General (retd) Musharraf and are waiting … Read more : Musharraf sent questionnaire over security lapse in Benazir Bhutto’s assassination.

JPC or PAC – the argument continues

NEW DELHI – Which is better empowered to probe the suspected irregularities in the 2G spectrum allocation — a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) or the Public Accounts Committee (PAC)? The argument between the government and the opposition rages amid fears that the deadlock that washed out the entire winter session of parliament may spill over …. Source article  : JPC or PAC – the argument continues.

Julia Gillard’s RAAF pilots suspended following drunken escapade

MELBOURNE – Two elite RAAF pilots who regularly fly Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard around the country have been suspended.

The pilots were suspended following a drunken escapade only hours after a military funeral attended by the Prime Minister.

In a major embarrassment for Defence’s top brass, confidential documents reveal three RAAF staff – one pilot …. Read the original article  : here.

Patnaik seeks central aid for distressed Orissa farmers

BHUBANESWAR – Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has asked the central government for Rs.2,616.19 crore assistance to the state’s farmers who suffered huge crop losses due to drought and untimely rains this year, an official said Friday.

The chief minister on his two-day Delhi trip met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and gave him a memorandum …. Source  : Patnaik seeks central aid for distressed Orissa farmers.

Lok Sabha speaker greets nation on Christmas eve

NEW DELHI – Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar greeted the nation on Christmas eve Friday, saying that the festive occasion should make people more compassionate towards those who are not getting the benefits of the “spectacular growth” of India.

Extending her greetings to the nation, Meira Kumar said: “It is an opportunity to celebrate the …. Source  : Lok Sabha speaker greets nation on Christmas eve.

BJP, opposition rubbishes raids on Kalmadi, aide residences

NEW DELHI – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and other opposition parties on Friday rubbished the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) raids on the residences of Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (CWG) chairman Suresh Kalmadi and his aide in New Delhi and Pune, describing it as an eyewash’ from the government.

“We are not very happy … Read this article on Gaea Times at : BJP, opposition rubbishes raids on Kalmadi, aide residences.

Karunakaran leaves behind sterling political legacy (Tribute)

It was at a public rally in March 1995 in Thiruvananthapuram that K. Karunakaran made the famous one-liner that described the murky world of politics. “I was stabbed from the front and from behind.”

With the soreness of being forced out of his cherished chief minister’s chair as a fallout of the “ISRO spy …. Read the original article  : here.

Naidu forcibly given IV fluids, TDP says fast on

HYDERABAD – Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was forcibly given intravenous fluids (IV) at a hospital here but his Telugu Desam Party (TDP) claimed he was continuing his fast for the eighth day Friday, demanding relief for farmers who lost their crops in recent rains.

Doctors at Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences … Read : Naidu forcibly given IV fluids, TDP says fast on.

Sonia pays homage, thousands gather to bid Karunakaran adieu

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – A large crowd gathered at the Congress headquarters here Friday to bid farewell to four-time Kerala chief minister K. Karunakaran, with party president Sonia Gandhi also paying her last respects to the veteran leader who died at the age of 92 a day earlier.

Karunakaran’s last journey began from the capital city – …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Sonia pays homage, thousands gather to bid Karunakaran adieu.

Russian opposition sues Putin for slander

MOSCOW – Russian opposition politicians have sued Prime Minister Vladimir Putin for slander and demanded that he pay them one million rubles ($32,700) in damages, former deputy prime minister Boris Nemtsov said.

Nemtsov pointed to statements Putin had made recently during an annual live television question-and-answer session, in which he accused opposition figures of having … Read : Russian opposition sues Putin for slander.

Read-out of the President’s Call with Russian President Medvedev

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

President Obama and President Medvedev spoke by phone this morning to discuss the new START Treaty and their continued close cooperation on a range …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Congress Passes Bill: 9/11 Emergency Workers Get $4.2 billion worth of Health Benefits

WASHINGTON (GaeaTimes.com) — Finally, the health benefit bill to provide free medical treatment and compensation to first responders of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack won final approval Wednesday from the House and Senate, sending it to President Barack Obama to be signed into law.
Reportedly, the bill has been passed on a voice vote … Original article on : Congress Passes Bill: 9/11 Emergency Workers Get $4.2 billion worth of Health Benefits.

PAC invites opinions on 2G spectrum allocation

NEW DELHI – The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of parliament, led by senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, Thursday sought opinions and suggestions on the 2G spectrum scam, even as the opposition continues to demand a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe the issue.

A meeting of the PAC has been called on Monday to … Read this article on Gaea Times at : PAC invites opinions on 2G spectrum allocation.

North Korea: The ‘Most dangerous spot on Earth’

WASHINGTON (GaeaTimes.com) — In a recent visit to North Korea Gov. Bill Richardson, D-New Mexico was accompanied by CNN’s Wolf Blitzer.
Here is a glimpse of what he saw over there. Blister reported almost every details as to what he saw and learnt in his Korean trip.
Well, as it is the Korean Peninsula happens to …. Read the original article  : North Korea: The ‘Most dangerous spot on Earth’.

PM condoles death of ‘valued’ Congress colleague Karunakaran

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday condoled the death of senior Congress leader K. Karunakaran and described him as a true patriot who served Kerala and the country with deep commitment and untiring zeal.

In his condolence message, Manmohan Singh said that Karunakaran would be long remembered for his love of his people, … Read more »»».

Karunakaran was a kingmaker in national politics: Antony

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – Defence Minister A.K. Antony paid glowing tributes to departed Congress leader K. Karunakaran Thursday, describing him as a kingmaker in national politics.

Four-time chief minister of Kerala, Karunakaran passed away Thursday evening at 5.30 p.m. at a private hospital here.
“At one point of time, Karunakaran went on to be a kingmaker of … Read more : Karunakaran was a kingmaker in national politics: Antony.

Opposition sticks to JPC, Pranab wants apology for parliament washout (Roundup)

NEW DELHI – An unbending opposition Thursday remained unmoved by the government’s offer of a special parliament session to discuss the JPC issue, as Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said the opposition should “apologise” for the washout of the parliament’s winter session.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), rejecting Mukherjee’s offer of a special session, said it … Read more : Opposition sticks to JPC, Pranab wants apology for parliament washout (Roundup).

Manmohan Singh condoles death of former Kerala CM Karunakaran

NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has condoled the death of veteran Congress leader and former Kerala Chief Minister K. Karunakaran, who passed away in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday.

“It is with deep sorrow and a sense of great personal …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Manmohan Singh condoles death of former Kerala CM Karunakaran.