Political News – Newsletter for December 27, 2010

Chidambaram flayed over leakage of letter to Buddhadeb (Lead, Changing dateline)

KOLKATA – The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Monday said Home Minister P. Chidambaram should explain how the media came to know about his letter to West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya while he got it three days later.

“This is a strange way of communication between the union home minister and the chief minister …. Original source  : Chidambaram flayed over leakage of letter to Buddhadeb (Lead, Changing dateline).

PM writes to PAC chief, ready to depose before panel (Second Lead)

NEW DELHI – Following on his assurance to the Congress plenary a week ago, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday wrote to Public Accounts Committee chairman Murli Manohar Joshi and conveyed his willingness to appear before the panel in connection with the 2G spectrum scandal.

Amid the opposition’s unrelenting demand for a probe by a joint … Read more »».

Government to probe ex-BJP minister’s link with Radia

CHENNAI – The central government will investigate whether any official information was leaked to corporate lobbyist Niira Radia by Bharatiya Janata Party general secretary Ananth Kumar when he was the civil aviation minister in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, a minister said here Monday.

The revelation that Radia is close to Kumar is …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Government to probe ex-BJP minister’s link with Radia.

India-Canada ties to see boost in 2011

TORONTO – It will be a big year for India in Canada in 2011.
A nuclear deal signed during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit here in June, smoothening out the last kink in their bilateral ties, is set to see the India-Canadian relationship reach new heights in 2011.

A year-long Festival of India will …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : India-Canada ties to see boost in 2011.

PM writes to Joshi, ready to appear before PAC

NEW DELHI – Backing his assurance to the Congress plenary a week ago, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday wrote to chairman of parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Murli Manohar Joshi and conveyed his willingness to appear before the panel in connection with the 2G spectrum scam.

To the best of my knowledge, the PAC … Read : PM writes to Joshi, ready to appear before PAC.

From climbing trees to scaling political heights – Tarun Gogoi

GUWAHATI – As a child, he would often sneak into an orchard and climb a mango tree, besides dreaming of scaling the highest rung of India’s politics and becoming the prime minister. That dream may not have come true, but he did become Assam chief minister twice, says an authorised biography of Tarun Gogoi.

…. Source article on Gaea Times at  : From climbing trees to scaling political heights – Tarun Gogoi.

Brit Govt’s support dramatically down, claims Guardian Poll

LONDON – Support for Britain’s first peacetime coalition in 70 years has fallen dramatically since Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg launched the government in the Downing Street last May, according to the latest Guardian/ICM poll.

The Guardian quoted the findings of the poll as saying that after six months of Conservative-LibDem …. Read the original article  : Brit Govt’s support dramatically down, claims Guardian Poll.

Manmohan Singh writes to PAC chief, says ready to appear before panel

NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, on Monday wrote to Public Accounts Committee chairman Murli Manohar Joshi saying that he is ready to appear before the panel in connection with the 2G spectrum scam.

Earlier, on December 20 at the Congress’ 83rd plenary meet, Dr. Singh made an unprecedented offer of appearing before … Read more >>>.

Telangana Congress MPs on indefinite hunger strike

HYDERABAD – Ignoring appeals from leaders, including Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, Congress MPs from Telangana Monday began an indefinite hunger strike to demand withdrawal of cases against those who participated in the recent movement for a separate Telangana state.

Eleven MPs began the protest despite appeals from the chief minister as … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Telangana Congress MPs on indefinite hunger strike.

South Korean leader advises no fear, heavy hand with North

SEOUL – South Korean President Lee Myung Bak urged national unity as he called for a tough stance against future provocations from North Korea.

Lee called his country’s neighbour “the most belligerent regime on earth” and said his countrymen must stand firm against it during his final radio address of 2010, the year in which … Read more >>.

CAG chief appears before parliamentary panel

NEW DELHI – Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Vinod Rai Monday appeared before parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to discuss the audit report on the 2008 2G spectrum allocation, which led to massive financial losses to the exchequer.

Rai appeared before the 22-member PAC, chaired by Bharatiya Janta Party member Murli Manohar Joshi, at …. Source article  : CAG chief appears before parliamentary panel.

Benazir’ assassination probe report will be made public: Gilani

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that the investigation report on former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination would be made public.

“The inquiry of Benazir Bhutto’s murder was sub-judice, but it would soon be made public as progress was made in the investigation,” the Daily Times quoted Gilani, as saying.

He further stressed …. Read the original article  : Benazir’ assassination probe report will be made public: Gilani.

Statement by the President and First Lady on Kwanzaa

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

Michelle and I extend our warmest thoughts and wishes to all those who are celebrating Kwanzaa this holiday season.  Today is the first of …. Source  : Statement by the President and First Lady on Kwanzaa.

Readout of President Obama’s call to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

President Obama called King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia this morning to wish him well, and to congratulate him on the progress that he has … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Readout of President Obama’s call to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.

Readout of Inter-Agency Coordination and Presidential Briefing on Holiday Threats

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

This morning, John Brennan convened an inter-agency coordination call with Secretary Napolitano, DNI Clapper, NCTC Director Leiter, National Security Staff travelling with the President … Original source on Gaea Times at : Readout of Inter-Agency Coordination and Presidential Briefing on Holiday Threats.

Remarks by The First Lady to Children While Tracking Santa with NORAD

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

Via Telephone

12:00 P.M. HST

OPERATOR:  We have Max.   

MRS. OBAMA:  Hello, this is the First Lady, Michelle Obama, with NORAD, tracking Santa.  How can I help … Read more >>.

Statement by the President on the Terrorist Attack in Pakistan

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

“I strongly condemn the outrageous terrorist attack in Khar, Pakistan. Killing innocent civilians outside a World Food Program distribution point is an affront to … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Statement by the President on the Terrorist Attack in Pakistan.

Basel airport blocks Ivory Coast president’s plane

GENEVA – Airport authorities in Basel have confiscated the airplane of Laurent Gbagbo, the incumbent president of Ivory Coast, media reports in Switzerland said Sunday.

According to an initial report on NZZ Online, the block on letting the presidential plane return to West Africa was being done at the request of France and Gbagbo’s presidential …. Source article  : Basel airport blocks Ivory Coast president’s plane.

Mayawati sacks minister indicted by ombudsman

LUCKNOW – Taking serious note of the indictment by the Lok Ayukta (ombudsman), Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Sunday dropped one of her ministers charged with graft.

Minister of state for homeopathy and religious endowments Rajesh Tripathi was unceremoniously sacked after he was found guilty of committing large-scale irregularities by Lok Ayukta Justice N.K. Mehrotra.
… Read more »».

55 percent vote in Karnataka local bodies polls

BANGALORE – Around 55 percent of the over 10 million electorate in 12 Karnataka districts voted Sunday in the first round of bitterly-fought elections to the local governing councils, an official said.

“Around 55 percent voting has taken place according to preliminary information from districts,” a spokesperson of the state election commission told IANS.
Voting …. Read the original article  : here.