Political News – Newsletter for December 28, 2010

Key witness in Benazir Bhutto assassination probe leaves Pak without prior permission

ISLAMABAD – A key witness of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination probe left for the United States without taking permission from the Pakistan government.

Dr Musadiq Khan was the principal of Rawalpindi Medical College, and examined the wounds of Benazir when brought to the general hospital on Decemeber 27, 2007, the Dawn reported.

Secretary of the … Read more : Key witness in Benazir Bhutto assassination probe leaves Pak without prior permission.

Achuthanandan, Chandy spar over lottery scam

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – The Kerala assembly Tuesday was the scene of a verbal duel between Leader of Opposition Oommen Chandy and Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan after the speaker disallowed an adjournment motion over an alleged scam in the sale of lottery tickets in the state.

The issue came up in the assembly as Achuthanandan had … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Achuthanandan, Chandy spar over lottery scam.

Malaysia to set up three labs to address Indian issues

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia will set up three labs for Malaysian Indians focusing on small and medium enterprises (SME), retail industry and reducing crime among youth, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department S. K. Devamany has said.

Addressing the media before meeting members from the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Malaysia to set up three labs to address Indian issues.

Another setback for Pakistan government as MQM parts ways

ISLAMABAD – The ruling coalition in Pakistan led by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has suffered a major setback as another of its key ally, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), decided to part ways with the government.

“The reservations of the party have not been addressed and we are forced to make a decision … Read : Another setback for Pakistan government as MQM parts ways.

Benazir Bhutto assassination probe complete: Malik

NAUDERO – The investigations into former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination have been completed, Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said.

“The investigation report is with the joint investigation team and it will be presented in the next meeting of the Central Executive Committee of the party,” the Daily Times quoted Malik, as saying.

He said that … Original source on Gaea Times at : Benazir Bhutto assassination probe complete: Malik.

UN report on Benazir Bhutto assassination “incomplete, unclear”: Zardari

NAUDERO – The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) expressed reservations over the United Nations’ inquiry report on former prime minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination because it was “incomplete and did not touch certain issues”, President Asif Ali Zardari has said.

“The national and all provincial assemblies had adopted resolutions calling for UN inquiry into the assassination. The PPP …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : UN report on Benazir Bhutto assassination “incomplete, unclear”: Zardari.

Andhra may be heading for political uncertainty (News Analysis)

HYDERABAD – With the movement for a separate Telangana gathering momentum again, Andhra Pradesh appears to be heading for another round of political uncertainty.

Hunger strikes, boycott of examinations, campus unrest and street protests are back as the Srikrishna committee is set to submit its report to the central government.
The indefinite hunger strike …. Read the original article  : Andhra may be heading for political uncertainty (News Analysis).

Voters brave cold for Himachal Pradesh panchayat polls

SHIMLA – Voters in Himachal Pradesh braved the cold Tuesday to cast their b ballot in the first phase of the panchayat elections that began amid tight security.

Polling, which began at 7 a.m., is taking place in 11 districts across Himachal Pradesh.
“The polling for 1,091 panchayats in the state began peacefully. There … Read : Voters brave cold for Himachal Pradesh panchayat polls.

Canada invites its honorary citizen Suu Kyi

TORONTO – Prime Minister Stephen Harper has invited Myanmar’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi to visit Canada.

The Nobel peace laureate, who was freed from house arrest by the military junta Nov 13, is an honorary Canadian citizen along with other famous leaders such as Nelson Mandela, the Aga Khan and the Dalai Lama.
… Original source on Gaea Times at : Canada invites its honorary citizen Suu Kyi.

Executive Order – Recruiting and Hiring Students and Recent Graduates

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

EXECUTIVE ORDER

RECRUITING AND HIRING STUDENTS AND RECENT GRADUATES

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United … Original article on : Executive Order – Recruiting and Hiring Students and Recent Graduates.

Major setback for Pakistan government as MQM parts ways

ISLAMABAD – The coalition government in Pakistan has hit a major roadblock as a key ally, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), has decided to part ways, media reports said early Tuesday.

“The reservations of the party have not been addressed and we are forced to make a decision to go our own way,” MQM legislator …. Source article  : Major setback for Pakistan government as MQM parts ways.

Statement by the Press Secretary, 12/27/2010

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

We are deeply concerned that a Russian judge today has indicated that for a second time Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev will be convicted.  … Original source on Gaea Times at : Statement by the Press Secretary, 12/27/2010.

Speaker may call all-party meeting to break JPC impasse

NEW DELHI – Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar is expected to make another effort to break the impasse between the government and opposition parties on the demand for a JPC probe into the 2G spectrum scam by calling a meeting of all political parties.

Official sources said Monday the meeting of political parties may be …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Speaker may call all-party meeting to break JPC impasse.

Indian envoy welcomed by Sharjah ruler

Sharjah, Dec 27 (IANS/WAM) The new Indian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, M.K. Lokesh, was Monday welcomed by Sharjah ruler Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi.

Sheikh Sultan, who is also the Supreme Council member, wished the Indian envoy success in his mission.
Sheikh Sultan also welcomed Director of India Trade and Exhibition … Original source on Gaea Times at : Indian envoy welcomed by Sharjah ruler.

CPI-M, Chidambaram political standoff over letter (Roundup)

KOLKATA – Political temperatures soared Monday in West Bengal, where assembly elections are due in 2011, with the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Monday flaying union Home Minister P. Chidambaram for his “partisan approach” and asked him to explain how his letter to Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee was leaked to the media.

An angry … Read this article on Gaea Times at : CPI-M, Chidambaram political standoff over letter (Roundup).

India, Sri Lanka to hold joint naval drill in 2011

NEW DELHI – India and Sri Lanka Monday decided to hold a joint naval exercise next year as part of a series of measures to enhance their defence cooperation.

The measures include holding a formal annual defence dialogue and staff level talks between the armies and navies of the two countries beginning next year, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

PM offers to appear before PAC, BJP’s Joshi says will decide (Roundup)

NEW DELHI – As the opposition continued with its demand for a JPC probe into the 2G spectrum scam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday wrote to parliament’s Public Accounts Committee expressing his willingness to appear before it on the issue. Panel head Murli Manohar Joshi said the committee would take an “appropriate decision at an …. Original source  : PM offers to appear before PAC, BJP’s Joshi says will decide (Roundup).

2G scam: Decision on PM’s appearance before PAC at an appropriate time, says Joshi

NEW DELHI – Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairman Murli Manohar Joshi on Monday said a letter has been received from the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, adding that a decision on his appearance before the panel …. Original source  : 2G scam: Decision on PM’s appearance before PAC at an appropriate time, says Joshi.

Andhra withdraws more cases, Telangana Congress MPs continue fast (Second Lead)

HYDERABAD – The Andhra Pradesh government Monday decided to withdraw 135 more cases registered during the protests for a separate Telangana after MPs of the ruling Congress held a hunger strike on the issue. But the MPs refused to call off their protest till all cases were withdrawn.

Senior minister K. Jana Reddy told reporters …. Read the original article  : here.

I will give befitting reply to Chidambaram’s letter: Buddhadeb

KOLKATA – West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has said he will give a ‘befitting reply’ Tuesday to union Home Minister P. Chidambaram’s letter alleging that the state’s ruling Marxists had set up armed camps in the Maoist-prone areas.

“For the last few days there has been much talk about a ‘letter’. This morning I … Read more »»».