Italian affairs... update

Read here about the recent churning in Italian politics (that can betranslated as Aaya Ram and Gaya Ram in Indian politics!)

Real scandal or storm in an espresso cup!

The right-wing politician Francesco Storace said in a recent radio interview, “People don’t vote for Berlusconi because he tells the truth; they vote for him because they like him.” More about the recent events in Italian politics in this New York Times article.

Ballot crunching

As the US presidential election nears (actually, some states have already begun early polling to avoid long queues on November 4), the media is choked with poll predictions and percentages. If you want a detailed, blow by blow presentation fron with every poll analyzed from every angle, go here. If you prefer an easy simple map, stick to this portal.

Deal done and dusted

Amidst the credit crunch that dominates all headlines, India and the US have inked the nuclear deal. Till 2 months ago, it was the lead story on all conveyor belt news channels and encompassed among other things an acrimonious break up of the ruling political alliance and a tainted confidence vote in Parliament. Now, it is just another bit of 'also in the news' - a mushroom cloud transformed into a puff of dust!

IAEA/NSG clearance to India

The issue of a nuclear deal between India and the USA has raised a storm over the last few months. Yesterday, the two principal multilateral organizations (the IAEA and the NSG) ended more than 30 years of nuclear isolation and allowed India to resume trading in civilian nuclear energy. While the debate over the impact of this waiver ('clean or not') rages on,the least that India gains is a chair at the nuclear high table and the space to negotiate for energy technology. A great achievement, by any standard.