Political News – Newsletter for February 15, 2010
NEW DELHI – US Senator John Kerry, on a short visit to Delhi, met Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday afternoon. Britain, France call for international probe of Iran postelection violence GENEVA – Britain and France led a call Monday for an international probe into the violence that followed last year’s disputed presidential elections in Iran. Sri Lanka’s grand opposition coalition cracking ahead of general election COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – The main partner in Sri Lanka’s grand opposition coalition will contest the next election independently, coalition officials said Monday, the first split since its defeated presidential candidate was arrested on sedition charges. ‘Farmer’s hut razed for vice president’s chopper in Madhya Pradesh’ “I’m pained by the incident. A pro-farmer government is ruling Madhya Pradesh and their (farmers’) … Original article on : ‘Farmer’s hut razed for vice president’s chopper in Madhya Pradesh’. BJP politicising Pune blast, says Congress BJP is trying to derive political mileage from …. Source : Gaea News Network. Amid Telangana protests, governor stresses on peace (Second lead) The legislators who supported the demand for a separate Telangana state continued to shout “Jai Telangana” slogans …. Source : Gaea News Network. Contempt of court action must against “two sides of forged coin” Zardari, Gilani: JI chief LAHORE – Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Munawar Hasan has called for a contempt of court action against Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani over the issuance of ‘illegal’ orders for the appointments of superior judges. Ten injured in violence between political activists in North 24 Parganas The incident took place when candidates of both the parties were about to file nominations at Dugdia Paltadanga high school of … Read : Ten injured in violence between political activists in North 24 Parganas. Nepal president arrives in Delhi for four-day visit NEW DELHI – Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav arrived here Monday for a four-day state visit during which he will sign several agreements as well as visit Haridwar for the Maha Kumbh Mela. Chhattisgarh ministers cycle to protest rising prices Singh, 58, cycled 12 km in almost 50 minutes from Raipur’s Civil Lines area to the state assembly that opened Monday for the …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Chhattisgarh ministers cycle to protest rising prices. Clinton says Iran’s Revolutionary Guard is effectively taking over as the main power in Tehran DOHA, Qatar – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says the Obama administration believes Iran is becoming a military dictatorship. Clinton ‘everyone is anticipating’ a breakthrough in stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process DOHA, Qatar – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Monday she foresees a possible breakthrough soon in stalled peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. Minister Jitin Prasada to marry Tuesday NEW DELHI – Jitin Prasada, one of the young ministers in the Manmohan Singh government, is all set to tie the knot with Neha Seth, a former TV journalist, at a “private” ceremony here Tuesday, Congress sources said. Hasina may visit China next month DHAKA – Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina may visit China next month and the details of the trip were being worked out, the Chinese envoy here has said. Kashmir dispute may never be solved, suggests ‘cornered’ Gilani Gilani’s pessimism over the issue was reflected while he was trying to pacify a row that erupted after the Supreme Court of Pakistan suspended a presidential order on the appointment of two top judges. Replace ethnic Indian minister, says Malaysian party PPP chief M. Kayveas says he had “fruitful discussion” with Najib on the issue. Congress legislators from Telangana try to disrupt governor’s speech The Congress is in power in Andhra Pradesh, but the demand for a separate Telangana state has …. Source : Gaea News Network. Sikh to be first non-white member of British far right party Rajinder Singh, an anti-Islamic activist, has been supporting the anti-immigrant far right party for about a decade, though being a non-white, he is barred from joining it, Daily Mail reported on its web …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Sikh to be first non-white member of British far right party. UN special rapporteur on human rights visits Myanmar Ojea was scheduled to meet Friday with diplomats based in Yangon and the legal team of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is serving an 18-month house arrest sentence, …. Source : UN special rapporteur on human rights visits Myanmar. Dhaka airport to be renamed after Sufi saint DHAKA – Bangladesh’s Zia International Airport is to be renamed after 13th century Sufi saint Hazarat Shah Jalal, after deleting the name of former president Ziaur Rahman. US congressman says US should break Israel’s blockade of Gaza, deliver supplies by sea Congressman says US should break Gaza blockade All eyes on Nepal president’s maiden India visit KATHMANDU – With major changes sweeping through Nepal, all eyes here are on the maiden visit by Nepal’s first President Ram Baran Yadav to India from Monday, an event that will further cement ties between the government of India and Nepal’s second-largest party, the Nepali Congress (NC). US to push for more UN sanctions on Iran: Obama adviser WASHINGTON – The US is pushing for more sanctions in the UN Security Council against Iran for its continued pursuit of a nuclear programme, President Barack Obama’s national security adviser said Sunday. Andhra speaker accepts resignations of 12 legislators The legislators whose resignations were accepted include all 10 of the Telangana Rashtra …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Andhra speaker accepts resignations of 12 legislators. Visiting US senator signals openness to ‘a number of options’ to resolve US-Japan base dispute US senator open to options on Japan base dispute ‘Good Time Charlie’ Wilson remembered at memorial service in Texas hometown LUFKIN, Texas – The late Rep. Charlie Wilson was a dedicated public servant who took his work but never himself seriously, friends recalled during a memorial service Sunday in his Texas hometown. Medical marijuana lawyer wants DEA agents disciplined over raid in Colorado’s Highlands Ranch DENVER – A medical marijuana lawyer wants the U.S. Department of Justice to discipline agents who raided a the home of a marijuana grower in suburban Denver. Hundreds turn out for funeral home viewing of congressman John Murtha in western Pa. JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Hundreds of mourners braved light snow and bitter cold Sunday before slowly filing past the casket of late congressman John Murtha at a funeral home less than a mile from where he lived. AP Interview: Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi says Iran opposition still strong despite clampdown OSLO – Iranian Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi dismissed concerns Sunday that Iran’s opposition movement is faltering after a government clampdown foiled plans to hold mass demonstrations last week on the 31st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. Former Vice President Dick Cheney declines to say he’ll back Sarah Palin if she runs in 2012 Cheney mum on supporting Palin in next election The director of Madonna’s Raising Malawi charity says reports of land dispute are ‘erroneous’ The director of Madonna’s Raising Malawi foundation is denying that there is a land dispute over the charity’s planned $15 million girls academy, calling reports that some villagers feel the project is displacing them “erroneous.” Russia-friendly Yanukovych named winner of Ukraine’s presidential vote; rival vows to fight Pro-Russia Yanukovych named winner of Ukraine vote Kenya’s prime minister suspends 2 ministers over corruption scandals in their ministries NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya’s top two leaders issued contradictory statements about whether two Cabinet ministers had been suspended on Sunday following corruption scandals that have plagued their ministries. JMM demands roll back of VAT hike on diesel “We request to state government to review its decision to hike VAT. The state government should consider rolling back VAT, …. Source article on Gaea Times at : JMM demands roll back of VAT hike on diesel. Biden says a military trial remains possible for professed mastermind of Sept. 11 attacks Biden: Military trial possible for 9/11 suspect Iraqi panel: More than 400 candidates banned from election; wants Baathists labeled terrorists BAGHDAD – Only one in five candidates accused of being loyalists to Saddam Hussein’s regime successfully fought an order banning them from running in Iraq’s national elections next month, officials said Sunday. 14 Telangana legislators submit resignations HYDERABAD – Fourteen legislators from the Telangana region Sunday submitted their resignations to the state assembly speaker while the all-party Joint Action Committee (JAC) has set Monday evening as the deadline for all elected representatives to quit. Ukraine’s election body says Viktor Yanukovych has won presidency according to official count KIEV, Ukraine – Ukraine’s Central Election Commission named Viktor Yanukovych the official winner of the presidential elections Sunday, thwarting Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko’s hopes of overturning the vote. Bihar’s ruling JD-U gets new chief Addressing a press conference here, Yadav said that Choudhary, a former Congress legislator and currently the JD-U spokesman, has been appointed the new …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Bihar’s ruling JD-U gets new chief. Pentagon is moving, but not fast, on long road to repeal of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ Don’t ask when: Repeal of gay ban won’t be soon
Monday, February 15, 2010
Kerry, chairman of the US senate foreign relations committee, had a 20-minute meeting with Manmohan Singh at 1.45 p.m. They discussed bilateral relations as well as the wider theatre of South Asia, especially …. Original article : John Kerry in Delhi, meets PM.
Britain, France: Probe Iran election violence
The demand came during the U.N. Human Rights Council’s first review of Iran’s rights record since the body was founded in 2006.
Iran should invite U.N. Secretary-General …. Original source : Britain, France call for international probe of Iran postelection violence.
Sri Lanka’s grand opposition coalition cracking
United National Party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe told reporters Sunday that his party had decided to …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Sri Lanka’s grand opposition coalition cracking ahead of general election.
BHOPAL – A farmer’s hut was demolished to pave way for a helipad for the landing of Vice President Hamid Ansari’s helicopter at Mandu during his recent visit to Madhya Pradesh, state Urban Administration and Development Minister Babulal Gaur has alleged.
NEW DELHI – The Congress Monday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of politicising the terror attack in Pune by demanding that talks with Pakistan be called off and said such a step would be considered only if there is concrete evidence of the involvement of Pakistani elements.
HYDERABAD – Andhra Pradesh Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan Monday called for conducting struggles based on the Gandhian philosophy of non-violence even as Congress party legislator from Telangana tried to disrupt his address to the joint session of the state legislature.
The Daily Times quoted Hasan as saying that Gilani was fully aware of the intentions … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Contempt of court action must against “two sides of forged coin” Zardari, Gilani: JI chief.
North 24PARGANAS – At least ten people were injured during violence between activists of the Trinamool Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxistt Sason Panchayat area in the North 24 Parganas district on Sunday.
This is Yadav’s first foreign visit since being elected president in 2008.
Yadav, accompanied by a large delegation, was received at …. Original article : Nepal president arrives in Delhi for four-day visit.
RAIPUR – Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh and 11 ministers in his council Monday rode bicycles to protest the rising prices in the country. They held Congress-led central government solely responsible for it.
Clinton says Iran becoming military dictatorship
In remarks to Arab students at Carnegie Mellon’s campus in Qatar, Clinton said the Revolutionary Guard Corps in Iran appears to have gained so much power that it effectively is …. Read the original article : Clinton says Iran’s Revolutionary Guard is effectively taking over as the main power in Tehran.
Clinton raises hope for Mideast peace breakthrough
“I’m hopeful that this year will see the commencement of serious negotiations that will cover every issue that is outstanding,” she said, adding … Read more >>>.
The 36-year-old may be the first central minister to enter wedlock while in office. The family …. Source : Gaea News Network.
The visit is expected to “break new grounds in improving relations with the emerging Asian giant”, New Age newspaper reported Monday.
Zhang Xianyi, Chinese ambassador in …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Hasina may visit China next month.
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has suggested that the Kashmir dispute may never be resolved.
“Why do you think it … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Kashmir dispute may never be solved, suggests ‘cornered’ Gilani.
KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) has urged Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to replace ethnic Indian deputy minister T. Murugiah in the next cabinet reshuffle.
Kayveas said a reshuffle was expected as … Read : Replace ethnic Indian minister, says Malaysian party.
HYDERABAD – Shouting “Jai Telangana”, Congress party legislators from the region that Monday tried to disrupt the address of Andhra Pradesh Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan to the joint session of state legislature on the first day of the budget session.
LONDON – A 78-year-old Sikh is set to become the first non-white member of British National Party (BNP), a media report said Monday.
YANGON – UN Special Rapporteur Tomas Ojea Quintana arrived in Myanmar Monday for a five-day official visit to assess the country’s political and human rights situation.
The civil aviation and tourism ministry drafted the proposal after a nod from the cabinet in October last year.
Shah Jalal is believed to have … Read more »»».
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip – The United States should break Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver badly needed supplies by sea, a U.S. congressman told Gaza students.
Rep. Brian Baird, a Democrat from Washington state, also urged President Barack Obama’s Mideast envoy to visit the Hamas-ruled territory to … Read more : US congressman says US should break Israel’s blockade of Gaza, deliver supplies by sea.
Nepal’s coalition government Monday ended the old … Original source on Gaea Times at : All eyes on Nepal president’s maiden India visit.
“We are about to add to that regime’s difficulties by engineering, participating in very tough sanctions,” James Jones told the Fox News …. Original article on Gaea Times at : US to push for more UN sanctions on Iran: Obama adviser.
HYDERABAD – Andhra Pradesh assembly speaker N. Kirankumar Reddy Monday accepted the resignations of 12 out of 15 legislators of the Telangana region who had quit Sunday to protest the terms of the Srikrishna committee looking into the demand for a separate state.
TOKYO – A member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee said Monday he’s open to hearing options on how to resolve a dispute over the relocation of a contentious U.S. Marine base on the Japanese island of Okinawa.
Starting a weeklong tour in Japan and …. Original article : Visiting US senator signals openness to ‘a number of options’ to resolve US-Japan base dispute.
Charlie Wilson remembered in Texas memorial
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who is challenging Texas Gov. Rick Perry in next month’s Republican primary, was among those …. Source article on Gaea Times at : ‘Good Time Charlie’ Wilson remembered at memorial service in Texas hometown.
Medical pot lawyer files complaint on Colo. raid
Rob Corry filed a complaint against the Drug Enforcement Administration on Saturday.
He says the Highlands Ranch raid Friday violated the agency’s new … Read : Medical marijuana lawyer wants DEA agents disciplined over raid in Colorado’s Highlands Ranch.
Hundreds turn out for viewing of Murtha in W.Pa.
The mourners ranged from Gov. Ed Rendell to average citizens, especially veterans, … Original article on : Hundreds turn out for funeral home viewing of congressman John Murtha in western Pa..
Nobel laureate Ebadi says Iran opposition strong
Thursday’s crackdown in Tehran “was a demonstration of the weakness of the government,” and …. Original source : AP Interview: Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi says Iran opposition still strong despite clampdown.
WASHINGTON – Former Vice President Dick Cheney says he has not decided on a candidate to support for president in the next election, sidestepping a question on whether he would support Sarah Palin for the office.
Cheney declined to throw his support behind Palin when asked Sunday …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Former Vice President Dick Cheney declines to say he’ll back Sarah Palin if she runs in 2012.
Madonna’s charity head blasts land dispute reports
The Associated Press has reported that the village headman took the villagers’ complaints to the …. Source article : The director of Madonna’s Raising Malawi charity says reports of land dispute are ‘erroneous’.
KIEV, Ukraine – Election officials named Russia-friendly Viktor Yanukovych as the official winner of Ukraine’s presidential election Sunday, thwarting Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko’s hopes of overturning the vote.
Tymoshenko’s last recourse is now with the courts, after the Central Election Commission also dismissed her complaints of fraud and …. Read the original article : Russia-friendly Yanukovych named winner of Ukraine’s presidential vote; rival vows to fight.
Kenyan prime minister suspends 2 ministers
Prime Minister Raila Odinga said Sunday afternoon he had suspended Agriculture Minister William Ruto and Education Minister Sam Ongeri after “the requisite consultations … Read : Kenya’s prime minister suspends 2 ministers over corruption scandals in their ministries.
RANCHI – Jharkhand’s ruling Jharkhand MUkti Morcha (JMM) Sunday demanded the government roll back the 5.5 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) imposed on diesel, which takes its price up by Rs.2 per litre in the state.
WASHINGTON – Vice President Joe Biden says the administration has not ruled out a military trial for the professed mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks even if a civilian trial would be preferable.
Biden, in defending the Obama administration from critics of its approach to prosecuting accused terrorists, …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Biden says a military trial remains possible for professed mastermind of Sept. 11 attacks.
Only 1 in 5 blacklisted Iraqi candidates to run
The Shiite official in charge of the vetting panel that is widely seen as targeting Sunnis …. Original source : Iraqi panel: More than 400 candidates banned from election; wants Baathists labeled terrorists.
The resignations, to protest the terms of reference of the Srikrishna panel set up by the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : 14 Telangana legislators submit resignations.
Yanukovych named official winner of Ukraine vote
Tymoshenko’s last recourse is now with the courts. The election commission also dismissed all of her complaints of fraud and misconduct during …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Ukraine’s election body says Viktor Yanukovych has won presidency according to official count.
PATNA – Janata Dal-United (JD-U) president Sharad Yadav Sunday said he had accepted the resignation of Bihar state unit chief Rajeev Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh and appointed Vijay Choudhary to the post.
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama, Pentagon leaders and even former Vice President Dick Cheney think it’s time to end the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on gays in the military. But a repeal is probably years away.
The two Defense … Read more : Pentagon is moving, but not fast, on long road to repeal of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
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