Political News – Newsletter for January 27, 2011

Palestinian negotiators criticize ex-UK PM Blair for ‘Israeli bias’

LONDON – Palestinian officials have criticized former British Prime Minister Tony Blair as being too paternalistic and of having a bias towards Israel’s security needs over Palestinian economic needs.

They accused Blair, envoy of the Middle East quartet, as seeming “to advocate an apartheid-like approach to dealing with the occupied West Bank”.

“The overall tone, without making … Read more >>>.

Nepal to hold fresh PM election Feb 3

KATHMANDU – Unable to elect a new prime minister even after 16 rounds of vote held throughout last year and failing two deadlines set this month for an all-party government, Nepal’s warring parties will now slug it out again next month during a fresh round of prime ministerial election Feb 3.

The Business Advisory Committee … Read more »»».

Cricket tourney in Israel to mark India R’Day

TEL AVIV – A cricket tournament for people of Indian origin was launched in Israel to mark India’s 62nd Republic Day.

The Republic Day was celebrated at the India House in Herzliya Pituah Jan 26.
After unfurling the national flag and singing of the national anthem, Ambassador Navtej Sarna read out excerpts from Indian … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Cricket tourney in Israel to mark India R’Day.

Indians in Australia waiting eagerly for PM Manmohan Singh’s visit

NEW DELHI – Indians living in Australia are waiting eagerly for the visit of Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.

Singh likely to visit Australia in October this year to take part in the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Perth.

There has been no prime ministerial visit from India since former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi’s …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Day after tension, Lal Chowk back to business

SRINAGAR – A day after curfew-like restrictions, life in Srinagar and other towns of Kashmir Valley bounced back to normal Thursday. City centre Lal Chowk, which had been tense over plans to unfurl the national flag there, was its bustling self.

Markets opened early despite the morning winter chill as transport plied normally to ferry …. Original source  : Day after tension, Lal Chowk back to business.

Shahnawaz Hussain supports Vastanvi

NEW DELHI – Reacting on the resignation of Vice-Chancellor of Darul Uloom Deoband University Ghulam Mohammed Vastanvi, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Shahnawaz Hussain has said the Central government or the people who do not believe in the fact that Gujarat is peaceful should prove it.

Slamming the Central Government on the issue, Hussain said if the … Read more : Shahnawaz Hussain supports Vastanvi.

New combat aircraft will turn India into global giant: US expert

WASHINGTON – India’s acquisition of 126 new medium multi-role combat aircraft will play an essential role in India’s transformation from a regional power to a global giant, according to a South Asia expert.

Eight countries and six companies eagerly await the Indian Air Force’s selection of a new medium multi-role combat aircraft.
The winner …. Source  : New combat aircraft will turn India into global giant: US expert.

Shot US Congresswoman Giffords moved to rehab center in ‘good’ condition

Tucson (Arizona, US), – Democratic Party Representative Gabrielle Giffords has been moved from a Houston hospital to a nearby rehabilitation center after doctors upgraded her condition from “serious” to “good.ccording to the Washington Post, the Arizona Democrat had been in the neuro-intensive care unit at Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center since arriving in Houston on … Read more : Shot US Congresswoman Giffords moved to rehab center in ‘good’ condition.

Clinton to visit India in April

WASHINGTON – US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said she looks forward to visiting India in April to advance the two nations’ efforts to forge an even stronger strategic partnership to promote a secure and stable world.

“I look forward to my visit to India in April to advance our efforts during the next …. Original article  : Clinton to visit India in April.

Berlusconi ‘has made Italians a laughing stock around the world’

LONDON – Italy’s bestselling Catholic publication has said that the sex scandal swirling around Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has made Italians a laughing stock around the world.

“Our young people abroad are called ‘bunga bunga’ Italians and that is not a flattering definition,” the Telegraph quoted the Famiglia Cristiana (Christian Family) magazine as saying in an … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Berlusconi ‘has made Italians a laughing stock around the world’.

Obama to travel to Brazil, Chile, El Salvador

Washington, Jan 27 (IANS/EFE) President Barack Obama took a moment during his State of the Union address to the US Congress to announce a tour of Latin American nations.

“This March, I will travel to Brazil, Chile, and El Salvador to forge new alliances across the Americas,” the president said Tuesday night.
It will be …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Rahul Gandhi begins three-day Maharashtra visit

NAGPUR – Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi arrived here Thursday on a three-day whirlwind tour of Maharashtra to boost the party’s membership drive among backward castes, minorities and women.

After landing in Nagpur, Gandhi proceeded by helicopter to attend a Scheduled Tribes convention in Gadchiroli. He will also attend an Other Backward Castes (OBC) convention … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Rahul Gandhi begins three-day Maharashtra visit.

International ties may improve due to Wikileaks: Medvedev

Davos, Jan 27 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Revelations of secret US diplomatic cables by whistle-blower website WikiLeaks may have a positive influence on international relations, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said.

“I believe that the Wikileaks affair should improve the international climate although a number of countries may consider these activities illegal,” Medvedev said Wednesday at the … Original article on : International ties may improve due to Wikileaks: Medvedev.

Egypt blocks Twitter

SAN FRANCISCO – Micro-blogging site Twitter confirmed Wednesday that its service had been blocked in Egypt, indicating a probable government crackdown on technology that could disseminate information about the widening anti-government demonstrations.

“We can confirm that Twitter was blocked in Egypt around 8 a.m. (Pacific Time, 1600 GMT) today,” Twitter confirmed on the @twitterglobalpr feed. … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Egypt blocks Twitter.

Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE:
Henry F. Floyd, of South Carolina, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit, vice Karen J. Williams, … Original source on Gaea Times at : Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate.

Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE:
Katharine G. Abraham, of Iowa, to be a Member of the Council of Economic Advisers, vice Christina Duckworth Romer, resigned.
David …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate.

Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

Judith A. Ansley, of Massachusetts, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the United States Institute of Peace for the remainder …. Source article  : Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate.

Message from the President regarding the annual renewal of the Cote d’Ivoire emergency

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:
  Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a … Read : Message from the President regarding the annual renewal of the Cote d’Ivoire emergency.

Notice from the President regarding the annual renewal of the Cote d’Ivoire emergency

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

CONTINUATION OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY WITH RESPECT TO THE SITUATION IN OR IN RELATION TO CÔTE D'IVOIRE

  On February 7, 2006, by Executive Order …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Notice from the President regarding the annual renewal of the Cote d’Ivoire emergency.

Readout of the meeting of the National Security Advisor with the Delegation from the Economic Community of West African States

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

National Security Advisor Tom Donilon welcomed a delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to the White House today to discuss … Original source on Gaea Times at : Readout of the meeting of the National Security Advisor with the Delegation from the Economic Community of West African States.