Political News – Newsletter for January 31, 2011

Egypt Crisis Deepens

CAIRO, EGYPT (GaeaTimes.com)- Mohamed ElBaradei, one of the leading opposition leaders in the trouble-torn Egypt issued his support to the anti-government protests that have been ongoing in parts of the country for the past few days and called for the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak amidst the crisis. The leading opposition leader talked to … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Egypt Crisis Deepens.

Karunanidhi meets Prime Minister, discusses fishermen killings

NEW DELHI – Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi met the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, here on Monday and is understood to have raised the issue of Indian fishermen being killed allegedly by the Sri Lankan Navy.

The Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK) chief, who arrived here on Sunday [..] Read the original article: here.

Fishermen’s killing: Sri Lanka wants more information

COLOMBO – Sri Lanka Monday requested India to provide additional information on the killing of two Indian fishermen allegedly by the Sri Lankan Navy even as the two countries agreed to convene a joint meeting of a panel to enhance cooperation in the field of fisheries.

India’s Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao called on President … Read more >>>.

Draft Lokpal bill disappoints, parties cagey

NEW DELHI – The draft Lokpal Bill 2010 is meant to create the institution of an ombdusman that will tackle political corruption, but civil society groups say it will be a toothless body with only recommendatory powers and will also not cover guilty bureaucrats.

The draft Lokpal Bill 2010, which has been circulated to various …. Read the original article  : Draft Lokpal bill disappoints, parties cagey.

Pak situation can’t be compared with events in Egypt, Tunisia: Gilani

MULTAN – Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that the current situation in Egypt or Tunisia cannot be compared with that of Pakistan, as the country’s “institutions are working and democracy is functional”.

“Pakistan’s economy is under pressure, not in crisis. Our foreign exchange reserves are at …. Read the original article  : here.

Egypt uprising echoes Philippines 25 years ago (Comment)

President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt is facing the toughest challenge to his 30-year rule but he is not the only dictator in the world not to read the signals on his radar. His own unarmed people have risen in revolt against him but that is not the way he sees it.

What is happening in … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Egypt uprising echoes Philippines 25 years ago (Comment).

Egyptian protesters plan march of million people

CAIRO – The massive uprising to oust Egyptian president of 30 years Hosni Mubarak were scaled up Monday with protesters, who have defied curfew and remain unfazed despite fighter jets and tanks, planning to hold a march of over a million people through the streets of Cairo Tuesday.

The plan is to have more than … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Egyptian protesters plan march of million people.

China sends planes to Egypt for stranded nationals

BEIJING – China sent two planes to Egypt to bring back Chinese citizens stranded in Egypt Monday.

The two planes left Beijing Monday noon, according to sources with the Chinese foreign ministry.
“The Chinese government attaches great importance to the security of Chinese citizens in Egypt, and has coordinated with relevant airlines to increase flights … Original source on Gaea Times at : China sends planes to Egypt for stranded nationals.

Egypt Crisis: 300 Indian Tourists Return

CAIRO, EGYPT (GaeaTimes.com)- Amidst the political turmoil in extensive parts of Egypt with anti-government protests throwing normal life completely out of gear, government from nations across the world are doing their best to evacuate citizens from the trouble-torn country. As the crisis in Egypt further deepens without showing much sign of slowing down, governments …. Read the original article  : Egypt Crisis: 300 Indian Tourists Return.

You can’t vote wearing your T-shirt, Malaysian Indian told

LABIS – Malaysian Indian voter V. Kumaran had to choose between his T-shirt and his vote in a by-election to parliament held Sunday.

The 29-year-old ethnic Indian arrived at the Kampung Paya Merah polling centre here in a blue T-shirt with the words “BN” emblazoned on its pocket. BN stands for Barisan Nasional, the ruling …. Source  : You can’t vote wearing your T-shirt, Malaysian Indian told.

Berlusconi planned infamous ‘bunga bunga’ party hours before probe

LONDON – A series of leaked SMS texts have shown that Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was planning to host one of his infamous ‘bunga bunga’ parties just hours before prosecutors revealed he was under investigation.

Berlusconi, 74, was referred to by his nickname “Papi” in the texts between Anglo-Italian regional councillor Nicole Minetti, 25, who … Read more »».

New Zealand joins calls for regime change in Egypt

WELLINGTON – New Zealand Monday joined international calls for Egypt President Hosni Mubarak to respect his people’s demands for a change in the country’s regime.

“There is obviously a strong wish among the Egyptian people for a more broadly based government and for greater freedoms and improved economic conditions, and this desire needs to be … Read : New Zealand joins calls for regime change in Egypt.

ElBaradei – a Nobel laureate in eye of Egypt’s political storm

LONDON – Nobel Peace Prize winner Mohamed ElBaradei, who has emerged a leading opposition figure in the political upheaval sweeping through Egypt, has rich experience in working at the UN and distinguished himself as the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

ElBaradei has now returned to Egypt to spearhead the protesters demanding an …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : ElBaradei – a Nobel laureate in eye of Egypt’s political storm.

Egypt changes will impact Pakistan, says Pakistani daily

ISLAMABAD – The consequences of the changes in Egypt will “inevitably impact us”, a Pakistani daily said Monday, adding this will serve as a “stark lesson as to what happens when rulers fail to hear the voices and heed the wishes of those they rule”.

An editorial in the News International said the events … Original source on Gaea Times at : Egypt changes will impact Pakistan, says Pakistani daily.

Karunanidhi to discuss seat-sharing with PM, Sonia

NEW DELHI – Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK) chief M Karunanidhi will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi to discuss seat-sharing for the upcoming elections in the state

Karunanidhi, who arrived here on Sunday, said he will meet Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi to discuss the seat-sharing arrangement …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Karunanidhi to discuss seat-sharing with PM, Sonia.

Egypt situation being monitored: Pakistan

ISLAMABAD – Islamabad is “watching what is happening” in Egypt and will evacuate its citizens if the situation worsens, authorities said.

Express Tribune reported Monday that the Foreign Office did not make it clear as to when it plans to bring back around 150 Pakistani families.
Anti-government protests in Egypt Monday entered the seventh …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Egypt situation being monitored: Pakistan.

Spanish PM expresses support for democracy in Arab world

Zaragoza (Spain), Jan 31 (IANS/EFE) Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero expressed hope that the Arab countries where there have been anti-government protests in recent weeks will achieve “democratic reforms, freedom, progress and social justice”, but always through “peaceful changes.”

Zapatero Sunday remarked on the “significant moments” that several Arab countries are going through, …. Read the original article  : here.

Chidambaram to visit mountainous areas near Jammu

JAMMU – Union Home Minister P. Chidamabaram would be visiting Kishtwar, a mountainous district northeast of Jammu, during his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir beginning Thursday to review the security situation and take stock of the political developments.

Chidambaram would be interacting with district level officers of Kishtwar district, tucked in the Himalayas about … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Chidambaram to visit mountainous areas near Jammu.

Egypt protesters defy curfew; Baradei says no going back

CAIRO – Anti-government demonstrators defied a curfew to protest Monday morning in Egypt’s capital, demanding President Hosny Mubarak step down from office after three decades of rule.

Leading opposition activist Mohammed ElBaradei had earlier Sunday promised tens of thousands of protesters that change would come to their country, as they staged a sixth day of …. Read the original article  : here.

Obama speaks with foreign leaders on Egypt situation

WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama has spoken with leaders from Turkey, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Britain on the present situation in Egypt, the White House said.

Obama spoke to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi King Abdullah Saturday, and to British Prime Minister David Cameron Sunday, Xinhua … Read more : Obama speaks with foreign leaders on Egypt situation.