Political News – Newsletter for February 1, 2011

Putin, Medvedev share nearly 24 ’secret palaces’ between them

MOSCOW – Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin allegedly share between them at least two dozen palaces, villas and mansions, according to a respected Russian magazine.

The Russian liberal media and blogosphere has been alive with discussion about possible secret residences belonging to the two since a businessman in December accused Putin of …. Read the original article  : Putin, Medvedev share nearly 24 ’secret palaces’ between them.

Stern action on Shunglu Committee’s first report: PMO

NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Tuesday said it has taken a “serious view” on the first report of the Shunglu Committee which has found irregularities in the award of broadcasting rights for the Commonwealth Games and will take “stern action” on it.

“The prime minister has taken a serious view of … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Stern action on Shunglu Committee’s first report: PMO.

March of a million: Protesters converge in Cairo (Second Lead)

CAIRO – Thousands of defiant protesters began to pour into Cairo Tuesday to participate in the march of a million to secure ouster of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak who has ruled them for nearly 30 years. The army has said it won’t be using force.

The determined protesters gathered in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, which …. Original article  : March of a million: Protesters converge in Cairo (Second Lead).

Lava bubbling below the surface, daily warns Pakistan

ISLAMABAD – There is “a lava bubbling under the surface” in Pakistan, said an editorial in a Pakistani daily as it commented on the political upheaval in Tunisia and Egypt.

“Pakistans history of incompetent democratic regimes and dictatorial military governments has left the people with few choices,” an editorial in the Daily Times Tuesday … Original article on : Lava bubbling below the surface, daily warns Pakistan.

Nepal PM race heads for another fiasco

KATHMANDU – With only 24 hours left for Nepal’s political parties to name their candidates, the prime ministerial poll Thursday in the turbulent republic is headed for another fiasco. Last year, 16 rounds of vote failed to name a new premier.

The dim hope that the three major parties would hammer out an agreement to …. Original source  : Nepal PM race heads for another fiasco.

Serious challenges to internal security: Manmohan Singh

NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, today said that serious challenges and threats to the country from left wing extremism, cross-border terrorism, religious fundamentalism and ethnic violence still persist.

Addressing the Chief Ministers’ conference on internal security here, Dr. Manmohan Singh urged the states that no let up be … Read : Serious challenges to internal security: Manmohan Singh.

WikiLeaks founder Assange’s mum says Oz PM is a US sycophant

Townsville (Queensland, Australia), – The mother of the founder of the whistle blowing website WikiLeaks, Julian Assange has launched a scathing attack on Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, calling her a “sycophant” of the United States.

Christine Assange said Gillard’s views about her son’s activities are costing her support within her party and among voters who … Read : WikiLeaks founder Assange’s mum says Oz PM is a US sycophant.

Feb 8 set as new date for North-South Korea military talks

SEOUL – The two Koreas Tuesday agreed to hold military talks Feb 8, their first since the North’s artillery strike on a South Korean island in November.

North Korea had asked Seoul to shift the date from Feb 11, the Yonhap News Agency quoted Defence Ministry officials as saying.
The working-level negotiations to be held …. Read the original article  : Feb 8 set as new date for North-South Korea military talks.

Even David Cameron’s doctor brother-in-law doesn’t trust NHS reforms

LONDON – UK Prime Minister David Cameron has dragged his own family into the row over the Government’s health reforms.

He revealed that his brother-in-law Carl Brookes-a cardiologist-had fears about the shake-up.

“My brother-in-law is a hospital doctor and he says ‘You’re giving too much power to the GPs, and hospitals will be disadvantaged,’” said Cameron.

In a … Original article on : Even David Cameron’s doctor brother-in-law doesn’t trust NHS reforms.

BJP leader Naidu slams Centre over increasing corruption

NEW DELHI – Criticizing the Congress-led UPA Government’s inability to curb increasing corruption, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader M Venkaiah Naidu, said people are tired of facing it and immediate steps were needed to check it.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Naidu said: “After the UPA-II came to power, corruption has increased, whether …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : BJP leader Naidu slams Centre over increasing corruption.

CBI is Congress Bureau of Investigation: Bal Thackeray

MUMBAI – Calling it the “Congress Bureau of Investigation”, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray Tuesday said investigative agency CBI was carrying out “politically-motivated probes” in various cases, including the Adarsh Society scam in Mumbai.

In a stinging editorial in party mouthpiece Saamna, the Sena chief said for long the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Million people to march in Cairo, army will not use force

CAIRO – Preparations began Tuesday for the million people march in the Egyptian capital to oust President Hosni Mubarak as the army said that they will not “use force against the Egyptian people”. Another million-strong march is being planned at the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria.

The fierce protests against Mubarak entered the eighth day …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Million people to march in Cairo, army will not use force.

Kashmir situation improved due to government efforts: PM

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday said the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, which witnessed violent protests last year, had improved vastly in the last four months due to measures taken by the state and central governments.

“The situation in the state has vastly improved in the last four months following the …. Original source  : Kashmir situation improved due to government efforts: PM.

Egypt government offers talk with opposition

CAIRO – As protesters gathered for a million people march Tuesday, intensifying their agitation against Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year rule, the Egyptian president asked the newly appointed vice president to hold talks with the opposition.

Vice President Omar Suleiman said Monday that President Mubarak had appointed him to hold immediate dialogue with the opposition, Xinhua reported.
…. Read the original article  : Egypt government offers talk with opposition.

New terror modules emerging: Chidambaram

NEW DELHI – Home Minister P. Chidambaram Tuesday said new terror groups were emerging and there was no room for complacency even though the internal security situation in the country had vastly improved in the past year.

Addressing the fourth chief ministers’ conference on internal security here, Chidambaram said: “A number of modules (of …. Source article  : New terror modules emerging: Chidambaram.

Berlusconi sex scandal: Showgirls complain of losing jobs

LONDON/ROME – Small-time actresses and showgirls, who are at the centre of the prostitution scandal involving Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, have complained of losing their works because of the notoriety of the case, a media report here said.

Berlusconi, 74, is alleged to have paid “several” women for sex during wild “bunga bunga” parties … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Berlusconi sex scandal: Showgirls complain of losing jobs.

Turkey calls for peace in Egypt

ANKARA – Expressing concern at the violence during the weeklong protests in Egypt, Turkey has urged both the Egyptian government and opposition groups to maintain peace in the country.

“Egypt has a key importance for peace and stability in the entire region. That’s why we want peace and stability in the country immediately and we …. Source  : Turkey calls for peace in Egypt.

US ambassador to China resigns, presidential run expected

WASHINGTON – The US ambassador to China has submitted his resignation to the White House ahead of what political observers expect to be a run for president.

Ambassador Jon Huntsman, a Republican, sent his resignation letter to President Barack Obama late Monday, the Politico reported.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs had said earlier in the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : US ambassador to China resigns, presidential run expected.

Statement from National Security Council Spokesman Tommy Vietor on Events Surrounding “Strategy 31??? Protests

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

The United States is troubled by reports of that dozens of people were detained in Moscow and other cities around Russia in connection with … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Statement from National Security Council Spokesman Tommy Vietor on Events Surrounding “Strategy 31″ Protests.

Statement by the Press Secretary on H.R. 366

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

On Monday, January 31, 2011, the President signed into law:

H.R. 366, which extends the authorization of certain Small Business Administration programs until May 31, … Read more : Statement by the Press Secretary on H.R. 366.