Political News – Newsletter for February 3, 2011

Tens of thousands in Yemen `Day of Rage’ demonstrations

SANA’A – Large demonstrations were taking place in Sana’a Thursday, with both pro- and anti-government protesters flocking to the centre of the Yemeni capital in their tens of thousands.

According to witnesses, more than 20,000 people supporting President Ali Abdullah Saleh were protesting near Sana’a University and another group was located in Tahrir Square.
Meanwhile, … Read more >>.

Someone impersonating me on Twitter, says Jayalalithaa

CHENNAI – AIADMK general secretary J. Jayalalithaa Thursday said someone was posting messages on micro-blogging site Twitter using her name.

In a statement here, Jayalalithaa said: “It has been brought to my notice that ‘tweets’ are being sent out through the social networking and micro-blogging website Twitter.com in my name.”
“I would like to clarify …. Source article  : Someone impersonating me on Twitter, says Jayalalithaa.

Bangladesh wants to redraw sea border with India

DHAKA – Bangladesh will approach the UN seeking to delineate its maritime borders in the Bay of Bengal with India and Myanmar.

Bangladesh claims over 450 nautical miles from its coastline in the Bay of Bengal.
The country has long-standing problems with India and Myanmar on the issue of “starting point” to mark its marine …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Bangladesh wants to redraw sea border with India.

Protests in Yemen seek president’s ouster

SANA’A – The winds of change sweeping the Arab world Thursday saw more than 20,000 Yemenis take to the streets here demanding the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

The protesters shouted slogans such as “people want the regime to fall, people want Saleh to go,” Xinhua reported. The protesters massed outside Sana’a University.
… Read more >>.

Mario Balotelli’s girlfriend claims Berlusconi badgered her at his party

LONDON – Italian footballer Mario Balotelli’s girlfriend has revealed how Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi kept badgering her at one of his bunga bunga parties.

Sara Tommasi, 29, a model, said businessman Giampaolo Tarantini had invited her to the sumptuous Palazzo Grazioli villa in Rome, where 74-year-old Berlusconi soon targeted her.

Tommasi, who is not a hooker …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

India to reduce GDP emission intensity by 20 percent by 2020: Manmohan Singh

NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Thursday said that India is set to reduce the emissions intensity of GDP by 20 per cent between 2005 and 2020.

Addressing at the 11th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit here, Dr. Singh said: “

We are also taking action on our own in the form of a …. Original source  : India to reduce GDP emission intensity by 20 percent by 2020: Manmohan Singh.

Gilani forces Sherry Rehman to withdraw Pak blasphemy law amendment bill

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan parliamentarian Sherry Rehman will withdraw the bill seeking amendments to the country’s blasphemy law as per the party’s directions, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said.

In November 2010, Rehman had submitted a private member bill in the National Assembly Secretariat seeking amendments to soften Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy law after a Pakistani …. Original source  : Gilani forces Sherry Rehman to withdraw Pak blasphemy law amendment bill.

Five dead, 800 injured as gunfire echoes in Cairo (Second Lead)

CAIRO – Gunfire rang out across ground zero Tahrir Square Thursday as clashes between government supporters and protesters demanding the ouster of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak escalated, leaving five dead and 800 injured with no ambulances in sight and a makeshift clinic trying desperately to tend to the wounded.

The running clashes took place …. Source article  : Five dead, 800 injured as gunfire echoes in Cairo (Second Lead).

Mayawati’s visit leaves Agra disappointed

AGRA – Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati came and she saw, but there was little of the action people were expecting against government functionaries in the build-up to the visit.

After much hype and panic in government departments, Mayawati spent around two hours in Agra Wednesday evening to inspect a couple of projects.
“Actually, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Mayawati’s visit leaves Agra disappointed.

Sri Lankans have contributed to US culture: Clinton

COLOMBO – Sri Lankans have made several “positive contributions to American culture”, said US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the eve of Sri Lanka’s Independence Day anniversary.

Sri Lanka will celebrate its 63rd anniversary of independence Friday.
Clinton said: “Since Sri Lanka’s independence, our two countries have had a strong relationship based on mutual … Read more »».

Berlusconi to face charges ‘most likely on Monday or Tuesday’

LONDON – Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is set to face charges as soon as possible for allegedly paying an underage prostitute for sex, prosecutors have said.

Milan’s chief prosecutor, Edmondo Bruti Liberati, who has overseen the investigation into Berlusconi, said a request for an immediate indictment would be submitted to a judge “most likely on …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Italian MP caught ogling at escort website on his iPad during debate

LONDON – One of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s MPs has been caught looking at escort girls on his newly issued government iPad while attending a debate in parliament.

Simeone di Cagno Abbrescia, 66, was photographed ogling several scantily-clad women offering their services for 1,000 pounds per night during a crucial no confidence vote last week, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Italian MP caught ogling at escort website on his iPad during debate.

A. Raja Arrested

NEW DELHI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- Former telecommunication minister of India and member of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party, A. Raja has been arrested on Wednesday. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) reported that they have arrested the former telecommunication minister as a part of their investigation for a multi-billion corruption scandal (the 2G spectrum scam). R.K. …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : A. Raja Arrested.

US welcomes emerging India’s role in Asia Pacific

WASHINGTON – The US welcomes India’s greater involvement in East Asia and is committed to working with New Delhi as it increases ties with US allies in Southeast Asia and Japan, a senior US official has said.

“Ultimately, we think that India’s role in the Asian-Pacific region stands to be one of the most important … Read : US welcomes emerging India’s role in Asia Pacific.

Gunfire in Cairo as clashes leave five dead, 600 injured

CAIRO – Shots rang out Thursday in Cairo’s Tahrir Square as violent clashes broke out between anti- and pro-Hosni Mubarak protesters leaving five people dead and over 600 injured.

The running clashes took place for over 12 hours with daybreak witnessing an escalation in the deteriorating situation as gunfire was being heard in this … Read more : Gunfire in Cairo as clashes leave five dead, 600 injured.

Kashmir governor returns information commissioner’s file

JAMMU – Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra has returned the file appointing income tax officer G.R. Sufi as the state’s chief information commissioner (CIC) because it did not have the clearance of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).

Sufi, an income tax officer, was recommended for the post last week by a panel headed by …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Kashmir governor returns information commissioner’s file.

Violence against Egyptian protesters draws condemnation

Cairo, Feb 3 (IANS/AKI) Amnesty International has criticised the Egyptian army for failing to protect anti-government protesters who reportedly came under attack in Cairo from supporters of President Hosni Mubarak.

Many protesters calling on Mubarak to resign were reported to have been injured in the clashes.
“The army has failed in its commitment to … Read more >>.

Message from the President on the New START Treaty

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

TO THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES:
I have considered the United States Senate's December 22, 2010, Resolution of Advice and Consent to Ratification of …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Message from the President on the New START Treaty.

Letter from the President on the New START Treaty

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE CHAIRMEN AND RANKING MEMBERS OF THE SENATE COMMITTEES ON FOREIGN RELATIONS AND ARMED SERVICES

February 2, … Read more : Letter from the President on the New START Treaty.

Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

Paul A. Engelmayer, of New York, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York, vice Gerard E. Lynch, elevated.
 
Arvo [..] Read the original article: here.