Political News – Newsletter for February 4, 2011

Chidambaram’s visit raises hope of roadmap for Kashmir

JAMMU – Home Minister P. Chidambaram Friday indicated the central government will speed up the process to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir crisis once it receives a final report of the three interlocutors, official sources said.

Chidambaram, who concluded a two-day visit to the state, reviewed the security situation in the mountainous districts of Jammu …. Original article  : Chidambaram’s visit raises hope of roadmap for Kashmir.

Egypt’s defence minister inspects Tahrir Square

CAIRO – Egypt’s Defence Minister Mohamed Hussein Tantawi and commanders of the Egyptian army Friday inspected Cairo’s Tahrir Square, a media report said.

Thousands of Egyptians are congregating at the square to hold protests against Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Xinhua quoted state Nile News TV reported.
There has been tension since Friday morning at the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Egypt’s defence minister inspects Tahrir Square.

Probe sought into disrupted assembly telecast

PANAJI – Goa Speaker Pratapsing Rane Friday asked Chief Minister Digambar Kamat to initiate a police probe into the blackout of live assembly transmissions by a section of cable TV operators.

Speaking during zero hour, Rane said the live telecast was intended to inform the people of what their legislators were doing in the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Probe sought into disrupted assembly telecast.

Manmohan Singh congratulates new PM of Nepal

NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has congratulated Jhalanath Khanal on his election as Nepal’s new Prime Minister.

Dr. Singh spoke to Prime Minister Khanal last evening to convey his felicitations.

Dr. Singh has also written to Prime Minister-elect Khanal to convey his heartiest congratulations on latter’s election as the Prime Minister of Nepal, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Manmohan Singh congratulates new PM of Nepal.

Manmohan Singh suggests procedures to end corruption

NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Friday said that it is necessary to fast-tracked administrative practices and procedures to tackle the problem of corruption.

Addressing the 2nd Annual Conference of Chief Secretaries of States here, Dr. Singh said: Corruption strikes at the roots of good governance. It is an impediment to faster …. Source article  : Manmohan Singh suggests procedures to end corruption.

Mulayam Singh flays Mayawati for targeting party supporters

LUCKNOW – Samajwadi Party President Mulayam Singh Yadav has cautioned Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati for her alleged pick and choose approach in targeting his party supporters and sending them to jail.

Addressing mediapersons here on Thursday, Mulayam Singh warned that Mayawati herself may have to face similar situation …. Original source  : Mulayam Singh flays Mayawati for targeting party supporters.

Protests against price rise in Visakhapatnam

VISAKHAPATNAM – Political parties including Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) have called for a state-wide protest against inflation in Visakhapatnam.

They took the protest to the streets with effigies of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh outside the Collectorate office here.

“At the time of drought, we had …. Source article  : Protests against price rise in Visakhapatnam.

Myanmar parliament selects ex-general as president

YANGON – Myanmar’s parliament Friday elected former army general Thein Sein as the country’s president, giving him the power to select a cabinet and head a powerful new security council.

Thein Sein, 65, is also chairman in military-run Myanmar of the pro-junta Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), which won 77 percent of the contested … Read more »».

Inflation poses serious threat to growth momentum: Manmohan Singh

NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Friday said India’s high inflation posed a “serious threat” to the country’s growth momentum, and was driven by supply-side shortages.

Addressing the 2nd Annual Conference of Chief Secretaries of States here, Dr. Singh said: “Our economy has been on a high growth trajectory for the … Original source on Gaea Times at : Inflation poses serious threat to growth momentum: Manmohan Singh.

Berlusconi wins brief respite from sex scandals

WELLINGTON – Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi won some brief respite from the sex scandals when parliament denied prosecutors’ request to search some of his properties.

In a much-needed victory for the embattled leader, parliament on Thursday rejected the prosecution requests in a 315-298 vote that came after a four-hour debate in the lower house, reports … Read : Berlusconi wins brief respite from sex scandals.

Tense Cairo braces for Mubarak’s `day of departure’

CAIRO – Defiant protesters prepared for massive protests Friday — a day they call the “day of departure” for Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak who is facing his worst crisis after 30 years of rule.

Some opposition groups plan to intensify protests to force Mubarak to quit Friday, Xinhua and other media organisations reported.
In a … Original article on : Tense Cairo braces for Mubarak’s `day of departure’.

New Nepal PM likely to be sworn in Sunday

KATHMANDU – Nepal’s new Prime Minister-elect Jhalanath Khanal, who won a three-cornered election Thursday with the support of the opposition Maoists, is likely to be sworn in Sunday along with a mini cabinet, his communist party said.

The 61-year-old former school teacher, who becomes Nepal’s ninth prime minister in nine years, will take oath of …. Original article  : New Nepal PM likely to be sworn in Sunday.

Benazir Bhutto’s BlackBerry phones found

ISLAMABAD – Investigators probing the assassination of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto said they have found two BlackBerry mobile phones belonging to the slain leader.

Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has recovered the phones from a servant at Bhutto’s family residence in Karachi, the Dawn reported Friday.
The phones were used by Abdul Razzaq, …. Source article  : Benazir Bhutto’s BlackBerry phones found.

Corruption dents India’s global image: PM

NEW DELHI – Expressing concern over the “menace” of corruption in the wake of a series of scams, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Friday said it demeans and dents India’s image.

“Corruption strikes at the roots of good governance. It is an impediment to faster growth. It dilutes, if not negates, our efforts at social inclusion. …. Source article  : Corruption dents India’s global image: PM.

Poet Dinkar’s family alleges threats from Sushil Modi’s nephew

PATNA – The family of Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, popularly known as ‘rashtra kavi’ or national poet, is running from pillar to post for justice alleging that Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi’s nephew is refusing to vacate a portion of their home and is threatening them.

Dinkar’s 80-year-old daughter-in-law Hemant Devi and grandson Arvind … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Poet Dinkar’s family alleges threats from Sushil Modi’s nephew.

US plans for Mubarak’s immediate exit

WASHINGTON – The US is holding discussions with Egyptian officials on a proposal for President Hosni Mubarak to resign immediately and hand over power to a transitional government that would be supported by the military, officials said.

The Barack Obama administration is working on the proposal for Mubarak to quit now and turn over power … Read this article on Gaea Times at : US plans for Mubarak’s immediate exit.

UN hails end of crisis in Nepal

KATHMANDU – The UN has hailed the end of the seven-month political crisis in Nepal with the election of a new prime minister Thursday, urging the premier-elect not to fail the May 28 deadline for promulgating a new constitution.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the election of Jhalanath Khanal, chairman of the Communist Party of …. Original source  : UN hails end of crisis in Nepal.

Chidambaram, Omar agree to push Kashmir peace roadmap

JAMMU – Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Friday and the two agreed to draw up a roadmap for lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir. The former then reviewed the security situation in Kishtwar.

Abdullah hosted an hour-long breakfast meeting with the visiting home minister who is on a two-day visit … Read : Chidambaram, Omar agree to push Kashmir peace roadmap.

Jhalanath Khanal elected new Prime Minister of Nepal

KATHMANDU – Nepal’s Parliament has elected CPN (UML) chairman Jhalanath Khanal as the 34th Prime Minister, ending the six-month long stalemate.

The breakthrough came after opposition Unified CPN (Maoist) withdrew its Chairman Prachanda from the electoral race and decided to vote for Khanal.

He secured 368 votes, more than the simple majority required in the … Original article on : Jhalanath Khanal elected new Prime Minister of Nepal.

Mubarak’s net worth estimated at $40-70 bn

CAIRO – The net worth of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who is under pressure to quit following a massive mass movement, and his family is estimated to between $40 billion to $70 billion, a media report said.

ABC News quoted experts as saying that the Mubarak family wealth was built largely from military contracts during … Original article on : Mubarak’s net worth estimated at $40-70 bn.