Political News – Newsletter for February 6, 2011

Legal order must constantly adapt itself to change: Manmohan Singh

HYDERABAD – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Sunday said developing countries needed a legal system that is conducive to rapid economic development and one that had a built-in mechanism to promote equitable distribution of gains from development.

Inaugurating the 17th Commonwealth Law Conference here, Dr. Singh said: … Read more : Legal order must constantly adapt itself to change: Manmohan Singh.

Tale of two Thomases (Capital Buzz)

NEW DELHI – Why is the UPA government in no hurry to ask controversial Central Vigilance Commissioner P.J. Thomas to resign? One version is because of electoral calculations in Kerala, where the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is expected to make a comeback in the assembly polls due in May.

Thomas belongs to the Syro-Malabar …. Source  : Tale of two Thomases (Capital Buzz).

Thai prime minister defends army’s actions in border battle

BANGKOK – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva insisted Sunday Thai troops were not to blame for deadly border skirmishes with Cambodia, as a fragile truce held along a strip of disputed land.

“I confirm that Thailand did not invade Cambodian territory,” Abhisit said. “But we reserve our right to protect our sovereignty in an appropriate way.”
…. Read the original article  : Thai prime minister defends army’s actions in border battle.

Hasina may induct veterans in cabinet

DHAKA – Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina may induct Awami League veterans to add experience and give a fresh look to her team in a mid-term cabinet reshuffle, a media report said Sunday.

She also hopes to respond to criticism from opposition parties and the vocal middle class over rising prices, power shortage and charges … Original article on : Hasina may induct veterans in cabinet.

Yamini Roy To Wear Indira Gandhi’s Saree

NEW DELHI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- BJP MP Varun Gandhi is all set to tie the knot with Bengali beauty Yamini Roy. As the couple readies to take the wedding vows on March 6, it has come up that the soon to be Gandhi daughter-in-law will wear a saree on the auspicious occasion that belonged to the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Yamini Roy To Wear Indira Gandhi’s Saree.

Marxists publish book to woo masses in poll year

KOLKATA – In an apparent bid to woo the masses in an election year, West Bengal’s ruling Marxists have brought out a 728-page book on the state’s left movement and the Left Front government.

At a time when they are going through perhaps their toughest times since coming to power nearly 34 years ago, the … Read more »».

Veteran industrialist calls on PM to tackle corruption, other major issues

NEW DELHI/BANGALORE – In an open letter to the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, Dr. Sitaram Jindal, Chairman and Managing Director of Jindal Aluminium Ltd., has appealed to him to end what he termed the “miserable quality of governance” that prevails in the country.

Hoping that the letter would once again ignite a patriotic feeling among …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Veteran industrialist calls on PM to tackle corruption, other major issues.

Burdwan residents protest against police atrocities

BURDWAN – Scores of locals staged a protest here on Saturday against the torching of an office of the regional Trinamool Congress (TMC) party, allegedly perpetrated by the security personnel.

The protests began soon after police conducted massive raids in crime-infested areas across Burdwan District.

Residents asserted that the TMC office was burnt down during a police …. Original article  : Burdwan residents protest against police atrocities.

Kashmir gets CVC clearance for information commissioner

JAMMU – The Jammu and Kashmir government has received the clearance from the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) for the appointment of an income tax officer as the state’s first chief information commissioner (CIC), an official said Sunday.

A panel headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had recommended G.R. Sufi’s name for appointment as the CIC …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Kashmir gets CVC clearance for information commissioner.

Egyptian government to hold talks with opposition group

CAIRO – The Egyptian government will hold talks with the Muslim Brotherhood, after the opposition group agreed to a dialogue with Vice President Omar Suleiman in a bid to end the country’s political turmoil, officials said.

Suleiman will meet members of Muslim Brotherhood Sunday, officials from the brotherhood told reporters.
The topics will be …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Egyptian government to hold talks with opposition group.

We are worried about any change in Egypt: Shimon Peres

JERUSALEM – Israeli President Shimon Peres Saturday expressed concern about the changes that the revolts in Egypt may bring to the Middle East.

“We are very worried about having any change in a government, or in the system of elections,” Peres said.
“If the Muslim Brotherhood are elected (in Egypt), they will not bring peace,” … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : We are worried about any change in Egypt: Shimon Peres.

US presses Egypt on transition

WASHINGTON – The US continued to press Egypt on the need for an “orderly, peaceful transition” as President Barack Obama discussed the situation with other world leaders while Vice President Joe Biden telephoned his Egyptian counterpart Omar Suleiman.

Obama called German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister David Cameron and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed … Read more : US presses Egypt on transition.

Shake-up in Egypt’s ruling party after top leadership quits

CAIRO – Egypt’s ruling party announced a major shake-up Saturday with several top leaders resigning – but President Hosni Mubarak showed no signs of relinquishing power despite a 12th straight day of protests.

Gamal Mubarak, the son of the embattled president, resigned from his job as a political head of the ruling National Democratic Party [..] Read the original article: here.

Al-Arabiya retracts report of Mubarak resigning party post

CAIRO – Broadcaster al-Arabiya late Saturday retracted an earlier report that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak had resigned his post as chairman of the ruling National Democratic Party.
… Read more »».

EU freezes assets of 48 members of Ben Ali’s clan

BRUSSELS – The European Union announced Saturday that it was freezing the assets of 48 members of Tunisia’s former ruling clan, including ousted president Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali and his wife Leila Trabelsi.

Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia Jan 14 following a month-long popular revolt. His family and relatives have been accused of siphoning …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : EU freezes assets of 48 members of Ben Ali’s clan.

Mubarak quits as ruling party chief, protesters seek his exit (Intro-Roundup)

CAIRO/WASHINGTON – Embattled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak Saturday night quit as the ruling party chief, but the tens of thousands gathered at Cairo’s Tahrir Square stayed put demanding his immediate ouster.

Under intense pressure from the US to make way for a new regime and free and fair elections, the president of three decades put …. Source  : Mubarak quits as ruling party chief, protesters seek his exit (Intro-Roundup).

Mubarak resigns as ruling party chief

CAIRO – Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak Saturday stepped down as chairman of the country’s ruling party, as the mass uprising against his three-decade-old rule entered the 12th day.

Mubarak stepped down along with the rest of his National Democratic Party’s (NDP) top leaders, Al Jazeera reported citing state television, as as tens of thousands …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Mubarak quits as ruling party chief

CAIRO – Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak Saturday stepped down as chairman of the country’s ruling party, bowing to the protesters’ demand for the end of his 30-year rule.

Mubarak stepped down along with the rest of the National Democratic Party’s (NDP) top leadership, as tens of thousands of protesters are standing their ground in Cairo’s … Read : Mubarak quits as ruling party chief.

South Korea seeks to improve ties with UAE

Abu Dhabi, Feb 5 (IANS/WAM) South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Saturday to discuss ways to bolster relationship between the two countries.

Ahead of his meeting with UAE Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sung-hwan said the two countries are committed to bolster their political, economic and cultural … Read more : South Korea seeks to improve ties with UAE.

CPI-M to probe allegations against senior party leader

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Saturday ordered a probe by a two-member panel against the allegations against P. Sasi, a member of the state committee and former political secretary to erstwhile chief minister E.K. Nayanar during 1996-2001.

The name of Sasi, the Kannur district party secretary till end of last year until …. Read the original article  : here.