Political News – Newsletter for February 7, 2011

Monday, February 7, 2011

Protesters stay in Cairo square

CAIRO – Groups of protesters remained in Cairo’s central Tahrir Square Monday morning, hundreds having camped out over-night, a day after some opposition groups began their first talks with the government.

The banned Muslim Brotherhood participated in the talks, and while admitting it was just a beginning they also insisted that no substantive concessions … Original article on : Protesters stay in Cairo square.

PRP’s merger with Congress may benefit TDP, Jagan (News Analysis)

HYDERABAD – The merger of Telugu superstar K. Chiranjeevi’s Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) with the ruling Congress in Andhra Pradesh has changed political equations in the state that has been witnessing instability for more than a year.

This development will bring some clarity to the hazy political scenario in the state but is also likely … Read this article on Gaea Times at : PRP’s merger with Congress may benefit TDP, Jagan (News Analysis).

Son denies misuse of land of Chandra Shekhar trust

NEW DELHI – Neeraj Shekhar, son of former prime minister Chandra Shekhar, has said that the Bharat Yatra Trust set up by his father would never lease out its properties to private groups.

Neeraj Shekhar told IANS that there was no attempt to encash on the appreciating real estate value of the hundreds of acres …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Son denies misuse of land of Chandra Shekhar trust.

Swamy seeks Karunanidhi’s prosecution for land allotment

CHENNAI – Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy Monday sought the Tamil Nadu governor’s sanction for prosecution of Chief Minister M. Karuananidhi for alleged irregularities in land allotment.

Swamy handed over his petition seeking permission to prosecute DMK chief Karunanidhi to Governor Surjit Singh Barnala’s aid de camp (ADC) Monday afternoon.
Speaking to reporters outside Raj …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Swamy seeks Karunanidhi’s prosecution for land allotment.

Venkaiah Naidu slams Congress over Telecom scam probe

CHENNAI – Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Venkaiah Naidu has expressed concern on the magnitude of corruption exposed in the 2G spectrum allocation scam.

Talking to reporters here on Sunday, Naidu critised Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal for arguing no loss had been caused to the exchequer by the telecom scam.

“Mr. Kapil Sibal has acted against …. Original source : Venkaiah Naidu slams Congress over Telecom scam probe.

Pak govt. seriously implementing 10-point reforms agenda: Gilani

LAHORE – Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said his government is seriously implementing the 10-point reforms agenda given by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) last month.

“We agreed to the 10-point agenda only after weighing all its aspects,” the Dawn quoted Gilani, as saying.

“As some of the points require just administrative decisions, we …. Read the original article : Pak govt. seriously implementing 10-point reforms agenda: Gilani.

Manmohan Singh emphasises need for bold initiatives for development

HYDERABAD – The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, on Monday said constitutional democracy that provides socio- political and economic justice to all, would be the best choice for emerging economies.

Addressing legal luminaries after inaugurating the 17th Commonwealth Law Conference in Hyderabad, Dr. Singh said: ” Considering the reality and scale of conflict, deprivation and … Read more : Manmohan Singh emphasises need for bold initiatives for development.

Swamy to seek governor’s sanction to prosecute Karunanidhi

CHENNAI – Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy Monday said he would seek Tamil Nadu Governor Surjit Singh Barnala’s sanction to prosecute Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi for alleged misuse of office to allot land.

“The governor has given me time to meet this afternoon. I will be seeking his sanction to prosecute Karunanidhi for misusing … Original article on : Swamy to seek governor’s sanction to prosecute Karunanidhi.

Thousands of Thais flee fighting on border with Cambodia

BANGKOK/PHNOM PENH – Thousands of Thai civilians Monday fled fighting between Thai and Cambodian troops in an intensified border dispute that has raised calls for international intervention.

Renewed fighting broke out Sunday evening in Thailand’s Si Sa Ket province and Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province, about 450 kilometres north-east of Bangkok.
Fourteen Thai soldiers …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Thousands of Thais flee fighting on border with Cambodia.

Wills will make a fantastic husband, wonderful king, says David Cameron

LONDON – British Prime Minister David Cameron is confident that Prince William will make a “fantastic husband” and a “wonderful king”.

Cameron said he had found the Prince to be “a remarkable young man” after spending time with him in Zurich for England’s recent failed bid to host the World Cup.

The PM said he was confident [..] Read the original article: here.

New Nepal PM agreed to quit May 24: Report

KATHMANDU – Instead of stabilising Nepal’s turbulent political situation after a seven-month-long vacuum, the election of a new prime minister has stirred up further turmoil amid reports about a secret pact between the ruling party and the former Maoist insurgents.

Jhala Nath Khanal, chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist, who was admitted … Read : New Nepal PM agreed to quit May 24: Report.

Malaysian PM says Egyptian-style protests won’t work

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has warned against any attempt to usurp power in Malaysia through demonstrations like those in Egypt.

Dont think that what is happening there must also happen in Malaysia. We will not allow it to happen here, he said Sunday.
He did not address his warning to … Read more >>.

‘Berlusconi’s naked pics up for grabs for 1m’pound

LONDON – Compromising pictures of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi are apparently on sale for one million pounds.

Reports in Italian media said that the photographs showed Berlusconi naked in the company of the women and that magazines had refused to publish them as they were taken ‘inside his private property.’

However, Berlusconi’s legal team Niccolo Ghedini … Read more »».

Missing Google executive in Egypt to be released

CAIRO/WASHINGTON – A senior Google executive, who mysteriously went missing over a week ago after emerging as a key figure in the Egypt protests against the 30-year rule of President Hosni Mubarak, is going to be released Monday, his family said.

Wael Ghonim, who is in his 30s, is a political activist and Google’s top …. Original source : Missing Google executive in Egypt to be released.

Manmohan Singh to dedicate new Kerala port to nation on Feb.11

VALLARPADOM – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, will dedicate the

International Container Trans-shipment Terminal (ICTT) at Valarpadom, Kerala, to the nation on February 11.

The new port, which will be privately operated by Dubai Port World, has been facing constraints in the form of protests and strikes by major trade unions of the existing [..] Read the original article: here.

UN chief calls for ending Cambodia, Thailand hostilities

UNITED NATIONS – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has asked Cambodia and Thailand to make “an effective arrangement” to end hostilities and “exercise maximum restraint”.

“The secretary-general is deeply concerned by reports of repeated armed clashes…between Cambodia and Thailand around their common border area, which has reportedly claimed a number of lives and led to the … Original article on : UN chief calls for ending Cambodia, Thailand hostilities.