Political News – Newsletter for February 8, 2011

No ’security’ help for my brief case, tweets Abdullah

JAMMU – Amid reports that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati’s security guards were seen shining her shoes, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said Tuesday that he would not let his security guards carry his briefcase.

Omar wrote on micro-bogging site Twitter: “I won’t let my security chaps carry my briefcase, but I guess …. Read the original article  : here.

Congress workers await leaders in by-polls campaign

BHOPAL – The Congress is yet to field its top leaders in the campaign for by-elections to two Madhya Pradesh assembly seats Feb 14, where vote hunting has entered the final stage.

With less then a week before polls in Kukshi and Sonkatch constituencies, both held by Congress, party workers are still waiting for senior … Read more >>>.

No decision yet on S-band allocation: PMO

NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Tuesday said the government has not taken any decision on the spectrum allocation of radio waves used for satellite communication, amid reports that such a deal between the Indian space agency’s commercial arm and a private company has caused the nation an estimated loss of Rs.2 lakh … Original source on Gaea Times at : No decision yet on S-band allocation: PMO.

Government makes fresh bid to break parliament stalemate

NEW DELHI – Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee will Tuesday meet leaders of all political parties in a renewed effort ahead of the budget session to resolve the deadlock over the opposition’s demand for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into the 2G spectrum scam.

Mukherjee called for the all-party meeting to ensure that the crucial … Read more »».

SAARC countries pledge to combat terrorism, human trafficking

THIMPHU – Bhutanese Prime Minister Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y. Thinley today said that the member countries of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) would work together to stamp out terrorism, human trafficking and poverty from the sub-continental region.

Speaking at the inauguration of the SAARC Foreign Ministers meeting, Thinley said efforts of the past decades were …. Read the original article  : SAARC countries pledge to combat terrorism, human trafficking.

Australian PM fights tears, pays tribute to flood victims

SYDNEY – Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard Tuesday choked back tears on the floor of federal parliament while paying tribute to the victims of the Queensland floods.

Recalling the bravery of victims, including 13-year-old Jordan Rice – who insisted rescuers to save his 10-year-old brother Blake before him – the prime minister said, the …. Original source  : Australian PM fights tears, pays tribute to flood victims.

US official in India to push defence sales

WASHINGTON – With the US seeking to significantly increase its defence sales to India, a senior defence official is joining Commerce Secretary Gary Locke on his visit there.

Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Andrew J. Shapiro will be in India Feb 8-11 “to build on the achievements of President (Barack) Obama’s November trip”, …. Read the original article  : US official in India to push defence sales.

Angelo Reyes Commits Suicide

MARINIKA, PHILLIPINES (GaeaTimes.com)- Former Energy Chief and Defense secretary, Angelo Reyes reportedly committed suicide, today early in the morning. The reason behind his death is still unknown. The 65 year old politician reportedly went to visit the grave of his mother, early this Tuesday, where he decided to land a gun shot right on …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Luxury German clinic being considered for Mubarak

LONDON – A German luxury clinic that offers “comfort and service of a top hotel” is being considered for embattled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak who is under intense pressure to quit, a media report said.

The move to Germany is part of an exit strategy being worked out for Mubarak who has ruled Egypt since …. Source  : Luxury German clinic being considered for Mubarak.

Egypt faces a ‘bumpy’ transition: US

WASHINGTON – The US has signalled its backing for a more deliberate approach to political negotiations in Egypt with White House saying its key ally faces a “bumpy” process in its transition to a multiparty democracy.

Even as he repeated the US insistence on meaningful change in Egypt, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs Monday … Original source on Gaea Times at : Egypt faces a ‘bumpy’ transition: US.

Mafia ‘possess compromising Berlusconi photos’

LONDON – Mafia gangsters claim to possess compromising photos of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi at wild ‘bunga bunga’ sex parties, a leading Italian photographer has claimed.

Fabrizio Corona, who is known as the ‘king of the paparazzi,’ has claimed that members of the Camorra mafia in Naples are trying to sell the alleged images to [..] Read the original article: here.

Obama sees progress in Egypt

WASHINGTON – Egypt is making progress in resolving its political crisis as talks between the government and opposition groups were underway, US President Barack Obama said Monday.

“Obviously Egypt has to negotiate a path and they’re making progress,” Obama told reporters after delivering a speech to the business community in Washington. He did not elaborate.
… Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Obama sees progress in Egypt.

Readout of President Obama’s Call to Green Bay Packers Coach Mike McCarthy

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

This afternoon, President Obama called Green Bay Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy to congratulate him and the team on their Super Bowl victory.  The … Read more : Readout of President Obama’s Call to Green Bay Packers Coach Mike McCarthy.

NOMINATION SENT TO THE SENATE

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

Suzan D. Johnson Cook, of New York, to be Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, vice John V. Hanford III, resigned.(Originally nominated on …. Read the original article  : NOMINATION SENT TO THE SENATE.

Presidential Memorandum???National Defense Authorization Act

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For Immediate Release

Attached is a memorandum from the President to the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy regarding the annual update to the Report …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Presidential Memorandum–National Defense Authorization Act.

Letter from the President on High Performance Computer Exports

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

Attached is the text of a letter from the President on high performance computer exports.

LINK (www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/2011teraflops.idl_.rel_.pdf)

…. Original article  : Letter from the President on High Performance Computer Exports.

CORRECTED: Statement by the President on the Intent to Recognize Southern Sudan

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

On behalf of the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Southern Sudan for a successful and inspiring referendum in which … Read more »»».

PRESS BRIEFING

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For Immediate Release

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

See below for an answer to a question (marked with an asterisk) posed in the briefing that required follow [..] Read the original article: here.

Egyptian cabinet promises 15-percent pay hike

CAIRO – The Egyptian cabinet met Monday for the first time since its reshuffle, announcing it would raise public-sector salaries and pensions by 15 percent.

The cabinet, which was reshuffled with several ministers fired late last month, said the Finance Ministry would allocate some 6.5 billion Egyptian pounds ($1.1 billion) to cover the raise, which …. Original article  : Egyptian cabinet promises 15-percent pay hike.

Readout of President Obama’s Call to Green Bay Packers Coach Mike McCarthy

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

This afternoon, President Obama called Green Bay Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy to congratulate him and the team on their Super Bowl victory.  The … Read more : Readout of President Obama’s Call to Green Bay Packers Coach Mike McCarthy.