Political News – Newsletter for February 10, 2011

Thousands of protesters spend the night on Cairo square

CAIRO – Thousands of protesters were standing their ground in Cairo’s Tahrir Square Thursday, in the 17th day of protests demanding higher wages, political reform and the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak.

Hundreds had camped overnight on the streets, within sight of the nearby parliament buildings. The demonstrators did not appear to be placated by …. Source  : Thousands of protesters spend the night on Cairo square.

Patriot Act Extension Supported By Jerry McNerney

WASHINGTON (GaeaTimes.com)- U.S Rep. Jerry McNerney certainly was one out of his group when it came to the Bay Area House members’ turn for voting with regard to the extension of the Patriot Act. The bill for the extension of the 2001 Patriot Act has stirred quite an uproar after it got rejected on Tuesday … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Patriot Act Extension Supported By Jerry McNerney.

Ready to die for Revolution 2.0, says Google executive

WASHINGTON – “It is no longer the time to negotiate” with the Egyptian government, said Google executive Wael Ghonim, one of the principal organisers of the massive anti-Hosni Mubarak protests for which he is “ready to die”.

Ghonim described the huge protests against President Mubarak, who has ruled Egypt for nearly 30 years, as an …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Ready to die for Revolution 2.0, says Google executive.

Christopher Lee’s Resignation Follows Strong Reaction

NEW YORK (GaeaTimes.com)- For Republican Christopher Lee the downfall from grace has proved to be all too sudden and unexpected. The Republican found himself in deep waters after a gossip website published his bare pictures that he had sent to a woman on the web earlier. Visibly shocked by the unexpected the revelation the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Christopher Lee’s Resignation Follows Strong Reaction.

Manmohan Singh must explain S-Band spectrum scam: Shahnawaz Hussain

NEW DELHI – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shahnawaz Hussain has demanded an explanation from Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh about the new and unique S-Band spectrum allocation scam.

Addressing the media here on Wednesday, Hussain said the ministry comes directly under the Prime Minister, so he will have to answer to the nation.

“The Manmohan Singh …. Original article  : Manmohan Singh must explain S-Band spectrum scam: Shahnawaz Hussain.

Chris Lee Resigns

CLARENCE (GaeaTimes.com)- Chris Lee, the member of the U.S. House of Representatives for New York’s 26th congressional district has resigned from his post on Wednesday. The member of Republican Party was busted for sending a shirtless photograph of him to a woman and as a result the politician said that he had made “profound” …. Original source  : Chris Lee Resigns.

US may cancel trilateral meet with Pakistan over diplomatic row

WASHINGTON – The United States has indicated that it could indeed cancel a high-level meeting involving Pakistan here amid a diplomatic row over continued detention of a US official who shot dead two men in Lahore.

“We want to have a productive meeting. If there’s a reason why we don’t think the meeting will be …. Original article  : US may cancel trilateral meet with Pakistan over diplomatic row.

Sufi appointed first Kashmir information commissioner

JAMMU – G.R. Sufi, an income tax officer, has been appointed Jammu and Kashmir’s first chief information commissioner.

Official sources said the state government received the file of Sufi’s appointment, duly signed by the governor, who is the appointing authority, late Wednesday evening.
“With this, Sufi stands appointed as the chief information commissioner …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Egypt unrest: Malaysia may fly out more of its nationals

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia, which has flown out 5,000 of its nationals from Egypt, would mount another operation if the situation there worsens, says Prime Minister

Mohammed Najib Tun Abdul Razak.
The prime minister said the government would be prepared to do so if the students’ lives were in danger.
Egypt has been facing … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Egypt unrest: Malaysia may fly out more of its nationals.

Rajasthan minister told to quit for remarks on president

JAIPUR – Rajasthan minister Amin Khan, who remarked that Pratibha Patil was made president for having cooked in late former prime minister Indira Gandhi’s kitchen, has been asked to resign.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot late Wednesday summoned the panchayati raj minister, who was at the temple town of Nathdwara near Udaipur, and asked him to …. Source  : Rajasthan minister told to quit for remarks on president.

Silvio Berlusconi threatens ‘total war’ over sex trial

LONDON – Silvio Berlusconi has threatened to launch a ‘constitutional war’ against the country’s judiciary after prosecutors in Milan suggested the Italian Prime Minister should be put on trial immediately for sex crimes.

Berlusconi has accused them of breaking the law and going against parliament.

Soon afterwards his chief ally, Umberto Bossi of the Northern League, … Read : Silvio Berlusconi threatens ‘total war’ over sex trial.

US denies dictating to Egypt

WASHINGTON – The US is not trying to dictate anything on how Egypt should move out of the crisis engulfing it, State Department spokesman Philip Crowley has said.

He was responding to criticism by Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit that the US is imposing its will on Egypt by dictating on how to move … Read more : US denies dictating to Egypt.

Readout of the President’s call with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

The President spoke today with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia about the situation in Egypt.  The President emphasized the importance of taking immediate steps …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 2/9/2011

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 

2:05 P.M. EST

     MR. GIBBS:  Mr. Feller.

     Q    Thank you, Robert.  I wanted to ask about the meeting with … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Press Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 2/9/2011.

Readout of National Security Advisor Tom Donilon’s meeting with Secretary Clinton, Secretary Gates and Israeli Minister of Defense Barak

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

National Security Advisor Donilon, Secretary of State Clinton, and Secretary of Defense Gates met jointly today with Israeli Minister of Defense Barak.  They stressed … Read : Readout of National Security Advisor Tom Donilon’s meeting with Secretary Clinton, Secretary Gates and Israeli Minister of Defense Barak.

Readout of the President and Vice President’s Meeting with Prime Minister Pahor of Slovenia

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

The Vice President met today with Slovene Prime Minister Borut Pahor as part of the Administration’s frequent consultations with our European allies on our …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Readout of the President and Vice President’s Meeting with Prime Minister Pahor of Slovenia.

Statement by the President on Senator Webb’s Retirement

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

From his courageous service in Vietnam to his tireless work in the United States Senate, Jim Webb has dedicated his life to serving our … Read more »»».

Giffords speaks for first time since shooting

WASHINGTON – US lawmaker Gabrielle Giffords has uttered her first words since being gravely wounded by a gunman in Arizona last month, US media reported Wednesday.

The Arizona congresswoman asked for some toast with her breakfast Monday at a rehabilitation centre in Houston, according to the US news website politico.com. It marked the latest sign … Read more : Giffords speaks for first time since shooting.

BJP accused of indulging in ‘vegetable politics’

PANAJI – Goa Youth Congress leaders Wednesday accused the BJP of indulging in “vegetable politics”, saying that saffron-aligned wholesalers in Karnataka were thwarting attempts by the Goa government to source cheap vegetables from Belgaum town.

Goa Youth Congress leaders Wednesday threatened to block the entry of trucks laden with vegetables from Belgaum, one of the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : BJP accused of indulging in ‘vegetable politics’.

India thanks Afghanistan after rescue of consular employee

NEW DELHI – India Wednesday expressed its gratitude to the Afghan authorities after a kidnapped local employee of the Indian consulate in Jalalabad was rescued.

External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash said that a Afghan employee of the Jalalabad consulate was kidnapped near his home on the evening of Feb 5, during which he also … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : India thanks Afghanistan after rescue of consular employee.