Political News – Newsletter for February 12, 2011

Berlusconi admits he’s ‘a sinner’, accuses opponents of staging ’show trial’

LONDON – Italy’s Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, has admitted that he “sometimes is a sinner”, but also accused opponents of using Soviet-style spying to oust him in a political coup.

Berlusconi, 74, said during an interview with Il Foglio, an influential opinion daily, that prosecutors staged a … Read more >>.

Australia calls for election timetable to steer new Egypt

SYDNEY – Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd Saturday said Egypt must now have a clear timetable for free and fair elections, following the resignation of Hosni Mubarak as president.

A joint statement by the prime minister and foreign minister said fundamental reform was needed to “ensure the opportunity and …. Original source  : Australia calls for election timetable to steer new Egypt.

Kerala not done enough to draw private investment: Chidambaram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – The tit for tat between the Left-ruled Kerala and the central government ahead of the forthcoming assembly polls continued with union Home Minister P. Chidambaram Saturday lashing out at the state government.

Speaking at the Kerala Development Congress (KDC) venue here, Chidambaram attacked the state’s Left Democratic Front government, saying: “All the …. Source  : Kerala not done enough to draw private investment: Chidambaram.

Six nations where winds of change are blowing

WASHINGTON – The winds of change are sweeping through the Middle East, triggering a series of political shifts in response to widespread discontent that once went unacknowledged. Here is a brief on the six nations where the people’s revolt has been emblematic.

Tunisia: The northernmost country in Africa is where it all started, reports … Original source on Gaea Times at : Six nations where winds of change are blowing.

After Egyptians, now Yemenis call for revolution

SANAA – As tens of thousands of jubilant people in Cairo celebrated the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak, Yemenis inspired by the Egyptian uprising have begun mustering forces for their own revolution.

In the southern port city of Aden, protesters marched through the Mansoura district, waving the old flag of South Arabia and chanting “Revolution, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : After Egyptians, now Yemenis call for revolution.

Obama lauds Egypt’s Gandhian revolution, warns of tough days ahead (Second Lead)

WASHINGTON – As the Egyptian people crafted history by ending through a nonviolent Gandhian revolution three decades of Hosni Mubarak’s iron rule, US President Barack Obama warned of “tough days ahead” for its key ally in the Middle East.

The end of Mubarak’s rule Friday in an explosion of popular protests that began Jan 25 …. Source article  : Obama lauds Egypt’s Gandhian revolution, warns of tough days ahead (Second Lead).

Space commission meet begins

NEW DELHI – In the backdrop of the S-band spectrum controversy, India’s Space Commission Saturday began a meeting here and is expected to discuss restructuring of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and its commercial arm Antrix.

The meeting is attended by V. Narayanasamy, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, National Security … Read more >>>.

Orissa minister, lawmakers to get three-fold salary hike

BHUBANESWAR – Orissa ministers and lawmakers are set to get a nearly three-fold hike in their salary apart from perks with retrospective effect from April 1, 2010, an official said Saturday.

The proposal got the nod from the state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Friday evening but the salary hike will be effective …. Original article  : Orissa minister, lawmakers to get three-fold salary hike.

`Egyptian uprising portends fundamental change in Mideast’

WASHINGTON – The non-violent Egyptian revolution bringing the Mubarak era to an end may trigger fundamental changes in the Middle East with some experts even predicting the end of the America era in the region.

“Washington will have to navigate a tricky course between backing democracy and protecting its interests in the region,” suggested … Read more >>.

Economic policies should end disparity between rural-urban areas: Nitin Gadkari

NEW DELHI – Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) President Nitin Gadkari has said the government’s economic policies should be aimed at reducing the disparity between rural and urban areas.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of an event here on Friday, Gadkari said: “Rightfully implemented economic policy would end the disparity and the discrimination between rural and …. Source  : Economic policies should end disparity between rural-urban areas: Nitin Gadkari.

We are not scared of hooliganism of BJP: Yasin Malik

AJMER – Reacting to the protest by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists against him, separatist leader Yasin Malik said he was not scared of the part’s hooliganism.

“I would like to tell the protestors that we have no fear against such cowardly acts and will never be fearful of such things. We are in a peaceful … Read more »».

White House spokesman departs on day of change in Egypt

WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama’s spokesman Robert Gibbs held his final White House briefing after more than two years on the job.

While Gibbs’ departure has been known for the past month, Obama couldn’t resist drawing a parallel with the day’s events in Egypt, as he appeared in the briefing room to pay tribute …. Source  : White House spokesman departs on day of change in Egypt.

Musharraf charged with providing Baitullah with ‘opportunity to murder Benazir’

RAWALPINDI – Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf provided Tehrik-i-Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud with the opportunity to carry out suicide attacks on former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, according to a detailed charge-sheet presented in Rawalpindi’s Anti Terrorism Court (ATC).

Benazir was …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

G4 countries push for Security Council expansion

UNITED NATIONS – India, Brazil, Germany and Japan, the four countries seeking permanent seats on the UN Security Council, have agreed to push full speed ahead for the expansion of the top UN decision making body at the earliest.

“There is widespread support for a Member-States driven initiative to take the process of the … Original article on : G4 countries push for Security Council expansion.

Egyptians celebrate into the night after Mubarak departure

CAIRO – Tens of thousands of Egyptians waved Egyptian flags, honked car horns and launched fireworks well into the early hours of Saturday, still stunned and cheering over the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak.

As night fell, the mood lifted to one of celebration and parents took their children to witness the historic gatherings at … Read more >>.

India seeks reform of global security structure

UNITED NATIONS – India has called for a reform of the international structure for maintaining peace and security and peacebuilding while offering its unmatched nation building experience for global efforts towards greater development and improved security.

“No country has contributed as many peacekeepers to as many peacekeeping operations as India,” External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna … Read : India seeks reform of global security structure.

Obama hails Egypt’s Gandhian revolution, calls for ‘genuine democracy’

WASHINGTON – As the Egyptian people created history by ending three decades of Hosni Mubarak’s autocratic rule through a Gandhi like “moral force of nonviolence”, US President Barack Obama praised it as a new “beginning.”

The end of Mubarak’s rule Friday by a groundswell of popular protests that began Jan 25 was not “the end …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Obama hails Egypt’s Gandhian revolution, calls for ‘genuine democracy’.

Obama extols non-violence, says Egyptians ‘inspired us’

WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama, a self-confessed follower of Mahatma Gandhi and his ideals, heard echoes of history in the way Egyptians brought about change through nonviolence like Gandhi “leading his people down the path of justice.”

“Egyptians have inspired us, and they’ve done so by putting the lie to the idea that justice …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Obama extols non-violence, says Egyptians ‘inspired us’.

Egypt: test of US policy of supporting dictators

The Egyptian crisis has exposed American hypocrisy more starkly than ever before. In a classical case of a confrontation between autocracy and freedom, which the upsurge in Egypt represents, the dithering of the land of the free and home of the brave on which side to support is yet another confirmation about how the US …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Egypt: test of US policy of supporting dictators.

Obama hears echoes of Gandhi in Egyptian revolution

WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama heard echoes of history in the way Egyptians brought about change through the “moral force of nonviolence” like India’s Mahatma Gandhi “leading his people down the path of justice.”

“Egyptians have inspired us, and they’ve done so by putting the lie to the idea that justice is best … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Obama hears echoes of Gandhi in Egyptian revolution.