Political News – Newsletter for February 15, 2011

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Govt. must clarify on phone tapping: BJP

KOLKATA – Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Arun Jaitley on Tuesday sought a clarification from the UPA government on alleged tapping of over one lakh telephones across the country.

“The government has to confirm that tapping is being done on consideration of security and also state how many phones are being tapped,” he told … Original article on : Govt. must clarify on phone tapping: BJP.

PM has to break silence on 2G, S-band, inflation: BJP

KOLKATA – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should break his silence on the 2G and S-band spectrum controversies as well as on inflation and black money when he addresses the media on Wednesday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said here.

Manmohan Singh will meet TV editors at his official 7 Race Course residence Wednesday morning, ahead … Read more »».

Sorens ignored at National Games: JMM

RANCHI – The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), a key ally of the ruling BJP, is unhappy that party chief Shibu Soren and his son Hemant Soren were given the cold shoulder at the opening ceremony of the National Games here.

Both Soren senior and Hemant Soren, who is deputy chief minister, shared dais with Governor …. Original source : Sorens ignored at National Games: JMM.

Shiv Sena chief rejects proposal for alliance with MNS

MUMBAI – Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray Tuesday categorically rejected senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Gopinath Mundes suggestion to form a tripartite front which includes the Senas bte noire, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena.

In an editorial in the party mouthpiece Saamna, Thackeray said that the 22-year old Shiv Sena-BJP alliance in the state has served …. Read the original article : Shiv Sena chief rejects proposal for alliance with MNS.

Mubarak ‘very sick’, fainting due to depression

LONDON – Former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak is “very sick” and has fainted on at least one occasion at the Red Sea holiday villa in Sharm el-Sheikh where he was sent into internal exile, media reports say.

Locals in the resort city said they were told by Mubarak’s guards that he was bedridden and needed … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Mubarak ‘very sick’, fainting due to depression.

Muraleedharan set to return to Congress fold

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – K. Muralidheeran, the son of late Congress veteran K. Karunakaran, was Tuesday given the green signal to return to the Congress party after being suspended for six years. He said he was “delighted” and would work towards the party coming back to power in the state.

“I am really delighted that I …. Original article : Muraleedharan set to return to Congress fold.

President, vice president greet nation on Milad-Un-Nabi

NEW DELHI – President Pratibha Patil and Vice President Hamid Ansari Tuesday greeted the nation on the eve of Milad-Un-Nabi, the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammad, saying his teachings continue to be a source of spiritual strength for humanity.

“On the auspicious occasion of Milad-Un-Nabi, the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed, I convey my …. Original article on Gaea Times at : President, vice president greet nation on Milad-Un-Nabi.

Australian PM denied chance to address New Zealand parliament

SYDNEY – Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has been denied an invitation to address New Zealand’s parliament during a formal sitting, as such a move would force the house to be addressed by “unpleasant people”, a politician said.

But the visiting leader will address the MPs in the debating chamber of parliament in Wellington.
New …. Source : Australian PM denied chance to address New Zealand parliament.

Bahrain king phones Egyptian military chief

MANAMA – Bahraini King Hamad Bin Isa al-Khalifa has telephoned the head of Egypt’s ruling military council, Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi, a day after 14 people were injured in clashes between police and protesters in Bahrain.

The king hoped Egypt would restore its leading role in the Arab and Muslim world, Xinhua reported citing …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Bahrain king phones Egyptian military chief.

Clarify on 100,000 tapped phones: BJP to government

KOLKATA – The government should give an “authoritative clarification” on media reports that 100,000 phones are being tapped per year, which is a matter of concern, senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley said here Tuesday.

“Media reports today (Tuesday) have indicated that around 1 lakh telephone connections are being tapped. The law is very clear … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Clarify on 100,000 tapped phones: BJP to government.

Bangladesh constitution to restore independence proclamation

DHAKA – Bangladesh will restore in its constitution the historic proclamation of independence made in April 1971.

The proclamation is considered the interim constitution of Bangladesh.
A special committee on constitutional amendment will decide how to incorporate it at an appropriate place in the constitution, Suranjit Sengupta, co-chair of the committee, told The Daily …. Original source : Bangladesh constitution to restore independence proclamation.

Berlusconi refuses to step down saying he has ‘respect for women’

LONDON – Scandal-hit Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has hit back at protestors’ calls for him to resign and insisted he had ‘respect for women.’

In what was one of the largest mass demonstrations ever seen in Italy vast crowds marched through more than 200 cities and towns calling on the 74-year-old media tycoon to resign.

The …. Source : Berlusconi refuses to step down saying he has ‘respect for women’.

Manmohan Singh to take questions on live TV

NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, will take questions on television to directly answer the charges hurled at him.

Dr. Singh will interact with editors on Wednesday morning at his 7 Race Course Road residence at around 10.30 a.m.

According to sources, the modalities of the telecast are still being worked out, …. Read the original article : here.

PM to respond to scam charges in press conference

NEW DELHI – Besieged by a series of corruption scams, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will Wednesday meet the press to field questions on the opposition’s charges ahead of the budget session of parliament beginning next week, official sources said.

The sources said Manmohan Singh will meet TV editors at his official 7 Race Course residence …. Source article : PM to respond to scam charges in press conference.

Clashes in Iran, opposition leader under house arrest

TEHRAN – Iranian security forces fired teargas shells to disperse protesters who had gathered at a Tehran square in support of demonstrations in Egypt and Tunisia, while opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi was placed under house arrest.

Clashes were reported to have taken place at the Enghelab Square in Tehran between security forces and protesters.
…. Source article : Clashes in Iran, opposition leader under house arrest.

Larry the cat ‘to take on Downing Street rats’

LONDON – UK Prime Minister David Cameron is all set to welcome a cat into his official residence.

The four-year old tabby cat is to move into No 10, reports the BBC.

The new resident, believed to be called Larry, is to join the Cameron and his family from the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

The arrival follows … Original source on Gaea Times at : Larry the cat ‘to take on Downing Street rats’.