Political News – Newsletter for February 17, 2011

Andhra legislators roughed up in assembly

HYDERABAD – Lok Satta party president Jaipraksh Narayan and ruling Congress party legislator P. Venkat Rao were allegedly manhandled by Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) legislators and activists within the Andhra Pradesh assembly complex Thursday.

The incident took place soon after Jaiprakash addressed the media, criticising the disruption of the governor’s address to the joint session … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Andhra legislators roughed up in assembly.

Andhra chief minister apologises to governor

HYDERABAD – Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy Thursday apologised to Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan for the chaos in the legislature, with members tearing up copies of his address to the joint session of both houses.

Terming it as a black day in the history of the state legislature, he told reporters that the …. Read the original article  : here.

Cambodia favours ceasefire with Thailand under ASEAN aegis

PHNOM PENH – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen Thursday said his country will ask Thailand to sign a permanent ceasefire with ASEAN foreign ministers as witnesses or the ASEAN chair during the regional grouping’s foreign ministers’ Feb 22 meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, as co-signatory.

“It’s better if ASEAN chair (Marty Natalegawa of Indonesia) can …. Source  : Cambodia favours ceasefire with Thailand under ASEAN aegis.

Telangana legislators heckle governor, chaos in Andhra assembly

HYDERABAD – The Andhra Pradesh legislature plunged into unprecedented chaos Thursday, with Telangana legislators heckling Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan as he was addressing a joint session on the first day of the budget session.

Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) members tried to snatch papers from the governor’s hands and uproot mikes, forcing him to cut short his … Read more >>.

Two killed in clashes as protests continue in Yemen

SANAA – At least two protesters have died of gunshot wounds during clashes with police in southern Yemen as anti-government rallies spread across the country.

Besides the two deaths reported in the southern port city of Aden, 14 people were injured in the nationwide protests Wednesday that echoed those in Tunisia, Egypt and some other …. Original source  : Two killed in clashes as protests continue in Yemen.

Cabinet scraps ISRO-Devas deal

NEW DELHI – The government Thursday terminated the deal between Antrix, the commercial arm of space agency ISRO, and private company Antrix on allocation of the S-band spectrum.

The decision was announced by union Law Minister M. Veerappa Moily following a meeting of the cabinet committee on security.
The Comptroller and Auditor General … Read : Cabinet scraps ISRO-Devas deal.

BJP retains Chhattisgarh assembly seat, Congress admits setback

RAIPUR – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Thursday won the Sanjari Balod assembly seat in Chhattisgarh Thursday, prompting celebrations at the ruling party’s headquarters while the opposition Congress admitted that the result was a setback.

BJP’s candidate Kumari Bai Sahu defeated her nearest rival Mohan Patel of the Congress by nearly 9,500 votes. A … Original article on : BJP retains Chhattisgarh assembly seat, Congress admits setback.

Lok Satta chief Jaiprakash manhandled in Andhra assembly

HYDERABAD – Lok Satta party president Jaipraksh Narayan was allegedly manhandled by Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) legislators within the premises of the Andhra Pradesh legislative assembly Thursday.

The incident took place soon after Jaiprakash addressed the media, criticising the disruption of the governor’s address to the joint session of the assembly and council by opposition … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Lok Satta chief Jaiprakash manhandled in Andhra assembly.

Teenage belly dancer ‘claims Berlusconi knew her real age’

LONDON – A teenage belly dancer involved in the Silvio Berlusconi sex scandal apparently told prosecutors that the Italian Prime Minister knew she was a minor.

Berlusconi, 74, has been at the centre of lurid allegations involving Moroccan-born Karima El Mahroug and is due to stand trial accused of paying her for sex and abuse of …. Read the original article  : Teenage belly dancer ‘claims Berlusconi knew her real age’.

I’m not worried at all: Berlusconi laughs off looming prostitution trial

LONDON – Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has laughed off the looming prostitution trial he is about to face, saying that he is not worried at all.

Berlusconi, 74, made his first public comments, since being charged, during a news conference on economic themes in Rome, and he also said that he would not be speaking … Read more »».

Telangana legislators force governor to cut short speech

HYDERABAD – There was chaos in the Andhra Pradesh legislature Thursday with Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) members trying to snatch papers from Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan’s hands as he was addressing a joint session of both houses.

The governor had to cut short his speech as legislators of the TRS, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the … Original article on : Telangana legislators force governor to cut short speech.

Non-cooperation movement begins in Telangana

HYDERABAD – The non-cooperation movement in the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh began Thursday to press for introduction of a bill in parliament for a separate state of Telangana.

Over 300,000 government employees are participating in the indefinite protest called by Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC), comprising Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Non-cooperation movement begins in Telangana.

Two die in Libya unrest

TRIPOLI – At least two people were killed in clashes between security forces and demonstrators in the Libyan town of Bayda, east of Benghazi city, as activists planned major anti-government protests throughout the country Thursday.

The deaths come as hundreds of protesters Wednesday reportedly torched police outposts in the eastern city of Bayda while chanting: …. Original source  : Two die in Libya unrest.

Three die in Bahrain as police attack sleeping protesters

MANAMA – Three people in the Bahrain capital were killed in the early hours of Thursday when police in riot gear lobbed teargas canisters and then stormed a roundabout where protesters were sleeping.

The pre-dawn assault took place when the protesters were asleep at Pearl Roundabout, which is the epicentre for demonstrators seeking reform. Many … Original source on Gaea Times at : Three die in Bahrain as police attack sleeping protesters.

Munda wins Jharkhand by-poll, to stay as chief minister

RANCHI – Arjun Munda of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the Kharsawa by-poll in Jharkhand Thursday, clearing the way for him to continue as chief minister.

He won by over 17,000 votes, defeating his nearest rival Krishna Gagarai of the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P).
“This is a victory of the people of the …. Source  : Munda wins Jharkhand by-poll, to stay as chief minister.

Thai PM to dissolve parliament before June

BANGKOK – Thailand’s deputy prime minister for security affairs Suthep Thuagsuban reiterated Thursday that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had sent a clear signal that parliament should be dissolved before June.

The premier had indicated earlier that he would end his term in April.
“I can guarantee that the parliament dissolution will take place before …. Original source  : Thai PM to dissolve parliament before June.

Republican House hands Obama big victory over new warplane

WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama has scored a big post election victory with the opposition Republican controlled house voting to cancel $450 million for an alternative engine for the Pentagon’s next-generation warplane.

With 47 Republican newcomers joining Obama’s Democrats, the House Wednesday approved in a 233-198 vote cancellation of funding for a second F-35 … Original article on : Republican House hands Obama big victory over new warplane.

Munda wins Jharkhand by-poll

RANCHI – Arjun Munda won the Kharsawa by poll in Jharkhand by over 17,000 votes Thursday, clearing the way for him to continue as chief minister.

He defeated Krishna Gagarai of the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P). Munda secured 71,701 votes while rival Gagarai got 44,335 votes.
…. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Belly dancer cashes in on Berlusconi scandal by appearing semi-clothed in TV ad

LONDON – The teenage belly dancer who is believed to have slept with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has cashed in on the scandal by appearing in an Italian TV advert.

Karima El Mahroug, 18, strips to her underwear in a commercial for The Female Labyrith, a book by a former MEP, reports the Daily Mail.

In … Original source on Gaea Times at : Belly dancer cashes in on Berlusconi scandal by appearing semi-clothed in TV ad.

Gilani hints at pardon by victims’ family to murder-accused US official as solution

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has hinted at a pardon by the victims’ family to double murder-accused US official Raymond Davis.

Speaking to a convention of religious scholars, Gilani suggested that the relatives of two Pakistani men shot dead by Davis might pardon the American, but added that it was for the … Read more »»».