Political News – Newsletter for February 20, 2011

PM attends speaker’s all-party meeting

NEW DELHI – In a significant gesture, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Sunday joined leaders of all political parties at a luncheon meeting hosted by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and hoped for a “fruitful” budget session of parliament that begins Monday.

Manmohan Singh also said that the government is ready to discuss all issues.
The …. Source article  : PM attends speaker’s all-party meeting.

US ordered massacre of the region’s people, says Iran

TEHRAN – The speaker of Iran’s parliament, the Majlis, has said “massacre” of the people in Libya and Bahrain were taking place on the orders of the US.

Ali Larijani, addressing the Majlis’ open session Sunday, said US officials should be made to pay for their crimes against Muslims.
The Islamic Ummah (community) believes the … Read : US ordered massacre of the region’s people, says Iran.

Briton blamed for Bahrain crackdown

MANAMA/TEHRAN – A Briton who is an advisor to Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa has been blamed for the violent crackdown on thousands of pro-democracy protesters in Manama’s Pearl Square, a media report said Sunday.

Ian Henderson had earlier served as the head of Bahrain’s state security for thirty years until 1998, Iran’s … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Briton blamed for Bahrain crackdown.

‘North Korea preparing for new nuke tests’

SEOUL – South Korean government officials Sunday accused the North of preparing for new nuclear tests, based on intelligence that revealed the digging of special tunnels.

They said the tunnels were being dug at the nuclear site in North Hamgyong province where previous plutonium-fuelled tests were conducted in 2006 and 2009, Yonhap News Agency reported.
… Read more >>.

Taj at sunset casts spell over African, Asian ministers

AGRA – The soft glow of the setting sun gently flickered over the Taj Mahal amid faint Quranic chants, evoking sighs of appreciation from hordes of visiting ministers and diplomats from Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Majestic, sublime, beautiful, out of the world – lush adjectives and sonorous heart-filled adoration filled the evening air …. Original article  : Taj at sunset casts spell over African, Asian ministers.

Negotiations on UN reforms to begin in March

NEW DELHI – The next round of inter-governmental negotiations on UN Security Council reforms, in which India has a major stake, is to take place in the first week of March on a new condensed document of three pages.

Zahir Tanin, chair of the inter-governmental negotiations, said the dialogue would begin on the “small text” … Read more : Negotiations on UN reforms to begin in March.

It’s a big, big massacre, says Libyan

CAIRO/TRIPOLI – “It’s a big, big massacre”, said a Libyan businessman who resides in the city of Benghazi as he recalled the brutal crackdown on anti-government protesters by security forces that has left several dead.

Ahmed told Al Jazeera that hospitals were running out of blood as they were overwhelmed with the number of the … Read : It’s a big, big massacre, says Libyan.

Indians in Libya safe: Nirupama Rao

NEW DELHI – Amidst reports of protests being violently put down in Libya, India Sunday assured that all Indians are safe in that country.

“Indians in Libya safe. Embassy in touch with Indians and Indian companies throughout Libya,” Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao posted on her twitter account Sunday morning.
With journalists barred from Libya, reports …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Indians in Libya safe: Nirupama Rao.

Berlusconi’s sleazy political generation should retire: Mayor of Florence

LONDON – Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s, who is embroiled in controversies pertaining to his sexcapades, has been slammed by the mayor of Florence, Matteo Renzi.

The 36-year-old said that Berlusconi and his sleazy political generation should retire.

“When Italy hosted international summits in 1994, 2001 and 2009, John Major, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown were Britain’s … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Berlusconi’s sleazy political generation should retire: Mayor of Florence.

Ex-aide attacks Sarah Palin in new book

Washington, Feb 20 (IANS/EFE) Frank Bailey, formerly the right hand man of Sarah Palin, ex-governor of Alaska and Republican candidate for vice president of the US in 2008, has attacked his one-time boss in a controversial book of which extracts have been published.

The manuscript has been previewed by certain media such as the Alaska … Original article on : Ex-aide attacks Sarah Palin in new book.

Mid-term poll question haunts Yeddyurappa (Letter from Bangalore)

BANGALORE – Every action of Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa these days turns into a question that haunts him, the latest being that is he readying for a mid-term assembly poll.

Since October-November last year the Bharatiya Janata Party’s first chief minister in south India has been waging a survival battle over allegations of corruption …. Source article  : Mid-term poll question haunts Yeddyurappa (Letter from Bangalore).

Six more die in Yemen protests

SANAA/TEHRAN – At least six people were killed in clashes between government supporters and pro-democracy protesters who are demanding the ouster of Yemen’s President Ali Abdullah Saleh, a media report said.

Four people died during protests in the southern port city of Aden Saturday, and a student was killed in the city of Taiz, …. Read the original article  : here.

Death toll rising in Libyan unrest

BENGHAZI/CAIRO – Reports out of Libya estimate that several dozen more people were killed Saturday during the fourth day of protests against the regime of leader Muammer Gaddafi.

The numbers of dead — which range from 15 to 25 to 200 — appeared to be in addition to the 84 people confirmed dead by Friday …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Death toll rising in Libyan unrest.

Bahrain protesters return to square as military withdraws

CAIRO/MANAMA – Anti-government protesters returned to Lulu Square in Bahraini capital Manama Saturday, despite calls by the crown prince, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, for calm.

Thousands of people headed to the square, which has become the focal point of protests, after the military began to withdraw.
They were carrying Bahraini flags and chanting, …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Bahrain protesters return to square as military withdraws.

EU concerned over violence in Bahrain

Moscow, Feb 19 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The European Union’s foreign policy chief has voiced concern over the police crackdown on protesters in Bahrain and urged the authorities to respect human rights.

“I am deeply concerned by new reports about the use of violence by the Bahraini security forces and strongly deplore the loss of lives,” [..] Read the original article: here.

After Advani’s regrets to Sonia, BJP seeks to revive Bofors

NEW DELHI – A day after releasing party leader L.K. Advani’s letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi expressing regret over black money allegations in the party report against her and her family, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Saturday sought to revive the Bofors controversy in which her husband and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi faced …. Original article  : After Advani’s regrets to Sonia, BJP seeks to revive Bofors.

Swami Ramdev supporters flay Congress MP for offensive remarks

NEW DELHI – Supporters of Swami Ramdev Saturday said they will hold shudhi yagna” (purification ceremony) Sunday at the residence of Ninong Ering, Congress MP from Arunachal Pradesh, and not allow him to enter parliament for his “derogatory utterances” against the yoga guru at a camp held in the state.

Patanjali Yogpeeth, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Swami Ramdev supporters flay Congress MP for offensive remarks.

Two killed in Djibouti protest

ADDIS ABABA – Two people were killed in a clash between protesters and police in the northern African country of Djibouti, Xinhua reported.

In a statement, Djibouti’s interior ministry said one protester and one police officer were killed in the confrontations which began Friday. The protest resumed Saturday morning.
Thousands of protesters took to the …. Original source  : Two killed in Djibouti protest.

Tamil Nadu polls: Puthiya Tamizhagam now wants nine seats

CHENNAI – Four days after inking a deal with the AIADMK and accepting to contest two seats in the ensuing assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, the Dalits-backed Puthiya Tamizhagam (PT) Saturday upped its demand to nine seats.

At the district secretaries meeting held here, PT officials were of the view that the party should contest …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Mizoram free of gun-running racket, says Chief minister

Shillong, Feb 19 IANS) Chief Minster Lal Thanhawala Saturday claimed Mizoram is a peaceful state and free of gun-running and counterfeit currency rackets.

Yes, smuggling of arms and counterfeiting of Indian currency was a major security concern a … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Mizoram free of gun-running racket, says Chief minister.