Political News – Newsletter for February 23, 2011

Bahrain free prisoners, king leaves for Saudi Arabia

MANAMA/RIYADH – Bahrain has released 25 political prisoners following an order of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa who left the country for Saudi Arabia for consultations Wednesday after a week of anti-regime protests.

CNN reported that about 25 detainees, described by the king as “prisoners of conscience”, were released Tuesday night and proceedings against … Read : Bahrain free prisoners, king leaves for Saudi Arabia.

Congress MPs add to Telangana chorus, disrupt Lok Sabha (Second Lead)

NEW DELHI – Noisy scenes and repeated disruptions returned to the Lok Sabha Wednesday as some MPs, including from the ruling Congress, shouted slogans and flashed placards demanding that the government table a bill for a separate Telangana state to be carved out of Andhra Pradesh.

While the Lok Sabha witnessed frequent disruptions, there was … Original source on Gaea Times at : Congress MPs add to Telangana chorus, disrupt Lok Sabha (Second Lead).

India, Sri Lanka to discuss attacks on fishermen: Krishna

NEW DELHI – The India-Sri Lanka joint working group on fisheries will meet next month to resolve issues relating to the Sri Lankan Navy’s attacks on Indian fishermen, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna told the Lok Sabha Wednesday.

Incidents in the last two months had caused much consternation and concern in India and the …. Source article  : India, Sri Lanka to discuss attacks on fishermen: Krishna.

Probe ordered in irregularities in Roerich trust

SHIMLA – The Himachal Pradesh government has ordered a probe into allegations of financial irregularities and mismanagement in the International Roerich Memorial Trust (IRMT), which takes care of Russian painter and philosopher Nicholas Roerich’s estate in Kullu district, officials said here Wednesday.

“Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal on Tuesday constituted a one-man committee to look …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Probe ordered in irregularities in Roerich trust.

Strike cripples Greece as workers take to the streets

ATHENS – Government offices shut, shops pulled down their shutters and flights were cancelled across Greece Wednesday in a 24-hour nationwide strike, piling pressure on the government as it struggles to battle its budget-deficit crisis.

The strike, called by the country’s biggest public and private sector unions, saw schools and public transport to be disrupted …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Strike cripples Greece as workers take to the streets.

Telangana issue rocks Andhra assembly again, 12 members suspended

HYDERABAD – The Telangana issue rocked the Andhra Pradesh assembly for the fourth consecutive day Wednesday as 12 Telangana legislators were suspended from the house for one day for stalling the proceedings, demanding that the house pass a resolution for the formation of a separate state.

Deputy Speaker Nadendla Manohar announced the suspension of eight … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Telangana issue rocks Andhra assembly again, 12 members suspended.

Planning to evacuate Indians from troubled Libya: Krishna

NEW DELHI – India is planning to evacuate its nationals stranded in Libya, which has been hit by a political turmoil over anti-government protests seeking ouster of strongman Muammar Gaddafi.

The plans for possible evacuation through land, air and sea are at present being worked out, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna told the Lok …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Open letters call for protests in more Chinese cities

BEIJING – Open letters circulated online Wednesday called for weekly anti-government protests from Sunday in 18 Chinese cities, adding five cities including the capitals of two volatile western regions.

The letters originated from the US-based Chinese pro-democracy website Boxun.com and urged people to gather at designated places in the 18 cities from 2 p.m. each … Original source on Gaea Times at : Open letters call for protests in more Chinese cities.

Opposition hurls more allegations at Achuthanandan’s son

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – The Kerala opposition Wednesday accused Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan’s son of taking money from the sandalwood mafia, and continued to level corruption allegations against him in the assembly for the second day.

When the chief minister flatly refuted the allegations, the opposition staged a walkout in the assembly.
Congress legislator K. Babu sought …. Source  : Opposition hurls more allegations at Achuthanandan’s son.

Two students dead in Yemen as protests continue

SANA’A – At least two youths were shot dead by government supporters during a protest at a university in the capital city of Yemen, which is facing mass unrest against President Ali Abdullah Saleh for nearly two weeks.

The two young men were killed in a clash Tuesday night at Sana’a University, the New York …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Two students dead in Yemen as protests continue.

Afzal Gurus mercy petition not yet sent to president

NEW DELHI – The mercy petition for Afzal Guru, convicted and sentenced to death for his role in the Parliament House attack, has not yet been forwarded to President Pratibha Patil, Home Minister P. Chidambaram disclosed here Wednesday.

In reply to a question by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader S.S. Ahluwalia in the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Afzal Gurus mercy petition not yet sent to president.

Arab regimes facing risk of breeding Gen Next of Muslim extremists: Cameron

KUWAIT CITY – British Prime Minister David Cameron has warned Arab regimes that they face the risk of breeding a new generation of Muslim extremists if they continue to maintain an iron grip on their respective populations.

Cameron, who is currently visiting Kuwait, appealed to Arab governments to do more to tackle the simmering discontent that … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Arab regimes facing risk of breeding Gen Next of Muslim extremists: Cameron.

12 Telangana legislators suspended from Andhra assembly

HYDERABAD – Twelve Telangana legislators were suspended from the Andhra Pradesh assembly for one day Wednesday as they stalled the proceedings, demanding the house to pass a resolution for the formation of a separate Telangana state.

Deputy Speaker Nadendla Manohar announced the suspension of eight legislators of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and four of …. Original source  : 12 Telangana legislators suspended from Andhra assembly.

US envoy to meet Dalai Lama in Dharamsala

DHARAMSALA – US Ambassador Timothy J. Roemer is set to meet Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama during a two-day visit to Dharamsala, officials said Wednesday.

Confirming Roemer’s visit, Chimme Choekyappa, private secretary to the Dalai Lama, told IANS: “The US ambassador is reaching Dharamsala today (Wednesday) and he is scheduled to meet His …. Read the original article  : US envoy to meet Dalai Lama in Dharamsala.

NC to move resolution for solution of Kashmir issue

JAMMU – The ruling National Conference (NC) in Jammu and Kashmir will move a resolution in the forthcoming budget session of the state assembly seeking the resolution of the Kashmir issue at the earliest.

The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party has held rallies and raised a pitch over the resolution of the Kashmir issue.
… Original source on Gaea Times at : NC to move resolution for solution of Kashmir issue.

Congress MPs from Telangana disrupt Lok Sabha

NEW DELHI – Noisy scenes and frequent disruptions returned to the Lok Sabha Tuesday as some Congress members Wednesday shouted slogans and flashed placards demanding that a Telangana state be carved out of Andhra Pradesh.

Congress MPs Ponnam Prabhakar, M. Jagannath, G. Vivekanand and others from the Telangana region shouted slogans as soon as the …. Original article  : Congress MPs from Telangana disrupt Lok Sabha.

Telangana protests force Lok Sabha disruption

NEW DELHI – Pro-Telangana MPs Wednesday shouted slogans and flashed placards demanding that a new state be carved out of Andhra Pradesh, disrupting question hour in the Lok Sabha.

Speaker Meira Kumar adjourned the house as the MPs persisted with their noisy protests demanding that the house should first discuss the issue.
Meira Kumar adjourned …. Original source  : Telangana protests force Lok Sabha disruption.

Ex Obama aide wins Chicago mayoral vote

WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama’s former chief of staff Rahm Emanuel has won the mayoral election in his home town Chicago over five other challengers, topping the 50 percent threshold to avoid a runoff vote.

With almost 75 percent of the vote counted, Emanuel, who quit his White House job last year to …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Ex Obama aide wins Chicago mayoral vote.

UN concerned over violence in Libya

United Nations, Feb 23 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The UN is concerned by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s call on his supporters to take to the streets, UN Undersecretary General for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe said.

Gaddafi said defiantly in a televised address to the nation Tuesday that he would not quit despite a countrywide uprising, was ready … Read more »»».

Omar to meet Chidambaram

JAMMU – Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will meet union Home Minister P. Chidambaram in New Delhi Wednesday to discuss the situation in the state.

Chidambaram, who is closely monitoring the developments in the state along with the chief minister, would also share the central government’s inputs, according to sources in the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Omar to meet Chidambaram.