Political News – Newsletter for February 24, 2011

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Congress presents proof against Achuthanandan’s son

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – Kerala’s Congress-led opposition Thursday took up Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan’s challenge and presented a book which reportedly shows his son V. Arunkumar asking for a bribe to allow a power project to be set up in the state.

It was late Wednesday after a cabinet meeting that Achuthanandan dared the opposition to stop …. Source : Congress presents proof against Achuthanandan’s son.

Yemeni leader orders troops to protect protesters, loyalists

SANA’A – Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has ordered the country’s security forces to protect protesters trying to force him out of power and loyalists alike, a media report said Thursday.

Yemen, one of the world’s poorest countries, has been hit by mass anti-government riots for nearly two weeks demanding the end of Saleh’s 30-year … Read : Yemeni leader orders troops to protect protesters, loyalists.

JPC motion moved in Lok Sabha

NEW DELHI – Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee Thursday moved a motion in the Lok Sabha to set up a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) to probe the alleged irregularities in the 2G spectrum allocation and also to look into the telecom policy in vogue from 1998 to 2009.
… Read more : JPC motion moved in Lok Sabha.

Bahrain’s opposition lists demands as protests rise

MANAMA – An umbrella group of seven main opposition parties in Bahrain outlined its key demands Thursday as the anti-regime unrest intensified with protesters calling for a nationwide strike and the government’s ouster.

The demands by the grouping of seven opposition parties, including major Shia bloc Al-Wefaq as well as secular groups, include …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Bahrain’s opposition lists demands as protests rise.

Telangana activists torch railway coach in Warangal

WARANGAL – The row over the creation of a separate state of Telangana out of Andhra Pradesh took an ugly turn when activists of the youth wing of the Communist Party of India (CPI) set the rake of a passenger train on fire at the Warangal railway station in Andhra Pradesh.

The incident took place on …. Source article : Telangana activists torch railway coach in Warangal.

RTI activist’s killing sets off row in Rajya Sabha

NEW DELHI – Question hour in the Rajya Sabha ended five minutes before time Thursday following noisy scenes when a Congress MP alleged a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader in Gujarat was involved in the killing of RTI activist Amit Jethva.

Asking supplementaries on a question on the Right to Information (RTI), Congress MP …. Source article : RTI activist’s killing sets off row in Rajya Sabha.

India ’sincerely’ hopes for peace with Pakistan: PM

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday said his government was willing to resolve all issues with Pakistan.

“We are willing to resolve all outstanding issues with Pakistan We sincerely hope Pakistan will grasp our hand of friendship,” Manmohan Singh said in the Lok Sabha while replying to the debate on the motion of …. Source : India ’sincerely’ hopes for peace with Pakistan: PM.

Cabinet not informed of S-band commitment in ISRO-Devas deal: PM

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Thursday that the cabinet had not been informed that the 2005 agreement between ISRO’s commercial arm Antrix and Devas also involved allocation of S-band spectrum, high value and scarce radiowaves, to the private firm.

Replying to supplementaries during question hour in the Rajya Sabha, the prime … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Cabinet not informed of S-band commitment in ISRO-Devas deal: PM.

Kerala assembly ends session amid accusations of graft

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – The 12th Kerala assembly ended the last day of its session on a tumultuous note Thursday, with both the treasury and opposition benches trading accusations of corruption, forcing the speaker to finish the day’s business in a flash.

Soon after question hour, the opposition sought to move an adjournment motion on the disclosure …. Source : Gaea News Network.

Thousands of Bangladeshi workers trapped in Libya

DHAKA – Bangladesh has sought help from international organisations for thousands of its nationals trapped in Libya.

An estimated 50,000 Bangladeshis are working in Libya and most of them are low paid construction workers.
Dhaka has sought assistance from the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Organisation on Migration (IOM). … Original source on Gaea Times at : Thousands of Bangladeshi workers trapped in Libya.

Cabinet not informed of S-band allocation in Antrix-Devas deal: PM

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday said the cabinet was not informed that the 2005 agreement between ISRO’s commercial arm Antrix and Devas also involved allocation of S-band spectrum to the private firm.

Replying to supplementaries during question hour in the Rajya Sabha, the prime minister said the cabinet note dealing with …. Source : Gaea News Network.

US envoy begins talks with Dalai Lama

DHARAMSALA – US Ambassador Timothy J. Roemer began closed-door talks with Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama here Thursday, an official said.

“The talks between the Dalai Lama and US Ambassador Timothy J. Roemer began at the official palace of the Dalai Lama at around 10 a.m,” the official said, adding that only close aides … Read : US envoy begins talks with Dalai Lama.

Davis case mishandled by interior ministry: Qureshi

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has accused the interior ministry of “mishandling” the case of US official Raymond Davis, who faces trial for killing two Pakistanis, by not letting the matter be confined to his ministry.

“The Raymond Davis case was mishandled because interior ministry was made the focal point instead … Original article on : Davis case mishandled by interior ministry: Qureshi.

Sarah Palin plans March trip to India

WASHINGTON – Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin will be making a trip to India in March to speak at the India Today 2011 conclave in New Delhi, according to media reports citing a Palin aide.

The 2008 vice presidential candidate Palin, who is weighing a possible 2012 run for the Republican presidential nomination, is set …. Source : Gaea News Network.

Arms sales can boost India-US ties: US experts

WASHINGTON – With India planning to buy $100 billion worth of new weapons over the next 10 years, arms sales may be the best way for the US to revive stagnating US-India relations, according to two US experts.

Even as non-military trade and investment and social and cultural ties between India and the US have …. Original source : Arms sales can boost India-US ties: US experts.

India reiterates commitment to peacekeeping

UNITED NATIONS – Noting that India has partnered UN peacekeeping since its inception in the 1950s, India has reiterated its commitment to the furtherance of international peace and security as UN partner.

“India today has the expertise, willingness and means to support peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts,” India’s deputy permanent UN representative, Manjeev Singh Puri …. Original article : India reiterates commitment to peacekeeping.

Didn’t arm protesters, Berlusconi tells Gaddafi

Rome, Feb 24 (IANS/AKI) Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has telephoned Libya’s leader Muammar Gaddafi to deny that Italy had armed anti-government demonstrators with rockets.

According to a statement issued by Berlusconi’s office, the call was made following a televised afternoon address by the embattled Gaddafi, in which he said he would never resign and …. Original source : Didn’t arm protesters, Berlusconi tells Gaddafi.

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has agreed to withdraw troops from the streets of Manama and pardon political prisoners in a move to appease protesters.
Most of the protesters are …. Original article : Bahrain protesters call for strike to oust government.