Political News – Newsletter for February 25, 2011

Kerala opposition to seek governor’s intervention

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – The Congress-led opposition in Kerala will urge Governor R.S. Gavai to order an inquiry into the allegations against Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan and his son, a party leader said Friday.

Addressing reporters here after a late Thursday meeting of the United Democratic Front (UDF) liaison committee meeting, convenor P.P. Thankachan said the UDF …. Original source  : Kerala opposition to seek governor’s intervention.

Chinese railway minister sacked for indiscipline

BEIJING – Chinese Railway Minister Liu Zhijun was Friday sacked from his post for “severe violation of discipline”, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the top legislature of China, Friday decided to dismiss Liu, 58, from his post, Xinhua said.
The discipline watchdog of the ruling Communist Party of … Read more »».

China blocks LinkedIn amid calls for ‘jasmine’ revolution

BEIJING – China has ramped up its online censorship efforts, with LinkedIn, a social networking site for professionals, the latest site to be blocked as authorities apparently move to snuff out efforts to organise anti-government protests.

Attempts from Beijing to reach the LinkedIn website failed Friday, with the internet browser displaying an error message. Some … Read this article on Gaea Times at : China blocks LinkedIn amid calls for ‘jasmine’ revolution.

Chinese railway minister sacked for indiscipline

BEIJING – Chinese Railway Minister Liu Zhijun was Friday sacked from his post for “severe violation of discipline”, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the top legislature of China, Friday decided to dismiss Liu, 58, from his post, Xinhua said.
The discipline watchdog of the ruling Communist Party of … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Chinese railway minister sacked for indiscipline.

Protesters gather for ‘Iraqi Rage’ demos

BAGHDAD – Thousands of Iraqi protesters gathered in central Baghdad Friday amid tight security, demanding economic reforms, jobs and an end to corruption.

More people were expected to head towards Baghdad’s Tahrir square after Friday prayers to take part in what has been dubbed as the “Revolution of Iraqi Rage”.
In the southern city of … Read : Protesters gather for ‘Iraqi Rage’ demos.

BASIC countries meet to discuss climate change

NEW DELHI – Environment ministers from BASIC countries – Brazil, South Africa, India and China – will meet in the capital from Saturday to assess the post-Cancun climate change policy and discuss coordination for talks in Durban conference in December 2011.

The Saturday conclave is significant …. Source  : BASIC countries meet to discuss climate change.

Mamata recites Lata’s song

NEW DELHI – A gentle nudge from Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar made Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee recite the famous Hindi song sung by Lata Mangeshkar about the contribution of the defence forces that had made India’s first prime minister shed tears.

As Banerjee, wearing a white coloured sari with green border, announced sops for …. Source  : Mamata recites Lata’s song.

BJP seeks inquiry into attack on workers

NEW DELHI – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Friday demanded a judicial inquiry into the police attack on its workers here that it said left many seriously injured.

Raising the issue during zero hour in the Rajya Sabha, BJP leader M. Venkaiah Naidu alleged that party workers, including Delhi unit president Vijender Gupta, were attacked … Original source on Gaea Times at : BJP seeks inquiry into attack on workers.

Tension grips Nepalis in Middle East

KATHMANDU – Tens of thousands of Nepalis working in the Middle East and north Africa were mired in fear and tension following sweeping unrest across the region.

With violence and turmoil gripping Egypt, Bahrain, Yemen and Libya, thousands of blue-collar Nepali workers, who keep the fragile republic’s economy alive by sending money home from abroad, … Read : Tension grips Nepalis in Middle East.

Opponents say Thai PM can lose job over British citizenship acknowledgement

BANGKOK – The political opponents of Thailand Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajjiva have said that he could lose his job over his acknowledgement that he also retains a British citizenship.

Yesterday, Vejajjiva had publicly acknowledged his dual nationality for the first time during a debate in Parliament, the Daily Mail reports.

The 46-year-old leader automatically holds …. Source article  : Opponents say Thai PM can lose job over British citizenship acknowledgement.

5,000 Nepalis in plight in Libya, says report

KATHMANDU – Tens of thousands of Nepalis working in the Middle East and north Africa were mired in fear and mounting tension following sweeping unrest across teh region.

With violence and turmoil gripping Egypt, Bahrain, Yemen and Libya, thousands of blue-collar Nepali workers, who keep the fragile republic’s economy alive by sending money home from …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : 5,000 Nepalis in plight in Libya, says report.

Telangana trouble continues in Andhra assembly

HYDERABAD – The Andhra Pradesh assembly was adjourned twice Friday as Telangana legislators continued to stall proceedings demanding a resolution for creating a separate Telangana state.

No business could be conducted as members of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and Telangana legislators from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) raised slogans and rushed towards the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Telangana trouble continues in Andhra assembly.

Pranab loses cool, Lok Sabha adjourned

NEW DELHI – Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee shouted at, but later apologised to opposition members in the Lok Sabha Friday when some of them interrupted him while he was replying to a question on black money stashed by Indians in foreign banks. A ruckus followed, prompting Speaker Meira Kumar to briefly adjourn the house.

“Don’t … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Pranab loses cool, Lok Sabha adjourned.

Gaddafi’s daughter denies fleeing her country

Tripoli, Feb 25 (IANS/AKI) Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafis’ daughter has denied reports by Arabic media that she had fled to Malta amid serious unrest in her North African country.

Speaking on state television, Aisha Gaddafi Thursday dismissed reports she had left the country as “foreign lies”.
“I say to the Libyan people who … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Gaddafi’s daughter denies fleeing her country.

Gaddafi’s son seeks friend Tony Blair’s “diplomatic” assistance in ‘crushing their enemies’

TRIPOLI – Colonel Gaddafi’s son has urged former British Prime Minister Tony Blair to utilise his “diplomatic skills” in helping his father’s regime in ‘crushing their enemies’.

A close ally of Saif Gaddafi has reportedly urged Blair to help Libya to attain stability.

“He is peacemaker in the Middle East, and should be able to …. Source  : Gaddafi’s son seeks friend Tony Blair’s “diplomatic” assistance in ‘crushing their enemies’.

Take to the streets, internet groups urge Iraqis

BAGHDAD – Internet groups on Facebook have urged Iraqis to take to streets Friday to “end corruption and sectarianism in Iraq”. The call has come exactly a month after the uprising began in Egypt that ended the nearly 31-year rule of Hosni Mubarak.

A post on a Facebook page said that “February 25 is the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Take to the streets, internet groups urge Iraqis.

Rajya Sabha adjourned over Telangana

NEW DELHI – The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 12 noon Friday over the issue of separate statehood for Telangana.

As soon as the house met, members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and other opposition parties were on their feet demanding that the issue be raised in the house.
The situation is …. Read the original article  : Rajya Sabha adjourned over Telangana.

Parliament reluctant to pass women’s bill: Book

NEW DELHI – Parliament is reluctant to pass the women’s reservation bill as it is not a politically satisfying move for various parties, says a new book, stressing that “more lobbying and more awareness” are needed to make it a reality.

The yet-to-be-released book, “Reign She Will: Women’s Strife for Political Space”, has been penned …. Read the original article  : here.

Berlusconi ’spent ???240K on cars for his showgirls’

LONDON – Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi reportedly spent 240,000 pounds on new cars as gifts for starlets in his inner circle.

The 13 vehicles included five Minis, four Mercedes Smart cars, a Land Rover and a Volkswagen Beetle, reports the Telegraph.

Details have emerged from evidence submitted by prosecutors in Milan after an investigation into an … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Berlusconi ’spent ???240K on cars for his showgirls’.

Chechnya leader supports polygamy, wants second wife

Moscow, Feb 25 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Ramzan Kadyrov, head of the southern Russian republic of Chechnya, fully supports the idea of polygamy and says he is looking for a beautiful woman to become his second wife, according to a media report.

“Currently, I am on the look out, but I cannot find a beautiful one. … Read more : Chechnya leader supports polygamy, wants second wife.