Political News – Newsletter for February 27, 2011

Himachal budget session begins Monday

SHIMLA – The 40-day budget session of the Himachal Pradesh assembly will begin Monday, an official said here.

With the customary address by the governor (Urmila Singh), the budget session would have 24 sittings, Vidhan Sabha Secretary Govardhan Singh told IANS Sunday.
He said Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, who also holds the finance portfolio, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Himachal budget session begins Monday.

Left Front sweeps local polls in Tripura

AGARTALA – The ruling Left Front in Tripura Sunday won handsomely in local self-government elections, bagging a majority in 470 of the 527 village committees.

The Congress and its ally the Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT), a tribal group, also fared better this time in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections … Read : Left Front sweeps local polls in Tripura.

Libya unrest: Gulf Air to bring 67 more Indians

NEW DELHI – Besides the over 500 Indians flown to Delhi from Libya, a Gulf Air flight carrying 67 Indian who entered Egypt by land will touch down in Mumbai Monday morning.

The 67, including 11 children and two infants, crossed over from Tabrouk in Libya to Salloum in Egypt Saturday afternoon.
… Original source on Gaea Times at : Libya unrest: Gulf Air to bring 67 more Indians.

Britain suspends diplomatic activities in Libya

LONDON – Britain has shutdown its embassy in Libyan capital Tripoli, temporarily discontinuing diplomatic activities in the troubled north African country, the foreign ministry said.

The embassy’s employees were on board the last of several chartered planes, which flew 53 British citizens and 47 other foreigners to London.
Turkey will in the meantime represent … Original article on : Britain suspends diplomatic activities in Libya.

India backs UN sanctions against Libya

UNITED NATIONS – India joined other UN Security Council members to back sanctions against Libya and to refer the bloody crackdown on anti-government protests to the International Criminal Court.

The Council late Saturday voted 15-0 to adopt Resolution 1970 imposing a comprehensive arms embargo and a travel ban and to freeze assets on the regime … Read more »»».

Gaddafi’s Ukrainian nurse to return to own country

Kiev (Ukraine), Feb 27 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Ukrainian nurse Galyna Kolotnytska, who takes care of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, will return to her native land soon, a media report said.

The nurse’s daughter, Tatyana, told the Segodnya newspaper: “My mother contacted me yesterday. She said she is currently in Tripoli. There are shootings, fights and everything …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Gaddafi’s Ukrainian nurse to return to own country.

UN Security Council backs sanctions against Libya

NEW YORK – The UN Security Council late Saturday unanimously approved sanctions against Libya, including an arms embargo and the referral of the situation to International Criminal Court.

The council voted 15-0 to adopt Resolution 1970 imposing a comprehensive arms embargo, a travel ban and freeze of assets on the Gaddafi regime.
Council members called …. Source article  : UN Security Council backs sanctions against Libya.

Yemeni tribes not to join protest

SANA’A – Powerful tribal chiefs council in Yemen’s northern provinces have refuted reports saying they have joined opposition protesters demanding the ouster of the country’s president, Ali Abdullah Saleh.

“We maintain loyalty to the government and President Ali Abdullah Saleh,” Xinhua quoted the tribes as saying in a statement.
“We have declared our stance during …. Source  : Yemeni tribes not to join protest.

Croatian police clash with protesters

LONDON – Over 30 people were injured and 58 were taken into custody by Croatian police, after a clash with about 15,000 anti-government protesters who rallied in the capital city of Zagreb, media reports said.

Citing Croatian news agency HINA, Xinhua reported that the protesters, among whom were masked members of the Bad Blue Boys … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Croatian police clash with protesters.

Bahrain king reshuffles cabinet

MANAMA – Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has issued directions for a cabinet reshuffle, as pressure continues to mount on the government from anti-government protesters.

Hamad issued the orders for a reshuffle in four ministries – labour, health, cabinet affairs and housing, Xinhua reported citing Bahrain news agency.
Labour minister Majeed Al Alawi, … Original article on : Bahrain king reshuffles cabinet.

Three killed in Tunisia clashes

TUNIS – Renewed clashes in Tunisia have left at least three people dead and a dozen injured, the interior ministry said.

The demonstrators were killed in violent clashes in Tunis, it said late Saturday.
Until late evening, shots were exchanged between protesters and police in central Tunis, witnesses said.
Helicopters were seen circling over the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Three killed in Tunisia clashes.

France puts diplomatic relations with Libya on ice

PARIS – The French foreign ministry has announced that it has closed its embassy in Libya and ceased all diplomatic activities in the unrest-beset north African country until further notice.

“Because of the deterioration of security conditions in Libya, France’s embassy in Tripoli has temporarily discontinued all of its activities,” spokesman Bernard Valero said in …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Gaddafi must step down, Obama tells Merkel

WASHINGTON/BERLIN – US President Barack Obama has told German Chancellor Angela Merkel that it was time for Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to step down.

The remarks came in a telephone call by Obama to discuss the situation in Libya with Merkel, statements by their offices said Saturday.
The White House said in a statement: “The …. Read the original article  : Gaddafi must step down, Obama tells Merkel.

France puts Gaddafi accounts under surveillance

PARIS – France has placed all bank accounts belonging to Libyan leader Muammer Gaddafi and members of his inner circle under surveillance, the finance ministry department responsible for money laundering said Saturday.

All financial institutions have been asked to report any suspicious accounts, the Tracfin department said.
France has repeatedly called for sanctions against Libya’s …. Source article  : France puts Gaddafi accounts under surveillance.

UN Security Council meets on sanctions against Libya (Second Lead, Changing dateline)

NEW YORK – The UN Security Council came together Saturday to discuss a draft resolution that would impose an arms embargo on Libya and a travel ban on designated individuals, in reaction to continued armed attacks on civilian protesters.

Diplomats said the 15-nation council would act on the draft if its closed-door discussion resulted in … Original source on Gaea Times at : UN Security Council meets on sanctions against Libya (Second Lead, Changing dateline).

Buddhadeb in trouble after sound norm violation

KOLKATA – West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee Saturday allegedly violated the ban on using microphones in open spaces due to the ongoing secondary examinations in the state.

Bhattacharjee attended a series of programmes in his constituency Jadavpur in South 24 Parganas district Saturday and at least on one occasion, himself pointed out that the … Read more : Buddhadeb in trouble after sound norm violation.

UAE, Turkey join hands to deliver aid to Libya

Abu Dhabi, Feb 26 (IANS/WAM) The United Arab Emirates and Turkey have joined hands to deliver urgent relief assistance to the people of Libya, which is witnessing violent anti-government protests.

At a joint press conference with his visiting Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan Friday announced that …. Read the original article  : here.

Away from upheavals, Kuwait celebrates 50th anniversary of independence

KUWAIT CITY – Homes decked in colours of its national flag, children cheering and waving, women clicking moments for memory – Kuwait was in a festive mood Saturday, celebrating the 50th anniversary of its independence, shielded from the ongoing upheavals elsewhere in the Arab World.

Several homes along the main highways of the city have …. Original article  : Away from upheavals, Kuwait celebrates 50th anniversary of independence.

Key Bahraini opposition figure returns home

MANAMA – A key exiled Bahraini opposition leader Saturday returned to the country amid continued anti-government demonstrations.

“They (the government) have made promises to us before, but they did not do anything for Bahrain, that is why we need to see practical things not just talk,” Hassan Mushaima told reporters at the airport upon his …. Read the original article  : here.

Achuthanandan defends son, asks for CBI probe

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan Saturday demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the opposition’s allegations that his son scuttled an enquiry into the lottery mafia in the state.

“I have written to the prime minister to go ahead with a probe into the lottery mafia the state and also to … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Achuthanandan defends son, asks for CBI probe.