Political News – Newsletter for February 28, 2011

Manmohan Singh lauds Mukherjee, says budget meets economic challenges

NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Monday praising Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said the Union Budget meets all the challenges that the economy faces today including sustaining high growth rates.

He said that adequate provisions have been made for infrastructure and social sector as well as agricultural development.

“It is important to curb … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Manmohan Singh lauds Mukherjee, says budget meets economic challenges.

Berlusconi back on trial as tax fraud court case resumes

LONDON – Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi will be put on trial again as tax fraud court case resumes in Italy.

It is the first of four upcoming court cases that will train an intense spotlight on his private life and business practices, reports the Guardian.

However, the prime minister is not expected to be …. Original source  : Berlusconi back on trial as tax fraud court case resumes.

US, allies discuss no-fly zone over Libya

WASHINGTON – The US was weighing options of declaring a no-fly zone over Libya in response to its growing unrest, media reports said.

US officials Sunday talked to European and NATO allies about the measure, which would aim to prevent airstrikes against the civilian uprising, The New York Times said.
A UN diplomat …. Original article  : US, allies discuss no-fly zone over Libya.

Didn’t discuss Karmapa issue with US envoy: Dalai Lama’s Office

DHARAMSALA – The controversy over the 17th Karmapa did not figure in a meeting between US Ambassador Timothy J. Roemer and Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, the latter’s office here said Monday.

“Neither side raised the issue of the Karmapa at all during the meeting,” an official statement quoting Tibetan spiritual leader’s private secretary …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Didn’t discuss Karmapa issue with US envoy: Dalai Lama’s Office.

Outgoing French foreign minister rejects blame

PARIS – French Foreign Minister Michele Alliot-Marie has defended her track record, saying that she was the victim of a media campaign as she announced her resignation.

“Although I have the feeling of not having committed an error, I have decided to resign from my role as European affairs and foreign minister,” she wrote in … Read more »».

US puts on hold Bangladesh ties over Yunus harassment

DHAKA – The US officials have told Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that “there will be no further high-level diplomatic interaction” until the “harassment” of Grameen Bank founder Muhammad Yunus ends, a media report claimed Monday.

This could include Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s impending visit to Dhaka after she completes her India visit in … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : US puts on hold Bangladesh ties over Yunus harassment.

Berlusconi’s ‘bunga bunga’ party girls ’scared of catching AIDS from him’

LONDON – Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s party women were terrified of contracting AIDS and other sexually-transmitted diseases from him, new evidence has revealed.

The claims, based on text messages sent between the women, cast further doubt on the prime minister’s insistence that the ‘bunga bunga’ parties at his villas in Milan and Sardinia were nothing …. Source article  : Berlusconi’s ‘bunga bunga’ party girls ’scared of catching AIDS from him’.

Canada pre-empts Gaddafi plan to withdraw millions from banks

TORONTO – Canada imposed sanctions on Libya in a swift Sunday night move after reports that embattled Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi and his family were planning to withdraw millions of dollars held in Canadian banks.

SNC-Lavalin, which made headlines in India in 2009 after being named a Kerala power scam, will be one of … Original article on : Canada pre-empts Gaddafi plan to withdraw millions from banks.

Not army’s job to float parties: Omar

JAMMU – Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has denounced reports suggesting the army is seeking to float political parties in Jammu and Kashmir with the help of counter-insurgency leaders.

“The issue about former militants floating a political party in the state has been blown out of proportion. It has been projected as if the ministry of …. Original source  : Not army’s job to float parties: Omar.

Not army’s job to float parties: Omar

JAMMU – Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has denounced reports suggesting the army is seeking to float political parties in Jammu and Kashmir with the help of counter-insurgency leaders.

“The issue about former militants floating a political party in the state has been blown out of proportion. It has been projected as if the ministry of …. Original source  : Not army’s job to float parties: Omar.

Stone-throwing protests unfortunate: Kashmir governor

JAMMU – Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra, in his address to the state legislature at the start of the budget session Monday, termed as unforunate the stone-throwing protests of last summer and also stressed the need for India-Pakistan dialogue.

Vohra regreted the “loss of life”. It was a reference to the four-month long … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Stone-throwing protests unfortunate: Kashmir governor.

Malaysian PM disapproves of protests by ethnic Indian group

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has criticised a banned organisation of Indians whose supporters courted arrest to demand withdrawal of a school book they say makes racist references to ethnic Indians.

The demonstration Sunday by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) was “a deliberate move to create bad publicity for Malaysia …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Malaysian PM disapproves of protests by ethnic Indian group.

Vande Mataram slogans in Kashmir assembly

JAMMU – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators Monday shouted “Vande Mataram” in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly at the start of the budget session.

Sporting the national tricolor on their chests, they raised the slogans in unison, protesting against what they called was the Omar Abdullah government’s anti-national act of stopping party leaders from hoisting …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Vande Mataram slogans in Kashmir assembly.

Gilani vows to continue policy of reconciliation in Pak

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has expressed his resolve to continue his party’s reconciliation policy to make the country’s parliament and democratic institutions stronger.

Gilani also said that the country would not be able to afford mid-term or general elections in the prevailing circumstances, and stressed that the PPP would continue to play …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Gilani vows to continue policy of reconciliation in Pak.

Stalemate over Kashmir legislative council secretary

JAMMU – The appointment of a secretary to the Jammu and Kashmir legislative council – the upper house of the state legislature – has been tossed to Raj Bhavan, with two different people being appointed to the post.

Governor N.N. Vohra’s intervention has been sought in the matter as he is the constitutional head of … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Stalemate over Kashmir legislative council secretary.

Canada sanctions freeze Gaddafi’s millions in its banks

TORONTO – Canada Sunday joined the UN and the US in imposing sanctions on Libya.

The sanctions Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced will freeze millions of dollars reportedly held by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and his family in Canadian banks.
Asking the Libyan leader to step down immediately, the Canadian prime minister said Gaddafi “has …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Canada sanctions freeze Gaddafi’s millions in its banks.

Nearly 100,000 have fled Libya in past week: UN

GENEVA – Nearly 100,000 people have fled the unrest in Libya over the last week, according to the United Nations’ refugee agency UNHCR.

Most of the refugees have fled into neighbouring Tunisia and Egypt, which have come through popular uprisings of their own in the past months and are coping with uneasy government transitions.
“We … Read : Nearly 100,000 have fled Libya in past week: UN.

US reaching out to Libyan opposition: Clinton

WASHINGTON – US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said the US was reaching out to Libya’s opposition as she renewed calls for Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to step down.

The US government had been “reaching out to many different Libyans who are attempting to organize in the east and as the revolution moves westward … Read more >>.

Gaddafi’s favorite nurse returns to Ukraine

Kiev (Ukraine), Feb 28 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The favorite nurse of embattled Libyan leader’s Muammar Gaddafi has returned home to Ukraine, media reports said.

Galyna Kolotnytska, 38, was among 185 people who were evacuated by plane sent by Ukraine’s defence ministry to Libya Sunday.
Shortly after her arrival, the nurse went to see her daughter Tatyana, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Gaddafi’s favorite nurse returns to Ukraine.

Libyan opposition forms national council

Moscow, Feb 28 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The opposition, struggling to oust embattled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, has announced it has formed a national council in an effort to free the country of the dictator’s rule.

“The main aim of the national council is to have a political face … for the revolution,” Hafiz Ghoga, a spokesman …. Read the original article  : Libyan opposition forms national council.