Brits neither want Brown nor Tories

LONDON – Almost one in four Labour supporters believe electing Gordon Brown as Prime Minister for another term would be “unthinkable”.

However, 51 per cent say they personally feel no enthusiasm for the Conservative Party, according to an opinion poll for The Independent.
Forty-four … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Brits neither want Brown nor Tories.

Gurkha row: Brown, UK Defence Minister apologise to Lumley

LONDON – British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has apologised “unreservedly” to actress Joanna Lumley after the country’s Veterans Minister claimed she had spearheaded a campaign for Gurkhas’ rights, but had stayed silent as veterans suffered.

Brown moved to …. Source  : Gurkha row: Brown, UK Defence Minister apologise to Lumley.

Nepal PM intensifies consultation with parties on politics

KATHMANDU – Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal will continue discussions on the contemporary political situation with leaders of different political parties on Tuesday as well.

In this connection, a delegation of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) is holding a meeting with Prime Minister Nepal …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Nepal PM intensifies consultation with parties on politics.

SAARC nations can learn governance from one another: India

NEW DELHI – Countries in South Asia should adopt ideas from one another on best practices for improving and monitoring government performance, Indian cabinet secretary K.M. Chandrashekhar said Tuesday.

So many innovative things are being done by SAARC countries from which we can adopt ideas. We can learn from the best practices of each other, Chandrashekar …. Source article  : SAARC nations can learn governance from one another: India.

Shibu Soren looking for safer options to become legislator

RANCHI – Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren, who has three months left to get himself elected to the state assembly, is trying to explore a safer seat this time around as he failed to retain the post in his last term when he lost the Tamar assembly bypoll.

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief, who … Read more >>>.

Final returns show Berlusconi wins 2 close races in regional vote, emerges as overall winner

Berlusconi scores political victory in local vote

ROME – Final returns show that Premier Silvio Berlusconi’s coalition made a strong showing in regional elections across Italy, winning crucial races and snatching four regions from the opposition.
The returns Tuesday show that Berlusconi’s conservatives won in Lazio, which includes the capital, and Piedmont, a region in the country’s …. Original article  : Final returns show Berlusconi wins 2 close races in regional vote, emerges as overall winner.

BJP says people will make Sonia Gandhi resign as NAC chief

NEW DELHI – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has cried foul over Congress President Sonia Gandhi again taking charge as the head of the National Advisory Council (NAC).
BJP spokesperson Tarun Vijay said this time the people of the country would make …. Read the original article  : BJP says people will make Sonia Gandhi resign as NAC chief.

Be alert, says Hasina after tip-off on threat to her life

DHAKA – Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ordered security agencies to be on high alert after a tip-off by Indian and other foreign intelligence agencies on a possible threat to her life and to sensitive installations in the country.
She told her colleagues at the cabinet meeting Monday evening that besides a possible … Original source on Gaea Times at : Be alert, says Hasina after tip-off on threat to her life.

Hawaii lawmakers consider resolution recognizing cultural value of cockfighting

HI resolution would recognize cockfighting’s value

HONOLULU – Illegal cockfighting would be recognized for its cultural merits under a resolution advancing in the Hawaii Legislature.
The House Tourism, Culture and International Affairs Committee passed the resolution Monday on a 4-2 vote, sending it to the House Judiciary Committee. The resolution doesn’t have the force of law and …. Original source  : Hawaii lawmakers consider resolution recognizing cultural value of cockfighting.

Many support Myanmar opposition boycott of elections

Mixed reaction to Myanmar opposition party boycott

YANGON, Myanmar – Many Myanmar residents Tuesday greeted a decision by the party of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi to boycott elections with rousing approval while others called it a blunder leaving voters with little option in the military-organized balloting.
In a bold gamble, the National League for Democracy … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Many support Myanmar opposition boycott of elections.

Hillary slams Canada, leaves Arctic summit

OTTAWA – US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton slammed Canada Monday for not inviting Sweden, Finland, and Iceland for the Arctic summit held near Ottawa and made an early exit from the gathering.
Attended by foreign ministers of Canada, Denmark, Russia, the US and Norway, the summit was organized to discuss the future of …. Source article  : Hillary slams Canada, leaves Arctic summit.

Reprocessing deal with India reflects deep ties: US

WASHINGTON – Applauding the successful conclusion of a nuclear fuel reprocessing agreement with India, the US has said this reflects a much broader, deeper and expanded relationship between the two countries.

“I think it’s a reflection of the deepening of our relationship,” State Department spokesman Philip J. Crowley told reporters Monday commenting on the completion of … Read more : Reprocessing deal with India reflects deep ties: US.

Hewlett-Packard spent $710k on lobbying in last quarter of 2009; nearly half last year’s total

Hewlett-Packard spent $710,000 on 4Q lobbying

WASHINGTON – Hewlett-Packard Co. spent $710,000 on lobbying in the last three months of 2009, nearly half the amount the world’s No. 1 personal computer and printer maker spent in the same stretch the year before.
HP’s latest lobbying-disclosure form, filed with the House clerk’s office, shows that the company focused …. Read the original article  : Hewlett-Packard spent $710k on lobbying in last quarter of 2009; nearly half last year’s total.

Clinton says China will be involved in Iran sanctions push at UN

Clinton: China to play role in Iran sanctions push

OTTAWA – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says China has agreed that Iran cannot become a nuclear weapons power. Clinton says China will play a role in forging new international sanctions against the Islamic republic at the United Nations.
In Canada’s capital for a meeting of …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Clinton says China will be involved in Iran sanctions push at UN.

Indiana joins 13 other states in legal challenge to federal health care overhaul

Ind. joins legal challenge to health care overhaul

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana is joining 13 other states in challenging the nearly $1 trillion health care overhaul signed into law last week by President Barack Obama.
State Attorney General Greg Zoeller (ZEL’-ur) said Monday that Indiana will be added to an amended version of the lawsuit targeting the law … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Indiana joins 13 other states in legal challenge to federal health care overhaul.

GOP spent $1,946 at topless Hollywood club, now seeks to recoup money from donor

Republicans spent $1,946 at topless club
WASHINGTON – The Republican National Committee spent $1,946 last month at a sex-themed Hollywood club that features topless dancers and bondage outfits. Now the GOP wants its money back.

Listed in a monthly financial report, the amount is itemized as expenses for meals at Voyeur West Hollywood.
RNC spokesman Doug Heye said … Read more »».

Vice President Biden Hosts Conference Call with Elected Officials to Discuss Recovery Act Implementation

Earlier today, the Vice President hosted a conference call with Governors and a Mayor from across the country to discuss implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The following officials participated:
Governor Mitch Daniels (R-IN)
Governor Martin O’Malley (D-MD)
Governor Bev Perdue (D-NC)
Mayor Adrian Fenty (D-DC)
… Original article on : Vice President Biden Hosts Conference Call with Elected Officials to Discuss Recovery Act Implementation.

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts, 3/29/10

WASHINGTON – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key administration posts:
Teresa Takai, Assistant Secretary (Networks and Information Integration), Department of Defense
S. Leslie Ireland, Assistant Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis, Department of the Treasury
President Obama also announced his intent to appoint Felicity Hannay to serve as U.S. … Read more : President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts, 3/29/10.

Calif. lawmaker seeks payment details for upcoming Sarah Palin speech for nonprofit foundation

Calif. lawmaker seeks amount paid for Palin speech
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A state lawmaker is asking a California State University foundation how much it will pay Sarah Palin to appear at a black-tie event in June.
Sen. Leland Yee requested details of the contract Monday between the nonprofit California State University Stanislaus Foundation and the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Courteous but businesslike, Obama seeks delicate new balance in dealing with Afghan leader

Obama seeks delicate balance with Karzai
KABUL – President Barack Obama’s tone in Kabul was all business as he hammered home his theme that the Afghans need to do more to fight corruption and reform government to defeat the Taliban.
The arm’s-length approach was the administration’s latest attempt to strike the right balance in dealing …. Original article  : Courteous but businesslike, Obama seeks delicate new balance in dealing with Afghan leader.