Nepal PM falls prey to email hoax, not to quit

KATHMANDU – Faced with an unparalleled constitutional crisis from midnight, Nepal’s embattled Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal Friday fell prey to an email hoax that said he was ready to quit within 48 hours if the opposition agreed to bail the nation out.

“I am ready to resign within two days to pave the way for … Original source on Gaea Times at : Nepal PM falls prey to email hoax, not to quit.

Nepal PM offers to quit within 48 hours

KATHMANDU – Faced with an unparalleled constitutional crisis from Friday midnight, Nepal’s embattled Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal finally bowed down before the Maoist demand for his resignation and said he would quit in 48 hours.

The prime minister would make the commitment in an address in parliament Friday afternoon when the 601-member house convenes, the … Read more >>.

UN urges Nepal to save derailed peace process

KATHMANDU – As a dire constitutional crisis threatened to engulf Nepal from midnight with its interim parliament and ruling coalition headed for dissolution, the UN urged the political parties to put national interests first and save the imperilled peace process that had ended a decade of communist insurrection.

“Now is the time to put national interest …. Read the original article  : here.

Another Black Friday threatens Nepal, crisis at midnight

KATHMANDU – Regarded as an ill-omen day when most of Nepal’s national tragedies occurred, yet another Black Friday dawned in Nepal with a constitutional crisis looming from midnight as the country’s political leaders continued to fight over power-sharing.

It was a Friday June 1, 2001 when Nepal’s popular king Birendra and nine more members of the … Read : Another Black Friday threatens Nepal, crisis at midnight.

Sharad Yadav wants government to faster action on caste in census

NEW DELHI – Janata Dal (United) chief Sharad Yadav has asked the government to act fast on the factor of caste in census.

Talking to reporters here on Thursday, Yadav said: “I want to say that government should not delay the process and to say that only a few lawmakers … Original source on Gaea Times at : Sharad Yadav wants government to faster action on caste in census.

PM expresses grief over West Bengal railway mishap

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has expressed his grief over the loss of lives after 13 coaches of the Mumbai bound Howrah-Kurla Lokmanya Tilak Gyaneshwari Super Deluxe Express derailed in West Bengal on Friday morning.

“Dr Singh had asked the Railway and other authorities to … Read this article on Gaea Times at : PM expresses grief over West Bengal railway mishap.

‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ To Be Repealed

WASHINGTON (GaeaTimes.com)- The gay and lesbians in the USA who aspired to join the army but hesitated to do so owing to the draconian “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, have reasons to rejoice. The House and Senate members have taken active steps to get the much criticized law repealed. This law which has been … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ To Be Repealed.

NATO: At least 3 months more needed before Marjah can be a success

NATO: Marjah some 3 months away from success

WASHINGTON – A senior NATO general in Afghanistan says it will probably be months before Afghans in Marjah shun the Taliban and form a strong local government.
British Maj. Gen. Nick Carter tells reporters Wednesday that the 3-month-old, U.S.-led NATO operation in the southern region has been a military …. Original source  : NATO: At least 3 months more needed before Marjah can be a success.

Former gov. candidate to put Washington state in play for GOP with Senate race entrance

GOP hopes candidate will flip Wash. Senate seat

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Dino Rossi is best known for losing one of the closest governor’s races in U.S. history.
Now Republicans hope he can ride a Republican tide and unseat Washington state’s powerful senior senator, Democrat Patty Murray.
Rossi is set to officially announce his entry into the race Wednesday. … Original article on : Former gov. candidate to put Washington state in play for GOP with Senate race entrance.

Ex-congressman says he’s no longer campaigning for GOP nomination for Senate seat from Conn.

Ex-congressman stops campaign for Senate in Conn.

NEW LONDON, Conn. – Former U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons says he’s no longer campaigning in the Connecticut U.S. Senate race, days after vowing to challenge former wrestling executive Linda McMahon in a Republican primary.
Simmons made the announcement Tuesday morning on WXLM-FM in New London, but he stopped short of … Original source on Gaea Times at : Ex-congressman says he’s no longer campaigning for GOP nomination for Senate seat from Conn..

After blogger affair claim, married SC gov candidate asks challengers to renounce smears

SC gov hopeful as challengers to renounce smears

COLUMBIA, S.C. – State Rep. Nikki Haley challenged opponents in the governor’s race to renounce smear tactics after a Columbia political blogger claimed he had an affair with the married mother of two children.
Haley went on the offensive Monday after Will Folks claimed he had an inappropriate relationship … Read : After blogger affair claim, married SC gov candidate asks challengers to renounce smears.

8 ships with supplies, activists sail toward blockaded Gaza, likely showdown with Israel

8 ships with aid, activists head for sealed Gaza

JERUSALEM – Eight ships carrying 10,000 tons of donated supplies and hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists on Tuesday were making their way toward blockaded Gaza – and a likely weekend showdown with the Israeli navy.
The small flotilla carrying cement, prefab homes and other goods marks the most ambitious …. Read the original article  : 8 ships with supplies, activists sail toward blockaded Gaza, likely showdown with Israel.

Federal judge hearing Calif. gay marriage case mulls letting cameras cover closing arguments

Judge mulls allowing cameras at gay marriage trial

SAN FRANCISCO – A federal judge overseeing a lawsuit challenging California’s same-sex marriage ban is considering whether to allow closing arguments to be broadcast on television or the Internet.
Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker issued a notice Tuesday stating he would hear final arguments on June 16.
Walker heard …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Federal judge hearing Calif. gay marriage case mulls letting cameras cover closing arguments.

AP sources: US expects China to join world criticism of North Korea for sinking South’s ship

AP sources: China to join criticism of N. Korea
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska – The Obama administration expects China to join in the international criticism of North Korea for the sinking of a South Korean warship.
After U.S.-China discussions this week in Beijing, senior American officials say China will carefully move closer to South … Original source on Gaea Times at : AP sources: US expects China to join world criticism of North Korea for sinking South’s ship.

India among ‘key centres of influence’ in Obama security strategy

WASHINGTON – Recognising India as one of the “key centres of influence” along with China and Russia, President Barack Obama’s new National Security Strategy reaffirms “building a strategic partnership” with India as “one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century.”
Faced with “the emergence of new challenges and the shortcomings of the … Read more >>>.

Simmons ends campaign for US Senate seat in Conn. but keeps name on GOP primary ballot

Simmons ends campaign for US Senate seat in Conn.

NEW LONDON, Conn. – Former U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons says he’s ending his campaign in Connecticut for U.S. Senate but keeping his name on the Republican primary ballot, though party leaders endorsed ex-wrestling executive Linda McMahon.
Simmons said Tuesday that he understood the “mathematical reality” of competing against …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Statement by the President on Votes to Repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

I have long advocated that we repeal ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’, and I am pleased that both the House of Representatives and the Senate Armed Services Committee took important bipartisan steps toward repeal tonight.  Key to successful repeal will be the ongoing Defense Department review, and as such I am grateful that the amendments offered …. Source  : Statement by the President on Votes to Repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”.

Mass. AG argues against federal gay marriage ban, says law penalizes married same-sex couples

Mass. AG argues against federal gay marriage ban

BOSTON – The Massachusetts attorney general asked a judge Wednesday to strike down a federal gay marriage ban, arguing it interferes with the right of states to define marriage and have those marriages acknowledged by the federal government.
The challenge to the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer creates legal defense fund for immigration law; $10K already received

Ariz. governor creates legal defense fund for law

PHOENIX – Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer is creating a legal defense fund for the state’s tough new crackdown on illegal immigration.
Brewer created the fund in an executive order signed Wednesday.
Her office says Brewer already has received about $10,000 in unsolicited donations from more than 40 states.
Opponents of Arizona’s … Original article on : Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer creates legal defense fund for immigration law; $10K already received.

Calif. bill would ban sale of sugary sports drinks from schools; critics call it intrusion

Calif. bill would ban sports drinks from schools

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California students seeking a lunchtime electrolyte boost would be out of luck under a bill passed Thursday by the state Senate.
The measure would prohibit sales of sugar-sweetened sports drinks in public middle schools and high schools. It’s sponsored by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger as part of …. Source article  : Calif. bill would ban sale of sugary sports drinks from schools; critics call it intrusion.