CPI-M to dissect debacle, speculation on Kolkata mayor

KOLKATA – The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) meets here Thursday to deliberate on the reasons for the ruling Left Front’s dismal performance in the West Bengal civic polls even as speculation is rife on who will be Kolkata mayor.
The CPI-M state secretariat, which is meeting at 5 p.m. at the Muzaffar …. Original source  : CPI-M to dissect debacle, speculation on Kolkata mayor.

Karunanidhi, veteran of Indian politics, turns 87

CHENNAI – DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, one of India’s most senior politicians, turned 87 Thursday.
A key prop of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Karunanidhi began the day by cutting a birthday cake at his residence in Gopalapuram area here as close aides and family members cheered him.
A … Read more »»».

Israel won’t apologize for defending itself, says Netanyahu

TEL AVIV – Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has said that “Israel won’t apologize for defending itself” and described criticism of the commando attack on six flotilla heading towards the Gaza Strip with humanitarian … Read : Israel won’t apologize for defending itself, says Netanyahu.

White House again faces questions on jobs for Democrats challenging favored candidates

White House faces more questions over dealmaking
WASHINGTON – The White House faced fresh questions over back-room dealmaking after a Colorado Democrat acknowledged he had been encouraged by one of President Barack Obama’s top advisers to apply for an international development job instead of challenging the candidate whom the president favored in a Senate …. Original article  : White House again faces questions on jobs for Democrats challenging favored candidates.

Obama also getting criticism from opponents of Arizona governor and immigration law she signed

Anger over Obama’s meeting with Ariz. governor
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama’s planned meeting Thursday with Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer faces a protest from opponents of Arizona’s new immigration law.
Opponents say the law, which Brewer signed, is discriminatory and say Obama isn’t doing enough on immigration reform.
Brewer is to meet Obama at …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Supreme Court nominee Kagan’s quotes on Senate confirmation process in book review

Kagan quotes on Senate confirmation process

Excerpts from Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan’s review of Stephen Carter’s book “A Confirmation Mess,” in which she talks about the Senate’s Supreme Court confirmation process:
- “It is an embarrassment that the president and Senate do not always insist, as a threshold requirement, that a nominee’s previous accomplishments evidence an …. Original source  : Supreme Court nominee Kagan’s quotes on Senate confirmation process in book review.

‘The Kagan standard’: Supreme Court nominee sets a high bar for her own confirmation

In old article, Kagan invites tough questioning

WASHINGTON – Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan’s review of the book “A Confirmation Mess” is creating a confirmation mess of its own.
Kagan’s 1995 commentary on Stephen Carter’s book rendered a harsh judgment on how lawmakers question Supreme Court nominees, and that has some senators preparing to interrogate her about …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Delegates at Afghan peace conference mull talks with Taliban leaders, shrug off attack

Afghan peace conference mulls talks with Taliban

KABUL, Afghanistan – Delegates to an Afghan peace conference worked to overcome differences Thursday over whether the government should negotiate with top Taliban leaders to seek an end to almost nine years of war.
The deliberations involve about 1,500 religious, tribal, provincial and other leaders picked by the government to … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Delegates at Afghan peace conference mull talks with Taliban leaders, shrug off attack.

Left on its way out in West Bengal, admits leader (Interview)

NEW DELHI – The drubbing in the municipal elections is a clear pointer that the Left Front that has ruled West Bengal continuously since 1977 is set to be voted out next year, a party leader said Thursday.
Speaking frankly about the Left’s prospects in the 2011 assembly elections, the leader of the Communist … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Left on its way out in West Bengal, admits leader (Interview).

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi turns 87

CHENNAI – The DMK was in a celebratory mood Thursday as their leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi turned 87.

Karunanidhi was kept busy right from morning. In the morning, after cutting a birthday cake at his Gopalapuram residence here, he visited the memorials of DMK founder and former chief minister C.N. Annadurai, …. Source  : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi turns 87.

Nepal PM faces new hurdle

KATHMANDU – Saved from a dire constitutional crisis last month by the opposition Maoist party but now at loggerheads with it once more, Nepal’s government faces a fresh hurdle next month when it again needs help to pass the new budget.

With a fresh quarrel erupting between Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and the former guerrillas …. Source  : Nepal PM faces new hurdle.

Tagore plaques in China shine again thanks to Patil

SHANGHAI – “The world talks to me with its pictures and I reply with the music from my soul.” A plaque containing these immortal lines by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore has for long lain hidden from the public eye in this Chinese commercial hub.

It has now got a new lease of life thanks to President …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Tagore plaques in China shine again thanks to Patil.

President George W. Bush says he’d waterboard accused 9/11 mastermind again “to save lives”

Bush defends waterboard Khalid Sheik Mohammed

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Former President George W. Bush says if he had it to do over, he would still waterboard the self-professed mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks.
Waterboarding is a simulated drowning technique that the Obama administration considers torture. Bush acknowledged Wednesday that the U.S. used the harsh interrogation …. Read the original article  : here.

Japan’s ruling party seaches for new leader with finance minister seen as likely next PM

Finance chief Kan seen as Japan’s likely next PM
TOKYO – Finance Minister Naoto Kan, a straight-talker known for standing up to Japan’s powerful bureaucrats, won the support of key potential rivals in the ruling party and emerged the only major candidate Thursday to become the country’s next prime minister.
Kan, 63, who is …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Federal nuclear officials discuss plant contract reforms in Amarillo

Nuclear Security officials discuss contracts

AMARILLO, Texas – Federal officials say they don’t yet have a timeframe for releasing the details on the single management contract for the Pantex nuclear plant near Amarillo and a Tennessee facility.
National Nuclear Security Administration officials were in Amarillo Wednesday to hold a public briefing on contract reform.
According to contract reforms … Read more >>>.

Colo. candidate confirms White House spoke to him about 3 potential jobs amid Senate race

Senate candidate says White House discussed 3 jobs
WASHINGTON – One of President Barack Obama’s top advisers suggested to a Colorado Democrat that he forgo a primary challenge to Sen. Michael Bennet and instead apply for one of three international development jobs.
The disclosure came just days after the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Colo. candidate confirms White House spoke to him about 3 potential jobs amid Senate race.

South Korea’s ruling party wins Seoul race, upset in other key polls in local election

South Korean ruling party upset in vote
SEOUL, South Korea – South Korea’s ruling party won the key Seoul mayoral poll but suffered upsets in several other local elections held amid tensions over North Korea’s alleged torpedoing of a navy ship, officials said Thursday.
Before Wednesday’s vote, opinion polls and analysts said outrage …. Read the original article  : South Korea’s ruling party wins Seoul race, upset in other key polls in local election.

Romanoff confirms White House spoke to him about potential jobs amid Colorado US Senate race

Romanoff confirms job discussions with White House
DENVER – Colorado U.S. Senate candidate Andrew Romanoff says the White House spoke to him about potentially taking a job in President Barack Obama’s administration if he wouldn’t challenge incumbent Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet.
Romanoff said in a statement Wednesday that Obama’s deputy chief of staff, Jim Messina, … Original source on Gaea Times at : Romanoff confirms White House spoke to him about potential jobs amid Colorado US Senate race.

California Assembly passes bill requiring placement agent disclosure, sends it to Senate

Calif Assembly OKs placement agent regulation bill

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The state Assembly passed a bill Wednesday that would limit the influence of people hired by money management firms to win business from the state’s public pension funds.
The bill, passed 56-9 with bipartisan support, would require so-called “placement agents” to register as lobbyists and report gifts. … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : California Assembly passes bill requiring placement agent disclosure, sends it to Senate.

Turkish activists who were on Gaza-bound boats return to hero’s welcome in Istanbul

Turkish activists land in Istanbul following raid

ISTANBUL – Hundreds of activists deported from Israel following a bloody raid by Israeli commandos on a pro-Palestinian flotilla returned to a hero’s welcome in Turkey early Thursday. Nine bodies were on the first plane.
Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc and several Turkish lawmakers welcomed them at the airport after …. Source  : Gaea News Network.