Goa tourism minister resigns

PANAJI – Goa Tourism Minister Mickky Pacheco, accused by his wife of bigamy and embroiled in a controversy over the death of his third companion, resigned Saturday, an official said here.

Pacheco, who is being probed by the Crime Branch in connection with the mysterious death of his 28-year-old girlfriend Nadia Torrado, was not traceable since …. Original article  : Goa tourism minister resigns.

Ansari heads to Prague Sunday, UN reforms high on agenda

NEW DELHI – Vice President Hamid Ansari leaves Sunday on a week-long visit to the Czech Republic and Croatia, two East European countries that are negotiating their way out of recession and are looking at closer economic ties with India.
Ansari arrives in Prague Sunday evening to begin a three-day visit. He will meet … Original article on : Ansari heads to Prague Sunday, UN reforms high on agenda.

EU welcomes resumption of India-Pakistan talks

BRUSSELS – The European Union (EU) has welcomed the resumption of talks between India and Pakistan and hoped this would help resolve their outstanding issuess, EuAsiaNews reported.

“The EU reiterated the importance of Pakistan and India normalising their relations and welcomed the resumption of a dialogue process. It expressed hope that this would help to … Original source on Gaea Times at : EU welcomes resumption of India-Pakistan talks.

Obama to nominate Pentagon’s top intelligence officer to oversee the nation’s spy agencies

Obama to name new intelligence chief
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is set to nominate James Clapper, the Pentagon’s top intelligence, official to oversee the nation’s 16 spy agencies.
Obama was expected to announce the nomination of Clapper, a retired Air Force three-star general, as national intelligence director in a Rose Garden ceremony … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Obama to nominate Pentagon’s top intelligence officer to oversee the nation’s spy agencies.

No question of Buddhadeb resigning: Biman Bose

NEW DELHI – Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) West Bengal secretary Biman Bose Saturday rejected media reports that Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had offered to step down as chief minister following the party’s dismal show in the civic polls.

“The question does not arise,” said Bose, who is in the capital to attend a two-day CPI-M politburo meeting. …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : No question of Buddhadeb resigning: Biman Bose.

Gilani doublespeak: From peace overtures, now tells NATO fears war with India

BRUSSELS – Just when things were starting to get back on track between India and Pakistan, and a ‘positive’ outcome from the upcoming Foreign Ministerial level talks was expected, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s tirade over New Delhi’s conventional war strategy has once again put light on Islamabad’s obstinate attitude concerning resolving long …. Source article  : Gilani doublespeak: From peace overtures, now tells NATO fears war with India.

Enigmatic Rahul Gandhi preparing for his political future: NYT

AHRAURA – Despite his established political credentials and an aura of inevitability about his future, Rahul Gandhi, the great-grandson of India’s first prime minister (Jawaharlal Nehru), the grandson of India’s fourth prime minister (Indira Gandhi) and the son of India’s seventh prime minister (Rajiv Gandhi), largely remains an enigma.
He remains deliberately aloof …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Enigmatic Rahul Gandhi preparing for his political future: NYT.

Israeli military says forces have not taken over new Gaza-bound aid ship

Israel says forces have not taken over aid boat

JERUSALEM – The Israeli military says it has not taken over a Gaza-bound aid ship.
A military spokeswoman said, “At this minute, there’s no takeover.”
The ship is trying to breach Israel’s three-year-old blockade of the Gaza Strip.
Nine people were killed in the military’s takeover of another aid ship … Read more >>.

US rebukes China for suspending military ties

SINGAPORE – US Defence Secretary Robert Gates Saturday rebuked China for suspending military ties over US arms sales to Taiwan, saying Beijing’s rationale made little sense.

“Chinese officials have broken off interactions between our militaries, citing US arms sales to Taiwan as the rationale,” he said.
“This makes little sense,” Gates said, adding that interruptions in …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : US rebukes China for suspending military ties.

Gaza-bound aid vessel tailed by Israeli warships as it nears Gaza’s shores

Gaza-bound aid vessel tailed by Israeli warships

JERUSALEM – Israeli warships were tailing a Gaza-bound aid boat Saturday just a few dozen miles (kilometers) from the blockaded Palestinian territory, determined not to let it reach Gaza despite international outrage over Israel’s deadly takeover of another aid ship earlier this week.
The 1,200-ton Rachel Corrie, which is carrying …. Original source  : Gaza-bound aid vessel tailed by Israeli warships as it nears Gaza’s shores.

Activist: Gaza-bound aid ship nearing blockaded Palestinian territory

Activist: Aid ship nears Palestinian territory

JERUSALEM – A pro-Palestinian activist tells The Associated Press that a Gaza-bound aid ship is just a few dozen miles (kilometers) from the the blockaded Palestinian territory and is being tailed by three Israeli naval boats.
The activists’ latest attempt to crack the blockade will test Israel’s resolve as it faces …. Original article  : Activist: Gaza-bound aid ship nearing blockaded Palestinian territory.

US defense chief says sinking of ally’s ship does not reveal a weakness in US defenses

Gates: Ship sinking reveals no hole in US forces

SINGAPORE – U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says the sinking of a South Korean warship doesn’t show gaps in the security that U.S. forces in the Pacific are supposed to provide for allies.
Gates says what the fatal sinking shows is simply that a surprise attack can be … Read more >>>.

Defense chief Gates calls ship sinking part of North Korea’s pattern of ‘reckless behavior’

Gates accuses NKorea of reckless aggression

SINGAPORE – The sinking of a South Korean warship is part of a reckless pattern of aggression by North Korea, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Saturday, as the U.S. and its allies turned up the rhetorical heat on the communist country.
“This sinking is far more than a single, isolated … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Defense chief Gates calls ship sinking part of North Korea’s pattern of ‘reckless behavior’.

AP sources: Obama chooses Pentagon veteran Clapper as next national intelligence director

AP sources: Pentagon official pick as intel chief
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama intends to nominate the Pentagon’s top intelligence official, James Clapper, as the next national intelligence director despite some objections from Capitol Hill, two senior administration officials said Friday.
Obama will announce his nomination of Clapper, a retired Air …. Original source  : AP sources: Obama chooses Pentagon veteran Clapper as next national intelligence director.

Police call: Maryland governor’s teen daughter ‘passed out’, likely had alcohol poisoning

Police. Md. gov’s daughter had alcohol poisoning

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – A Baltimore police officer suspected Gov. Martin O’Malley’s unconscious 18-year-old daughter had alcohol poisoning and called for medical help, according to police calls released Friday.
A dispatcher questioned if alcohol poisoning was the reason the officer needed an ambulance for Tara O’Malley at Inner Harbor on May …. Original source  : Police call: Maryland governor’s teen daughter ‘passed out’, likely had alcohol poisoning.

Former AP correspondent Fred Zusy dies; once banned in Egypt, tangled with Truman

Former AP correspondent Fred Zusy dies
WASHINGTON – Fred Zusy, whose short-lived expulsion from Egypt by that country’s government while serving as Cairo bureau chief for The Associated Press raised questions about government censorship in the name of national security, has died. He was 96.

He also tangled with former President Harry Truman about the accuracy of … Read more >>>.

Biographical information on James R. Clapper Jr.

Biographical information on James R. Clapper Jr.

NAME – James R. Clapper Jr.
EXPERIENCE – Defense undersecretary for intelligence, 2007-present; director, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, 2001-06; after military retirement, served as an executive in private industry for companies including Vredenburg, Booz Allen Hamilton and SRA International; retired from the Air Force as a lieutenant general, 1995; director, Defense … Read more : Biographical information on James R. Clapper Jr..

Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs Aboard Air Force One En Route Louisiana

1:51 P.M. EDT
MR. GIBBS:  Hey, guys.  So let’s go through a little of the schedule so we have a bit of a sense what we’re working on.  I think that Ms. Hogan gave you guys the bait and tackle place — it’s an OTR stop, so please hold that location until we arrive there — …. Source  : Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs Aboard Air Force One En Route Louisiana.

Pacquiao accepts third Fighter of the Year award; Roach, Izenberg also honored at BWAA awards

Pacquiao again honored as Fighter of the Year

NEW YORK – Manny Pacquiao seems to win something, whether it’s a fight or an award, just about every time he makes the long trip to the United States.
The pound-for-pound king and newly elected congressman from the Philippines accepted his third Fighter of the Year award Friday night …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Statement on the Gaza Flotilla by National Security Council Spokesman Mike Hammer

The Government of Israel has stated its desire to avoid a confrontation and a repeat of Monday’s tragic events on the Mavi Marmara.  It remains a U.S. priority to provide assistance to the people of Gaza.  In the interest of the safety of all involved, and the safe transmission of assistance to the people of …. Original article  : Statement on the Gaza Flotilla by National Security Council Spokesman Mike Hammer.