Official: US asks for Israeli investigation after citizen lost eye in pro-Palestinian protest

US asks for Israel to investigate wounded citizen

JERUSALEM – A spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv says it has asked Israel to investigate an incident where an American woman lost her eye during a pro-Palestinian demonstration.
Kurt Hoyer said on Monday the embassy has asked for details “as soon as possible.”
Emily Henochowicz, a 21-year-old …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Official: US asks for Israeli investigation after citizen lost eye in pro-Palestinian protest.

Japan’s ruling party names new leadership ahead of Cabinet inauguration

Japan ruling party names new leaders
TOKYO – Japan’s ruling party selected a fresh leadership lineup Monday, clearing the way for Prime Minister-elect Naoto Kan to name a new Cabinet and begin tackling a host of delicate issues left over after the abrupt resignation of his predecessor.
Kan, who was elected prime minister in a … Original article on : Japan’s ruling party names new leadership ahead of Cabinet inauguration.

Thai PM offers promise of early election

HO CHI MINH CITY – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has told participants and media at the World Economic Forum on East Asia here that if Thailand pursues its reconciliation plans, elections could be held in the country sooner than later.

“If we pursue the reconciliation plan, if we get good cooperation, especially from people in the … Read more »».

Turkey calls on Israel to accept international probe into deadly flotilla raid

Turkey calls on Israel to accept probe into raid

ISTANBUL – Turkey’s foreign minister has called on Israel to accept an international probe into the deadly raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla that killed nine Turks.
Ahmet Davutoglu said Israel should declare it accepts the probe proposed by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. He said: “Otherwise it means …. Original source  : Turkey calls on Israel to accept international probe into deadly flotilla raid.

NKorean leader Kim Jong Il appears in rare Parliament session

Report: NKorea leader meets Parliament
SEOUL, South Korea – North Korean leader Kim Jong Il attended a rare second parliamentary session of the year Monday that involved a major leadership reshuffle that included the post of premier and a key defense position, state-run media reported.

The changes, which weren’t explained, came amid worsening economic woes, pressing succession …. Read the original article  : NKorean leader Kim Jong Il appears in rare Parliament session.

Netanyahu rebuffs UN probe of Gaza flotilla raid

WASHINGTON – Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rebuffed a proposal from United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to have an international panel investigate last week’s deadly Gaza flotilla raid.

UN Secretary General Ban ki Moon proposed a panel headed by former New Zealand Prime Minister Jeffrey Palmer, along with Israeli and Turkish representatives, but Netanyahu expressed …. Read the original article  : Netanyahu rebuffs UN probe of Gaza flotilla raid.

Ark. Sen. Lincoln, Democratic challenger Halter focus on black voters as runoff election nears

Ark. Democrats vie for black voters in Senate race
WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. – African-American voters couldn’t help the man who became the nation’s first black president win Arkansas in 2008. But the Democratic candidates for the Senate here, incumbent Blanche Lincoln and Lt. Gov. Bill Halter, believe black voters could decide their race, … Read more »».

Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan to discuss war on terror

ISTANBUL – The foreign ministers of Turkey, Pakistan and Afghanistan will meet here Monday to discuss the war on terrorism.

A Turkish Foreign Ministry official told Xinhua Sunday that three foreign ministers would discuss means to promote cooperation among the three countries on security and counterterrorism.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and his Pakistani and Afghan … Read more »».

India to discuss Sri Lanka reconciliation with Rajapaksa

NEW DELHI – India, heavily involved in the reconstruction of Sri Lanka’s northeast, will discuss the process of political reconciliation in the country when President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrives here Tuesday on a state visit.
On the agenda of the official discussion will be how and what kind of plans Rajapaksa has in his mind … Original source on Gaea Times at : India to discuss Sri Lanka reconciliation with Rajapaksa.

Congress playing votebank politics for Telangana: Gadkari

HYDERABAD – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Nitin Gadkari has accused the Congress of indulging in votebank politics for establishing its influence in the Telangana region.

Addressing media persons here on Sunday, Gadkari said: “The Congress party has declared the decision. They are creating the problems. If they don’t want to execute it, why did they …. Source  : Congress playing votebank politics for Telangana: Gadkari.

Tight security, restrictions in Srinagar for PM visit

SRINAGAR – Security was heightened and restrictions imposed in parts of Jammu and Kashmir’s summer capital Srinagar to prevent violence as a general shutdown against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit Monday affected life across the city.
Police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were deployed in strength to thwart violence in five police …. Original article  : Tight security, restrictions in Srinagar for PM visit.

Mamata Banerjee asks local councillors to work for people

KOLKATA – Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee has asked councillors elected in the recent civic body polls to work for the common people and win their trust.
Talking to reporters here on Sunday, Banerjee said: “You have not only won because of your individual capacity, but you have won with the blessings … Read more : Mamata Banerjee asks local councillors to work for people.

Scottish councillors cautioned about rash twittering

LONDON – With Twittergate becoming the Waterloo of many a politician across the world, former Indian minister Shashi Tharoor for instance, Scotland has taken a tentative step to avoid the pitfall by advising its councillors on how to use social networking sites.

An 11-page brief, published by the local government body Improvement Service, has been issued … Read more >>>.

Restrictions to prevent violence ahead of PM’s Kashmir visit

SRINAGAR – Restrictions were imposed in parts of Jammu and Kashmir’s summer capital Srinagar to prevent violence as a general shutdown against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit Monday affected life across the city.
Police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were deployed in strength to thwart violence in five police station areas of … Read : Restrictions to prevent violence ahead of PM’s Kashmir visit.

Summit of security group for Asia opens, Turkey seeks to condemn Israel

Turkey seeks to condemn Israel in security summit

ISTANBUL – A summit for a 20-member security group for the Asian region kicked off Monday in Istanbul with Turkey seeking to condemn Israel for a raid that killed nine Turks on a pro-Palestinian aid flotilla that had attempted to break the blockade on Gaza.
Turkey, the most important …. Original article  : Summit of security group for Asia opens, Turkey seeks to condemn Israel.

Sri Lanka’s only Tamil chief minister visits India

NEW DELHI – Formerly a Tamil Tiger child soldier, Sri Lanka’s only Tamil chief minister is visiting India to learn a little more about how to run local self government.

Sivanesathurai Chanthirakanthan, better known by his former nom de guerre Pillayan, says he would be happy to pick up points that can help him tone up … Original source on Gaea Times at : Sri Lanka’s only Tamil chief minister visits India.

Former Labour ministers to get paid for losing jobs

LONDON – In Britain, ministers are paid compensation even if they are booted out of office – over a 100 former Labour ministers have been named to receive a total of 1.2 million pounds in redundancy payments.

Topping the list is ex-attorney general Baroness Scotland, entitled to 27,815 pounds. She is the one who got caught …. Original source  : Former Labour ministers to get paid for losing jobs.

Manmohan Singh to visit Kashmir today

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will undertake a two-day visit to Kashmir from today.
Dr. Singh is likely to renew the Central Government’s offer for talks for those who are outside the mainstream politics and also review the progress in the Round Table peace initiative and development work being … Read more : Manmohan Singh to visit Kashmir today.

Hunger striker’s health worsening in Venezuela; daughter calls for Red Cross to intervene

Venezuelan hunger striker’s health deteriorating

CARACAS, Venezuela – The daughter of a Venezuelan farmer who has repeatedly staged hunger strikes over a land dispute with the government says his condition is worsening. She wants hospital authorities to let him be seen by the Red Cross.
Angela Brito said Sunday that her father is barely able to speak … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Hunger striker’s health worsening in Venezuela; daughter calls for Red Cross to intervene.

Official: Fla.-bound flight delayed in NY, inspected after man makes ‘comment about a bomb’

Man’s bomb comment delays Fla.-bound flight in NY

RONKONKOMA, N.Y. – Authorities say a man “made a comment about a bomb” on a flight from Chicago to New York’s MacArthur Airport, forcing passengers to get off the plane while authorities inspected the aircraft.
No devices were found. The man was taken into custody after the Sunday afternoon …. Source article  : Official: Fla.-bound flight delayed in NY, inspected after man makes ‘comment about a bomb’.