After India, US, Pak now admits to ‘trust deficit’ within its territory

QUETTA – After conceding that there was a trust deficit between Pakistan and India, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has now said that there is a sense of mistrust between the Federal Government and the Baloch people, which he is trying to bridge with ‘concrete measures’.

Gilani said the trust deficit could not be … Read more »».

China, Norway to boost military ties

BEIJING – Visiting Norwegian Chief of Naval Staff Rear Admiral Haakon Bruun-Hassen Tuesday met Chief of the General Staff of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Chen Bingde here to discuss military ties, Xinhua reported.

“The military relationship is an important part of China-Norway relations, and in recent years, the two sides have maintained frequent high-level …. Original article  : China, Norway to boost military ties.

Japan’s new PM will honor accord with US over contentious Marine base on Okinawa

Japan’s new PM says he’ll honor base deal with US
TOKYO – Prime Minister-elect Naoto Kan says Japan will honor an agreement with Washington to move a key Marine base to a less crowded part of Okinawa – an issue that led to the downfall of his predecessor.
In a press conference after he named … Read more »»».

Yemeni official says constitution bans extradition of radical US-born cleric tied to al-Qaida

Official: Yemen won’t extradite US radical cleric

SAN’A, Yemen – A Yemeni official says the government would not hand over to the U.S. a radical American-born cleric tied to al-Qaida because the constitution bans extradition of Yemeni citizens.
The Yemeni-American cleric, Anwar al-Awlaki, is believed to be hiding in Yemen since 2004.
Islamic Affairs Minister Hamoud al-Hitar said …. Original article  : Yemeni official says constitution bans extradition of radical US-born cleric tied to al-Qaida.

Benigno Aquino III wins Philippine presidential election by a landslide, count shows

Benigno Aquino III wins Philippine president race

MANILA, Philippines – A final count by the Philippine Congress shows that Benigno Aquino III has won last month’s presidential elections by a landslide.
Aquino, the son of Philippine democracy icons, promised to battle corruption in his campaign against his closest opponent, ousted leader Joseph Estrada.
Congressional leaders who counted results … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Benigno Aquino III wins Philippine presidential election by a landslide, count shows.

Mehbooba Mufti wants revocation of Special Powers Act for Kashmir

SRINAGAR – Mehbooba Mufti, the President of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to withdraw the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) deployed to tackle militancy in the valley.
Talking to reporters here after meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who is on a two-day visit to state, Mufti said: …. Source article  : Mehbooba Mufti wants revocation of Special Powers Act for Kashmir.

India, Canada may ink civil nuke deal on G-20 sidelines

NEW DELHI – India and Canada are likely to ink a civil nuclear agreement during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s three-day visit to Toronto.
Dr. Singh will be in Toronto from June 26 to 28 for the G-20 Summit, and according to sources, the agreement will be signed after a bilateral meeting between him … Read this article on Gaea Times at : India, Canada may ink civil nuke deal on G-20 sidelines.

Voters to pick Senate challengers for Reid, Boxer; Lincoln looks for lifeline

Voters to pick Senate challengers for Reid, Boxer

WASHINGTON – With frustrated voters poised to punish the party in power, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Sen. Barbara Boxer will find out their Republican opponents this fall. Fellow Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln will learn whether she’ll even be on the November ballot.
Their states – Nevada, California …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Calif. GOP voters consider wealthy businesswomen to challenge Democratic icons Brown, Boxer

Wealthy businesswomen energize Calif. GOP voters

LOS ANGELES – A Republican primary season marked by a blistering campaign spending spree comes to an end with two wealthy businesswomen poised to make history for the GOP.
Former eBay chief executive Meg Whitman and former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina have become the front-runners to lead the Republican Party this …. Source  : Calif. GOP voters consider wealthy businesswomen to challenge Democratic icons Brown, Boxer.

Obama renews health care bill pitch to a reluctant constituency, the elderly

Obama pitching seniors on health bill
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is turning his attention back to the massive health care bill he signed earlier this year, and trying to win over the most skeptical constituency: seniors.
Obama is set to pitch the bill at a senior center in Wheaton, Md., on Tuesday. …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Frustrations are building in Congress over delays in choosing internal watchdog at CIA

CIA goes 14 months without internal watchdog
WASHINGTON – More than a year after the CIA’s inspector general stepped down, frustrated members of Congress are urging the White House to fill the internal watchdog position that was central in uncovering abuses inside the spy agency.
Several possible candidates have fallen by the wayside despite assurances …. Read the original article  : here.

In busy primary, voters pick Senate challengers for Reid, Boxer; Lincoln looks for lifeline

Voters choose fall matchups, decide Lincoln’s fate

WASHINGTON – With frustrated voters poised to punish the party in power, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Sen. Barbara Boxer will find out their Republican opponents this fall. Fellow Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln will learn whether she’ll even be on the November ballot.
Their states – Nevada, California and …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : In busy primary, voters pick Senate challengers for Reid, Boxer; Lincoln looks for lifeline.

India, Sri Lanka to discuss Tamil settlement, sign pacts

NEW DELHI – Sri Lanka will brief India on the post-war political reconciliation plan and sign a slew of pacts to expand cooperation in areas ranging from counter-terrorism to development when leaders of the two countries hold talks here Wednesday.
Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrives here Tuesday evening on a four-day state …. Read the original article  : India, Sri Lanka to discuss Tamil settlement, sign pacts.

New Japan government names Cabinet, maintains key minister posts

New Japan government names familar Cabinet
TOKYO – Japan’s incoming government named its new Cabinet on Tuesday, keeping core members in place to address the country’s deep economic and foreign policy issues but adding several fresh faces to win back voters ahead of upcoming elections.
Prime Minister-elect Naoto Kan, whose administration will officially be sworn …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : New Japan government names Cabinet, maintains key minister posts.

Japan names new Cabinet, maintains key ministerial posts

Japan names new Cabinet with familar faces

TOKYO – Japan’s incoming government has named a new Cabinet with key ministers keeping their seats.
New Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihito Sengoku said Tuesday that the country’s foreign and defense ministers will remain from the previous administration.
There are new faces too. He says Prime Minister-elect Naoto Kan’s new administration will … Read more >>.

Obama looking for ‘ambitious results’ from India visit

WASHINGTON – The United States says President Barack Obama is looking forward to “ambitious results” from his India visit as he sees relations with India “as one of the most consequential and indispensable.”
The Obama visit to India in November will also highlight the “unprecedented new levels of cooperation” to which US-India relations had …. Original source  : Obama looking for ‘ambitious results’ from India visit.

Mexico’s president calls stun gun death of migrant at US border near San Diego ‘unacceptable’

Mexican prez slams death of migrant at US border

MEXICO CITY – President Felipe Calderon said Monday that the death of a Mexican migrant after being shot with a stun gun by a U.S. immigration officer was an unacceptable human rights violation.
Migrant Anastasio Hernandez was shocked by a Customs and Border Protection agent May 31 at …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Mexico’s president calls stun gun death of migrant at US border near San Diego ‘unacceptable’.

Bolivian President Evo Morales re-elected head of country’s largest coca-growers union

Bolivia’s president re-elected head of coca union

LA PAZ, Bolivia – President Evo Morales has been re-elected as head of Bolivia’s largest coca-growers union, a post he has held for more than two decades.
Morales was sworn in late Monday as head of the Six Federations of the Tropic of Cochabamba, which represents more than 40,000 growers. …. Original article  : Bolivian President Evo Morales re-elected head of country’s largest coca-growers union.

Wis. set to launch media blitz ahead of statewide smoking ban

Wis. to launch statewide smoking ban ad blitz

SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. – Wisconsin health officials will launch a public relations campaign this week to promote the state’s smoking ban, state Department of Health Services Secretary Karen Timberlake said Monday.
The ban generally prohibits smoking in all workplaces in Wisconsin. However, it does permit smoking in rooms with … Read : Wis. set to launch media blitz ahead of statewide smoking ban.

Australian Parliament House trashes 200 misspelt mugs that commemorated Obama’s canceled visit

Australian Parliament House trashes Obama mugs
CANBERRA, Australia – Australia’s Parliament House gift shop trashed 200 Barack Obama commemorative mugs – though not because the U.S. president has twice canceled visits.
The mugs were destroyed Monday after a customer pointed out the president’s name had been misspelt “Barrack.”
A government official, who declined to be named …. Source  : Australian Parliament House trashes 200 misspelt mugs that commemorated Obama’s canceled visit.