Details of British-US Cold War intelligence-sharing pact made public

Details of Cold War intelligence pact published

LONDON – Details of the sweeping intelligence sharing pact struck between the United States and Britain at the dawn of the Cold War were made public for the first time Friday, laying bare the details of an unprecedented espionage arrangement.
The 1946 UKUSA agreement – a secret deal to not … Read more : Details of British-US Cold War intelligence-sharing pact made public.

Hundreds of Romanians try to storm palace presidential palace to protest austerity measures

Hundreds of Romanians try to storm palace
BUCHAREST, Romania – Dozens of Romanians have tried to storm the presidential palace to protest austerity measures.

Anti-riot police repelled those who tried to force their way past barricades into the 17th century palace.
Some 600 Romanians staged the protest Friday as the country’s top court was expected to rule whether … Original article on : Hundreds of Romanians try to storm palace presidential palace to protest austerity measures.

125,000 Bangladesh freedom fighters to get higher allowance

DHAKA – The Bangladesh government has announced higher allowance for 125,000 people who participated in the country’s freedom movement against Pakistan in 1971.
The amount is being raised from Taka 1,500 ($21.50) to Taka 2,000 from July 1, beginning of the next fiscal, State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Captain (retd) A.B. Tajul Islam …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : 125,000 Bangladesh freedom fighters to get higher allowance.

Hong Kong passes 2nd set of electoral changes critics say boost undemocratic political system

Hong Kong votes to add elected legislative seats

HONG KONG – Hong Kong’s legislature on Friday agreed to add 10 elected seats, completing a set of Beijing-backed electoral changes that critics say reinforce the territory’s undemocratic political system.
The legislators approved the proposed changes by a vote of 46-12, concluding a three-day marathon debate. On Thursday, they … Read more : Hong Kong passes 2nd set of electoral changes critics say boost undemocratic political system.

Ex-Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick’s legal troubles could burden mother’s re-election bid to Congress

Congresswoman balances son’s troubles, campaign

DETROIT – U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick of Detroit is waging another re-election campaign while her son, Detroit’s former mayor, faces big legal trouble.
Already jailed for a probation violation, Kwame Kilpatrick was indicted this week on federal fraud and tax charges.
His problems could make his mother vulnerable in the Aug. 3 …. Read the original article  : here.

World leaders agree to disagree on best economic strategy to focus on other issues at summit

Leaders differ on how to nurture a global recovery

TORONTO – World leaders are having serious differences over the best way to nurture a fragile global economic recovery, so much so that they are agreeing to disagree in a variety of key areas to move on to other subjects.
Three days of talks are set to begin …. Read the original article  : World leaders agree to disagree on best economic strategy to focus on other issues at summit.

With jobs agenda stymied, congressional Democrats settle for short term fix for Medicare

Dems settle for Medicare fix as jobs bill falters

WASHINGTON – Congressional Democrats are looking for ways to salvage their election-year jobs agenda after the Senate failed to pass a bill extending unemployment payments.
Senate Democrats cut billions from the bill to attract enough Republican votes, but they fell three votes short Thursday of the 60 required …. Original article  : With jobs agenda stymied, congressional Democrats settle for short term fix for Medicare.

Arizona law revives immigration issue politicians had hoped to avoid in election year

Arizona law revives dormant immigration issue
TUCSON, Ariz. – With the scrawl of a pen, Republican Gov. Jan Brewer awakened a dormant – but politically explosive – issue of illegal immigration, sending shock waves across the political spectrum in an election year when both parties had hoped to sidestep …. Original article  : Arizona law revives immigration issue politicians had hoped to avoid in election year.

Majority of Australians blame Kevin Rudd for historic change

CANBERRA – A poll has revealed that one in two Australian people surveyed blamed former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for the historic change in the country, while another one-third pointed a finger at the Labor Party.

Rudd stepped down as Prime Minister after Julia Gillard was unanimously elected to the post on Thursday.

The poll further … Read more : Majority of Australians blame Kevin Rudd for historic change.

G-20 Summit to deliberate on strong, sustainable and balanced growth: PM

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Friday said the G- 20 Summit is expected to deliberate on a framework for strong, sustainable and balanced growth.

Prior to his departure to Canada, Dr Singh said: “India will participate in this exercise and project our expectations from the global economic and financial system, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : G-20 Summit to deliberate on strong, sustainable and balanced growth: PM.

Gillard assures Obama of Australia’s support for military campaign in Afghanistan

SYDNEY – On the first day as the Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard telephoned US President Barack Obama to assure him that Australia will continue to support the military campaign in Afghanistan.

She assured Obama that Australia’s approach to the NATO-led coalition’s campaign would be the same as it was under former Prime … Read : Gillard assures Obama of Australia’s support for military campaign in Afghanistan.

Bihar bids goodbye to muscle-men, says Nitish

PATNA – Bihar is changing, and its youth no longer look up to ‘Bahubalis’ (muscle-men) as their role models, says Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Instead, the young admire people with clean records and those who have contributed positively to the society, the chief minister said on his blog.
The veteran politician said he had observed the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Bihar bids goodbye to muscle-men, says Nitish.

Sushil Modi joins Nitish’s ‘Vishwash Yatra’

PATNA – Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi joined Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s ‘Vishwash Yatra’ Friday, indicating an end to the rift between their parties.

Nitish Kumar and Modi left for Aurangabad district as part of the programme ahead of assembly elections in October. The two are also slated to visit Gaya district later Friday, …. Source  : Sushil Modi joins Nitish’s ‘Vishwash Yatra’.

Gillard not to move into Australian PM residence

MELBOURNE – Australia’s new Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who lives in a simple brick bungalow near an Indian take-away, will not be moving into her official residence — for now.

Gillard said she would not move into the prime minister’s residence, The Lodge, till she was elected by the people. “I am very happy in my … Original source on Gaea Times at : Gillard not to move into Australian PM residence.

Manmohan to pitch for durable, balanced growth at G20

NEW DELHI – India will pitch for “durable, balanced and sustainable” global growth at the G20 summit in Toronto to meet its developmental goals, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Friday ahead of his departure for Canada where he will meet a host of world leaders.
“The (June 26-27) summit is expected to deliberate on …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Manmohan to pitch for durable, balanced growth at G20.

Chidambaram clears release of four Pakistani prisoners

NEW DELHI – Ahead of his visit to Islamabad Friday, Home Minister P. Chidambaram set a positive tone by clearing the release of four Pakistanis in Indian prisons, reciprocating a goodwill gesture by Islamabad.
“The home minister has approved the release of four Pakistani prisoners as a gesture of goodwill,” the home ministry …. Source  : Chidambaram clears release of four Pakistani prisoners.

Tight security ahead of Gandhi’s visit

SHIMLA – Security has been tightened in Himachal Pradesh ahead of United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi’s trip to Kullu district Monday.
Gandhi, who also heads the Congress party, will lay the foundation stone of Rohtang Tunnel beneath the Rohtang Pass (13,050 feet), the gateway to Lahaul and Spiti district. She will then …. Original article  : Tight security ahead of Gandhi’s visit.

Left should not have withdrawn support to UPA on n-deal: Bardhan (Interview) (Repeating for all needing)

NEW DELHI – Communist Party of India (CPI) general secretary A.B. Bardhan now says the Left should not have withdrawn support to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) in 2008 over the Indo-US nuclear deal and instead thought of a more “popularly convincing reason” for parting ways with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s government.
He also …. Source article  : Left should not have withdrawn support to UPA on n-deal: Bardhan (Interview) (Repeating for all needing).

Malaysia bans political cartoons critical of government; artist vows to keep drawing

Malaysia bans political cartoons critical of gov’t

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Malaysia banned three works of political cartoons that criticize the government, but one of the artists said Friday he was obligated to highlight issues other cartoonists would not.
The government said the cartoons in two books and a magazine posed a security threat.
Malaysia has banned dozens … Read more >>.

US visas pose ‘appallingly pervasive problem’

WASHINGTON – A day after India raised the issue of visas for Indian professionals and skilled workers, a senior US official acknowledged that visas posed an “appallingly pervasive problem” in science and technology cooperation.
“Visas have been an appallingly pervasive problem in science and technology cooperation,” said Dr John P Holdren, advisor to the … Read more >>>.