Intl observers praise Kyrgyz referendum as transparent and peaceful, legitimizing govt

Int’l observers praise Kyrgyz referendum
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan – International observers on Monday praised Kyrgyzstan’s constitutional referendum, saying the vote was conducted in a transparent and remarkably peaceful manner despite a lingering climate of fear after ethnic purges.

While the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe recognized some shortcomings in the vote, its approval was the final …. Source article  : Intl observers praise Kyrgyz referendum as transparent and peaceful, legitimizing govt.

BJD legislators ride bicycles to protest fuel price hike

BHUBANESWAR – At least 40 legislators of Orissa’s ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Monday took out a cycle rally here to protest the hike in fuel prices.

Carrying posters, banners and placards, legislators and party workers pedalled to the state assembly from the BJD office.
“The fuel price hike will affect the common man. It … Read more >>.

In Senate appearance, Petraeus expected to carry hopeful view of progress in Afghanistan war

Pentagon to argue that war in Afghanistan on track
WASHINGTON – The Pentagon this week will try to convince the nation that the war in Afghanistan remains on track, despite a shake-up in military leadership.
Gen. David Petraeus, head of U.S. Central Command, was expected to testify Tuesday before a Senate committee. It would be …. Original source  : In Senate appearance, Petraeus expected to carry hopeful view of progress in Afghanistan war.

Australia’s first woman prime minister makes minimal changes to cabinet ahead of elections

Australia’s new leader makes few cabinet changes

CANBERRA, Australia – Australia’s first woman prime minister on Monday announced minimum changes to her cabinet in a reshuffle that analysts say points to an election within weeks.
Buoyed by opinion polls endorsing her new leadership, Prime Minister Julia Gillard promoted no fresh ministers to her cabinet ahead of an [..] Read the original article: here.

Kagan set to speak to Senate panel as hearings begin, confirmation chances bright

Kagan to break silence as marathon vetting begins
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama’s nominee for the Supreme Court, Elena Kagan, is preparing to make the argument of her professional life when she faces a Senate panel on her confirmation to the high court.
Kagan’s chances for confirmation are bright as she heads into a marathon … Read more »»».

Report: Turkish PM says Turkey has closed its airspace to Israeli flights

Report: Turkish airspace closed to Israel
ANKARA, Turkey – Turkey has closed its airspace to Israeli military flights following a deadly raid on a Gaza-bound aid ship, the Turkish prime minister and officials said Monday.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters in Toronto that Turkey imposed the ban after the May 31 raid on a Turkish ship that … Read more »».

Kyrgyzstan approves new constitution after deadly ethnic violence

Kyrgyzstan OKs constitution after ethnic unrest

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan – International observers are praising the constitutional referendum in Kyrgyzstan as a remarkably peaceful and largely transparent process, despite the climate of fear created by recent ethnic violence.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said in a statement Monday that Sunday’s vote, in which the public overwhelmingly … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Kyrgyzstan approves new constitution after deadly ethnic violence.

When Manmohan Singh speaks, people listen: Obama

TORONTO – Praising the statesmanship of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the rise of India, US President Barack Obama Sunday said he was “looking forward” and “excited” about visiting India with First Lady Michelle later this year.
Personally thanking Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and wife Gurcharan Kaur for their friendship , Obama … Read this article on Gaea Times at : When Manmohan Singh speaks, people listen: Obama.

Omar Abdullah cancels visit to Rohtang

JAMMU – Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday cancelled his visit to Rohtang in Himachal Pradesh, where Congress president Sonia Gandhi is to lay the foundation stone for a mega tunnel, in view of tension in north Kashmir’s Sopore town, an official said.
“The chief minister has decided to stay put in … Read more : Omar Abdullah cancels visit to Rohtang.

Separatist leaders detained in Kashmir

SRINAGAR – Many separatist leaders, including Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, were detained Monday in summer capital Srinagar to thwart the proposed separatist march to Jammu and Kashmir’s Sopore town where a youth was killed in firing Sunday.

Farooq was placed under house arrest in his uptown Nigeen residence where pro-independence Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Yaseen …. Read the original article  : Separatist leaders detained in Kashmir.

Obama slams China’s ‘blindness’, North Korea attack

TORONTO – US President Barack Obama Sunday demanded that China acknowledge North Korea’s role in an attack on a South Korean naval vessel earlier this year.
An international inquiry found that North Korea torpedoed and sank the South Korean warship the Cheonan March 26. North Korea has denied it was behind the attack, and … Original source on Gaea Times at : Obama slams China’s ‘blindness’, North Korea attack.

Former Democratic Texas Gov. Dolph Briscoe Jr. dies at 87 following long illness, family says

Former Texas Gov. Dolph Briscoe Jr. dies at age 87

UVALDE, Texas – Former Texas Gov. Dolph Briscoe’s family says the two-term conservative Democrat has died at his Uvalde, Texas home at the age of 87.
Family spokeswoman Ann Arnold says the rancher and banker died Sunday after a lengthy illness. Arnold says Briscoe had been hospitalized … Read : Former Democratic Texas Gov. Dolph Briscoe Jr. dies at 87 following long illness, family says.

Manmohan praises Indo-Canadian community

TORONTO – The 1.1-million-strong Indo-Canadian community received lavish praise from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who particularly acknowledged their contribution during the difficult times between the two countries.
“The community constitutes a bridge between our two countries that has remained strong and unshakeable even in the most difficult circumstances,” the prime minister said in an … Read more >>>.

Palin: Obama administration selling out US allies, willing to surrender superpower status

Palin: Obama administration selling out allies
NORFOLK, Va. – Sarah Palin on Sunday painted President Barack Obama’s administration as a cowering giant intent on surrendering the nation’s mantle as a superpower and willing to sell out its allies.
The former John McCain running mate addressed a paying audience of several hundred people in Norfolk and …. Source article  : Palin: Obama administration selling out US allies, willing to surrender superpower status.

Manmohan announces year-long festival of India in Canada

TORONTO – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Sunday announced a year-long festival of India in Canada, showcasing not just New Delhi’s rise in the global strategic and economic sphere but also its rich and vibrant soft power.
“To foster close cultural bonds between India and Canada, I am happy to announce that we will organise …. Source  : Manmohan announces year-long festival of India in Canada.

Manmohan assures peaceful use of nuclear technology

TORONTO – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Sunday assured that the nuclear technology and material supplied to India under civil atomic energy pacts will only be used for peaceful purposes.
“There is absolutely no scope whatsoever of the nuclear materials or nuclear equipment in India being used for unintended purposes,” Singh said at a joint … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Manmohan assures peaceful use of nuclear technology.

Iran could have nuclear weapons in two years: CIA

WASHINGTON – Leon Panetta, director of the CIA, said Sunday that Iran could have nuclear weapons within two years.

International nuclear experts believe Iran has enough low-enriched uranium for two weapons, but it would have to be further enriched “to get there”, Panetta noted in remarks to ABC TV news.
Panetta noted that there was “continuing … Read : Iran could have nuclear weapons in two years: CIA.

Obama says looking forward to India visit

TORONTO – US President Barack Obama, who met with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here, Sunday said he looked forward to visiting India with his family, schedule sometime early November this year.
The two leaders met for around 30 minutes after the G20 Summit, where both had articulated about the dangers of sudden withdrawal of … Read : Obama says looking forward to India visit.

SUMMIT NOTEBOOK: Sarkozy left in the dark; soccer alleviates ‘exhausting’ summit

SUMMIT NOTEBOOK: Sarkozy left in the dark
TORONTO – Was it a nefarious Canadian plot that left French President Nicolas Sarkozy standing silently at a microphone in the dark?
At the end of two back-to-back summits hosted by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the French leader ignored protocol, which dictates that meeting hosts get to …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : SUMMIT NOTEBOOK: Sarkozy left in the dark; soccer alleviates ‘exhausting’ summit.

Obama, Japanese PM talk North Korea, oil spill and green tea ice cream in first meeting

Obama, Japanese PM meet for first time
TORONTO – Meeting for the first time, President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan discussed issues ranging from North Korea to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
Obama said the international community must stand behind South Korea and send a clear signal to North Korea that … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Obama, Japanese PM talk North Korea, oil spill and green tea ice cream in first meeting.