Political News – Newsletter for September 21, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Omar hopes ’something substantial’ after meetings
SRINAGAR – Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Tuesday hoped that the Indian government would come out with “something substantial” following an ice-breaking visit to the Kashmir Valley by political leaders from New Delhi.
Speaking to TimesNow channel, the chief minister praised the leaders of various parties for going out of their way and holding … Original source on Gaea Times at : Omar hopes ’something substantial’ after meetings.
Karnataka leaders angry over loyalists being ignored
BANGALORE – Ministerial aspirants from within the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka Tuesday mounted pressure on the state leaders for a cabinet berth in the shuffle slated for Wednesday, with some blasting the party for ignoring loyal workers.
“Only ‘lafangeys’ (loafers) and land grabbers have a place in this party and not honest workers,” …. Source article : Karnataka leaders angry over loyalists being ignored.
All-party team visits Kashmir hospitals, Hazratbal
SRINAGAR – The all-party delegation from Delhi Tuesday visited the Hazratbal shrine and hospitals, continuing its assessment of the ground situation in Kashmir, even as curfew was in place in Srinagar and other major towns in the valley.
“Indefinite curfew continues in Srinagar city and other major towns of the valley. Curfew restrictions have continued following … Read this article on Gaea Times at : All-party team visits Kashmir hospitals, Hazratbal.
North Korea to choose new leadership next week
BEIJING – North Korea’s ruling party will meet next week to choose a new leadership circle, the state news agency KCNA reported.
The meeting is expected to make clear the succession for ailing President Kim Jong Il. The Workers’ Party of Korea conference is set for Sep 28, Xinhua news agency quoted KCNA as saying.
The [..] Read the original article: here.
US says Iran sanctions are working, but experts doubt they will stop Iran’s nuclear work
US hails Iran sanctions, but experts doubt results
WASHINGTON – The Obama administration says the latest round of sanctions appears to have succeeded in bringing additional pressure against Iran’s nuclear program. But private experts question whether the penalties will achieve their goal of compelling Tehran to give up any nuclear ambitions.
In a speech Monday, the Treasury … Read this article on Gaea Times at : US says Iran sanctions are working, but experts doubt they will stop Iran’s nuclear work.
Military’s gay ban pushed to forefront of election debate, moves to Senate
Military gay ban becomes election-year hot button
WASHINGTON – It’s John McCain versus Lady Gaga on Tuesday as the Senate takes up the emotional issue of repealing the ban on gays serving openly in the military.
Senate Democrats have attached repeal of the 17-year-old “don’t ask, don’t tell” law to a bill authorizing $726 billion in military … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Military’s gay ban pushed to forefront of election debate, moves to Senate.
Chidambaram visits violence-hit Tangmarg town
SRINAGAR – Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram, who is heading the all-party delegation now visiting Jammu and Kashmir, Tuesday visited the valley’s Tangmarg town where six people were killed Sep 13.
Chidambaram was accompanied by several from the 39-member delegation, which arrived in Srinagar Monday and leaves for Jammu Tuesday afternoon.
The all-party team, …. Original article : Chidambaram visits violence-hit Tangmarg town.
US looks for milestones for Obama’s India visit
WASHINGTON – As the US prepares for President Barack Obama’s visit to India, it is looking at marking achievements in areas of technology, innovation and trade besides defence and security, according to a senior official.
The technology theme was related to “India’s economic rise”, inclusive growth was intended “to help lift millions of Indians out of … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : US looks for milestones for Obama’s India visit.
Meeting separatists in groups was not collective decision: Swaraj
SRINAGAR – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sushma Swaraj, part of the all-party delegation on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, said Tuesday that the decision to meet separatist leaders in the valley in groups was not a collective one.
The leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha said the matter was not discussed in … Original source on Gaea Times at : Meeting separatists in groups was not collective decision: Swaraj.
All-party team to visit Jammu Tuesday
JAMMU – The all-party team led by union Home Minister P. Chidambaram, which is on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, arrives in Jammu Tuesday afternoon from Srinagar.
The 39-member delegation, which is visiting the state to get a sense of the ground situation before deciding on steps to defuse tensions, will meet a …. Source article on Gaea Times at : All-party team to visit Jammu Tuesday.
Republican concedes race for GOP nomination for Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District seat
GOP contender for Hawaii US House seat concedes
HONOLULU – Former television reporter Ramsay Wharton is conceding the race for the GOP nomination for Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District.
Wharton said in a statement Monday that she lost in Saturday’s primary election to airline pilot John Willoughby by 212 votes, the margin reported by the state Office of …. Original article : Republican concedes race for GOP nomination for Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District seat.
Israelis: Turkish demand for flotilla raid apology unacceptable condition for leaders’ meeting
Peres: Turkish conditions for meeting unacceptable
UNITED NATIONS – A planned meeting between Israeli President Shimon Peres and his Turkish counterpart was scrapped because of the Israeli leader’s refusal to apologize for the deadly commando raid on a Turkish-led flotilla that tried to breach Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip, Israeli officials said Monday.
In the latest … Read more »»».
Richardson hopes Congress will make immigration a major issue in 2011
Border governors call for US immigration reform
SANTA FE, N.M. – New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson says he’s hopeful that a comprehensive immigration reform bill will be considered early next year by Congress.
Richardson made the comments Monday at the closing of a meeting in Santa Fe of U.S. and Mexican border state governors.
Richardson co-hosted the meeting …. Source article : Richardson hopes Congress will make immigration a major issue in 2011.
California judge in runaway Lexus lawsuit says he’s likely to keep Toyota’s settlement sealed
Judge in Toyota suit says sealed settlement likely
SANTA ANA, Calif. – A California judge says he’s inclined to keep confidential a settlement between Toyota and the relatives of four people killed when a driver was unable to stop a runaway Lexus.
Superior Court Judge Anthony Mohr said Monday he would probably sign such an order.
An attorney …. Original article on Gaea Times at : California judge in runaway Lexus lawsuit says he’s likely to keep Toyota’s settlement sealed.
NKorea to hold key party convention next week amid speculation on father-to-son power transfer
NKorea to hold key party convention next week
SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea confirmed Tuesday that a major communist party convention will be held next week as observers speculated that the secretive’ regime’s aging leader was ready to give his son an important position to pave the way for his succession.
Kim Jong Il took control [..] Read the original article: here.
Obama: Special interests greatest impediment to Democratic candidates in November
Obama: Interest groups holding back Democrats
PHILADELPHIA – President Barack Obama says the greatest impediment to Democrats’ election prospects in November are special interests that can spend unlimited amounts of money on campaign advertising.
Obama told supporters at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser Monday that the party has great candidates but their voices are being drowned out [..] Read the original article: here.
Fired federal prosecutors blame politicization of DOJ during forum in Arkansas
Fired federal prosecutors fault Bush officials
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Five of the federal prosecutors whose firings in 2006 sparked an investigation into President George W. Bush’s Justice Department blamed their ouster Monday on politics in the department, which one of them said became a “laughingstock.”
The five former U.S. attorneys, among nine who were let go, …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Fired federal prosecutors blame politicization of DOJ during forum in Arkansas.
Obama to Democrats: Believe in own ability to get candidates elected in November elections
Obama urges Democrats to recapture 2008 enthusiasm
PHILADELPHIA – President Barack Obama says Democrats can’t just wait for him to come to their cities and states to rally support for their candidates. He says they must believe in their own ability to put Democrats in a position to win.
Speaking at a fundraiser for Pennsylvania Senate candidate …. Original article : Obama to Democrats: Believe in own ability to get candidates elected in November elections.
AP Interview: Murkowski thinks focus in DC less on candidate quality, more on boosting numbers
Murkowski says GOP leaders turned backs on her
JUNEAU, Alaska – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said Monday she feels that Republican leaders have turned their backs on her as she mounts a write-in bid to try to hold onto her seat.
Murkowski, who lost last month’s GOP primary to tea-party-supported Joe Miller, told The Associated Press that …. Source : Gaea News Network.
After Delaware GOP primary upset, O’Donnell Senate campaign now seeking experienced help
Surprise Del. primary winner seeks GOP support
DOVER, Del. – Some members of a GOP establishment that once shunned tea party favorite Christine O’Donnell are getting behind her now that she has won the Republican Senate primary, offering help in the form of cash and experienced staffers.
A young spokeswoman who has been thinking of going back …. Source : Gaea News Network.