Dutch Government collapses over country’s Afghanistan military mission
AMSTERDAM – The Netherlands’ coalition government has collapsed over the country’s military mission in Afghanistan, the country’s Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said.

The Daily Express quoted Balkenende, as saying that the second largest party in his coalition was quitting the government over …. Source article  : Dutch Government collapses over country’s Afghanistan military mission.

Divorce your wife, Malaysian Indian lawmaker told
KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian Indian lawmaker M. Manoharan has been confronted with an unusual threat — he must divorce his wife within seven days.

If he fails, the former leading light of the banned Hindu Rights Action Front (Hindraf) has been told that a damaging video clip of his wife with an unidentified man would be …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Divorce your wife, Malaysian Indian lawmaker told.

Petraeus, top US commander in Iraq, Afghanistan, to be honored at Princeton University

Top US commander getting award from Princeton

PRINCETON, N.J. – The U.S. commander overseeing troops in Iraq and Afghanistan is receiving one of Princeton University’s top honors for its alumni.
Gen. David Petraeus was scheduled to speak Saturday at Princeton, where he is being given the Madison Medal, which goes to alumni of the graduate school.
The general …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Petraeus, top US commander in Iraq, Afghanistan, to be honored at Princeton University.

Beleaguered New York Gov. Paterson set to launch campaign for four-year term

NY Gov. Paterson set to launch election bid

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – Trailing in the polls and facing the prospect of a challenge from a well-financed fellow Democrat, David Paterson is set to launch his campaign for a full four-year term as New York’s governor.
Paterson’s campaign kickoff is scheduled Saturday morning at Hofstra University, where he attended …. Original article  : Beleaguered New York Gov. Paterson set to launch campaign for four-year term.

Transfer of IT official criticised in Jharkhand
RANCHI – The central government’s move to transfer income tax (IT) director Ujjwal Chaudhary, involved in the investigation of the Madhu Koda scam, has been criticised by both the ruling and opposition parties in Jharkhand.

Chaudhary was Friday transferred as the Income Tax Commissioner in Patna. He was director (IT-investigation) here since June last year.
The …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Zia shifts stance, to take on Hasina without Islamist allies

DHAKA – In a change of stance, the main opposition party in Bangladesh –Khaleda Zia-led Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) — is distancing itself from Islamist allies as it takes on the ruling Awami League (AL) led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The BNP and Islamist parties have launched separate movements against the government over … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Zia shifts stance, to take on Hasina without Islamist allies.

I’m not hidden hand behind decision making: Malaysian PM’s wife
KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razaks wife Rosmah Mansor says she is not the hidden hand behind the decision making of her husband.

Rosmah, who often travels with her husband and was in India last month, was quoted as saying Saturday: I have not heard about it, but it is not something that … Read : I’m not hidden hand behind decision making: Malaysian PM’s wife.

African Union suspends Niger after coup
NAIROBI/NIAMEY – The African Union has suspended Niger and imposed sanctions on the West African nation in the wake of a coup that toppled power-hungry president Mamadou Tandja.

Dissident soldiers stormed the presidential palace Thursday afternoon and arrested Tandja, 71, whose attempts to cling to power beyond his second term have been blamed for the coup. …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : African Union suspends Niger after coup.

Sunni party drops out of Iraqi elections, saying vote will lack legitimacy due to ballot purge

Sunni party drops out of Iraq’s national elections

BAGHDAD – The Sunni wing of Iraq’s leading nonsectarian political coalition is dropping out of next month’s elections, saying the vote will be illegitimate because of a Shiite-ordered ballot purge of hundreds of candidates.
A statement Saturday by the Iraqi Front for National Dialogue stopped short of urging Sunnis … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Sunni party drops out of Iraqi elections, saying vote will lack legitimacy due to ballot purge.

Rajendra Prasad memorial ready for makeover
PATNA – The memorial here of India’s first president, Rajendra Prasad, is finally set for a makeover on the lines of Mahatma Gandhi’s Rajghat memorial in New Delhi.

Vice President Hamid Ansari will lay Feb 28 the foundation stone to develop the Rajendra Prasad memorial, officially known as Rajendra Smriti Sthal. It is in shambles now. [..] Read the original article: here.

Lautenberg’s illness another challenge for Democrats as they cling to Senate majority

Lautenberg’s illness could hurt Senate Democrats
WASHINGTON – Concerns about New Jersey Sen. Frank Lautenberg’s health pose yet another challenge for Democrats struggling to retain control of the Senate.
Lautenberg’s announcement Friday that he’s suffering from stomach lymphoma and will receive treatment over the next few months could complicate matters for Democrats … Read more : Lautenberg’s illness another challenge for Democrats as they cling to Senate majority.

Malaysian Indian Congress to boost links with Congress Party

KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) is planning to form strategic alliances with political parties abroad, including India’s ruling Congress Party, MIC Youth adviser S. Vell Paari said.
Vell Paari told the New Strait Times that he had held discussions with a key leader of the Congress Party and Member of … Read more : Malaysian Indian Congress to boost links with Congress Party.

For Nepal’s ex-royals, it’s business as unusual
KATHMANDU – When Nepal’s last king Gyanendra ascended the throne in 2001 after the death of his elder brother in a palace massacre, some of the Hindu kingdom’s dailies carried photographs of the king’s aide de camp, a senior army official, tying his shoe lace in public. But for many young royals, now commoners, … Original source on Gaea Times at : For Nepal’s ex-royals, it’s business as unusual.

US confronts China on cyber attacks

WASHINGTON – The US has confronted China on the alleged spate of internet attacks and censorship of Google’s network in China.
State Department spokesman Phillip J. Crowley Friday said: “We have had multiple conversations with Chinese officials on this issue, and that included a direct conversation between Secretary (Hillary) Clinton and Foreign Minister Yang …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : US confronts China on cyber attacks.

Berlusconi’s daughter may join politics
Milan, Feb 20 (IANS/AKI) The eldest daughter of Italy’s beleaguered Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is taking tips from experts to join politics.

Marina Berlusconi may follow her billionaire media mogul father’s footsteps, L’Espresso reported. She is being coached by media commentators and political analysts.
Marina, 43, is chairman of her father’s investment firm Fininvest Holding …. Read the original article  : Berlusconi’s daughter may join politics.

Whales waylay Australia, Japan relation
SYDNEY – Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s surprise threat to take legal action to stop Japan killing whales in Antarctica has drained goodwill from the first visit to Australia by Tokyo’s new top diplomat.

Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada, in the job for just five months, meets Rudd Saturday amid heightened conflict over whaling.
The pledge to take …. Original article  : Whales waylay Australia, Japan relation.

‘Cornered’ Gilani rejects any deal with judiciary on judges’ appointment
ISLAMABAD – After having received flak from all quarters on the judges appointment issue, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has rejected reports of any deal being struck between the government and the judiciary, and said the appointments were made only after consultations with all stakeholders.

Talking to reporters here, Gilani said it is ‘unfair’ to …. Original article  : ‘Cornered’ Gilani rejects any deal with judiciary on judges’ appointment.

Hyderabad locks down as students begin rally for Telangana
HYDERABAD – High tension prevailed at the Osmania University campus here Saturday as hundreds of students began a march towards the state assembly over the Telangana issue even as police tightened security, closed several roads to traffic and cancelled local trains to foil their plan.

Violating prohibitory orders, the students began the rally at Arts …. Original article  : Hyderabad locks down as students begin rally for Telangana.

Tension at Osmania University as students begin rally
HYDERABAD – There was high tension at the Osmania University campaus here Saturday as hundreds of students began a march towards the state assembly over the Telangana issue but were stopped by the police and paramilitary forces.

Violating prohibitory orders, the students began the rally at Arts College on the university campus but were stopped by [..] Read the original article: here.

Hyderabad turned into fortress to foil students’ protest
HYDERABAD – People in Hyderabad had a harrowing time Saturday as police closed several roads to traffic and local trains were cancelled to foil the Osmania University students’ plan to lay siege to the state assembly over the issue of statehood for Telangana.

All roads leading to the assembly building in the heart of the …. Read the original article  : Hyderabad turned into fortress to foil students’ protest.