Wartime Bosnian Serb chief Karadzic claims self defense from Bosnian Muslim fundamentalists

Bosnian Serb leader opens defense against genocide

THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Wartime Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic says his people defended themselves against Islamic fundamentalists who started the war in Bosnia to lay claim to the entire country.
Karadzic is giving his opening statement at the U.N. war crimes tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. He was arrested …. Read the original article  : Wartime Bosnian Serb chief Karadzic claims self defense from Bosnian Muslim fundamentalists.

Obama turns to Indian-American to be bridge with Muslim world

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama has chosen the son of an Indian migrant couple from Bihar to help bridge the cultural divide in US relations with Muslims inside and outside America’s borders.

As Obama’s new special envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Rashad Hussain, both a Quran scholar and an ardent North Carolina Tar …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Obama turns to Indian-American to be bridge with Muslim world.

Nation of Islam Minister Farrakhan claims divine stature, predicts future troubles for Obama

Farrakhan predicts ‘white right’ trouble for Obama
CHICAGO – Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan, boasting his divine stature, on Sunday predicted trouble ahead for President Barack Obama and urged him to do more to improve the lives of blacks and the downtrodden.
The 76-year-old leader said the “white right” was conspiring to make Obama …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Nation of Islam Minister Farrakhan claims divine stature, predicts future troubles for Obama.

China seeks to raise profile of Panchen Lama, naming him to top legislative advisory body

Panchen Lama named to top advisory body in China

BEIJING – The Panchen Lama, the young man enthroned by Beijing as the second-highest figure in Tibetan Buddhism, has joined China’s top legislative advisory body.
The 20-year-old Panchen Lama, whose name is Gyaltsen Norbu, is emerging as Beijing’s choice to supplant the Dalai Lama as the public face … Read this article on Gaea Times at : China seeks to raise profile of Panchen Lama, naming him to top legislative advisory body.

Nation of Islam’s Farrakhan blames ‘white right’ for Obama woes, predicts more troubles ahead

Farrakhan predicts continued trouble for Obama
CHICAGO – Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan claims the “white right” is trying to make Barack Obama a one-term president.
The 76-year-old says the stalling of health care legislation is proof.
Farrakhan is addressing followers of the Chicago-based movement that has embraced black nationalism since its founding. Sunday’s keynote …. Source  : Nation of Islam’s Farrakhan blames ‘white right’ for Obama woes, predicts more troubles ahead.

AP Exclusive: Iraqi PM calls candidate ban legitimate; says no US troops needed after 2011

Iraqi PM calls pre-vote candidate ban legitimate

BAGHDAD – Iraq’s prime minister Sunday defended a ban of candidates with alleged ties to Saddam Hussein’s former regime, calling it a legitimate decision that would not affect Sunni turnout at the polls.
In an interview with The Associated Press just a week before March 7 elections, Prime Minister Nouri …. Original article  : AP Exclusive: Iraqi PM calls candidate ban legitimate; says no US troops needed after 2011.

Israeli police clash with Palestinian protesters at volatile Jerusalem holy site

Israeli police, Palestinians clash at holy site

JERUSALEM – Israeli riot police dispersed a crowd of masked Palestinian youths throwing stones in the heart of Jerusalem’s Old City on Sunday, in a violent reminder of tensions at the holiest site in the contested city.
In the past, even seemingly minor incidents at the hilltop compound – known … Read more >>>.

Tajikistan’s parliamentary vote to consolidate ruling party under president’s watchful eye

Tajikistan votes under president’s watchful eye

KURGANTEPPA, Tajikistan – Huge posters of Tajikistan’s president adorn the facade of the main polling station in this provincial town, as if to remind voters that he will remain in charge regardless of the outcome of Sunday’s parliamentary election.
An ascendant Islamic party may grab a handful of extra seats in … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Tajikistan’s parliamentary vote to consolidate ruling party under president’s watchful eye.

AP Exclusive: Iraqi PM defends ban of candidates with alleged Baathist ties ahead of election

Iraqi PM defends ban of candidates before vote

BAGHDAD – Iraq’s prime minister on Sunday defended a decision to ban hundreds of candidates from the upcoming election, saying the decision was not intended to target the country’s minority Sunni population.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who is up for re-election in … Read more >>.

Over three million women gather for Pongala festival (Second Lead)

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – Braving the rising mercury and smoke rising from their earthen kilns, more than three million women devotees cooked rice and jaggery as offering for the presiding deity of Attukal Bhagavathi temple here Sunday to celebrate the Pongala festival.

The devotees carrying bricks, firewood, rice, jaggery and coconut waited to make an offering of … Read more : Over three million women gather for Pongala festival (Second Lead).