Mehbooba Mufti hails PM’s plan for viable India-Pakistan parleys

JAMMU – People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti hailed Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s statement favouring an effective dialogue process with Pakistan.

Mehbooba Mufti said, “The statement made by the Prime Minister that peace process [..] Read the original article: here.

BJP slams Centre on price rise issue

NEW DELHI – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has slammed the Centre for its stand on inflationary food trends.
Senior BJP leader S S Ahluwalia said the steps taken by the Congress Government have not eased spiralling food prices, which have further pushed the inflation … Read : BJP slams Centre on price rise issue.

Vladislav Ardzinba, 1st leader of breakaway Abkhazia, dies aged 64

Vladislav Ardzinba, 1st leader of Abkhazia, dies

SUKHUMI, Georgia – Vladislav Ardzinba, who led the breakaway Georgian province of Abkhazia to de facto independence through a bloody war and ethnic cleansing, died on Thursday, his doctor said. He was 64.
Ardzinba died in a Moscow clinic, Anzor Gooz told The Associated Press without specifying the cause of … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Vladislav Ardzinba, 1st leader of breakaway Abkhazia, dies aged 64.

Pravin Mahajan Passes Away

THANE, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- Bharatiya Janata Party leader Pramod Mahajan’s brother Pravin Mahajan breathed his last on Wednesday afternoon in Jupiter Hospital of Thane. Pravin Mahajan had been accused of killing his brother Pramod Mahajan. The attending doctors reported the case to be a death out of sepsis and multi organ failure. Pravin Mahajan witnessed a … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Pravin Mahajan Passes Away.

Singapore Navy warns of terror threat against oil tankers in Malacca Strait, document shows

Singapore warns of terror threat in Malacca Strait

SINGAPORE – Singapore’s Navy is warning that a terrorist group is planning attacks on oil tankers in the Malacca Straits.
According to an advisory issued Wednesday by the Navy’s Information Fusion Centre seen by The Associated Press, terrorists may also be targeting other vessels in the shipping lane off …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Singapore Navy warns of terror threat against oil tankers in Malacca Strait, document shows.

Political novices, Republicans among post-scandal Ill. Democratic lieutenant governor hopefuls

Ill. Dems seek post-scandal lt. gov. applications
CHICAGO – Illinois’ Democratic voters picked a pawnbroker as their candidate for lieutenant governor, and that didn’t exactly end well. So perhaps they won’t mind if the next candidate doesn’t have a job. Or is still in school. Or isn’t actually a Democrat.
At least that’s … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Political novices, Republicans among post-scandal Ill. Democratic lieutenant governor hopefuls.

Benazir assassination case takes new turn as officials hunt for four ex-army men

ISLAMABAD – Investigations into the assassination of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto have taken a new turn as Interior Ministry officials have revealed that they are looking for four retired military personnel who had eloped just before the December 2007 killing.

According to The Dawn, the officials are searching four out of the eight ex-army … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Benazir assassination case takes new turn as officials hunt for four ex-army men.

China says still pushing for diplomatic resolution on Iran nuclear dispute

China says pushing for diplomatic solution on Iran

BEIJING – China said Thursday it will continue to push for a diplomatic resolution to the Iranian nuclear standoff, rebuffing efforts by Western powers to introduce a new set of sanctions against Iran.
“We’ve been making diplomatic efforts and we believe they have not been exhausted, and we will …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

House committee to vote on Armenian genocide resolution opposed by NATO ally Turkey

House panel to vote on Armenian genocide measure

WASHINGTON – A resolution declaring the Ottoman-era killing of Armenians genocide appears likely to be approved by a congressional committee, a move that could alienate Turkey, a NATO ally with a pivotal role for U.S. interests in the Middle East and Afghanistan.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee was expected … Read more >>.

Rank-and-file Capitol Hill Democrats are wary of Obama’s final push on health overhaul

Some Dems are wary of Obama’s final health push
WASHINGTON – Rank-and-file Democrats in Congress remain wary of health care legislation in spite of President Barack Obama’s closing argument for overhauling the system, well aware that success is far from assured and political perils abound.
“I think he has succeeded in prying open …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Rank-and-file Capitol Hill Democrats are wary of Obama’s final push on health overhaul.

Polls open in Togo presidential vote

Polls open in Togo presidential vote
TOGO, Lome – Polls have opened in the African nation of Togo, as the son of a long-ruling dictator seeks re-election to the presidency, facing six opposition candidates.

Faure Gnassingbe is hoping to win a second term. The son of dictator Eyadema Gnassingbe assumed power in a military-backed coup hours after …. Source  : Polls open in Togo presidential vote.

Congress party’s top priority is food prices: Sonia Gandhi

NEW DELHI – Congress Party president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday told party Members of Parliament that bringing down food prices would be its top priority.
Gandhi supported Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on the budget proposals for 2010-11, suggesting that there will be no fuel price … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Congress party’s top priority is food prices: Sonia Gandhi.

Officials say 30 militants, 1 soldier killed during fierce gunbattle in northwest Pakistan

30 militants, 1 soldier killed in Pakistan battle

KHAR, Pakistan – Dozens of militants armed with assault rifles attacked a security checkpoint in Pakistan’s volatile northwest, sparking a gunbattle that left 30 insurgents and one soldier dead, officials said Thursday.
The battle occurred overnight in the Chamarkand area of the Mohmand tribal region near the Afghan border, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Officials say 30 militants, 1 soldier killed during fierce gunbattle in northwest Pakistan.

No change in U.S. policy over Kashmir issue, says Prime Minister

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday clarified that there is no change in the U.S. policy towards India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue.
Dr. Singh’s reply came in response to senior BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani’s …. Original article  : No change in U.S. policy over Kashmir issue, says Prime Minister.

Thailand offers free insurance, lifts visa fees to entice tourists wary of political turmoil

Thailand offers tourists free insurance
BANGKOK – Thailand is continuing to offer insurance coverage worth $10,000 to anyone harmed in riots and demonstrations as it seeks to attract tourists scared off by political turmoil, officials say.

Other carrots range from a waiver on all visa fees to discounts on airline landing fees.
“The measures are to support the … Read : Thailand offers free insurance, lifts visa fees to entice tourists wary of political turmoil.

Detainees, hospital patients, military and police vote in Iraq’s early voting period

Early voting begins ahead of March 7 Iraq election

BAGHDAD – Early voting began Thursday morning in Iraq’s parliamentary election, which will decide on a government to guide the country as U.S. forces go home and help determine whether Iraq can overcome the deep sectarian problems that have divided it.
Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis are expected … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Detainees, hospital patients, military and police vote in Iraq’s early voting period.

Retiring House Democrat faces allegation of misconduct, House majority leader confirms

Hoyer: Retiring Dem faces misconduct allegation
WASHINGTON – A freshman congressman from New York who cited health reasons in announcing his retirement Wednesday is facing allegations of misconduct, a top House Democrat confirmed.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer did not elaborate on the allegation against Democratic Rep. Eric Massa, who said … Read more »»».

Joint Chiefs chair Mullen says US victory will come with time and ‘near-constant readjustment’

Joint Chiefs chair: ‘Readjustment’ brings victory

MANHATTAN, Kan. – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Wednesday that victory in Iraq and Afghanistan won’t come in one glorious battle.
Instead, Adm. Mike Mullen told a Kansas State University audience, success in the long wars will be determined by use of military and diplomatic powers, along … Read more >>.

House majority leader Hoyer knew of allegation of misconduct against retiring Democrat Messa

Hoyer knew of allegation against Rep. Massa
WASHINGTON – House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer says he received a report last month of allegations of misconduct against a New York congressman who has announced he will not seek a second term.
A statement from Hoyer’s office late Wednesday says he was told the week of Feb. … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : House majority leader Hoyer knew of allegation of misconduct against retiring Democrat Messa.

House majority leader says he knew of allegation of misconduct against retiring Democrat

Hoyer says he knew of allegation against Dem
WASHINGTON – House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer says he received a report last month of allegations of misconduct against a New York congressman who has announced he will not seek a second term.
A statement from Hoyer’s office late Wednesday says he was told the week of … Read more : House majority leader says he knew of allegation of misconduct against retiring Democrat.