Yadav trio to meet Sonia Gandhi over Women’s Reservation Bill

NEW DELHI – Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and Janata Dal-United (JD-U) chief Sharad Yadav are expected to meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi to discuss the Women’s Reservation Bill.
Amidst protests by …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Yadav trio to meet Sonia Gandhi over Women’s Reservation Bill.

Afghan president says Pakistan has ‘important’ role to play in peace talks with Taliban

Afghanistan welcomes Pakistani role in peace talks
ISLAMABAD – Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Thursday that Pakistan has an “important” role to play in peace talks with the Taliban, a possible attempt to squash speculation that his government was trying to sideline its neighbor.
Pakistan has offered to help negotiate with the Afghan Taliban, a …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Afghan president says Pakistan has ‘important’ role to play in peace talks with Taliban.

Mich. lawmaker unofficial leader of Democrats threatening to derail health care overhaul

Mich. lawmaker threatening to derail health care
WEST BRANCH, Mich. – Rep. Bart Stupak has become the unofficial leader of a small but powerful bloc threatening to derail President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul.
A dozen socially conservative Democrats say they won’t support the legislation without a prohibition on paying for abortions with federal money. … Read more : Mich. lawmaker unofficial leader of Democrats threatening to derail health care overhaul.

Gowda leads Karnataka farmers protests in Delhi

NEW DELHI – Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda led hundreds of farmers from Karnataka in a protest here on Wednesday against land acquisition for the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project.
Supported by Left leaders and Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Ajit Singh, Gowda called the protest an extension of his fight against land …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Putin to arrive in India on two-day visit today

NEW DELHI – Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will arrive here today on a two-day visit during which both sides are likely to conclude the long- delayed agreement on the sole of the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov.
During his visit, Putin will also hold talks with the …. Source  : Putin to arrive in India on two-day visit today.

Report: New e-mail evidence Sen. John Ensign sought work for ex-lover’s husband

Report: Senator sought work for ex-lover’s husband

WASHINGTON – E-mails turned over to the FBI and Senate ethics investigators provide new evidence about Sen. John Ensign’s efforts to find lobbying work for the husband of his former mistress and could add to his legal problems, The New York Times reported.
Ensign, R-Nev., suggested that a Las Vegas …. Original source  : Report: New e-mail evidence Sen. John Ensign sought work for ex-lover’s husband.

Brazil’s president blasted for comments on Cuba’s dissidents and their hunger strikes

Brazil leader rapped for stance on Cuba dissidents

BRASILIA, Brazil – Brazil’s president came under withering criticism Wednesday at home and in Cuba for his deference to the island’s communist government over political prisoners and hunger strikes for human rights.
A Cuban dissident on hunger strike to demand the release of ailing political prisoners accused President Luiz … Read : Brazil’s president blasted for comments on Cuba’s dissidents and their hunger strikes.

NYC judge who found cutoff of ACORN funding unconstitutional orders govt to stop blocking it

NYC judge: Govt must stop blocking money to ACORN

NEW YORK – A federal judge who found it unconstitutional that Congress tried to cut funding to the activist group ACORN has rejected a government request to change her mind and has ordered government agencies to make it clear the funding isn’t blocked.
In a written ruling Wednesday, … Original source on Gaea Times at : NYC judge who found cutoff of ACORN funding unconstitutional orders govt to stop blocking it.

Rep. Patrick Kennedy calls news media ‘despicable’ for ignoring war in Afghanistan

Rep. Patrick Kennedy rips media in Afghan speech

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy is blasting the news media as “despicable,” accusing it of ignoring the war in Afghanistan even as troops continue to die there.
The Rhode Island Democrat shouted, pointed and waved his arms excitedly during a speech on the House floor Wednesday on U.S. … Read more >>.

House Roll Call: US forces in Afghanistan

House Roll Call: US forces in Afghanistan
The 356-65 roll call Wednesday by which the House rejected a resolution directing the president to remove U.S. military forces from Afghanistan by the end of the year.

A “yes” vote is a vote to pass the measure.
Voting yes were 60 Democrats and 5 Republicans.
Voting no were 189 Democrats and … Read more >>.

House rejects quick troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, but anti-war lawmakers get to vent

House rejects call for withdrawal from Afghanistan
WASHINGTON – The House on Wednesday soundly rejected an effort by anti-war lawmakers to force a withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by the end of the year.
The outcome of the vote, 356-65 against the resolution, was never in doubt. But the 3 1/2 hours of …. Source  : House rejects quick troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, but anti-war lawmakers get to vent.

Hitting the road, Obama touts fraud measures as he makes closing argument for health overhaul

Obama takes health care overhaul push to Missouri
ST. CHARLES, Mo. – President Barack Obama denounced waste, inefficiency and downright fraud in the government’s health care system Wednesday as he sought to rally public support for his revamped overhaul plan.
“Improper payments cost taxpayers almost $100 billion last year alone,” Obama said at a rally … Read more »»».

President Obama Nominates Raymond Lohier, Jr. for the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, Judge Kate O’Malley for the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Obama nominated Raymond Lohier, Jr. to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and Judge Kate O’Malley to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.  Lohier currently serves as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; O’Malley currently serves …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : President Obama Nominates Raymond Lohier, Jr. for the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, Judge Kate O’Malley for the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Remarks by the First Lady at the International Women of Courage Awards

3:35 P.M. EST
MRS. OBAMA:  Well, thank you.  This is indeed a pleasure and an honor to be here with all of you today.  You all look fabulous.  (Laughter.)  This is a wonderful occasion.

Let me thank my dear friend, Senator — Secretary Clinton.  (Laughter.)  I almost said, “President Clinton.”  (Laughter and applause.)  But let me thank …. Source  : Remarks by the First Lady at the International Women of Courage Awards.

Census promoters seek to reach Hispanic families through tech-savvy youngsters

Census campaign targets tech-savvy Hispanic youth

LOS ANGELES – Groups pushing for robust Hispanic participation in the 2010 census announced a new campaign Thursday that aims to reach the hard-to-count demographic through its smart-phone-toting youngsters.
The “Be Counted, Represent” campaign offers music downloads and a chance at concert tickets to cell phone users who share their e-mail … Read more »».

Once-revered South Carolina lawmaker freezes to death alone in rented home at 75

Once-revered SC lawmaker freezes to death alone

COLUMBIA, S.C. – When Juanita Goggins became the first black woman elected to the South Carolina Legislature in 1974, she was hailed as a trailblazer and twice visited the president at the White House.
Three decades later, she froze to death at age 75, a solitary figure living in a … Read : Once-revered South Carolina lawmaker freezes to death alone in rented home at 75.

Statement by the Press Secretary on the Passing of Sheikh Mohammed Sayyed Tantawi

“We express our deepest condolences on the passing of Egyptian cleric Sheikh Mohammed Sayyed Tantawi.  As the grand sheikh of Al-Azhar University, he was a voice for faith and tolerance who was widely respected in Muslim communities in Egypt and around the globe, and by many who seek to build a world grounded in mutual …. Source article  : Statement by the Press Secretary on the Passing of Sheikh Mohammed Sayyed Tantawi.

Remarks by The First Lady at the National PTA Conference

Doubletree Hotel Crystal City
Arlington, Virginia
12:20 P.M. EST

MRS. OBAMA:  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Thank you all so much.  (Applause.)  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Please, please, be seated.
Thanks so much.  It is a pleasure to be here with all of you today.  And thank you for the wonderful work that you do every day in schools and communities all … Read : Remarks by The First Lady at the National PTA Conference.

President Obama Signs South Dakota Disaster Declaration

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of South Dakota and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by a severe winter storm during the period of January 20-26, 2010.

Federal funding is available to State and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Presidential Memorandum Regarding Finding and Recapturing Improper Payments

MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES
SUBJECT: Finding and Recapturing Improper Payments

My Administration is committed to reducing payment errors and eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse in Federal programs — a commitment reflected in Executive Order 13520 of November 20, 2009, Reducing Improper Payments. Executive departments and agencies should use every tool available to … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Presidential Memorandum Regarding Finding and Recapturing Improper Payments.