Ailing ex-Nepal PM Koirala shifted to daughter’s house

KATHMANDU – Former Nepal Prime Minister and Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala has been moved to his daughter Deputy Prime Minister Sujata Koirala’s residence in Mandhikhatar.

Koirala left his Maharajgunj residence for Sujata’s house, as it has better facilities, including a cabin that …. Read the original article  : Ailing ex-Nepal PM Koirala shifted to daughter’s house.

Thai anti-government protesters begin to mass around the country ahead of march on Bangkok

Thai anti-govt protesters begin to mass for rally

BANGKOK – Anti-government protesters massed around Thailand on Friday ahead of a march they hope will paralyze the capital and force Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to call new elections. Authorities mobilized 50,000 security officers and set up checkpoints around Bangkok.
Several schools closed in Bangkok and foreigners were advised …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Thai anti-government protesters begin to mass around the country ahead of march on Bangkok.

Lok Sabha mourns RSS leader’s death

NEW DELHI – The Lok Sabha Friday mourned the death of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideologue and former MP Nanaji Deshmukh who died Feb 27.
Speaker Meira Kumar described him as an activist and agriculturist who worked for realisation of the dream of total transformation in villages.
“He founded the Saraswati Shishu Mandir, a … Read : Lok Sabha mourns RSS leader’s death.

Women’s bill in Lok Sabha after consultation: Congress

NEW DELHI – The Congress said Friday it was keen to get the womens reservation bill passed in the Lok Sabha but said it will be brought to the lower house only after consultation with political parties.
Paban Singh Ghatowar, the Congress chief whip in the Lok Sabha, refused to specify a time-frame for …. Source  : Women’s bill in Lok Sabha after consultation: Congress.

DMK, AIADMK to groom women of substance for elections

CHENNAI – Tamil Nadu’s ruling DMK and main opposition AIADMK have sprung into action, now that the women’s reservation bill is just a step away from being passed. Both parties have decided to groom their women cadres to fight elections.

The ruling DMK is planning to hold camps across the state to empower its women cadres. … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : DMK, AIADMK to groom women of substance for elections.

Utah state House GOP leader Garn says he paid woman to keep silent about hot tub incident

Utah House GOP leader says he paid off woman

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah’s House majority leader said late Thursday he paid a woman $150,000 to keep silent about going nude “hot-tubbing” with her when she was minor a quarter century ago.
In a shocking statement on the House floor, Kevin Garn, 55, of Layton said he …. Source article  : Utah state House GOP leader Garn says he paid woman to keep silent about hot tub incident.

Putin meets President Patil

NEW DELHI – Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Friday met President Pratibha Patil as he began his New Delhi visit eyeing upon boosting strategic and defence ties with India.
Putin, who is on a 22-hour visit to India, is expected to sign over a dozen agreements with India, including an umbrella civil nuclear … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Putin meets President Patil.

Pakistani navy tests missiles in Arabian Sea, calling it a message to ‘nefarious’ forces

Pakistan navy tests missiles in Arabian Sea

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s navy successfully test-fired a series of missiles and torpedoes Friday in what it called a message to “nefarious” forces – an apparent reference to longtime rival India.
While the two nuclear-armed neighbors have taken slow steps toward restarting peace talks, they also have a history of using …. Source  : Pakistani navy tests missiles in Arabian Sea, calling it a message to ‘nefarious’ forces.

Berlusconi to duck corruption trial by claiming he is too busy to attend hearing

LONDON – Italian parliament has provided a new escape route to corruption-accused Silvio Berlusconi by passing a new law that allows the Prime Minister to claim he is too busy to attend a court trial.

The law will allow Berlusconi to avoid court hearings by arguing that he has a “legitimate impediment” – for instance a …. Read the original article  : Berlusconi to duck corruption trial by claiming he is too busy to attend hearing.

Utah state GOP leader says he paid woman to keep silent about hot tub incident

Utah state GOP leader says he paid off woman

SALT LAKE CITY – The majority leader of Utah’s House of Representatives says he paid a woman $150,000 to keep silent about going “hot-tubbing” with her when she was minor a quarter century ago.
Republican Kevin Garn told his colleagues Thursday night that while he did not have … Original article on : Utah state GOP leader says he paid woman to keep silent about hot tub incident.

Pakistani navy tests missiles, calling it a message to ‘nefarious’ forces

Pakistan tests missiles in Arabian Sea
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s navy successfully test-fired a series of missiles and torpedoes Friday in what it called a message to “nefarious” forces – an apparent reference to longtime rival India.

While the two nuclear-armed neighbors have taken slow steps toward restarting peace talks, they also have a history of using weapons … Read more >>.

Australian officials investigate allegations of sex competition on board navy ship

Australian navy faces inquiry in alleged sex ring

SYDNEY – Australian officials have launched an investigation into allegations that sailors on board a navy ship were running a sex competition during an overseas deployment last year.
The Defense Department says the inquiry that began Friday comes after an initial investigation was found to be biased.
Three sailors from …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Australian officials investigate allegations of sex competition on board navy ship.

Aid groups in China say they feel threatened by new rules on overseas donations

NGOs in China say threatened by new donor rules

BEIJING – Aid groups in China said Friday they feel threatened by new rules that make it harder to take overseas donations, warning that losing the money could put many out of business as the government steps into the issue for the first time.
China is behind most … Read more : Aid groups in China say they feel threatened by new rules on overseas donations.

Gordon Brown voted worst male travel companion

MELBOURNE – British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is the last man Brits want to travel with, a new survey has found.

The leader has been voted the worst male travel companion in the annual TNT travel survey that quizzed 500 British men and women aged 18 to 45.
“Given his sinking popularity, it comes as no surprise … Read : Gordon Brown voted worst male travel companion.

Taiwan’s justice minister resigns over objection to death penalty

Taiwan minister resigns over death penalty row

TAIPEI, Taiwan – Taiwan’s justice minister has resigned after her public stance against the death penalty failed to win popular backing.
The decision by Wang Ching-feng – announced by the Cabinet late Thursday – highlights the continued support for capital punishment in Taiwan, despite the island’s four-year de facto moratorium …. Source  : Taiwan’s justice minister resigns over objection to death penalty.

India, Russia to sign deals worth 10 billion dollars

NEW DELHI – India and Russia are expected to sign deals worth over ten billion dollars, including in defence and civilian nuclear sectors during the ongoing visit of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
Several supplementary agreements relating to the Aircraft Carrier Gorshkov deal will also be signed as the two countries have resolved the … Read more >>>.

I’m ready to mediate with Maoists: Trinamool MP Kabir Suman

KOLKATA – Kabir Suman, the Trinamool Congress MP who is not always known to toe the party line and a hugely popular poet-singer in West Bengal, says he is willing to mediate between the central government and Maoists.
Elected from the Jadavpur constituency last year, Suman believes tribals have “a very strong reason” to …. Original source  : I’m ready to mediate with Maoists: Trinamool MP Kabir Suman.

Pa. GOP picks Burns as nominee to fill Murtha’s seat; he’ll face Critz in May special election

Pa. GOP picks Burns as nominee for Murtha’s seat

PITTSBURGH – Republicans in Pennsylvania have nominated a political newcomer to fill the congressional seat of the late Rep. John Murtha.
Tim Burns is a 41-year-old millionaire businessman and a native of Murtha’s hometown of Johnstown. Burns now lives in the town of Eighty Four, about 30 miles … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Pa. GOP picks Burns as nominee to fill Murtha’s seat; he’ll face Critz in May special election.

Report blasts firm overseeing Katrina infrastructure rebuilding for questionable spending

Report blasts firm overseeing Katrina recovery

NEW ORLEANS – An engineering firm hired to oversee the reconstruction of city buildings and infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Katrina has been overcharging the city, including billing for theater tickets and a flight to Las Vegas, an internal investigation found.
The report by New Orleans Inspector General E.R. Quatrevaux said the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Report blasts firm overseeing Katrina infrastructure rebuilding for questionable spending.

Ginsburg supports ending judicial elections at state, local level and the money they attract

Ginsburg endorses end to local judicial elections

WASHINGTON – Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is endorsing an end to the election of judges at the state and local levels.
Ginsburg was speaking Thursday at a conference of female judges, many who are elected. She approves of the campaign by her former colleague, retired Justice Sandra Day … Original article on : Ginsburg supports ending judicial elections at state, local level and the money they attract.