CPI-M fields young faces for Rajya Sabha polls

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – Kerala’s ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Saturday named Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan’s political secretary K.N. Balagopal and professor T.N. Seema, both in their 40s, as its nominees for elections to two Rajya Sabha seats.
While the CPI-M hopes to win both seats, the third Rajya Sabha seat to which elections will … Original source on Gaea Times at : CPI-M fields young faces for Rajya Sabha polls.

New Secretariat Building Chennai: Inaugration Today

CHENNAI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- On Saturday the Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh along with Congress President Sonia Gandhi will fly to Chennai to inaugurate the new Tamil Nadu Assembly and Secretariat building complex. According to the reports the new complex has cost the state Rs 450 crores. Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi who inspected the … Read this article on Gaea Times at : New Secretariat Building Chennai: Inaugration Today.

US avoids anti-abortion schism at meeting on women’s equality _ unlike 2005

US avoids anti-abortion debate at UN meeting
UNITED NATIONS – A U.N. meeting to assess progress in advancing the fight for women’s equality that ended Friday had a dramatically different slant than a similar session held five years ago: This time, the United States was not trying to make an anti-abortion declaration … Original article on : US avoids anti-abortion schism at meeting on women’s equality _ unlike 2005.

Anti-government protesters ready to descend on Bangkok

BANGKOK – Tens of thousands of protesters arrived at the outskirts of Bangkok Saturday to participate in demonstrations aimed at forcing the Thai government to resign and call for new elections.

In Wang Noi in Ayutthaya province, an estimated 70,000 to 100,000 demonstrators had gathered Saturday morning, witnesses said, as they prepared to descend on Bangkok, … Read more : Anti-government protesters ready to descend on Bangkok.

Another group calls for shutdown in Nepal’s Terai

KATHMANDU – With less than 80 days left for the promulgation of a new constitution in Nepal, the nascent republic went on the boil once again Saturday with its Tharu community, believed to be the descendants of the Buddha, going on the warpath.

Eight Tharu organisations have called a shutdown of nearly one-third of Nepals 75 …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

BJD MP wants to cycle to parliament

BHUBANESWAR – Eager to do his bit to save the environment, a Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP has asked Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar for permission to come to parliament on a bicycle.
“As there is no provision for the entry of bicycles into parliament, I have sought permission from the speaker through which …. Read the original article  : BJD MP wants to cycle to parliament.

Manmohan Singh to inaugurate new TN Assembly complex today

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the Rs.425 crore new Tamil Nadu Assembly complex in Chennai this evening.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Tamil Nadu Governor Surjit Singh Barnala and several central and state ministers will attend the function.
It is the first Assembly building in … Read : Manmohan Singh to inaugurate new TN Assembly complex today.

Obama to visit India later this year

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama will visit India later this year though he and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would have a chance to discuss some bilateral issues at next month’s Global Nuclear Security Summit here.
“No, mostly Prime Minister Singh’s visit in April will really be for the Global Nuclear Security Summit. That will …. Read the original article  : Obama to visit India later this year.

Former BJP minister summoned by riot probe panel

AHMEDABAD – Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) general secretary Nalin Bhatt has been summoned by the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) for questioning in connection with the 2002 communal riots in Gulberg society.

Bhatt is to appear before the panel Saturday in connection with the Gulberg society massacre in which former Congress MP Ehsan Jaffri … Read : Former BJP minister summoned by riot probe panel.

India ties among most consequential in 21st century: US

WASHINGTON – Looking at relations with India “as one of the most consequential of US foreign policy in the 21st century”, the US wishes to capitalise on their converging values and interests to confront global challenges, said a senior US official.
“India is going to be an increasingly important factor in the 21st century, … Original article on : India ties among most consequential in 21st century: US.

Reprocessing accord with India soon: US

WASHINGTON – Reiterating that Washington remains “very much committed” to the nuclear deal with India, a US official sees “good progress” on crucial talks on reprocessing and hopes an accord would emerge well before the August deadline.
“So, we’re now in the process of implementing that agreement,” Robert O. Blake, Assistant Secretary of …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Reprocessing accord with India soon: US.

Thousands of anti-government protesters converge on Thai capital

Anti-government protesters head for Bangkok

BANGKOK – Thousands of red-shirted anti-government demonstrators converged on the Thai capital from the north and northeast Saturday, vowing to oust the government in a mass do-or-die display of muscle.
Although protest leaders stressed they would not resort to violence, many businesses closed down, social events were canceled and Bangkok’s normally chaotic …. Source  : Thousands of anti-government protesters converge on Thai capital.

Telangana joint committee expel TDP

HYDERABAD – Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC), which is spearheading the movement for separate Telangana state, has expelled main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP).

The decision was taken late Friday at a JAC meeting attended by its convenor M. Kodandaram, Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) president K. Chandrasekhara Rao, party ideologue Jayashankar and representatives of Telangana employees’ …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

US was insulted by Israel’s housing plans: Clinton

WASHINGTON – US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Israel’s behaviour during the visit of Vice President Joe Biden to the couintry was “insulting”, raising the level of tension in an open diplomatic rift with Israel.
“The announcement of the settlement the very same day the vice president was there was insulting … … Read more »».

NYC officials: Taxi drivers scammed riders by $8.3M-plus by setting meters to suburban rate

NYC: Taxi drivers overcharged riders by $8.3M-plus

NEW YORK – New York City officials have discovered a widespread scam in which thousands of taxi drivers overcharged passengers by more than $8.3 million.
The Taxi and Limousine Commission said Friday that it had found at least 1.8 million trips over the past two years where passengers were ripped …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : NYC officials: Taxi drivers scammed riders by $8.3M-plus by setting meters to suburban rate.

Clinton rebukes Netanyahu over housing unit plans

WASHINGTON – US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Friday to express “strong objections” to plans to build housing units in occupied East Jerusalem.
The dispute opened up a rare diplomatic rift between the US and Israel, as the announcement for the new construction came while Vice …. Original source  : Clinton rebukes Netanyahu over housing unit plans.

Paul, once the grassroots outsider, builds momentum as mainstream GOP Senate candidate in Ky.

Paul, once the outsider, gains GOP support in Ky.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Now that Rand Paul’s candidacy for the U.S. Senate has gained momentum, he’s beginning to pick up support from the Republican establishment.
He had run his campaign in Kentucky as the consummate outsider: a grassroots candidate drawing support from regular Joes and Janes. Now, Paul … Read more »»».

Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 3/12/10

2:10 P.M. EST
PRESS CORPS:  Yay!
PRESS CORPS:  Ohhhh!
MR. GIBBS:  Nice to see you.  Let me get a few pictures over here.  What was that groan for?  Come on.

Q    Show us again, come one.
Q    You can’t go yet, I’m not ready.
MR. GIBBS:  Don’t worry, we’ll do a couple of non-serious announcements in my –
Q    What position did … Read : Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 3/12/10.

Summary Box: Yellen at Fed would likely favor low-rate policy

Summary Box: Obama mulls choices for Fed vacancies
RESHAPING THE FED: President Barack Obama needs to fill three vacancies at the Federal Reserve. Janet Yellen, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, is his top pick to be vice chairman.
MAIN STREET’S PAIN: Yellen is considered a “dove,” meaning she favors a policy … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Summary Box: Yellen at Fed would likely favor low-rate policy.

Former GOP congressman DioGuardi, father of ‘American Idol’ judge, to announce Senate run

DioGuardi, dad of ‘Idol’ judge, to run for Senate

ALBANY, N.Y. – The father of “American Idol” judge Kara DioGuardi (KEHR’-uh dee-oh-GWAHR’-dee), former Republican congressman Joe DioGuardi, is set to announce he is running for the U.S. Senate seat held by Kirsten Gillibrand.
DioGuardi represented the suburbs north of New York City for two terms before he … Read : Former GOP congressman DioGuardi, father of ‘American Idol’ judge, to announce Senate run.