Political News – Newsletter for March 19, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Thai anti-government protesters plan massive Saturday rally followed by ‘blood-painting’
Thai protesters plan weekend ‘blood-painting’
BANGKOK – Protesters in Thailand announced a full weekend of anti-government activities starting with a massive procession through Bangkok followed by “blood painting,” their latest shock tactic aimed at forcing new elections.
Thousands of Red Shirt protesters remained camped Friday in the historic heart of the capital, which will be the starting … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Thai anti-government protesters plan massive Saturday rally followed by ‘blood-painting’.
Marjah wrested from the Taliban, but residents say militants remain potent force
Taliban lose control of Marjah but remain strong
LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan – In the capital of Afghanistan’s Helmand province, Taliban roam the streets freely. Barely a mile (a kilometer) outside Lashkar Gah, they wield more control than the government, according to residents.
Last month 10,000 U.S., NATO and Afghan forces wrested control of Marjah, a Helmand farming … Original source on Gaea Times at : Marjah wrested from the Taliban, but residents say militants remain potent force.
Obama tell House Democrats their political fates depend on health care bill’s passage
Obama to Dems: Our fates are tied to health bill
WASHINGTON – In seeking enough votes to overhaul the nation’s health care system, President Barack Obama is telling nervous Democratic lawmakers that their political fates are linked to the bill’s passage, discouraging the notion that they can save themselves by opposing it, House members … Read more »»».
Health Care Bill Text Provides Detailed Information
WASHINGTON (GaeaTimes.com)- The health care reform bill, which has earned several criticisms from the opposition is ready to be voted on this week. According to the reports of the sources, the final health care bill text has been made public to help people receive a better understanding of the bill. As per the reports, …. Source article : Health Care Bill Text Provides Detailed Information.
Obama, House leaders push for weekend vote on health care overhaul
Health care vote likely this weekend
WASHINGTON – Support is building behind President Barack Obama’s health care legislation in the House. That’s the result of intense lobbying and politically targeted changes aimed at reassuring wavering lawmakers and winning over critics.
The White House and Democratic leaders are trumpeting two new converts to their cause, as …. Source : Obama, House leaders push for weekend vote on health care overhaul.
Chaos in Rajasthan Assembly over Rathore’s expulsion
JAIPUR – Chaos took place inside the Rajasthan Assembly on Friday when Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs got into a brawl with marshals inside the House over the expulsion of BJP leader Rajendra Rathore.
At least three BJP leaders were injured in the incident, when they clashed with the marshals attempting to control the situation.
They were …. Original source : Chaos in Rajasthan Assembly over Rathore’s expulsion.
Md. has long straddled the line between North and South, but these days North is winning
Md. lawmakers not feeling so Southern anymore
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Maryland’s official song may include a line about “Northern scum” left over from the Civil War era, but the state isn’t feeling so Southern anymore.
Though Marylanders live just south of the Mason-Dixon Line, their attitudes and even their accents straddle that border. These days, leaders feel … Original source on Gaea Times at : Md. has long straddled the line between North and South, but these days North is winning.
Strategic dialogue between US-Pak should be all encompassing: Gilani
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the forthcoming strategic dialogue between Pakistan and the United States should cover the full spectrum of bilateral relations between the two countries.
Speaking during a meeting, which was called to chart out a …. Source : Strategic dialogue between US-Pak should be all encompassing: Gilani.
Togadia to visit Kandhamal despite ban
BHUBANESWAR – Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) international general secretary Praveen Togadia is continuing with his tour to Orissa’s volatile Kandhamal district despite the administration banning his entry, a VHP leader said Friday.
“There is no change in our plan,” VHP state unit secretary Gouri Prasad Rath told IANS.
“Togodia and several others will not only …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Togadia to visit Kandhamal despite ban.
His trip put off by health care debate, Obama assures Indonesians he will visit them this year
Obama assures Indonesians he will visit this year
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama has assured the people of Indonesia that he is looking forward to visiting his former home once the health care debate is resolved.
Obama put off a trip to Indonesia until this summer as the health … Read more >>.
Communism digs in, with much memorabilia, in Punjab town
ZIRAKPUR – Marx, Lenin and Che are certainly alive and kicking if one is to go by the accessories, posters, books and magazines on Communist ideology that have suddenly flooded this town, 10 km from Chandigarh..
The red flag is flying high, thanks to vendors who have filled up even the roadside in Jyoti Basu …. Original article : Communism digs in, with much memorabilia, in Punjab town.
In Arizona, Maricopa County Sheriff Arpaio begins crime and immigration sweep, 14th since 2008
Arizona sheriff launches immigration sweep
PHOENIX – The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office in Arizona has launched a two-day, countywide crime and immigration sweep that authorities say will focus on drop houses, drug violators and human smuggling vehicles.
Four hundred deputies and volunteer posse members are taking part in the patrols. The sweep, which began Thursday, is Sheriff … Read this article on Gaea Times at : In Arizona, Maricopa County Sheriff Arpaio begins crime and immigration sweep, 14th since 2008.
Retired general says gays made Dutch army weak, partly to blame for 1995 genocide in Bosnia
Retired general: Gays made Dutch weak in Bosnia
WASHINGTON – A retired U.S. general says Dutch troops failed to defend against the 1995 genocide in the Bosnian war because the army was weakened, partly because it included openly gay soldiers.
The comment by John Sheehan, a former NATO commander who retired from the military in 1997, shocked … Read more : Retired general says gays made Dutch army weak, partly to blame for 1995 genocide in Bosnia.
Abortion opponents in Colorado say they have gathered enough signatures to make ballot
Colo. abortion foes say they cleared petition bar
DENVER – Colorado abortion opponents say they have enough signatures to put an abortion-ending proposal on the ballot this fall – potentially the first state this election year to see the question.
Abortion opponents turned in more than 46,000 signatures on Thursday, the second deadline for the ballot initiative.
The … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Abortion opponents in Colorado say they have gathered enough signatures to make ballot.
Music producer files $30M lawsuit against Grammy Award-winning singer Lady Gaga in NYC court
Producer files $30M suit against Lady Gaga in NYC
NEW YORK – A songwriter and music producer says in a New York City lawsuit pop star Lady Gaga squeezed him out of her lucrative career after he co-wrote some of her songs, came up with her stage name and helped get her record deal.
Rob Fusari filed … Read : Music producer files $30M lawsuit against Grammy Award-winning singer Lady Gaga in NYC court.
Caribbean nations seek close ties in agriculture sector
PARAMARIBO – Agriculture ministers of the Caribbean nations are meeting here Thursday to strengthen ties in the farming sector, Prensa Latina reported.
Strategies to develop cooperation in the agriculture sector among the Caribbean countries will be discussed at the meeting of the regional Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED).
The COTED, a forum of the …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Caribbean nations seek close ties in agriculture sector.
Vice President Biden Announces 10,000 Recovery Act Transportation Projects Now Under Way
As Spring Construction Season Begins, Active Transportation Projects Totaling $29.8 Billion are Creating Jobs Across the Country
DURHAM, NC – Vice President Joe Biden today announced that 10,000 transportation projects are now under way in all 50 states and the District of Columbia thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Projects are considered under …. Original article : Vice President Biden Announces 10,000 Recovery Act Transportation Projects Now Under Way.
UN peacekeeping chief: International community should allow Afghans to take charge of future
UN calls for Afghans to take charge of future
UNITED NATIONS – The U.N. peacekeeping chief said Thursday it’s time for the international community to take “concrete steps” to allow Afghans to take charge of their future – and to ensure that “Afghanization” becomes more than a slogan.
Alain Le Roy told the Security Council that the … Read more »»».
Declaraciones del secretario de prensa sobre la visita del Presidente Calder??n de M??xico a la Casa Blanca
A Estados Unidos y México los unen vínculos geográficos, históricos, familiares, culturales, económicos y de seguridad. En reconocimiento a estos profundos vínculos y la sólida relación que el Presidente Obama ha forjado con el Presidente de México, Felipe Calderón, el Presidente Obama y la Primera Dama recibirán al Presidente Calderón y la Sra. Margarita Zavala …. Original article : Declaraciones del secretario de prensa sobre la visita del Presidente Calder??n de M??xico a la Casa Blanca.
President Obama Signs Arizona Disaster Declaration
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Arizona and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe winter storms and flooding during the period of January 18-22, 2010.
Federal funding is available to State and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations …. Original article : President Obama Signs Arizona Disaster Declaration.