Navin Chawla headed for London? (Capital Buzz)

NEW DELHI – Guess who figures high on the list of names for the coveted post of Indian high commissioner to London? None other than 10 Janpath favourite and Chief Election Commissioner Navin Chawla.
His wife Rupika Chawla is a close friend of Sonia Gandhi. The two did their art restoration courses together. Chawla, …. Original article  : Navin Chawla headed for London? (Capital Buzz).

Iraqi premier urges electoral commission to respond to recount demands to preserve legitimacy

Iraqi PM calls for response to recount demands

BAGHDAD – Iraq’s prime minister is pressing the electoral commission to respond to calls from several political blocs for a recount in the March 7 parliamentary elections.
A statement on Nouri al-Maliki’s official Web site late Saturday said he was asking the commission to respond to the recount demands …. Original article  : Iraqi premier urges electoral commission to respond to recount demands to preserve legitimacy.

Thai prime minister offers government talks with protesters after massive demonstration

Thai PM offers talks with protesters after rally

BANGKOK – Thailand’s prime minister offered Sunday to have his government hold talks with protesters trying to force him from power with massive demonstrations in the capital, but refused their demand that he immediately call new elections.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he would send two Cabinet-level officials to … Read more >>.

UN chief visits Gaza, seeks end to bruising Israeli and Egyptian blockade

UN chief visits Gaza, seeks end to blockade

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip – U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon has entered the blockaded Gaza Strip, where 1.5 million people have been under lockdown by Israel and Egypt for nearly three years.
Ban has repeatedly called for an end to the blockade, imposed after the Islamic militant Hamas movement seized … Read : UN chief visits Gaza, seeks end to bruising Israeli and Egyptian blockade.

Israel promises US it will delay new east Jerusalem construction plans, free Palestinians

Israel to delay new east Jerusalem construction

JERUSALEM – Cabinet ministers say Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised the U.S. his government will delay new building plans in east Jerusalem and free Palestinian prisoners in an effort to defuse Israel’s worst feud with Washington in decades.
Four Cabinet ministers spoke about the steps on condition of …. Original article  : Israel promises US it will delay new east Jerusalem construction plans, free Palestinians.

Thousands pay last respects to former Nepal PM Koirala, who led fight for democracy

Thousands bid farewell to former Nepal PM Koirala

KATMANDU, Nepal – Politicians, diplomats and thousands of supporters lined up for hours at a public stadium Sunday in Nepal’s capital to pay respect to Girija Prasad Koirala, the former prime minister remembered for leading efforts to bring democracy to the Himalayan nation.
Koirala died Saturday at age 86. …. Read the original article  : here.

Former Nepal PM Koirala’s last rites to be performed today

KATHMANDU – The last rites of former Nepal Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, who breathed his last on Saturday, will be performed at the Pashupati Aryaghat in Kathmandu on Sunday afternoon with full state honours.
Koirala’s body has been taken to the Nepali Congress office at Sanepa to enable the party workers to pay … Read more >>.

I arranged five meetings between Nawaz Sharif and Osama : Ex-ISI official

LAHORE – In a stunning disclosure that once again confirmed the nexus between Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) and banned militant outfits, a former ISI official, Khalid Khwaja, has claimed to have arranged at least five meetings between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.
In an interview with … Original article on : I arranged five meetings between Nawaz Sharif and Osama : Ex-ISI official.

At dinner for Washington reporters, Clinton pokes fun at Democrats, Cheney and himself

Clinton pokes fun at Dems, GOP and himself
WASHINGTON – Former President Bill Clinton poked fun at Republicans, Democrats, his own health and his audience of reporters Saturday night, telling the Gridiron Club’s annual dinner he was there because “I really didn’t have anything much better to do tonight.”
Clinton, who stood in …. Original article  : At dinner for Washington reporters, Clinton pokes fun at Democrats, Cheney and himself.

Senate Leader Reid joins President Obama in appeal for Democratic unity ahead of pivotal vote

Obama urges Dems to come together for health care
WASHINGTON – Victory within reach, President Barack Obama exhorted House Democrats on Saturday to stay true to their party’s legacy and make history by bringing health insurance to millions of struggling families now left out. Leaders exuded confidence as they defused thorny problems in the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Senate Leader Reid joins President Obama in appeal for Democratic unity ahead of pivotal vote.

Health Care Vote Details

New York (GaeaTimes.com) The House will finally decide on the health care overhaul by voting this Sunday, March 21, 2010. There will be two separate bills on the Senate health care bill and the reconciliation ‘fix it’ bill. If both bills are passed by the House, the Senate Bill will be signed into …. Original source  : Health Care Vote Details.

Koirala’s last journey begins

KATHMANDU – Mourned by thousands, including world leaders, Nepal’s peace architect and former prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s last journey started Sunday, marking the end of an era and raising questions about the fate of the republic’s fragile peace process.
The funeral cortege of the 85-year-old, who died of multiple organ failures Saturday after … Read more : Koirala’s last journey begins.

SAfrica marks 50th anniversary of massacre, but residents say change not coming fast enough

South Africa marks 50th anniversary of massacre

JOHANNESBURG – South Africans gathered in Sharpeville Sunday, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the massacre that brought the country’s black rights movement to the world’s attention.
Survivors and families of victims met early Sunday morning at the Roman Catholic Church, a building with a strong history of struggle against the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : SAfrica marks 50th anniversary of massacre, but residents say change not coming fast enough.

Statement by President Obama on the Passing of Stewart Udall

WASHINGTON – Below please find a statement by President Obama on the passing of former Congressman and Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall:

“For the better part of three decades, Stewart Udall served this nation honorably.  Whether in the skies above Italy in World War II, in Congress or as Secretary of the Interior, Stewart Udall …. Original article  : Statement by President Obama on the Passing of Stewart Udall.

Remarks by the President to the House Democratic Congress

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you, everybody.  Thank you.  Thank you very much.  Thank you.  Everybody, please have a set.

To Leader Reid, to Steny Hoyer, John Larson, Xavier Becerra, Jim Clyburn, Chris Van Hollen, to an extraordinary leader and extraordinary Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, and …. Source  : Remarks by the President to the House Democratic Congress.

NY Conservative Party leaders give critical backing to former Rep. Rick Lazio for governor

Conservative Party backs ex-Rep. Lazio for NY gov

ALBANY, N.Y. – Leaders of the state Conservative Party are giving their critical backing for governor to former Rep. Rick Lazio (LA’-zee-oh).
The endorsement came Saturday at a meeting of the Conservative Party in Brooklyn. State Conservative Party Chairman Michael Long says the Republican Lazio won the vote by … Original source on Gaea Times at : NY Conservative Party leaders give critical backing to former Rep. Rick Lazio for governor.

Pep rally and protesters make for raucous and at times ugly build-up to House health care vote

Raucous, ugly build-up to House health care vote
WASHINGTON – House Democrats heard it all Saturday – words of inspiration from President Barack Obama and raucous chants of protests from demonstrators. And at times it was flat-out ugly, including some racial epithets aimed at black members of Congress.
Most of the … Original article on : Pep rally and protesters make for raucous and at times ugly build-up to House health care vote.

Obama tells House Democrats to vote for health care for American people

Obama to Democrats: Back health bill for Americans
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama says House Democrats should vote Sunday for a massive health care bill to help Americans. But he says it will also end up being good politics.
Obama acknowledged to a meeting of House Democrats that backing the bill is a tough vote. … Read : Obama tells House Democrats to vote for health care for American people.

Obama tells House Democrats GOP fears popularity of health care bill’s provisions

Obama: Republicans fear health bill popularity
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is trying to rally support for his health care overhaul bill by telling Democrats that Republicans fear that the legislation will end up being popular.
In a televised meeting with House Democrats on Capitol Hill, Obama told the lawmakers that Republicans realize that once …. Source article  : Obama tells House Democrats GOP fears popularity of health care bill’s provisions.

Obama tells cheering House Democrats about health bill: ‘We’re going to get this done’

Obama encourages House Dems on health care bill
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is encouraging House Democrats to finish work on his health care overhaul bill and has told them, “We’re going to get this done.”
Obama went to Capitol Hill on Saturday as Democrats made final preparations for what they hope will be final … Read more »»».