Hekmatyar gives Karzai 15 demands for possible peace pact with Govt.

KABUL – The Al-Qaeda-linked militant organization Hezb-e-Islami has handed over a list of 15 demands to the Afghan Government, as Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s moves towards a political dialogue with insurgent groups gathered pace.ezb-e-Islami spokesman, Harun Zarghun, said that a five-man delegation representing its leader and former Prime Minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, arrived in Kabul ten … Read : Hekmatyar gives Karzai 15 demands for possible peace pact with Govt..

Indian economy to grow 8.5 per cent next fiscal: Manmohan Singh

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today said that the Indian economy would grow at 8.5 percent during the next fiscal.
Inaugurating a conference on building infrastructure hosted by the Planning Commission here, Dr Singh said: “Despite adverse global situation, the Indian economy grew by 6.7 percent during fiscal 2008-09, and it … Read more : Indian economy to grow 8.5 per cent next fiscal: Manmohan Singh.

‘Porky’ and ‘Bubba’ OK for candidates to use as nicknames on Ark. ballot, but ‘Colonel’ isn’t

‘Colonel’ not OK for Ark. ballot, but ‘Porky’ is

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A retired Army colonel running for a U.S. Senate seat from Arkansas is criticizing a state law that prevents him from using his military title as a nickname on the ballot this spring. In Arkansas, that’s a privilege reserved for monikers such as …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : ‘Porky’ and ‘Bubba’ OK for candidates to use as nicknames on Ark. ballot, but ‘Colonel’ isn’t.

Qatar’s Deputy Premier meets Manmohan Singh

NEW DELHI – Qatar’s Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Industry, Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here on Monday.
The two reportedly discussed issues ranging from mutual cooperation to economic, commercial and energy ties between India and Qatar.
Earlier, Abdullah al-Attiyah, had said that Qatar is negotiating to supply India …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Qatar’s Deputy Premier meets Manmohan Singh.

Tea partiers vow revenge over health care overhaul, hope to kick out those who voted yes

Tea partiers vow revenge over health overhaul
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Tea party activists aren’t just angry that Democrats passed a major health care overhaul, they are out for revenge.
They do not see passage of the landmark reforms that usher in near-universal medical coverage as the end of the debate. Tea partiers instead … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Tea partiers vow revenge over health care overhaul, hope to kick out those who voted yes.

Terrorists have no religion: Nitin Gadkari

NEW DELHI – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Gadkari has said that a terrorist has no religion and can’t be classified as a Hindu or a Muslim.

“It is unfortunate that we identify people involved with certain terrorist activities according to their religious affiliations,” said Gadkari, adding that a terrorist has no caste, creed or … Original article on : Terrorists have no religion: Nitin Gadkari.

Romney: Health care bill unconstitutional, should be repealed and will cost Obama re-election

Romney: Health care bill will cost Obama 2nd term
SAN DIEGO – Former Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney says President Barack Obama’s new health care bill is unconstitutional, deserves to be repealed and will help cost the Democrat a second term.
The former Massachusetts governor made the remarks Monday after signing nearly 1,000 copies of … Read more »»».

DNC Chairman Tim Kaine: Victory on health care good for Democrats in the November election

DNC Chair Kaine: Health care win good for campaign
ATLANTA – Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine says the congressional victory on health care will be good for the country and for Democrats in the November elections.
Rallying the party faithful in Atlanta on Monday, less than 24 hours after the historic vote for near-universal …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : DNC Chairman Tim Kaine: Victory on health care good for Democrats in the November election.

In Washington, Clinton and Netanyahu present clashing positions on Jerusalem

Clinton, Netanyahu show clashing Jerusalem views
WASHINGTON – Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented dueling positions on Jerusalem construction Monday, underlining a recent spat between the allies while simultaneously suggesting the incident is behind them.
Israel recently announced new housing plans for east Jerusalem, the part of … Read this article on Gaea Times at : In Washington, Clinton and Netanyahu present clashing positions on Jerusalem.

Sudan President threatens to expel foreign observers who called for delaying April’s elections

Sudan prez threatens to expel election observers

CAIRO – Sudan’s president threatened Monday to expel foreign observers over their recommendations to delay the country’s first multiparty elections in decades due in April.
The April vote – Sudan’s first multiparty elections in decades – will see voters cast ballots for a national president, a southern president, local and …. Original article  : Sudan President threatens to expel foreign observers who called for delaying April’s elections.

Striking a defiant note in US, Netanyahu tells Jewish activists Jerusalem ‘not a settlement’

Netanyahu says Jerusalem ‘not a settlement’
WASHINGTON – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel has the right to build in Jerusalem, saying the city is “not a settlement.”
Speaking to pro-Israel activists, Netanyahu said Monday night that Jewish neighborhoods in Jerusalem will remain part of Israel in any peace deal, so building there does … Original source on Gaea Times at : Striking a defiant note in US, Netanyahu tells Jewish activists Jerusalem ‘not a settlement’.

Hawaii representatives asking Obama to pick his birth state for presidential library

Hawaii asks Obama for presidential library
HONOLULU – Hawaii lawmakers are asking President Barack Obama to put his future presidential library in the state where he was born and raised.
The state House Tourism, Culture and International Affairs Committee unanimously passed a resolution Monday urging Obama to choose Hawaii as the location for the library, …. Source  : Hawaii representatives asking Obama to pick his birth state for presidential library.

California lawmakers take step to ban smoking at state parks, beaches under landmark bill

Calif. moves to ban smoking at all state parks

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California lawmakers on Monday moved a step closer to banning smoking at state beaches and parks, following the lead of hundreds of communities nationwide.
The state Assembly voted 42-27 in favor of the ban. Anti-smoking groups say the bill would make California the first state … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : California lawmakers take step to ban smoking at state parks, beaches under landmark bill.

Detective’s union says NYPD towing unmarked cars; department says illegal parking not allowed

Police union: NYPD towing its own unmarked cars

NEW YORK – The head of the New York Police Department’s detectives’ union says the NYPD has been towing its own unmarked cars and then paying detectives overtime to retrieve them from the pound.
Michael Palladino, president of the Detective’s Endowment Association, says that, over an 18 month span, … Original source on Gaea Times at : Detective’s union says NYPD towing unmarked cars; department says illegal parking not allowed.

Judge: Opponents of gay marriage ban must surrender campaign documents to Prop 8 backers

Opponents of gay marriage ban must release memos

SAN FRANCISCO – Civil rights groups that campaigned against California’s same-sex marriage ban must surrender some of their internal campaign memos and e-mails to lawyers for the other side, a federal judge ruled Monday.
U.S. District Chief Judge Vaughn Walker said sponsors of Proposition 8, the 2008 ballot initiative …. Original source  : Judge: Opponents of gay marriage ban must surrender campaign documents to Prop 8 backers.

From racist and anti-gay slurs to “baby killer!”: Health care debate marred by ugly discourse

Before health vote, a weekend of ugly discourse
NEW YORK – Remember how shocking it was six months ago when Rep. Joe Wilson shouted “You lie!” to the president?
Suddenly, that outburst seems positively genteel.
From the “N-word” and anti-gay slurs being leveled at congressmen by protesters right outside the Capitol, to a shout of “baby … Read more >>.

Obama thanks banking committee for sending Wall Street regulation bill to full Senate

Obama praises committee vote on Wall St. rules
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is praising the Democrats’ massive Wall Street regulation bill as it heads to the full Senate.
The Senate Banking Committee approved the measure along party lines Monday.
The legislation would give the government unprecedented powers to split up firms considered a threat to … Original article on : Obama thanks banking committee for sending Wall Street regulation bill to full Senate.

Health care success could mark the hard-driving Pelosi as one of the most powerful speakers

On health care, Pelosi kept Democrats thinking big
WASHINGTON – The landmark health care bill about to be signed into law is as large as it is due in no small part to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s stewardship. When Democrats in Congress and the White House were despondent and inclined to retreat … Original source on Gaea Times at : Health care success could mark the hard-driving Pelosi as one of the most powerful speakers.

Afghan president studying 15-point peace offer from militant group run by warlord

Karzai studying peace offer from militant group
KABUL – Afghan President Hamid Karzai held an unprecedented meeting Monday with representatives of a major Taliban-linked militant group, boosting his outreach to insurgency leaders to end the eight-year war.
Less certain is whether the talks with the weakened Hizb-i-Islami faction represent a game-changer in …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Afghan president studying 15-point peace offer from militant group run by warlord.

Puerto Rico’s Calle 13 to perform in Cuba despite protests by anti-Castro exiles in Miami

PR group to perform in Cuba despite Miami protests

HAVANA – Members of the Puerto Rican music group Calle 13 say they don’t care if their upcoming concert in Cuba is criticized by exiles in Miami who oppose the communist regime.
The award-winning group is set to perform Tuesday at the open-air Anti-imperialist Plaza, which sits in … Read more : Puerto Rico’s Calle 13 to perform in Cuba despite protests by anti-Castro exiles in Miami.