Iraqi prime minister al-Maliki rebukes UN for not backing his vote recount demand

Iraq PM slams UN for not backing his recount quest

BAGHDAD – Iraq’s prime minister has rebuked the United Nations for not backing his demand that the ballots in the March 7 parliamentary elections be recounted.
Nouri al-Maliki insisted on the recount in comments to the private Al-Sumariya TV and indicated his side still may form the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

BSP appoints a new, younger chief for Chhattisgarh

RAIPUR – The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which has been trying to increase its base in Chhattisgarh, has appointed a 35-year-old as its new president in a bid to project a “younger face”.

Sadanand Markande replaces Dauram Ratnakar, 52, who has been inducted into the national executive of the party and will also be coordinator for …. Original article  : BSP appoints a new, younger chief for Chhattisgarh.

US troops train for both combat and conversation in bid to win over Afghan population

US troops train for both combat and conversation

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Two young American soldiers in combat gear sit at a small table in a concrete block building, politely but insistently questioning a 66-year-old Afghan actor playing the role of a village elder.
Outside, in the thick red mud of a remote Fort Carson valley, other … Read more »».

Freedom fighter Biswanath Patnaik dead

BHUBANESWAR – Freedom fighter and Gandhian Biswanath Patnaik, who was known for his work among the poor in Orissa, died early Monday at his ashram at Baliguda town, an official said. He was 94.

Patnaik, a bachelor, died of old age complications. Patnaik participated in the Quit India movement and the Bhoodan or land gift movement … Read : Freedom fighter Biswanath Patnaik dead.

Rajya Sabha panel to examine rules to protect women

NEW DELHI – In view of rising cases of domestic violence against women, a parliamentary committee is examining the rules framed to implement a law to protect women from such violence and has invited suggestions from experts.

The Committee on Subordinate Legislation of the Rajya Sabha, headed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Najma A. Heptulla, …. Original article  : Rajya Sabha panel to examine rules to protect women.

Following a week of wins, Obama starts the next in Afghanistan, meeting with troops, Karzai

After week of wins, Obama turns to Afghanistan
KABUL – After weeks dominated by health care, President Barack Obama’s secret trip to Afghanistan turned attention back to another issue whose progress this year could help define the success of his presidency.
By deciding in December to order a massive buildup to the war he inherited, … Read more >>.

Pakistan raises concern over Indian power projects on Indus

LAHORE – Pakistan has raised objections to the construction of two new power projects by India on the river Indus during the annual Indus Water Treaty talks here, a media report said Monday.

The Pakistani team expressed reservations over the Nimoo Bazgo and Chutak power plants saying it feared the projects might obstruct supply of water [..] Read the original article: here.

Congress, Trinamool discuss seat-sharing for West Bengal civic polls

KOLKATA – The Congress Party and the Trinamool Congress have started a seat-sharing exercise for the upcoming civic elections in which they will be pitted against the Left Front.
State Congress chief Pranab Mukherjee hoped that differences, if any, would be sorted out …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Congress, Trinamool discuss seat-sharing for West Bengal civic polls.

Tamil Nadu Government to pronounce judgement on Nalini’s release

CHENNAI – The Tamil Nadu Government will in all probability deliver a verdict on the premature release of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s assassin Nalini Sriharan on Monday.
However, it has been reported that the Karunanidhi- led Dravida Munettra Kazhagam (DMK) Government might take some more time …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Tamil Nadu Government to pronounce judgement on Nalini’s release.

Yoga comes to Maoist firebrand Prachanda’s aid

KATHMANDU – Like thousands of others in Nepal, the country’s Maoist chief Prachanda has also got hooked on to yoga.

Over the past couple of months, the chairman of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) has been seeking spiritual and physical shelter in traditional Indian ‘pranayama’ (breathing exercises), light yoga and alternative healing to … Read more »».

Searchers believe they found remains of actor Errol Flynn’s son in Cambodia

Searchers: remains of Errol Flynn’s son found

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – Forensic tests will be conducted on what two searchers believe are the remains of photographer Sean Flynn, son of Hollywood star Errol Flynn, who disappeared during the Cambodian War 40 years ago, the U.S. Embassy said Monday.
At least 37 journalists were killed or are listed …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Venezuela Supreme Court bars Chavez foe from discussing criminal case with news media

Chavez foe barred from talking to media about case

CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuela’s highest court is barring an outspoken opponent of President Hugo Chavez from talking to news media about prosecutors charging him with striking a police official.
The order handed down Sunday by the Supreme Court prohibits opposition lawmaker Wilmer Azuaje from presenting his views on …. Original article  : Venezuela Supreme Court bars Chavez foe from discussing criminal case with news media.

Obama slips into Afghanistan under shroud of secrecy to voice US resolve in an expanding war

Obama slips into Afghanistan to voice US resolve
KABUL – Under elaborate secrecy, President Barack Obama slipped into Afghanistan on Sunday near the front lines of the increasingly bloody 8-year-old war he is expanding and affirmed America’s commitment to destroying al-Qaida and its extremist allies in the land where the 9-11 plot …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Colombian guerrillas free captive soldier, first release in 13 months

Colombia’s FARC rebels release captive soldier

VILLAVICENCIO, Colombia – Colombian rebels handed over a 23-year-old soldier to the International Red Cross on Sunday in their first release of a captive in more than a year.
Pvt. Josue Calvo had been held since last April. He walked out of a loaned Brazilian helicopter emblazoned with the Red Cross … Original source on Gaea Times at : Colombian guerrillas free captive soldier, first release in 13 months.

Remarks by the President to the Troops

11:13 P.M. (Local)
     THE PRESIDENT:  How’s it going, Bagram?  (Applause.)  Well, you know, it turns out that the American people, they let me use this plane called Air Force One.  And so I thought I’d come over and say hello.  (Applause.)  

     Couple of people I want to thank, in addition to Sergeant Major Eric … Read more »»».

Arab leaders renew support for peace efforts, rejecting calls from Syria, Libya to quit talks

Arab leaders renew support for peace efforts

SIRTE, Libya – Arab leaders on Sunday renewed their support for Mideast peace efforts, rejecting pressure from Syria and Libya on the Palestinians to abandon talks with Israel and resume armed resistance.
The Arab League’s backing for the land for peace initiative with Israel comes despite its firm opposition to … Read more »».

Utah governor, aiming for court battle, approves use of eminent domain to take federal land

Utah gov. OKs eminent domain use on federal land
SALT LAKE CITY – Fed up with federal ownership of more than half the land in Utah, Republican Gov. Gary Herbert on Saturday authorized the use of eminent domain to take some of the U.S. government’s most valuable parcels.
Herbert signed a pair of bills into …. Source  : Utah governor, aiming for court battle, approves use of eminent domain to take federal land.

NYS Unemployment: New York State Unemployment Insurance Rate Up

New York (GaeaTimes.com) The New York State unemployment is rising day by day. Millions of labors and workers were literally given a kick off from their job after the recession giant hit numerous companies. Several giant organizations filed for bankruptcy which in turn led to discontinuation of the task of their employees.

In the period …. Original source  : NYS Unemployment: New York State Unemployment Insurance Rate Up.

On surprise quick trip to Afghanistan, Obama demands corruption crackdown, good governance

In surprise visit to war zone, Obama prods Afghans
KABUL – On an Afghanistan trip shrouded in secrecy, President Barack Obama demanded accountability from the country’s leaders, greater vigilance against corruption and better governing as he widens America’s commitment to the 8-year-old war he inherited and then dramatically escalated.
Obama said the …. Source article  : On surprise quick trip to Afghanistan, Obama demands corruption crackdown, good governance.

Obama dicusses corruption in talks with Karzai

WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama put the fight against corruption at the top of his agenda in talks with his Afghan counterpart during a surprise visit to the country on Sunday, US officials said.
The visit is Obama’s first since he took office in January last year.
Obama arrived on Sunday evening from …. Source  : Gaea News Network.