Centre declines permission to Bihar CM to visit Nepal

PATNA – The Union Government has denied permission to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to visit Nepal to attend the post-death rites of former Nepal Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.

Kumar is reportedly upset over the Union Government’s decision.
According to his office, Kumar was invited by Koirala’s daughter Sujata … Read : Centre declines permission to Bihar CM to visit Nepal.

Likely electoral kingmakers, Iraq’s minority Kurds insist their demands be heard

Iraq’s Kurds want a voice in exchange for support

SULAIMANIYAH, Iraq – After years of what they consider unfulfilled promises, Iraq’s Kurds are hardening their demands to wring out the best deal from prospective allies following an election that has left the country’s future government unclear and the Kurds’ support more prized than ever.
In interviews this [..] Read the original article: here.

Manmohan Singh says government committed to giving education to all children

NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, today said the government is committed to giving all children, irrespective of gender and social categorization, access to education.
Addressing the nation on the Right to Education Act that come …. Source article  : Manmohan Singh says government committed to giving education to all children.

China says President Hu to take part in nuclear summit in Washington this month

China’s Hu to attend nuclear summit in Washington
BEIJING – Chinese President Hu Jintao will attend a summit on nuclear security in the United States this month, the Foreign Ministry said Thursday, signaling an easing of strained relations between the countries.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said Hu would stop in …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Nitish not allowed to visit Nepal

PATNA – Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was denied permission by the central government to visit Nepal to attend the post-death rites of former Nepal prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala, who died last month, official sources said Thursday.

Nitish Kumar was upset due to the decision of the the central government, official sources in the chief [..] Read the original article: here.

‘Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa?’ Pakistan moves closer to renaming region known for Taliban presence

Pakistan moves closer to renaming volatile region
PESHAWAR, Pakistan – The rugged Pakistani province that was once a stomping ground for the British, and more recently gained a reputation as a Taliban and al-Qaida haven, may soon get a mouthful of a new name.
Feuding lawmakers on a committee reached a deal Wednesday to rename …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Metrolink train crews in Southern California threaten boycott over new personality tests

Train crews threaten boycott over personality test

LOS ANGELES – Engineers and conductors for Southern California’s commuter rail service are threatening to boycott new personality tests required after a crash in 2008 that killed 25 people.
Two railroad unions objected to the agreement between Metrolink and its new contractor, Amtrak, because it would require crews to pass …. Source article  : Metrolink train crews in Southern California threaten boycott over new personality tests.

Metrolink crews in Southern California threaten boycott over personality tests

Crews threaten boycott over personality tests

LOS ANGELES – Engineers and conductors for Southern California’s commuter rail service are threatening to boycott new personality tests required after a crash that killed 25 people.
The Los Angeles Times reports that two railroad unions objected to the agreement between Metrolink and its new contractor, Amtrak, because it would require … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Metrolink crews in Southern California threaten boycott over personality tests.

Fox News drops LL Cool J from Palin’s new show after he declares he never meant to take part

Palin’s show drops LL Cool J after he complains
NEW YORK – LL Cool J says his participation in a Fox News Channel special hosted by Sarah Palin (PAY’-lihn) was bogus.
In response to the actor-singer’s objection, the network said Wednesday it would snip him from “Real American Stories.”
In a Twitter posting late Tuesday, the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Federal judge turns down preservationists, OKs hospitals in historic New Orleans neighborhood

Judge OKs 2 new hospitals in historic New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS – A judge has allowed two hospitals to be built to replace ones damaged by Hurricane Katrina despite objections by preservationists that the projects would wipe out a historic New Orleans neighborhood.
U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon on Wednesday said he found no reason to stop … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Federal judge turns down preservationists, OKs hospitals in historic New Orleans neighborhood.

Antigua judge nullifies PM’s election, but gov’t quickly appeals to stay constitutional crisis

Antigua judge nullifies PM’s election
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – A judge ruled Wednesday that Antigua’s prime minister and two other lawmakers were improperly elected last year, a decision potentially threatening the governing party’s narrow hold on power in this Caribbean country.

In a packed courtroom, High Court Justice Louise Blenman ruled the March 2009 elections of Prime …. Original source  : Antigua judge nullifies PM’s election, but gov’t quickly appeals to stay constitutional crisis.

Mo. lawmaker gets protection order against her husband, he files to challenge her in election

Mo. lawmaker has election challenger: her husband

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – An eastern Missouri lawmaker is facing an election challenge from her own husband, whom she accuses him of physical violence. He denies the allegations.
Democratic Rep. Linda Fischer obtained a protection order against John Fischer last week. Three days later, he filed as a Republican candidate … Original source on Gaea Times at : Mo. lawmaker gets protection order against her husband, he files to challenge her in election.

Presidential Proclamation – Cesar Chavez Day

A PROCLAMATION

    The rights and benefits working Americans enjoy today were not easily gained; they had to be won.  It took generations of courageous men and women, fighting to secure decent working conditions, organizing to demand fair pay, and sometimes risking their lives.  Some, like Cesar Estrada Chavez, made it the cause of their lives.  …. Original article  : Presidential Proclamation – Cesar Chavez Day.

Major powers agree to begin pursuing new UN sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program

Major powers agree to pursue new Iran sanctions
WASHINGTON – Six major world powers agreed Wednesday to begin putting together proposed new sanctions on Iran over its suspect nuclear program after China dropped its opposition.
China, long a holdout against fresh international penalties against Iran, signaled its willingness to consider a U.N. Security … Read more >>>.

Pentagon denies military test-fires Trident ballistic missile in Saudi drill

Pentagon denies US test-fired Trident missile

WASHINGTON – The Pentagton denied Wednesday that the United States test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads during a joint military exercise with Saudi Arabia.
A Western military official in Saudi Arabia, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, said a Trident missile … Read more : Pentagon denies military test-fires Trident ballistic missile in Saudi drill.

Puerto Rico senator steps down from powerful committee, cites federal investigation

PR senator confirms he is target of federal probe

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – An influential member of Puerto Rico’s Senate has stepped down from a powerful committee post, citing a federal investigation into allegations he traded political favors for services, including a trip to Las Vegas to attend a boxing match.
Sen. Hector Martinez denied any … Read more >>.

Remarks by the First Lady at Spring Garden Planting event

4:05 P.M. EDT
MRS. OBAMA:  Hey, guys.  What’s going on?  Are you awake?

CHILDREN:  Yes!
MRS. OBAMA:  Yes!  What have you been doing?  Just sitting here?
CHILDREN:  Yes.
MRS. OBAMA:  Did they let you have an apple?
CHILDREN:  No.
MRS. OBAMA:  Sam, what are you doing?  (Laughter.)  You can have an apple.  How about that?  Way to start.
Hi, everybody.  Welcome to the …. Read the original article  : here.

Peruvian group led by critic of Jews who wears Nazi-style uniform registers for elections

Alleged neo-Nazis register for Peruvian elections

LIMA, Peru – An organization led by a man who criticizes Jews and sometimes wears a Nazi-style brown-shirt uniform has been allowed to register for elections in Peru.
The group’s new party is named the Autonomous National Christian Equality – forming the Spanish language acronym INCA, a reference to Peru’s pre-Hispanic …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Peruvian group led by critic of Jews who wears Nazi-style uniform registers for elections.

2 mentally disabled immigrants held for years in Calif. detention center will be freed

2 mentally disabled detainees to be freed in Calif

SAN DIEGO – Two mentally disabled immigrants locked up in federal detention centers for years after they were ruled incompetent for hearings will be freed Wednesday until the government decides if they should be deported.
Guillermo Gomez Sanchez, 48, and Jose Antonio Franco, 29, were scheduled to be …. Source article  : 2 mentally disabled immigrants held for years in Calif. detention center will be freed.

Iran’s top nuclear negotiator heads to China to seek opposition to possible sanctions

Iran’s top nuclear negotiator heads to China

TEHRAN, Iran – Iran’s state media says the country’s top nuclear negotiator is heading to China to discuss possible U.N. sanctions against Tehran over its disputed nuclear program.
Iranian state television reported Wednesday that Saeed Jalili will travel to China Thursday for talks with senior Chinese officials “concerning the nuclear … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Iran’s top nuclear negotiator heads to China to seek opposition to possible sanctions.