Iranian President Ahmadinejad says sanctions help, rather than hurt, Iran’s progress

Ahmadinejad: Sanctions aid, rather than hurt, Iran
TEHRAN, Iran – President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says new international sanctions over Iran’s nuclear program would only strengthen the country by helping make it more self-sufficient.
In a speech Saturday, the Iranian president also said U.S. pressure on Iran had backfired and made Washington more isolated in the eyes …. Source  : Iranian President Ahmadinejad says sanctions help, rather than hurt, Iran’s progress.

Lata Mangeshkar to sing for Shiv Sena on Maharashtra Day

MUMBAI – Melody queen Lata Mangeshkar will sing a specially-composed patriotic song May 1 at a celebration organised by the Shiv Sena to mark the golden jubilee of Maharashtra’s formation.

Making the announcement, Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray told mediapersons here Saturday that the song would be composed and set to music by well-known music director …. Original article  : Lata Mangeshkar to sing for Shiv Sena on Maharashtra Day.

Malaysian PM has shown he cares for people: Samy Vellu

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian Indian Congress President S. Samy Vellu has said that Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has shown during his first year of leadership that he cares for the people.

“He has shown that he cares for the people by developing credible policies and procedures that will in turn benefit the people,” The Star …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Malaysian PM has shown he cares for people: Samy Vellu.

Government doesn’t pay for Kalam’s foreign trips

NEW DELHI – The government Saturday clarified that it was not paying for former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s foreign trips, saying his travel expenses were borne by his hosts.

A report in a national daily March 12 had suggested that ever since demitting office in 2007, Kalam has been a “frequent flyer” and the government was …. Read the original article  : Government doesn’t pay for Kalam’s foreign trips.

Agra gears up for biggest Dalit empowerment show

AGRA – Agra is gearing up for the annual three-day Ambedkar Jayanti celebrations starting April 14 that are seen as a demonstration of Dalit empowerment over the past decades.

Each year, a Bheem Nagri – the venue of the celebrations – comes up in a different area, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Arvind Pushkar told IANS. …. Original article  : Agra gears up for biggest Dalit empowerment show.

Indians to benefit from 30 new parliamentary seats in Canada

TORONTO – The fast increasing population of Indian and other immigrant communities has forced the Canadian government to raise the number of MPs from 308 to 338.

The Conservative Party government has introduced a bill in parliament to raise the number of its seats by 30. If the bill is passed, the new seats will come …. Original article  : Indians to benefit from 30 new parliamentary seats in Canada.

Manmohan Singh urges citizens to participate in Census 2011

NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Saturday urged all citizens to participate in Census 2011, saying that enumeration would constitute an important input in the processes of planning and development of the country.
Dr. Singh, who was enumerated for the Census here today, requested each citizen to participate in … Read more >>>.

Boycott threats, tensions undermine key Sudan election, hurting chance to ease conflicts

Boycott threat roils key Sudan elections
KHARTOUM, Sudan – Sudan’s first multiparty elections in decades have been thrown into disarray by allegations of government violations and opposition threats of a boycott. The disputes wreck hopes of transforming a conflict-plagued nation and could instead end up fueling violence in Darfur and the south.

The election, set to begin …. Source  : Boycott threats, tensions undermine key Sudan election, hurting chance to ease conflicts.

Now, Shiv Sena has ‘no objection’ to Sania-Shoaib marriage

MUMBAI – A day after attacking tennis star Sania Mirza for her proposed marriage to Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, the Shiv Sena did a U-turn on the issue Saturday, terming it her “personal matter”.

Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray told mediapersons here that the party’s views on Sania-Shoaib marriage were made clear in party mouthpiece …. Source  : Now, Shiv Sena has ‘no objection’ to Sania-Shoaib marriage.

Thai protestors launch ‘decisive’ demonstration in Bangkok

BANGKOK – Tens of thousands of Thai protestors Saturday launched a march on the centre of Bangkok in a bid to force the government to dissolve parliament and hold new elections.

Leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) said they would stage both a march on Ratchprasong Road, a popular shopping area … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Thai protestors launch ‘decisive’ demonstration in Bangkok.

Kashmiri migrants to get enhanced relief

JAMMU – Kashmiri migrants living in Jammu and its adjoining areas will get enhanced relief from the government from this month. The amount has been increased to Rs.5,000 from the existing Rs.4,000.
A communication to this effect from the central government was received by the Jammu and Kashmir government last month, Revenue, Relief and … Read : Kashmiri migrants to get enhanced relief.

India trip, a homecoming for Geithner

WASHINGTON – For US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner his trip to India next week is like homecoming in a sense. For it was here that he had his early schooling and learnt to play cricket and baseball.

“It was a great gift to me and a great gift to any American to be exposed to India …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Protesters march for 4th weekend to oust Thai government they believe is illegitimate

Protesters rally to oust Thailand’s government

BANGKOK – Thousands of anti-government protesters launched their fourth weekend demonstration in the Thai capital Saturday, groping for tactics that have yet to force the prime minister to dissolve Parliament and call new elections.
The mainly poor, rural Thais that make up the so-called Red Shirts were concentrating their Saturday protests …. Read the original article  : Protesters march for 4th weekend to oust Thai government they believe is illegitimate.

AP Interview: Talat says election loss would mean ‘disastrous’ collapse of Cyprus peace talks

Talat: Election loss would kill Cyprus peace talks

SIRINEVLER, Cyprus – The leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots has warned that talks to reunify ethnically divided Cyprus would collapse if he loses to a hardliner in elections this month.
Mehmet Ali Talat said a failure of the talks would scuttle Turkey’s bid to join the European Union, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : AP Interview: Talat says election loss would mean ‘disastrous’ collapse of Cyprus peace talks.

My blood froze when Zardari became president: Fatima Bhutto

NEW DELHI – Fatima Bhutto, niece of slain former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto, says her “blood froze” on the day Asif Ali Zardari became the country’s president and prompted her to send away her younger brother from the country fearing for his safety.
Zardari was accused of plotting the murder of Fatima’s father … Read more »».

Report: North Korean special train arrives in China amid speculation of visit by Kim Jong Il

Report: NKorean special train arrives in China
SEOUL, South Korea – A special train from North Korea arrived in a Chinese border city early Saturday amid speculation of a visit to the country by Kim Jong Il, a news report said, though the reclusive communist leader’s whereabouts remained unclear.
A possible …. Source  : Report: North Korean special train arrives in China amid speculation of visit by Kim Jong Il.

Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Moyer, longest-serving in US, dies at age 70

Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Moyer dies at 70

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Moyer, who was the longest-serving sitting state Supreme Court chief justice in the United States, died Friday at age 70.
Moyer was admitted to a Columbus hospital Thursday morning after experiencing gastrointestinal problems and died Friday afternoon, court spokesman … Read more »».

Democrats stand by Illinois US Senate candidate as race for Obama’s old seat turns stormy

Democrats stand by candidate for Obama’s old seat
CHICAGO – Democrats are quietly worrying about whether Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias can win President Barack Obama’s old Senate seat. His family’s bank is believed to be on the verge of collapse and reportedly made $20 million in loans to …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

US Sen. Bob Bennett, facing conservative discontent, debates Republican challengers in Utah

Sen. Bob Bennett debates GOP challengers in Utah
OREM, Utah – U.S. Sen. Bob Bennett, facing a wave of conservative opposition as he seeks a fourth term, squared off with seven GOP challengers in a debate Friday as candidates tried to win over delegates who meet next month to choose the party’s nomination.
Most of … Read more >>>.

Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Moyer, longest-serving in US, dies suddenly at age 70

Ohio Supreme Court chief justice dies suddenly

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The longest-serving state Supreme Court chief justice in the United States has died. Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Moyer was 70.
A release from the court says he was admitted to a Columbus hospital Thursday morning and died Friday afternoon. It says he had been experiencing … Read more >>.