Sonia Gandhi to be consulted by troubled Goa Congress

PANAJI – The ruling Congress and its ally Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Goa will consult Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on finding a solution to the threat facing their government after a group of seven ruling MLAs including five ministers openly voiced dissent, a minister said Tuesday.
A cabinet meeting which was called … Original source on Gaea Times at : Sonia Gandhi to be consulted by troubled Goa Congress.

Israeli foreign minister warns Palestinians their statehood declaration could endanger peace

Israeli FM warns Palestinians not to declare state

JERUSALEM – Israel’s hard-line foreign minister warned Palestinians on Tuesday against plans to unilaterally declare independence next year, saying such a move could prompt Israel to annex parts of the West Bank and annul past peace agreements.
The remarks by Avigdor Lieberman took aim at a Palestinian policy that … Original article on : Israeli foreign minister warns Palestinians their statehood declaration could endanger peace.

Police official says Maoist rebels kill at least 60 paramilitary soldiers in eastern India

Maoist rebels kill 60 troops in eastern India

PATNA, India – A senior police official says Maoist rebels have killed at least 60 paramilitary soldiers in attacks in the eastern Indian state of Chhattisgarh. The assaults mark the most casualties against government forces since they launched an offensive against the rebels last year.
R.K. Vij, the Inspector …. Read the original article  : Police official says Maoist rebels kill at least 60 paramilitary soldiers in eastern India.

US Treasury Secretary Geithner meets Manmohan Singh

NEW DELHI – US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, who is in New Delhi to launch a new bilateral economic dialogue with India with a focus on macroeconomic stability, financial markets and infrastructure financing, met the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, today
Geithner, who arrived …. Original source  : US Treasury Secretary Geithner meets Manmohan Singh.

Indian party wants to contest Malaysian by-election

KUALA LUMPUR – A party representing ethnic Indians wants to contest an upcoming parliamentary by-election in Malaysia but the dominant Malay force in the ruling alliance is also eyeing the seat.

The election in Hulu Selangor has evoked a lot of interest among ethnic Indians as G. Palanivel, vice president of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), … Original article on : Indian party wants to contest Malaysian by-election.

Government official says Maoist rebels kill at least 40 paramilitary soldiers in eastern India

Maoist rebels kill 40 troops in eastern India
PATNA, India – A senior government official says Maoist rebels have killed at least 40 paramilitary soldiers in attacks in the eastern Indian state of Chhattisgarh. The assaults mark the most casualties against government troops since they launched an offensive against the rebels last year.
Raman Singh, [..] Read the original article: here.

Kashmir employees on strike despite government opposition

SRINAGAR – Adamant government employees in Jammu and Kashmir refused to call off their strike Tuesday to demand payment of arrears of the 6th Pay Commission, a day after the government invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) against them.

Work in all government schools and offices in towns and in block, district and divisional level …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Kashmir employees on strike despite government opposition.

Show political will on women’s bill, CPI-M tells government

NEW DELHI – The government should show political will in passing the women’s quota bill in the Lok Sabha, the Communist Party of India-Marxist said Tuesday, a day after an all-party meeting on the issue failed to reach a consensus.

“The government should show political will,” CPI-M MP Brinda Karat said on the government’s decision to … Read more : Show political will on women’s bill, CPI-M tells government.

Report: North Korean leader could delay trip to China until after Washington nuclear summit

Report: NKorean leader could delay trip to China
SEOUL, South Korea – North Korean leader Kim Jong Il could delay an expected trip to China until later this month after Chinese President Hu Jintao has attended a nuclear security summit in Washington, a news report said Tuesday.
Kim’s potential visit is a focus of intense … Original source on Gaea Times at : Report: North Korean leader could delay trip to China until after Washington nuclear summit.

Indian Americans rally to block F-16s sale to Pakistan

NEW DELHI – A group of prominent Indian Americans, led by noted physician Sudhir Parikh, are lobbying hard to block Washington’s sale of F-16 combat aircraft to Pakistan, drawing support from a large Congressional caucus.
“Our contention is the sals of F-16s to Pakistan will escalate the arms race in South Asia. This goes …. Read the original article  : Indian Americans rally to block F-16s sale to Pakistan.

BJP hints at snapping ties with AGP in Assam

GUWAHATI – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tuesday almost put an end to the year-long honeymoon with Assam’s main opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) by hinting to fight the 2011 assembly elections on its own and take power in the state.

“If they (AGP) want an alliance we can talk, or else we are ready … Read more : BJP hints at snapping ties with AGP in Assam.

Israeli military investigations criticize troops over 4 Palestinians deaths

Israeli army censures troops in Palestinian deaths

JERUSALEM – Two Israeli military investigations are criticizing troops over the killing of four Palestinians in the West Bank last month.
The first investigation looked into a March 20 incident in which two Palestinians were shot and killed.
Troops claimed they fired rubber bullets to disperse a riot, but the investigation [..] Read the original article: here.

Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman makes another $20 million contribution in Calif. GOP gov. race

Whitman chips in $20M more in Calif. gov. race

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Former eBay chief executive Meg Whitman on Monday gave her campaign for the GOP gubernatorial nomination another $20 million, bringing her contributions from her personal fortune to $59 million in what is expected to be the most expensive governor’s race in California history.
Whitman has … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman makes another $20 million contribution in Calif. GOP gov. race.

Obama to focus on securing nuclear material

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama hopes to use next week’s nuclear security summit to clearly spell out how to secure world’s nuclear material so it does not fall into the hands of terrorists or dangerous states.
“Our expectation is not that there’s just some vague, gauzy statement about us not wanting to see loose … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Obama to focus on securing nuclear material.

Obama’s ‘directive’ should be no surprise to India (News Analysis)

CHICAGO – It is hardly surprising that the Obama administration is reportedly stepping up pressure on India to resolve bilateral issues with Pakistan in order to better handle Afghanistan.
The Wall Street Journal reported that President Barack Obama issued a “secret directive in December to intensify American diplomacy aimed at easing tensions between India … Original article on : Obama’s ‘directive’ should be no surprise to India (News Analysis).

AP sources: Top RNC official quits amid criticism over spending at sex-themed club

AP sources: RNC official steps down amid criticism

WASHINGTON – Amid unrelenting criticism of how the Republican National Committee has spent donors’ dollars, Chairman Michael Steele on Monday accepted the resignation of his chief of staff and allowed one of his senior advisers to leave as he tried to reassure GOP donors upset about his leadership. … Read more >>.

Magician Lance Burton, Monte Carlo to split after 14 years despite recent contract extension

Lance Burton, Monte Carlo splitting after 14 years

LAS VEGAS – Citing “irreconcilable differences,” illusionist Lance Burton said Monday he is ending his run at the Monte Carlo hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip after 14 years, well short of a six-year contract extension he signed last year.
His last show will be Sept. 4, hotel officials …. Read the original article  : Magician Lance Burton, Monte Carlo to split after 14 years despite recent contract extension.

Census Bureau will count same-sex couples who say they are married _ even those who aren’t

Census Bureau urges same-sex couples to be counted

NEW YORK – With strong backing from the Census Bureau, gay-rights activists are urging maximum participation by their community in the first U.S. census that will tally same-sex couples who say they’re married – even those without a marriage license.
The move has drawn fire from conservatives, who complain …. Read the original article  : Census Bureau will count same-sex couples who say they are married _ even those who aren’t.

Karl Rove appears in new ad urging residents to fill out 2010 census forms

Karl Rove ad urges residents to fill out census
WASHINGTON – Karl Rove, the former political adviser to President George W. Bush, is appearing in a public service announcement asking people to fill out and mail back their 2010 census forms.
Rove invokes James Madison, the nation’s fourth president and principal author of the U.S. …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Trial to begin for B-2 bomber engineer from Maui accused of selling military secrets to China

Hawaii man’s China military secrets trial to begin

HONOLULU – A former B-2 stealth bomber engineer from Maui who is accused of selling military secrets to China is due to face trial in federal court this week.
Noshir Gowadia (NOH’-sheer GO’-wah-dee-a) faces 21 counts including conspiracy, violating the arms export control act and money laundering.
The trial comes … Original article on : Trial to begin for B-2 bomber engineer from Maui accused of selling military secrets to China.