Unclear if charges possible for adoptive mom who sent 7-year-old back to Russia alone

Law murky for mom who returned adopted Russian boy

SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – A Tennessee woman has stirred international outrage by sending a Russian boy she adopted back to Moscow on a flight by himself, yet local authorities said it’s not clear if she broke any laws.
The 7-year-old boy, Artyom Savelyev, was put on a plane with … Read : Unclear if charges possible for adoptive mom who sent 7-year-old back to Russia alone.

Maoists kill two Trinamool Congress workers in West Bengal

JHARGRAM – Maoists shot dead two Trinamool Congress workers at Bandhghora village in West Bengal’s West Midnapore District on Saturday. ccording to police, rebels chopped the limbs of Paban Mahato (38) and Kaushik Dutta (35).

Both victims were casual workers with …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Maoists kill two Trinamool Congress workers in West Bengal.

In governors’ races, Dems, GOP hope dark horse candidates can pull them to upset victories

Dems, GOP hope to ride dark horses to victory
NEW YORK – Even Republicans were looking at New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, as a lock this fall to succeed retiring Gov. David Paterson and claim the seat long held by his famous father, Mario Cuomo.
Once Republican Scott Brown showed that Democrats …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : In governors’ races, Dems, GOP hope dark horse candidates can pull them to upset victories.

Soldiers, police in riot gear massing near anti-government protest sites in Thai capital

Thai security forces mass near protesters
BANGKOK – Soldiers and police in riot gear massed near two encampments of anti-government protesters in the Thai capital on Saturday, a possible sign they are planning a crackdown following a month of demonstrations in the city.

The city’s elevated mass transit system known as the Skytrain, which runs past one …. Source  : Soldiers, police in riot gear massing near anti-government protest sites in Thai capital.

Republicans promise battle if Obama’s Supreme Court nominee to replace Stevens is activist

GOP tries to head off liberal Stevens replacement
WASHINGTON – Republicans are promising a “whale of fight” during the congressional election campaign if President Barack Obama picks too liberal a nominee to succeed retiring Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens.
Eleven days before his 90th birthday, Stevens said Friday he would step down when …. Read the original article  : Republicans promise battle if Obama’s Supreme Court nominee to replace Stevens is activist.

Sri Lankan leader promises peace and development after election victory

Sri Lankan leader promises peace after poll win

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who has capped his political dominance by winning a strong parliamentary majority, promised on Saturday peace and prosperity to a nation battered by decades of civil war.
Rajapaksa said in a statement that the victory of his party in Thursday’s …. Source article  : Sri Lankan leader promises peace and development after election victory.

Thousands to honor Cherokee Nation Chief Wilma Mankiller, who gave ‘her all for her people’

Thousands expected to honor Cherokee’s Mankiller
OKLAHOMA CITY – Cherokee Nation officials expect thousands of people at the Saturday memorial service for former tribal Chief Wilma Mankiller, one of the most visible American Indian leaders in recent years and among the few women to ever lead a major tribe.
The memorial for Mankiller, who died …. Read the original article  : Thousands to honor Cherokee Nation Chief Wilma Mankiller, who gave ‘her all for her people’.

US, major countries must mediate between India, Pak to resolve issues: Gilani

ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has once again urged the United States and other major countries to mediate between India and Pakistan in order to resolve long pending issues between them, so as to enable Islamabad to focus on the war against terrorism and militancy.

Talking to a visiting US Parliamentary Delegation led by … Original article on : US, major countries must mediate between India, Pak to resolve issues: Gilani.

Singh, Gilani to meet in Bhutan during SAARC summit?

WASHINGTON – While diplomatic observers here are hopeful of a brief encounter between Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani on the sidelines of the upcoming nuclear summit, speculations are also rife that the two leaders may hold a detailed meeting in Bhutan later this month.

Diplomatic observers said that both … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Singh, Gilani to meet in Bhutan during SAARC summit?.

Crash The Tea Party To Launch Website

WASHINGTON (GaeaTimes.com)- The new group that calls itself the Crash The Tea Party is about to launch a website, with the same name, on the eve of Apr 15, which is going to mark the one year anniversary of the tea Party Movement. As can be guessed from the name of the organization itself, … Read : Crash The Tea Party To Launch Website.

Berlusconi ‘eyes Tuscan estate after paparazzi problems in Sardinia’

LONDON – Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is planning to buy a 19-million-pound country estate in Tuscany after becoming tired of his current holiday retreat, a villa on Sardinia’s exclusive Costa Smeralda, which has become over-run by photographers.

The sprawling property, which he’s eyeing, is …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Berlusconi ‘eyes Tuscan estate after paparazzi problems in Sardinia’.

Thai protesters to increase pressure as prime minister’s credibility appears weakened

Emboldened Thai protesters vow to raise pressure

BANGKOK – Emboldened Thai protesters vowed Saturday to ratchet up pressure on the government after their first violent skirmish with soldiers eroded the prime minister’s credibility and exposed concerns about the army’s loyalty.
A leader of the anti-government “Red Shirt” movement said Saturday that the demonstrations would not take time … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Thai protesters to increase pressure as prime minister’s credibility appears weakened.

Prime Minister leaves for US, Brazil visit

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh left for a week long visit of Brazil and US on Saturday morning.
During his stay Dr. Singh will attend the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) and Brazil-Russia-India-China (BRIC) Summits in Brasilia.
Dr. Singh would also hold bilateral meetings with US …. Read the original article  : Prime Minister leaves for US, Brazil visit.

US military doctor removes live ammo from head of Afghan soldier

US doctor takes live ammo from soldier’s head

WASHINGTON – A U.S. military doctor removed a live round of ammunition from the head of an Afghan soldier in an unusual and harrowing surgery.
Doctors say a 14.5 millimeter unexploded round – more than 2 inches long – was removed from the scalp of an Afghan National Army … Read this article on Gaea Times at : US military doctor removes live ammo from head of Afghan soldier.

Humiliated Thai PM vows not to give in to intensified protest against government

Thai PM vows not to give in to intensified protest

BANGKOK – Emboldened anti-government demonstrators clashed with Thai soldiers, then shared water and food with them as the first violent confrontation of a monthlong protest compelled authorities to briefly restore a censored TV channel, eroded the prime minister’s credibility and exposed concerns about the army’s loyalty.
But …. Read the original article  : Humiliated Thai PM vows not to give in to intensified protest against government.

In Minnesota, state pushes timely census response but governor takes his time with form

In Minn., governor takes his time with census form

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Some governors have mailed their census forms in front of cameras or turned them in before the April 1 deadline to encourage people to participate in the once-a-decade population count. Others have sent them back with less fanfare.
Not Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : In Minnesota, state pushes timely census response but governor takes his time with form.

Steele gets a much-needed boost from a majority of state Republican Party chairs

Majority of Republican Party chairs back Steele

NEW ORLEANS – Embattled GOP Chairman Michael Steele got a much-needed boost Friday from a majority of state party chiefs ahead of his Saturday speech to activists, his first public appearance since a spending scandal hit the Republican National Committee.
“We stand behind Chairman Steele as he continues to lead …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Steele gets a much-needed boost from a majority of state Republican Party chairs.

Dawn Johnsen withdraws as nominee to head Justice Dept. Office of Legal Counsel

Obama pick for Justice post withdraws
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama’s nominee to head the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel has withdrawn her bid for confirmation, after several Republicans objected to her criticism of the Bush administration’s terrorist interrogation policies.
Dawn Johnsen’s withdrawal – a setback for the Obama administration – was announced late [..] Read the original article: here.

Press Briefing to Preview The Nuclear Security Summit by Gary Samore, White House Coordinator for WMD Counter-Terrorism and Arms Control, and Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications

11:08 A.M. EDT
MR. HAMMER:  Hello.  Good morning, everyone.  Thanks for joining us.  Today we have with us Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications Ben Rhodes, who will kick off a brief introduction of what is coming up this exciting week.  And then he will be followed by Gary Samore, who’s actually the sherpa for … Read : Press Briefing to Preview The Nuclear Security Summit by Gary Samore, White House Coordinator for WMD Counter-Terrorism and Arms Control, and Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications.

AP sources: Dawn Johnsen withdraws as nominee to head Justice Dept. Office of Legal Counsel

AP sources: Obama pick for Justice post withdraws
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama’s nominee to head the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel has withdrawn her bid for confirmation after several Republicans objected to her criticism of the Bush administration’s terrorist interrogation policies.
Dawn Johnsen’s withdrawal was disclosed Friday by White House officials who spoke …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : AP sources: Dawn Johnsen withdraws as nominee to head Justice Dept. Office of Legal Counsel.