CPI-M for more autonomous bodies

AGARTALA – The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Thursday demanded the creation of constitutional bodies to provide autonomy to tribals and non-tribals in backward and hilly areas and said Tripura was a model of democratic decentralisation.

“If constitutional autonomous bodies were formed for both tribals and non-tribals in backward areas across India, it would defuse the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : CPI-M for more autonomous bodies.

Dantewada attack prompts repeated adjournments of Lok Sabha

NEW DELHI – There were unpleasant scenes in the Lok Sabha Thursday with the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the ruling Congress accusing each other of using Maoist guerrillas for electoral gains, prompting repeated adjournments.
BJP and Congress MPs were caught in an ugly row over the April 6 Dantewada massacre, forcing Speaker … Read more : Dantewada attack prompts repeated adjournments of Lok Sabha.

Who’s in charge here? Former Gov. Jeb Bush enjoys a good year in the Legislature

Former Gov. Bush: Still in charge at the Capitol?

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Former Gov. Jeb Bush is having a remarkably good legislative session, even though he has been out of office for nearly four years.
Measures to ease class-size limits, cut corporate income taxes, overhaul Medicaid and link teacher pay to student performance have advanced through the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Who’s in charge here? Former Gov. Jeb Bush enjoys a good year in the Legislature.

Tharoor seeks time to meet Sonia Gandhi

NEW DELHI – Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor has reportedly sought time for a meeting with UPA Chairperson and Congress Party president Sonia Gandhi today.
Sources close to the minister said that the appointment has been sought to clear the air on the … Read more : Tharoor seeks time to meet Sonia Gandhi.

No Maoists in West Bengal: Mamata Banerjee

KOLKATA – Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has said there are no Maoists in West Bengal.
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Banerjee claimed there are about 200 camps of the Communist Party India (Marxist), which have unleashed violence across the state.
Criticising the so-called Operation Green Hunt of the government, Banerjee …. Original article  : No Maoists in West Bengal: Mamata Banerjee.

Rajya Sabha pays homage to Chhattisgarh martyrs, adjourned again

NEW DELHI – Rajya Sabha MPs stood in silence for two minutes to pay homage to the 76 security men killed by Maoists in Chhattisgarh before being adjourned for the second time till 2 p.m. Thursday over demands for a debate on the attack.
After paying tribute to the martyrs, the opposition parties laid … Read more >>.

Army preserves items of remembrance at Section 60, Arlington’s place for Iraq, Afghan war dead

Mementoes at Arlington graves form archival record

ARLINGTON, Va. – Army curator James Speraw stood by Spc. Christopher Coffland’s grave, tucked among the rows of white headstones at Arlington National Cemetery, and read the inscription on dog tags that he cupped gently in his palms.
“I thank God every time I remember you,” said the tags. “We … Read more »».

Palin’s lecture demands – private jet, suite, bendable straws

WASHINGTON – Sarah Palin, former Alaska governor who was John McCain’s vice-presidential candidate in 2008, has sought a private aircraft, a deluxe suite and bendable straws at the lectern when she delivers a speech at a California university, a media report said.
State authorities have begin a probe into California State Universitys finances after …. Original article  : Palin’s lecture demands – private jet, suite, bendable straws.

Parliament adjourned over demands for debate on Dantewada

NEW DELHI – The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned till 12 noon amid noisy scenes by National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and other opposition parties demanding the suspension of question hour for a debate on Dantewada massacre.
In the Lok Sabha, Bharatiya Janata Party leaders M.M. Joshi and Rajnath Singh raised … Original source on Gaea Times at : Parliament adjourned over demands for debate on Dantewada.

Pakistan minister to represent country at Sania-Shoaib reception

HYDERABAD – Pakistan Population Welfare Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan, cricketer Sohail Tanvir and singer Waris Baig have arrived here to attend the wedding reception of Shoaib Malik and Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza Thursday evening.

Awan, who landed in Hyderabad Wednesday night, hoped that the marriage of the two celebrities would help strengthen the ties between … Original source on Gaea Times at : Pakistan minister to represent country at Sania-Shoaib reception.

Pak Punjab police claims resolving Benazir assassination plot

LAHORE – While the whole world and especially Pakistan eagerly awaits the UN enquiry commission’s report on former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination, which is expected to be released today (Thursday), the Punjab police has dropped a bombshell by claiming that it has already traced, arrested and put on trial the former premier’s assassins.

The provincial … Original article on : Pak Punjab police claims resolving Benazir assassination plot.

Pak’s participation in nuclear security summit legitimises its nuke programme:Gilani

WASHINGTON – Describing his Washington visit as ’successful’, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that Islamabad’s participation in the just concluded two-day nuclear security summit has ‘boosted the legitimacy of the country’s nuclear programme.’
Interacting with media persons after the concluding session of the important summit, Gilani said the international community’s concerns … Original article on : Pak’s participation in nuclear security summit legitimises its nuke programme:Gilani.

Government likely to face heat on Dantewada, Tharoor, prices

NEW DELHI – As parliament resumes its budget session Thursday, a united opposition is all set to corner the government on the April 6 Dantewada massacre, price rise and Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor’s involvement in an ugly IPL row.
Leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Government likely to face heat on Dantewada, Tharoor, prices.

Thais troops clear protest area vacated after clashes, but Red Shirts hunker down at 2nd camp

Thai troops clear protest area vacated after clash

BANGKOK – Thai troops cleared the gutted remains of armored carriers Thursday after anti-government protesters vacated the site of last week’s bloody clashes and shifted to an upscale shopping district to intensify their campaign to oust the prime minister.
The Red Shirt protesters vow their new encampment in the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Thais troops clear protest area vacated after clashes, but Red Shirts hunker down at 2nd camp.

Dr. Manmohan Singh accorded rousing welcome in Brazil

BRASILIA – In the second leg of his tour to the United States and Brasil, Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India, was accorded a rousing welcome at the Brasilia Airbase on Wednesday.
Dr. Singh is here to attend for the fourth India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) and the Brazil, Russia, India, China (BRIC) … Original source on Gaea Times at : Dr. Manmohan Singh accorded rousing welcome in Brazil.

CAPITAL CULTURE: Health care win in hand, Pelosi braces for GOP pushback in midterm elections

CAPITAL CULTURE: Pelosi braces for midterms
WASHINGTON – With the health care reform bill approved at last, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had a quip for fellow lawmakers she’d relied on to help make it happen: “So what are we going to do now?”
It was an apt query for everyone in the room, … Read : CAPITAL CULTURE: Health care win in hand, Pelosi braces for GOP pushback in midterm elections.

Thais troops clear area vacated by Red Shirts but political crisis shows no sign of ending

Thai troops clear area vacated by Red Shirts

BANGKOK – Thai troops cleared the gutted remains of their armored carriers from the site of last week’s bloody clashes after anti-government protesters vacated the area and shifted to an upscale shopping district to intensify their campaign to oust the prime minister.
Thailand’s long-running political crisis showed no signs …. Original source  : Thais troops clear area vacated by Red Shirts but political crisis shows no sign of ending.

North Koreans celebrate late President Kim Il Sung’s birthday with fireworks

Fireworks mark founder Kim’s birthday in NKorea

SEOUL, South Korea – North Korean leader Kim Jong Il marked the “Day of the Sun” – the anniversary of his late father’s birth 98 years ago Thursday – by promoting 100 loyal generals while Pyongyang residents watched a “kaleidoscope” of fireworks, state media said.
Fireworks and a laser display …. Source  : North Koreans celebrate late President Kim Il Sung’s birthday with fireworks.

Four South African police advisors serving with UN-AU force in Darfur are missing

Four police advisors missing in Darfur
UNITED NATIONS – Four South African police advisors serving with the international peacekeeping force in Darfur are missing, the force said late Wednesday.

The unarmed advisors – two women and two men – have not been heard from since 4 p.m. local time on Sunday shortly after they left their team … Read more »».

1st census signed by Thomas Jefferson in 1791 sold at auction for $122,500

1st census signed by Jefferson fetches $122,500

NEW YORK – A first edition of the first U.S. census signed by Thomas Jefferson in 1791 has been sold at auction in New York City for over $122,000.
A Sotheby’s spokesperson says the 56-page document, which breaks down the nation’s population by free people and slaves, was purchased by …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : 1st census signed by Thomas Jefferson in 1791 sold at auction for $122,500.