After ‘Modi best friend’ comment, Kamat goes soft on Parrikar

PANAJI – Nearly a week after calling Narendra Modi his “best friend” and incurring the ire of the Congress high command, Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat Sunday gave a clean chit to Leader of Opposition and senior BJP leader Manohar Parrikar in a graft case.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing accusations of corruption … Original article on : After ‘Modi best friend’ comment, Kamat goes soft on Parrikar.

MIM opposes union territory status to Hyderabad

HYDERABAD – Ending its silence over the Telangana issue, the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) Sunday opposed the demand for union territory status to Hyderabad and suggested that if the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh becomes inevitable, a Greater Telangana state comprising Telangana and Rayalseema regions be formed.
MIM, a key political force in Hyderabad, said it …. Read the original article  : MIM opposes union territory status to Hyderabad.

Indian origin woman leader in Trinidad poll fray

Port-of-SPAIN – A million people will vote in the general election in Trinidad and Tobago May 24 that will decide the fate of Prime Minister Patrick Manning’s ruling party and opposition alliances, one of which is led by Indian-origin woman politician Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
Constitutionally, elections are due by October 2012. This is the … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Indian origin woman leader in Trinidad poll fray.

Lapang admits losing majority support

SHILLONG – Meghalaya Chief Minister D.D. Lapang Sunday admitted he had lost the support of the majority of Congress legislators in the state but said the leadership issue was still open.
Lapang’s comments came a night after Mukul M. Sangma, his trusted aide, was unanimously chosen the chief minister’s successor by 21 of 28 …. Source  : Lapang admits losing majority support.

Tharoor calls on PM

NEW DELHI – Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor called on the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh this morning ahead of the Congress Core Committee Meeting today.
Tharoor reached Dr Singh’s official residence to reportedly put across his point of view before a final call …. Source  : Tharoor calls on PM.

Why is no Kerala bigwig coming out in support of Tharoor?

KOCHI/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – There has been little support forthcoming for Shashi Tharoor from Kerala, the state he belongs to, over the IPL controversy despite the popular excitement after he “helped” bring an IPL franchise to Kochi.

In fact, the entire Kerala unit of the Congress, which congratulated Tharoor for bringing an Indian Premier League team to Kochi, …. Source article  : Why is no Kerala bigwig coming out in support of Tharoor?.

Meghalaya chief minister admits losing majority support

SHILLONG – Meghalaya Chief Minister D.D. Lapang Sunday admitted losing majority support in the Congress Legislature Party (CLP), but asserted that the leadership issue in the state was still open.

Lapang’s statement came a night after Mukul M. Sangma, the chief minister’s trusted aide, was unanimously chosen as his successor by 21 of the 28 Congress …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Meghalaya chief minister admits losing majority support.

Will Antony come to Tharoor’s aid? (Capital Buzz)

NEW DELHI – Many in the Congress party are wondering if Defence Minister and senior Congress leader A.K. Antony will once more bat for his beleaguered colleague from Kerala, Shashi Tharoor.
Antony may have a major say in any decision on Tharoor’s continuation as minister of state for external affairs in the wake of …. Source article  : Will Antony come to Tharoor’s aid? (Capital Buzz).

PM, Congress leaders likely to take decision on Tharoor today

NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and other senior Congress party leaders are expected to take a final call on the future of Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor today.
Dr Singh is likely to meet with the Congress top brass at around 6: 30 p.m. at his official …. Source article  : PM, Congress leaders likely to take decision on Tharoor today.

PPP to seek ’stern’ action against Musharraf following UN Benazir assassination report

ISLAMABAD – Backing the UN enquiry commission’s report over former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has held former President General Pervez Musharraf responsible for the tragic incident.
A meeting of PPP’s core committee, which was chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari and was attended by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : PPP to seek ’stern’ action against Musharraf following UN Benazir assassination report.

Lib Dem leader Clegg almost as popular as Churchill

LONDON – Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, who won the first of three election-related debates aired on British television for the first time earlier this week, is being regarded as the most popular party leader since former Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

According to a new Sunday Times, Clegg has surged to a higher approval rating than … Read more »»».

Nepal Maoists to start fresh anti-government protests

KATHMANDU – On April 22, celebrated by Communists worldwide as the birthday of Soviet leader Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, Nepal’s Maoist party has announced fresh protests against the coalition government in an intensified struggle to dislodge it before the new constitution comes into effect May 28.

While nationwide rallies and sit-ins will be held Thursday, the former …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Nepal Maoists to start fresh anti-government protests.

UN report: ‘Unfazed’ Musharraf says he has got one ‘final’ bullet in pistol for defence

ABU DHABI – Unfazed by the UN commission’s inquiry report over former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination, which directly indicts him and his regime for the crime, former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf has said he has one final bullet in his pistol which he will use for his … Read : UN report: ‘Unfazed’ Musharraf says he has got one ‘final’ bullet in pistol for defence.

Returning to power very soon: Lalu

Former India’s railway minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad has said his party is returning to power in Bihar very soon.

The move assumes much significance since this is for the first time in the past for years that Lalu has made such announcement with much confidence at a public function.
“No one should have … Read more : Returning to power very soon: Lalu.

Report: Gates January memo said US lacks long-range policy for Iran’s nuclear program

Report: Gates sent White House memo on Iran policy
WASHINGTON – A memo from Defense Secretary Robert Gates to the White House warned that the United States lacks a nimble long-term plan for dealing with Iran’s nuclear program, according to a published report.
Gates wrote the three-page memo … Original source on Gaea Times at : Report: Gates January memo said US lacks long-range policy for Iran’s nuclear program.

At NYC convention, Obama’s former professor says Al Sharpton is president’s link to streets

Ex-mentor: Sharpton is Obama’s link to the streets
NEW YORK – The Rev. Al Sharpton is a “lightning rod” for President Barack Obama on inner city streets, Obama’s former Harvard mentor and friend said Saturday at a forum in Harlem.
But Sharpton, who led the event, told The Associated Press … Read more : At NYC convention, Obama’s former professor says Al Sharpton is president’s link to streets.

Turkish Cypriot election could halt peace talks and jeoprodize Turkey’s EU membership bid

Turkish Cypriot election could halt peace talks

NICOSIA, Cyprus – Turkish Cypriots vote Sunday in a leadership election whose outcome could deadlock Cyprus peace talks and sink Turkey’s bid for European Union membership.
The election pits a dovish incumbent striving for reunification with rival Greek Cypriots against a hardline challenger seeking to bolster a breakaway state.
Polls open … Read : Turkish Cypriot election could halt peace talks and jeoprodize Turkey’s EU membership bid.

Clinton says angry rhetoric leads to increased threats against president, other politicians

Clinton: Criticize, don’t demonize officeholders
WASHINGTON – Former President Bill Clinton says angry anti-government rhetoric has led to a worrisome increase in threats against the president and other elected officials.
Clinton says people should be careful that the words they use to criticize officials don’t demonize them.
The two-term Democratic president tells ABC News’ “This Week” [..] Read the original article: here.

Counter-demonstrators shout down Neo-Nazi rally against illegal immigration in Los Angeles

Neo-Nazis, counter-demonstrators square off in LA

LOS ANGELES – A neo-Nazi white supremacist group rallied against illegal immigration in downtown Los Angeles Saturday as hundreds of counter-protestors gathered to shout them down in a tense stand off that included thrown rocks and police in riot gear.
Police officers stood between the white supremacists and counter-demonstrators on the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Counter-demonstrators shout down Neo-Nazi rally against illegal immigration in Los Angeles.

Counter-demonstrators gather at Los Angeles City Hall to protest march by white supremacists

Counter-demonstrators protest white supremacists

LOS ANGELES – Hundreds of counter-protestors carrying anti-Nazi signs have gathered in downtown Los Angeles where a white supremacist group is rallying.
Police officers with riot helmets strapped to their belts stood between the crowd and the steps of City Hall, where several dozen members of the National Socialist Movement gathered Saturday.
There was … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Counter-demonstrators gather at Los Angeles City Hall to protest march by white supremacists.