Hundreds expected to demonstrate against new Arizona illegal immigration law at state Capitol

Illegal immigrant law opponents to rally in Ariz.

PHOENIX – A large rally protesting Arizona’s new immigration law is planned at the state Capitol in Phoenix.
The demonstration is expected to draw hundreds Sunday afternoon. It comes two days after Gov. Jan Brewer signed a bill that requires police to question people about their immigration status, including … Read more »».

Manmohan to meet Karzai Monday, Taliban worry tops agenda

NEW DELHI – A day before Afghan President Hamid Karzai arrives here on a two-day visit, his Foreign Minister Zalmay Rassoul was in the Indian capital Sunday on a daylong trip for talks that are expected to see India airing its concerns over a proposal to reintegrate the Taliban in Afghanistan.
External Affairs Minister …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Manmohan to meet Karzai Monday, Taliban worry tops agenda.

Speak in code word, Lalu advises Nitish

Parliamentarian and former railway minister Lalu Prasad has advised Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar to speak in code word, a day after PMO was accused of tapping the phone of four politicians.

Nitish is among the four politicians whose phones were allegedly tapped by the National Technical Research Organisation which comes under the PMO.
“Don’t worry, speak … Original source on Gaea Times at : Speak in code word, Lalu advises Nitish.

Thailand in turmoil following PM’s rejection of Red Shirts’ compromise offer

Bangkok, Apr 25(ANI): Thailand is once again in a political deadlock after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva refused to dissolve the House in 30 days, and organize new elections 60 days after that.

Abhisit said in a televised statement that he will not negotiate with the Red Shirts because they use violence and intimidation.
The leaders of Thailand’s …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Papal-branded condoms suggestion stirs row, Britain sorry

LONDON – The British government has offered an apology to the Pope over a secret document that, poking fun at his forthcoming visit to the country, suggested he launch Papal-branded condoms and bless a gay marriage.

The shocking proposals were part of secret papers prepared earlier this month. The proposals were leaked to The Sunday Telegraph. …. Source  : Papal-branded condoms suggestion stirs row, Britain sorry.

Thai protesters vow to continue occupation of key Bangkok sites after PM offers no solutions

Thai protesters vow to hold key Bangkok sites

BANGKOK – Thai protesters occupying key areas of Bangkok vowed Sunday to fight until victory following a breakdown of negotiations and a televised appearance by the prime minister that offered no solution to the protracted, sometimes bloody crisis.
The so-called Red Shirts also urged their supporters in provincial areas …. Read the original article  : here.

Aides: Abbas may meet with President Obama next month, but no date set

Aides: Abbas may meet with Obama soon, no date set

RAMALLAH, West Bank – Aides to Mahmoud Abbas say the Palestinian leader could meet with President Barack Obama soon.
Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat says the Palestinians requested such a meeting and were told by Obama’s envoy that the U.S. leader would see Abbas in the near future. … Read more : Aides: Abbas may meet with President Obama next month, but no date set.

Gursharan Kaur dedicates book on photojournalist Kulwant Roy’s works

NEW DELHI – Gursharan Kaur, wife of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, has released a book titled ‘History in the Making’, a collection of the works of photojournalist Kulwant Roy.

The book release function was held on Saturday.
Compiled by Aditya Arya and Indivar Kamtekar and published by Harper Collins India, the foreword has been written by …. Original article  : Gursharan Kaur dedicates book on photojournalist Kulwant Roy’s works.

CPM, TDP to press for JPC to probe ‘IPL-Gate’

Siliguri / Hyderabad, Apr 25 (ANI): The Communist Party of India (Marxist), has reiterated its demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe into alleged financial irregularities in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Addressing media on Saturday in West Bengal’s Siliguri, CPM politburo member Brinda Karat asked for a probe by the parliamentary panel.
“All the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : CPM, TDP to press for JPC to probe ‘IPL-Gate’.

Manmohan Singh’s positive steps being marred by India’s internal politics: Qureshi

MULTAN – Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s positive steps in reducing heightened tension between India and Pakistan is being marred by internal politics and pressure.
Interacting with media persons on the sidelines of a convocation ceremony of the Bahauddin Zakariya University here, Qureshi hailed Dr.Singh’s …. Read the original article  : Manmohan Singh’s positive steps being marred by India’s internal politics: Qureshi.

‘Nitish criticism of Op Green Hunt a political gimmick’

Although chief minister Nitish Kumar has reiterated not to launch Operation Green Hunt in his home land, a massive crackdown continuing at the level of the state govenrment has dealt a heavy blow to the organisational structure of the separatists in Bihar.

A recent police report said a total of 125 top-ranking Maoists have been arrested … Original article on : ‘Nitish criticism of Op Green Hunt a political gimmick’.

Thai premier’s national TV broadcast disrupted

BANGKOK – A televised broadcast of Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was cut off for several minutes Sunday by suspected saboteurs, the prime minister said.

The broadcast of Abhisit and Army Commander-in-Chief General Anupong Paochinda was taped Saturday to explain the government’s stance on a protest movement that has seized the centre of Bangkok and led … Read more : Thai premier’s national TV broadcast disrupted.

Thai PM says he underestimated protest movement, offers no ideas to end crisis

Thai PM says he underestimated protesters
BANGKOK – Thailand’s embattled prime minister acknowledged he initially underestimated the protesters who have occupied central Bangkok for weeks, but he offered no initiatives Sunday to end the country’s prolonged, sometimes bloody political crisis.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva spoke in a nationally televised interview a day after the breakdown of talks … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Thai PM says he underestimated protest movement, offers no ideas to end crisis.

On TV, Thai PM offers no ideas to end blood-stained crisis after rejecting protesters’ offer

On TV, Thai PM offers no new ideas to end crisis

BANGKOK – Thailand’s embattled prime minister appeared on television Sunday but offered no initiatives to end the country’s weekslong, sometimes bloody, political crisis a day after rejecting a compromise proposal by protesters occupying central Bangkok.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva spoke in a nationally televised interview a …. Source article  : On TV, Thai PM offers no ideas to end blood-stained crisis after rejecting protesters’ offer.

Documentary on former NY governor Eliot Spitzer premieres at Tribeca Film Festival

Spitzer documentary premieres at Tribeca Film Fest

NEW YORK – A much-anticipated documentary about former New York governor Eliot Spitzer premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Though many of those interviewed for the film were in attendance Saturday evening, the documentary’s subject was not. Director Alex Gibney, whose “Taxi to the Dark Side” won the 2007 documentary … Read more : Documentary on former NY governor Eliot Spitzer premieres at Tribeca Film Festival.

Thai PM addresses nation after rejecting protesters’ offer to end blood-stained crisis

Thai PM addresses nation amid blood-stained crisis

BANGKOK – Thailand’s embattled prime minister is addressing the nation after rejecting a compromise offer from protesters demanding new elections.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva spoke on national television Sunday after the breakdown of talks with the protesters who say his government is illegitimate.
Violent clashes have killed at least 26 people …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Thai PM addresses nation after rejecting protesters’ offer to end blood-stained crisis.

Austrian presidential election pits incumbent vs controversial far-right politician

Austrian president poised to win second term

VIENNA – Austria’s president is widely expected to win a second term Sunday. But the elections are being watched as a yardstick of far-right sentiment, measured by how well a politician who has taken issue with the country’s anti-Nazi law will do.
Polls predict a clear win for incumbent Heinz …. Source article  : Austrian presidential election pits incumbent vs controversial far-right politician.

E-mails released by Goldman from trader Fabrice Tourre on collapse of subprime-backed market

E-mails from Goldman trader on subprime collapse

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and a Senate subcommittee traded a barrage of e-mails on Saturday.
First, the Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations released e-mail threads among Goldman executives showing them boasting at the money they were making by betting against the housing market.
Within hours, Goldman countered with 26 internal documents, … Read more : E-mails released by Goldman from trader Fabrice Tourre on collapse of subprime-backed market.

Obama lawyer Bob Bauer, point man on Supreme Court vacancy, low-key with a sledge hammer

Obama counsel on court choice: firmness, finesse
WASHINGTON – White House counsel Bob Bauer, President Barack Obama’s point man in the search for a new Supreme Court justice, manages to get credit both for an even temperament and his finesse with a sledge hammer.
The combination is evident in one of Bauer’s favorite memories from …. Original source  : Obama lawyer Bob Bauer, point man on Supreme Court vacancy, low-key with a sledge hammer.

UN says 2 killed in clashes between protesters and security forces south Sudan

Police, protesters clash in south Sudan; 2 killed

KHARTOUM, Sudan – Security forces in south Sudan clashed with protesters upset with results from the country’s recent elections, leaving at least two people dead and wounding four more, a United Nations official said Saturday.
The violence comes amid fears that a flawed vote in Sudan’s elections earlier this … Read : UN says 2 killed in clashes between protesters and security forces south Sudan.