Not satisfied with Chidambaram’s reply, says opposition

NEW DELHI – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Saturday said they were not satisfied with Home Minister P. Chidambaram’s denial that the government did not tap telephones of four senior political leaders.
BJP leader M. Venkaiah Naidu said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should respond to the …. Source  : Not satisfied with Chidambaram’s reply, says opposition.

Not ruling out Singh-Gilani meeting in Bhutan: Krishna

THIMPHU – External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Monday said a bilateral meeting between the prime ministers of India and Pakistan can’t be ruled out on the sidelines of the SAARC summit here and stressed that all issues will be discussed if the two leaders meet.
“I am not ruling it out,” Krishna said when … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Not ruling out Singh-Gilani meeting in Bhutan: Krishna.

PDP demands revocation of armed forces act

SRINAGAR – Hundreds of activists of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) staged a peaceful march here to press the party’s demand for final resolution of the Kashmir issue and revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

The PDP leaders and activists marched to the historic city centre Lal Chowk shouting slogans though the … Original article on : PDP demands revocation of armed forces act.

City officials: East Jerusalem construction frozen despite Netanyahu declarations to contrary

City officials: East Jerusalem construction frozen

JERUSALEM – Two Jerusalem officials say Israel has frozen plans for new construction in the city’s disputed eastern sector despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s declarations to the contrary.
They say the decision was taken after Israel infuriated Washington last month by announcing a major new east Jerusalem construction project during a [..] Read the original article: here.

Germany prepares legislation for contribution to Greek financial aid package

Germany prepares legislation for Greek aid package

BERLIN – Government officials say Germany is starting to lay the legal ground for its contribution to the financial aid package for debt-laden Greece.
A spokeswoman for the Finance Ministry said on Monday minister Wolfgang Schaeuble and leading lawmakers from all parties were to meet in the morning to discuss …. Original source  : Germany prepares legislation for contribution to Greek financial aid package.

Rajasthan Governor Prabha Rau dies after fall in Delhi

NEW DELHI – Rajasthan Governor Prabha Rau passed away at a New Delhi hospital Monday after a fall in the Jodhpur House guesthouse here, officials said. She was 74.

Rau, a former Maharashtra minister, is survived by two daughters.
The officials said she slipped in the toilet and was rushed to the All India Institute of … Original source on Gaea Times at : Rajasthan Governor Prabha Rau dies after fall in Delhi.

Government denies phone tapping amid parliament uproar (Afternoon Lead)

NEW DELHI – The government Monday “categorically” denied ordering the tapping of telephones of key political leaders amid vehement protests by a united opposition that stalled both houses of parliament.
Amid a furore over the issue, Home Minister P. Chidambaram said in the Lok Sabha that the government had investigated but found “nothing to … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Government denies phone tapping amid parliament uproar (Afternoon Lead).

Nepal government asks Maoists to call off May Day protests

KATHMANDU – Ahead of a show of might announced by Nepal’s Maoist parties in the capital on May Day, the ruling parties Monday urged the former guerrillas to call off the protests, saying they were against the peace pact that helped the banned party return to mainstream politics four years ago.

Amidst reports that the former …. Original source  : Nepal government asks Maoists to call off May Day protests.

Rajasthan Governor Prabha Rau passes away

NEW DELHI – Rajasthan Governor Prabha Rau died here Monday after a fall at Jodhpur House here, officials said. She was rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) where she passed away. She was 74.
… Original source on Gaea Times at : Rajasthan Governor Prabha Rau passes away.

What shaped Britain’s Nick Clegg? At school, centuries-old tradition and liberal thought

Early days: the schooling of a British politician

In the early 1980s, Nick Clegg, a young challenger riding a surge of voter disgust with Britain’s political heavyweights, was a boy at the elite Westminster School in London, a short walk from the Parliament that he seeks to transform in elections on May 6. His routines were … Read more : What shaped Britain’s Nick Clegg? At school, centuries-old tradition and liberal thought.

Thai PM warns citizens of opposition Red Shirts “terrorist behaviour”

BANGKOK – At a meeting attended by governors of 61 provinces, Thailand’s Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has requested them to inform the residents of their constituencies of the ” terrorist behaviour” of some Red Shirt leaders.

Vejjajiva urged the governors to reassure their constituents that while the government will not … Read more >>>.

Rajya Sabha adjourned thrice over phone tapping (Second Lead)

NEW DELHI – The Rajya Sabha was adjourned thrice Monday, the third time for the day, with angry opposition members demanding a parliamentary probe on the government’s alleged tapping of telephones of prominent politicians, including one from the ruling Congress.
A “categorical” assurance by Home Minister P. Chidambaram that no phone tapping was ordered … Read more : Rajya Sabha adjourned thrice over phone tapping (Second Lead).

Bharat Bandh Happening Tomorrow

NEW DELHI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- The Leftist political parties have called a Bharat Bandh tomorrow April 27th, to protest against price hike and allied issues. However, the Left Front which has been facing the heat of the public dissent in the last two years in several polls is trying not to cause too much inconvenience … Read more : Bharat Bandh Happening Tomorrow.

Yemeni officials say British ambassador escapes explosion near his car, is unhurt

Yemen: British ambassador escapes explosion

SAN’A, Yemen – Yemeni officials say the British ambassador narrowly escaped what appeared to be a suicide attack on his armored car while on his way to work.
British Embassy spokeswoman Chantel Mortimer said the ambassador, Timothy Torlot, was unhurt.
The Yemeni officials said the vehicle was passing through a poor neighborhood in …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Yemeni officials say British ambassador escapes explosion near his car, is unhurt.

Thai protesters told to ditch red shirts as bomb threats rattle capital

Thai protesters told to ditch red shirts
BANGKOK – Thailand’s “Red Shirt” protesters, wary of a possible crackdown, told their followers to ditch their signature crimson attire so they can go undercover as more bomb threats rattled the tense Thai capital Monday.

There was no violence in the central Bangkok shopping area where protesters remained camped for … Original article on : Thai protesters told to ditch red shirts as bomb threats rattle capital.

Government ‘categorically’ denies authorising phone tapping

NEW DELHI – The government Monday “categorically” denied it had authorised the tapping of phones of key political leaders.
Amid a furore over the issue in the Lok Sabha, Home Minister P. Chidambaram said the government had investigated the matter but found “nothing to substantiate” the allegations reported in a weekly magazine last week. …. Source  : Government ‘categorically’ denies authorising phone tapping.

Rajya Sabha adjourned twice on phone tapping issue

NEW DELHI – The Rajya Sabha was adjourned twice Monday with irate opposition members demanding that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh make a statement on a report that the government had tapped phones of politicians.
Trouble erupted soon after the house assembled with Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) MPs protesting the phone tapping issue.
Minister …. Original article  : Rajya Sabha adjourned twice on phone tapping issue.

Conservative GOP incumbent may be too liberal for ultraconservative Utah to win re-election

Conservative Westerner feels anti-incumbent fervor

SALT LAKE CITY – Republican Sen. Bob Bennett – darling of the National Rifle Association and grandson of a Mormon Church president – suddenly may not be conservative enough for ultraconservative Utah.
Bennett could become the first 2010 election casualty among incumbent U.S. senators if he fails to win at least 40 …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Conservative GOP incumbent may be too liberal for ultraconservative Utah to win re-election.

PM to speak in Lok Sabha over phone tapping

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will speak in the Lok Sabha over allegations of politicians’ phones being tapped by government agencies, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee told the house Monday amid furious protests by opposition MPs.
“PM is ready to speak in the house at 3.30 p.m.,” said Mukherjee, who is the leader …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : PM to speak in Lok Sabha over phone tapping.

Phone tapping fury stalls Lok Sabha

NEW DELHI – The Lok Sabha was adjourned Monday as opposition MPs demanded a statement from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the alleged phone tapping of politicians by the government.
BJP parliamentary party chairman L.K. Advani said the opposition will settle for nothing less than a statement from the prime minister.
Lok Sabha Speaker …. Source  : Gaea News Network.