Thai security forces fire over and at protesters expanding demonstrations outside capital

Thai authorities fire at protesters near capital

BANGKOK – Thai security forces and anti-government protesters clashed Wednesday on the outskirts of Bangkok, with troops firing both over and then directly into a crowd of Red Shirts to keep them from expanding their demonstrations.
It was not immediately clear if the troops were shooting live ammunition or rubber …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Thai security forces fire over and at protesters expanding demonstrations outside capital.

Nepal’s ex-prince regaining his halo – by default

KATHMANDU – Four years after his car was stoned by angry protesters and his royal legacy abolished by parliament, Nepal’s former crown prince Paras has begun to regain his halo, thanks to the mounting public anger against the unsuccessful political parties.

Ahead of a fresh crisis with the Maoist party having called an indefinite general strike …. Source  : Nepal’s ex-prince regaining his halo – by default.

BJP pulls out of Soren government in Jharkhand

NEW DELHI – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Wednesday withdrew support to the Jharkhand government on grounds that Chief Minister Shibu Soren had “betrayed” it by voting against the cut motion in the Lok Sabha.

Announcing the withdrawal of support, BJP general secretary Ananth Kumar said the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief had “behaved in a … Read more : BJP pulls out of Soren government in Jharkhand.

Indian diplomat spy case is serious matter: Krishna

THIMPHU – The case of spying by an Indian woman diplomat at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad was a “serious issue”, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said here Wednesday. Pakistan also reiterated that it was an “internal matter” of India.
“Investigations are going on. We will have to wait till the investigations are …. Original article  : Indian diplomat spy case is serious matter: Krishna.

Burmese Junta resigns, expected to contest polls as civilians

MYANNAMAR -The mil;itary Junta in Myannamar, including the Prime Minister, has resigned and is expected to contest general elections to be held this year as civilians.

The Prime Minister, General Thein Sein, and twenty-two other Cabinet Ministers are reported to have given up their … Read more : Burmese Junta resigns, expected to contest polls as civilians.

Manmohan Singh arrives in Bhutan for SAARC Summit

PARO – Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh arrived at the Paro International Airport on Wednesday on a three-day visit to participate in the XVIth SAARC Summit that begins today.

He was received at the airport by the Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigme Y Thinley and India’s … Original source on Gaea Times at : Manmohan Singh arrives in Bhutan for SAARC Summit.

BJP to take final call on ties with Soren

NEW DELHI – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has said it will take a final call on ties with Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren’s Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) at its Parliamentary board meeting to be held here at around … Read : BJP to take final call on ties with Soren.

BJP withdraws support to Soren government in Jharkhand

NEW DELHI – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tuesday withdrew support to the Shibu Soren-led government in Jharkhand. The decision was taken at the BJP’s parliamentary board meeting held at Parliament House here.
…. Read the original article  : here.

Lok Sabha adjourned over phone tapping of firm

NEW DELHI – The Lok Sabha was adjourned Wednesday over the alleged phone tapping of a lobbyist and a PR person on the controversial allocation of 2G telecom spectrum.
During zero hour, AIADMK MPs raised the copy of The Pioneer that reported that the Central Bureau Investigation (CBI) has acquired “clinching evidence” against Telecom …. Source  : Lok Sabha adjourned over phone tapping of firm.

Thai security forces fire in the air as protesters expand demonstrations outside capital

Thai authorities fire over protesters near capital

BANGKOK – Thai security forces and anti-government protesters faced off Wednesday on the outskirts of Bangkok, with troops firing in the air as they sought to keep the Red Shirts from expanding their demonstrations.
It was not immediately clear if the troops were shooting live ammunition or rubber bullets or … Read more »»».

Former PM calls for interim Iraqi government to halt efforts to change election results

Former PM urges interim government in Iraq

BAGHDAD – The front-runner in Iraq’s recent parliamentary elections on Wednesday called for the formation of an impartial caretaker government to prevent the country from sliding into violence and counter what he says are efforts to change the vote results.
Former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, a secular Shiite whose cross-sectarian …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Democrats making 3rd attempt Wed. to gain GOP support for bill to tighten reins on Wall Street

Democrats still trying to advance Wall Street bill

WASHINGTON – Senate Democrats trying to tighten the reins on Wall Street scheduled another procedural vote for Wednesday on a financial regulatory bill that so far has been blocked by Republicans.
Senate Republicans have held together for two days, twice blocking the start of debate on the bill in …. Original source  : Democrats making 3rd attempt Wed. to gain GOP support for bill to tighten reins on Wall Street.

Thai authorities fire in the air as protesters parade through Bangkok suburb

Thai authorities fire near protesters
BANGKOK – Thai security forces and anti-government protesters faced off Wednesday on the outskirts of Bangkok, with troops firing in the air as they sought to keep the Red Shirts from expanding their demonstrations.

It was not immediately clear if the security forces were shooting live ammunition or rubber bullets or if … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Thai authorities fire in the air as protesters parade through Bangkok suburb.

Supreme Court takes up dispute over making public names of anti-gay rights petition signers

Court hears dispute on petition signers’ names

WASHINGTON – Gay rights opponents are asking the Supreme Court to protect the anonymity of the signers of a petition that sought a vote to overturn Washington state’s domestic partnership rights.
The case being argued at the high court Wednesday weighs the right to political speech, unfettered by fear of … Read more »».

JKLF chief on hunger strike against death for two Kashmiris

SRINAGAR – Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Muhammad Yasin Malik Wednesday began a daylong hunger strike here to protest the death sentence being given to two Kashmiris in the 1996 Lajpat Nagar bomb blast case in New Delhi.

Malik and other senior leaders of the JKLF began their strike at party’s Maqbool Manzil headquarters … Original article on : JKLF chief on hunger strike against death for two Kashmiris.

Rajya Sabha adjourned over PR firm owner’s phone tapping

NEW DELHI – The Rajya Sabha was adjourned Wednesday over the alleged phone tapping of a public relations firm owner on the allocation of 2G telecom spectrum.
The trouble erupted as soon as the upper house assembled with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and AIADMK members raising the issue. The house adjourned till 12 noon. … Read more : Rajya Sabha adjourned over PR firm owner’s phone tapping.

Bhutanese ‘trick’ makes Manmohan, Gilani neighbours (Thimphu Diary)

THIMPHU – Political antagonism may have kept Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani from meeting more often, but the leaders will be neighbours during their two-day stay in the Bhutanese capital.
Amid suspense over their possible bilateral meet, the two leaders have been housed in villas just metres … Read : Bhutanese ‘trick’ makes Manmohan, Gilani neighbours (Thimphu Diary).

Shibu Soren is a secular leader: Congress

NEW DELHI – Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren was a “secular” leader who may have been “uncomfortable” with the BJP in the state, the Congress said Wednesday, a day after the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader voted for the government on the cut motion moved by the opposition parties.

Congress general secretary and Jharkhand in-charge Keshav …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Shibu Soren is a secular leader: Congress.

As rest of Japan shrinks, Tokyo population count tops 13 million for the first time

Tokyo population tops 13 million for first time

TOKYO – The population of Japan’s capital – one of the biggest cities in the world – has surpassed 13 million for the first time in history, the Tokyo government said Wednesday.
Tokyo counted 13.01 million residents as of April 1, up 0.5 percent from the same month a …. Source  : As rest of Japan shrinks, Tokyo population count tops 13 million for the first time.

Thai protesters challenge military to block one-day rally in Bangkok suburb

Thai protesters test rally ban
BANGKOK – Thai protesters dared the military to stop them as they headed Wednesday to rally in a Bangkok suburb, raising concerns of more clashes after government warnings that patience was running out in a seven-week standoff that has paralyzed parts of the capital.

The Red Shirt protesters, who are demanding the …. Read the original article  : Thai protesters challenge military to block one-day rally in Bangkok suburb.