Obama to honor Dorothy Height as godmother of civil rights era at National Cathedral funeral

Obama to honor Height as godmother of civil rights
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama will deliver the eulogy for the late Dorothy Height, a woman he calls the godmother of the civil rights movement.
Height will be honored Thursday during a funeral service at Washington National Cathedral for her leadership on the front lines fighting …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Obama to honor Dorothy Height as godmother of civil rights era at National Cathedral funeral.

Manmohan-Gilani meeting delayed by an hour

THIMPHU – The much awaited meeting between the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan to be held here on the sidelines of the XVIth SAARC Summit, has been delayed by an hour.

Sources here said that no reason has been forthcoming as to why the meeting between the leaders …. Original article  : Manmohan-Gilani meeting delayed by an hour.

Nira Radia Phone Tap Controversy

MUMBAI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- The tapping of the phone of Nira Radia has come under considerable fire, with even questions about it being raised in the Parliament. On Wednesday, questions about it heated up both the Houses, as the Opposition demanded to know the measures taken over the outcome of the investigation conducted by the …. Read the original article  : Nira Radia Phone Tap Controversy.

BJP defers withdrawal of support to Soren government

RANCHI – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Thursday deferred its withdrawal of support to the Shibu Soren-led Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) government in Jharkhand.

BJP leaders did not meet Governor M.O.H. Farook at 11 a.m. as scheduled to convey the party’s decision to take back legislative support following Soren’s support to the Congress-led government on the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : BJP defers withdrawal of support to Soren government.

US hopes for positive outcome from Indo-Pak dialogue

THIMPHU – The United States is hopeful of a positive outcome of the talks between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, which will be taking place later today on the sidelines of the XVIth SAARC Summit.

Talking to …. Source  : US hopes for positive outcome from Indo-Pak dialogue.

Rajya Sabha adjourned over Tytler acquittal

NEW DELHI – The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2 p.m. Thursday with angry Akali Dal members protesting against the acquittal of Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.

Midway through the question hour, Akali Dal’s Raj Mohinder Singh Majitha complained that the government was lax in prosecuting those responsible for the riots …. Read the original article  : here.

Sarkozy, Bruni hike Great Wall, wander Ming Tombs on sightseeing break during China visit

Sarkozys see Great Wall, Ming Tombs on China visit
BEIJING – French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, walked the centuries-old Great Wall and wandered the imperial Ming Tombs on a sightseeing stop Thursday during their visit to China.
Sarkozy’s trip is being billed as a return to healthy diplomatic relations between the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Sarkozy, Bruni hike Great Wall, wander Ming Tombs on sightseeing break during China visit.

Gupta did not have access to highly classified material: minister

NEW DELHI – Indian diplomat Madhuri Gupta, arrested on charges of spying for Pakistani intelligence agencies, didn’t have access to highly classified material but it was too early to divulge more details, Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur said Thursday.

“I rise to inform this august house that as a result of our counter …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Gupta did not have access to highly classified material: minister.

PPP to file murder case against Musharraf for Bhutto’s assassination

KARACHI – The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has said that it would file a murder case against former President General Pervez Musharraf on the basis of the UN commission’s report on former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination.

The enquiry report has indicted the then Musharraf regime for Bhutto’s death in a gun and bomb attack in … Read more : PPP to file murder case against Musharraf for Bhutto’s assassination.

Brown’s insensitive “bigot” remark could be Labour Party’s final undoing

LONDON – British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has probably cost his Labour Party crucial votes by his insensitive “bigot” remark to questions asked by a 65-year-old female pensioner.

Rochsdale resident Gillian Duffy asked questions about the Labour Party’s policies on debt, education and immigration which led Brown to call her a “bigoted” woman.

According to Lance Price, … Read : Brown’s insensitive “bigot” remark could be Labour Party’s final undoing.

BJP stands firm on decision to withdraw support from Soren

NEW DELHI – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday said that it is firm on its decision to withdraw support from the Shibu Soren’s Government in Jharkhand after he voted against the cut motion.

The BJP said there is no indication from the party’s Parliamentary Board to reconsider decision on Soren.

Shibu Soren’s son Hemant Soren …. Read the original article  : BJP stands firm on decision to withdraw support from Soren.

Manmohan, Gilani take a sunset stroll in Thimphu (Thimphu Diary)

THIMPHU – They may not see eye to eye but they can certainly take a walk together. And that’s exactly what Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani did at the insistence of their SAARC colleagues at their 16th regional summit here.
Heads of states present at the … Read more : Manmohan, Gilani take a sunset stroll in Thimphu (Thimphu Diary).

Fla.’s Crist on cusp of running for US Senate as independent; observers see it as natural step

Fla. gov. on cusp of independent bid for US Senate
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The very thing that once made Gov. Charlie Crist the clear Republican choice to run for U.S. Senate is also what will perhaps make it inevitable that he will eventually buck the party to run as an independent: his embrace – … Original article on : Fla.’s Crist on cusp of running for US Senate as independent; observers see it as natural step.

Senators prepare to debate the details of financial bill after Republicans take down blockade

In financial regs debate, senators look to details

WASHINGTON – Legislation to impose sweeping new controls on financial institutions faces a test from both parties as the Senate prepares to debate the fine details of the measure.
With Republicans taking down their blockade of the Democrats’ bill, Senate officials expect about two weeks of votes on amendments …. Original source  : Senators prepare to debate the details of financial bill after Republicans take down blockade.

RJP, SP MPs walk out of Lok Sabha over Muslim quota

NEW DELHI – Samajwadi Party (SP) and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MPs Thursday walked out of the Lok Sabha during question hour over the issue of greater representation to Muslims in government jobs.
RJD chief Lalu Prasad asked whether the government was planning to give proportionate representation to Muslims in various government sectors. … Read this article on Gaea Times at : RJP, SP MPs walk out of Lok Sabha over Muslim quota.

Afghans protest death of lawmaker’s brother-in-law during raid in eastern Afghanistan

Afghans protest death of lawmaker’s relative

KABUL – Hundreds of people shouting “Death to America!” protested in the streets of eastern Afghanistan on Thursday after a nighttime military raid resulted in the death of an Afghan lawmaker’s brother-in-law.
The military operation tapped into a well of resentment about raids by American and local troops that have been … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Afghans protest death of lawmaker’s brother-in-law during raid in eastern Afghanistan.

An India-Pakistan thaw in scenic Thimphu?

THIMPHU – Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani will meet for formal talks after nine months in the scenic Bhutanese capital Thursday in a bid to narrow the perception gap between them and explore possibilites of resuming their long-stalled dialogue and normalisation of ties.
There is no official …. Source  : An India-Pakistan thaw in scenic Thimphu?.

Arizona Immigration Law SB 1070 Sparks Protest

PHOENIX, ARIZONA (GaeaTimes.com)- The Arizona Immigration Law SB 1070, which has been passed this week by the Governor of Arizona, Jan Brewer, is being widely opposed by most of the country, and, in fact, the opposition also include some Republicans, who have so far been known to support a better control of the immigrants …. Read the original article  : Arizona Immigration Law SB 1070 Sparks Protest.

Ahmadinejad applies for US visa

New York, April 29 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad has applied for a US visa to participate in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) review conference to be held here from May 3, the American ambassador to the UN has said.

“My understanding is that as of today he has filed an application for a visa,” … Read more >>>.

Gordon’s bigot gaffe could seal poll outcome for Labour

LONDON – British Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s chance encounter with a 65-year-old widow, who he called a “bigoted woman”, could seal the outcome of the general elections for Labour as “the party has lost not just hers, but potentially thousands of others who will listen to what she said”.

The incident came on the eve of …. Original article  : Gordon’s bigot gaffe could seal poll outcome for Labour.