Karunanidhi downplaying 2G scam by using Dalit card: Jayalalithaa

CHENNAI – AIADMK general secretary J. Jayalalithaa Thursday charged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi with attempting to trivialise the 2G spectrum scam.
In a statement here, she said: “In what he believes is smart talk, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M. Karunanidhi has shamelessly played the Dalit card in le affaire … Read more »».

BJP tenders apology over ‘Gaddar’ remarks in Parliament

NEW DELHI – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday tendered an unconditional apology for alleged remarks made by its member Ananth Kumar in the Lok Sabha against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad.

On Wednesday, certain words used …. Source article  : BJP tenders apology over ‘Gaddar’ remarks in Parliament.

Gordon Brown ’snubs’ Sir Patrick Stewart’s tips

LONDON – Star Trek actor Sir Patrick Stewart offered his services to Gordon Brown – but the UK Prime Minister was not interested in learning the presentational tips for the televised leaders’ debates.

There were no takers for a play with a “vote Labour” message that Sir Patrick wanted to put on … Read more >>>.

Lok Sabha adjourned during zero hour

NEW DELHI – The Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2 p.m. after members of the DMK and the AIADMK clashed over the 2G spectrum allocation.
During zero hour, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar invited M. Thambidurai, the AIADMK floor leader, to raise the issue.
He said that the exchequer had lost Rs.1 lakh crore …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Lok Sabha adjourned during zero hour.

Hindu vigilantes attack Maoist protesters on Nepal-India border

KATHMANDU – More than a dozen Maoist leaders were hurt and two vehicles torched along the Nepal-India border Thursday as Hindu vigilantes attacked Maoist protesters enforcing an indefinite closure and security forces joined the fray.

Dozens of young men, flourishing bamboo sticks and wearing red bandanas around their heads, said to be belonging to a Hindu … Read more »».

All eyes on India as Maoist strike reaches fifth day in Nepal

KATHMANDU – All eyes turned to Nepal’s neighbour India Thursday as a Maoist protest kept the country paralysed for the fifth day in a row, with the ruling parties failing to reach an understanding with the former guerrillas.

India’s ambassador to Nepal Rakesh Sood held consultations with Maoist chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda early Thursday morning … Read more : All eyes on India as Maoist strike reaches fifth day in Nepal.

Raja’s ‘lobbying’ for cabinet berth disrupts Rajya Sabha

NEW DELHI – A media report suggesting that Communications Minister A. Raja had lobbied with a power broker for a cabinet berth rocked the Rajya Sabha Thursday, forcing a brief adjournment of the house and prompting Chairman Hamid Ansari to deprecate the “disgraceful” behaviour of AIADMK members who raised the issue.
AIADMK members led …. Original article  : Raja’s ‘lobbying’ for cabinet berth disrupts Rajya Sabha.

Dhaka seeks talks to end firing by Indian forces

DHAKA – Dhaka wants talks with New Delhi over what it says are unprovoked firing by Indian border guards on Bangladeshi citizens.
After Home Minister Sahara Khatun met Indian High Commissioner Rajeet Mitter here Wednesday, she said the envoy had promised that the firing would “stop fully”, The Daily Star reported.
“He (Mitter) reassured …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Thai PM Abhisit Vejjajiva offers to dissolve Parliament if protesters cease Bangkok occupation

Thai PM offers to dissolve Parliament in September

BANGKOK – Thailand’s prime minister said Thursday he would dissolve Parliament in September – meeting a key demand of anti-government protesters – but only if they end their crippling occupation of Bangkok’s commercial district.
Following the unveiling of a roadmap to reconciliation Monday, protest leaders demanded Prime Minister Abhisit …. Read the original article  : Thai PM Abhisit Vejjajiva offers to dissolve Parliament if protesters cease Bangkok occupation.

Jailed Mich. militia members charged with conspiracy could be released after judge lifts stay

Jailed Mich. militia members could be released

DETROIT – Nine Michigan militia members accused of conspiring to overthrow the government are one step closer to being released from jail while they await trial.
A federal judge late Wednesday issued a ruling that cleared the way for their release. The nine could be freed as early as Thursday, … Read : Jailed Mich. militia members charged with conspiracy could be released after judge lifts stay.

Britain starts voting

LONDON – Balloting was under way in Britain Thursday to elect a new government amid growing fears of a hung parliament.

Polling began across the country at 7 a.m., with people queuing up in many of nearly 50,000 voting centres.
Voting closes at 10 p.m. by which time the fate of about 4,150 candidates in the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Britain starts voting.

Ordinary but extraordinary: Nick Clegg uses a common touch to expand party base

Nick Clegg: The new man in the middle
LONDON – Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg took the stage in Britain’s first-ever televised election debate, hand in his trouser pocket, the relaxed outsider anxious for change.
The leader of the nation’s perennial also-rans, Clegg used that stage to rise from obscurity to man of the moment … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Ordinary but extraordinary: Nick Clegg uses a common touch to expand party base.

David Cameron has modernized the Tories, but will it be enough to win on May 6?

David Cameron modernized Tories, but can he win?

LONDON – Ambitious blue blood or an average “Call me Dave” kind of guy?
David Cameron has tried to remake his Conservative Party in his own image as an eco-friendly, down-to-earth man of the people who rides his bike to work. But the Tory chief remains hampered by suspicions …. Read the original article  : David Cameron has modernized the Tories, but will it be enough to win on May 6?.

Retirement of US Rep. David Obey gives former ‘Real World’ star edge in race for Wis. seat

Obey retirement give GOP candidate opening in Wis.

MADISON, Wis. – The retirement of Wisconsin Rep. David Obey has made a conservative former cast member of MTV’s “The Real World” the leading candidate in the race for the Democrat’s seat.
Republican Sean Duffy had spent nearly a year running an uphill campaign against Obey, who is head …. Source article  : Retirement of US Rep. David Obey gives former ‘Real World’ star edge in race for Wis. seat.

Sushma Swaraj apologises for Ananth Kumar’s remarks

NEW DELHI – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sushma Swaraj Thursday apologised in the Lok Sabha, admitting her colleague Ananth Kumar used objectionable remarks against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Lalu Prasad Wednesday.
When the house assembled at 11 a.m., Speaker Meira Kumar invited Sushma Swaraj, who is also leader of the opposition, to …. Original article  : Sushma Swaraj apologises for Ananth Kumar’s remarks.

Bennett pleads with Utah GOP delegates to let him keep his job in Washington

Bennett appeals to GOP to let him keep Senate seat

SALT LAKE CITY – Sen. Bob Bennett abandoned Washington this week, spending his days in Utah pleading with Republicans until he was hoarse to let him keep his job – in Washington.
The three-term conservative is in serious danger of losing at a GOP state convention Saturday, … Read more >>>.

Obama looks for a Supreme Court nominee who is not unlike retiring Justice John Paul Stevens

Stevens’ spirit looms large as Obama ponders pick
WASHINGTON – Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens may continue to influence the high court long after his retirement this summer. His kind of “spark and leadership,” says an adviser to President Barack Obama, is a quality sought in the person who will replace him.
Stevens, one …. Read the original article  : Obama looks for a Supreme Court nominee who is not unlike retiring Justice John Paul Stevens.

INSIDE WASHINGTON: It’s a big secret: A single senator can block Senate business

INSIDE WASHINGTON: Senators’ secret blockades
WASHINGTON – One man, no vote? That’s the case in the Senate, where it takes just one peeved lawmaker to prevent a yes-or-no tally, often silently and anonymously.
That singular power can play havoc with nominations to the federal bench or an arts board, an ambassador or a general-in-waiting. It …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : INSIDE WASHINGTON: It’s a big secret: A single senator can block Senate business.

Israel official says nuclear non-proliferation pact needs teeth instead of Israel’s signature

Israel official: Give non-proliferation pact teeth

JERUSALEM – An Israeli official says the U.N. atomic watchdog should focus more on giving teeth to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty than on trying to get Israel to join.
The Israeli official says even treaty signatories – like Iraq – have tried in the past to gain nuclear weapons.
The official says …. Source  : Israel official says nuclear non-proliferation pact needs teeth instead of Israel’s signature.

We are still a part of UPA: Mamata Banerjee

KOLKATA – Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee has reiterated that her party is still a part of the UPA coalition at the Centre despite snapping ties with the Congress party for the upcoming Kolkata Municipal Corporation polls.
Addressing media persons here on Wednesday, Banerjee said: “We made commitments to support the UPA government. … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : We are still a part of UPA: Mamata Banerjee.