Jharkhand to have new BJP-led government

NEW DELHI – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is to head a new coalition government in Jharkhand, bringing to an end the lingering political crisis in the state, a party spokesman said Saturday.

BJP leader Ananth Kumar told reporters that the three coalition partners – BJP, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and All Jharkhand Students Union’s … Read : Jharkhand to have new BJP-led government.

Times Square attack adds pressure on Pakistan, though US ties seen unlikely to suffer

Pressure on Pakistan amid fresh terror links

ISLAMABAD – Alleged links between the Times Square plot and extremist networks are adding to perceptions of Pakistan as a global exporter of terrorism and increasing pressure on its military to crack down on extremists along the Afghan border.
While the failed car bombing in New York could complicate improving …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Top US diplomat to pursue engagement policy during visit to Myanmar

Top US diplomat to visit military-run Myanmar

YANGON, Myanmar – A top U.S. official will make a second visit to Myanmar on Sunday to pursue Washington’s new policy of engagement, a diplomat said, ahead of controversial elections being prepared by the country’s military regime.
Kurt Campbell, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia, comes days after the …. Original source  : Top US diplomat to pursue engagement policy during visit to Myanmar.

2 policemen killed as new violence mars moves toward Thai protest settlement

New Thai violence kills 2, mars compromise moves

BANGKOK – Hopes for an end to Thailand’s political crisis diminished Saturday following a new eruption of violence that killed two policemen and wounded 13 people in double nighttime attacks.
The anti-government protest movement that has occupied central Bangkok for two months denied involvement.
The attacks came after the so-called …. Source article  : 2 policemen killed as new violence mars moves toward Thai protest settlement.

Advocates for elderly say Illinois nursing home reforms would make facilities safer

Advocates: Nursing home bill would raise standards

CHICAGO – Illinois nursing homes would be safer and care would improve under legislation being considered in the state Senate, according to advocates for the elderly.
The bill, which passed the House on Thursday, would require many nursing homes to hire more staff members to care for residents. To increase …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Advocates for elderly say Illinois nursing home reforms would make facilities safer.

US envoy to meet Aung San Suu Kyi

YANGON – US Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell is scheduled to meet with Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and other opposition politicians during a two-day visit to Myanmar, officials said Saturday.

“Campbell will visit here May 9-10 and he will meet both senior officials from government and opposition,” an official who requested anonymity told …. Read the original article  : US envoy to meet Aung San Suu Kyi.

Pakistan army says it has successfully test-fired 2 ballistic missiles

Pakistan says it test-fired 2 ballistic missiles

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s military says it has successfully test-fired two ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
The Shaheen-1 missile has range of about 400 miles (650 kilometers), while the second Ghaznavi missile could hit target at a distance of 180 miles (290 kilometers).
A military statement said Saturday’s launch was … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Pakistan army says it has successfully test-fired 2 ballistic missiles.

Child labor declining but progress uneven and ’slowing down,’ finds UN report

Child labor drops but not fast enough: UN report

GENEVA – Child labor has declined, but progress toward eradicating the practice is uneven and risks grinding to a halt, the U.N. labor agency said Saturday.
A global survey based on figures from more than 50 countries shows there were 215 million child laborers around the world in … Original source on Gaea Times at : Child labor declining but progress uneven and ’slowing down,’ finds UN report.

Jharkhand political crises fuel air travel

RANCHI – It’s no surprise to find a chartered plane shooting into the sky every time a political crisis hits Jharkhand – which is pretty often, given that the state has seen seven chief ministers in nine years and there is the likelihood of an eighth taking charge soon.

The frequency of chartered planes flying out …. Source  : Jharkhand political crises fuel air travel.

Blagojevich attorneys go to federal appeals court in last-ditch bid to delay corruption trial

Blagojevich attys ask appeals court to delay trial
CHICAGO – Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s (blah-GOY’-uh-viches) attorneys have gone to a federal appeals court in a last-ditch effort to delay his corruption trial.
Blagojevich’s lawyers asked the appeals court Friday to order Judge James Zagel to postpone the trial until after the U.S. Supreme Court …. Read the original article  : here.

Rahul Gandhi likely to visit Jammu region

JAMMU – Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi may visit Jammu and Kashmir to attend a conference of Pahari-speaking people here May 17, party sources said Saturday.

“Rahul Gandhi is also likely to go to some border areas in Jammu region, especially Rajouri. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah may join him at the Pahari conference,” a Congress source …. Read the original article  : here.

Federal regulators investigating Thursday’s market plunge, focusing on conflicting rules

Regulators look into market plunge, weigh changes

WASHINGTON – The federal regulators that oversee financial markets say they are investigating the causes of the mass sell-off Thursday that pushed the Dow Jones Industrial average down hundreds of points. They are identifying one possible cause: Conflicting trading rules for different markets.
The Securities and Exchange Commission and the … Read more : Federal regulators investigating Thursday’s market plunge, focusing on conflicting rules.

National GOP group produces sexually suggestive ad attacking Dem Senate candidate in Ohio

Suggestive GOP ad attacks Ohio Senate Dem hopeful

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A sexually suggestive political attack ad featuring a shirtless Democratic U.S. Senate candidate from Ohio in a provocative pose has drawn a barrage of decency and copyright complaints after being posted on a national Republican campaign committee’s website.
The ad, created by the National Republican Senatorial … Original article on : National GOP group produces sexually suggestive ad attacking Dem Senate candidate in Ohio.

FEC says lawmakers can raise corporate cash for redistricting fights despite ’soft money’ ban

Lawmakers can raise ’soft money’ for redistricting

WASHINGTON – Federal election officials said Friday that members of Congress helping their parties finance redistricting fights can raise soft money, the unlimited corporate and union cash that a 2002 law bans them from collecting for their campaigns.
The Federal Election Commission unanimously granted the National Democratic Redistricting Trust’s request [..] Read the original article: here.

Cuba’s 89-year-old prima ballerina Alonso to visit New York, company where she once danced

Cuban ballerina Alonso to visit New York in June

HAVANA – Cuban prima ballerina Alicia Alonso will return next month to New York and the American Ballet Theater, one of the places where she got her start in dance seven decades ago, for an early celebration of her 90th birthday.
The National Ballet of Cuba said Friday …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Cuba’s 89-year-old prima ballerina Alonso to visit New York, company where she once danced.

LA City Council votes to draft partial moratorium on rent increases

LA council agrees to draft partial rent hike ban

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles City Council has approved a plan to draft a four-month ban on rent increases for hundreds of thousands of apartments.
The council approved the move 8-6 Friday, but at the last minute exempted apartments with four units or less.
It was not immediately … Read : LA City Council votes to draft partial moratorium on rent increases.

Is Pakistan Army hindering peace with India? (Comment)

The day after Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani decided on initiating greater official interactions between the two countries while conversing in Thimphu, the Americans and the British were among the Western nations which issued warnings on fresh terrorist attacks on India.
Clearly, even as the Pakistani leaders … Read more : Is Pakistan Army hindering peace with India? (Comment).

Nepal hails reprieve as Maoists call off strike

KATHMANDU – Nepal bustled with frantic early morning activities Saturday, making best use of a reprieve

after the opposition Maoist party called off a general strike that had kept the country paralysed for six days.
Vehicles were back on streets and highways that had been deserted since May 2 while shops began opening early as …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Nepal hails reprieve as Maoists call off strike.

RNC finance chief, deputy resign after sex-themed nightclub scandal

RNC dismisses finance chief
WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele has asked for the resignation of two senior officials, more fallout from payments for donors at a sex-themed nightclub in Los Angeles.

Finance director Rob Bickhart and his deputy both submitted their resignations. They will be replaced by Mary Heitman, the RNC planned to announce …. Original source  : RNC finance chief, deputy resign after sex-themed nightclub scandal.

Policeman killed as new violence mars moves toward Thai protest settlement

New violence mars moves toward Thai compromise

BANGKOK – New violence erupted in the Thai capital Friday night, killing a policeman and causing other casualties, and likely jeopardizing what had seemed like progress to resolving a sometimes bloody two-month standoff between the government and protesters who are seeking new elections.
Protesters seeking the prime minister’s ouster haggled …. Source article  : Policeman killed as new violence mars moves toward Thai protest settlement.