Maoists, government begin number game after strike fails

KATHMANDU – After their six-day general strike failed to oust the ruling coalition of Nepal, the opposition Maoists have begun a number game in a renewed effort to take power while the embattled government is also doing the same to outwit the former guerrillas.

The Maoists, who emerged as the biggest party in parliament after a …. Original source  : Maoists, government begin number game after strike fails.

Chronology of India-Pakistan meetings since 26/11

NEW DELHI – The last round of talks between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan took place Nov 26, 2008, hours before Pakistani terrorists unleashed mayhem in Mumbai, killing 166 people. India suspended the composite dialogue soon after. Here is the chronology of important moments/meetings in India-Pakistan relations since:
Nov 26, 2008: India’s …. Original article  : Chronology of India-Pakistan meetings since 26/11.

Son of democracy icons headed for landslide in Philippine elections, promises clean government

Son of democracy icons likely next Philippine prez

MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Benigno Aquino III, whose parents fought to topple the Philippines’ decade-long dictatorship, promised Tuesday to fulfill his campaign promise to fight corruption as he headed for a landslide victory in the presidential elections.
“I will not only not steal, but I’ll have the corrupt arrested,” …. Source  : Son of democracy icons headed for landslide in Philippine elections, promises clean government.

Can German EU-weariness push Merkel away from the euro zone when it needs leadership the most?

German EU-weariness weighs on Merkel
BERLIN – Germany’s support for the European Union has been so unflinching that it’s taken for granted, but are cracks now emerging in the wake of an unpopular decision to help bail out a struggling Greece?

Voter resentment over the price of the Greek bailout helped cost Chancellor Angela Merkel her majority …. Read the original article  : Can German EU-weariness push Merkel away from the euro zone when it needs leadership the most?.

Treachery, cry Tories after Clegg and Brown talk

LONDON – Conservatives have savaged Liberal Democrats after the latter sought a deal with Labour leader and Prime Minister Gordon Brown, with a senior Tory leader saying: “These people cannot be trusted.”

Conservatives leader David Cameron was said to be infuriated after Nick Clegg, the charismatic leader of the Liberal Democrats, tried to radically change the … Read more >>>.

Krishna, Qureshi to talk in Islamabad, all issues on table (Third Lead)

NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD – The foreign ministers of India and Pakistan, who spoke on phone Tuesday, will meet in Islamabad July 15 to discuss “all outstanding issues” and take forward the stalled peace process between their two countries.
Addressing reporters in New Delhi after the conversation with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi, India’s External …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Krishna, Qureshi to talk in Islamabad, all issues on table (Third Lead).

Over 50 percent Brits want Cameron to be next PM

LONDON – About 53 percent of Brits want Tory leader David Cameron to be the country’s next Prime Minister.

According to The Sun’s latest poll, only 33 per cent want a Tory-Lib Dem coalition, with 20 per cent saying the Tories should go it alone.

The poll also found that fewer than two … Read more >>.

Mothers of 3 Americans jailed in Iran have bags packed, wait for visas to visit their children

Moms of 3 Americans jailed in Iran wait for visas

MINNEAPOLIS – The three women have their bags packed and ready to go, waiting for the moment they get the all-clear to visit their adult children who have been jailed in Iran for nine months.
Laura Fattal, Cindy Hickey and Nora Shourd were excited but cautious after … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Mothers of 3 Americans jailed in Iran have bags packed, wait for visas to visit their children.

Jairam refuses to comment on China controversy

NEW DELHI – Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh Tuesday declined to comment on his controversial remarks in Beijing criticising the Indian government’s policy towards Chinese companies.
“I want to make it clear that I am not going to comment on China. I am here to talk about greenhouse gas emission only,” Ramesh told …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Interior Ministry: 18 militants killed in joint allied, Afghan operation in southern Helmand

Police, allies kill 18 militants in S Afghanistan

KABUL – Afghan police, troops and intelligence agents backed by NATO forces killed 18 militants in a joint operation in Afghanistan’s restive southern province of Helmand, the Interior Ministry said Tuesday.
Six militants also were arrested during the operation in Helmand’s Sangin district, the ministry said. It was one …. Original article  : Interior Ministry: 18 militants killed in joint allied, Afghan operation in southern Helmand.

Home ministers to set stage for foreign minister talks: Qureshi

ISLAMABAD – The home ministers of India and Pakistan will meet here next month on the sidelines of the SAARC meet to lay the groundwork for talks between the foreign ministers of the two countries July 15, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Tuesday.
Chidambaram will visit Islamabad June 26 for the …. Original article  : Home ministers to set stage for foreign minister talks: Qureshi.

India-Pakistan talks on July 15: Krishna (Second Lead)

NEW DELHI – The foreign ministers of India and Pakistan will meet in Islamabad July 15, it was announced here Tuesday after the two leaders spoke on the phone.
“The foreign minister of Pakistan has invited me to go to Islamabad on the 15th of July. So I am planning to visit …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : India-Pakistan talks on July 15: Krishna (Second Lead).

Bombing toll rises in southern Iraq, bringing total dead across nation to 119

Toll for devastating Iraq attacks rises to 119

BAGHDAD – The death toll for a devastating day of attacks across Iraq rose to 119 on Tuesday as the worst hit cities of Basra and Hilla south of Baghdad reported new deaths from bombings the previous day, the country’s deadliest so far this year.
The medical official at …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Bombing toll rises in southern Iraq, bringing total dead across nation to 119.

Pakistan foreign minister says Indian counterpart to visit Islamabad in July for peace talks

Pakistan, Indian minister to meet for talks

ISLAMABAD – The foreign ministers of Pakistan and India will meet in Islamabad in July for talks in a major step toward resuming a formal peace dialogue between the nuclear-armed neighbors that has been suspended since the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi made the announcement Tuesday …. Source article  : Pakistan foreign minister says Indian counterpart to visit Islamabad in July for peace talks.

Krishna to visit Pakistan July 15

NEW DELHI – External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna will be going to Islamabad July 15 for talks with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
“The Pakistan foreign minister has invited me to visit Pakistan next month,” Krishna told reporters after his 30-minute telephonic conversation with Qureshi.
The two officials discussed steps to …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Krishna to visit Pakistan July 15.

A list of candidates supported by Sen. DeMint

Candidates supported by Sen. DeMint
Senate candidates supported by Republican Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina:

- Marco Rubio, Florida
- Rand Paul, Kentucky
- Pat Toomey, Pennsylvania
- Chuck DeVore, California
- Ken Buck, Colorado
- Mike Lee, Utah
- Michael Williams, Texas
- Marlin Stutzman, Indiana (lost in primary)
…. Source article on Gaea Times at  : A list of candidates supported by Sen. DeMint.

Freshman senator wins friends among conservative long shots, enemies in GOP establishment

DeMint: A conservative kingmaker upends GOP order

WASHINGTON – Jim DeMint is becoming something of a tea party hero, even a potential conservative kingmaker, a status that is not making the freshman senator many friends among fellow Republicans in Congress.
A backbencher known for his eagerness to challenge the Republican establishment, DeMint is becoming one of the … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Freshman senator wins friends among conservative long shots, enemies in GOP establishment.

Thai Deputy PM agrees to be probed for April 10 Red Shirts crackdown

BANGKOK – Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister, Suthep Thaugsuban, will meet Department of Special Investigation chief Tharit Pengdit today over charges connected to the April 10 crackdown on Red Shirt protesters.

The Bangkok Post quoted acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn, as …. Source article  : Thai Deputy PM agrees to be probed for April 10 Red Shirts crackdown.

JMM unhappy with BJP for denying power by rotation

RANCHI – The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) is unhappy over the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) declaration that it alone will rule the state for the next four-and-a-half years.

“The BJP and JMM had agreed to share power for 28 months each. Now the BJP has to decide whether it wants a stable government or not,” Hemant … Read this article on Gaea Times at : JMM unhappy with BJP for denying power by rotation.

Gandhi takes Gates on whirlwind visit to Amethi, Rae Bareli

JAIS – Microsoft chief Bill Gates and Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi arrived here Tuesday for a day-long visit aimed at giving the global philanthropist a glimpse of social development work in the two ‘Gandhi constituencies’ of Rae Bareli and Amethi.
While Rae Bareli is Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s parliamentary constituency, her son Rahul …. Read the original article  : Gandhi takes Gates on whirlwind visit to Amethi, Rae Bareli.