Former CPI-M MP applies for Congress membership

NEW DELHI – Former Kerala MP K.S. Manoj, who quit the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) over his religious belief, said Friday that he has applied to become a member of the Congress.
Manoj told IANS that he met state Congress chief Ramesh Chennithala and former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy here Thursday and …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Former CPI-M MP applies for Congress membership.

Clashes in Kyrgyzstan injure at least 30 people in bid to retake gov’t building

Clashes in Kyrgyzstan injure at least 30 people

JALAL-ABAD, Kyrgyzstan – Gunfire erupted in Kyrgyzstan when thousands of interim government supporters attempted to retake regional government buildings occupied by backers of deposed President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, injuring at least 30 on Friday, officials said.
The clashes broke out at the compound of the regional government headquarters in Jalal-Abad. …. Original source  : Clashes in Kyrgyzstan injure at least 30 people in bid to retake gov’t building.

Violence surges in Indian Kashmir after years of decline; authorities worry of bloody summer

Violence surges in Indian Kashmir after decline
SRINAGAR, India – Militant violence is surging in Indian-controlled Kashmir after years of declines, officials say, warning of increased insurgent infiltration from Pakistan and a bloody summer ahead.
Nearly every day, the crackle of gunfire and the roar of mortars can be heard somewhere in the towns and … Original source on Gaea Times at : Violence surges in Indian Kashmir after years of decline; authorities worry of bloody summer.

Nepal heads for major crisis with political parties unable to reach agreement

Nepal heading for major political crisis
KATMANDU, Nepal – Time is running out for Nepal.

More than two years after a Constituent Assembly was elected to help guide Nepal out of years of civil war and political upheaval, the constitution it was supposed to draft remains unwritten amid endless political bickering.
On May 28, the Assembly’s tenure – … Read more : Nepal heads for major crisis with political parties unable to reach agreement.

India pushes for more cultural, educational ties with Africa

NEW DELHI – India is promoting greater cultural interaction with Africa to “renew connections” and underscore the growing importance of Africa on the country’s foreign policy radar, says Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) director general Virendra Gupta.

The ICCR is hosting a mega three-day Africa Festival in the capital May 18-20 featuring five top …. Read the original article  : India pushes for more cultural, educational ties with Africa.

Thai troops surround Bangkok protest site

BANGKOK – Thai troops Friday secured roads around a protest site in the heart of Bangkok in their ongoing crackdown on a two-month demonstration that has led to the loss of 30 lives.

There were clashes Friday morning between soldiers and protesters on the major artery Rama IV Road, which had been seized by demonstrators Thursday …. Original source  : Thai troops surround Bangkok protest site.

Old rivals Shukla and Jogi lobby for Rajya Sabha berth

RAIPUR – Chhattisgarh’s two Congress stalwarts and bitter foes, V.C. Shukla and Ajit Jogi, are lobbying hard for a Rajya Sabha berth in elections due next month, Congress sources said Friday.

Two Rajya Sabha seats in the state fall vacant in June. One seat each will go to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the … Original source on Gaea Times at : Old rivals Shukla and Jogi lobby for Rajya Sabha berth.

Another hot election year brings another ethics case that could tip balance in Congress

Tale of 2 lawmakers could hold trouble for Dems
WASHINGTON – Democrats were only too happy to benefit in the last midterm elections from the uproar over the Republicans’ mishandling of sexual misconduct by a GOP congressman. This time around, they’re hoping they don’t get trapped in a similar net.
The circumstances of … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Another hot election year brings another ethics case that could tip balance in Congress.

Hague looking for new tone in 1st US visit, discussing Afghanistan with Clinton

Hague looking for new tone in 1st US visit

WASHINGTON – Newly appointed British Foreign Secretary William Hague wants to set a different tone in Britain’s relationship with Washington in the first foreign visit of his tenure.
Hague will seek to reassure the Obama administration in a meeting Friday with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton that …. Source article  : Hague looking for new tone in 1st US visit, discussing Afghanistan with Clinton.

Nepal PM says Maoists not trustworthy

KATHMANDU – Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal on Friday said the UCPN (Maoist) cannot be trusted.

Nepal made this remark after visiting a school teacher in Okhaldhunga who is in hospital here after being beaten by Maoists.

Nepal … Read more >>.

Timeline of major flashpoints in Thailand’s deepening political crisis

Timeline of events in Thailand’s political crisis

Timeline of major flashpoints in Thailand’s deepening political crisis, in which 30 people have died and hundreds have been injured.
March 12: “Red Shirt” protesters, calling themselves “have-nots” and “commoners,” gather in Bangkok in bid to drive out Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who they claim represents the elite of Thai …. Original article  : Timeline of major flashpoints in Thailand’s deepening political crisis.

Thousands of Kyrgyz interim government supporters turn out to retake regional headquarters

Kyrgyz gov’t supporters try to retake offices

OSH, Kyrgyzstan – Thousands of Kyrgyz interim government supporters launched simultaneous attempts Friday to retake two regional official buildings occupied by backers of deposed President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.
In the city of Osh, hundreds of people ejected a crowd that had taken the regional government headquarters a day earlier. But a …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Thousands of Kyrgyz interim government supporters turn out to retake regional headquarters.

Brown laughs, jokes in first public appearance as ex-PM

LONDON – In sharp contrast to his sombre demeanour over the past few weeks, Gordon Brown cracked jokes and looked relaxed when he made his first public appearance after resigning as prime minister of Britain.

Brown, who was in his home constituency in Scotland Thursday afternoon, flashed a smile and hugged youths. He looked happy on …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Brown laughs, jokes in first public appearance as ex-PM.

BJP likely to take final call on Jharkhand government today

NEW DELHI/ – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to arrive at a consensus over who will be Jharkhand’s new chief minister on Friday.

Senior BJP leaders are meeting here to finalise the name.

After the meeting, the party is likely to send observers to Ranchi to convey its decision to party MLAs.

Interacting … Read more >>.

Thai protesters set fire to police bus as violence escalates in Bangkok

Thai protesters set fire to police bus
BANGKOK – Anti-government protesters set fire to a police bus down the street from Japanese and U.S. embassies in central Bangkok after troops fired tear gas Friday in a burst of new violence after nightlong clashes left one person dead.

The fighting, which so far has claimed 30 lives and … Read : Thai protesters set fire to police bus as violence escalates in Bangkok.

Samantha Cameron quits her job

LONDON – Samantha Cameron, wife of British Prime Minister David Cameron, has quit her job and says its a decision she had been “considering for some time”.

Samantha, 39, who is five months pregnant, has stepped down as creative director of Smythson luxury goods. She now plans to work two days a week as consultant for … Read more : Samantha Cameron quits her job.

Thai protesters set fire to military vehicles as gunshots heard in Bangkok

Thai protesters set fire to military vehicles

BANGKOK – A group of anti-government protesters set fire to security forces’ vehicles as gunshots were heard in central Bangkok in a burst of new violence Friday after nightlong clashes left one person dead.
An Associated Press photographer saw protesters torching some vehicles near a downtown subway station. It was … Read more : Thai protesters set fire to military vehicles as gunshots heard in Bangkok.

New violence in Thai capital dims hopes of end to political chaos

New violence in Bangkok after nightlong clashes

BANGKOK – Fresh violence erupted in the Thai capital Friday after a government attempt to blockade anti-government protesters and an assassination attempt on a rogue general supporting them triggered nightlong street clashes that killed one person.
The violence, which so far has claimed 30 lives and injured hundreds, plunged Thailand …. Original article  : New violence in Thai capital dims hopes of end to political chaos.

US engineer held in China on accusations he misused trade secrets released without charge

US engineer held in China released without charge

BEIJING – The U.S. Embassy says Chinese authorities have released an American engineer who was detained for more than a year on accusations he misused trade secrets.
Hu Zhicheng remains in China but plans to return home soon. The Embassy said Friday that he was released without charge late …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Neighbors thought China school attacker who slashed and killed 9 was a good, quiet man

Neighbors thought China attacker was a good man

LINCHENG, China – Neighbors in this poor farm village say Wu Jianming seemed like a good, quiet man. They struggle now to understand how he could fly into a rage over unpaid rent, slashing and killing seven preschoolers and two adults with a cleaver.
Villagers heard screams early Wednesday …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Neighbors thought China school attacker who slashed and killed 9 was a good, quiet man.