Iran’s state-run Press TV says 3 Americans jailed in Iran are meeting with their mothers

3 Americans jailed in Iran meet with their mothers

TEHRAN, Iran – The mothers of three Americans jailed in Iran hugged and kissed their children Thursday in an emotional first meeting since the trio was arrested in July.
Iran detained the three Americans – Sarah Shourd, 31; her boyfriend, Shane Bauer, 27; and their friend Josh Fattal, …. Read the original article  : Iran’s state-run Press TV says 3 Americans jailed in Iran are meeting with their mothers.

Britain’s Cameron, Clegg finalize coalition government plans on tax, education, spending

UK’s Cameron, Clegg finalize coalition deal

LONDON – The leaders of Britain’s coalition government say a legislative program that they hope will keep them in power together until a 2015 election has been finalized.
Prime Minister David Cameron and deputy prime minister Nick Clegg planned to publish full details of a joint agreement between their Conservative and …. Original source  : Britain’s Cameron, Clegg finalize coalition government plans on tax, education, spending.

A.Raja should quit or be sacked immediately: CPI-M

NEW DELHI – The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Thursday asked Communication and IT Minister A. Raja, who is facing an enquiry into the 2G spectrum scam, to quit immediately. “If the minister refuses to resign, the prime minister should sack him”, the party said.
The CPI-M said in a hard-hitting statement here that … Original source on Gaea Times at : A.Raja should quit or be sacked immediately: CPI-M.

Thailand Red Shirts Unrest Rocks Bangkok

THAILAND (GaeaTimes.com)- The military assault to claim back the commercial center of Bangkok from the RED Shirt Protesters in Thailand resulted in the creation of chaos and near anarchy in the city on Wednesday. The unrest robbed the city of its cosmopolitan image. While the military offensive led by the Thai soldiers compelled the …. Source  : Thailand Red Shirts Unrest Rocks Bangkok.

State dinner features Beyonce, world-class chef _ and sighs of relief that nothing went wrong

State dinner has it all: Beyonce, world-class chef
WASHINGTON – For all the world-class food and entertainment, deft touches and elegance of the evening, the Obamas’ second state dinner was as notable for what didn’t happen as what did.
As far as anyone could tell, no one crashed the party. And no other major disasters …. Original article  : State dinner features Beyonce, world-class chef _ and sighs of relief that nothing went wrong.

Kagan documents show style, personality as Supreme Court nominee continues Senate visits

Kagan papers shed light on nominee’s personality

WASHINGTON – Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan counted the days like a nervous student anticipating a tough oral exam before she made her first appearance last year at the court she’s now seeking to join.
“Four weeks from Wednesday – not that I’m counting – will be my first argument …. Original source  : Kagan documents show style, personality as Supreme Court nominee continues Senate visits.

Mexican President Calderon, pushing for fair US immigration policy, takes case to Congress

Mexico’s Calderon takes his case to Congress
WASHINGTON – Mexican President Felipe Calderon (fay-LEE’-pay kahl-duh-ROHN’) is taking his case for a fair and orderly overhaul of U.S. immigration policies to the people who can do something about it: members of Congress.
One day after private meetings with President Barack Obama and White House celebrations in … Read more >>.

Mirandizing the political conversation: Obama administration gains a little breathing room

‘Modifying’ Miranda changes the political debate

WASHINGTON – Attorney General Eric Holder and the rest of the Obama administration are suddenly playing offense in the political free-for-all over how best to wage the war on terror.
Criticized for months by Republicans as not being tough on terrorism, the administration is offering to work with Congress to modify …. Read the original article  : Mirandizing the political conversation: Obama administration gains a little breathing room.

Senators push for National Guard troops on Southern border, administration can’t agree on plan

Senators press for National Guard troops on border
WASHINGTON – Homeland Security and Pentagon officials are at loggerheads over a plan to send National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border, even as President Barack Obama is pledging to bolster security there.
After nearly a year of indecision, frustrated lawmakers are demanding action to stem the … Read more >>.

Post-protest rampage in Bangkok leaves 16 dead

BANGKOK – Irate anti-government protesters set fire to at least 35 buildings in Bangkok in a violent rampage sparked by the government’s crackdown on their demonstration that left up to 16 dead and 88 wounded, officials said Thursday.

Demonstrators ran amok in central Bangkok Wednesday after Thai troops stormed their protest site, prompting the demonstration’s top … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Post-protest rampage in Bangkok leaves 16 dead.

Poll: Calif. GOP race for governor tightens as candidates launch attack ads in final weeks

Poll: Calif. GOP race for governor tightens

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Support for former eBay chief executive Meg Whitman in the Republican race for California governor has fallen by 23 percentage points over the past two months as her rival, state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, has gone on the attack, according to a poll released Wednesday.
Whitman now …. Read the original article  : Poll: Calif. GOP race for governor tightens as candidates launch attack ads in final weeks.

Calif. AG files brief supporting woman’s claim for museum paintings seized by Nazis

Calif. AG supports claim for art seized in WWII

LOS ANGELES – California’s attorney general filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday in support of a Connecticut woman who wants a Pasadena museum to return two 500-year-old paintings seized by Nazis during World War II.
Attorney General Jerry Brown filed a friend-of-the-court brief asking the … Read more »»».

Adviser: Blumenthal looks to refocus Conn. Senate race on issues amid Vietnam controversy

Blumenthal looks to shift race focus off Vietnam

HARTFORD, Conn. – An adviser to U.S. Senate candidate Richard Blumenthal says the Connecticut Democrat plans to refocus attention on the economy and other issues as he returns to the campaign trail amid controversy over his military service.
Sampaign consultant Marla Romash (ROH’-mash) said Wednesday that Blumenthal “very forcefully … Read : Adviser: Blumenthal looks to refocus Conn. Senate race on issues amid Vietnam controversy.

Obama honors Mexican president at lavish state dinner _ with tighter security this time

Tighter security this time at Obama’s state dinner
WASHINGTON – The White House promised tighter security for Wednesday’s state dinner – and it delivered.
Among the hundreds who lined up to get in, at least one woman was turned away for lack of proper ID.
Kathryne Mudge said her husband, Arturo Valenzuela, …. Original source  : Obama honors Mexican president at lavish state dinner _ with tighter security this time.

Washington state settles for $125,000 in lawsuit alleging inmate shackled during childbirth

WA settles with inmate shackled during childbirth

SEATTLE – The Washington Department of Corrections has settled for more than $100,000 with a former inmate who says she was shackled while she gave birth in 2007.
Casandra Brawley will receive $125,000 from the state to settle the lawsuit, which alleges Brawley was restrained as she gave birth to …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Washington state settles for $125,000 in lawsuit alleging inmate shackled during childbirth.

State dinner guest chef Rick Bayless, White House staff cross fingers, hope for no hitches

State dinner chef tweets about ‘day of creation’
WASHINGTON – “Got my fingers crossed there are no hitches.”
And with that tweet, Rick Bayless, a Chicago chef adored by President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama for his way with Mexican food, dashed to the White House to finish preparations for Wednesday’s … Read : State dinner guest chef Rick Bayless, White House staff cross fingers, hope for no hitches.

Lincoln enlists Clinton’s help in Arkansas Senate runoff as Halter ramps up challenge

Lincoln enlists Clinton help in Ark. runoff fight
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Lt. Gov. Bill Halter wasted no time Wednesday trying to rally voter support in his runoff with Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln, who enlisted the help of former President Bill Clinton in her fight for her political career.
Halter, who was out early waving … Read more : Lincoln enlists Clinton’s help in Arkansas Senate runoff as Halter ramps up challenge.

Statement by the President on the House Financial Services Committee Passage of the Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010

“Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy, and where most new jobs begin.  In March, I signed into law a jobs bill that provides tax cuts to small businesses that hire new workers, and have proposed eliminating capital gains taxes on small business investments and new tax breaks for all businesses to invest …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Statement by the President on the House Financial Services Committee Passage of the Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010.

Democrats, unions line up behind Sestak as Pa.’s Senate race between Toomey, Sestak begins

Democrats line up behind Sestak in Pa. Senate race
HARRISBURG, Pa. – Democratic Party leaders and labor unions began have begun lining up behind the party nominee whom they had fought to defeat in Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate primary.
President Barack Obama called U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak after his primary victory over five-term Sen. Arlen Specter … Original article on : Democrats, unions line up behind Sestak as Pa.’s Senate race between Toomey, Sestak begins.

Readout from the President’s Call with Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey

President Obama spoke with Prime Minister Erdogan today by phone.  The President acknowledged the efforts of Turkey and Brazil and noted that the United States and the international community await a formal and authoritative message from Iran to the International Atomic Energy Agency.  The President stressed the international community’s continuing and fundamental concerns about Iran’s [..] Read the original article: here.