Soren ‘unpredictable’, says BJP

RANCHI – A day after Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief Shibu Soren declared he would not quit as chief minister, coalition partner Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) termed him an “unpredictable politician” and said it would wait till May 25 to decide on the future course of action.

Shibu Soren, in a flip-flop, had said in Bokaro …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Soren ‘unpredictable’, says BJP.

BJP puts up hoardings in Delhi on Afzal Guru case

NEW DELHI – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has put up hoardings in several parts of the city asking the Delhi government the reasons behind withholding for nearly four years the file pertaining to parliament attack convict Afzal Guru’s mercy petition.

The hoardings have been put up along major city roads.
“The Delhi BJP has … Read more »»».

Echoes of Tiananmen in Bangkok? Experts say No

Experts: Bangkok crackdown no replay of Tiananmen

BEIJING – Before the military crackdown on Red Shirts in Bangkok this week, one Thai protester ominously claimed: “This will end as our Tiananmen Square.”
It was a dire warning that did not come true. The clashes Tuesday between the Thai military and the so-called Red Shirt protesters left at … Read more >>>.

Thai PM offers olive branch to Red Shirts with reconciliation plan

Thai PM offers olive branch to Red Shirts
BANGKOK – Thailand’s prime minister Friday promised an independent probe into “all events” surrounding the Red Shirt protests, and called for reconciliation to heal deep political divisions that led to widespread violence and 83 deaths in two months.

“Fellow citizens, we all live in the same house. Now, our … Read more »».

Sri Lanka gets US aid after heavy rains

COLOMBO – The US has announced $50,000 in emergency humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka following massive destruction caused by torrential rains.

US ambassador Patricia Butenis issued the disaster declaration from the US Agency for International Development’s Office to the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society for emergency humanitarian assistance.
The assistance will help provide emergency … Read more >>>.

Writing on wall: So many rumors he’d get canned that Obama’s intelligence chief joked about it

Intelligence director knew his days were numbered

WASHINGTON – For months, National Intelligence Director Dennis Blair has been a dead man walking – and he knew it. So constant and vicious were the leaks from the White House and Congress of his imminent departure that he opened a recent speech on intelligence reform with a joke …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Thai prime minister says order restored in Bangkok, provinces

Thai prime minister says order restored in Bangkok

BANGKOK – Thailand’s prime minister says order has been restored in Bangkok and the provinces, wracked by violence over the past week.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Friday in a nationally broadcast television address that the government will “move swiftly to restore normalcy.”
He says “We have restored order in … Original source on Gaea Times at : Thai prime minister says order restored in Bangkok, provinces.

Vt. moose, who became cause celebre in battle for life, gets reprieve _ and shot at fatherhood

Targeted for death, Vt. moose gets a reprieve

IRASBURG, Vt. – Pete the Moose, who became a cause celebre after the state of Vermont ordered him removed from a game preserve or euthanized, is getting a reprieve.
Raised by a farmer after being attacked by dogs and abandoned as a calf, the 2-year-old bull moose will be …. Source article  : Vt. moose, who became cause celebre in battle for life, gets reprieve _ and shot at fatherhood.

Dennis C. Blair Resigns

WASHINGTON (GaeaTimes.com)- Dennis C. Blair handed in the notification of his resignation from the post of the chief coordinator of the intelligence agencies of the United States He will officially be resigning from the post on Friday, May 21, 2010. The email which he sent to all the 16 intelligence agencies that he …. Read the original article  : Dennis C. Blair Resigns.

Thai PM says order restored in Bangkok, provinces

Thai PM says order restored in Bangkok
BANGKOK – Thailand’s prime minister says order has been restored in Bangkok and provinces, wracked by violence over the past week.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Friday in a nationally broadcast television address that the government will “move swiftly to restore normalcy.”
He says “We have restored order in the capital …. Original source  : Thai PM says order restored in Bangkok, provinces.

A red rooftop revolution sweeps over southern Chinese city, angering residents

Red roofs invade Chinese city, angering residents

GUANGZHOU, China – Their drab concrete apartment buildings are starting to look more like Spanish villas with red-tiled roofs, and that’s angering many who live in them.
For the past year, workers have been repainting hundreds of buildings in Guangzhou and topping them with pitched roofs made of PVC sheets … Read this article on Gaea Times at : A red rooftop revolution sweeps over southern Chinese city, angering residents.

Nation pays homage to Rajiv Gandhi on his 19th death anniversary

NEW DELHI – The Nation on Friday paid homage to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 19th death anniversary.

The day is also observed as Anti-Terrorism Day.

The objective behind the observance of Anti-Terrorism Day is to wean away the youth from the terrorist/violence … Read more >>.

Bangkok cleans up after clashes leave 52 dead

BANGKOK – Violence-weary residents of Bangkok Friday began to clean and rebuild their city after a week of mayhem left 52 people dead and 401 injured, officials said.

The city’s Erawan Emergency Centre said 159 people remained hospitalised, 15 of them in intensive care.
The violence reached a peak Wednesday when 15 people were killed and … Read more >>.

Working to derail Obama peace push, Jews cementing presence in Arab east Jerusalem

Jews in Arab east Jerusalem defy Obama peace push

JERUSALEM – When Devorah Adler’s children go to school, they pass underneath the gun-toting security officer who stands on their roof 24-hours a day, walk down a path dotted by surveillance cameras and get in a van manned by another armed guard.
Adler is one of 2,000 Jews … Read more : Working to derail Obama peace push, Jews cementing presence in Arab east Jerusalem.

Brazilian president criticises proposed Iran sanctions

Rio De Janeiro, May 21 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Friday criticised additional sanctions against Iran that are currently being discussed by the UN Security Council.

The Security Council gathered in New York this week to discuss a draft resolution imposing a new set of sanctions on the Islamic republic, which is … Original source on Gaea Times at : Brazilian president criticises proposed Iran sanctions.

Gunmen kill anti-government leader of Mexican Indian community, wife

Leader of Mexico Indian community, wife killed

MEXICO CITY – A leftist, anti-government faction in an Indian town where a Finnish rights observer was killed in April says its leader has been shot to death along with his wife.
The self-styled mayor of the “autonomous” Triqui Indian town of San Juan Copala says the leader of the …. Read the original article  : Gunmen kill anti-government leader of Mexican Indian community, wife.

Peninsula heading towards war: North Korea

SEOUL – North Korea Friday charged South Korea with creating an atmosphere in which war could break out at any time, a day after an international inquiry found that a North Korean torpedo caused the sinking of a South Korean warship.

South Korean President Lee Myung Bak, meanwhile, called a national security meeting to discuss his … Read : Peninsula heading towards war: North Korea.

Minister: Calm must be restored in Thailand before elections protesters demanded can be held

Prospect of Thai elections uncertain
BANGKOK – Thailand will not hold elections as demanded by anti-government protesters until passions from more than two-months of political violence are calmed, a key minister said Friday.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva earlier promised polling on Nov. 14 as part of a reconciliation plan to end often-violent protests that had crippled the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Minister: Calm must be restored in Thailand before elections protesters demanded can be held.

New York City’s plans to reheat Tavern on the Green restaurant delayed as licensee bows out

NYC plans to reheat Tavern on the Green delayed

NEW YORK – It was once a top dining destination in the U.S., but now the defunct Tavern on the Green will sell snacks and souvenirs as it goes back on the market.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced in a statement Thursday that a restaurateur picked to reopen the … Read more >>>.

Guide dog of NYC advocate who sought access to shops, taxis, restaurants for blind dies at 13

Guide dog of NYC advocate for the blind dies at 13

NEW YORK – A guide dog shown on television leading its owner around New York City as he fought for rights for blind people and for access to restaurants, shops and taxicabs has died.
Ruger died Wednesday of old age on a farm in Warwick, in …. Original article  : Guide dog of NYC advocate who sought access to shops, taxis, restaurants for blind dies at 13.