UK’s new government: Thanks Washington, but it’s time we made some new friends

UK’s vows to extend hand to neglected allies

LONDON – British Foreign Secretary William Hague promised Thursday to woo neglected allies and win new trading partners in an overhaul of the country’s “patchy” foreign policy.
In a first major speech since the country’s Conservative-led coalition government took office in May, Hague promised to reach out to nations … Original article on : UK’s new government: Thanks Washington, but it’s time we made some new friends.

Jayalalithaa welcomes UN panel on Sri Lanka

CHENNAI – Former Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa Thursday welcomed the appointment of a three-member UN panel to look into rights abuses and war crimes in Sri Lanka.

“It shows that, at a time when the Tamil Nadu government and its Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi have forsaken the Tamil people of Sri Lanka, the world … Original source on Gaea Times at : Jayalalithaa welcomes UN panel on Sri Lanka.

Dhaka to enact law to curb `yellow journalism’

DHAKA – The Bangladesh government is considering a law to stop “yellow journalism”, Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad has informed the country’s parliament.
“Land grabbers and state wealth looters are becoming editors of newspapers to use journalist community to safeguard their wealth. This trend is increasing gradually,” the minister was quoted as saying … Original source on Gaea Times at : Dhaka to enact law to curb `yellow journalism’.

NSA heads for China Saturday, boundary on agenda

NEW DELHI – Against the backdrop of India’s growing concerns over the China-Pakistan nuclear deal, National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon goes to Beijing Saturday to discuss a host of issues, including the boundary dispute.

Menon will be visiting Beijing as special envoy to the prime minister of India, the external affairs ministry said here Thursday. [..] Read the original article: here.

By-polls announced in Telangana

NEW DELHI – The Election Commission Thursday announced by-elections in two assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh’s Telangana region along with 10 other seats going to the polls July 27.

The Andhra Pradesh High Court Wednesday asked the Election Commission to hold the by-elections.
The court passed the orders on a petition by the Telangana Rashtra Samiti … Read : By-polls announced in Telangana.

Tapes at trial reveal Blagojevich hopeful, angry, unsure in days after 2008 election

Tapes reveal Blagojevich hopeful, angry, unsure
CHICAGO – A deputy governor under former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is expected to take the stand for a third day at Blagojevich’s corruption trial in Chicago.
Most of the FBI wiretap tapes played in recent days have been conversations between Blagojevich and his aide Doug Scofield.
Many of the [..] Read the original article: here.

ATC denies permission for Naidu to fly

HYDERABAD – The Air Traffic Control (ATC) Thursday denied permission to former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to fly in a helicopter due to bad weather.

The leader of opposition had to cancel his visit to Warangal and Ongole towns as ATC refused permission to his chopper to take off from here in …. Source article  : ATC denies permission for Naidu to fly.

Nepal’s former rebels ask other parties to form new coalition government after PM resignation

Nepal’s Maoists search for coalition partners

KATMANDU, Nepal – Nepal’s communist former rebels reached out to other political parties Thursday to form a new coalition government, a day after the prime minister resigned following months of sometimes-violent protests.
Leaders of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists) met in the morning and established a three-member committee headed by … Original source on Gaea Times at : Nepal’s former rebels ask other parties to form new coalition government after PM resignation.

In speech, Obama to spell out for public his argument for moving ahead on immigration overhaul

In speech, Obama to argue for immigration overhaul
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama hopes to rally new momentum behind the push for an immigration overhaul by explaining why he thinks a comprehensive approach is the only way to fix what he and others say is a system badly in need of repair.
Obama was [..] Read the original article: here.

The Kagan standard: Words from 1995 on how high court nomination hearings should be changed

Kagan in 1995 on high court confirmation process

Excerpts from Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan’s 1995 review of Stephen Carter’s book “A Confirmation Mess,” in which she called for a more meaningful vetting of high court prospects:
- “Open exploration of the nominee’s substantive views … enables senators and their constituents to engage in a focused discussion …. Source article  : The Kagan standard: Words from 1995 on how high court nomination hearings should be changed.

SPIN METER: Kagan weaves and bobs in ways she criticized before own nomination to high court

SPIN METER: What happened to the Kagan standard?
WASHINGTON – Elena Kagan declined to discuss her passions, demurred when asked anything that might tip her hand on the Supreme Court and invoked her right to remain inscrutable even on cases buried in the past.
In short, Kagan did her best to ensure her high court … Read more : SPIN METER: Kagan weaves and bobs in ways she criticized before own nomination to high court.

1.3 million unemployed won’t get benefits restored after Senate fails to overcome filibuster

1.3 million unemployed won’t get benefits restored

WASHINGTON – More than 1.3 million laid-off workers won’t get their unemployment benefits reinstated before Congress goes on a weeklong vacation for Independence Day.
An additional 200,000 people who have been without a job for at least six months stand to lose their benefits each week, unless Congress acts.
For the …. Read the original article  : 1.3 million unemployed won’t get benefits restored after Senate fails to overcome filibuster.

Robert C. Byrd to make his final visit to the Senate he loved

Byrd to lie in repose in his beloved Senate
WASHINGTON – Sen. Robert C. Byrd is making his final sojourn to a Senate chamber that for 51 years echoed with his impassioned speeches and came to be the place he called home.
Byrd, who died Monday at age 92, was to lie in …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Robert C. Byrd to make his final visit to the Senate he loved.

Kagan on way to Supreme Court confirmation following solid performance at hearings

Kagan on way to Supreme Court confirmation
WASHINGTON – Elena Kagan is speeding toward confirmation as the 112th Supreme Court justice, with Republicans showing little appetite for a long-shot filibuster attempt after sparring with her over abortion, gays in the military and other divisive issues.
“Solicitor General Kagan will be confirmed,” Sen. Patrick … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Kagan on way to Supreme Court confirmation following solid performance at hearings.

Nepal Maoists hail PM’s resignation

KATHMANDU – The Unified CPN (Maoist) has hailed Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal’s decision to resign, saying it paves the way for a consensus to end the political deadlock in the country.

Maoist spokesperson Dina Nath Sharma told reporters here that Nepal’s resignation has created a positive environment.

Nepalnews quoted Sharma as saying, that his … Read : Nepal Maoists hail PM’s resignation.

Nepal parties start race for PM’s post

KATHMANDU – The three major parties of Nepal Thursday began a fresh race for the top job in the country following Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal’s resignation.

The first off the mark was the opposition Maoist party, whose protracted war on the government from the floor of parliament, street protests and blockades forced Nepal to announce …. Source article  : Nepal parties start race for PM’s post.

Protests against fuel price hike continues across India

LUDHIANA /AGRA /PATNA/ RANCHI – The women’s wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Ludhiana staged a protest against the government’s recent decision to increase fuel prices.

Raising anti-government slogans, they termed the government’s decision as insensitive to the plight of commoners.

“We have demonstrated against the price hike. We all have beaten the plates …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Obama to sign new sanctions bill against Iran

WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama will sign into law Thursday a new sanctions bill against Iran, the White House said.
The bill, passed last week by the House of Representatives and the Senate respectively, contains sanctions targeting Iran’s energy and banking sectors, Xinhua reported.
Under the bill, businesses that help supply Iran …. Source  : Obama to sign new sanctions bill against Iran.

Democrats choose Cleveland, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Charlotte as finalists for 2012 convention

Democrats considering 4 cities for 2012 convention
WASHINGTON – Recognizing that President Barack Obama faces serious challenges in the Midwest he carried not two years ago, the Democratic National Committee on Wednesday picked three heartland cities and just one in the Republican-friendly South to consider for its 2012 nominating convention.
The cities … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Democrats choose Cleveland, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Charlotte as finalists for 2012 convention.

10 years after returning to Cuba, Elian Gonzalez says he’s not angry at Miami relatives

10 years on, Elian not angry at Miami relatives

HAVANA – Elian Gonzalez says he’s not angry at his Miami relatives who fought to keep him in the United States during a nasty international custody battle a decade ago, and is thankful “a large part of the American public” supported him being reunited with his father …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : 10 years after returning to Cuba, Elian Gonzalez says he’s not angry at Miami relatives.