American Indians watch Kagan hearings, hope for voice on federal bench

American Indians ask for voice on federal court

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – As senators questioned U.S. Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan, the American Indian community watched with interest, and with a mounting sense of frustration.
While they hoped to glean any insight into Kagan’s views of justice issues in Indian Country, some saw the process as a missed …. Source  : American Indians watch Kagan hearings, hope for voice on federal bench.

Cameron sealed Nick Clegg deal with home-cooked food

LONDON – British Prime Minister David Cameron cooked supper for Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg ahead of their alliance to form the government.

The 43-year-old Cameron revealed he chose home-cooking to cement the LibDem-Conservative alliance. The Prime Minister said he and his now deputy Clegg had a cosy supper together to help them forge their coalition. …. Read the original article  : Cameron sealed Nick Clegg deal with home-cooked food.

UN asks warring Nepal parties to form united government

KATHMANDU – With just five days left for Nepal’s warring parties to put aside their long enmity and form a new government supported by all, the UN has sounded a note of concern and asked rivals to bury the hatchet.

“Following the resignation of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, secretary-general (Ban Ki-moon) encourages all parties in … Original source on Gaea Times at : UN asks warring Nepal parties to form united government.

Uproar in Kerala assembly over ‘goons of Rajiv Gandhi’ remark

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – There was uproar in the Kerala assembly Friday when Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan while criticising the 1975 emergency said “goons of Rajiv Gandhi” though he meant Sanjay Gandhi, the younger brother of the former prime minister.

The slip enraged legislators of the opposition Congress who rushed towards Speaker K. Radhakrishnan’s podium and started shouting … Read : Uproar in Kerala assembly over ‘goons of Rajiv Gandhi’ remark.

Obama announces awards on Friday, speaks at Sen. Robert Byrd’s funeral in West Virginia

Obama to announce Recovery Act awards Friday
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is announcing on Friday new Recovery Act awards aimed at creating jobs and driving economic growth.
He is to be joined by Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack when he speaks at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.
The president then …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Obama announces awards on Friday, speaks at Sen. Robert Byrd’s funeral in West Virginia.

Split between House, Senate Democrats slows bill funding Obama’s Afghanistan troop surge

War funding splits House, Senate Democrats
WASHINGTON – A House measure blending money for President Barack Obama’s Afghanistan troop surge with last-ditch moves by Democrats to salvage their faltering jobs agenda faces an uphill climb in the Senate.
After long delays, House Democrats muscled the approximately $80 billion measure to passage Thursday night …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Palin seizes center stage in politics, but what about a presidential bid in 2012?

Palin center stage in politics, but what of 2012?
JUNEAU, Alaska – Sarah Palin isn’t going to fade away.
Someone else in her position might have. Two years after the vice presidential nomination made her a star, the 2008 campaign is fading in memory. She’s not even Alaska’s governor anymore; she abruptly resigned that post … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Palin seizes center stage in politics, but what about a presidential bid in 2012?.

New Kyrgyz constitution touted as path to stability comes into effect

Kyrgyz constitution comes into effect
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan – A new constitution that will turn Kyrgyzstan into a parliamentary republic has come into effect after it was backed in a referendum.

Kyrgyz election officials said Friday that more than 90 percent of ballots were cast in favor of the constitution, which dilutes the presidency’s wide-ranging powers.
This impoverished Central …. Source article  : New Kyrgyz constitution touted as path to stability comes into effect.

Congress leaders express dissatisfaction over creating new district from Amethi constituency

AMETHI/LUCKNOW – Congress party lawmakers on Thursday criticized a move by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati to create a new district out of the Amethi constituency, and renaming it Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Nagar.

“We will think about it, but in our opinion, Amethi residents want to retain Amethi as the name, no other name. And, if … Read more : Congress leaders express dissatisfaction over creating new district from Amethi constituency.

US interested in India’s emergence as regional power

WASHINGTON – The United States is interested in India’s emergence as a regional power, a senior defence policy official has said, describing India an increasingly important partner to the US.

“The Obama administration is committed to strengthening regional partnerships, to build an international system capable of addressing the challenges that have no respect for borders,” Michele …. Source  : US interested in India’s emergence as regional power.

Obama ranked 15th best US president

WASHINGTON – Barack Obama has been ranked as the 15th best US president, just below Bill Clinton but ahead of Ronald Reagan, in a new poll of leading presidential scholars.
The Siena College poll, which surveyed 238 presidential scholars at US colleges and universities, rated Obama two places below Clinton, who was 13th best, …. Original source  : Obama ranked 15th best US president.

China installs 40,000 security cameras ahead of 1-year anniversary of deadly ethnic violence

China installs 40,000 security cameras in Urumqi

BEIJING – China has installed about 40,000 high-definition surveillance cameras in the western region of Xinjiang days before the one-year anniversary of the country’s worst ethnic violence in decades.
The security cameras with “riot-proof” protective shells will be monitored by police at more than 4,000 public locations, including on city …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : China installs 40,000 security cameras ahead of 1-year anniversary of deadly ethnic violence.

Background on the President’s Recovery Act Announcement Tomorrow

Tomorrow, President Obama will announce investment in sixty-six new Recovery Act broadband projects nationwide that, according to the grantees, will not only directly create approximately 5,000 jobs up front, but will also help spur economic development in some of the nation’s hardest-hit communities, helping create jobs for years to come.  In total, tens of millions … Read more : Background on the President’s Recovery Act Announcement Tomorrow.

Closer ties with India, China no threat to either: US

WASHINGTON – The United States says its closer relations with India and China should not be seen as a threat to either as all three play an important role in regional stability.

“A safer, more secure India that is closer to the United States should not be seen a threat to China, and vice versa,” Michele … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Closer ties with India, China no threat to either: US.

Queen Elizabeth marks Canada’s 143rd birthday

WASHINGTON – Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II celebrated Canada’s 143rd birthday Thursday, reviewing Canadian troops and watching performances by dancers and musicians at Ottawa’s Parliament Hill.

Wearing a red suit and white hat in the colours of Canada’s flag, the queen, who serves as the country’s official head of state, examined members of the Canadian Forces Guard … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Queen Elizabeth marks Canada’s 143rd birthday.

Mexico offers armored cars, security details for candidates after candidate killed

Mexico offers armored cars, guards for candidates

MEXICO CITY – Mexico is offering to provide candidates with bulletproof vehicles and bodyguards following the assassination of a politician running for governor in the northern state of Tamaulipas.
Assistant Interior Secretary Roberto Gil says the government decided to tighten security for gubernatorial candidates and some mayoral contenders after gunmen …. Read the original article  : Mexico offers armored cars, security details for candidates after candidate killed.

Clinton arrives in Ukraine on first leg of trip to promote democracy in post-Soviet states

Clinton arrives in Ukraine on pro-democracy tour

KIEV, Ukraine – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has arrived in Ukraine to begin a tour designed to promote democracy in post-Soviet states.
Clinton arrived in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev at dawn Friday after an overnight flight from Washington.
She also is scheduled to visit Poland to deliver … Original article on : Clinton arrives in Ukraine on first leg of trip to promote democracy in post-Soviet states.

Calif. gov hopeful Brown invites over GOP rival Whitman after questioned about his $1.8M home

Brown invites rival Whitman to house for tea

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jerry Brown on Thursday invited his Republican rival to tea at his $1.8 million house to discuss their next debate.
Brown made the invitation to Republican Meg Whitman during an interview on KGO radio in San Francisco when asked about his five-story home …. Read the original article  : Calif. gov hopeful Brown invites over GOP rival Whitman after questioned about his $1.8M home.

House war funding bill clears key hurdle despite White House veto threat, anti-war sentiment

House war funding bill clears key hurdle
WASHINGTON – With their ranks infused with anti-war sentiment, Democrats controlling the House inched forward Thursday with a plan to both finance President Barack Obama’s Afghanistan troop surge and salvage their dwindling jobs agenda.
Long delayed, the measure came to the floor Thursday amid building pressure on Democrats …. Original source  : House war funding bill clears key hurdle despite White House veto threat, anti-war sentiment.

Democratic senator who had voted against Wall St. overhaul now supports new version of bill

Democratic senator now supports Wall St. overhaul

WASHINGTON – Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington state says she will back an overhaul of financial regulations, a decision that eases the path for the bill’s final passage.
Cantwell says the new version of the bill contains the tougher measures that she supports.
Cantwell was one of two Democrats who …. Read the original article  : Democratic senator who had voted against Wall St. overhaul now supports new version of bill.