No transparency in selecting party leadership: Karunakarn

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – Veteran Congress leader K. Karunakaran Saturday alleged that there was no transparency in the process of electing a new party leadership in the state.

Speaking to reporters at his residence here, Karunakaran said claims of consensus by the present leadership led by state party president Ramesh Chennithala and leader of the opposition Oommen Chandy …. Read the original article  : No transparency in selecting party leadership: Karunakarn.

Michael Steele Faces Criticism

WASHINGTON (GaeaTimes.com)- On Thursday, at the Republican fundraiser at Connecticut Michael Steele was videotaped while addressing to the people and his comments raised criticism and calls for his resignation. The videotape which was published on web raised a wave of disappointment from his own party Republican National Committee and also the other parties … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Michael Steele Faces Criticism.

MP Vijayashanti arrested for provocative remarks

HYDERABAD – Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) leader and MP Vijayashanti was arrested Saturday for making inflammatory remarks ahead of the July 27 byelections to 12 assembly seats in Telangana, police said.

Tension prevailed near her residence in Banjara Hills as police used force to disperse TRS workers who had gathered there to resist their attempts to …. Original source  : MP Vijayashanti arrested for provocative remarks.

CPI-M politburo meet begins in Delhi

NEW DELHI – A two-day meeting of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) began here Saturday to discuss the draft of the political resolution to be discussed at a special meet next month.

“The meeting will analyse the current political situation and finalise the draft to be presented at the extended Central Committee meeting to …. Read the original article  : CPI-M politburo meet begins in Delhi.

Iraq war: Blair warned by cabinet ministers not to overstretch UK troops

LONDON – Two cabinet ministers had warned former British Prime Minister Tony Blair of “long-term damage” to the armed forces if they continued their occupation of Iraq, declassified documents released yesterday have revealed.

According to The Independent, Foreign Secretary, Jack …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Modi would tour Bihar for assembly polls, says Ananth Kumar

AHMEDABAD – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) General Secretary Ananth Kumar has said that Gujarat Chief Minister Narender Modi would tour Bihar for the upcoming Assembly polls, thereby silencing all rumours of a breakdown between the BJP and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal …. Source  : Modi would tour Bihar for assembly polls, says Ananth Kumar.

Gen. Petraeus calls for civilian-military unity in Afghan war, says cooperation not optional

Gen. Petraeus calls for unity in Afghanistan war
KABUL, Afghanistan – Gen. David Petraeus, the new commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, called for unity Saturday in the civilian and military effort to turn back the Taliban and stabilize the country.
The remarks were Petraeus’ first public comments since he arrived …. Source article  : Gen. Petraeus calls for civilian-military unity in Afghan war, says cooperation not optional.

Berlusconi ‘invited lap dancers to hotel’ during official visit to Brazil

LONDON – Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi reportedly invited six lapdancers to entertain him in his hotel during an official visit to Brazil.

The lap dancers were reportedly paid around 900 pounds and were promised jobs as showgirls and starlets on Italian television channels, owned by Berlusconi.

One of the dancers, Alexandra Valenca, 28, said her …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Berlusconi ‘invited lap dancers to hotel’ during official visit to Brazil.

Pak warns US that era of ‘do more’ is no more

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has warned the United States that his country can no longer continue the ‘war on terror’ alone and that the “era of do more” has gone.

In his monthly address to the nation on national radio, Gilani said Pakistan has clarified to America that it needs …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Pak warns US that era of ‘do more’ is no more.

BJP condemns Abdullah Government for encouraging Pro- Pakistan elements in the Valley

JAMMU J – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly condemned the Omar Abdullah Government for encouraging Islamic fundamentalism and Pro-Pakistan elements in the Kashmir Valley.

BJP Leader Ashok Khajuria condemned the attacks on Amarnath Yatris inashmir.

“The way in which Islamic fundamentalism, separatists and Pro-Pakistan elements are being pampered in the valley we warn state Government …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Manmohan Singh to address IIT Kanpur’s annual convocation

KANPUR – The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, will visit Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur city on Saturday to address the 42nd annual convocation of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Kanpur.

There are reports that Dr Singh will be honoured with the degree of Doctor of Science by the institute.

The Prime Minister will also inaugurate IIT’s … Read more »».

Manmohan Singh inaugurates IGI’s Terminal 3

NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, inaugurated the country’s biggest Airport Terminal 3 at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Saturday.

National Advisory Council Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel were also present on the occasion.

It has been reported that the new airport establishes new global benchmarks …. Read the original article  : Manmohan Singh inaugurates IGI’s Terminal 3.

Kyrgyzstan swears in caretaker president amid hopes for stability and democratic freedoms

Kyrgyzstan swears in caretaker president
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan – Kyrgyzstan’s provisional leader Roza Otunbayeva was sworn in as president Saturday, ushering in what the turbulent Central Asian nation’s government hopes will be a new era of stability and democratic freedoms.

Speaking after her inauguration, Otunbayeva, 59, hailed what she described as a momentous new era for Kyrgyzstan, which … Read : Kyrgyzstan swears in caretaker president amid hopes for stability and democratic freedoms.

I work ‘without break’ for Bihar, says Nitish

PATNA – Bihar has recorded a high growth rate but a lot is still to be done, according to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who said that he worked “every day without a break” for the state’s development.

“I have been working every day without a break, thinking often of the philosophy of aharnish seva (uninterrupted work … Read more »»».

Israel rules out apology to Turkey

TEL AVIV – Israel will not apologise to Turkey for the killing of nine activists on the Turkish vessel Mavi Marmara May 31 while intercepting the ship as it sought to break the blockade of Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

Israel would not apologise for protecting its soldiers, he said Friday on Israeli Channel …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Israel rules out apology to Turkey.

Search to resume Saturday for climber missing near Mount Rainier summit

Climber missing near Mount Rainier summit
ASHFORD, Wash. – A National Parks spokeswoman says a daylong search for a 57-year-old climber who unclipped his rope and vanished near Mount Rainier’s summit has concluded without locating the man.

Mount Rainier National Park spokeswoman Lee Taylor says Friday’s search for Eric Lewis of Duvall, Wash., involved teams of climbing … Read more »»».

Gov. Schwarzenegger apologizes for state decision to paint over flag mural near Calif. freeway

Governor apologizes for move to cover flag mural

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is apologizing for a decision by state transportation officials to paint over a giant American flag mural on the side of a Northern California freeway.
The 35-foot long flag was painted on a concrete slab near Interstate 680 in Sunol by three men … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Gov. Schwarzenegger apologizes for state decision to paint over flag mural near Calif. freeway.

Imagine Peace: Thai artists inspired by political turmoil call for peace in new exhibit

Imagine Peace: Thai exhibit on political crisis

BANGKOK – On one wall hangs a giant Thai flag torn in half but stitched up with a zipper. Nearby is a poster-sized news photograph of smoke mushrooming out of a Bangkok shopping mall, the gray cloud outlined by a skull.
Out of Thailand’s bloody political turmoil that ended in …. Original source  : Imagine Peace: Thai artists inspired by political turmoil call for peace in new exhibit.

Classified Nixon documents released

LOS ANGELES – Around 100,000 pages of classified documents from the time of late US president Richard Nixon were released Friday, which would offer an insight into his personality as well as his handling of politics.

Most of the documents were taken from the files of Daniel Patrick Moynihan, former senator and Nixon’s counsellor for urban … Read : Classified Nixon documents released.

Guinea presidential vote to go to runoff

Guinea election to go to runoff
CONAKRY, Guinea – Electoral officials in Guinea say a runoff vote will be needed to determine who wins the country’s first free election since independence.

The independent electoral commission says former prime minister Cellou Dalein Diallo garnered about nearly 40 percent of votes in Sunday’s historic poll, well short of the …. Original source  : Guinea presidential vote to go to runoff.