Kadapa district named after YSR

HYDERABAD – Andhra Pradesh government Thursday renamed Kadapa district as YSR district on the birth anniversary of late chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, who was popularly known by his initials.

The state government issued a notification, renaming the native district of YSR.
Ignoring objections from the opposition parties and using the powers under Andhra Pradesh …. Original article  : Kadapa district named after YSR.

Army in Srinagar a deterrent: Chidambaram

NEW DELHI – Home Minister P. Chidambaram Thursday said the army was deployed in Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir as a “deterrent”, with the police and paramilitary forces maintaining the law and order there.
“The army has been kept ready. The purpose of deployment of the army was a deterrent effect. Police and paramilitary … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Army in Srinagar a deterrent: Chidambaram.

Spy swap talk grows (Lead, Changing dateline)

WASHINGTON – Ten Russian spy suspects are expected to be arraigned Thursday afternoon in a joint appearance in a New York federal court, fuelling discussion about a possible swap with espionage suspects held in Russia.

Five of the Russian suspects were transferred Wednesday from Boston and Virginia to New York, the Los Angeles Times reported, where … Original article on : Spy swap talk grows (Lead, Changing dateline).

Strict curfew seals streets in most parts of tense Indian Kashmir after protest violence

Kashmir streets under army lockdown to end protest

SRINAGAR, India – Indian-controlled Kashmir was under lockdown Thursday as tens of thousands of soldiers patrolled the streets to enforce a rigid curfew aimed at ending weeks of violent anti-government protests.
Shops and schools were closed, streets ringed with barbed wire and roadblocks were deserted, the region’s nearly 60 …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Strict curfew seals streets in most parts of tense Indian Kashmir after protest violence.

Embarassed US security officials searching for missing guns from Netanyahu’s luggage

NEW YORK – Four guns belonging to the personal bodguards of Israel’s prime minister have gone missing after arriving in New York, deeply embarrassing American officials.

The search for those four 9 mm semi-automatic Glock 17 pistols now “is priority No. 1 in American law-enforcement,” a Port Authority police official told The New York Post.

“They [the … Original source on Gaea Times at : Embarassed US security officials searching for missing guns from Netanyahu’s luggage.

Cameron to visit India to develop “special relationship”

LONDON – British Prime Minister David Cameron will lead a senior cabinet delegation to New Delhi later this month to build what he called a new “special relationship” with India in an attempt to boost trade.
According to The Telegraph, Cameron will accompanied by Foreign Secretary William Hague, Chancellor George Osborne and Business Secretary …. Original article  : Cameron to visit India to develop “special relationship”.

Turkey’s high court OKs referendum on constitutional reforms, disappointing opposition

Turkish court OKs holding referendum on reforms

ANKARA, Turkey – Turkey’s highest court has given the go-ahead for a September referendum on a series of government-backed constitutional reforms by rejecting an opposition request that the measures be canceled.
The Constitutional Court made slight adjustments, however, to two measures that the secular opposition feared would increase the Islamic-oriented …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Turkey’s high court OKs referendum on constitutional reforms, disappointing opposition.

Opposition leader hospitalised after brawl in Italian parliament

Rome, July 8 (IANS/AKI) An opposition politician was admitted to hospital here after a heated debate on funding new youth centres turned violent in the lower house of the Italian parliament.

Italy of Values leader Franco Barbato was left with a bruised and bloody eye Wednesday, allegedly after being punched in the face.
“My right …. Original source  : Opposition leader hospitalised after brawl in Italian parliament.

Obama set to boost Democratic Senate candidates, talk jobs in Missouri, Nevada

Obama as campaigner in chief in Missouri, Nevada
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is talking to voters again about jobs and the economy. But he’s also concerned with two jobs in particular: Senate seats for Democrats in Missouri and Nevada.
Obama is combining a couple of economy-focused events Thursday and Friday with a campaign swing …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Obama set to boost Democratic Senate candidates, talk jobs in Missouri, Nevada.

Andhra Pradesh remembers YSR on birth anniversary

HYDERABAD – Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah led the state in paying tributes to his predecessor Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy on his birth anniversary Thursday.

The popular leader died in a helicopter crash Sep 2 last year.
“A heartfelt remembrance of the winner of people’s hearts. Our government will work every second to ensure that your …. Read the original article  : here.

Former UK envoy says Blair exaggerated Iran’s role in Iraq

LONDON – Britain’s former ambassador to Iran, Sir Richard Dalton, has accused former Prime Minister Tony Blair of making “a series of very bad decisions” about the legality of invading Iraq in 2003.

Sir Richard, who was in the job between 2003 and 2006, said Blair assumed Iran would be hostile to the war, but had … Read : Former UK envoy says Blair exaggerated Iran’s role in Iraq.

Sri Lankan minister begins hunger strike against UN probe on wartime abuses

Sri Lankan minister fasts against UN rights probe

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – A Sri Lankan cabinet minister started a hunger strike Thursday in front of the U.N. office after the world body refused to halt its investigation into alleged human rights abuses during the country’s civil war.
Buddhist monks chanted blessings and some 100 national flag-waving supporters …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Sri Lankan minister begins hunger strike against UN probe on wartime abuses.

Jyoti Basu’s Man Friday now a loner

KOLKATA – Every alternate day Joy Krishna Ghosh visits Indira Bhavan and spends a long time in the room where Jyoti Basu spent his later years. Ghosh, the Man Friday of the late Communist patriarch for 33 years, would reminisce about his days with the legendary politician.

Having spent an eventful three decade first as Jyoti … Read more >>>.

Anti-UN protestors to go on hunger strike in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO – Protests outside the UN office in Sri Lanka against a human rights abuse enquiry entered the third day Thursday, as some demonstrators decided to go on a hunger strike.

An estimated 100 supporters of the National Freedom Front (NFF) led by cabinet Minister Wimal Weerawansa are involved in the pro-government protests against the … Read : Anti-UN protestors to go on hunger strike in Sri Lanka.

Indefinite curfew continues in Kashmir

SRINAGAR – An indefinite curfew, enforced with the army’s assistance following violent protests that led to four deaths two days ago, continued Thursday in Jammu and Kashmir’s summer capital Srinagar and other major towns of the valley.
Seventeen columns of army soldiers conducted flag marches Wednesday to restore order in Srinagar which witnessed one …. Read the original article  : here.

Musharraf prepares to storm Pakistan politics

Islamabad, July 8 (IANS/EFE) Former president and ex-chief of Pakistan Army Pervez Musharraf has secured himself a launchpad for his return to the country from his exile in London: a political party which is founded with the desire of bringing about “a great change”.

“We are happy. There is still a lot of work to do, … Read : Musharraf prepares to storm Pakistan politics.

Bikinis will be as racy as it gets in Asbury Park, NJ; city rejects topless beach proposal

Asbury Park, NJ, nixes proposal for topless beach

ASBURY PARK, N.J. – The Jersey shore city best known for Bruce Springsteen says it doesn’t need any additional exposure: Asbury Park shot down a proposal Wednesday night to allow women to go topless on one of its beaches.
After hearing a report from City Attorney Fred Raffetto that …. Original article  : Bikinis will be as racy as it gets in Asbury Park, NJ; city rejects topless beach proposal.

US Senate could vote this month on bill letting Native Hawaiians form their own government

Deal struck on Native Hawaiian recognition

HONOLULU – A measure allowing Native Hawaiians to form their own government could come to a vote in the U.S. Senate this month following a deal with Hawaii’s Republican governor.
U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye and Gov. Linda Lingle said Wednesday they’ll support the bill after changes are made to clarify that … Original source on Gaea Times at : US Senate could vote this month on bill letting Native Hawaiians form their own government.

Statement by the Press Secretary on S. 1660, S. 2865, S.J.Res. 32

On Wednesday, July 7, 2010, the President signed into law:
S. 1660, the “Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act,” which establishes national air emission standards for formaldehyde in domestic and imported composite wood products;

S. 2865, the “Congressional Award Program Reauthorization Act of 2009,” which reauthorizes the Congressional Award Program; and
S.J.Res. 32, which recognizes the 60th … Read : Statement by the Press Secretary on S. 1660, S. 2865, S.J.Res. 32.

Leftist who lost close presidential vote says he will run for Mexican president again in 2012

Mexico leftist presidential candidate to run again

MEXICO CITY – The leftist politician who narrowly lost Mexico’s last presidential election says he will run again in 2012.
Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador cried fraud after he lost the 2006 presidential race to conservative Felipe Calderon and he still refuses to recognize Calderon as president.
Lopez Obrador was the candidate … Original source on Gaea Times at : Leftist who lost close presidential vote says he will run for Mexican president again in 2012.