Curfew lifts in most parts of Indian Kashmir but separatist strike closes shops in region

Curfew lifts in most of Kashmir, but strike called

SRINAGAR, India – A rigid curfew was lifted from most of Kashmir on Sunday, but shops and businesses remained shut after separatists called for a strike to protest Indian rule in the Himalayan region.
Curfew-like restrictions were imposed in some areas of Srinagar, the main city in Indian … Original article on : Curfew lifts in most parts of Indian Kashmir but separatist strike closes shops in region.

Fidel Castro makes rare public appearance

HAVANA – A Cuban website published photographs over the weekend of revolutionary leader Fidel Castro making his first public appearance since he resigned as president in mid-2006.

The official Cubadebate website ran five photographs taken by Castro’s son, Alex, during a visit Wednesday to the National Scientific Research Centre.
The former president, 83, commemorated the 45th …. Original source  : Fidel Castro makes rare public appearance.

Most MPs against women’s bill: Sharad Yadav (Interview)

NEW DELHI – Continuing his opposition to the Women’s Reservation Bill, Janata Dal-United (JD-U) president Sharad Yadav says that 90 percent of MPs are against the bill that seeks to set aside a third of all seats in India’s legislatures for women.
“If there is no party whip, 90 percent of the MPs will … Read more »».

Stop bickering, Malaysian PM tells ethnic Indian politicians

KUALA LUMPUR – “Stop the internal bickering and change with the times,” Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak Sunday told the leadership of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) – the largest party of ethnic Indians in the country.

“Do not fight and destroy MIC, that’s my plea to you,” he told the 3,000 delegates and observers …. Read the original article  : Stop bickering, Malaysian PM tells ethnic Indian politicians.

Chinese credit firm declares US worse risk than China in first report on government debt

Chinese credit firm says US worse risk than China
BEIJING – A Chinese firm that aims to compete with Western rating agencies declared Washington a worse credit risk than Beijing in its first report on government debt Sunday amid efforts by China to boost its influence in global markets.
Dagong International Credit Rating Co.’s verdict …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Oz Govt. reconsidering Rudd’s concept of ‘Asia-Pacific community’

CANBERRA – Australian Government is making progress in the proposal made by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to create a new Asia-Pacific community, which aimed to bring together the United States, Australia and Asian nations in a new forum.

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith has said that the ‘Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ is considering if the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Oz Govt. reconsidering Rudd’s concept of ‘Asia-Pacific community’.

Nepal crisis deepens as parties fail to name new PM

KATHMANDU – The crisis gripping Nepal since the fall of its first Maoist government in 2009 deepened Sunday with the parties continuing to trade charges and failing to name a new prime minister.

The 25 parliamentary parties need to come up with a new consensus government by Monday to replace the caretaker government of Prime Minister … Original article on : Nepal crisis deepens as parties fail to name new PM.

PM urges Mehbooba Mufti to attend Kashmir meeting

SRINAGAR – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti and urged her party to attend the all-party meeting called Monday by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over the violence in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Yes, the prime minister called her Saturday night and urged her to reconsider her party’s decision … Original source on Gaea Times at : PM urges Mehbooba Mufti to attend Kashmir meeting.

Stooped, but smiling Fidel greets workers in first photos of public outing since illness

New photos show smiling Fidel Castro out in public
HAVANA – New pictures of Fidel Castro show the stooped but smiling former leader venturing out to meet with workers at a Cuban scientific think tank – the first to show him in public since he got sick four years ago.
Previously, Cuba had … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Stooped, but smiling Fidel greets workers in first photos of public outing since illness.

Japan voting for upper house begins

TOKYO – The stakes are high for Japan’s ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) in Sunday’s upper house elections, as polls opened to voters.

The party and its ally need to win 56 seats to control the chamber.
The DPJ currently holds 116 seats, and its junior partner, the People’s New Party, six seats. Half of …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Guinea presidential runoff due Aug. 1

Guinea presidential runoff due Aug. 1
CONAKRY, Guinea – Guinea’s Supreme Court says a runoff vote to choose the country’s next president will be held Aug. 1.

The second round had originally been scheduled July 18, but the Supreme Court has needed more time to sort through fraud complaints.
Court spokesman Robert Guilao made the announcement in a …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Guinea presidential runoff due Aug. 1.

Fidel Castro shown in rare public appearance in new photos posted on Web by Cuban journalists

New photos of smiling Fidel Castro posted on Web
HAVANA – New photographs of a smiling, tracksuit-clad Fidel Castro greeting workers at a scientific think tank were posted on the blogs of two Cuban journalists and a media website Saturday, offering a rare glimpse of the reclusive revolutionary leader in a public … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Fidel Castro shown in rare public appearance in new photos posted on Web by Cuban journalists.

Seventh lawsuit filed over Ariz. immigration law, first to object to police training materials

Seventh lawsuit filed over Ariz. immigration law

PHOENIX – A seventh challenge filed to block enforcement of Arizona’s tough new immigration is the first legal objection to training materials designed to teach police officers how to enforce the law.
The lawsuit, filed Friday in federal court, says the training materials are “so vague and ill-defined that they … Read more >>>.

DNC panel recommends fewer superdelegates in 2012 presidential nominee selection process

Democrats look to shift delegate balance
WASHINGTON – Democrats have taken an initial step toward limiting the influence of so-called independent superdelegates in choosing the party’s presidential nominee in 2012.

A Democratic National Committee panel is recommending a reduction in the number of superdelegates, from 20 percent of the total number of delegates to 15 percent.
The full … Read more >>.

1.1 million people rally in Barcelona in favor of greater Catalan autonomy within Spain

Catalans rally for greater autonomy within Spain

BARCELONA, Spain – More than a million people gathered Saturday in northeastern Barcelona to demand greater regional autonomy for Catalonia and protest a recent court ruling forbidding this prosperous region from calling itself a nation.
City government spokesman Manuel Campillo said police had counted 1.1 million people at a vast …. Source article  : 1.1 million people rally in Barcelona in favor of greater Catalan autonomy within Spain.

How much is that doggie in the window? San Francisco may tell pet stores to stop selling

San Francisco hits nerve with pet sale ban idea

SAN FRANCISCO – As Philip Gerrie tells it, the idea of banning pet sales in San Francisco started simply enough, with a proposal to outlaw puppy and kitten mills.
West Hollywood, Calif. had done it, with little fanfare. Why not the city of St. Francis, patron saint of … Original source on Gaea Times at : How much is that doggie in the window? San Francisco may tell pet stores to stop selling.

Foreign diplomats get Chinese lessons

BEIJING – A total of 31 diplomats from 16 countries attended the first Chinese language programme that included classes on culture, opera, paper cutting, calligraphy and shadow boxing.

The study programme concluded Saturday, Xinhua reported citing the Chinese Language Council International.
The programme, which started Feb 27 with a two-hour class every Saturday, attracted 31 diplomats … Read : Foreign diplomats get Chinese lessons.

Iran says death by stoning sentence for woman convicted of adultery under review

Iran to review woman’s stoning verdict
TEHRAN, Iran – The lawyer for an Iranian widow sentenced to be stoned to death for an adultery conviction expressed cautious optimism Saturday after Iran said it will review the decision, which has drawn international condemnation.

Human rights activists and other officials, however, warned that Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, a 43-year-old mother … Read : Iran says death by stoning sentence for woman convicted of adultery under review.

Bihar shutdown over price hike affects normal life

PATNA – A state-wide shutdown spearheaded by the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) combine in Bihar against the hike in fuel prices disrupted normal life here on Saturday with RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan courting arrest … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Bihar shutdown over price hike affects normal life.

Gaza aid ship to sail from Greece to Egypt instead of to Gaza, Greek foreign ministry says

Greece says Gaza aid ship to sail to Egypt

ATHENS, Greece – A ship commissioned by a Libyan charity organization is set to leave shortly for the Egyptian port of al-Arish, and not for Gaza, as originally planned, a Greek foreign ministry spokesman says.
“They are set to leave very soon for al-Arish. … We confirmed their …. Source article  : Gaza aid ship to sail from Greece to Egypt instead of to Gaza, Greek foreign ministry says.