Iran says nuclear scientist who showed up in Washington now on his way home

Iran: Nuclear scientist on his way home
TEHRAN, Iran – Iran says the Iranian nuclear scientist who sought refuge in the Pakistani Embassy compound in Washington has left the U.S. and is on his way home to Tehran.

Iran’s foreign ministry says the scientist, Shahram Amiri, was flying home on Wednesday, traveling through a third country. Hassan … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Iran says nuclear scientist who showed up in Washington now on his way home.

Murky goings on in Karnataka make India sit up (Letter From Bangalore)

BANGALORE – Bellary, Belekeri, the Reddy brothers, Lok Ayukta N. Santosh Hegde are on their way to becoming household names across India as the illegal iron ore mining issue in Karnataka threatens to explode in the face of the Bharatiya Janata Party\’s (BJP) first government in southern India.
Illegal mining has been on for … Read more »»».

13 nations pledge to double tiger population by 2022

BALI ISLAND – Thirteen nations, including India, Wednesday agreed to step up their conservation efforts with the aim of doubling the wild tiger population by 2022, officials said.

Officials and conservationists from the tiger-range countries met in the Indonesian resort island of Bali from Monday through Wednesday to hammer out plans to be discussed at the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : 13 nations pledge to double tiger population by 2022.

Kyrgyzstan forms new caretaker government as it prepares for parliamentary elections

Kyrgyzstan forms new government
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan – Kyrgyzstan’s President Roza Otunbayeva has formed a caretaker government that will run the country until parliamentary elections in October.

The unveiling of the new Cabinet Wednesday comes after the resignation of leading ministers from the interim government that ruled the country since President Kurmanbek Bakiyev was deposed in a bloody …. Original article  : Kyrgyzstan forms new caretaker government as it prepares for parliamentary elections.

Obama compared to Hitler, Lenin

WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama has been compared to Adolf Hitler and Vladimir Lenin in a billboard by a local protest movement in Iowa state.
The North Iowa Tea Party in a billboard in Mason City shows photographs of Obama, Hitler and Lenin with the statement: “Radical leaders prey on the fearful and …. Source article  : Obama compared to Hitler, Lenin.

Election Commission censures Andhra Congress chief

NEW DELHI – The Election Commission has warned D. Srinivas, the Congress president in Andhra Pradesh, to be more cautious and not violate the model code of conduct in the July 27 by-election in Telangana region.

Srinivas is the Congress candidate from the Nizamabad Urban assembly constituency.
“Violating the provisions of model code of conduct … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Election Commission censures Andhra Congress chief.

Neb. council approves voter-backed ban on hiring, renting homes to illegal immigrants

Neb. council OKs ban on hiring illegal immigrants

FREMONT, Neb. – The Freemont City Council in eastern Nebraska has adopted a voter-approved ban on hiring or renting homes to illegal immigrants.
Council members didn’t discuss the ban before unanimously approving it Tuesday night.
The policy could take effect in about two weeks, but the American Civil Liberties Union … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Neb. council approves voter-backed ban on hiring, renting homes to illegal immigrants.

Jharkhand’s ex-CMs live life kingsize – on public money

RANCHI – A sprawling eight-room bungalow with a field in front and a swimming pool under construction. No, that’s not the home of a superstar but of veteran politician Babulal Marandi, who like the other three former Jharkhand chief ministers lives life king-size — on public money.

A former chief minister in Jharkhand enjoys facilities like … Read more >>>.

Delayed by policy squabble, confirmation hearing for intelligence chief now on Senate calendar

Senate hearing finally set for intelligence chief
WASHINGTON – In a high-stakes national intelligence stare-down between congressional Democrats and the White House, Sen. Dianne Feinstein blinked.
Feinstein, D-Calif., the chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, ended weeks of delay Tuesday and set a confirmation hearing for President Barack Obama’s nomination of retired Air …. Source  : Delayed by policy squabble, confirmation hearing for intelligence chief now on Senate calendar.

UN rejects Pak objections over commission’s Benazir murder report

NEW YORK – United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has rejected Pakistan’s objections over the inquiry report submitted by its commission which probed the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

Responding to the objections raised in a letter by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Ki-moon said he fully backs the UN’s three man committee …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : UN rejects Pak objections over commission’s Benazir murder report.

Blair felt Brown was ‘mad, bad and dangerous’

LONDON – Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair felt his eventual successor Gordon Brown was “mad, bad, dangerous and beyond hope of redemption”.

Former British Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Lord Peter Mandelson, has revealed this in his memoirs, The Sun reports.

Mandelson further states that former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott was even … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Blair felt Brown was ‘mad, bad and dangerous’.

Iraq’s artists look back at nation’s war to reflect its pain and trauma

Iraq’s artists reflect pain, trauma of the war

BAGHDAD – Iraq’s artists are using their work to try to process the turmoil since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, and what they are producing shows a profound anger over their country’s traumas and uncertainty over its future.
They have a lot to deal with: A change of regime, foreign … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Iraq’s artists look back at nation’s war to reflect its pain and trauma.

PM, Chidambaram to meet CMs of Naxal-hit states, to discuss fresh counter-strategy

NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, will preside over a meeting of Chief Ministers of Naxal-affected states along with Union Home Minister P. Chidambram here today.
Chief Ministers of Orissa, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar and the Governor of Jharkhand will participate in the meeting that …. Source  : PM, Chidambaram to meet CMs of Naxal-hit states, to discuss fresh counter-strategy.

Released Cuban dissidents must adapt to life in a Spain with its own woeful unemployment

Cuban dissidents adapt to life in Spain
MADRID – As Spain prepares to receive more political prisoners from Cuba, the seven who have already arrived here with their families are welcoming their newfound freedom but face an uncertain future.

To the freed Cuban prisoners, Spain is like a gift compared to the prisons where they were held … Original article on : Released Cuban dissidents must adapt to life in a Spain with its own woeful unemployment.

India can play important role in Afghanistan: Holbrooke

WASHINGTON – India can play an important role in Afghanistan, a senior US official has said ahead of an international conference to discuss funding for Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s plans for re-integration by winning over Taliban fighters.
“India has a very real role in the region for historic and strategic reasons,” the US special … Original article on : India can play important role in Afghanistan: Holbrooke.

Ariz. sheriff defends immigration law at rally for Kansas political candidate who wrote it

Arizona sheriff defends immigration law
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – An Arizona sheriff known for his tough stance on illegal immigration defended his state’s new immigration-enforcement law Tuesday as he stumped for the Kansas secretary of state candidate who helped write it.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio told the nearly 2,000 Kansas Republicans gathered at a rally in … Read more : Ariz. sheriff defends immigration law at rally for Kansas political candidate who wrote it.

Ariz. gov. rival drops campaign, says race now focused more on immigration than budget issues

Rival to Arizona governor suspends his campaign

PHOENIX – The last main rival to Republican Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer suspended his campaign Tuesday, likely clearing the way for a GOP primary win for the incumbent whose popularity has risen sharply following her signing of the state’s tough new immigration law.
Yavapai County businessman Buz Mills said he … Original article on : Ariz. gov. rival drops campaign, says race now focused more on immigration than budget issues.

Thousands in Argentina protest bill to legalize same-sex marriage, extend adoptions

In Argentina, dueling protests over gay marriage

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Thousands of demonstrators opposed to same-sex marriage have gathered outside Argentina’s congress ahead of a key vote by lawmakers.
Supporters of the measure also took to the streets in loud rallies in the capital and other cities.
Argentina’s House of Deputies has approved same-sex marriage and sent …. Original article  : Thousands in Argentina protest bill to legalize same-sex marriage, extend adoptions.

Mainstream GOP candidate beats tea party activist in runoff for Ala House seat held by Dems

Tea party favorite loses GOP runoff in Alabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – A mainstream Republican rolled past a tea party activist Tuesday in the GOP runoff for a southeast Alabama congressional seat that Republicans hope to reclaim.
Montgomery City Councilwoman Martha Roby was drawing 60 percent in the unofficial count in the 2nd Congressional District GOP runoff Tuesday … Read more >>.

Ariz gov rvial suspends campaign, says race now focused more on immigration than budget issues

Rival to Arizona gov suspends his campaign

PHOENIX – The last main rival to Republican Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer suspended his campaign Tuesday, likely clearing the way for a GOP primary win for the incumbent whose popularity has risen sharply following her signing of the state’s tough new immigration law.
Yavapai County businessman Buz Mills said he …. Original source  : Ariz gov rvial suspends campaign, says race now focused more on immigration than budget issues.