Gillard likely to meet Oz Governor General to set election date

MELBOURNE – Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard is likely to visit Governor General Quentin Bryce tomorrow to set an August 28 election date.

Gillard visited Werribee a early today for a meet-and-greet with locals along the suburb’s main street.

According to The Age, although she declined to comment about the poll date, it is likely that she …. Source article  : Gillard likely to meet Oz Governor General to set election date.

Pakistan accuses India of selective focus on terror

ISLAMABAD – A day after talks with India ended in a deadlock, Pakistan Friday accused India of having a “selective” approach by focusing mostly on terrorism and said it would be “difficult to move forward” with this attitude.
“India’s approach was selective. When they say all issues are on table, they should not … Original article on : Pakistan accuses India of selective focus on terror.

Ready to discuss all issues when India ready: Qureshi

ISLAMABAD – A day after talks with India deadlocked on the issues of terror and Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistani External Affairs Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Friday said his country was also a victim of terror. Islambad, he added, was ready to discuss all issues when New Delhi was ready.

“Pakistan is a victim of terror,” …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Ready to discuss all issues when India ready: Qureshi.

Authorities re-impose curfew in Kashmir to stop anti-India protests after weeks of unrest

Curfew imposed again in most of Indian Kashmir

SRINAGAR, India – Authorities re-imposed a rigid curfew throughout most of the Indian portion of Kashmir to prevent street protests after Friday prayers following weeks of unrest that has killed 15 people.
The mostly Muslim region, where resistance to rule by predominantly Hindu India is strong, has been under …. Original source  : Authorities re-impose curfew in Kashmir to stop anti-India protests after weeks of unrest.

Naidu begins ‘bus yatra’ as Maharashtra sounds alert

HYDERABAD – Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu and legislators Friday launched a ‘bus yatra’ to Babli near the Andhra Pradesh border to start a “national debate” on the controversial dam across the Godavari being built by Maharashtra.
The Maharashtra government stepped up security along the border to stop them …. Original source  : Naidu begins ‘bus yatra’ as Maharashtra sounds alert.

Iroquois lacrosse team stuck in NY, seeks permission to go to UK for Game 2 of tournament

Iroquois lacrosse team stuck in NY ahead of Game 2

NEW YORK – There were cheers and hollers aboard the Iroquois Nationals lacrosse team bus as the players geared up for a very different encounter from what they had planned for Day 1 of the World Lacrosse Championships in England.
Instead, with the Statue of Liberty in … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Iroquois lacrosse team stuck in NY, seeks permission to go to UK for Game 2 of tournament.

India-Pakistan areas of discord

ISLAMABAD – The main stumbling blocks in India-Pakistan dialogue:
Kashmir: India says the happenings in Jammu and Kashmir are its own business. Pakistan disagrees, and says it concerns Islamabad too.

Mumbai attack: India seeks a timeframe to try the Pakistani accused. Pakistan says no timeframe is possible, that the Pakistani judiciary is independent and cannot be …. Read the original article  : here.

No breakthrough but India and Pakistan will keep talking

ISLAMABAD – India and Pakistan Friday pondered over the future of their bilateral dialogue as the much-awaited talks between the foreign ministers ended without any breakthrough but with only a pledge to keep talking.
Indian and Pakistani officials privately blamed one another for the manner the nearly seven hours of dialogue between S.M. Krishna … Read more : No breakthrough but India and Pakistan will keep talking.

US welcomes India-Pakistan dialogue

WASHINGTON – The India-Pakistan peace talks in Islamabad ended without making much headway, but the US welcomed the dialogue to address and resolve “issues of interest to them and of consequence in the region”.
“We certainly welcome this high-level meeting,” State Department spokesman Philip J. Crowley told reporters Thursday, referring to the talks between … Read more : US welcomes India-Pakistan dialogue.

Pakistan media blame India for deadlock in talks

ISLAMABAD – Leading Pakistani newspapers Friday blamed India for the deadlock in the first major bilateral engagement since the Mumbai terror attack.

But the accusatory tone varied among newspapers, with The Dawn accusing New Delhi of intransigence and saying that the Indian side led by External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna was inflexible.
The Nation said that …. Original article  : Pakistan media blame India for deadlock in talks.

Report: Federal prosecution of immigrants soared over 2 months in spring

Federal prosecution of immigrants soared in spring

FRESNO, Calif. – Federal prosecutions of immigrants soared to new levels this spring, as the Obama administration continued an aggressive enforcement strategy began under President George W. Bush, according to a new study released Thursday.
The 4,145 cases referred to federal prosecutors in March and April was the largest number …. Source  : Report: Federal prosecution of immigrants soared over 2 months in spring.

Judge in NYC finds judiciary has limited role in reviewing CIA issues of national security

NYC judge rejects release of CIA materials to ACLU

NEW YORK – A federal judge on Thursday refused to force the public release of CIA methods relating to Sept. 11 detainees who were interrogated harshly, saying the judiciary’s authority is limited when national security is at stake.
U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein rejected arguments by the American … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Judge in NYC finds judiciary has limited role in reviewing CIA issues of national security.

Gov. Crist has about twice as much cash in the bank as opponents in Florida Senate race

Gov. Crist has most money in Florida Senate race

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Charlie Crist has nearly twice as much money in his U.S. Senate campaign account as Republican Marco Rubio.
Rubio has something Crist doesn’t have – party backing and the resources that come with it. Crist is running as an independent.
Crist reported Thursday he has …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Gov. Crist has about twice as much cash in the bank as opponents in Florida Senate race.

Manchin sets 2 p.m. Friday unveiling of temporary successor to late Sen. Byrd

W.Va. gov to name Byrd Senate successor Friday

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia’s governor plans to unveil his temporary appointee for the U.S. Senate seat held by the late Robert C. Byrd on Friday.
Gov. Joe Manchin plans to present his pick at 2 p.m. Friday.
The appointment is considered temporary. Manchin has proposed that voters decide who … Original article on : Manchin sets 2 p.m. Friday unveiling of temporary successor to late Sen. Byrd.

Tea party candidate blasts Ohio Dems for distributing cartoon associating movement with KKK

Ohio tea party candidate criticizes KKK cartoon

COLUMBUS, Ohio – An Ohio tea party founder is criticizing a Democratic state House staffer for distributing an editorial cartoon depicting a tea party activist wearing Ku Klux Klan robes.
Cincinnati Tea Party founder Mike Wilson, a candidate for the Ohio House, said Democrats owe the movement an apology for …. Source article  : Tea party candidate blasts Ohio Dems for distributing cartoon associating movement with KKK.

Rangel again calls for military draft to highlight disparities in service

Rangel again calls for military draft
WASHINGTON – Rep. Charles Rangel is again calling for a military draft to highlight the fact that relatively few families are bearing a disproportionate burden in fighting the nation’s wars.
The New York Democrat introduced a bill Thursday to reinstate the draft, a symbolic gesture that has no chance … Read more >>.

Senate to ask BP to testify at hearing on release of Lockerbie bomber

Senate to invite BP to Lockerbie bomber hearing
WASHINGTON – The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is inviting oil giant BP to testify at a hearing on last year’s release of the Lockerbie airliner bomber.
Democratic Sen. John Kerry says the July 29 hearing will deal with what he calls “the mistaken release” of the only …. Source article  : Senate to ask BP to testify at hearing on release of Lockerbie bomber.

Remarks by the President on the Passage of Financial Regulatory Reform

4:43 P.M. EDT
     THE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, everybody.  With today’s vote in the Senate, the United States Congress has now passed a Wall Street reform bill that will bring greater economic security to families and businesses across the country. 

It was clear from the moment it began that this recession was not the result of your …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Remarks by the President on the Passage of Financial Regulatory Reform.

APNewsBreak: New Mexico to host border governors meeting that was canceled in Arizona

APNewsBreak: NM hosting border meeting AZ canceled

SANTA FE, N.M. – New Mexico will host a meeting of U.S. and Mexican border governors, providing a new venue for a conference that was scrapped in Arizona because of a dispute over its new immigration enforcement law.
However, the governors of Arizona and Texas will not attend the rescheduled … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : APNewsBreak: New Mexico to host border governors meeting that was canceled in Arizona.

Senate Roll Call: How the Senate voted on overhauling bank rules

Roll Call: Senate vote on overhauling bank rules

The 60-39 roll call Thursday by which the Senate passed legislation that imposes new regulations on Wall Street and creates new protections for consumers.
A “yes” vote is a vote to pass the bill.
Voting yes were 55 Democrats, three Republicans and two independents.
Voting no were one Democrat and 38 … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Senate Roll Call: How the Senate voted on overhauling bank rules.