India expresses fresh concern over Nepal passports

KATHMANDU – Three months after the Nepal government scrapped a passport deal with India and awarded it to a French company, the growing controversy over the issue has made India express fresh concern about the threat insecure Nepali passports pose to India’s security.

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu this week sent a note verbale to Nepal’s … Read more >>>.

Factors behind the India-Pakistan logjam (Comment)

The unprecedented public exposure of the India-Pakistan rift after the ministerial-level talks in Islamabad was a disaster waiting to happen.
A similar, though more muted, incident happened during Pakistan Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir’s press conference in New Delhi earlier when the latter mockingly described New Delhi’s charges against Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed as … Read : Factors behind the India-Pakistan logjam (Comment).

Congress demands Nitish Kumar’s resignation over scam

PATNA – Congress party workers in Bihar staged a sit-in here Saturday demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar after the Patna High Court ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe against him into alleged financial irregularities of Rs.11,412 crore.

Hundreds of Congress workers and leaders staged a day-long sit-in at Kargil Chowk near … Read more >>.

Clinton to press Afghanistan on security, corruption as concerns about war deepen

Clinton off to Afghanistan as war fears rise
WASHINGTON – Amid growing concerns about the war in Afghanistan, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is heading to South Asia on a mission aimed at refining the goals of the nearly 9-year-old conflict.
Clinton’s visit comes with American lawmakers increasingly questioning the course of …. Source  : Clinton to press Afghanistan on security, corruption as concerns about war deepen.

Stewart Beck may be new Canadian envoy to India

TORONTO – Stewart Beck, who currently serves as his country’s consul general in San Francisco, is among the front-runners to be appointed Canada’s new high commissioner in India soon, according to well placed sources.
Joseph Caron, who is the current envoy in New Delhi, is retiring and leaving to join the Institute of Asian …. Original source  : Stewart Beck may be new Canadian envoy to India.

India never agreed with Pakistan’s comment on Pillai: Nirupama Rao

NEW DELHI – Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao Saturday rebuffed Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s claim that his Indian counterpart had supported him in his criticism of Home Secretary G.K Pillai, saying “India did not express any agreement with Pakistan’s comments on Pillai”.

Rao also lent support to Pillai’s statement ahead of the Islamabad talks that … Read more >>.

FRESH MANDATE TO FIGHT NAXALS (Article)

NEW DELHI – The Central and State Governments have received a fresh ‘mandate’ to fight the Naxal menace, if one was necessary, on July 14 at the conference convened by the Prime Minister of the affected States to consider a coordinated approach.
It was decided to create unified commands, headed by the chief ministers …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : FRESH MANDATE TO FIGHT NAXALS (Article).

Gillard announces Aug 21 polls, seeks mandate ‘to move Australia forward’

CANBERRA – Australians will go to the polls on August 21, and Prime MInister Julia Gillard has asked the people to give her a mandate to move the nation forward.

Just three weeks after deposing Kevin Rudd, Gillard arrived at the Government House here at 10.40 a.m. to seek permission from the Governor-General, Quentin Bryce, to …. Read the original article  : Gillard announces Aug 21 polls, seeks mandate ‘to move Australia forward’.

CIA whisked away Iranian scientist last year

WASHINGTON – The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) whisked out Iranian scientist Shahram Amiri and another informant from Iran last year amid concerns that Tehran had discovered they were providing secrets to the US, according to a media report.

Amiri was among half a dozen sources who had provided information to the CIA from inside Iran’s …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : CIA whisked away Iranian scientist last year.

Yeddyurappa meets Chidambaram over illegal mining row

NEW DELHI – Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa met union Home Minister P. Chidambaram here Saturday amid an undying crisis over illegal mining in the state and the opposition’s demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into it.
Yeddyurappa said he briefed the home minister on the issue that has triggered a … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Yeddyurappa meets Chidambaram over illegal mining row.

Naidu, TDP leaders remain in police custody

HYDERABAD – Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu and his party colleagues, who were arrested for trying to enter Maharashtra to visit the disputed Babli project, continued to remain in police custody Saturday in Nanded district.

The police will produce them before a magistrate but the leaders have decided not to seek bail.
Seventy-five …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Naidu, TDP leaders remain in police custody.

Ayla Brown, Arianna Brown Called “Prostitutes”

WASHINGTON (GaeaTimes.com)- Comedian Kathy Griffin’s comments on Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown’s two daughters Ayla Brown and Arianna Brown have earned more frowns than laughter. The not-so-well known comedian called the daughters of Senator Scott Brown “prostitutes” during a Bravo network show on Tuesday night. The spokeswoman of Senator Scott Brown, Gail Gitcho read a … Read more »».

Official says 16 people killed in an ambush by insurgents in northwestern Pakistan

Militants kill 16 passengers in northwest Pakistan

PARACHINAR, Pakistan – An official says militants armed with assault rifles ambushed a convoy of civilian vehicles, killing 16 people in northwestern Pakistan.
Local government official Nasim Khan says several people have also been wounded in Saturday’s attack in Char Khel village in the troubled tribal region of Kurram.
The travelers …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Hayworth calls McCain a flip-flopper, McCain hammers Hayworth on infomercial in Ariz. debate

Republicans square off in Arizona Senate debate

PHOENIX – Former U.S. Rep. J.D. Hayworth had a much-needed opportunity Friday night to refocus Arizona’s Republican Senate primary on incumbent John McCain, and he came out swinging.
McCain, Hayworth and political newcomer Jim Deakin squared off Friday in the first of two televised debates before Arizona’s Aug. 24 Republican … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Hayworth calls McCain a flip-flopper, McCain hammers Hayworth on infomercial in Ariz. debate.

Nikki Haley on Newsweek cover

WASHINGTON – Emerging Indian American political star Nikki Haley has made it to the cover of Newsweek with a story on her transformation from “obscure state representative” to front runner in South Carolina governor’s race.
The magazine recounts how an “earthy, attractive, articulate” and the Republican Party’s “newest star in a fast-changing South,” Haley … Original article on : Nikki Haley on Newsweek cover.

Australia to hold elections August 21

SYDNEY – Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard Saturday announced general elections to be held August 21.

After a week of mounting speculation she met with Governor General Quentin Bryce Saturday morning and in accordance with the constitution asked for parliament to be dissolved for the early election.
Gillard has moved quickly since ousting Kevin Rudd as …. Original article  : Australia to hold elections August 21.

Sick child leaves Wales for warmer climate and becomes Australia’s first female prime minister

Australia’s 1st female PM faces 1st poll as leader

CANBERRA, Australia – Julia Gillard was a sickly child when she left her native Wales in search of a warmer climate. She thrived to become Australia’s first female prime minister.
Gillard was 4 years old, the younger of two sisters, when the family left the Welsh coal mining …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Sick child leaves Wales for warmer climate and becomes Australia’s first female prime minister.

Australian opposition leader who once contemplated becoming a priest eyes Australian PM job

Former journalist Abbott vying to be Australian PM

CANBERRA, Australia – Opposition leader Tony Abbott is the leader of the opposition Liberal Party and a former journalist respected for his political instincts and communication skills who once contemplated becoming a priest.
The 52-year-old was born in London to Australian parents and raised in Sydney, where he lives …. Source  : Australian opposition leader who once contemplated becoming a priest eyes Australian PM job.

Venezuela’s Chavez warns Colombia he could cut ties, won’t attend inauguration

Chavez warns Colombia he could break off relations

CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Friday he won’t attend the inauguration of Colombia’s president-elect, and warned he could break off ties if the country’s outgoing leader persists in accusations that Colombian rebel leaders are taking refuge in Venezuela.
Chavez called the accusations “madness” and said in …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Venezuela’s Chavez warns Colombia he could cut ties, won’t attend inauguration.

Australian prime minister visits governor general in 1st step toward calling August elections

Australian PM poised to announce August elections

CANBERRA, Australia – Australia’s Prime Minister Julia Gillard visited the country’s governor general Saturday, a procedural step toward calling a general election for late August.
Gillard – who grabbed power in a surprise ruling party coup three weeks ago – must defend her first-term government’s massive spending at the polls, …. Original article  : Australian prime minister visits governor general in 1st step toward calling August elections.