Nepal: UML to field its PM candidate today

KATHMANDU – The CPN (UML), the third largest party in the Constituent Assembly (CA) will here today decide to name its candidate for the prime minister’s post.

A standing committee meeting of the party held at party headquarters, Balkhu on Sunday decided to finalise whether to field a candidate for the post or support Nepali … Original article on : Nepal: UML to field its PM candidate today.

Cameron leaves for US amid fears over Lockerbie bomber’s release row

LONDON – British Prime Minister David Cameron leaves for a two-day trip for the United States today amid concerns that the row of the Lockerbie bomber, Abdelbaset al-Megrahi’s release, might derail his summit with President Barack Obama.

According to The Sun, No 10 expressed its worries recently that the Lockerbie row could overshadow Cameron’s one-to-one meeting … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Cameron leaves for US amid fears over Lockerbie bomber’s release row.

BJP leaders meet to discuss W. Bengal election strategy

KOLKATA – Senior leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) met here on Sunday to chart out their strategy for the upcoming assembly elections.

Arun Jaitley, senior BJP leader, told media persons that voters in Bengal have turned anti-Left in a big way, and was hopeful about capturing some anti- Left votes.

“In 1991 …. Original source  : BJP leaders meet to discuss W. Bengal election strategy.

Pak-US strategic dialogue to enhance bilateral ties: Gilani

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has expressed satisfaction over the successful track meetings of the Pakistan-US strategic dialogue, saying that they would strengthen bilateral ties.

After a meeting with visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Gilani said that Pakistan had prepared a set of documents envisaging future plans for taking …. Original article  : Pak-US strategic dialogue to enhance bilateral ties: Gilani.

‘Goa government appointed 1,423 committees in three years’

PANAJI – Over the last three years, Goa has appointed 1,423 government committees at the rate of more than one per day, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said Monday.

Nearly 722 committees, half the number, have not even met in the last three years after they were formed, opposition benches pointed out during Question Hour in … Original source on Gaea Times at : ‘Goa government appointed 1,423 committees in three years’.

Clinton meets Zardari, discusses drone attacks

ISLAMABAD – US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and discussed a host of issues, including the drone attacks that Pakistan says undermines national consensus against the war on militancy.
Clinton, who was leading a high level US delegation, met Zardari Sunday evening.
Pakistani news agency APP reported …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Clinton meets Zardari, discusses drone attacks.

Omar Abdullah likely to reshuffle cabinet

SRINAGAR – Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is planning a cabinet reshuffle aimed at strengthening his government and may also drop some tainted ministers from the cabinet, sources here said Monday.
Abdullah, who returned Sunday after after meeting United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Home Minister P. Chidambaram in New … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Omar Abdullah likely to reshuffle cabinet.

Israel should open Gaza crossings: EU

JERUSALEM/GAZA CITY – Israel should allow exports from the Gaza Strip, European Union High Representative Catherine Ashton said, as she toured the enclave Sunday and said the EU would continue to demand that Gaza crossing terminals become completely operational.

Ashton called on Israel to allow exports from the Gaza Strip as she toured the enclave for … Original source on Gaea Times at : Israel should open Gaza crossings: EU.

US troops to withdraw in time from Iraq: Biden

WASHINGTON – US combat troops in Iraq are on schedule to withdraw by the end of August this year, and would not be delayed by power-sharing negotiations in the Iraqi government, US Vice President Joe Biden said Sunday.

Biden told ABC the Iraqi transition government is “in place that’s working. Iraqi security is being provided by … Read more : US troops to withdraw in time from Iraq: Biden.

AIDS conference chief calls for universal access to treatment of deadly disease

AIDS conference chief lashes out at world leaders

VIENNA – World leaders lack the political will to ensure that everyone infected with HIV and AIDS gets treatment, the head of a meeting dedicated to the disease said Sunday.
Julio Montaner – the president of the International AIDS Society and chairman of the AIDS 2010 conference – said …. Original article  : AIDS conference chief calls for universal access to treatment of deadly disease.

Hillary Clinton says both she and former president will be ’so emotional’ at Chelsea’s wedding

Clinton: Daughter’s wedding is nerve-racking
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says daughter Chelsea’s approaching wedding is making nervous wrecks of both parents.
In an interview with NBC’s Andrea Mitchell in Islamabad on Sunday, Clinton was asked about former President Bill Clinton’s role in the ceremony.
“You should assume that if he …. Original source  : Hillary Clinton says both she and former president will be ’so emotional’ at Chelsea’s wedding.

Surprise SC Senate candidate finally campaigns, stumping about job creation and education

Surprise SC Senate candidate makes first speech

MANNING, S.C. – In his first campaign appearance, South Carolina’s surprising U.S. Senate candidate Alvin Greene avoided any major gaffes Sunday as he hit his three major themes of jobs, education and justice.
The speech started off with a joke and ended with Greene timidly waving, a shy smile spreading … Original source on Gaea Times at : Surprise SC Senate candidate finally campaigns, stumping about job creation and education.

After a bobble by Gibbs, Democrats score fall elections as a win while GOP predicts victory

Both GOP and Dems predict victory in fall contests
WASHINGTON – Vice President Joe Biden is assuring House Democrats that he thinks they’ll keep control after the fall elections. Only a week ago, President Barack Obama’s press secretary infuriated members of his own party by suggesting that voters could put Republicans in … Read this article on Gaea Times at : After a bobble by Gibbs, Democrats score fall elections as a win while GOP predicts victory.

Golf carts taking off in Colorado town after ordinance makes them street-legal

Golf carts all the rage in Lyons, Colo.
LYONS, Colo. – One Colorado town is starting to look a bit like a Florida golf resort.

Now that golf carts have been made street-legal in Lyons, more residents are turning to the cheap, energy-efficient carts for short trips.
About 20 residents in the Boulder County town have taken to …. Read the original article  : here.

At Kabul conference, Afghan government to ask donors to put money behind Afghan priorities

Afghan govt wants donors to support its priorities

KABUL, Afghanistan – At an international conference on Tuesday, the Afghan government will ask donors to put 80 percent of aid money behind programs that the Afghans – not foreign capitals – deem important to development.
It’s a high-stakes meeting for the Kabul government, which wants to show the … Original source on Gaea Times at : At Kabul conference, Afghan government to ask donors to put money behind Afghan priorities.

Growers warn of ‘McDonald’s-ization’ of marijuana under Oakland plan to tax pot cultivation

Oakland pot-growing plan worries small bud tenders

OAKLAND, Calif. – California’s medical marijuana growers see a new threat to their tenuous existence: the “Wal-Marting” of weed.
The Oakland City Council will look Tuesday at licensing four production plants where pot would be grown, packaged and processed into items ranging from baked goods to body oil.
The move has …. Original source  : Growers warn of ‘McDonald’s-ization’ of marijuana under Oakland plan to tax pot cultivation.

Egypt says more work to be done before direct Israeli-Palestinian peace talks

Egypt: basis to move to direct peace talks lacking
CAIRO – Pressure intensified on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to agree to direct talks with Israel as Egypt held separate back-to-back meetings with the two sides Sunday in search of a compromise.
Abbas says he won’t negotiate directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unless Israel … Read more : Egypt says more work to be done before direct Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

Biden: Tea party not a racist organization, just has very different views on government

Biden doesn’t see tea party as a racist group
WASHINGTON – Vice President Joe Biden says the tea party movement is conservative and has very different ideas about government, but it’s not a racist organization.
Biden tells ABC’s “This Week” that some people who’ve participated in tea party events or who’ve been on the periphery …. Read the original article  : Biden: Tea party not a racist organization, just has very different views on government.

BJP sees itself as alternative to Left, Trinamool in Bengal

KOLKATA – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would try emerging as a key player in the West Bengal assembly polls next year by cashing-in on the anti-Left feelings of the people and the “atmosphere of anarchy” being created by the Trinamool Congress.
The party is also toying with the idea of conducting a …. Original source  : BJP sees itself as alternative to Left, Trinamool in Bengal.

Maoists kill TMC leader in West Bengal

BANKURA – Maoists have killed a Trinamool Congress (TMC) party leader in Simlapal village in West Bengal’s Bankura District.

TMC leader Samir Pal was killed on Saturday night and the body was found in a pond on Sunday morning.

According to villagers, a group of Maoists had kidnapped Pal from his house, and took away all … Read more >>.