Advani takes on PM over Kashmir violence

NEW DELHI – Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Lal Krishna Advani raised the issue of Kashmir violence in the Lok Sabha on Monday and asked Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to explain steps being taken by the Central Government to control the situation in the Kashmir Valley.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister … Original source on Gaea Times at : Advani takes on PM over Kashmir violence.

Don’t go to Britain, opposition parties tell Zardari

ISLAMABAD – Controversy surrounds Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to Britain, with the opposition urging that it be cancelled following British Prime Minister David Cameron’s remark that the “country must stop exporting terror” and a minister here saying Zardari was paying for it from his own pocket.
Zardari is scheduled to meet … Read more »»».

PM to hold meeting on Babhli dam issue

NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, will on Monday meet Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah and Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan to find a solution to the dispute over Maharashtra’s construction of the Babhli dam over the Godavari river in Andhra Pradesh’s Nanded District.

It has been reported that the [..] Read the original article: here.

Manmohan Singh releases commemorative stamp on Muslim League leader

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Monday released a commemorative stamp in honour of late Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader Syed Mohammed Ali Shihab Thangal here Monday.
On the occasion, Dr Singh said: “I am very happy to release this stamp in commemoration of the life and work of … Original article on : Manmohan Singh releases commemorative stamp on Muslim League leader.

Third round of Nepal prime ministerial election today

KATHMANDU – Nepal Parliament will conduct a third runoff election for the post of prime minister today after previous two elections failed to elect a prime minister.

UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda and Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party Leader Ram Chandra Poudel are vying for the most sought re-election today.

The Parliament decided to hold …. Read the original article  : Third round of Nepal prime ministerial election today.

Churchill reined in army enthusiasm for fox hunts in the Rhine

LONDON – Former Tory Prime Minister Winston Churchill is said to have prevented senior British Army officers from undertaking equestrian pursuits in Germany immediately after the Second World War.

According to National Archives documents, Churchill, during a dispute between senior army officers and the early 1950s UK government, expressed his absolute opposition to “sports, which annoy … Read more : Churchill reined in army enthusiasm for fox hunts in the Rhine.

Jharkhand bureaucrats turning autocrats: Congress

RANCHI – The Congress in Jharkhand says bureaucrats have become “autocrats” during President’s Rule in the state and is unhappy with decisions like withdrawing facilities provided to former chief ministers.

Union Food Processing Minister Subodh Kant Sahay, who is the Congress’ Ranchi Lok Sabha MP, said the bureaucrats had “gone out of control”.
“It would have …. Source  : Jharkhand bureaucrats turning autocrats: Congress.

Situation in Kashmir ‘grave’: Chidambaram

NEW DELHI – Stating that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir had “taken a serious turn”, Home Minister P. Chidambaram said in the Lok Sabha Monday that he would make a statement after discussions with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who has rushed to the capital for consultations.
“Jammu and Kashmir is a very sensitive …. Original source  : Situation in Kashmir ‘grave’: Chidambaram.

Obama to set course for changing Iraq mission as US ends combat operations

Obama to set course for changing Iraq mission
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama will set a course Monday for the nation’s changing mission in Iraq as the military prepares to end its combat operations there.
In a speech at the national convention of the Disabled American Veterans in Atlanta, Obama was to address the progress … Original source on Gaea Times at : Obama to set course for changing Iraq mission as US ends combat operations.

China confirms promotion of Mao Zedong’s grandson, months after first reports

China confirms promotion of Mao Zedong’s grandson

BEIJING – The only grandson of China’s former leader Mao Zedong has been promoted to the rank of major general in the People’s Liberation Army, state media confirmed Monday.
Reports have been circulating for months that military historian Mao Xinyu had gained the rank, but officials had refused to confirm …. Read the original article  : China confirms promotion of Mao Zedong’s grandson, months after first reports.

PM releases postage stamp on Kerala Muslim leader

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday released a commemorative postage stamp on the late Syed Mohammed Ali Shihab Thangal, a Kerala Muslim leader known for his knowledge and commitment to Sufi traditions.
The stamp was released on Thangal’s first death anniversary.
Manmohan Singh, in his speech, described the late leader as …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : PM releases postage stamp on Kerala Muslim leader.

Senior US envoy says new sanctions designed to push NKorea to abandon ‘provocative activities’

US envoy: Iran, NKorea nukes threaten security

SEOUL, South Korea – New sanctions against North Korea will target narcotics trafficking, money counterfeiting and other “illicit and deceptive” activities that provide the regime with hard currency used to build nuclear weapons, a senior U.S. envoy said Monday.
Robert Einhorn, the State Department’s special adviser for nonproliferation and arms … Read more »»».

Cameron’s ancestor slew Indian Mutiny rebels with sabre, participated in mass civilian hangings

LONDON – Believe it or not, British Prime Minister David Cameron’s great-great-grandfather, a British cavalryman, helped to suppress the Indian Mutiny of 1857.

William Low is said to have left behind graphic accounts of how he slew rebels with his sabre and participated in a mass hanging of civilians during the two-year mutiny against British rule …. Original article  : Cameron’s ancestor slew Indian Mutiny rebels with sabre, participated in mass civilian hangings.

Cameron’s hostile remarks may affect Pak-UK relations: Kaira

LONDON – Pakistan Information and Broadcasting Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira has expressed concerns that the relationship between Pakistan and the United Kingdom could be affected if British Prime Minister David Cameron repeats his assertions against his country on the issue of terrorism.
Kaira said that Cameron’s hostile remarks that Pakistan was promoting the “export [..] Read the original article: here.

UK ‘could have lost half the cabinet’ due to ATC glitch in Delhi during Cameron flight

LONDON – British Prime Minister David Cameron’s jet was caught in a glitch leaving all pilots “blind,” when an air traffic control system failed as it was about to land in the Indian capital on Wednesday, last week.

According to The Sun, new computer software to prevent mid-air collisions froze for 20 minutes, prompting a disaster …. Source  : UK ‘could have lost half the cabinet’ due to ATC glitch in Delhi during Cameron flight.

Pranab’s breakfast diplomacy brings peace in parliament

NEW DELHI – Peace returned to parliament Monday after leaders of all opposition parties met Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee over breakfast and agreed to hold a debate on rising prices and allow both houses to function peacefully.
The quiet followed consecutive days of crisis that led to repeated adjournments in the first week of …. Read the original article  : here.

Offer for wards of Haryana employees

CHANDIGARH – Announcing a bonanza for wards of government employees, Haryana Monday said it will bear the expenditure on stationery, school shoes, uniforms and transportation of children of state government employees.

Education Minister Geeta Bhukkal said Rs.3,000 would be given annually to the employees to meet these expenses.
The decision would benefit thousands of state government …. Source  : Offer for wards of Haryana employees.

Nepal still awaits new PM

KATHMANDU – More than a month after the resignation of Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, the country is yet to get a new premier thanks to the bitter struggle for power between the two largest parties that could turn Monday’s election into another fiasco.

As Nepal’s parliament begins a third round of voting Monday afternoon to …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Nepal still awaits new PM.

Pranab’s breakfast diplomacy – opposition agrees to debate

NEW DELHI – Signalling an end to the deadlock in parliament, leaders of all opposition parties met Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee Monday morning and agreed to hold a debate and allow both houses to function peacefully.
The all-party breakfast meeting agreed to the debate on the issue and to allow parliament to function peacefully [..] Read the original article: here.

Michelle Obama urges Congress to pass legislation on nutrition in school meals

First lady urges Congress to act on school meals
WASHINGTON – First lady Michelle Obama urged Congress to pass legislation that calls for higher nutritional standards for school meals.
In an op-ed essay appearing in Monday’s edition of The Washington Post, Mrs. Obama wrote that the Child Nutrition Bill would require more fruits, vegetables and … Original article on : Michelle Obama urges Congress to pass legislation on nutrition in school meals.