Protests continue against Indian rule in Kashmir; 1 killed in latest police firing

Protests continue against Indian rule in Kashmir

SRINAGAR, India – Government forces in Indian Kashmir fired at hundreds of people protesting New Delhi’s rule over the Himalayan region, killing one person and wounding at least five others Tuesday as weeks of civil unrest continued unabated.
Troops fired at protesters on a highway near Srinagar, the main city … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Protests continue against Indian rule in Kashmir; 1 killed in latest police firing.

Sushma attacks government in Lok Sabha on price rise

NEW DELHI – Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the government over the price rise and fuel hike issues, accusing it of having “betrayed the common man”.

Beginning the debate on the issue in the lower house of parliament, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader lashed out [..] Read the original article: here.

BSP walks out over Dalit funds for Games

NEW DELHI – Alleging that funds meant for Scheduled Castes had been diverted by the Delhi government to the Commonwealth Games, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MPs Tuesday walked out of the Lok Sabha.
Soon after the house re-assembled at 11.40 a.m. following an adjournment, the BSP MPs created an uproar.
BSP’s leader in Lok … Read : BSP walks out over Dalit funds for Games.

Rajya Sabha adjourned thrice over funds diversion

NEW DELHI – The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for a third time Tuesday as opposition members staged a vociferous protest demanding a calling attention motion on the alleged diversion of funds meant for Dalits for the Commonwealth Games.

The house was adjourned twice during the first hour on the issue before the third adjournment till 2 … Read more : Rajya Sabha adjourned thrice over funds diversion.

Surendran Pillai inducted into Kerala cabinet

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – The V.S. Achuthanandan cabinet was expanded Tuesday with the induction of V. Surendran Pillai, the lone Kerala Congress legislator, as ports and youth welfare minister.

Pillai, 54, was sworn in by Governor R.S. Gavai at the Kerala Raj Bhavan. With his induction, the strength of the ministry is 20, including the chief …. Source  : Surendran Pillai inducted into Kerala cabinet.

Zardari to do “plain talking” on terror during meeting with Cameron: Pak official

LONDON – The August 6 meeting between Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari with British Prime Minister David Cameron is likely to escalate the on going tussle between the two countries, as a Pakistani official has revealed that Zardari has made up his mind to do some straight talking during the ’showdown’ conference.

A Pakistani … Read : Zardari to do “plain talking” on terror during meeting with Cameron: Pak official.

Fidel Castro releases his book ‘The Strategic Victory’

HAVANA – Cuba’s revolutionary leader Fidel Castro has released his book “The Strategic Victory”, a memoir of the victory of his rebel forces against the country’s dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959.

“It’s something special to remember all that,” the Cuban leader said while launching the 896-page memoir at a televised ceremony held at the Havana International …. Source  : Fidel Castro releases his book ‘The Strategic Victory’.

Goa anti-terror squad to keep track of rave parties

PANAJI – Keeping track of terror is not the only responsibility of Goa’s newly-formed anti-terrorism squad (ATS). It is also likely to monitor online adverts for full moon rave parties, online sex trade and shady female escort businesses.

Home Minister Ravi Naik Tuesday said in a written reply in the Goa legislative assembly that “at … Read : Goa anti-terror squad to keep track of rave parties.

UN secretary general’s office denies Kashmir remarks

NEW DELHI – The UN secretary general’s office has clarified that Ban Ki-moon had made no comment on Kashmir or about the India-Pakistan composite dialogue, India’s external affairs ministry clarified Tuesday.

“The government had sought a clarification from the office of the UN secretary general through our Permanent Mission to the UN in New York,” the … Read more : UN secretary general’s office denies Kashmir remarks.

Mayawati slams Dikshit for diverting Dalit funds to CWG

LUCKNOW – Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati has lashed out at her Delhi counterpart Sheila Dikshit for allegedly “diverting” huge amount of funds meant for Dalit upliftment to the Commonwealth Games.

Mayawati also questioned the constitutional validity of the Delhi government’s decision to divert Rs.750 crore in this manner.
“The …. Read the original article  : Mayawati slams Dikshit for diverting Dalit funds to CWG.

Britain to reiterate ‘terror export’ stand during Zardari-Cameron talks in London

LONDON – Notwithstanding Pakistan’s strong objections over Prime Minister David Cameron’s “export of terror” remarks, the British leadership would be repeating its concerns and asking Islamabad to crack down on militants inside its territory during President Asif Ali Zardari’s upcoming London visit.

A spokeswoman for 10 Downing Street, while trying to lower down the …. Source  : Britain to reiterate ‘terror export’ stand during Zardari-Cameron talks in London.

Malaysia scraps visa on arrival facility for Indians, Chinese

PUTRAJAYA – Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has said the visa-on-arrival (VOA) facility offered to visitors from eight countries, including India has been scrapped permanently because it was open to abuse.

The facility was extended to tourists from China, India, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myan-mar, Taiwan and Comoros.

He said despite calls by several quarters for the facility …. Source  : Malaysia scraps visa on arrival facility for Indians, Chinese.

Democrats say they’ve drained the swamp of corruption, but there are 2 upcoming ethics trials

Democrats declare swamp of corruption drained

WASHINGTON – Democratic leaders say they’ve emptied the swamp of congressional corruption. Never mind the ethics trials to come for two longtime party members.
“Drain the swamp we did, because this was a terrible place,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said last week of the Republican rule in the House that ended in …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Democrats say they’ve drained the swamp of corruption, but there are 2 upcoming ethics trials.

Kagan confirmation in sight as Senate begins debate on Supreme Court nominee

Confirmation on track, Senate starts Kagan debate
WASHINGTON – A confirmation vote is all but assured for Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan as the Senate begins debate on making her the fourth female justice.
Supporters and opponents were to weigh in during debate starting Tuesday on President Barack Obama’s nominee. A vote is …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Kagan confirmation in sight as Senate begins debate on Supreme Court nominee.

Vote by NYC landmarks panel could clear the way for proposed mosque near ground zero

Panel vote could clear way for ground zero mosque
NEW YORK – A contentious plan for a mosque near the World Trade Center site will get a boost if New York City’s landmarks panel votes to allow the demolition of the building that is there now.
The mosque would be part of an Islamic center …. Original source  : Vote by NYC landmarks panel could clear the way for proposed mosque near ground zero.

Zardari to counter Cameron’s “uncalled for” remarks during London visit

PARIS – British Prime Minister David Cameron’s recent remarks against the country have infuriated the Pakistani leadership, which is planning to press the issue during President Asif Ali Zardari’s upcoming London visit.

Zardari raised the issue during his talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

During his meeting with Sarkozy, Zardari described Cameron’s statement accusing Islamabad … Read : Zardari to counter Cameron’s “uncalled for” remarks during London visit.

Gordon Brown voted third worst Prime Minister since World War II by academics

LONDON – Former Labour leader Gordon Brown has been named the third worst Prime Minister since World War II, a survey by more than 100 leading academics revealed.

According to The Sun, academics led by University of Leeds Professor Kevin Theakston rated him tenth out of the 12 post-war premiers, ahead of Sir Anthony Eden … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Gordon Brown voted third worst Prime Minister since World War II by academics.

PM election gives Nepal sleepless nights

KATHMANDU – Three unsuccessful bids by Nepal’s parliament to elect a new premier more than a month after Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal resigned is giving the nation sleepless nights – literally.

As the 599 lawmakers hold a fourth round of election Friday, Nepalis are getting resigned to further sleep deprivation, thanks to the major parties’ … Read more >>>.

Brown Britain’s third worst PM since WW II

LONDON – Gordon Brown was Britain’s third worst prime minister since World War II, a survey has shown.

A study carried out among 106 leading academics showed Brown was rated tenth of the 12 premiers in office since 1945.
The Sun reported Tuesday that only Sir Anthony Eden and Sir Alec Douglas-Home came behind Brown. … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Brown Britain’s third worst PM since WW II.

Parliament disrupted over Belgaum, Commonwealth Games

NEW DELHI – Both houses of parliament were adjourned Tuesday as opposition MPs disrupted proceedings over the Belgaum district dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka and alleged diversion in Commonwealth Games funds.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned for half an hour after leaders from Maharashtra and Karnataka gathered near Speaker Meira Kumar’s podium over the …. Original article  : Parliament disrupted over Belgaum, Commonwealth Games.