2 more people killed in restive Indian Kashmir as demonstrations intensify; death toll hits 48

Violent protests erupt in Kashmir after 2 killed

SRINAGAR, India – The death toll from civil unrest in Indian-controlled Kashmir rose to 48 Thursday after two more people were killed when paramilitary forces opened fire on demonstrators angry about decades of Indian rule over the Himalayan region.
Kashmir has been rocked by violent protests for nearly two … Read this article on Gaea Times at : 2 more people killed in restive Indian Kashmir as demonstrations intensify; death toll hits 48.

Punish those behind honour killings severely: Chidambaram

NEW DELHI – Home Minister P. Chidambaram Thursday said the government was planning to introduce a bill on honour killings in this session of parliament as the perpetrators must be identified and “punished with severity”.
“We are in the final stages of the work. We are consulting all state governments and have asked …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Punish those behind honour killings severely: Chidambaram.

Judge overturns Calif. gay marriage ban, but appeal may put same-sex weddings on hold

Appeal of ruling could delay gay weddings in CA

SAN FRANCISCO – A judge struck down California’s same-sex marriage ban as a violation of the civil rights of gay men and lesbians, but a pending appeal of the landmark ruling could prevent gay weddings from resuming in the state any time soon.
Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn … Read more >>.

Comparing home secretary with Hafiz Saeed ridiculous: Krishna

NEW DELHI – Days after calling home secretary G.K Pillai’s comment prior to the India-Pakistan talks ill-timed, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Thursday termed the comparison of Pillai with terrorist Hafiz Saeed by Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi as “ridiculous”.

“It is ridiculous to compare the home secretary of India to a terrorist,” Krishna …. Source article  : Comparing home secretary with Hafiz Saeed ridiculous: Krishna.

Churchill ‘ordered cover-up of RAF plane’s UFO encounter during WWII’

LONDON – Former UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill allegedly ordered a cover-up of a Second World War encounter between a UFO and a RAF bomber, as he feared public ‘panic’.

Newly released secret files reveal that Churchill apparently banned reporting of the “bizarre” incident, off the east coast of England, from being reported, as he feared …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Toll in Karachi violence rises to 76

ISLAMABAD – Ethnic violence triggered by the assassination of a politician in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi entered its fourth day, taking the death toll to 76, police said Thursday.

Men carried out gun and arson attacks in various parts of Karachi, Pakistan’s commercial hub, hours after assailants shot dead provincial legislator Raza Haider and … Read more : Toll in Karachi violence rises to 76.

Four Bangladesh Islamist students arrested

DHAKA – Four senior members of the students wing of Bangladesh’s largest Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami, have been arrested on charges of having links with banned militant outfits.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) nabbed four current and former Islami Chhatra Shibir leaders Wednesday, alleging that they were collecting arms and explosives from outlawed organisations for subversive activities, … Read more >>.

Law on honour killing may be amended

NEW DELHI – Home Minister P. Chidambaram Thursday said the government was “actively considering” a proposal to amend the existing law or enact a new one to tackle “honour killing”.
“In pursuance of the cabinet decision, a Group of Ministers has been constituted to consider a draft bill on the subject,” Chidambaram said in … Read more >>>.

Zardari hopes to ‘educate’ Cameron on Pak suffering from terrorism

LONDON – Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said he will meet British Prime Minister David Cameron at the latter’s country retreat Chequers in Buckinghamshire, and according to sources, may ‘educate’ Cameron on the suffering that terrorism has caused to his country.
Earlier reports that Zardari had snubbed and rejected an invitation to …. Original source  : Zardari hopes to ‘educate’ Cameron on Pak suffering from terrorism.

Zardari snubs Cameron’s ‘hospitality’ invitation

LONDON – The tussle between British Prime Minister David Cameron and Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has witnessed another twist with the latter rejecting Cameron’s offer of hospitality.
According to reports, Zardari has turned downed an invitation to spend a night at the Buckinghamshire mansion citing his ‘busy’ schedule, however, he would be … Read : Zardari snubs Cameron’s ‘hospitality’ invitation.

Legacy of Detroit’s Kilpatrick family likely ends with congresswoman’s loss in primary

Congresswoman’s loss signals end to family’s reign

DETROIT – The formidable machine that helped keep Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick in Congress and put her son, Kwame, in the Detroit mayor’s office may have finally ground to a halt.
Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick was defeated this week in her bid for an eighth term in the Democratic primary.
The small army …. Source article  : Legacy of Detroit’s Kilpatrick family likely ends with congresswoman’s loss in primary.

Supreme Court nominee Kagan to win Senate confirmation, become fourth woman to be a justice

Senate to confirm Kagan as court’s 4th-ever woman
WASHINGTON – Her confirmation assured, Elena Kagan is on the brink of becoming the fourth woman ever to serve as a Supreme Court justice.
The Senate is set Thursday to confirm President Barack Obama’s nominee, whose addition to the court will mark the first …. Source  : Supreme Court nominee Kagan to win Senate confirmation, become fourth woman to be a justice.

New Kenyan constitution likely to pass, preliminary results show; new era for African country

Early results: New constitution for Kenya likely

NAIROBI, Kenya – Preliminary results announced Thursday showed that Kenya’s new constitution is likely to pass overwhelmingly, but opponents of the new draft questioned the returns.
Preliminary results showed that about 67 percent of the nation voted for the new constitution on Wednesday, with 33 percent voting against it. The …. Original source  : New Kenyan constitution likely to pass, preliminary results show; new era for African country.

UN chief in Nagasaki calls for abolition of nuclear weapons

UN chief in Nagasaki calls for nuclear disarmament

NAGASAKI, Japan – U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for the abolishment of nuclear weapons Thursday during a visit to Nagasaki, one of two Japanese cities devastated by U.S. atomic bombs in the closing days of World War II.
Ban toured the Atomic Bomb Museum and met with six survivors …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : UN chief in Nagasaki calls for abolition of nuclear weapons.

Bachelor boy Obama goes without birthday

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama did not get to eat his own birthday cake as he turned 49 with only family dog Bo to keep him company on a trip to his home in Chicago.
Instead of taking the day off to celebrate, Obama Wednesday went to the Washington Convention Centre to address … Read : Bachelor boy Obama goes without birthday.

India not interfering, Shyam Saran tells Nepal Maoists

KATHMANDU – Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s special envoy to Nepal Shyam Saran began his whirlwind consultations Thursday by first holding talks with the top leaders of the Maoist party.
The Maoist party had asked New Delhi not to interfere in the crucial prime ministerial election Friday and the formation of a new government. …. Read the original article  : India not interfering, Shyam Saran tells Nepal Maoists.

Gilani rules out military operation as Karachi continues to burn

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has ruled out any military operation is Karachi even as the city continues to witness bloodshed that has resulted in the death of at least 82 civilians and over 20 being injured.

Violence, which had erupted in the country’s commercial town following Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) MPA Raza …. Source  : Gilani rules out military operation as Karachi continues to burn.

Malaysia state chief encourages teen marriages, offers financial aid to young couples

Malaysia state chief encourages teen marriages

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – A prominent Malaysian official Thursday encouraged young Muslim teenagers to get married if they cannot resist having sex and promised money to help them start a family – a stance that drew criticism from women’s rights activists.
Mohamad Ali Rustam, chief minister of southern Malacca state, said …. Read the original article  : Malaysia state chief encourages teen marriages, offers financial aid to young couples.

Judge overturns Calif. gay marriage ban, sets stage for same-sex weddings to resume in state

Federal judge strikes down Calif. gay marriage ban

SAN FRANCISCO – A federal judge overturned California’s gay marriage ban Wednesday with an unequivocal ruling that could eventually force the U.S. Supreme Court to confront the question of whether same-sex couples have a constitutional right to wed.
Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker’s strongly worded opinion in the …. Read the original article  : Judge overturns Calif. gay marriage ban, sets stage for same-sex weddings to resume in state.

China defends dealings with Iran after US pressure over sanctions for nuclear program

China defends dealings with Iran after US pressure

BEIJING – China is defending its business relationships with Iran after recent pressure from the United States to fully follow new sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear program.
“China’s trade with Iran is normal business exchange, which will not harm the interests of other countries and the international community,” … Read this article on Gaea Times at : China defends dealings with Iran after US pressure over sanctions for nuclear program.