Pak says Cameron’s ‘terror sponsorship’ remarks hampering flood aid efforts

LONDON – Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Abdullah Hussein Haroon, has said that British Prime Minister David Cameron’s accusation of Islamabad promoting terrorism has hampered aid efforts for the flood-stricken country.

“Pakistan has suffered because of what David Cameron has said, because the British people will listen to their Prime Minister,” The Daily Mail [..] Read the original article: here.

Rostenkowski was one of Washington’s most powerful lawmakers _ and a symbol of its excesses

Rostenkowski became symbol of power and excesses

CHICAGO – Those who knew the late Dan Rostenkowski are recalling a meat-and potatoes Illinois politician from an era when leaders crossed party lines to cut deals and seek consensus.
Rostenkowski died Wednesday of lung cancer at age 82.
He quietly wielded enormous power on Capitol Hill for more than 30 … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Rostenkowski was one of Washington’s most powerful lawmakers _ and a symbol of its excesses.

Now ‘Kumarakom musings’ for president

KUMARAKOM – The picturesque Kumarakom tourist destination on the banks of the sea-sized Vembanad Lake is all decked up to receive President Pratibha Patil and her family members Thursday afternoon.

The president will be here for the next three days with her husband, daughter and other family members.
She will attend two programmes in Kerala capital …. Original source  : Now ‘Kumarakom musings’ for president.

When and how of caste census not decided: Pranab

NEW DELHI – Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee Thursday said the cabinet would soon take a decision on when and how to conduct the caste-based census, after opposition members created an uproar in the Lok Sabha over the issue.
“How and when this should be done is under consideration. The decision on the mechanism will … Read this article on Gaea Times at : When and how of caste census not decided: Pranab.

New refugee students in NYC get ready for school in the US, from academics to fire drills

New refugee students in NY get ready for US school

NEW YORK – A New York City summer program aimed at refugee children who’ve recently arrived in the United States is teaching more than reading and writing.
The Refugee Summer Youth Academy tries to help its students learn how to go to school along with what they … Original source on Gaea Times at : New refugee students in NYC get ready for school in the US, from academics to fire drills.

Uproar in Lok Sabha over caste-based census

NEW DELHI – The Lok Sabha was Thursday adjourned till noon after opposition members created an uproar over caste enumeration expected to be done at the biometric phase of Census 2011, saying it was a time-buying tactic.
Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Mulayam Singh Yadav and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad raised the …. Read the original article  : here.

Palestinians, crammed for decades in refugee camps in Lebanon, may get broader right to work

Lebanon debates giving Palestinians rights

EIN EL-HILWEH REFUGEE CAMP, Lebanon – Mohammed al-Amin spends his days doing little more than playing billiards and smoking cigarettes in this sprawling Palestinian refugee camp, where gunmen roam narrow alleyways dotted with tin-roofed, cement-block homes.
The 25-year-old studied dental lab technology but works at a small, grubby coffee shop in the … Original source on Gaea Times at : Palestinians, crammed for decades in refugee camps in Lebanon, may get broader right to work.

Lok Sabha adjourned over caste-based census

NEW DELHI – The Lok Sabha was Thursday adjourned till noon over protests against the government’s approval to caste enumeration in the census only at the biometric stage.
Samajwadi Party member Mulayam Singh Yadav and Lalu Prasad of the Rashtriya Janata Dal refused to let the Question Hour commence after the house assembled for … Original article on : Lok Sabha adjourned over caste-based census.

Indian American senator loses Minnesota seat

WASHINGTON – Satveer Chaudhary, an Indian American member of the Minnesota Senate, has lost his seat after serving the state for 14 years. He lost his primary election to challenger and former State House representative Barb Goodwin.

Just four years after his election to the House in 1996, Chaudhary became Minnesota’s first Asian-American and then …. Source  : Indian American senator loses Minnesota seat.

Legal fictions, bankruptcy and straw men among baffling beliefs of sovereign citizens

Baffling beliefs mark Sovereign Citizen theories

The Southern Poverty Law Center estimates the number of people who now consider themselves sovereign citizens, Americans above the law who adhere only to the Constitution and follow a revised history of the United States, grew to 300,000 during the past decade. Some of their beliefs:
-14th Amendment citizens: Belief that … Original article on : Legal fictions, bankruptcy and straw men among baffling beliefs of sovereign citizens.

Politician, TV host hit each other during show

Brasilia, Aug 12 (IANS/EFE) A senatorial candidate in Brazil and a television show host got into a fight and punched and kicked each other when the politician became irritated with the journalist’s questions.

Former Congressman Joao Correia, who is running for a Senate seat from Acre state on a Brazilian Democratic Movement Party ticket, was being …. Read the original article  : here.

New York’s top Democrats rally around embattled US Rep. Charles Rangel at fundraiser

Top Dems rally around Rep. Rangel at NY fundraiser
NEW YORK – New York’s Democratic political establishment came out in force for embattled U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel on Wednesday, packing a sold-out fundraiser to praise Rangel’s service to the city and state over a 40-year career recently tainted by ethics charges.
“I’ve been … Read more : New York’s top Democrats rally around embattled US Rep. Charles Rangel at fundraiser.

Nicaragua top court picks president’s supporters to replace boycotting opposition judges

Nicaraguan top court replaces opposition judges

MANAGUA, Nicaragua – Nicaraguan Supreme Court justices who support President Daniel Ortega picked seven lawyers from Ortega’s Sandinista party Wednesday to replace opposition judges who have been boycotting court sessions.
The main opposition party denounced the move as “unconstitutional and illegal” as Nicaragua lurched in another step of a bitter political … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Nicaragua top court picks president’s supporters to replace boycotting opposition judges.

Judge who overturned California’s same-sex marriage ban to rule Thursday on stay

Judge to rule on stay Thursday in Prop. 8 case

SAN FRANCISCO – The federal judge who overturned California’s same-sex marriage ban says he is ready to rule on whether gay marriages should resume immediately in the state or await an appeals court’s input.
Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker said he would issue his decision Thursday …. Read the original article  : Judge who overturned California’s same-sex marriage ban to rule Thursday on stay.

Gay rights group sues to block ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ discharge of Idaho aviator

Idaho aviator sues to block ‘Don’t ask don’t tell’

BOISE, Idaho – A gay rights group wants a federal court in Idaho to block the U.S. Air Force from discharging an aviator under the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that bars openly gay and lesbian military members from service.
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network filed its lawsuit Wednesday … Original article on : Gay rights group sues to block ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ discharge of Idaho aviator.

Congressional candidate Ben Quayle, son of ex-VP, says Obama ‘worst president in history’ in ad

Ben Quayle’s new ad: Obama worst president ever
PHOENIX – The son of former Vice President Dan Quayle unveiled a TV campaign ad Wednesday in his bid for Congress in which he calls President Barack Obama “the worst president in history” and tells Arizona voters that he wants to “knock the hell” …. Read the original article  : Congressional candidate Ben Quayle, son of ex-VP, says Obama ‘worst president in history’ in ad.

Migrant ship that could be carrying Tamil Tigers nears Canada, will be intercepted

Tamil migrant ship nears Canada
TORONTO – Canadian authorities said Wednesday that they will intercept a ship of asylum seekers from Sri Lanka before it reaches the coast because the passengers may include people Canada considers terrorists.

The ship is reported to be within 200 miles (322 kilometers) of Canada’s Pacific coast province of British Columbia, said … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Migrant ship that could be carrying Tamil Tigers nears Canada, will be intercepted.

Congressional candidate Ben Quayle, son of former VP, calls Obama ‘worst president in history’

Ben Quayle: Obama worst president ever
PHOENIX – The son of former Vice President Dan Quayle unveiled a TV campaign ad Wednesday in his bid for Congress in which he calls President Barack Obama “the worst president in history” and tells Arizona voters that he wants to “knock the hell” out of … Read more : Congressional candidate Ben Quayle, son of former VP, calls Obama ‘worst president in history’.

Embattled Rep. Rangel, facing ethics charges, thanks hundreds for attending NY fundraiser

Embattled Rep. Rangel thanks crowd at fundraiser

NEW YORK – Democratic Congressman Charles Rangel has told a packed gathering at a fundraiser in New York City that he was deeply moved by the show of support.
Rangel spoke Wednesday to hundreds of attendees at the start of the gala at the Plaza Hotel. He was joined onstage …. Original source  : Embattled Rep. Rangel, facing ethics charges, thanks hundreds for attending NY fundraiser.

Mattis takes over Central Command, vows to work with Mideast allies in Afghanistan, Iraq

New CentCom chief vows to work with Mideast allies

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – The general who will now oversee the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq is vowing “unrelenting engagement” with allies in the Mideast and Central Asia.
Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis has officially assumed control of U.S. Central Command. He succeeds Gen. David Petraeus … Read more »»».