Iran says Middle East peace talks futile

TEHRAN – Iran Tuesday said that the forthcoming Middle East peace talks between Israel and Palestine would be futile.

“As long as the main root of the problem is not solved, no peace talks will have any tangible results and be futile,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said in a press briefing in Tehran.
The upcoming … Read more >>>.

Next Nepal PM duel Sep 5

KATHMANDU – After failing to elect a new prime minister Monday despite five rounds of vote spread over a month, Nepal’s parliament will now hold an unprecedented sixth round of election Sep 5 amidst growing protests at home and concern among the world community.

It is likely to be the last chance for Maoist chief Pushpa … Original article on : Next Nepal PM duel Sep 5.

Haryana poll panel demands action against absentee officials

CHANDIGARH – The Haryana state election commission has directed the state government to initiate disciplinary action against officials who did not attend their duties during the publication of voters’ lists in Gurgaon district last week.

Chief Electoral Officer Sumita Misra Tuesday said that a surprise check was made Aug 21-22 to check if designated officers were …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Establishment vs. outsiders as voters in Ariz., Alaska head to primary polls

Establishment vs. outsiders in primaries
WASHINGTON – It’s the political establishment vs. the outsiders in Tuesday’s primaries. And the establishment has the better odds.
Republican Sens. John McCain and Lisa Murkowski were poised to win bitter primaries in Arizona and Alaska against tea-party-backed candidates.
In Florida, boatloads of cash may not be enough … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Establishment vs. outsiders as voters in Ariz., Alaska head to primary polls.

Afghanistan Foreign Minister to visit India today

NEW DELHI – Afghanistan Foreign Minister Zalmay Rassoul, who will arrive in India on a three-day visit on Tuesday, will call on Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and reportedly discuss ways to battle the common threat with Kabul openly charging Pakistan’s military-intelligence establishment of harbouring the Taliban and Al Qaeda.

The visiting dignitary is … Read more »».

Brazil comedians protest ban on imitating political hopefuls

Rio de Janeiro, Aug 24 (IANS/EFE) Dozens of Brazilian comedians protested here against a ruling preventing people from imitating or satirising politicians running for office in October’s general elections.

Under regulations in force since 1997, it is not permitted to “use tricks, editing and other audio or video resources that, in some way, humiliate or ridicule …. Source  : Brazil comedians protest ban on imitating political hopefuls.

Blagojevich appears on Jon Stewart’s “The Daily Show,” won’t say if he will testify

Blagojevich appears on Jon Stewart’s show
NEW YORK – Despite goading from “The Daily Show” host Jon Stewart, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich declined Monday night to promise to testify if he is retried on corruption charges.
Blagojevich appeared on Stewart’s TV show on Comedy Central as part of a new media blitz … Read : Blagojevich appears on Jon Stewart’s “The Daily Show,” won’t say if he will testify.

Yet another Indian American joins USAID

WASHINGTON – Sohini Chatterjee, an Indian American lawyer involved in development work worldwide, has been appointed as Senior Advisor in the Office of Donor Engagement in the US Agency for International Development’s newly created Policy Planning Bureau.

Chatterjee will work closely with USAID administrator, Dr Rajiv Shah, the highest ranking Indian American in the Obama administration, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Yet another Indian American joins USAID.

Australia set for turbulent times after tied vote

SYDNEY – Chances of a fresh parliamentary election being needed to break the political paralysis in Australia rose Tuesday after vote counting showed a tie and independents likely to hold the balance of power dithered over their pick.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s Labor and Tony Abbott’s Conservatives need 76 seats to have an outright majority in … Original article on : Australia set for turbulent times after tied vote.

US tells Pakistan to have constructive ties with India

WASHINGTON – The United States has asked Pakistan to have a constructive relationship with India and Afghanistan, saying effective and coordinated action across the region was needed to meet the common threat of terrorism.

“These are individual judgments made country by country,” State Department spokesman P J Crowley told reporters Monday when asked whether the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : US tells Pakistan to have constructive ties with India.

Tharoor’s honeymoon trip starts with technical snag

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – Shashi Tharoor and wife Sunanda Pushkar didn’t have a very pleasant start to their honeymoon that takes them to Dubai and Spain. While their flight took off from here at 5 a.m. Tuesday, it returned within half an hour due to a technical snag.

The Emirates Airline flight to Dubai was scheduled for 4.35 … Read more >>>.

Philippines in shock as 9 die after fired cop, demanding job back, hijacks Hong Kong tour bus

Mayhem in Manila: 9 killed on hijacked tourist bus

MANILA, Philippines – It looked like a hostage rescue in slow motion: Police creeping up on the bus with sledgehammers and smashing first one window, then another, then trying and failing to rip open the door.
When they finally got inside, authorities said, they found eight bodies: seven …. Original article  : Philippines in shock as 9 die after fired cop, demanding job back, hijacks Hong Kong tour bus.

AP source: Jimmy Carter going to NKorea to free American imprisoned there

AP source: Carter going to NKorea to free American

WASHINGTON – A senior U.S. official says former President Jimmy Carter plans to travel to North Korea to bring back an American citizen now detained in the communist nation.
The official said late Monday that Carter is expected to depart on Tuesday on a “purely humanitarian mission” to … Read this article on Gaea Times at : AP source: Jimmy Carter going to NKorea to free American imprisoned there.

It’s official: Levi Johnston files papers to run for office of hometown Wasilla, Alaska

Palin paramour files paperwork to run for office
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Levi Johnston, the father of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s grandson, has filed papers to run for office in his hometown of Wasilla, Alaska, next year.
Johnston filed his letter of intent Friday with the Alaska Public Offices Commission, a first step needed to …. Read the original article  : It’s official: Levi Johnston files papers to run for office of hometown Wasilla, Alaska.

Federal housing secretary, state officials explore remedies for western ND housing shortage

HUD secretary checks western ND housing shortage

BISMARCK, N.D. – The secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development got a firsthand look Monday at northwestern North Dakota’s housing shortage, caused by the region’s booming oil industry.
Shaun Donovan listened to concerns from local officials during a hearing at Williston’s public library, near a municipal … Read more >>>.

Independent lawmakers meet to decide support in neck-and-neck Australian elections

Independent lawmakers hold key to Aust. government

CANBERRA, Australia – Three independent lawmakers who could hold the key to a new Australian government were aligning their positions Tuesday as the continuing vote count from weekend elections yielded no clear winner, leaving the government in limbo.
The Australian Electoral Commission said the ruling Labor Party had won 72 …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

NY appeals court refuses review of order forcing Fed to reveal firms that got Fed loans

Appeals court declines 2nd look at Fed data ruling

NEW YORK – A federal appeals court in New York has declined to hold a rare full-court rehearing of a panel’s decision to force the Federal Reserve to reveal documents showing financial companies that got Fed loans during the financial crisis.
The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals …. Source article  : NY appeals court refuses review of order forcing Fed to reveal firms that got Fed loans.

It’s official: Levi Johnston files papers to run for office in hometown of Wasilla, Alaska

Johnston files letter of intent to run for office
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Levi Johnston, the father of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s grandson, has filed papers to run for office in his hometown of Wasilla, Alaska, next year.
Johnston filed his letter of intent Friday with the Alaska Public Offices Commission, a first … Read more »»».

Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Not Afraid of USA or Israel

TEHRAN (GaeaTimes.com) — It seems that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has suddenly become outspoken against United States and Israel’s threat to attack Iran. He has told that Israel is too weak to attack the Islamic Republic. Moreover he has promised to help any country in the region which is threatened.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has told that … Read more >>>.

Federal judge in Roger Clemens case issues gag order

Judge in Clemens case issues gag order
WASHINGTON – A judge assigned to Roger Clemens’ perjury case has issued a gag order designed to prohibit public comments that could affect the jury pool for a possible trial.

Clemens was indicted by a federal grand jury Thursday for allegedly lying to Congress. The six-count indictment also accuses the … Read more : Federal judge in Roger Clemens case issues gag order.