Japanese leader attacks ‘River Kwai’ Britons, simple-minded Americans

LONDON -A former secretary-general of Japan’s ruling Democratic Party, who is tipped to be a future prime minister, has described the British as not being very likeable, and dismissed Americans as too simple minded.

Ichiro Ozawa, 68, said: “I don’t like … Read : Japanese leader attacks ‘River Kwai’ Britons, simple-minded Americans.

Alaska’s US senator feels wrath of anti-incumbent rage, Sarah Palin in tight race

Palin a central figure in tight Alaska Senate race
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Sarah Palin has emerged as a key figure in an Alaskan Senate primary race so close that it will now be decided by absentee ballots.
Heavily favored Sen. Lisa Murkowski watched the surprising returns showing a tight race Tuesday night, becoming painfully aware … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Alaska’s US senator feels wrath of anti-incumbent rage, Sarah Palin in tight race.

PM asks police chiefs’ annual meet to reinvent itself

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday said the annual conference of police chiefs must “reinvent” itself, setting some “quantifiable goals every year” and reviewing achievements the following year.
“This conference has been a time-tested mechanism for enhanced coordination but given the changing circumstances, the time perhaps has come for it to reinvent … Read this article on Gaea Times at : PM asks police chiefs’ annual meet to reinvent itself.

Kashmiris want ‘azadi’, not jobs, says BJP

NEW DELHI – Kashmiris are demanding secession from India and not jobs or economic development, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said Thursday and slammed the government for its failure to handle the unrest in the Kashmir Valley that has seen 64 people killed since June 11.
During a debate in the Lok Sabha …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Kashmiris want ‘azadi’, not jobs, says BJP.

BJP faces flak for reinstating tainted leader

RAIPUR – Opposition Congress Thursday slammed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for reinstating Pradeep Gandhi, a former MP who was expelled from parliament after being caught on camera accepting bribe.

Gandhi, a close aide of Chief Minister Raman Singh and former Lok Sabha member from Rajnandgaon seat, was appointed as a special invitee in BJP’s …. Source  : BJP faces flak for reinstating tainted leader.

India’s leader says security forces need to change strategy in Kashmir to avoid violence

India’s PM tells police to change Kashmir strategy
NEW DELHI – Security forces in Kashmir need to find non-lethal means of controlling violent mobs to prevent more deaths in the unrest roiling the Indian-ruled region, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Thursday in rare remarks directly questioning government tactics.
Violence related to near-daily protests against Indian … Read more : India’s leader says security forces need to change strategy in Kashmir to avoid violence.

With ex-President Carter in North Korea, Kim Jong Il slips over to China, teachers there say

NKorea’s Kim visits Chinese school, teachers say

BEIJING – North Korea’s reclusive leader Kim Jong Il was in China Thursday on his second visit this year to his country’s biggest source of diplomatic and financial support, according to teachers at a school he visited.
The visit, which has not been announced by either country, is highly unusual, …. Original article  : With ex-President Carter in North Korea, Kim Jong Il slips over to China, teachers there say.

Government dispels fears of n-weapons in Myanmar

NEW DELHI – There is no nuclear threat from Myanmar, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said Thursday, adding that strict vigil was being maintained and admitting that nuclear weapons in neighbouring countries were a matter of concern.

“Myanamar asserts that it has no nuclear programme on its anvil. The government of India will have to believe,” …. Source article  : Government dispels fears of n-weapons in Myanmar.

South African police ordered not to join strike that has hit hospitals, schools nationwide

South African police ordered not to join strike

JOHANNESBURG – South African police say officers who join the nationwide public service strike for higher pay could be fired.
The strike, in its eighth day Thursday, has so far hit hospitals and schools hardest.
South Africa has one of the world’s highest rates of violent crime, with some 50 … Read more »».

Rahul Gandhi in Orissa to address tribal rally

BHUBANESWAR – Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi arrived in Orissa Thursday to address a rally of tribals in Kalahandi district where a mining project proposed by the Vedanta group was rejected by the environment ministry.

Gandhi arrived at Therubali air strip in Rayagada district at about 12.20 p.m., police said.
He proceeded to Lanjigarh in …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Rahul Gandhi in Orissa to address tribal rally.

Teachers in northeast China say NKorea’s Kim Jong Il is on 2nd trip to China this year

Teachers in northeast China say Kim has visited

BEIJING – Two teachers in the northeastern China say North Korean leader Kim Jong Il visited their school in his second trip this year to his country’s biggest source of diplomatic and financial support.
The teachers at the Yuwen Middle School in Jilin province said Kim visited the school …. Source article  : Teachers in northeast China say NKorea’s Kim Jong Il is on 2nd trip to China this year.

Perry talks often about Texas Rangers’ border security work, just don’t ask him for specifics

State obscures elite Texas Rangers’ border work

McALLEN, Texas – Gov. Rick Perry tells just about anyone who’ll listen about his plan to dispatch elite teams of Texas Rangers to the border to keep Texans safe from encroaching Mexican drug violence.
Just don’t ask him for specifics.
The Ranger Recon initiative serves as a strong rhetorical counterpoint when … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Perry talks often about Texas Rangers’ border security work, just don’t ask him for specifics.

Naxals ‘our own people’, ready to hold dialogue, says Manmohan Singh

NEW DELHI – Terming Naxalism as the biggest challenge which the country faces today, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said that it was necessary to train officers and men of forces engaged in fighting the challenge.
Addressing the second-day session of the 45th conference of Director Generals Of Police and other senior security …. Original article  : Naxals ‘our own people’, ready to hold dialogue, says Manmohan Singh.

US watching passage of n-bill: Roemer

NEW DELHI – The US was watching the passage of the civil nuclear liability bill and was hoping it “will turn out well”, US ambassador Timothy J. Roemer said Thursday, a day after the bill was passed by the Lok Sabha.
“We are watching as it passes, we hope it will turn out … Read more : US watching passage of n-bill: Roemer.

Beck plans rally at Lincoln Memorial on anniversary of King’s famed ‘I Have a Dream’ speech

Beck rally on anniversary of King’s ‘Dream’ speech
WASHINGTON – Glenn Beck’s rally on the anniversary and at the site of Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech is drawing criticism, protests and questions about his intentions.
Beck insists the event Saturday at the Lincoln Memorial is not about politics, …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Beck plans rally at Lincoln Memorial on anniversary of King’s famed ‘I Have a Dream’ speech.

A Cornish moniker for David Cameron’s newborn daughter

LONDON – UK Prime Minister David Cameron and wife Samantha Cameron have named their newborn baby daughter Florence Rose Endellion.

With the name, the PM kept his promise to pick a Cornish moniker for his daughter, born by caesarean at Truro’s Royal Cornwall Hospital, reports the Sun.

‘Endellion’ is taken from ‘St Endellion’, the tiny … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : A Cornish moniker for David Cameron’s newborn daughter.

Militants kill 8 policeman in volatile northern Afghan province of Kunduz, police say

Militants kill 8 policeman in northern Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan – Insurgents killed eight Afghan policemen in a raid Thursday on a checkpoint outside the northern city of Kunduz, the provincial police chief said.
Abdul Raziq Yaqoubi said police suspected the raid was carried out by militants from Russia’s restive Chechnya region who are active in the surrounding … Original source on Gaea Times at : Militants kill 8 policeman in volatile northern Afghan province of Kunduz, police say.

Camerons name baby after village

LONDON – British Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha have named their new daughter Florence Rose Endellion, after a village close to which they were holidaying.

Camerons were holidaying near the village of St Endellion when Samantha felt the contractions and had to be rushed to the hospital.
The couple finally decided the name …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

While Carter visits North Korea, leader Kim Jong Il may have traveled to China, reports say

Reports: NKorean leader may be visiting China

SEOUL, South Korea – North Korean leader Kim Jong Il was making a secret trip to China on Thursday in what would be his second visit this year to his country’s biggest source of diplomatic and financial support, South Korean news reports said.
Kim’s special armored train crossed the border …. Read the original article  : While Carter visits North Korea, leader Kim Jong Il may have traveled to China, reports say.

Nobel peace prize winners call on Obama to visit Hiroshima

Nobelists call for Obama to visit Hiroshima
TOKYO – Five Nobel peace laureates are calling on President Barack Obama to visit Hiroshima later this year to re-energize his call for a world without nuclear arms, strengthening a drive by the site of the world’s first atomic bomb attack to host the U.S. leader.
A visit …. Original article  : Nobel peace prize winners call on Obama to visit Hiroshima.