UN draft report: Rwandan army attacks on refugees in Congo in the 1990s could be genocide

UN: Attacks on Hutus in 1990s could be genocide

JOHANNESBURG – A leaked U.N. draft report says the Rwandan army and its Congolese rebel allies now in power committed massacres in Congo in the 1990s that could be classified as genocide, using hoes and axes to kill people and burning others alive.
The report, leaked Thursday by …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : UN draft report: Rwandan army attacks on refugees in Congo in the 1990s could be genocide.

UK PM Cameron was almost shot down by Taliban rocket

LONDON – British military sources revealed that insurgents armed with shoulder-launched rockets came close to assassinating Prime Minister David Cameron during his recent trip to Afghanistan.

According to the sources, they knew which helicopter to target when the Prime Minister visited a British base in southern Helmand province.

Intercepted communications by militants referred to the desire … Original article on : UK PM Cameron was almost shot down by Taliban rocket.

Gadkari woos Muslims with promises of welfare, safety

BHOPAL – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Nitin Gadkari has said that whenever his party returns to power, it would protect every Muslim who loves being ideal patriot.

Addressing a public rally here on Thursday, Gadkari said: ” Congress Party spreads the notion that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is dangerous, if it comes …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Gadkari woos Muslims with promises of welfare, safety.

Chidambaram’s saffron terrorism remark rocks proceedings in Rajya Sabha

NEW DELHI – The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena on Friday staged protests in the Rajya Sabha over Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram’s statement on the rise in “saffron terrorism”, leading to two adjournments in proceedings of the House.

As soon as the House met for the day, Shiv …. Read the original article  : Chidambaram’s saffron terrorism remark rocks proceedings in Rajya Sabha.

Indicted Sudanese president among guests in attendance as Kenya gets new US-style constitution

Sudan leader attends Kenya constitution ceremony

NAIROBI, Kenya – African leaders including indicted Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir joined tens of thousands of Kenyans Friday as a new constitution was signed into law that institutes an American-style system of checks and balances on power.
This is only the second time that al-Bashir has risked arrest by traveling to …. Read the original article  : Indicted Sudanese president among guests in attendance as Kenya gets new US-style constitution.

Kenyan president signs new constitution into law

NAIROBI – Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki Friday signed into law a long-awaited new constitution, weeks after it was passed in a national referendum.

A massive crowd gathered to watch the president sign the document, which is part of a reform process aimed at preventing a repeat of the violence that followed disputed presidential elections in December … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Kenyan president signs new constitution into law.

As candidates and allies define opponents in negative light, political ads surpass 2006 levels

Political ads surpass 2006 levels as attacks mount
WASHINGTON – Across the country, political ad spending is up and attack ads lead the way. Those who take the high road do so at their peril.
As of Thursday, candidates for state and federal office had spent $395 million on ads for the November … Read this article on Gaea Times at : As candidates and allies define opponents in negative light, political ads surpass 2006 levels.

Former Ill. Gov. Blagojevich headed for solo retrial after feds drop charges against brother

Rod Blagojevich headed for retrial without brother
CHICAGO – Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s older brother dreaded his lawyer’s phone call.
Robert Blagojevich expected to learn when he’d again stand trial alongside his sibling. A jury deadlocked last week on all four corruption charges against him and 23 of 24 charges against the former governor.
Instead, … Read more >>.

Not breaking defence ties with China, says Antony

HYDERABAD – Defence Minister A.K. Antony Friday denied that India was breaking defence ties with China.
“It is not the question of breaking ties,” Antony told reporters on the sidelines of a programme at Mishra Dhatu Nigam Ltd (MIDHANI) here.
“There are occasional problems but that will not affect our broader approach,” he said. …. Source article  : Not breaking defence ties with China, says Antony.

Be more sensitive, India tells China after visa denial report

NEW DELHI – China and India should show “sensitivity to each others’ concerns”, the Indian foreign ministry said Friday amid reports that China had denied a visa to a senior army officer responsible for Jammu and Kashmir.
“While we value our exchanges with China, there must be sensitivity to each others’ concerns,” said …. Original source  : Be more sensitive, India tells China after visa denial report.

Strange timing of NKorean leader Kim Jong Il’s visit to China spurs succession speculation

NKorean leader’s trip spurs succession speculation
CHANGCHUN, China – North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il was said to be traveling with his youngest son on a rare trip to China on Friday, re-igniting speculation the younger Kim will take over the reigns of the reclusive communist nation in coming years.
The highly unusual visit to … Read more »».

Rajya Sabha adjourned over Chidambaram’s remarks

NEW DELHI – The Rajya Sabha was adjourned twice till noon Friday as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena MPs protested Home Minister P. Chidambaram’s remarks on “saffron terrorism” at a conference of state police chiefs.
The house was first adjourned on the issue till 11.22 a.m. and later till noon. … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Rajya Sabha adjourned over Chidambaram’s remarks.

New Kenyan constitution becomes law, ushering in new system of government

Kenya gets new American-style constitution

NAIROBI, Kenya – African leaders joined tens of thousands of Kenyans on Friday to witness a once-in-a-generation event: the signing into law of Kenya’s new constitution.
The East African nation replaced a colonial-era constitution with one that curtails the president’s powers with an American-style system of checks and balances.
President Mwai Kibaki’s official … Read more >>>.

UN draft report: Rwandan army attacks on Hutu refugees in Congo in the 1990s could be genocide

UN: Rwandan attacks on Hutus could be genocide

JOHANNESBURG – A U.N. draft report says the Rwandan army and Congolese rebel allies now in power committed massacres of Hutu refugees in Congo in the 1990s that could be classified as genocide.
Le Monde newspaper of Paris reports that Rwanda’s president is threatening to withdraw troops from peacekeeping … Read more »»».

Monsoon session extended by two days

NEW DELHI – The monsoon session of parliament has been extended by two more days and will now conclude Tuesday, it was officially announced Friday.

The session was to end this week but over 40 hours were lost due to disruptions and some legislative business remained pending.
“The Lok Sabha will sit on Aug 30 …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Jimmy Carter leaves North Korea with freed US man

SEOUL – Former US president Jimmy Carter left North Korea Friday after achieving the release of a US man who had been imprisoned there, the state-run Korean Central News Agency said.
Carter flew to Pyongyang Wednesday to lobby for the release of Aijalon Mahli Gomes, 30, who was arrested in January and sentenced …. Original article  : Jimmy Carter leaves North Korea with freed US man.

Former President Carter secures release of American imprisoned in NKorea since January

NKorea releases American imprisoned since January
SEOUL, South Korea – A smile flickered across Aijalon Gomes’ face as he hugged former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and boarded a plane for Boston on Friday, seven months after his arrest in North Korea.
Carter flew to the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, this week …. Read the original article  : Former President Carter secures release of American imprisoned in NKorea since January.

Authorities: Utah sheriff’s deputy shot and killed near Arizona-Utah border; suspect at large

Sheriff’s deputy fatally shot near AZ-Utah border

FREDONIA, Ariz. – Authorities are pursuing a man they say fatally shot a Utah sheriff’s deputy near the Arizona-Utah border.
A Coconino County, Ariz., sheriff’s spokeswoman says authorities were chasing a 23-year-old man on foot when he shot a Kane County, Utah, sheriff’s deputy with a high-powered scope rifle Thursday …. Source  : Authorities: Utah sheriff’s deputy shot and killed near Arizona-Utah border; suspect at large.

American who was imprisoned in North Korea is seen by those who know him as man of conviction

US man freed from N. Korea known as deep, affable

BOSTON – An American who was imprisoned in North Korea for illegally crossing the border has a gentle spirit but is also a person of conviction willing to be bold about what he believes, friends and acquaintances said.
Aijalon Gomes had been teaching English in South Korea … Original source on Gaea Times at : American who was imprisoned in North Korea is seen by those who know him as man of conviction.

Mystery surrounds North Korea’s Kim Jong Il as motorcade seen in Changchun

Mysgtery surrounds NKorea’s Kim in China
CHANGCHUN, China – Mystery surrounded North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il on his strangely timed visit to China while former U.S. President Jimmy Carter was in North Korea winning the release of an imprisoned American.
Kim’s Thursday trip to China was his second in three months – unusual for … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Mystery surrounds North Korea’s Kim Jong Il as motorcade seen in Changchun.