Alaska loses long-held Senate seniority that brought billions of dollars to state

Senate upset erases Alaska seniority
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The defeat of Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski by an upstart fiscal conservative in the GOP primary could mark a significant shift for a state that has so long relied on federal pork to survive.

The outcome was also an unexpected blow to the seniority Alaska has enjoyed in the …. Source  : Alaska loses long-held Senate seniority that brought billions of dollars to state.

Sonia to be Congress president for record fourth time

NEW DELHI – Sonia Gandhi, 63, is set to be chosen president of the ruling Congress for the fourth time, with all party office bearers nominating her for the post Thursday. It will make her the longest serving party president in the 125-year history of the Congress.
Central ministers, party general secretaries, chief … Read more >>.

CWG Organising Committee Vice Chairman hails Manmohan Singh’s intervention

NEW DELHI – The vice chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee and Secretary General of Indian Olympic Association, Randhir Singh, has hailed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s intervention as a miracle.
Addressing media persons here on Wednesday, Randhir Singh said after the Prime Minister took charge of the mega event, preparations at venues …. Original source  : CWG Organising Committee Vice Chairman hails Manmohan Singh’s intervention.

Fired aide to former Missouri governor runs for House seat long held by ex-boss’ father

Fired aide to ex-Mo. gov runs for gov’s dad’s seat

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – It’s been three years since Scott Eckersley was fired after pointing out that his then-boss, former Gov. Matt Blunt, and others in Blunt’s administration should not be deleting certain e-mails because they belonged to the public record.
Now after a $500,000 settlement for a …. Original article  : Fired aide to former Missouri governor runs for House seat long held by ex-boss’ father.

Chicago’s top cop criticized for ‘gang summit,’ but other departments say tactic effective

Chicago police chief criticized for ‘gang summit’

CHICAGO – Chicago’s police chief has been the focus of criticism in recent days for calling a meeting with reputed gang leaders.
But police Superintendent Jody Weis (wees) and experts say the tactic of holding so-called “gang summits” is just good police work and is used by departments across the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Cautious US relaunches direct Israeli-Palestinian peace talks after 2 years

Israelis, Palestinians resume direct talks
WASHINGTON – Seeking to broker a Mideast peace agreement that has eluded U.S. presidents for decades, the Obama administration is overseeing the first direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians in nearly two years.
After a day and evening in White House talks with President Barack Obama, Israeli … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Cautious US relaunches direct Israeli-Palestinian peace talks after 2 years.

Cautious US relaunches direct Israeli-Palestinian peace talks Thursday after 2 years

Israeli, Palestinians resume direct talks
WASHINGTON – Seeking to broker a Mideast peace agreement that has eluded U.S. presidents for decades, the Obama administration is overseeing the first direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians in nearly two years.
After a day and evening in White House talks with President Barack Obama, Israeli …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Cautious US relaunches direct Israeli-Palestinian peace talks Thursday after 2 years.

POLITICAL INSIDER: Bill Clinton comes to aid of endangered Democrat Lincoln in Arkansas

POLITICAL INSIDER: Clinton helps Ark. Democrat
WASHINGTON – Former President Bill Clinton is coming to the aid of endangered Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln.
Clinton, who served as Arkansas governor, will headline an event celebrating Lincoln’s one-year anniversary as chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee. Lincoln’s campaign announced Wednesday that Clinton will join her …. Source  : POLITICAL INSIDER: Bill Clinton comes to aid of endangered Democrat Lincoln in Arkansas.

US-brokered Mideast peace summit begins

WASHINGTON – As a US-brokered Middle East peace summit got underway here, US President Barack Obama urged Israeli and Palestinian leaders to seize the “moment of opportunity” as such a chance may not come again soon.
He was “hopeful, cautiously hopeful” that the talks could achieve a two-state solution to the long-running Mideast conflict, … Original article on : US-brokered Mideast peace summit begins.

Independent MP offers support to Gillard

SYDNEY – Independent MP from Tasmania, Andrew Wilkie decided Thursday to support the Labor Party, giving incumbent Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard 74 seats in her bid to form a minority government.

Wilkie, who won the Denison seat, however, said his support to a returned Gillard government would only extend to not voting for “unwarranted no-confidence” … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Independent MP offers support to Gillard.

Year after YSR’s death, Andhra pays rich tributes

HYDERABAD – Andhra Pradesh Thursday remembered one of its greatest leaders, late chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, who had died in a helicopter crash a year ago, leaving the state in shock.

Rich tributes were paid to YSR – as he was popularly called – and, at various programmes held across the state, he was recalled …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Women tie rakhis to Rahul, get assurance of development

AMETHI – Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi turned ‘brother’ for several women and girls of a village here who tied rakhis to him and he promised to turn their dreams of development into a reality, a party spokesperson said Thursday.
Gandhi reached the Isauli village late Wednesday to meet and interact with the … Read more >>.

Congress scraps plan to show black flags to Gadkari

RAIPUR – The Congress party Thursday withdrew its decision to show black flags to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Gadkari who is scheduled to tour Chhattisgarh for two days from Friday.

“The decision to show black flagsto him was taken by the Congress in context of Gadkari’s reported unwelcome and indecent statements in recent months … Read : Congress scraps plan to show black flags to Gadkari.

Cherie had an ‘incredible instinct’ for offending people, says Tony Blair

LONDON – Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has revealed in his memoirs that wife Cherie had an ‘incredible instinct’ for offending people, especially the powerful ones.

Blair sought to dispel some commonly held notions about his wife, insisting that she got along just fine with the Queen, and did not take showers with her controversial … Read : Cherie had an ‘incredible instinct’ for offending people, says Tony Blair.

Netanyahu seeks historic compromise in Middle East

WASHINGTON – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised Wednesday to seek a “historic compromise” between Israelis and Palestinians that would lead to a peaceful resolution of the long-simmering Middle East conflict.
Netanyahu said he was convinced that peace was possible, calling Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas “my partner in peace” as the two leaders …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Netanyahu seeks historic compromise in Middle East.

Rahul leaves Amethi to meet Sonia

AMETHI – Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi broke off his three-day trip here to travel to New Delhi to meet his mother and party president Sonia Gandhi who will file a nomination for another term in office as party chief. He will back here in the afternoon, a party spokesperson said.
Gandhi reached Amethi, … Original source on Gaea Times at : Rahul leaves Amethi to meet Sonia.

Republican lawmakers urge Schwarzenegger to appeal judge’s ruling on Calif gay marriage ban

Lawmakers urge governor to appeal Prop 8 ruling

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A group of Republican lawmakers is urging California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to appeal a federal ruling that struck down the state’s same-sex marriage ban.
Twenty-seven members of the Assembly’s Republican caucus sent Schwarzenegger a letter Tuesday saying it was up to the governor to defend the …. Source  : Republican lawmakers urge Schwarzenegger to appeal judge’s ruling on Calif gay marriage ban.

Poll: Majority of Arizona voters support types of provisions in controversial immigration law

Poll: Ariz. voters favor immigration enforcement

PHOENIX – A poll released Wednesday found that an overwhelming majority of Arizona voters support the types of provisions that are at the heart of a national debate involving the state’s immigration law.
The survey conducted on behalf of Arizona State University’s Morrison Institute for Public Policy found 81 percent of …. Read the original article  : Poll: Majority of Arizona voters support types of provisions in controversial immigration law.

Peace in the Mideast? Obama convenes fresh talks despite new violence, ‘cautiously hopeful’

‘Cautiously hopeful’ _ Mideast peace talks begin
WASHINGTON – Under the shadow of fresh violence, President Barack Obama solemnly convened the first direct Israeli-Palestinian talks in two years Wednesday, challenging Mideast leaders to seize a fleeting opportunity to deliver peace to a region haunted by decades of hostility.
“I am hopeful, cautiously hopeful, but hopeful,” … Read more >>>.

Obama cautiously hopeful after convening first direct Israeli-Palestinian talks in 2 years

Obama cautiously hopeful as Mideast talks begin
WASHINGTON – Under the shadow of fresh violence, President Barack Obama solemnly convened the first direct Israeli-Palestinian talks in two years Wednesday, challenging Mideast leaders to seize a fleeting opportunity to deliver peace to a region haunted by decades of …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Obama cautiously hopeful after convening first direct Israeli-Palestinian talks in 2 years.