Little known outside Washington, Boehner balances GOP factions, awaits chance to be speaker

Speaker-in-waiting Boehner balances GOP factions

WASHINGTON – John Boehner could walk down most American streets without turning a head.
But the perpetually tanned, chain-smoking Ohioan might be the next House speaker and a huge force in national politics, trying to manage an increasingly libertarian-leaning Republican caucus while leading the opposition to President Barack Obama.
For those who know …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Gaza smugglers killed, missing as Israeli airstrikes target underground tunnels

Gaza smugglers dead, missing in Israeli strikes

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip – Israeli aircraft bombed three Gaza tunnels, killing two Palestinians and wounding a third, Hamas security officials said Sunday.
Two more Palestinians were missing following the late Saturday airstrikes, which the Israeli military said was retaliation for Hamas shooting attacks.
The officials identified all five men as … Read more : Gaza smugglers killed, missing as Israeli airstrikes target underground tunnels.

Nepal parties call for probe into Maoist bribe tape

KATHMANDU – Nepal’s largest ruling party is asking for an investigation into a taped telephone conversation that purportedly records a prominent Maoist leader seeking NRS 500 million from a Chinese “friend” to buy MPs ahead of Sunday’s prime ministerial election. The ex-rebels say they would conduct a probe themselves.

Just hours before Nepal’s parliament begins an …. Source  : Nepal parties call for probe into Maoist bribe tape.

Philippine police kill Abu Sayyaf commander, 2 other militants in clash on southern island

Philippine police kill militant commander, 2 men

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine police commandos killed an Abu Sayyaf commander linked to last year’s kidnapping of Red Cross workers and gunned down two other militants in a clash in the south, officials said Sunday.
Gafur Jumdail and two of his men were killed late Saturday near Maimbung town on …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Philippine police kill Abu Sayyaf commander, 2 other militants in clash on southern island.

For once, Manmohan Singh speaks to impress (Capital Buzz)

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, under fire for his long spells of “silence” on critical issues of governance and problems facing the country, seems to have impressed at least one set of people – his own envoys.
Contrary to his image of being just a speech reader, he made an extempore address …. Original source  : For once, Manmohan Singh speaks to impress (Capital Buzz).

Ex-UK army chief blasts Blair, Brown for letting down forces in Iraq, Afghanistan

LONDON – Former British army chief, General (retired) Sir Richard Dannatt, has accused both former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his successor Gordon Brown of badly letting down the country’s armed forces during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Telegraph quoted General Dannatt as accusing Brown of being a “malign” influence by failing to … Read more : Ex-UK army chief blasts Blair, Brown for letting down forces in Iraq, Afghanistan.

Nepal Maoists allege India behind Chinese bribe tape

KATHMANDU – Facing a growing public debate in Nepal on whether the opposition Maoist party had sought NRS 500 million from friends in China to bribe over four dozen MPs ahead of a crucial election Sunday, the former rebels have retaliated by blaming the country they love to hate – India.

The retaliation comes after the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Nepal Maoists allege India behind Chinese bribe tape.

NATO service member killed in Afghan fighting as possible talks with insurgents draw closer

NATO service member killed in Afghan fighting

KABUL, Afghanistan – A coalition service member was killed in fighting in Afghanistan’s turbulent south Sunday, one day after President Hamid Karzai moved a step closer to opening talks with Taliban who might be having doubts about the ongoing insurgency.
The death is the sixth among foreign fighters in Afghanistan …. Original article  : NATO service member killed in Afghan fighting as possible talks with insurgents draw closer.

Jacob Zuma to become father for 22nd time

CAPE TOWN – South African President Jacob Zuma, 68, is to become a father for the 22nd time as his fianc??e is expecting a child early next year.

Bongiwe Gloria Ngema, who recently accompanied Zuma on a state visit to China, is pregnant, the Daily Telegraph said Saturday, citing media reports.
The pair already …. Original article  : Jacob Zuma to become father for 22nd time.

Myanmar democracy icon wants to sue junta

YANGON – Myanmar’s democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi has advised her now defunct political party to sue the ruling junta for forcing its dissolution, opposition sources said Sunday.

Suu Kyi, who is serving an 18-month sentence under house arrest, gave her legal advice to her team of lawyers, Nyan Win, Kyi Win and Khin Htay …. Read the original article  : Myanmar democracy icon wants to sue junta.

Clashes in Sudan’s Darfur region leave at least 43 people dead

At least 43 killed in violence in Sudan’s Darfur

CAIRO – Clashes in a refugee camp in Sudan’s restive Darfur region left six people dead, U.N.-African Union peacekeepers said Saturday, days after violence elsewhere in the area claimed the lives of at least 37 people dead.
The spokesman for the UNAMID mission, Chris Cycmanick, said the fighting … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Clashes in Sudan’s Darfur region leave at least 43 people dead.

Pulitzer-winning cartoonist Paul Conrad dies at 86; pencil deflated presidents for 50 years

Pulitzer-winning cartoonist Paul Conrad dies at 86

LOS ANGELES – Paul Conrad used his pencil like a weapon. His long lines and jagged angles seemed to point directly at the leaders he deemed charlatans and fools in need of deflating.
In a career of more than 50 years he won three Pulitzer Prizes, made Richard Nixon’s enemies …. Source  : Pulitzer-winning cartoonist Paul Conrad dies at 86; pencil deflated presidents for 50 years.

Israel’s military says explosions in southern Lebanon occurred at Hezbollah weapons depot

Israel: Explosions occurred at Hezbollah depot

JERUSALEM – Israel’s military said Saturday that surveillance footage from drones shows that the explosions that rocked a village in southern Lebanon this week occurred at a residential building used by Hezbollah as a weapons depot.
A series of blasts ripped through a building in the Hezbollah-dominated village of Shehabiyeh on … Read more : Israel’s military says explosions in southern Lebanon occurred at Hezbollah weapons depot.

AP Interview: Palins’ neighbor McGinniss leaving after finishing research for book

AP Interview: Author leaving home next to Palins
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Sarah Palin can take down the fence.
Palin’s neighbor of three months on Wasilla’s Lake Lucille, author Joe McGinniss, is packing his bags and notebooks and leaving Sunday for his home in Massachusetts to write the book he has been researching on the …. Read the original article  : AP Interview: Palins’ neighbor McGinniss leaving after finishing research for book.

I have become a ’signing machine’: Haryana governor

CHANDIGARH – Expressing discontent over his lack of power and authority, Haryana governor Jagannath Pahadia Saturday called himself a “signing machine” and said that he had no say in the crucial government affairs.

“After taking the post of Haryana governor, I have become a ’signing machine’ in the state. Here files come to me only for …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : I have become a ’signing machine’: Haryana governor.

Letter exposes differences in Uttar Pradesh BJP

LUCKNOW – Differences within the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Uttar Pradesh unit came to the fore here Saturday when copies of a letter containing names of allegedly corrupt party leaders were circulated during a meeting here.

The letters, circulated on behalf of the Uttar Pradesh BJP Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, were addressed to party’s national president Nitin …. Read the original article  : Letter exposes differences in Uttar Pradesh BJP.

BJP stages demonstration demanding ban on cow slaughter in Karnataka

BANGALORE – Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs and a large number of party supporters in Karnataka staged a demonstration here on Saturday to demand the Governor’s endorsement to Cow slaughter ban Bill passed by them for their State.

Intensifying the political deadlock over the Bill to enact ban … Read more : BJP stages demonstration demanding ban on cow slaughter in Karnataka.

Congress workers make beeline at Sonia’s residence to greet her on re-election as party President

NEW DELHI – Large number of Congress party workers and supporters converged here at the residence of Sonia Gandhi on Saturday to hail her unanimous re-election as the President of their party for the fourth term.

Party supporters arriving from different parts of the country danced, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Congress workers make beeline at Sonia’s residence to greet her on re-election as party President.

Rahul Gandhi attacks Nitish Kumar

PATNA – Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Saturday while kicking off the party’s election campaign in Saharsa and Samastipur districts in the poll-bound state.

Gandhi, in his address in Hindi at Patel Maidan in Saharsa, said Nitish Kumar’s development claims were far from true as migration … Read more >>>.

Congress workers felicitate Sonia on her re-election

NEW DELHI – Hundreds of Congress workers thronged 10, Janpath, the official residence of party president Sonia Gandhi, to congratulate her on her re-election as party chief — for a record fourth successive time making her the longest-serving incumbent in the post in the 125-year-old party.
Chanting slogans, party workers – men, women and …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Congress workers felicitate Sonia on her re-election.