Quran Burning Aborted by Terry Jones

WASHINGTON (GaeaTimes.com) — It was a sigh of relief when Terry Jones clarified that his plan of burning copies of Quran in a small Florida church is suspended. Pastor Terry Jones announcement to torch copies of the Muslim holy book to mark the 9th anniversary of the 9/11 attack triggered an outrage across the nation. …. Source  : Quran Burning Aborted by Terry Jones.

Lok Sabha speaker greets people on Eid-ul-Fitr

NEW DELHI – Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar Friday greeted people on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr and said it was a “unique festival which strengthens the spirit of devotion and charity among us”.
“It is not only a pious and joyous occasion but also an appropriate time when we rise above our narrow considerations … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Lok Sabha speaker greets people on Eid-ul-Fitr.

Munda visits mother before taking over as chief minister

RANCHI – Before taking on the mantle of Jharkhand chief minister for the third time, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Arjun Munda played the dutiful son and went to Jamshedpur to seek the blessings of his mother.

Munda, 42, is scheduled to be sworn-in Saturday as head of a BJP-Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) government, signalling … Read : Munda visits mother before taking over as chief minister.

US greets North Korea succession talk with a shrug, focusing on nuclear disarmament

US shrugs off North Korea succession talk
WASHINGTON – The Obama administration is greeting with a shrug an expected North Korean political convention that could see the public debut of the country’s next ruler.

World leaders come and go, even in totalitarian North Korea; the important thing, U.S. officials say, is for the country to live up …. Original article  : US greets North Korea succession talk with a shrug, focusing on nuclear disarmament.

Once celebrated as a tea party hero, Sen. Scott Brown opts for middle ground in Massachusetts

Sen. Scott Brown showing a more moderate face
WASHINGTON – Sen. Scott Brown, once celebrated by tea partiers, has pulled the political equivalent of knocking over the china: He’s displayed a moderate streak.
A surge of tea party support helped catapult the upstart Brown into the late Sen. Edward Kennedy’s seat in Democratic-dominated Massachusetts last …. Read the original article  : here.

Gilani rules out army toppling democratically elected Pak government

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, reiterating the need for democracy in the country, has stated that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government would complete its tenure and there was no possibility of the army taking over.

“The army neither intends to come to power, nor will it do so. The judiciary is … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Gilani rules out army toppling democratically elected Pak government.

Emerging global player India essential to solving regional challenges: US

WASHINGTON – Describing India as an emerging global player, a US official has said that President Barack Obama looks forward to his trip to a nation that is essential to solving regional challenges, including Afghanistan.
“As we’ve said many times, it is a vitally important relationship to the region and to the world,” … Original source on Gaea Times at : Emerging global player India essential to solving regional challenges: US.

Judge won’t kick disputed Arizona Green Party ’sham candidates’ off November ballot

Judge: AZ Green Party candidates to stay on ballot

PHOENIX – Nine disputed Arizona Green Party nominees, labeled “sham candidates” because they were allegedly recruited by Republicans to syphon away support for Democrats, can stay on the November ballot, a federal judge ruled late Thursday.
U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell denied a Green Party request for … Original article on : Judge won’t kick disputed Arizona Green Party ’sham candidates’ off November ballot.

Mexican Senate OKs bill to let migrants file abuse complaints regardless of immigration status

Mexican bill to allow migrants file complaints

MEXICO CITY – Mexico’s Senate passed a bill Thursday that would allow undocumented migrants to file complaints about abuses and receive medical treatment without being questioned about their immigration status.
Currently, Mexican law allows only people who are legally in the country to file such complaints with police and other … Read more >>.

Dispute over ‘classified’ material delays Afghan war memoir by ex-Army intelligence officer

Afghan war book delayed over ‘classified’ material

WASHINGTON – A former Army intelligence officer’s attorney is questioning whether a new Defense Department security review of his client’s memoir on the Afghanistan war is a retaliatory move that has forced a delay in the book’s publication.
Anthony A. Shaffer’s book “Operation Dark Heart: Spycraft and Special Ops on …. Source article  : Dispute over ‘classified’ material delays Afghan war memoir by ex-Army intelligence officer.

Fed. judge: Military’s ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy violates 1st Amendment rights of gays

Judge: Military’s ban on gays is unconstitutional
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – A federal judge on Thursday declared the U.S. military’s ban on openly gay service members unconstitutional and said she will issue an order to stop the government from enforcing the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy nationwide.
U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips said the ban violates … Read more >>.

GOP Senate candidates court conservative support in final debate before New Hampshire primary

NH GOP Senate candidates in final primary debate
MANCHESTER, N.H. – Rivals for New Hampshire’s Republican Senate nomination vied for the support of conservative voters Thursday night in a polite debate that yielded agreement on federal spending cuts, a reduction in size of the government and repeal of the health care law that President … Original source on Gaea Times at : GOP Senate candidates court conservative support in final debate before New Hampshire primary.

Clinton tells crowd in Atlanta that ‘anger, apathy and amnesia’ threaten Democrats in November

Clinton: Anger, apathy, amnesia threaten Democrats
ATLANTA – Former President Bill Clinton is warning Democrats that anger, apathy and amnesia could be the keys to defeat in the November election.
Clinton spoke at a fundraiser Thursday evening for Democratic Senate candidate Mike Thurmond, who is seeking to unseat GOP incumbent Johnny Isakson. In …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Clinton tells crowd in Atlanta that ‘anger, apathy and amnesia’ threaten Democrats in November.

Appeals court strikes down Southern Calif city’s tattoo parlor ban on free speech grounds

Appeals court ends tattoo parlor ban in Calif city

SAN FRANCISCO – A federal appeals court struck down a city ban on tattoo parlors Thursday, ruling the artistic expression is entitled to free speech protection under the U.S. Constitution.
The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the Southern California city of Hermosa Beach to allow tattoo …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Appeals court strikes down Southern Calif city’s tattoo parlor ban on free speech grounds.

In Chicago mayor’s race, White House chief of staff would be best-known candidate

Emanuel would be best-known mayoral candidate
CHICAGO – If Rahm Emanuel decides to run for Chicago mayor, the White House chief of staff would easily be the best-known figure in the race, with national name recognition that few others could match and invaluable experience from helping engineer the Democrats’ takeover of the House …. Original article  : In Chicago mayor’s race, White House chief of staff would be best-known candidate.

Pentagon says Gates called Florida pastor, urged him not to burn Quran

Defense secretary calls Florida pastor
WASHINGTON – The Pentagon has confirmed that Defense Secretary Robert Gates called a Florida pastor and urged him not to burn copies of the Quran.

Press secretary Geoff Morrell said Thursday’s call to Pastor Terry Jones was very brief. He says Gates expressed “his grave concern” that the burning of the Muslim … Original article on : Pentagon says Gates called Florida pastor, urged him not to burn Quran.

Philly church could face fines for noise after city issues warning over 7 a.m. bell-ringing

Philly warns church over bell-ringing at 7 a.m.

PHILADELPHIA – A Philadelphia church could face fines because the city says its 7 a.m. bell-ringing may violate a noise ordinance.
The city’s Department of Health says neighbors have complained about the bell noise at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in the Manayunk (MAN’-uh-yuhnk) neighborhood.
The Philadelphia Inquirer … Read more : Philly church could face fines for noise after city issues warning over 7 a.m. bell-ringing.

Palin endorses tea party-backed O’Donnell in contentious Delaware Senate primary

Palin backing O’Donnell campaign
WASHINGTON – Sarah Palin on Thursday endorsed Christine O’Donnell’s Senate bid in Delaware, hoping to give another tea party-backed candidate a final push to defeat an establishment favorite.
The former Alaska governor announced the endorsement on radio host Sean Hannity’s program and on her Facebook page.
“Please support Christine O’Donnell in Delaware,” … Original article on : Palin endorses tea party-backed O’Donnell in contentious Delaware Senate primary.

Pa. mayor pledges to take immigrant law to Supreme Court after appeals court rules against it

Pa. mayor to take immigration law to Supreme Court

HAZLETON, Pa. – A federal appeals court ruled Thursday that Hazleton, Pa., may not enforce its crackdown on illegal immigrants, dealing another blow to 4-year-old regulations that inspired similar measures around the country. The city’s mayor pledged to take the case to the Supreme Court.
The 3rd U.S. …. Source article  : Pa. mayor pledges to take immigrant law to Supreme Court after appeals court rules against it.

Conservative groups air ads calling for defeat of candidates, test Supreme Court ruling

Two GOP-leaning groups spending $5 million in ads

WASHINGTON – More than a dozen Democratic members of the House are facing a wave of negative ads by two conservative, Republican-allied groups that plan to spend more than $5 million on advertising.
Beginning Thursday, Americans for Job Security and The 60 Plus Association are set to run commercials … Read more : Conservative groups air ads calling for defeat of candidates, test Supreme Court ruling.