Manmohan Singh gets World Statesman Award

NEW YORK – Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has been honoured with the 2010 World Statesman Award by the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, an interfaith coalition which promotes mutual understanding, tolerance and peace.

India’s Ambassador to the US, Meera Shankar, accepted the award on behalf of the prime minister an a glittering ceremony here Tuesday from … Original article on : Manmohan Singh gets World Statesman Award.

NY judge throws out lawsuit by estate of author who claimed ‘Disturbia’ copied ‘Rear Window’

NY judge: ‘Disturbia’ did not copy short story

NEW YORK – A federal judge in New York has dismissed a copyright lawsuit that claimed the 2007 thriller “Disturbia” ripped off Alfred Hitchcock’s classic “Rear Window.”
Federal Judge Laura Taylor Swain tossed out a lawsuit late Tuesday in which Steven Spielberg and others were sued by the estate …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : NY judge throws out lawsuit by estate of author who claimed ‘Disturbia’ copied ‘Rear Window’.

India-US partnership ‘looms bright’ before Obama visit

NEW YORK – The promise of India-US partnership “looms bright and unmistakable” ahead of President Barack Obama’s historic India visit, says a senior US official praising Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his role in forging the relationship.

“As President Obama prepares for an historic state visit to India later this autumn, the promise of our …. Original article  : India-US partnership ‘looms bright’ before Obama visit.

Protesters pushing for AIDS funding, overturn of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ heckle Obama in NY

Obama heckled on AIDS, gay rights at fundraiser

NEW YORK – President Barack Obama got heckled at a fundraiser Wednesday night by protesters pushing for more funding for AIDS programs and quicker action to allow gays to serve openly in the military.
Activists yelled slogans and held signs aloft reading “Obama broken promises KILL.” Supporters of the … Original article on : Protesters pushing for AIDS funding, overturn of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ heckle Obama in NY.

Gaza flotilla report: Israeli interception ‘unlawful’

NEW YORK – An investigative report Wednesday from the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva said that Israel’s military interception of a flotilla of aid ships bound for the Gaza Strip in May was “clearly unlawful” and violent.

The report from Geneva is separate from an investigation ordered by the UN Security Council in New York …. Original source  : Gaza flotilla report: Israeli interception ‘unlawful’.

Army officer accused of sexual harassment, creating hostile work environment

DOD brain injury office chief under investigation

WASHINGTON – The director of the Pentagon office overseeing the treatment of troops suffering from brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder is under investigation for allegedly making unwanted sexual advances and creating a hostile work environment, The Associated Press has learned.
The inquiry of Army Col. Robert W. Saum’s conduct …. Source  : Army officer accused of sexual harassment, creating hostile work environment.

Swedish government gains 1 seat in late vote count

Swedish government gains 1 seat in late vote count

STOCKHOLM – A tally of foreign and advance ballots from Sweden’s election has given the center-right government another seat in Parliament, but it still lacks a majority.
Wednesday’s vote count gave Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt’s four-party alliance 173 seats, one more than it had after the first count, …. Source article  : Swedish government gains 1 seat in late vote count.

Obama, White House staff still waiting for Emanuel to decide on Chicago mayor bid

No decision on Chicago mayor run for Emanuel

WASHINGTON – The White House says even President Barack Obama doesn’t know whether his chief of staff Rahm Emanuel will leave the administration to run for Chicago mayor.
Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs says Emanuel hasn’t made up his mind, and the president is not aware of what the decision … Original source on Gaea Times at : Obama, White House staff still waiting for Emanuel to decide on Chicago mayor bid.

Jamaica parliament seat declared vacant after ruling party lawmaker admits dual US citizenship

Jamaica parliament seat vacated over citizenship

KINGSTON, Jamaica – A top court ruled Wednesday that a lawmaker allied to Prime Minister Bruce Golding is ineligible to sit in parliament because she also holds U.S. citizenship.
The decision has the potential to narrow Golding’s already slim majority of 31-28, depending on whether his Labor Party is ultimately able …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Jamaica parliament seat declared vacant after ruling party lawmaker admits dual US citizenship.

Obama calls for more accountability for sustained development

WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama called Wednesday for a new approach to international development by focusing on sustainability and requiring greater accountability for poor countries to ensure aid if effectively used.

“We’re making it clear that we will partner with countries that are willing to take the lead,” Obama said at a UN conference in …. Read the original article  : here.

Tea Party Express plans return to Alaska; vows to do whatever it takes to beat Sen. Murkowski

Tea party returning to Alaska to help Joe Miller

JUNEAU, Alaska – The tea party group helping to upset the status quo in several races this election year is coming back to Alaska to fulfill a vow to do whatever it takes to beat U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski.
Tea Party Express spokesman Levi Russell said Wednesday that …. Source  : Tea Party Express plans return to Alaska; vows to do whatever it takes to beat Sen. Murkowski.

Appeals court affirms unconstitutionality of strict Florida ban on gay adoptions

Court affirms overturning Fla. gay adoption ban

MIAMI – Florida will immediately stop enforcing its ban on adoptions by gay people following a decision by a state appeals court that the three-decade-old law is unconstitutional, Gov. Charlie Crist said Wednesday.
Crist announced the decision after the 3rd District Court of Appeal upheld a 2008 ruling by a … Original source on Gaea Times at : Appeals court affirms unconstitutionality of strict Florida ban on gay adoptions.

Republicans circulate ‘Pledge to America’ focused on jobs, economy and drawing on voter ire

Tax, spending cuts top GOP campaign-year ‘Pledge’

WASHINGTON – House Republicans are vowing to cut taxes and federal spending, repeal the health care law and ban federal funding of abortion. It’s all part of a new campaign manifesto designed to propel them to victory in midterm elections Nov. 2.
Republicans who have been briefed on the document … Read more : Republicans circulate ‘Pledge to America’ focused on jobs, economy and drawing on voter ire.

Turks and Caicos party to abandon reform talks with Britain until election date restored

T&C party abandons reform talks with Britian

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos – A political boss in the Turks and Caicos Islands said Wednesday that his party is abandoning reform talks with British officials until a guaranteed date is set for an election restoring self rule.
Doug Parnell, chief of the People’s Democratic Movement, said it discontinued talks …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Turks and Caicos party to abandon reform talks with Britain until election date restored.

Els, Ford, Hutchison and a former US president to go into Hall of Fame

Els gets in on the first ballot
ATLANTA – Like most golfers, Ernie Els always wonders if he could have achieved more in his career. He was reminded Wednesday he has done plenty with the announcement that he has been elected into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Els was the only player to receive enough votes …. Original source  : Els, Ford, Hutchison and a former US president to go into Hall of Fame.

AP Interview: Yanukovych seeks deeper US ties, moving on path to EU membership

AP Interview: Yanukovych seeks deeper US ties

NEW YORK – The Ukrainian president, who has repaired relations with neighboring Russia and taken his country out of the running for NATO membership, said on Wednesday he wants to improve strategic relations with the United States.
Viktor Yanukovych also said that despite restoring historically close ties with fellow Slavs … Read more : AP Interview: Yanukovych seeks deeper US ties, moving on path to EU membership.

NCAA suspends North Carolina’s Burney 6 games, Williams 4 amid probe into agents, academics

NCAA suspends UNC’s Burney 6 games, Williams 4

RALEIGH, N.C. – The NCAA suspended North Carolina defensive back Kendric Burney six games and safety Deunta Williams four games on Wednesday for receiving improper benefits.
Both players must also repay benefits to become eligible, though the school plans to appeal the length of the suspensions.
In a news release, … Read : NCAA suspends North Carolina’s Burney 6 games, Williams 4 amid probe into agents, academics.

Yemeni officials say al-Qaida militants fighting off army’s attempt to retake besieged village

Besieged al-Qaida militants battling Yemeni troops

SAN’A, Yemen – Al-Qaida militants holed up in a village in south Yemen on Wednesday fought off repeated attempts by government troops backed by tanks and heavy artillery to retake the besieged town, officials said.
Thousands of people have fled Hawta and the surrounding area in Shabwa province since security forces … Original article on : Yemeni officials say al-Qaida militants fighting off army’s attempt to retake besieged village.

APNewsBreak: Senator recommends closing little-used border post undergoing $8.5M upgrade

APNewsBreak: Senator wants border crossing closed

HELENA, Mont. – An influential senator is recommending border officials scrap an $8.5 million stimulus-funded upgrade to a Montana-Saskatchewan border post and shut down the underused crossing.
Sen. Jon Tester says the U.S. Customs and Border Protection should abandon the renovation because Canada plans to close its side in April and …. Original article  : APNewsBreak: Senator recommends closing little-used border post undergoing $8.5M upgrade.

Russia cancels arms deal with Iran

MOSCOW – Russian President Dmitry Medvedev cancelled a planned arms deal with Iran because of the UN sanctions against the country, the Kremlin announced late Wednesday.

The presidential decree forbade the transfer of tanks, artillery, war ships, helicopters and missile defence systems to Iran. Tehran had ordered the missile defence system S-300 two years ago.
The …. Read the original article  : Russia cancels arms deal with Iran.