Krishna, Qureshi likely to meet Monday

UNITED NATIONS – Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna is likely to meet with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi Monday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session here, a media report said.

The date and time of the meeting have yet to be agreed upon, but diplomats here told Dawn News the … Read more : Krishna, Qureshi likely to meet Monday.

Poll: Democrats Brown, Boxer hold narrow leads in races for California governor, US Senate

Poll: Democrats Brown, Boxer hold narrow leads

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A new poll shows Democrats Jerry Brown and Barbara Boxer slightly ahead in their races for California governor and U.S. Senate just five weeks before Election Day.
The Los Angeles Times-University of Southern California poll released Saturday shows Brown with support from 46 percent of likely voters, … Original article on : Poll: Democrats Brown, Boxer hold narrow leads in races for California governor, US Senate.

O’Donnell statements provide fodder for opening sketch of new Saturday Night Live season

O’Donnell is first political target of SNL season

DOVER, Del. – With the new season of “Saturday Night Live” comes a fresh batch of political satire – and Delaware Senate hopeful Christine O’Donnell is the first target.
The Republican candidate’s past statements were fodder for the opening sketch on Saturday night’s broadcast on NBC.
The sketch involved actors …. Source article  : O’Donnell statements provide fodder for opening sketch of new Saturday Night Live season.

NY governor, who’s criticized SNL for mocking disabled, goes on show to mock cast right back

Often-mocked NY governor appears on ‘SNL’
NEW YORK – Mocked for years on “Saturday Night Live,” the governor of New York has appeared on the show to dish back.

Gov. David Paterson came on Saturday night during the show’s “Weekend Update” segment. He interrupted cast member Fred Armisen, who was in character as the governor. Armisen plays …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : NY governor, who’s criticized SNL for mocking disabled, goes on show to mock cast right back.

Calif. gov. signs law honoring man who defied Japanese-American internment during World War II

Calif. law honors World War II internment critic

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A man who challenged the World War II internment of Japanese-Americans will be honored in California every year under a bill signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The governor on Thursday signed legislation designating Jan. 30 as Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Calif. gov. signs law honoring man who defied Japanese-American internment during World War II.

Judge gives death row inmate 18 more hours to consider method of execution

Inmate gets more time to choose execution method

SAN FRANCISCO – A judge has given a death row inmate another day to choose his execution method.
Albert Greenwood Brown has until noon Sunday to decide between a lethal injection of one drug or the three-drug cocktail California has used in its last 12 executions.
U.S. District Court Judge … Read : Judge gives death row inmate 18 more hours to consider method of execution.

Ford administration mulled a muscular response ‘violently’ to 1975 capture of US ship Mayaguez

In Mayaguez incident, US considered its prestige

WASHINGTON – When the merchant ship Mayaguez and its American crew were seized by communist forces off the coast of Cambodia in 1975, the Ford administration was determined to craft a muscular response in hope of limiting damage to U.S. prestige, according to newly declassified documents published by the …. Source article  : Ford administration mulled a muscular response ‘violently’ to 1975 capture of US ship Mayaguez.

Bhutan PM attends Buddhist society meet in Bodhgaya

BODHGAYA – Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigme Thinley participated in the 113th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Mahabodhi Society of India in Bodhgaya.

Thinley, along with other senior functionaries of his delegation, were special invitees at the meeting, which was attended by 150 delegates on Saturday.

Dressed in the traditional Buddhist robe, Thinley acknowledged India’s role in keeping …. Read the original article  : Bhutan PM attends Buddhist society meet in Bodhgaya.

Pakistan ATC issues contempt notices in Benazir assassination case

RAWALPINDI – Pakistan’s anti-terrorism court (ATC) conducting the trial of five men in the case of assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, has issued contempt of court notices over non- submission of the complete investigation report.

Special Judge ATC-I- Malik Mohammad Akram Awan- directed the six member joint investigation team of the FIA to appear … Read : Pakistan ATC issues contempt notices in Benazir assassination case.

NY governor, who’s criticized ‘SNL’ for mocking disabled, to appear on show, source says

NY governor to appear on ‘SNL,’ source says

NEW YORK – A person close to the governor of New York says he will appear on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” after lambasting the show for mocking his blindness.
Paterson’s appearance on the show is scheduled for Saturday night.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the governor would …. Original article  : NY governor, who’s criticized ‘SNL’ for mocking disabled, to appear on show, source says.

Israel must choose between peace and settlements: Abbas

NEW YORK – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Saturday told the United Nations General Assembly Saturday that Israel “must choose between peace and the continuation of settlements”.

“We affirm our complete readiness to cooperate with the American efforts for the success of the political process to reach a comprehensive, just and lasting peace,” Abbas said.
Abbas spoke … Read more >>.

Little-known Alaska Democratic Senate hopeful says Murkowski write-in campaign is lost cause

Alaska Dem rival: Murkowski campaign a lost cause

JUNEAU, Alaska – The little-known Democrat in Alaska’s Senate race is labeling Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s write-in campaign as a lost cause.
Scott McAdams told The Associated Press on Saturday that it’s “wishful thinking” on Murkowski’s part if she thinks she can overcome history – and other factors after her … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Little-known Alaska Democratic Senate hopeful says Murkowski write-in campaign is lost cause.

Israeli leaders praise former Cuban President Fidel Castro for pro-Israel remarks

Israeli leaders praise Fidel Castro
JERUSALEM – Israeli leaders are praising former Cuban President Fidel Castro for supporting Israel in a series of interviews

Israeli President Shimon Peres’ office says Peres sent Castro a personal letter Saturday thanking him for his remarks. And Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent reporters text messages drawing attention to a series …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Israeli leaders praise former Cuban President Fidel Castro for pro-Israel remarks.

Obama calls GOP ‘Pledge’ to cut taxes and spending a step back that the nation can’t afford

Obama dismisses GOP ‘Pledge’ as echo of disaster

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama says Republicans’ plan to slash taxes and cut spending if the GOP retakes the House in November is no more than “an echo of a disastrous decade we can’t afford to relive.”
Obama used his weekly radio and Internet address Saturday to skewer House … Read more >>>.

Ford administration mulled responding ‘violently’ to capture of US ship Mayaguez in 1975

In 1975 incident, officials considered US prestige

WASHINGTON – When the merchant ship Mayaguez and its American crew were seized by communist forces off the coast of Cambodia in 1975, the Ford administration was determined to craft a muscular response in hope of limiting damage to U.S. prestige, according to newly declassified documents published by the … Read : Ford administration mulled responding ‘violently’ to capture of US ship Mayaguez in 1975.

Third-party nominees could swing outcome in tight governors and congressional races this fall

Third-party candidates could tip close elections

WASHINGTON – Whether they are sore losers or never-say-die patriots, third-party candidates threaten to tip a handful of congressional and gubernatorial races to contenders who otherwise might have lost this fall.
Nine-term Rep. Mike Castle of Delaware is the third prominent Republican to consider a third-party bid this year after a … Read : Third-party nominees could swing outcome in tight governors and congressional races this fall.

Palestinian leader says Israel must choose between peace or continuation of settlements

Abbas says settlements block Mideast peace deal

UNITED NATIONS – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says there will be no peace deal with Israel unless the Jewish state stops settlement construction in areas the Palestinians want for their future state.
Addressing the U.N. General Assembly Saturday, Abbas said Israel must choose between peace or continuing settlement construction in …. Original article  : Palestinian leader says Israel must choose between peace or continuation of settlements.

At UN, climate ministers remain deadlocked before next major summit in December

At UN, climate ministers seek way out of stalemate

UNITED NATIONS – Climate ministers and top negotiators from dozens of nations remain deadlocked over how to cut greenhouse gases less than three months before the next major international climate summit.
The U.N.’s top climate official told a high-level gathering Saturday that the key issues “are frankly in … Read more >>>.

Judge refuses to throw out Tennessee student’s convictions in hacking of Sarah Palin’s e-mail

Judge: Verdict stands in hacked Palin e-mail case

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – A federal judge has declined to throw out the convictions of a former University of Tennessee student for hacking Sarah Palin’s e-mail account during the 2008 campaign.
U.S. District Judge Thomas Phillips issued the ruling Thursday and The Knoxville News Sentinel reported that the defense attorney …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Judge refuses to throw out Tennessee student’s convictions in hacking of Sarah Palin’s e-mail.

Indian gov’t offers detainee releases, review of security in bid to defuse Kashmir unrest

Detainee releases offered to ease Kashmir unrest

NEW DELHI – The Indian government said Saturday it will ask authorities to release hundreds of students and youths detained during months of civil unrest that has left at least 107 people dead in Kashmir and review the massive deployment of security forces there.
The government also offered a dialogue, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Indian gov’t offers detainee releases, review of security in bid to defuse Kashmir unrest.