It’s go-for-broke time in Afghanistan on 9th anniversary of the war

It’s go-for-broke time on 9th anniversary of war

KABUL, Afghanistan – The war in Afghanistan enters its 10th year Thursday with key players hedging their bets, uncertain whether the Obama administration is prepared to stay for the long haul, move quickly to exit an increasingly unpopular conflict, or something in between.
Fearing that his Western allies may …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Yeddyurappa sacks four Independents as ministers

BANGALORE – Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa Wednesday sacked four ministers — all Independent legislators — for withdrawing support to the first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in southern India.

I have recommended to Governor H.R. Bhardwaj to drop Agriculture Marketing and Small Scale Industries Minister Shivaraj S. Tangadagi, Textile and Sericulture Minister Venkataramanappa, … Read more »».

US diplomat: Healthy US-Japan alliance vital amid Asia’s changing security dynamics

US diplomat: US-Japan pact vital in changing Asia

TOKYO – The top U.S. diplomat for East Asia said Wednesday that Washington and Tokyo need to make sure their security alliance is in good working order to cope with rapid changes in Asia.
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell also praised Prime Minister Naoto Kan for demonstrating … Original source on Gaea Times at : US diplomat: Healthy US-Japan alliance vital amid Asia’s changing security dynamics.

Nitish Kumar to launch campaign Friday

PATNA – Hoping to return to power in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is set to launch his election campaign for the state assembly elections Friday, said to be an auspicious day for Hindus.

The campaign will start with the slogan ‘Phir Ek Baar, Nitish Kumar’ (Once again, Nitish Kumar), Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leaders said.
…. Source  : Nitish Kumar to launch campaign Friday.

Dutch court rejects exiled separatists’ demand to have Indonesian president arrested

Bid to have Indonesian president arrested fails

THE HAGUE, Netherlands – A Dutch court Wednesday rejected a separatist group’s bid to have Indonesia’s president arrested for alleged human rights violations during a state visit to the Netherlands.
The Hague District Court decision means the Dutch government will not be ordered to arrest Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono if he … Original source on Gaea Times at : Dutch court rejects exiled separatists’ demand to have Indonesian president arrested.

Defense chiefs from the US and China to meet next week amid a thaw in relations

US, China defense chiefs to meet amid thaw in ties

BEIJING – China’s defense minister will meet his U.S. counterpart at an international gathering in Vietnam next week as the two nations move to end an eight-month freeze on military exchanges, state media said Wednesday.
Gen. Liang Guanglie will meet Defense Secretary Robert Gates at a meeting …. Read the original article  : here.

Yemen official says rocket hits near British embassy car, wounding diplomat and 3 bystanders

Yemen: Rocket attack targets British embassy car

SAN’A, Yemen – A rocket attack on Wednesday damaged a British diplomatic car in the capital San’a, wounding three bystanders and an embassy staffer, a Yemeni and British officials said.
The attack comes a day after a top U.S. official was visiting the country to discuss the security situation and …. Read the original article  : Yemen official says rocket hits near British embassy car, wounding diplomat and 3 bystanders.

New Zealand TV host criticised for ridiculing Sheila Dikshit

SYDNEY – A New Zealand TV station which had recently suspended one of its show hosts for a racial slur on the country’s governor-general, has come in for fresh trouble after it featured a clip on its website ridiculing the name of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

TVNZ has received at least four complaints about … Original article on : New Zealand TV host criticised for ridiculing Sheila Dikshit.

Supreme Court weighs whether right to free speech covers protests at soldiers’ funerals

High court to hear military funeral protest case

WASHINGTON – The father of a Marine killed in Iraq is asking the Supreme Court to reinstate a $5 million verdict against members of a fundamentalist church who picketed his son’s funeral with signs like “Thank God for Dead Soldiers” and “God Hates the USA.”
The court is hearing …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Supreme Court weighs whether right to free speech covers protests at soldiers’ funerals.

POLIITCAL INSIDER: Ex-football coach Holtz seeks campaign cash for GOP

POLITICAL INSIDER: Lou Holtz pitches GOP
WASHINGTON – Former football coach Lou Holtz is urging support – with votes and with money – for Republicans running for Congress.

In a fundraising e-mail sent Tuesday on behalf of the National Republican Congressional Committee, Holtz said GOP leaders in the House are well positioned to “fire Nancy Pelosi” in …. Original source  : POLIITCAL INSIDER: Ex-football coach Holtz seeks campaign cash for GOP.

Yemen official says mortar round targets British diplomatic motorcade, wounding 3 bystanders

Yemen: Mortar round lands near British motorcade

SAN’A, Yemen – A Yemeni security official says a mortar round exploded near a British diplomatic motorcade not far from its embassy in the capital San’a.
The official said Wednesday that at least three bystanders were wounded in the blast but he did not know of any British casualties. He …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Yemen official says mortar round targets British diplomatic motorcade, wounding 3 bystanders.

BJP to raise issue of misuse of CBI in Parliament: Sushma Swaraj

AHMEDABAD – Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj has said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would raise the issue of the alleged misuse of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by the Congress during the winter session of Parliament.

Addressing local functionaries of her party here on Tuesday, Swaraj said: “We …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

My responsibility lies with the Youth Congress: Rahul Gandhi

NEW DELHI – Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi reiterated Wednesday that his primary responsibility was to revive the Youth Congress and get the youth to join politics.

I have responsibility of the Youth Congress and I am doing that, Gandhi told reporters at a press conference here.
He added that his main aim was to …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Women break male stranglehold over Pakistan politics

ISLAMABAD – Women are now making a mark in Pakistan’s male-dominated political arena as seats have been reserved for them and candidates have to hold a graduation degree to contest polls.

There is reservation for women in the federal parliament as well as 33 percent quota for women in all legislative assemblies.
The firebrand Pakistan … Read more »»».

Pakistan customs detains 152 NATO supply vehicles

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Customs officials have detained 152 NATO trailers and oil tankers at the Chaman border crossing carrying fuel and other supplies for coalition forces in Afghanistan, a media report said Wednesday.

Some tampering was found in NATO supplies documents presented at a Customs checkpoint in Chaman for clearance, sources told Dawn.
…. Read the original article  : here.

Obama’s India visit: No major game changer expected

WASHINGTON – The first ever visit by President Barack Obama to India will be marked by its ordinariness instead of it extraordinariness, if one goes by what US officials say. There are no big ticket items on the agenda and certainly nothing comparable to the civilian nuclear deal signed during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Obama’s India visit: No major game changer expected.

Former Fiji PM Chaudhry pleads not guilty to defying military regime’s ‘laws’

SUVA – Former Fiji Prime Minister Mahendra Pal Chaudhry has pleaded not guilty to holding an illegal meeting in defiance of laws imposed by the military regime.

Chaudhry and five others, Sanjeet Maharaj, Ganga Dharan, Gajraj Singh, Abhay Raj Singh and Shammi Kapoor, reportedly appeared in Rakiraki Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday charged with unlawful assembly under … Read more »»».

Washington Post reports that officials of Taliban and Afghan govt in talks aimed at ending war

Report: Taliban, Afghan govt in talks to end war

WASHINGTON – Secret talks aimed at ending the war in Afghanistan have begun between representatives of the Taliban and the government of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, The Washington Post reported on its website Tuesday night.
Afghan and Arab sources cited by the Post said they believe for the …. Original source  : Washington Post reports that officials of Taliban and Afghan govt in talks aimed at ending war.

San Francisco officials approve nonbinding term sheet in bid to host America’s Cup

San Francisco approves America’s Cup term sheet

San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors voted 9-2 on Tuesday to approve a nonbinding term sheet for hosting the 34th America’s Cup in 2013.
The vote – with Chris Daly and John Avalos dissenting – is a significant step in the bid to host sailing’s marquee regatta on San Francisco Bay.
San … Original source on Gaea Times at : San Francisco officials approve nonbinding term sheet in bid to host America’s Cup.

Connecticut governor candidates Foley, Malloy spar over death penalty during live TV debate

Conn. governor candidates spar over death penalty

HARTFORD, Conn. – The two major-party nominees for Connecticut governor are sparring over the death penalty and whether it would apply to a man convicted of the home invasion killings of a woman and her two daughters.
Lawmakers recently voted to abolish the state’s death penalty. But Republican Gov. M. …. Original source  : Connecticut governor candidates Foley, Malloy spar over death penalty during live TV debate.