BJP wins Kathlal assembly by-election in Gujarat

AHMEDABAD – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won the Kathlal assembly by-election in Gujarat by nearly 21,000 votes.

The bypolls were held after the death of Congress MLA Gautam Zala.

From the initial rounds BJP candidate Kanu Dabhi had an edge over Congress candidate and Gautam Zala’s son, Ghela Zala.

After being denied of a …. Read the original article  : here.

Stability in Afghanistan significant for Pakistan: Gilani

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that his country attached great significance to Afghanistan’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and has also suggested the initiation of a bilateral security dialogue between the two countries.

“We want stability, peace and prosperity in Afghanistan,” the Daily Times quoted Gilani, as saying during …. Source article  : Stability in Afghanistan significant for Pakistan: Gilani.

POLITICAL INSIDER: McMahon says campaign not the time to talk Social Security details

POLITICAL INSIDER: McMahon avoids Social Security
WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Republican Senate candidate Linda McMahon is campaigning on a message that Washington must address the mounting debt and growing deficit. But she’s refusing to talk specifics about entitlement programs such as Social Security or Medicare while seeking the seat Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd is … Read : POLITICAL INSIDER: McMahon says campaign not the time to talk Social Security details.

BJP snatches Congress bastion in Gujarat

GANDHINAGAR – Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi got a perfect birthday gift Friday when his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the Kathlal assembly seat, a Congress bastion, by over 21,000 votes.

This is the first time the BJP has won the seat, located in Kaira district. Kanubhai Dabhi of BJP bagged 62,120 votes against 40,573 votes …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : BJP snatches Congress bastion in Gujarat.

Two youths killed in Kashmir, curfew continues (Second Lead)

SRINAGAR – Violence reared its head in the Kashmir Valley again Friday, with two more protesting youth killed in firing by security forces, taking the toll of civilian deaths to 92. Indefinite curfew prevailed in all major towns for the fifth consecutive day.

Police said security forces intervened to disperse a stone pelting mob that had …. Read the original article  : here.

New Zealand MP quits after admitting passport fraud

WELLINGTON – An embattled New Zealand legislator, who confessed to have obtained a false passport stealing the identity of a dead child, Friday resigned from his party and took two weeks’ leave from parliament.

David Garrett resigned from his ACT Party less than two days after he admitted in parliament Wednesday that he used the child’s …. Read the original article  : New Zealand MP quits after admitting passport fraud.

BJP wrests Gujarat seat

GANDHINAGAR – Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi got a birthday gift Friday when his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) snatched the Kathlal assembly seat from the Congress by over 21,000 votes.

This is the first time the BJP has won the seat, considered a Congress stronghold. Kathlal is in Kaira district.
Kanubhai Dabhi of the BJP …. Read the original article  : BJP wrests Gujarat seat.

Appeals court hears arguments on release of detainee accused of recruiting Sept. 11 hijackers

US fights order to release Guantanamo detainee

WASHINGTON – The government is fighting a judge’s order to release a Guantanamo Bay prisoner accused of recruiting Sept. 11 hijackers for al-Qaida.
A federal judge ordered Mohamedou Ould Salahi’s release in March after he argued that he falsely admitted arranging travel for some of the hijackers after being abused …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Appeals court hears arguments on release of detainee accused of recruiting Sept. 11 hijackers.

Flying high after flexing muscles in GOP primaries, Sarah Palin’s next stops: Iowa, cable TV

Flying high, Sarah Palin’s next stops: Iowa, TV
DES MOINES, Iowa – Forget Disneyland. Sarah Palin is going to Iowa.
The 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee will be the big draw at Friday’s Reagan Dinner in Des Moines, the Iowa Republican Party’s biggest fundraiser. The question that will be on everyone’s mind is whether she’ll …. Read the original article  : Flying high after flexing muscles in GOP primaries, Sarah Palin’s next stops: Iowa, cable TV.

Nepal Maoists pull out Prachanda from PM race

KATHMANDU – After failing to win the prime ministerial race seven times in a row, Nepal’s opposition Maoist party said Friday it was withdrawing its chief and former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda from the eighth vote scheduled for Sep 26.

“We reached the decision at a meeting this morning with Prime Minister Madhav Kumar … Original article on : Nepal Maoists pull out Prachanda from PM race.

Anti-government protesters in Thailand demand release of leaders

BANGKOK – Hundreds of anti-government protesters Friday defied emergency law in the Thai capital to call for the release of their colleagues arrested in a crackdown four months ago.

Sixteen leaders of the movement have been detained since May 19 for staging a 69-day demonstration that ended with 91 people dead and parts of Bangkok in …. Source article  : Anti-government protesters in Thailand demand release of leaders.

North and South Korea discuss family reunions

SEOUL – The Red Cross organisations of North and South Korea met Friday to discuss reunions between family members separated by the country’s split 60 years ago, a news report said.

The two Koreas have allowed temporary reunions of selected families divided after the 1950-53 Korean War on a handful of occasions since a 2000 summit. …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : North and South Korea discuss family reunions.

Afghan security forces gird for expected attacks during Saturday’s parliamentary election

Security ramps up ahead of Afghan vote
KABUL, Afghanistan – Police set up extra checkpoints across Afghanistan on Friday to scan for suicide bombers and insurgents a day ahead of parliamentary polling that will test the government’s ability to hold a legitimate election after last year’s disastrous presidential vote.

Whether the vote is safe and fair will …. Original article  : Afghan security forces gird for expected attacks during Saturday’s parliamentary election.

Maoist chief Prachanda exits from Nepal PM race

KATHMANDU – Nepal’s opposition Maoist party Friday announced it was pulling out of the prime ministerial race with chief and former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda withdrawing his candidature from the vote scheduled for Sep 26.

The former guerrillas reached the decision after Prachanda, who had become Nepal’s first Maoist prime minister in 2008 with … Read more : Maoist chief Prachanda exits from Nepal PM race.

Maehara named new Japanese foreign minister as prime minister shuffles Cabinet

Japan gets new foreign minister in Cabinet shuffle

TOKYO – Seiji Maehara, a security expert and former transport minister, has been named Japan’s new foreign minister.
Maehara, 48, will replace Katsuya Okada, who will take up the No. 2 post in the ruling Democratic Party of Japan.
The Cabinet shuffle took place after Prime Minister Naoto Kan a …. Read the original article  : Maehara named new Japanese foreign minister as prime minister shuffles Cabinet.

MQM leader killed in London, tension in Karachi

LONDON/KARACHI – Prominent Pakistani politician and Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) leader Imran Farooq was stabbed to death outside his home in London, causing panic in Pakistan’s Karachi city Friday where life in most places came to a virtual standstill after news of his killing spread.

Farooq was repeatedly stabbed in the head and neck during the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : MQM leader killed in London, tension in Karachi.

Winner of Hawaii Democratic primary election will challenge GOP’s hold on governor’s office

Hawaii Democrats hope to regain governorship
HONOLULU – After a bitter campaign marked by mudslinging and contentious divisions over race, religion and gay rights, two longtime political rivals in Hawaii meet in a primary Saturday to decide which Democrat will try to recapture the governor’s seat from Republican hands after eight …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Winner of Hawaii Democratic primary will challenge GOP’s hold on governor’s office

Hawaii Dems hope to regain governorship
HONOLULU – Two longtime political rivals in Hawaii meet in a primary Saturday to decide which Democrat will try to recapture the governor’s seat from Republican hands after eight years.
The race between former U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie and former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann has been marked by mudslinging …. Read the original article  : here.

Envoy hopes Obama visit will help India get UNSC seat

WASHINGTON – India\’s ambassador to the US, Meera Shankar, has expressed the hope that US President Barack Obama\’s visit would propel India towards a permanent seat in the UN Security Council to realise the full potential of their strategic partnership.
India hoped that Obama\’s visit \”would prove to be a major step forward in … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Envoy hopes Obama visit will help India get UNSC seat.

New Zealand lawmaker quits party over dead baby identify theft scam

NZ lawmaker who stole dead baby’s identity quits

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – A New Zealand politician resigned from his party Friday after admitting he stole a dead baby’s identity to obtain a false passport 26 years ago.
David Garrett, a lawmaker with the minor Act Party, made the surprise admission in Parliament this week, calling the identity … Read more »»».