Pawar takes backseat as opposition demands adjournment motion on price rise

NEW DELHI – Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar Wednesday took a backseat as MPs debated whether the Lok Sabha should allow adjournment motions, which entail voting, moved by the opposition over the rising food prices.
Pawar, whose ministry has a major role to play in arresting the rising prices, was not present in the first … Read more >>>.

British PM plays up Shah Rukh connection

NEW DELHI – As he began his maiden Indian visit Wednesday, British Prime Minister David Cameron singled out Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, food and cricket as among the cultural bonds that tie Indians and Britons.

“We share so much culturally, whether it’s watching Shah Rukh Khan, eating the same food or watching cricket,” Cameron said … Read this article on Gaea Times at : British PM plays up Shah Rukh connection.

India reminds Britain of ISI’s role in Afghanistan

NEW DELHI – A day ahead of talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron, India Wednesday drew attention to leaks documenting Pakistani spy agency ISI’s role in fomenting instability in Afghanistan and underlined that any reintegration of the Taliban should be “Afghan-led and Afghan-driven”.
“The UK is a very valuable …. Original source  : India reminds Britain of ISI’s role in Afghanistan.

Cameron agrees to ink nuke deal with India against official advice

BANGALORE – British Prime Minister David Cameron has shooed aside official advice and agreed to lift a ban on the export of nuclear technology and components to India.

According to the Telegraph, British companies will be free to strike deals worth billions of pounds under the new regime which will be based on a “presumption” that …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Cameron agrees to ink nuke deal with India against official advice.

CEC designate Quraishi promises to ‘uphold nation’s trust’

NEW DELHI – The softspoken S.Y. Quraishi, who will take charge as chief election commissioner (CEC) Friday, says he will uphold the “immense trust the nation has in the Election Commission”.

“I am honoured. I feel very proud. I request the cooperation of all stakeholders to discharge my duties,” Quraishi, who will be the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Democrats, GOP select women as nominees, ensuring Oklahoma will have its first female governor

Women to head GOP, Democratic tickets in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY – One broke the gender barrier in Oklahoma politics, holding a statewide seat for a dozen years before winning two terms in Congress. The other succeeded her at the lieutenant governor’s office and narrowly defeated the state’s 16-year attorney general in the state’s top political matchup …. Source  : Democrats, GOP select women as nominees, ensuring Oklahoma will have its first female governor.

Price rise heat forces Rajya Sabha adjournment till Thursday (Second Lead)

NEW DELHI – Spiralling food prices forced two adjournments of the Rajya Sabha Wednesday, the second one for the day, with an angry opposition demanding a discussion on the issue under an adjournment motion that entails voting. What was quite clear was that the opposition was united in its demand but not in the manner … Original source on Gaea Times at : Price rise heat forces Rajya Sabha adjournment till Thursday (Second Lead).

China jails Tibetan fugitives deported by Nepal

KATHMANDU – Seven years after triggering international condemnation by violating a “gentlemen’s agreement” and handing over a group of fleeing Tibetan refugees to China, Nepal has again deported three more fugitives under growing Chinese pressure, a rights organisation said.

Two Tibetan monks from Korchak monastery in Tibet, located close to the border with Nepal, and a … Read more >>.

Congress issues whip to MPs to be present in Parliament

NEW DELHI – The Congress party on Wednesday issued a whip to its MPs to be present in Parliament in the backdrop of the opposition move to press for an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha on the price rise issue.

The ministers have been told to vigorously defend the government during the [..] Read the original article: here.

Battle plan or head fake, TV ad reservations suggest how Democrats see House races this fall

House Democrats line up TV ad buys for fall races
WASHINGTON – Democrats say they are prepared to spend $49 million on TV ads during the final weeks of the midterm elections in their effort to maintain a House majority.
The advertising strategy comes in the face of a strong challenge by Republicans and an … Original article on : Battle plan or head fake, TV ad reservations suggest how Democrats see House races this fall.

APNewsBreak: Hundreds of FBI agents investigated over cheating on test of surveillance rules

APNewsBreak: FBI scrutinized over test cheating

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department is investigating whether hundreds of FBI agents cheated on a test of new rules allowing the bureau to conduct surveillance and open cases without evidence that a crime has been committed.
In some instances, agents took the open-book test together, violating rules that they take it …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Obama steps up his fundraising efforts with a swing through New York and New Jersey

Ahead of elections, Obama ramps up his fundraising
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is stepping up his fundraising efforts as the midterm elections draw closer and Democrats need money to battle a Republican Party energized in part by voter concern over government spending and regulations.
Obama was to speak Wednesday at a sandwich …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Obama steps up his fundraising efforts with a swing through New York and New Jersey.

FBI defends its surveillance guidelines as director faces Senate questioning

FBI defends guidelines for domestic surveillance

WASHINGTON – The FBI is defending domestic surveillance guidelines that civil liberties groups fear could unfairly target innocent Muslims in terrorism and other criminal investigations.
The criticism from the American Civil Liberties Union and a nonprofit group called Muslim Advocates comes with FBI Director Robert Mueller scheduled to testify Wednesday before … Read more »».

Rajya Sabha adjourned till Thursday

NEW DELHI – The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day Wednesday amidst demands from the entire opposition for a discussion on the price rise under an adjournment motion that entails voting.

The house was first adjourned till 12 noon but as the din continued when it resumed, Chairman Hamid Ansari adjourned it till Thursday.
The …. Read the original article  : here.

Anna Fermanova: Another Sexy Spy?

NEW YORK (GaeaTimes.com)- The latest sensation on the web is a Russian who seems to have filled in the shoes of femme fatale Anna Chapman. Anna Fermanova has been charged for smuggling military level equipment to Russia according to the latest reports. The 24 year old was caught with night vision goggles worth $15,000 … Original source on Gaea Times at : Anna Fermanova: Another Sexy Spy?.

‘Declare Jharkhand drought prone’

NEW DELHI – A former Jharkhand chief minister Wednesday asked the central government to declare the state drought prone and immediately send it relief.

“Rainfall is less than average. The centre must declare Jharkhand drought prone and relief should be sent immediately,” Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) leader and former state chief minister Arjun Munda told reporters …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : ‘Declare Jharkhand drought prone’.

Rajya Sabha adjourned as price rise protests continue

NEW DELHI – Opposition leaders continued their protests against rising prices in the Rajya Sabha Wednesday, forcing an adjournment soon after the house met.

The house was adjourned till 12 noon. The trouble began as soon as the house assembled for the day when all opposition members went on their feet demanding a discussion on price …. Original article  : Rajya Sabha adjourned as price rise protests continue.

Speaker allows debate on adjournment motion

NEW DELHI – Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar Wednesday allowed MPs to debate on whether the house should allow the adjournment notices, which entail voting, moved by opposition members over the rising prices of essential commodities. An adjournment motion is seen as an instrument of censure against the government’s policies.
After a brief … Read : Speaker allows debate on adjournment motion.

Students’ protest forces school to admit 26/11terror attack eyewitness

MUMBAI – Activists of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the students wing of opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged a demonstration outside a school, who denied admission to Devika Rotawan, the young eyewitness of the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai.

They were protesting against the Indian Education Society’s New English School at Bandra (East) on Tuesday.

Reportedly, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Students’ protest forces school to admit 26/11terror attack eyewitness.

Khaleda Zia’s former aide dead

DHAKA – Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, who played an important role in the Khaleda Zia regime, died past midnight Wednesay after fighting lung cancer.

Bhuiyan was 67, the Daily Star reported.
A long-time minister and secretary general of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for 11 years, Bhuiyan was removed by Zia in 2007 amid media …. Source  : Khaleda Zia’s former aide dead.