Kerala local bodies polls slated for Oct 23, 25

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – State Election Commissioner P. Kamalkutty Tuesday declared that the polling to the local bodies in the state will be held in two phases Oct 23 and 25.

Addressing reporters here, he said the counting would take place Oct 27.
A salient feature of the elections would be that women will get 50 percent seats … Original article on : Kerala local bodies polls slated for Oct 23, 25.

Obama lawyers to argue states’ lawsuit challenging new health care plan should be dismissed

Fla. judge to hear legal arguments of health plan
PENSACOLA, Fla. – The Obama administration hopes a federal judge in Florida will toss a lawsuit by that state and 19 others claiming the president’s health care overhaul is unconstitutional.
U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson will hold a hearing in the case Tuesday morning in Pensacola.
The …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Gillard sworn in as Australia’s PM

SYDNEY – Australia’s first elected female Prime Minister Julia Gillard was Tuesday sworn in along with her 19 cabinet ministers in Canberra.

Gillard, who was accompanied by her partner Tim Mathieson, signed a document and swore allegiance to Britain’s queen. She was also joined by her 19 newly appointed cabinet ministers, 10 ministers and 12 parliamentary … Original source on Gaea Times at : Gillard sworn in as Australia’s PM.

Rahul Gandhi says he gets 5,000 letters a day

SANTINIKETAN – Officially just a Lok Sabha member and Congress general secretary, Rahul Gandhi gets 5,000 letters a day from people on varied issues.

The young leader, who admits it is not possible to go through all the letters, said at an interaction here Tuesday that he was open to guiding those who write to …. Original source  : Rahul Gandhi says he gets 5,000 letters a day.

Gilani assures Musharraf of ‘warm welcome’ by Chief Justice on his return to Pak

MULTAN – In the wake of former president Pervez Musharraf’s announcement of making a political comeback in Pakistan, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that the chief justice of the country would extend a “warm welcome” to the former military ruler, since … Read more >>>.

In 7 states, a final round of primaries set candidates for general elections in November

7 states holding primaries as season wraps up
WASHINGTON – The primary season is ending as it began, the Republican establishment on one side in state after state, and tea party activists on another.
The competition is particularly strong in Delaware and New Hampshire, where GOP senatorial nominations are the prize, and New … Read more »».

POLITICAL INSIDER: Pawlenty’s PAC sends aides to NH to help Republicans on primary day

POLITICAL INSIDER: Pawlenty PAC sends staff to NH

MANCHESTER, N.H. – Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he’ll announce whether he will launch a White House bid after November’s elections, although his political committee is making very public plays in the state that hosts the first presidential primary.
Pawlenty sent six staffers from his Freedom First PAC here …. Original source  : POLITICAL INSIDER: Pawlenty’s PAC sends aides to NH to help Republicans on primary day.

Nitish Kumar upset over allotment of front seat for Lalu Prasad in Parliament

PATNA/NEW DELHI – Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar questioned the logic behind the Congress party allotting a front seat in Lok Sabha to RJD chief Lalu Prasad.

His outburst at the Congress party and the RJD pepped up the war of words ahead of the elections to the state legislature.

“I asked this … Original article on : Nitish Kumar upset over allotment of front seat for Lalu Prasad in Parliament.

As Israeli, Palestinian leaders prepare to meet, Clinton says ‘time is ripe’ for peace

Before Mideast talks, Clinton says ‘time is ripe’
SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt – As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas prepared for a second round of negotiations Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said the “time is ripe” for Mideast peace.
The most immediate dispute between the two … Original article on : As Israeli, Palestinian leaders prepare to meet, Clinton says ‘time is ripe’ for peace.

Bihar wants Kalam to popularise right to vote

PATNA – In an effort to increase voter turnout in the upcoming Bihar assembly polls, the state government has recommended the name of former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to the Election Commission (EC) to popularise the right to vote.

“Kalam is set to be the brand ambassador for the EC in Bihar to publicise about …. Source  : Bihar wants Kalam to popularise right to vote.

Police impose strict curfew across Kashmir; say violators will be shot on sight

Police issue shoot on sight orders in Kashmir
SRINAGAR, India – Indian police patrolled the streets of Kashmir on Tuesday, threatening to shoot anyone defying a rigid curfew imposed on the region a day after troops battled protesters in the streets in violence that killed 19 people.
The region has been wracked by anti-India …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Police impose strict curfew across Kashmir; say violators will be shot on sight.

Japanese prime minister survives leadership challenge after ruling party re-elects him chief

Japanese PM wins party vote, will stay in power

TOKYO – Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan was re-elected president of the ruling Democratic Party on Tuesday, surviving a stiff challenge from a veteran powerbroker and sparing Japan another change in leadership.
Kan, in office just three months, defeated Ichiro Ozawa by an unexpectedly wide margin, 721-491. Parliamentary … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Japanese prime minister survives leadership challenge after ruling party re-elects him chief.

Rahul gets tumultuous welcome in Santiniketan

SANTINIKETAN – “Rahulda” and “Rahulji” they shouted, surging forward to shake hands with him or seek his autograph. Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi was given a tumultuous welcome by students at Visva Bharati University here Tuesday as he began a three-day trip to West Bengal.

Rahul Gandhi, whose family has had long standing ties with the …. Source article  : Rahul gets tumultuous welcome in Santiniketan.

Munda moves trust vote

RANCHI – Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda Thursday moved a trust vote in the assembly Tuesday, three days after he was sworn in as head of the state’s eighth government in less than 10 years.

The trust vote was moved by Deputy Chief Minister Hemant Soren. With the assembly premises undergoing renovation, the proceedings are being … Original article on : Munda moves trust vote.

Clinton says time is ripe for peace deal that gives Israelis security, Palestinians a state

Clinton says time is ripe for Mideast deal
SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt – Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Monday that the “time is ripe” for Mideast peace, but that without face-to-face talks Israel can’t expect lasting security and the Palestinians can’t create an independent state.
Clinton spoke with reporters Monday during a flight from …. Original article  : Clinton says time is ripe for peace deal that gives Israelis security, Palestinians a state.

Oommen Chandy’s enviable innings – 40 years as legislator

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – Not many in Indian politics can boast of winning nine elections on the trot, but Kerala’s former chief minister Oommen Chandy shrugs off his enviable innings even as he completes 40 years as a legislator in the assembly Saturday.
“It is people who are my strength and inspiration for me to work … Read more >>.

Government will complete its term: Italy PM

Rome, Sep 14 (IANS/AKI) Italy’s embattled prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, has ruled out a mid-term election in the country and insisted that his government will stay in office until the end of its term in 2013.

“I rule out fresh elections. The situation is under control, we are calm and we have the necessary conditions in [..] Read the original article: here.

State Department picks San Francisco to host meetings leading up to 2011 Asia-Pacific summit

San Francisco picked for Asia-Pacific negotiations

SAN FRANCISCO – The State Department has selected San Francisco to host two weeks of meetings between ambassadors from 21 nations as a prelude to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum President Obama is hosting in Hawaii next year.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom announced Monday that … Read : State Department picks San Francisco to host meetings leading up to 2011 Asia-Pacific summit.

Obama could name Warren interim consumer agency head to avoid Senate hearings

Obama could name Warren interim consumer head
WASHINGTON – As President Barack Obama looks for someone to head a new consumer protection bureau, he could name Elizabeth Warren, the popular but polarizing consumer advocate, on an interim basis, a move that would allow her to avoid a potentially contentious Senate confirmation hearing.
However, … Original article on : Obama could name Warren interim consumer agency head to avoid Senate hearings.

Clinton in Egypt for new round of Mideast talks, says ‘time is ripe’ for permanent peace

Clinton in Egypt for new round of Mideast talks

SHARM EL-SHEIK, Egypt – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has arrived in Egypt to start a second round of Mideast peace talks.
Clinton is joined by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (neh-ten-YAH’-hoo) and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (mahk-MOOD’ ah-BAHS’) for meetings hosted by Egyptian President Hosni …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Clinton in Egypt for new round of Mideast talks, says ‘time is ripe’ for permanent peace.