Jharkhand’s first panchayat polls to start next month

RANCHI – Jharkhand is all set to hold its first panchayat elections in November and December, an official said Tuesday. The last such polls in the areas took place in 1979 when Jharkhand was part of the undivided Bihar.

The Jharkhand Election Commission sent details of the probable dates of elections to the state government …. Read the original article  : Jharkhand’s first panchayat polls to start next month.

He’s not on the ballot in NM governor’s race, but GOP makes Richardson a top campaign issue

Richardson’s shadow looms in hard-fought NM race

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – In a historic race where New Mexico will elect its first female governor, the outcome could hinge on voter discontent with a man not even on the ballot: Gov. Bill Richardson.
The governor’s popularity has plunged amid corruption investigations as he nears the end of his second …. Original article  : He’s not on the ballot in NM governor’s race, but GOP makes Richardson a top campaign issue.

Singhvi likely to face disciplinary action

NEW DELHI – Congress spokesperson and lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi is likely to face disciplinary action for defending in the Kerala High Court a lottery distributor accused of irregularities, a top party leader said here Tuesday.

“According to our information, the high command will take disciplinary action against Singhvi to save at least its … Read more >>>.

Hong Kong judge says transgender woman can’t marry man, turning away challenge to local law

Hong Kong judge: Transgender woman can’t marry man

HONG KONG – A transgender woman lost a legal challenge Tuesday against Hong Kong marriage rules that prevent her from marrying her boyfriend.
The plaintiff underwent sex change surgery from man to woman in 2008 and obtained identification documents listing her new gender. But Hong Kong’s Marriage Registry only …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Hong Kong judge says transgender woman can’t marry man, turning away challenge to local law.

North Korea’s heir apparent undergoes plastic surgery

LONDON – Heir to North Korean regime Kim Jong-un has reportedly undergone plastic surgery so that he closely resembles his grandfather, a media report said Tuesday.

The speculation began in South Korea after the release last week of the first official photographs of the 27-year-old son of Kim Jong-il, telegraph.co.uk reported.
The images … Read more »».

Election will be make-or-mar for Bihar: Nitish Kumar

PATNA – Chief Minister Nitish Kumar says the upcoming assembly polls will be ‘make-or-mar’ for Bihar as people would either choose the path of development initiated by his government or go back to the politics of caste and religion.

“I think it is going to be a make-or-mar election for the state. For the first …. Source article  : Election will be make-or-mar for Bihar: Nitish Kumar.

In a state with a tradition of corruption, NJ residents say no big deal to 3 trials in a day

3 corruption trials in a day? NJ says no big deal

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – In most places, three unrelated, high-profile political corruption trials on the same day would be pretty big news.
New Jersey is not most places.
As politicians from north to south sat in courtrooms Monday facing accusations of lining their own pockets, stealing or …. Source  : In a state with a tradition of corruption, NJ residents say no big deal to 3 trials in a day.

Maoist MP suspended for knife brawl ahead of PM poll

KATHMANDU – Nepal’s opposition Maoist party suspended a legislator Tuesday amidst reports that he was involved in a knifing brawl ahead of a 10th round of prime ministerial election that is doomed to be futile.

Narendra Bahadur Kunwar, Maoist MP from Baitadi district in farwest Nepal, was suspended from party membership after he was alleged …. Read the original article  : Maoist MP suspended for knife brawl ahead of PM poll.

Graphic video of man Tasered in Australia sparks debate over the use of the stun guns

Graphic Tasering video in Australia ignites debate

SYDNEY – Graphic video of police repeatedly stunning an unarmed man with a Taser has helped restart a debate about whether stun guns are being overused by authorities in Australia.
Western Australia state police said the incident was totally unacceptable, and not typical of Taser use by the force. State …. Read the original article  : Graphic video of man Tasered in Australia sparks debate over the use of the stun guns.

Musharraf should be tried, says provincial assembly in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD – Former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf should not only be tried for violating the constitution, but also for getting Baloch leader Akbar Bugti killed and for staging the Lal Masjid massacre, Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly has demanded.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s Javed Abbasi accused Musharraf of conspiring against democracy in Pakistan while being based in …. Original article  : Musharraf should be tried, says provincial assembly in Pakistan.

New York’s ‘Naked Cowboy’ to contest presidential election

NEW YORK – New York’s popular ‘Naked Cowboy’ Robert John Burck who plays the guitar and wears nothing more than his boots, hat and briefs to entertain people in Times Square has announced his plans to contest the 2012 US presidential election, a media report said.

Burck is a well-known attraction in the Times … Original source on Gaea Times at : New York’s ‘Naked Cowboy’ to contest presidential election.

Geert Wilders Taken to Trial on Charges of his Anti-Islam Speech

AMSTERDAM (GaeaTimes.com) — Dutch MP Geert Wilders moved to the court today in Netherlands on charges of sparking hatred and discrimination against the Muslims. He is accused of making a film called ‘Fitna‘ that is totally anti-muslim and the film showed some links of Quran with terrorists.
Geert Wilders open use of abusing remarks against the … Read more >>>.

Former Colorado Govs. Owens, Lamm question gubernatorial candidates on ability to lead state

2 former Colo. govs quiz gubernatorial candidates

GLENDALE, Colo. – Two former Colorado governors gave the state’s gubernatorial candidates a public job interview Monday, grilling the three hopefuls on their ability to lead the state before coming out with their picks for the position.
Former Govs. Bill Owens and Dick Lamm quizzed Democrat John Hickenlooper, Republican candidate … Read more : Former Colorado Govs. Owens, Lamm question gubernatorial candidates on ability to lead state.

Taiwanese defense official says Chinese threat to island is growing, media reports say

Taiwan official says China threat growing: reports

TAIPEI, Taiwan – A senior Taiwanese official has told a defense forum in the United States that despite rapidly warming commercial relations with Taipei, China’s military threat against the island is growing, Taiwanese media reported Tuesday.
The reports call into question the efficacy of China’s efforts to use its huge …. Original source  : Taiwanese defense official says Chinese threat to island is growing, media reports say.

Chinese, Japanese hold highest-level meeting since dispute broke out over islands

Chinese, Japanese leaders meet in Europe amid spat

BEIJING – The Chinese and Japanese prime ministers held an impromptu meeting in a hallway at a conference in Europe, in the highest-level contact between the countries since a bitter territorial dispute erupted a month ago, both governments confirmed Tuesday.
Relations between the Asian neighbors – the world’s second- … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Chinese, Japanese hold highest-level meeting since dispute broke out over islands.

Former Colorado governors Owens, Lamm quiz gubernatorial candidates

Former Colorado governors quiz candidates
GLENDALE, Colo. – Two former Colorado governors have given their possible replacements a public job interview and have come out with their recommendations after questioning all three about their ability to lead the state.

Former Govs. Bill Owens and Dick Lamm quizzed Democrat John Hickenlooper, Republican candidate Dan Maes and American Constitution …. Read the original article  : Former Colorado governors Owens, Lamm quiz gubernatorial candidates.

Del. Senate candidate O’Donnell ad: ‘I’m not a witch’ and ‘I’m you’; starts airing Tuesday

Del. Senate candidate O’Donnell: ‘I’m not a witch’

DOVER, Del. – Senate candidate Christine O’Donnell is trying to assure Delaware voters: “I’m not a witch.”
The Republican tea-party-backed candidate in her first TV ad since winning the primary pokes fun at comments she made during a 1999 taping of a late-night talk show that she dabbled in …. Read the original article  : Del. Senate candidate O’Donnell ad: ‘I’m not a witch’ and ‘I’m you’; starts airing Tuesday.

NJ Gov. Christie rallies GOP at fundraiser in Iowa, key destination for presidential hopefuls

NJ governor rallies fellow Republicans in Iowa

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie rallied conservative activists in Iowa late Monday, saying his success in a Democratic state shows his tough-talking, smaller government message resonates with all voters.
Fanning speculation that he’s considering a 2012 presidential bid, the Republican spoke to about 700 people … Original article on : NJ Gov. Christie rallies GOP at fundraiser in Iowa, key destination for presidential hopefuls.

Former New York governor Spitzer, Pulitzer winner Parker promise TV talk show with ideas

Parker, Spitzer aim for ideological center on TV

NEW YORK – Former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer promised a TV show with ideas in his prime-time CNN debut with partner Kathleen Parker, and they delivered lots of them.
The premiere of “Parker/Spitzer” featured former Spitzer prosecution target Henry Blodget, “The Social Network” writer Aaron Sorkin, conservative blogger …. Source article  : Former New York governor Spitzer, Pulitzer winner Parker promise TV talk show with ideas.

Mexico, 10 other countries want to voice opinions to appeals court on Ariz. immigration law

11 countries seek voice in AZ immigration appeal

PHOENIX – Mexico and 10 other Latin American countries want a federal appeals court to consider their viewpoints in Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer’s appeal of a ruling that put parts of her state’s new immigration law on hold.
The countries are asking the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals … Original article on : Mexico, 10 other countries want to voice opinions to appeals court on Ariz. immigration law.