Afghan election body voids 1 million votes

KABUL – Afghanistan’s Independent Election Commission said Wednesday that it has thrown out 1.3 million ballots cast in the September parliamentary elections, thereby nullifying more than 20 percent of votes due to fraud and electoral violations.

Fazel Ahmad Manawi, the IEC’s chairman, put the total turnout for the elections at 5.6 million people. The commission …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Amritsar goes ahead with plans to welcome Obama

AMRITSAR – There may be uncertainty about US President Barack Obama visiting the Golden Temple, but Punjab’s ‘holy city’ is going ahead with plans to roll out the red carpet — security is being intensified, a cleanliness drive is on and gurdwara authorities say they have no problems in what he uses to cover … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Amritsar goes ahead with plans to welcome Obama.

Attack on minister reflects discontent, says Chhattisgarh Congress

RAIPUR – A day after youths threw black ink on union minister V. Narayanasamy here, Chhattisgarh Congress leaders Wednesday condemned the act but pointed out that it reflected the discontent against him as state party in-charge.

“The act was no doubt the result of a belief within the party in Chhattisgarh that Narayanasamy is … Original article on : Attack on minister reflects discontent, says Chhattisgarh Congress.

Mamata Banerjee wants joint forces to quit West Bengal’s Maoist-hit areas

KOLKATA – Railway Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has said her party would continue to demand withdrawal of the joint security forces from West Bengal’s Maoist-affected districts.

Talking to reporters here, Banerjee said she had repeatedly brought to the notice of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and West Bengal Governor …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Canada gets its first Muslim mayor

CALGARY – Canada has created history by electing its first Muslim mayor.

Naheed Nenshi, a Harvard-educated Ismaili Muslim, defeated two white candidates to become the mayor of Calgary Monday night.
A Conservative (right-wing) stronghold in Canada, Calgary is also the hometown of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Interestingly, the 38-year-old Nenshi defeated one of the … Read more : Canada gets its first Muslim mayor.

Modi goes for kill in panchayat polls, Congress edgy

GANDHINAGAR – Chief Minister Narendra Modi is going for the kill in the panchayat polls in rural Gujarat Thursday, heady from the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) victory in six key municipal corporations over main rival Congress.

Twentyfour district panchayats, 208 taluka panchayats and 53 municipalities making for a voting population of 2.48 …. Read the original article  : here.

Oz PM Gillard says trade union official’s 9/11 comment ‘ stupid and wrong’

CANBERRA – Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has dismissed as “stupid and wrong” a senior union official’s belief that the 9/11 attacks were a conspiracy, but refused to discipline him.

Kevin Bracken, the president of the Victorian Trades Hall and secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia, sparked anger this morning after claiming the attacks … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Oz PM Gillard says trade union official’s 9/11 comment ‘ stupid and wrong’.

VHP seers meet in Ayodhya to decide on road ahead

AYODHYA – The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has convened a meeting of leading seers here Wednesday to decide on the road ahead after the verdict on the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute.

The 41-member central committee of seers will assemble at the Karsewak Puram camp. Amongst those participating in the meet will be Jyotishpeeth Shankaracharya Swami Vasudevanand … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : VHP seers meet in Ayodhya to decide on road ahead.

Rebel JD-U MP warns against Nitish’s return to power

PATNA – A day ahead of the first round of the six-phase Bihar assembly elections, a rebel leader of the ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) Wednesday appealed to farmers not to vote for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

In an appeal published in local Hindi dailies, Rajeev Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh cautioned people, particularly …. Source article  : Rebel JD-U MP warns against Nitish’s return to power.

Bangladesh media slams Hasina stand on secularism

DHAKA – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s move to restore the word ’secularism’ in the constitution while allowing political activity by religion-based parties has received mixed response from the media.

New Age newspaper Wednesday called it “a poignant example of political opportunism”, while the New Nation asked whether the court, and not parliament, was the real …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Bangladesh media slams Hasina stand on secularism.

Obama’s India visit will have tangible results: US

WASHINGTON – Underscoring the “significance” that US puts on its “important economic relationship” with India, the White House hopes to have “some tangible results” from President Barack Obama’s visit to India.

“Look, obviously, this is an important relationship,” White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters Tuesday when asked how the President was preparing for …. Original source  : Obama’s India visit will have tangible results: US.

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 10/19/2010

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For Immediate Release

Location: 

James S. Brady Press …. Read the original article  : Press Briefing by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 10/19/2010.

Executive Order???White House Initiative On Educational Excellence For Hispanics

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For Immediate Release

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, to restore the country … Read more : Executive Order–White House Initiative On Educational Excellence For Hispanics.

Statement by the President on Settlement Agreement in the Native American Farmers Lawsuit Against USDA

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For Immediate Release

Today, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Justice announced a settlement agreement with the plaintiffs in the Keepseagle class action lawsuit.  This …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Statement by the President on Settlement Agreement in the Native American Farmers Lawsuit Against USDA.

Remarks by the President at Signing of Executive Order for the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans

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East Room …. Source  : Remarks by the President at Signing of Executive Order for the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans.

President Obama Signs Executive Order Renewing the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics

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For Immediate Release

In a ceremony in the East Room of the White House today, President Obama signed an Executive Order to renew and enhance the White …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Indonesia, UAE discuss bilateral ties

Jakarta, Oct 19 (IANS/WAM) Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates Tuesday discussed ways to boost bilateral ties and signed an agreement on visa waiver for holders of diplomatic, special and service passports.

After a meeting with his Indonesian counterpart Marty Natalegawa, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasised the importance of …. Read the original article  : Indonesia, UAE discuss bilateral ties.

Now Dikshit campaigns for Congress in Bihar

NEW DELHI – After Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and party general secretary Rahul Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit is now campaigning for the Congress in Bihar.

Dikshit is on a two-day tour of the state from Tuesday and is focusing on the areas scheduled to go for polls in the … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Now Dikshit campaigns for Congress in Bihar.

Badal defends finance minister’s sacking

CHANDIGARH – Defending his decision to sack Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Badal, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal Tuesday said that he tried his best to stop the minister, who is his nephew, from straying from the party line and giving “irresponsible statements” in the media.

Manpreet Badal was sacked from the council of ministers recently … Read : Badal defends finance minister’s sacking.

TDP stages protest to meet Prime Minister in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD – Telugu Desam Party (TDP) staged a protest here on Tuesday, demanding a meeting with the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, who was on a day visit to the city.

Senior TDP leader Devender Goud, said that they … Read more »».