RSSPolitical News – Newsletter for October 21, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Battle lines drawn for Kerala local bodies polls
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) are set to battle it out in two-phased local bodies polls in Kerala starting Saturday.
The first phase would be held in seven districts – Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kasargode and Kannur – Saturday. Campaigning ends Thursday.
The second phase … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Battle lines drawn for Kerala local bodies polls.
PM Gillard opens new counter-terrorism centre in Oz capital Canberra
CANBERRA – Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Attorney General Robert McClelland formally opened Australia’s first counter-terrorism control center here on Thursday, even as the country’s spy chief David Irvine revealed that hundreds of potential terrorist attacks on Australian interests are under investigation.
According to the Daily Telegraph, the opening of the counter-terrorism control center took place …. Original article on Gaea Times at : PM Gillard opens new counter-terrorism centre in Oz capital Canberra.
Burns meets Krishna to firm up Obama’s India agenda
NEW DELHI – Visiting US Undersecretary of State William Burns and chief pointsperson for South Asia Robert Blake Thursday met External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna to firm up deliverables that could include the easing of high-tech exports during the visit of US President Barack Obama next month.
Krishna conveyed India’s concerns over curbs on … Read : Burns meets Krishna to firm up Obama’s India agenda.
Non-tribal group calls shutdown in Jharkhand
RANCHI – Over 200 people trying to enforce shutdown were arrested in Jharkhand Thursday, after a non-tribal backward community group called a strike to protest the Nov 17 panchayat polls being held under a legislation that reserves posts for tribals.
“The polls will take away rights of the non-tribals, who constitute 74 percent of the …. Source : Gaea News Network.
Simians make a monkey out of elections in Saharsa
SAHARSA – It’s all about monkeys in Bihar’s Saharsa constituency where many who voted in the first round of the assembly elections Thursday admitted candidly that the candidate who promised to trap the simians would also catch their votes.
Voters in nearly two dozen villages in this flood prone constituency in Kosi belt said monkeys …. Original source : Simians make a monkey out of elections in Saharsa.
China scale gets heavier in Nepal
KATHMANDU – Despite Nepal’s ruling parties and the opposition Maoists saying they want to keep equidistance from their two neighbours, India and China, the China scale has begun to grow heavier once again with several high-level official as well as personal visits to the communist republic.
While Nepal’s peace process remains in the doldrums with …. Source : China scale gets heavier in Nepal.
Bihar elections proceed peacefully (Second Lead)
PATNA – The first phase of the Bihar assembly elections that began Thursday morning in 47 constituencies in eight districts in the state’s flood prone belts proceeded peacefully except for reports of the electronic voting machines malfunctioning in some places.
In the first three hours of polling till 10 a.m., 12-14 percent turnout was …. Read the original article : Bihar elections proceed peacefully (Second Lead).
Look at India’s EVM awareness campaign, says Pakistani daily
ISLAMABAD – The introduction of electronic voting machines (EVMs) is a right step as “transparency has never been a high point in Pakistan’s electoral history”, said a leading daily, citing the India example to stress that effective media campaigns can help generate awareness about the procedure.
The Dawn said in an editorial that the lack …. Source : Look at India’s EVM awareness campaign, says Pakistani daily.
Obama to visit Pakistan only in 2011
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama has told Pakistan that he would visit their country next year and wouldn’t be stopping there on a trip next month to Asia including a visit to India.
A White House statement said Obama conveyed this during a meeting with the Pakistani delegation attending this week’s US-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue to …. Source article : Obama to visit Pakistan only in 2011.
Congress wins Goa by-poll
PANAJI – Congress candidate Vishwajeet Rane Thursday won the Valpoi legislative assembly by-poll, defeating his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) opponent by a margin of over 8,000 votes.
Rane, a cabinet minister in the Congress-led coalition government in Goa, got 11,642 votes while BJP’s Santosh Haldankar received only 3,237 votes.
The by-poll, held Oct 18, … Read : Congress wins Goa by-poll.
Election official dies in Bihar
PATNA – A government school teacher on election duty in Bihar’s Katihar district died of heart attack Thursday, police said.
Mohd. Habib, a presiding officer at a polling booth in Pranpur, died after he complained of chest pain and giddiness.
… Read more »».
Obama schedule for India isn’t ‘finalised’
WASHINGTON – Amid reports that President Barack Obama has dropped plans to visit the Golden temple in Amritsar to avoid wearing a headscarf that could make him look like a Muslim, the White House has stressed his schedule isn’t “finalised.”
“We have not finalised the schedule for Asia,” press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters Wednesday …. Source article : Obama schedule for India isn’t ‘finalised’.
Bihar elections begin amid tight security
PATNA – The first phase of Bihar assembly elections began Thursday amid tight security in 47 constituencies across the Kosi-Seemanchal and Mithilanchal belts.
Voters were seen queuing up outside the polling booths.
“It is morning time so the voters’ turnout is thin,” said an official at the chief electoral officer’s office here.
About 10.6 … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Bihar elections begin amid tight security.
Bihar elections begin
PATNA – The first phase of Bihar assembly elections began Thursday in 47 constituencies across the Kosi-Seemanchal and Mithilanchal belts.
About 10.6 million voters in the region are eligible to decide the fate of 635 candidates in the first lot of the 243 assembly constituencies, most of them in rural areas.
The polling will … Read more >>.
US, Pakistan start strategic talks
WASHINGTON – The US and Pakistan Wednesday launched a three-day strategic dialogue here, Xinhua reported.
It is co-chaired by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
Matters of security, economy and agriculture are high on the agenda. Thirteen working groups are taking part.
The talks are designed to … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : US, Pakistan start strategic talks.
Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs Aboard Air Force One en route Portland, Oregon
Release Time:
For Immediate Release
Location:
Aboard Air Force One … Original article on : Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Robert Gibbs Aboard Air Force One en route Portland, Oregon.
Myanmar’s poll process deeply flawed: UN
NEW YORK – The lack of the freedoms of expression, assembly and association in Myanmar has made the electoral process in that country “deeply flawed”, a UN human rights expert said Wednesday.
Tomas Ojea Quintana, who visited Myanmar three times but was refused another visit in August, told the UN General Assembly that he was …. Source : Gaea News Network.
Readout of President Obama’s Meeting on Afghanistan and Pakistan
Release Time:
For Immediate Release
President Obama met with his national security team for his monthly meeting on Afghanistan and Pakistan for nearly ninety minutes today. The meeting began … Original article on : Readout of President Obama’s Meeting on Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Remarks by the First Lady at the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards Ceremony
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For Immediate Release
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Suggestion to stop House telecast during disruptions
NEW DELHI – Several suggestions, including stopping telecast of parliament proceedings during disruptions, were made at an all-party meeting convened by Speaker Meira Kumar here Wednesday, sources said.
Among the suggestions given were that telecast of proceedings should be stopped during disruptions, important bills should not be passed without discussion and more issues should … Read more »».