Brisk voting in Bihar despite Maoist attacks (Afternoon Lead)

PATNA – Millions voted in 45 constituencies in the second phase of assembly elections in Bihar Sunday despite two attacks by Maoists who have called for an election boycott.

Balloting began on a low key early in the morning but picked up later, officials here said. By afternoon, 31 percent of the 9.8 million eligible … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Brisk voting in Bihar despite Maoist attacks (Afternoon Lead).

WikiLeaks Afghan War Diary Faces Criticism

WASHINGTON (Gaea Times.com) WikiLeaks is under strong criticism from the United States government, the British Defense ministry and the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office over the release of large number of secret documents of Iraq war. The new document revelation comes after the posting of almost 90,000 secret documents in July on the Afghan war. … Read this article on Gaea Times at : WikiLeaks Afghan War Diary Faces Criticism.

The desi who’s who in Obama administration (To go with Obama visit: All the president’s desis)

WASHINGTON – A number of Indian Americans have made their mark in the Obama administration.

Rajiv Shah – USAID administrator
Aneesh Chopra – first chief technology officer
Vivek Kundra – chief information officer
Anish Goel – senior staffer of the National Security Council
Vikram Singh – senior defence advisor to Richard Holbrooke, special …. Original source  : The desi who’s who in Obama administration (To go with Obama visit: All the president’s desis).

Season of hope for Congress wannabes (Capital Buzz)

NEW DELHI – Congress hopefuls are busy trying to impress party chief Sonia Gandhi and her son and party general secretary Rahul Gandhi. And why not?

With the buzz of an imminent cabinet expansion growing louder, ambitious Congress hopefuls are keeping their fingers crossed. They are also eagerly looking forward to a special session of … Original article on : Season of hope for Congress wannabes (Capital Buzz).

Strategic partnership with Japan important for peace, stability in Asia, world: PM

NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Sunday said that a strategic and global partnership between India and Japan is important for peace, prosperity and stability in Asia and the world.

In a statement issued ahead of his departure on a three-nation tour to Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam, Dr. Singh described Japan as … Original source on Gaea Times at : Strategic partnership with Japan important for peace, stability in Asia, world: PM.

Sherry Rehman served notice for indiscipline

ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has issued show-cause notice to former information minister Sherry Rehman for indiscipline after she violated the party’s decision to boycott a media group.

The PPP Saturday also suspended the membership of Senator Safdar Abbasi. Rehman and Abassi are both members of the partys central executive committee, Dawn cited … Original article on : Sherry Rehman served notice for indiscipline.

Maoist violence in Bihar as polling under way

PATNA – Maoists Sunday abducted four polling officials and released them in an hour in Bihar’s Sitamarhi district and also attempted to ransack a polling station during the second phase of the assembly elections.

“The Maoists released the kidnapped officials after one hour,” a Sitamarhi district police official said, adding that the incident took … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Maoist violence in Bihar as polling under way.

India-Japan relations vital for Asian stability, says PM

NEW DELHI – Growing strategic partnership between India and Japan is vital for peace, prosperity and stability in Asia and the world, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Sunday on the eve of his departure to Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam.

In a statement, the prime minister also said that he expected his trip to Malaysia to … Original article on : India-Japan relations vital for Asian stability, says PM.

PM leaves for three-nation Asia tour

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Sunday left for a three-nation tour of Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam to bolster economic ties with partners in East Asia and strengthen India’s presence in the region.

The first stop of the weeklong trip is Tokyo, where the prime minister will spend three days for the annual summit …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : PM leaves for three-nation Asia tour.

Voting begins for second phase of Bihar polls (Second Lead)

PATNA – The second phase of the Bihar assembly elections began in 45 constituencies spread across the Tirhut-Mithilanchal belt Sunday amid reports of Maoist violence in Sitamarhi district.

According to initial reports from Sitamarhi district, Maoists attempted to ransack a polling station and also abducted four officials of a polling booth. The kidnapped officials were … Read more >>.

Voting begins for second phase of Bihar polls

PATNA – The second phase of the Bihar assembly elections began Sunday in 45 constituencies spread across the Tirhut-Mithilanchal belt where the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal-Lok Janshakti Party have a strong base.

Voting began at 7 a.m. amid tight security. A total of 99,49,873 voters are eligible to vote in the second phase that will … Read more : Voting begins for second phase of Bihar polls.

Second phase of Bihar polls begins

PATNA – The second phase of the Bihar assembly elections began Sunday in 45 constituencies spread across the Tirhut-Mithilanchal belt.

A total of 99,49,873 voters are eligible to vote in the second phase that will decide the fate of 623 candidates. Most of the 9,952 polling booths are in the rural areas.
Balloting will take … Read more >>>.

Barbados PM dies of cancer

BRIDGETOWN – Barbados Prime Minister David Thompson died Saturday at his home in Saint Philip, a media report said. He was suffering from cancer.

David John Howard Thompson, 48, had begun treatment for pancreatic cancer in March this year. He was diagnosed with a malignant tumour, Prensa Latina reported.
Because of his critical condition, he … Read : Barbados PM dies of cancer.

BJP’s next national executive in Guwahati

NEW DELHI – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to hold its next meeting of national executive in December at Guwahati, party sources said.

The meeting, expected to be held Dec 18-19, will pass resolution on the political situation of the country. An economic resolution will also be adopted.
The sources said the …. Original article  : BJP’s next national executive in Guwahati.

BJP sweeps Gujarat local bodies elections

GANDHINAGAR – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swept the local bodies elections bagging 21 of the 24 district panchayats, 162 of the 208 taluka panchayats and 41 of the 53 municipalities in Gujarat Saturday.

On Oct 12, the BJP retained the municipal corporations of Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot, Surat, Jamnagar and Bhavnagar.
As the Congress slipped …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : BJP sweeps Gujarat local bodies elections.

CPI-M terrorising people to remain in power: Mamata

KOLKATA – Trinamool Congress chief and Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday alleged that West Bengal’s ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) was terrorising and killing people to remain in power.

“The CPI-M will have to give answer to the people of the state for their misrule in the state for last 34 years. They …. Read the original article  : CPI-M terrorising people to remain in power: Mamata.

Congress’ Gujarat chief puts in his papers

AHMEDABAD – Congress’ Gujarat unit chief Siddhartha Patel Saturday announced his resignation following the party’s dismal showing in the panchayat polls.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) virtually swept the Gujarat local bodies elections Saturday bagging 22 of the 24 district panchayats and 36 of the 52 municipalities.
In a statement released here, Patel said …. Original article  : Congress’ Gujarat chief puts in his papers.

Over 75 percent voting in Kerala local bodies polls

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – Over 75 polling was recorded in the first phase of Kerala local bodies elections in seven districts Saturday. The elections were not trouble-free as country-made bombs went off in six places with reports of alleged booth capturing.

In the first phase, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Kasargode districts went to the polls.
…. Source  : Over 75 percent voting in Kerala local bodies polls.

30 Congress legislators being lured by BJP: Siddaramaiah

MYSORE – The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka is continuing efforts to lure opposition legislators to its side and 30 Congress members are being wooed by it, senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah said Saturday.

“We have evidence to show that Shobha Karandlaje (power minister) has been in touch over phone with our legislators …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : 30 Congress legislators being lured by BJP: Siddaramaiah.

Palestinians to reconsider agreements with Israel

RAMALLAH – The Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) would consider breaking agreements signed with Israel if the Israeli government continue with the current policies, a PLO official said Saturday in an interview with the Arab newspaper al-Hayat.

“There are agreements between the PLO and Israel. One party cannot continue to be committed to these agreements forever …. Source article  : Palestinians to reconsider agreements with Israel.