Indian Parliament Elects First Woman Speaker

Neither coalition emerges a majority

(NEWSER) - India's ruling coalition has edged slightly ahead of the Hindu-nationalist opposition, but both alliances are short of a parliamentary majority, Reuters reports. Exit polls following today's conclusion of the month-long general election indicate both political blocs will need new partners, but the surveys have proved inaccurate in the past. Official results won't be ready until Saturday. More»

Stars go head to head in fight for office

(NEWSER) - Imagine a congressional election pitting Jay Leno against Simon Cowell. The rough equivalent is happening now in India, where talk-show host Shekhar "Shaker" Suman is running for Parliament against Shatrughan "Shotgun" Sinha, a Bollywood star and judge on a hugely popular talent show. But fame may not help them. The Wall Street Journal tunes in. More»

(NEWSER) - Inspired by the Iraqi reporter who hurled his shoes at President Bush, the world’s largest democracy has picked up the habit, the Los Angeles Times reports. In recent weeks, three people have enlivened India's national election by flinging footwear at politicians—always missing, but sparking much publicity. "Flying footwear are now the weapons of mass distraction," ran one headline. More»

Rural growth picking up slack as industrial sector cools

(NEWSER) - The new, high-tech India enjoyed a long boom, but the nation's path out of the global slowdown may lie with the legions of poor in old, rural India, the Wall Street Journal reports. The 700 million people who live in India's hinterland are still among the poorest people on the planet, but living standards are slowly rising, helping pick up the slack as urban growth slows. More»

3 states bar movie, worried it could infuriate lower castes

(NEWSER) - Three Indian states have banned a new Bollywood film that addresses the caste system. The film has already sparked the anger of lower caste groups, who say it fuels prejudice, the AP reports. The lower caste groups, called Dalits, make up about a quarter of India’s population. The film, called Aarakshan, or “Reservation,” addresses quotas ("reservations') for caste members in education and government, the Times of India reports. More»