Political war gets personal in poll-bound Bihar

PATNA – The knives are out. As the Bihar elections approach, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and former chief minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad are launching fierce attacks on each other at every poll rally.

With barely 10 days to go for the first of the six-phased assembly polls, the attacks are …. Original source  : Political war gets personal in poll-bound Bihar.

Myanmar to release 11,000 inmates before polls

YANGON – Myanmar authorities will release 11,000 prisoners before the Nov 7 general election but it was unclear whether any political prisoners would be among them, reports said Sunday.

The Department of Corrections is planning to reduce the sentences of more than 3,000 prisoners while 8,000 others are expected to complete their sentences before the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Myanmar to release 11,000 inmates before polls.

Rabri Devi’s assets – 62 cows and 42 calves

PATNA – Not too many Indian politicians boast of such assets. Former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi is the proud owner of 62 cows and 42 calves worth Rs.17.8 lakh (over $40,000) – and has declared so ahead of the assembly elections.

She has revealed this in the affidavit submitted Saturday along with her nomination … Read more »»».

North Korea heir apparent debuts at military parade

SEOUL – The son and apparent successor of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il made a high-profile debut Sunday at a massive military parade through the streets of Pyongyang.

Kim Jong-Un, believed to be in his late 20s, took his place on the viewing podium with his father to preside at the celebration of the …. Read the original article  : here.

Statement by the President Commending The Declaration on Aviation Security

Release Time: 

For Immediate Release

“I commend the International Civil Aviation Organization for adopting yesterday's Declaration on Aviation Security, which forges a historic new foundation for aviation security that … Read more >>.

Arab-African summit opens with focus on Palestine

CAIRO/SIRTE – Heads of states from various Arab and African countries attended Saturday the opening of the second Arab-Afro summit, which will focus heavily on Mideast peace negotiations and the looming South Sudan referendum.

Arab League secretary-general Amr Moussa, who gave a short speech at the opening, said the summit would hone in on key … Read more >>.

Karnataka BJP crisis deepens as more legislators join rebels (Roundup)

BANGALORE/PANAJI – The crisis in the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Saturday deepened, with more party legislators, including two who returned to the party fold in the last two days, joining the rebels in Goa while a dissident minister said he was returning to the party fold.

Excise Minister M.P. Renukacharya, who spearheaded … Read more : Karnataka BJP crisis deepens as more legislators join rebels (Roundup).

India protests, summons Aussie envoy over racist email (Roundup)

NEW DELHI – India Saturday expressed anger over a racist email the police made in Australia’s Victoria state, even as Australia condemned it as offensive and unacceptable.

The union ministry of external affairs had summoned Australian High Commissioner Peter Varghese and handed over a demarche Saturday morning, after Australian media reported that Victoria police officers …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : India protests, summons Aussie envoy over racist email (Roundup).

Rebel BJP legislator denies kidnapping, says decision on support later

PANAJI – One of the 13 rebel Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators of Karnataka Saturday denied the BJP’s claim that they had been kidnapped by the Congress and the Janata Dal-S (JD-S), saying they had walked out of the negotiations on their own.

Speaking to reporters at the Dabolim airport, Karwar legislator Anand Asnotikar said …. Source article  : Rebel BJP legislator denies kidnapping, says decision on support later.

Prime Minister condoles passing away of civil rights campaigner S.R. Sankaran

NEW DELHI – The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has condoled the passing away of civil rights campaigner and former IAS officer S.R. Sankaran.

In his condolence message, Prime Minister Dr. Singh recalled Mr. Sankaran’s commitment to public service and high moral standards.

“I am deeply grieved to … Original source on Gaea Times at : Prime Minister condoles passing away of civil rights campaigner S.R. Sankaran.

Gujarat civic, panchayat polls to set tone for 2012 assembly clash

GANDHINAGAR – Elections to six key municipal corporations in Gujarat Sunday and panchayat polls 11 days later are almost akin to a mid-term mandate on the performance of the Narendra Modi government ahead of the 2012 assembly polls.

Six of the total seven municipal corporations of Gujarat – Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot, Surat, Bhavnagar and Jamnagar …. Original article  : Gujarat civic, panchayat polls to set tone for 2012 assembly clash.

‘Sonia Gandhi to decide on Congress’ state unit chiefs soon’

NEW DELHI – Congress president Sonia Gandhi is expected to soon begin the process of finalising state party chiefs as part of the party’s organisational elections process, party leaders said here.

According to party sources, Gandhi, who has been authorised by the state units to decide their chiefs as part of the organisational elections, will … Read more >>>.

Pakistan anti-graft body chief’s appointment challenged

ISLAMABAD – The appointment of a new chairman of Pakistan’s anti-graft body, National Accountability Bureau (NAB), was challenged in the Lahore High Court Saturday after opposition leaders objected to the choice of candidate for his allegiance with the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party.

The NAB chairman, at the direction of the Supreme Court, was required to …. Source article  : Pakistan anti-graft body chief’s appointment challenged.

Congress denies any hand in Karnataka crisis

NEW DELHI – The Congress Saturday denied it had joined hands with the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) to bring down the Bharatiya Jananta Party (BJP) government in Karnataka.

Congress general secretary B.K. Hariprasad said the BJP and the JD-S had joined hands to defeat the Congress in the Rajya Sabha elections in June and the two …. Original source  : Congress denies any hand in Karnataka crisis.

Congress, JD-S have kidnapped Karnataka MLAs, alleges BJP

PANAJI – Eleven of the rebel Karnataka legislators staying at a five-star resort in Goa have been “forcefully kidnapped” by the Congress and Janata Dal-Secular, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader alleged Saturday.

Speaking to reporters outside the resort, BJP leader Ramesh Katti claimed that senior Goa police officials were used to physically shift the …. Original article  : Congress, JD-S have kidnapped Karnataka MLAs, alleges BJP.

Congress not doing enough to check rising prices: Buddhadeb

NADIA – West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee Saturday assailed the Manmohan Singh government for not doing enough to control the rising prices and its policies which have “retarded the growth of India”.

“The Congress government is not at all doing enough to control the price rise. They are giving subsidy to the rich people …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Congress not doing enough to check rising prices: Buddhadeb.

Pakistan’s ex-brigadier ready to testify against Musharraf

ISLAMABAD – A retired brigadier of the Pakistani Army is ready to testify against former president Pervez Musharraf in the killing of a popular Baluch tribal leader, a local politician said Saturday.

Former brigadier Masood Malik, who served during General Musharraf’s regime, has agreed to become approver against the dictator in Nawab Akbar Bugti murder … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Pakistan’s ex-brigadier ready to testify against Musharraf.

Maoist sympathiser Gaddar takes up Telangana cause

HYDERABAD – Maoist sympathiser and revolutionary balladeer Gaddar Saturday formally launched his new outfit Telangana Praja Front (TPF) to advocate a separate state of Telangana.

Stating that mass struggle is the only way to achieve the goal, he said the TPF was not a mere political party but would develop into a strong political …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Maoist sympathiser Gaddar takes up Telangana cause.

BJP summons C P Thakur following his resignation

PATNA – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) high command has summoned Bihar BJP President C P Thakur to New Delhi after he tendered his resignation from the party post on Friday ahead of the Assembly polls in the State.

“I have been called by BJP national president Nitin Gadkari to discuss the issues raised by me. …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : BJP summons C P Thakur following his resignation.

Yeddyurappa government will fall, says Kumaraswamy

NEW DELHI – Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy Saturday claimed he has the numbers to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Karnataka in the confidence vote in the assembly Monday.

“We have the numbers,” the former Karnataka chief minister told IANS on phone.
Kumaraswamy, who is accused by the BJP …. Source  : Yeddyurappa government will fall, says Kumaraswamy.