Puja and polls: Nitish’s family prays, Lalu helps Rabri with rituals

PATNA – They need all the help they can get and Durga Puja has come just in time! Bihar politicians and their families are busy invoking the goddess at their homes. This time they have a special prayer – victory in the coming assembly polls.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has time and again said he …. Source article  : Puja and polls: Nitish’s family prays, Lalu helps Rabri with rituals.

Row over Indian funding in Ghana presidential palace

ACCRA – The Indian government’s funding for the construction of a presidential palace in the Ghanaian capital has caused a row with a former Ghana president commending New Delhi and the present incumbent refusing to move into the $135 million home. There are even suggestions that it be converted into a poultry farm.

The …. Original article  : Row over Indian funding in Ghana presidential palace.

Axe Karnataka governor, BJP tells PM (Lead, Supersedes earlier story)

NEW DELHI – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Wednesday asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to immediately recall Karnataka Governor H.R. Bhardwaj, saying he was trying to topple the B.S. Yeddyurappa government.

The BJP’s top brass, including L.K. Advani, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley and M. Venkaiah Naidu, made the demand when they called on the prime … Read more : Axe Karnataka governor, BJP tells PM (Lead, Supersedes earlier story).

Karnataka crisis: BJP delegation to meet PM

NEW DELHI – Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader LK Advani will lead a delegation to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday to seek Karnataka Governor HR Bhardwaj’s removal.

The BJP is accusing Bhardwaj of plunging the state into a constitutional crisis.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa has expressed his readiness to undergo the Vote …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Karnataka crisis: BJP delegation to meet PM.

Karnataka BJP issues whip for Yeddyurappa’s trust vote

BANGALORE – The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka issued a whip to all its MLAs on Wednesday to vote in favour of the motion of confidence that would be moved by Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa in the State Assembly on Thursday after a controversial trust vote triggered a political storm prompting Governor H …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Karnataka BJP issues whip for Yeddyurappa’s trust vote.

RJD-LJP manifesto is bagful of empty promises: BJP

NEW DELHI – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Ravishankar Prasad has described the joint manifesto of Rashtriya Janata Dal- Lok Janashakti Party as ‘nothing but a bagful of empty promises’ for voters of Bihar.

Speaking to mediapersons, Prasad said: “In the joint manifesto, they promised that they would work for toning up the administration to improve … Read more >>.

Pak holds ‘trump card’ to success of Afghan peace talks with Taliban: Gilani

ISLAMABAD – The renewed Afghan efforts to make peace with the Taliban to end the nine-year war would fail without Pakistan’s help, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has stated.

Earlier this week in a TV interview, Afghan President Hamid Karzai had disclosed that he had renewed overtures to the Taliban, and had been holding talks …. Original article  : Pak holds ‘trump card’ to success of Afghan peace talks with Taliban: Gilani.

Punjab finance minister sacked

CHANDIGARH – Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal was Wednesday dismissed from the ministry headed by his uncle, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

The finance minister was dropped from the ministry owing to his recent statements regarding the Rs.700 billion (Rs.70,000 crore) debt on the state.
He had demanded that the ruling Shiromani Akali … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Punjab finance minister sacked.

Pakistani foreign minister’s visit put off till next year

NEW DELHI – Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi will now visit India only next year because of scheduling problems caused by a slew of high-level visits in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said here Wednesday.

Krishna said at a breakfast interaction with editors that he extended an invitation to his Pakistani counterpart …. Original source  : Pakistani foreign minister’s visit put off till next year.

Karnataka BJP issues whip for Yeddyurappa’s trust vote

BANGALORE – The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka issued a whip to all its MLAs on Wednesday to vote in favour of the motion of confidence that would be moved by Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa in the State Assembly on Thursday after a controversial trust vote triggered a political storm prompting Governor H …. Read the original article  : here.

RJD-LJP manifesto is bagful of empty promises: BJP

NEW DELHI – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Ravishankar Prasad has described the joint manifesto of Rashtriya Janata Dal- Lok Janashakti Party as ‘nothing but a bagful of empty promises’ for voters of Bihar.

Speaking to mediapersons, Prasad said: “In the joint manifesto, they promised that they would work for toning up the administration to improve …. Original article  : RJD-LJP manifesto is bagful of empty promises: BJP.

Pak holds ‘trump card’ to success of Afghan peace talks with Taliban: Gilani

ISLAMABAD – The renewed Afghan efforts to make peace with the Taliban to end the nine-year war would fail without Pakistan’s help, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has stated.

Earlier this week in a TV interview, Afghan President Hamid Karzai had disclosed that he had renewed overtures to the Taliban, and had been holding talks …. Source  : Pak holds ‘trump card’ to success of Afghan peace talks with Taliban: Gilani.

Karnataka crisis: BJP delegation to meet PM

NEW DELHI – Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader LK Advani will lead a delegation to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday to seek Karnataka Governor HR Bhardwaj’s removal.

The BJP is accusing Bhardwaj of plunging the state into a constitutional crisis.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa has expressed his readiness to undergo the Vote … Original article on : Karnataka crisis: BJP delegation to meet PM.

India a strong contender for permanent UN membership: Krishna

NEW DELHI – With India set to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council with strong endorsement from 187 countries, the country has now become a strong contender for the coveted permanent membership of the world body, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said here Wednesday.

At an interaction with editors, Krishna said it …. Source article  : India a strong contender for permanent UN membership: Krishna.

Karnataka BJP issues whip for Yeddyurappa’s trust vote

BANGALORE – The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka issued a whip to all its MLAs on Wednesday to vote in favour of the motion of confidence that would be moved by Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa in the State Assembly on Thursday after a controversial trust vote triggered a political storm prompting Governor H … Read more »».

RJD-LJP manifesto is bagful of empty promises: BJP

NEW DELHI – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Ravishankar Prasad has described the joint manifesto of Rashtriya Janata Dal- Lok Janashakti Party as ‘nothing but a bagful of empty promises’ for voters of Bihar.

Speaking to mediapersons, Prasad said: “In the joint manifesto, they promised that they would work for toning up the administration to improve …. Read the original article  : RJD-LJP manifesto is bagful of empty promises: BJP.

Pak holds ‘trump card’ to success of Afghan peace talks with Taliban: Gilani

ISLAMABAD – The renewed Afghan efforts to make peace with the Taliban to end the nine-year war would fail without Pakistan’s help, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has stated.

Earlier this week in a TV interview, Afghan President Hamid Karzai had disclosed that he had renewed overtures to the Taliban, and had been holding talks … Read : Pak holds ‘trump card’ to success of Afghan peace talks with Taliban: Gilani.

BJP leaders to meet PM for recall of Karnataka governor

NEW DELHI – Top leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here Wednesday, seeking the “recall” of Karnataka Governor H.R. Bhardwaj, a party official said here.

The central leadership of the party, including L.K. Advani, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley and Venkaiah Naidu, will meet the prime minister at noon …. Source article  : BJP leaders to meet PM for recall of Karnataka governor.

Karnataka crisis: BJP delegation to meet PM

NEW DELHI – Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader LK Advani will lead a delegation to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday to seek Karnataka Governor HR Bhardwaj’s removal.

The BJP is accusing Bhardwaj of plunging the state into a constitutional crisis.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa has expressed his readiness to undergo the Vote …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Colombia wins spot on UN Security Council

United Nations, Oct 13 (IANS/EFE) The UN General Assembly Tuesday elected Colombia to hold one of the two non-permanent seats on the Security Council reserved for Latin America and the Caribbean during 2011-12.

During the first round of the voting, Germany was also selected by ballot to occupy one of the two seats reserved for …. Original source  : Colombia wins spot on UN Security Council.