PM’s remarks far from truth, says Nitish Kumar

PATNA – A day after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh accused Bihar of not implementing centrally-funded government schemes, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Sunday hit out and said he was “surprised” by the remarks which were “far from the truth”.

“Manmohan Singh’s remarks about the Bihar government surprised me. They are far from the truth. (Manmohan) Singh …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : PM’s remarks far from truth, says Nitish Kumar.

Central funds are not Congress property: Jaitley to PM

PATNA – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Arun Jaitley Sunday slammed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his remark that central funds had not been properly utilised by the Bihar government, saying “central funds are not Congress property”.

Jaitley, who is Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, also said “the prime minister should not have …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Indian enclave attacked after Bangladeshi killed

DHAKA – Police detained three people who burnt over 200 houses at an Indian enclave on the border after a group of Indians killed a Bangladeshi, a media report said Sunday.

A mob reacted violently after the Indians killed Ramjan Ali and refused to return his body in Garati, the Indian enclave, the New Age … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Indian enclave attacked after Bangladeshi killed.

Manmohan Singh should speak as economist, not politician: BJP

NEW DELHI – Commenting on Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s remarks that Bihar is not progressing despite availability of Central funds, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday said that Dr. Singh should have made that remark as an economist and not as a politician.

Addressing media here, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun … Original source on Gaea Times at : Manmohan Singh should speak as economist, not politician: BJP.

Bal Thackeray to anoint grandson into politics

MUMBAI – Nearly half a decade after anointing son Uddhav Thackeray as Shiv Sena’s executive chief, supremo Bal Thackeray will launch his grandson Aditya into politics at a Dussehra rally Sunday.

The three generations of the Thackeray clan – Bal, Uddhav and his son Aditya, 20, – shall be seen together for the first time … Read more >>>.

Tony Blair ‘took 76 gifts when he left Downing Street’

LONDON – Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair took with him a haul of gifts when he left Downing Street, including 12 expensive watches and guitars given to him by rock stars.

He could now cash in on the presents by selling them at a profit, … Original article on : Tony Blair ‘took 76 gifts when he left Downing Street’.

Development overrides caste in Bihar battle

PATNA – It is a political battle with a difference in Bihar. Although caste is still a factor, it is the cry for development that has become the main plank for assembly elections starting Thursday.

Much to the surprise of many, the cry for development has virtually sidelined other issues although caste and communities do … Read more : Development overrides caste in Bihar battle.

Good news on Kashmir soon: Gilani

LAHORE – Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has congratulated his nation and the people of Kashmir on ‘international recognition’ of Pakistan’s demands on the issue, and said that people would hear good news soon.

During a meeting with AJK Prime Minister Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, Gilani reiterated that Pakistan is committed to resolving the Kashmir …. Source article  : Good news on Kashmir soon: Gilani.

Who derailed Yechury’s chances as Kashmir interlocutor? (Capital Buzz)

NEW DELHI – The buzz is that it was Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee – who would dearly love to keep the Marxists away from the national mainstream – who derailed CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury’s chances of being named a Kashmir interlocutor.

Before announcing the names of the three new interlocutors, including journalist Dilip Padgaonkar, to … Read more >>>.

AIADMK steps into 39th year

CHENNAI – Tamil Nadu’s major opposition party AIADMK stepped into its 39th year Sunday with party cadres celebrating the day across the state by garlanding founder M.G. Ramachandran’s (MGR) statues.

At the party headquarters here, General Secretary J. Jayalalithaa garlanded MGR’s statue and distributed sweets. She also released the party’s souvenir, the first copy of … Read : AIADMK steps into 39th year.

Opposition leader asked to vacate house

DHAKA – The Bangladesh government has asked opposition leader and former prime minister Khaleda Zia to vacate the house she has lived in since 1981 — after a court ruled against her.

With this, the stage has been set for another confrontation between the government and the main opposition party.
Zia’s lawyer and Supreme Court [..] Read the original article: here.

Italy to send 1,200 more soldiers to Afghanistan

ROME – Italy wants to expand its troop presence in Afghanistan by more than a third, Italian media quoted Defence Minister Ignazio La Russa as saying Saturday during a meeting with US General David Petraeus in Milan.

“We have decided to increase our contingent in Afghanistan to 4,000 troops by the end of the year,” …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Italy to send 1,200 more soldiers to Afghanistan.

BJP denies report about Advani not canvassing in Bihar polls

NEW DELHI – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) denied the reports about the party’s top leader Lal Krishna Advani not campaigning for the candidates in the ensuing Bihar polls.

Speaking to mediapersons here on Saturday, BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said that certain vested interests are spreading these rumours … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : BJP denies report about Advani not canvassing in Bihar polls.

Middle East states condemn new Israeli building permits

CAIRO – Criticism mounted in the Middle East Saturday of new building permits to be issued by Israel for housing units in East Jerusalem, which are widely seen as an obstruction to peace efforts in the region.

The secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Abdel-Rahman al-Attiya, described the decision to issue permits for … Read more >>>.

Pakistan reacts angrily to Indian army chief’s statement

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has reacted strongly to the statement of Indian army chief, General V.K. Singh that “Pakistan and China are major security threats for India”.

In a statement issued Saturday, Pakistan’s foreign office spokesman said the “allegations made by Indian army chief are baseless and distortion of facts”.
“We outright reject these … Original article on : Pakistan reacts angrily to Indian army chief’s statement.

‘No tinkering with security of Punjab legislators, MPs’

CHANDIGARH – Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal Saturday instructed the police chief not to tinker with the security provided to legislators and MPs.

The move comes in the backdrop of reports that security of dissident leaders of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal and opposition parties was being withdrawn.
In … Read more >>.

Bihar polls: Nitish, Modi, Lalu seeking votes for criminals

PATNA – For a state seeking to erase the taint of corruption and lawlessness, this sure is a step backwards. Bihar, which goes to polls beginning Oct 21, will see a host of top politicians campaigning for candidates with criminal records.

Elections to the 243-seat state assembly will be held in six phases, from Oct …. Read the original article  : Bihar polls: Nitish, Modi, Lalu seeking votes for criminals.

Games over, Delhi ministers eye constituencies

NEW DELHI – After the conclusion of the Commonwealth Games, Delhi ministers now want to meet people in their constituencies.

The ministers, involved in the preparations for the Games, were left with little time in the last few months to focus on their constituencies.
Health Minister Kiran Walia said she would concentrate on her …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Games over, Delhi ministers eye constituencies.

Elect Congress for development in Bihar, says Manmohan Singh

ARARIA – Describing Congress as party of the common man, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Saturday urged people of Bihar to vote in favour of the Congress to bring the State on the development path.

Addressing an election rally ahead of the Bihar Assembly polls here, Dr …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Elect Congress for development in Bihar, says Manmohan Singh.

Badal orders probe into ransacking of ex-minister’s office

CHANDIGARH – Taking serious note of allegations of former Punjab finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal’s office being “ransacked”, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal Saturday ordered a probe into the incident.

Badal asked Chief Secretary S.C. Aggarwal to initiate an immediate inquiry, identify the culprits and ensure exemplary punishment for them.
Manpreet Badal, a nephew … Read more »»».