The first phase of the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh will be a gruelling test for eight Congress MPs and the performance of the Congress in this phase will be reflective of the performance of these MPs.

The tough measures of the Election Commission appear to have taken away the usual din and bustle associated with elections.

After having backed the BSP strongly in 2007, Barabanki appears to hint at a clear anti-incumbency undercurrent against the ruling party in Uttar Pradesh. The people on the ground indicate that Barabanki is set up for a tough triangular contest but at the same time suggest that they would have local factors in the mind while casting their votes.

Egypt began three days of mourning on Thursday after 74 people were killed in an eruption of violence at a football match that sparked new anger against the military rulers for failing to ensure security.

With the dark shadows of the infamous fodder scam surrounding RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and other politicians facing charges moving fast through judicial condensation, they have been asked to appear in a Ranchi court to record their statements from February 13.

Once in every five years, and sometimes even earlier, they are forced to leave their palatial homes and give up their royal way to seek votes from the man on the street that rarely disappoints them.

The Allahabad high court on Wednesday turned down a writ petition filed by eminent lawyer Shanti Bhushan, former Union minister and a senior member of Team Anna, challenging an order of assistant stamp commissioner in Allahabad which had held him guilty of evading stamp duty to the tune of about `1.35 crores on a property.

In a reprieve for Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, Gujarat high court on Wednesday rejected a petition for summoning him to the Nanavati Commission for questioning in connection with the 2002 post-Godhra riots, observing there was no substance in the plea.

The battle for Uttar Pradesh has begun.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi addressed her first election meeting in Gonda on Wednesday and blamed the non-Congress parties for destroying Uttar Pradesh in the past 22 years.

The United States military and Nato has said in a secret report that the Taliban, backed by Pakistan, are set to retake control of Afghanistan after Nato-led forces withdraw, raising the prospect of a major failure of Western policy.