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Wed, 12 September 2012
Apple unveils iPhone 5
Timeline Refresh
23:32 Apple unveils iPhone 5
Apple has finally announced the launch of its much-awaited smartphone - the iPhone 5. The phone has a 4-inch Retina display with a resolution of 1136 x 640 pixels at 326 ppi.
The iPhone 5 weighs 112g, and is 20 per cent lighter than the iPhone 4S. At 7.6 mm, the iPhone 5 is 18 per cent thinner than its predecessor.Apple's new iPhone 5 is powered by the A6 chip - 2X faster CPU, 2X faster graphics, 22 per cent smaller. The iPhone 5 comes with an 8 megapixel (3264x2448) camera. The lens is the same as the 4S, but thinner. The Apple iPhone5 comes with 4G LTE.
Read full report on ibnlive.in.com
23:28 PIA plane with 187 people makes emergeny landing
A Pakistan International Airlines plane flying to Saudi Arabia with 187 passengers on board made an emergency landing at Karachi airport today after its hydraulic system developed a fault, an official said.
The Airbus 310 was flying from Islamabad to Medina this evening when the incident occurred. Civil Aviation Authority spokesman Pervez George told PTI that the pilot of flight PK-747 detected that the plane's hydraulic system had developed a fault shortly after the aircraft took off from Islamabad at about 8 pm.
23:21 Police: Blasts at home of Somalia's new president
A day after the election of Somalia's new president, two explosions at the gate of his temporary residence killed at least five people and wounded three others today, witnesses and officials said.
The blasts took place as Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was holding a press conference in the building, the Jazeera Hotel, with visiting Kenyan Foreign Minister Sam Ongeri. Al-Shabab, a radical Islamist militia that is affiliated with al-Qaeda and which is waging an insurgency against the Somali government, quickly claimed responsibility for the attack.
Al-Shabab had opposed Mohamud's election, saying it had been manipulated by western powers. At least five people were killed in the blast, according to witness Mohammed Nuradin. An African Union soldier was among those killed in the blast and 3 others were wounded in the incident, said African Union force spokesman Colonel Ali Aden.
23:19 Hyderabad hostage drama ends; SP released
Hostage drama in Hyderabad involving a suspended head constable and SP ended on a peaceful note. The state director general of police Dinesh Reddy intervened and successfully persuaded the head constable Giriprasad Sharma to release SP Lakshmi Narayana.
The drama ended four hours after it started.
22:52 Anti nuke protestors to stand in sea from tomorrow
Taking a cue from 'Jal Satyagraha' activists in Madhya Pradesh, opponents of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant today threatened to stand in the sea off Idianthakarai coast from tomorrow as a stepped-up form of agitation.
Sources in People's Movement of Nuclear Energy (PMANE), which is spearheading the stir, said the agitators have put forward four demands - stoppage of the process of fuel-loading in KNPP, giving up of the plan to arrest anti-nuclear movement leaders, adequate compensation for those who suffered losses and release of those already taken into custody.
The agitators today ended their 48-hour relay fast at Idinthakarai to protest the police action which saw them resorting to lathicharge and bursting of teargas shells, besides conducting house-to-house searches.
22:04 Akhilesh meets Mamata after Mulayam slams UPA
"After coming to Kolkata, I would not have felt good not meeting Didi," Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said after calling on his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata today.
The 45-minute meeting at the Writers' Buildings was thefirst interaction between the two chief ministers.
Yadav, who was in Kolkata to attend the Samajwadi Party's national executive, said "It was necessary to meet her.(Mamata)"
The 45-minute meeting at the Writers' Buildings was thefirst interaction between the two chief ministers.
Yadav, who was in Kolkata to attend the Samajwadi Party's national executive, said "It was necessary to meet her.(Mamata)"
21:54 Apple website confirms 'iPhone 5' name
As Apple is getting ready to announce the next iPhone later today, a search on the company's website has confirmed the name of the smartphone, reports 9to5Mac.
As anticipated the next iPhone will indeed be known as iPhone 5. It was earlier believed that company will simply dub the next iPhone as "new iPhone", similar to what it did with the latest generation iPad.
According to rumours so far, Apple iPhone 5 will thinner and taller than the iPhone 4S and will go on sale starting September 21 in select markets.
As anticipated the next iPhone will indeed be known as iPhone 5. It was earlier believed that company will simply dub the next iPhone as "new iPhone", similar to what it did with the latest generation iPad.
According to rumours so far, Apple iPhone 5 will thinner and taller than the iPhone 4S and will go on sale starting September 21 in select markets.
21:36 India condemns attack on US mission in Libya
India today strongly condemned the attack on the United States consulate in Libya's Benghazi city that killed the US ambassador to the country and three others.
Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai spoke to NancyPowell, the US ambassador in Delhi, and conveyed India' scondolences at the tragic loss of life.
"We are deeply shocked at the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi. India strongly condemns the violent acts which unfortunately resulted in the death of the US ambassador to Libya and other officials," an External Affairs Ministry statement said.
US ambassador to Libya and three other embassy staff were killed today as a mob armed with guns and rockets stormed the American consulate in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi,angry over a film deemed offensive to Islam.
Security at US embassy in Delhi and four of its consulates across India is being tightened following incidentsin Libya and neighbouring Egypt. "We have directed beef up of security at all US missions in the country," Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said.
Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai spoke to NancyPowell, the US ambassador in Delhi, and conveyed India' scondolences at the tragic loss of life.
"We are deeply shocked at the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi. India strongly condemns the violent acts which unfortunately resulted in the death of the US ambassador to Libya and other officials," an External Affairs Ministry statement said.
US ambassador to Libya and three other embassy staff were killed today as a mob armed with guns and rockets stormed the American consulate in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi,angry over a film deemed offensive to Islam.
Security at US embassy in Delhi and four of its consulates across India is being tightened following incidentsin Libya and neighbouring Egypt. "We have directed beef up of security at all US missions in the country," Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said.
21:10 Cabinet rejig: HRD for Ramesh, Petroleum for Azad?
A Cabinet reshuffle is likely by the third week of September.
Sources tell our correspondent in New Delhi that Jairam Ramesh is likely to get Human Resource Development ministry and Ghulam Nabi Azad may get Petroleum.
Finance Minister P Chidambaram will get additional charge of Corporate Affairs.
Janardan Dwivedi, Meenakshi Natarajan, Manish Tewari and Renuka Chaudhary are likely to occupy Minister of State posts.
Sources tell our correspondent in New Delhi that Jairam Ramesh is likely to get Human Resource Development ministry and Ghulam Nabi Azad may get Petroleum.
Finance Minister P Chidambaram will get additional charge of Corporate Affairs.
Janardan Dwivedi, Meenakshi Natarajan, Manish Tewari and Renuka Chaudhary are likely to occupy Minister of State posts.
20:40 US marines head to Libya to reinforce security
United States officials say some 50 marines are being sent to Libya to reinforce security at US diplomatic facilities in the aftermath of an attack in the eastern city of Benghazi that killed the US ambassador and three American members of his staff.
The marines are members of an elite group known as a Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team, whose role is to respond on short notice to terrorism threats and to reinforce security at US embassies. They operate worldwide.
The officials who disclosed the plan to send the marines spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
The marines are members of an elite group known as a Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team, whose role is to respond on short notice to terrorism threats and to reinforce security at US embassies. They operate worldwide.
The officials who disclosed the plan to send the marines spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
20:13 Japan seeks a new energy policy
In the aftermath of the disaster at the Fukushima nuclear plant, Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has stated that the country will try to gradually abandon all usage of nuclear power.
To work towards this target, the Cabinet has agreed to a completely new policy on energy.
Noda believes that most residents of Japan also supported a no-nuclear-power policy.
20:12 Afghanistan bans YouTube over anti-Islam film
Afghanistan has banned video sharing website YouTube over a controversial anti-Islam film that has sparked violent protests in Egypt and Libya.
US Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens and three other diplomats were killed today when a mob set the consulate in Benghazi on fire.
The Afghanistan ministry of communication and information has blocked all access to YouTube, said a senior official.
18:48 After shunning TMC, Akhilesh to meet Mamata now
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav will meet Mamata Banerjee, his counterpart in West Bengal, shortly. This comes after the Samajwadi Party today said the Trinamool Congress was a major regional party, but the SP's alliance would be with the Left. The SP also announced that it would fight the polls alone and did not want the TMC to be part of the third front.
18:42 A history of perceived insults to Islam
Muslim anger over perceived Western insults to Islam has exploded several times, most recently in Tuesday's attacks against U.S. diplomatic posts in the Middle East in which U.S. ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens and three other Americans were killed.The violence, fueled mostly by religious zealots, reflects the tension between Muslims and the secular West that followed the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Here are some of the most serious incidents. Read
Here are some of the most serious incidents. Read
18:40 Real-life Popeye's biceps land him a spot in the Guinness Book
Moustafa Ismail's 31-inch arms are as big as a grown man's waist! Read more
18:36 Did Bush administration ignore warnings or 9/11
If a damning New York Times report is true, the Bush White House ignored many more threats before 9/11 than were previously revealed. Read
18:21 2G: Raja communicated to PM about policy; not discussed in DoT
A key prosecution witness in the 2G case today told a Delhi court that former Telecom Minister A Raja had written a letter to the Prime Minister about the "policy" for distribution of licences but the issues involved in it were not "discussed" in the Department of Telecom.
A K Srivastava, a former Deputy Director General of the DoT, testified this in the court after counsel appearing for Sidharath Behura, former telecom secretary and an accused in the case, asked him about a January 7, 2008 note of the DoT containing details of first-come-first-served (FCFS) policy.
A K Srivastava, a former Deputy Director General of the DoT, testified this in the court after counsel appearing for Sidharath Behura, former telecom secretary and an accused in the case, asked him about a January 7, 2008 note of the DoT containing details of first-come-first-served (FCFS) policy.
18:11 Cong won't believe anti-Rahul rant: SP still ally
Congress today reacted cautiously on Samajwadi Party diatribes against the party saying that it still believed that SP was an ally of the ruling UPA and it was entitled to air its views.
"Frankly, we still believe that SP is our ally. We believe that though it is an ally, it is entitled to air its views. And, it is airing its views. We have nothing more to say," Congress leader and Union HRD minister Kapil Sibal said.
"Congress has taken care of the country for more than 60 years and we hope that we will do so for the next 60 years," Sibal said when a correspondent told him that SP chief Mulayam Singh had said that it was in the opposition and also targetted the Congress-led UPA on various counts including over coal block allocations and alleged corruption.
"Frankly, we still believe that SP is our ally. We believe that though it is an ally, it is entitled to air its views. And, it is airing its views. We have nothing more to say," Congress leader and Union HRD minister Kapil Sibal said.
"Congress has taken care of the country for more than 60 years and we hope that we will do so for the next 60 years," Sibal said when a correspondent told him that SP chief Mulayam Singh had said that it was in the opposition and also targetted the Congress-led UPA on various counts including over coal block allocations and alleged corruption.
18:08 MoEF suspends environment clearance of 93 mining leases in Goa
The Union Ministry of Environment and Forest today suspended the environment clearances of all the 93 mining leases in Goa asking the mine owners to submit the relevant documents. The mine owners will have to submit their documents which are required for getting the environment clearances, Minister of Environment and Forest Jayanti Natarajan told mediapersons here today.
18:06 Prince Williams wants to have two kids with Kate
Just so you don't miss out on this very important piece of information...
Prince William has revealed that he would like to have two children, after being asked a very direct question by a member of the public on his visit to Singapore.
As he met crowds of people gathered at the Gardens by the Bay attraction, one of them wanted to know how many children the Duke of Cambridge was planning to have.
Whether the Duchess of Cambridge shares the same desire he did not say, but the couple have frequently talked about their desire to start a family.
Prince William has revealed that he would like to have two children, after being asked a very direct question by a member of the public on his visit to Singapore.
As he met crowds of people gathered at the Gardens by the Bay attraction, one of them wanted to know how many children the Duke of Cambridge was planning to have.
Whether the Duchess of Cambridge shares the same desire he did not say, but the couple have frequently talked about their desire to start a family.
17:46 Obama condemns envoy's killing, senseless violence
President Barack Obama on Wednesday strongly condemned the killing of the US ambassador to Libya and three other embassy staff as an "outrageous attack" and ordered increased security at U.S. diplomatic posts worldwide, reports Reuters.
"I have directed my administration to provide all necessary resources to support the security of our personnel in Libya, and to increase security at our diplomatic posts around the globe," Obama said in a statement after the U.S. diplomats were killed in a rocket attack on their car in Benghazi.
"While the United States rejects efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others, we must all unequivocally oppose the kind of senseless violence that took the lives of these public servants," he said.
"I have directed my administration to provide all necessary resources to support the security of our personnel in Libya, and to increase security at our diplomatic posts around the globe," Obama said in a statement after the U.S. diplomats were killed in a rocket attack on their car in Benghazi.
"While the United States rejects efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others, we must all unequivocally oppose the kind of senseless violence that took the lives of these public servants," he said.
17:30 Obama on killed US envoy: His legacy will endure
The Libyan PM says his nation is concerned about its relations with the US. Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama says of envoy Christopher Stevens: "His legacy will endure wherever human beings reach for liberty and justice."
17:26
The Associated Press puts says 289 bodies have been pulled out of the fire in the garment factory in Karachi. The toll from the fires stands at 314.
17:24 Libya PM: We condemn attack, apologise to America
The Libyan Prime Minister and deputy prime minister condemn the attack on the US embassy in Benghazi and apologises to the US for the deaths of the envoy, and three others. "I do condemn the cowardly act of attacking the US consulate and the killing of Mr Stevens and the other diplomats," Abu Shagur wrote on Twitter.
The Libyan PM says their "soil should not be used for any attacks." Two security personnel and a consulate staff were killed.
The Libyan PM says their "soil should not be used for any attacks." Two security personnel and a consulate staff were killed.
17:17 After SP, Bengal Congress shuns Trinamool
The Congress, which is a junior partner in the Trinamool Congress-led government in West Bengal, does not require the ally to stand on its own feet, WBPCC President Pradip Bhattacharya said today.
"Congress is not lost in Bengal and it does not require TMC as it can stand on its own feet," Bhattacharya told a Youth Congress convention in Kolkata. Minister Manas Bhuiyan said the party in the state was in a dilemma as it was not able to work together nor walk out of the coalition and had sought a direction from the party high command. "I ask myself why are we in the government when the same situation as that which had prevailed during the Left Front regime when 17,000 Congress workers were killed still prevails under the Trinamool-led government in the state," Bhuiyan said.
The WBPCC chief also declared a 'Nandigram Chalo Abhiyan' against alleged TMC atrocities and not allowing Congress to contest the recent municipal elections in Nandigram.
"Congress is not lost in Bengal and it does not require TMC as it can stand on its own feet," Bhattacharya told a Youth Congress convention in Kolkata. Minister Manas Bhuiyan said the party in the state was in a dilemma as it was not able to work together nor walk out of the coalition and had sought a direction from the party high command. "I ask myself why are we in the government when the same situation as that which had prevailed during the Left Front regime when 17,000 Congress workers were killed still prevails under the Trinamool-led government in the state," Bhuiyan said.
The WBPCC chief also declared a 'Nandigram Chalo Abhiyan' against alleged TMC atrocities and not allowing Congress to contest the recent municipal elections in Nandigram.
17:12
Rezaul Hasan Laskar @Rezhasan Update: Death toll in fire at factory in #Karachi 289, acc to Karachi Commissioner Roshan Ali Shaikh. Toll could rise, 30+ injured.
17:11 Pak fire toll 271, at last 246 bodies pulled out
At least 246 bodies have been pulled out of the Karachi blaze with the toll from the two fires now at 271. The deadly fire took place in a three-storey garment factory in Pakistan's financial hub Karachi.
The fire broke out on the second floor of the building in the Baldia town area of the city last evening.
The fire broke out on the second floor of the building in the Baldia town area of the city last evening.
16:54 How were Egyptian protesters able to storm US Embassy?
On the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Salafist protesters broke into the U.S. Embassy in Egypt and tore down the American flag outside, replacing it with the black flag similar to the one used by al Qaeda groups. Video of the protesters tearing the American flag to shreds swiftly spread across the Internet.
But how did they get in? Read
But how did they get in? Read
16:39 BJP wants President to refree coal-gate battle
Amid an escalating political row over coal block allocation, BJP today brought the battle to President Pranab Mukherje demanding his intervention and also asked him to advice the UPA government that it is not right for it to attack the CAG.
The Congress lashed out at the principal opposition party BJP for its stand on the coalgate row with its leader Digvijay Singh alleging there was a clear similarity between the anti-Bofors campaign against the government in the late 80s and the present one on the coal block allocation.
In New Delhi, BJP Parliamentary Party chief L K Advani, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, her Rajya Sabha counterpart Arun Jaitley and PAC chairperson Murli Manohar Joshi met Mukherjee and submitted a memorandum expressing "deep anguish and profound concern" over Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress questioning the CAG report on coal scam.
The Congress lashed out at the principal opposition party BJP for its stand on the coalgate row with its leader Digvijay Singh alleging there was a clear similarity between the anti-Bofors campaign against the government in the late 80s and the present one on the coal block allocation.
In New Delhi, BJP Parliamentary Party chief L K Advani, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, her Rajya Sabha counterpart Arun Jaitley and PAC chairperson Murli Manohar Joshi met Mukherjee and submitted a memorandum expressing "deep anguish and profound concern" over Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress questioning the CAG report on coal scam.
16:32 Clinton's curry diplomacy: Signs up Indian-American chef
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has roped in 80 top chefs including an Indian-American to work on "the oldest diplomatic tool" of cooking and improve America's foreign relations.
Vikram Sunderam, a Mumbai native and executive chef at Rasika, an Indian restaurant in Washington has been anointed State Chef as part of the US State Department's Diplomatic Culinary Partnership initiative, the Washington Post reported.
Vikram Sunderam, a Mumbai native and executive chef at Rasika, an Indian restaurant in Washington has been anointed State Chef as part of the US State Department's Diplomatic Culinary Partnership initiative, the Washington Post reported.
16:24 Will Andy Murray pop the question to longtime sweetheart now?
At the moment of victory, sheer unbounded Grand Slam-sized joy was written all over the face of girlfriend Kim Sears.That enviable mane of glossy hair was whipped by the wind into a golden crown as Andy Murray made his way, shoeless, to embrace her very much as he did after winning Olympic gold at Wimbledon last month. Read more
16:06 PDA? Please spare us!
Unintentionally hilarious blog on the Tribune, Pakistan. An excerpt: "This tendency of exhibiting one's affection for the entire world to see, in this distasteful fashion, regardless of the relationship between two people, was and still is unfathomable to some people, including myself."
Read Abdullah Ansari's blog as he bristles with self-righteous indignation.
Read Abdullah Ansari's blog as he bristles with self-righteous indignation.
16:00 Reliance MediaWorks paying for its high wire act
In other news... Anil Ambani group's company Reliance MediaWorks continues to bleed. Now, its partner, Digital Domain, has filed for bankruptcy and Reliance MediaWorks may have an exposure of about Rs150 crore to this US-based visual effects company. Read
15:55 US diplomat had done much to free Benghazi from Gaddafi
The Foreign Policy reports on the death of Christopher Stevens, who was killed due to smoke inhalation when the US consulate in Libya was attacked.
Stevens was a career Foreign Service officer who had previously served across the Middle East, had been the point person for US diplomatic efforts during last year's war to topple Muammar al-Gaddafi. After NATO's establishment of a no-fly zone, he based himself in Benghazi, where he worked to unite the country's disparate rebel groups under the Transitional National Council.
It is a tragic irony that the US diplomat who had done so much to free Benghazi from the grip of a dictator that it despised would die at the hands of that city's residents only months later, in a spasm of religion-fueled hatred.
Stevens was a career Foreign Service officer who had previously served across the Middle East, had been the point person for US diplomatic efforts during last year's war to topple Muammar al-Gaddafi. After NATO's establishment of a no-fly zone, he based himself in Benghazi, where he worked to unite the country's disparate rebel groups under the Transitional National Council.
It is a tragic irony that the US diplomat who had done so much to free Benghazi from the grip of a dictator that it despised would die at the hands of that city's residents only months later, in a spasm of religion-fueled hatred.
15:43
Extending gains for the sixth session in a row, the BSE benchmark Sensex touched 18,000-mark after six months Wednesday on buying by funds and retailers amid a firm Asian cues, reports Zeebiz.
The Sensex gains 0.5 percent, hitting earlier its highest since March 14, while the Nifty adds 0.5 percent as of 2.30 p.m.Airline shares extend gains after India's aviation minister says he's hopeful the government will allow foreign direct investment into the sector and has talked to most of the ruling coalition's political allies.
The Sensex gains 0.5 percent, hitting earlier its highest since March 14, while the Nifty adds 0.5 percent as of 2.30 p.m.Airline shares extend gains after India's aviation minister says he's hopeful the government will allow foreign direct investment into the sector and has talked to most of the ruling coalition's political allies.
15:40 Sensex touches 18,000 mark after six months
The BSE benchmark Sensex touches 18,000 mark after six months.
15:29
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's statement in the aftermath of the deaths of the envoy to Libya and three others.
"As we work to secure our personnel and facilities, we have confirmed that one of our State Department officers was killed. We are heartbroken by this terrible loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and those who have suffered in this attack," Clinton said in a statement.
"In light of the events of today, the United States government is working with partner countries around the world to protect our personnel, our missions, and American citizens worldwide," she added. Read more on rediff.com.
"As we work to secure our personnel and facilities, we have confirmed that one of our State Department officers was killed. We are heartbroken by this terrible loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and those who have suffered in this attack," Clinton said in a statement.
"In light of the events of today, the United States government is working with partner countries around the world to protect our personnel, our missions, and American citizens worldwide," she added. Read more on rediff.com.
15:15 US envoy to Libya killed over 'anti-Islamic' film
A group calling themselves the 'Islamic law supporters' carried out the attack in response to the release of the film, Al Jazeera reported.
Just hours earlier on Tuesday, thousands of Egyptian demonstrators apparently angry over the same film - a video produced by expatriate members of Egypt's Coptic community resident in the US - tore down the Stars and Stripes at the US embassy in Cairo and replaced it with a black Islamic flag.
The two incidents came on the 11th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks in the US.
Just hours earlier on Tuesday, thousands of Egyptian demonstrators apparently angry over the same film - a video produced by expatriate members of Egypt's Coptic community resident in the US - tore down the Stars and Stripes at the US embassy in Cairo and replaced it with a black Islamic flag.
The two incidents came on the 11th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks in the US.
15:11 US ambassador, 3 others attacked, killed in Libya
However, Al Jazeera, reports that the envoy, Christopher Stevens, died from smoke inhalation in the attack on the US consulate in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi.
The Telegraph, UK, also confirms that it was an armed mob that attacked and set fire to the building in a protest against an amateur film deemed offensive to Islam's Prophet Muhammad, after similar protests in Egypt's capital.
Al Jazeera says that the ambassador was paying a short visit to Benghazi when the consulate came under attack on Tuesday night.
The Telegraph, UK, also confirms that it was an armed mob that attacked and set fire to the building in a protest against an amateur film deemed offensive to Islam's Prophet Muhammad, after similar protests in Egypt's capital.
Al Jazeera says that the ambassador was paying a short visit to Benghazi when the consulate came under attack on Tuesday night.
15:09 US ambassador, 3 others attacked, killed in Libya
The US ambassador and three others have been killed in the Libyan city of Benghazi, reports Reuters. It is believed to have been a rocket attack.
It was not clear if the ambassador was in his car or the Libyan consulate when the attack occurred.
14:27 After Raj, Bal Thackeray now backs cartoonist Aseem Trivedi
A day after nephew and MNS chief Raj Thackeray backed cartoonist Aseem Trivedi who was arrested on charges of sedition (and since released), Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray today came out in his support and opposed the sedition law.
"(Through his cartoons) Trivedi tried to depict the rot in Parliament and the government charged him with sedition," Thackeray said in an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana.
"Trivedi did insult the symbols but that does not justify branding him a traitor and imprisoning him," he said. Afzal Guru is enjoying in Tihar jail, Thackeray quipped.
"How can you apply the same yardstick for him and Trivedi?" he asked. "The sedition law is one brought by Britishers. Britain has dismissed it from their Constitution but it is still there in our Constitution," Thackeray said.
"(Through his cartoons) Trivedi tried to depict the rot in Parliament and the government charged him with sedition," Thackeray said in an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana.
"Trivedi did insult the symbols but that does not justify branding him a traitor and imprisoning him," he said. Afzal Guru is enjoying in Tihar jail, Thackeray quipped.
"How can you apply the same yardstick for him and Trivedi?" he asked. "The sedition law is one brought by Britishers. Britain has dismissed it from their Constitution but it is still there in our Constitution," Thackeray said.
14:16 SP: Rahul Gandhi lacks ability, not fit to be PM
The Samajwadi Party is now holding a press conference in Kolkata during its national executive meet in the city. Spokesperson Mohan Singh said the party will not name its prime ministerial candidate till the third front is formed. He said while the Trinamool Congress is a major regional party, its alliance is with the Left. "In our time of difficulty Harkishan Singh Surjeet and Jyoti Basu supported us. We will contest the LS polls alone, led by the chief minister Akhilesh Yadav," said Singh.
He also said that Rahul Gandhi was not fit to be PM. "He lacks the ability to run the country. The party will maintain a distance from both the BJP and the Congress," pointed out Singh.
He also said that Rahul Gandhi was not fit to be PM. "He lacks the ability to run the country. The party will maintain a distance from both the BJP and the Congress," pointed out Singh.
14:07 German court backs bailout fund
Germany's top court has rejected calls to block the permanent eurozone rescue fund, the European Stability Mechanism. Critics petitioned the Constitutional Court, arguing that the ESM commits Germany to potentially unlimited funding of debt-ridden eurozone states. Read more
13:56 Xi Jinping: A debacle, not a crisis
The Chinese Government continues to keep its citizens and the rest of the world in the dark about the health and whereabouts of China's leader-in-waiting, Xi Jinping, who has not been seen in public since 1 September. Yet, wild rumours about Xi's possible fate seem to be overblown. Read
13:55
1,000 businesses are responsible for half of the total market value of the world's more than 60,000 publicly traded companies. Read
13:48 Cartoonist: How can govt charge me with sedition?
Trivedi says he did not commit any crime and asked how the government can charge him for sedition.
Trivedi was arrested in Mumbai under laws governing sedition, information technology and protecting the national flag and constitution, after a private complaint from a young lawyer.
Cartoons on Trivedi's website include one of the national emblem with lions replaced by blood-thirsty wolves and another depicting the parliament in New Delhi as a huge toilet bowl.
Trivedi was arrested in Mumbai under laws governing sedition, information technology and protecting the national flag and constitution, after a private complaint from a young lawyer.
Cartoons on Trivedi's website include one of the national emblem with lions replaced by blood-thirsty wolves and another depicting the parliament in New Delhi as a huge toilet bowl.
13:43 Allahabad HC reserves judgement in Taj corridor case
Also happening now... The Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court today reserved its judgement on PILs seeking direction for initiation of proceedings of criminal case against former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati and her cabinet colleague Naseemuddin Siddiqui in alleged Taj Corridor scam.
The petitioners have sought a full-fledged trial of former chief minister Mayawati and her cabinet colleague Nasimuddin Siddiqui before CBI court. The CBI court had discharged them for want of prosecution sanction in 2007.
The petitioners have sought a full-fledged trial of former chief minister Mayawati and her cabinet colleague Nasimuddin Siddiqui before CBI court. The CBI court had discharged them for want of prosecution sanction in 2007.
13:40
Aseem visited the an Ambedkar statue after his release from jail. Holding an impromptu press conference, Trivedi said, "Our fight for freedom of expression will continue."
13:33
Flashing the victory sign, Aseem Trivedi says, "Meri ladai jari rahegi."
13:25 Sedition charges yet to be dropped
The sedition charges are yet to be dropped, and it is believed the government is taking a legal opinion. Yesterday, when the Bombay HC granted him bail, Trivedi had refused it, saying he would come out of jail only when the sedition charges against him were dropped. Trivedi was arrested on Saturday.
13:20
Trivedi was released on a personal bond of Rs 5,000.
13:17 Cartoonist Aseem Trivedi released from jail
Cartoonist Aseem Trivedi has been released from Mumbai's Arthur Road jail. Trivedi, who was facing sedition charges, was granted bail by the
Bombay high court yesterday. The Kanpur-based artist was initially reluctant to come
out of jail unless all charges leveled against him are dropped.
However, since state home minister RR Patil has promised to get the sedition charge dropped and to show respect to the court Trivedi has decided to come out of jail.,
However, since state home minister RR Patil has promised to get the sedition charge dropped and to show respect to the court Trivedi has decided to come out of jail.,
12:57 New Housing Bill in Maha: How builders gain, customers lose
Everything you wanted to know about how the Maharashtra housing billjeopardizes the interests of real estate buyers while protecting builders and developers. Read
12:52 Rohini murder case: Ex-husband's relative arrested
A woman who was shot dead on a busy road in North West Delhi was
allegedly murdered by a man related to her husband's ex-wife, says the
Delhi Police, who has arrested the man, reports NDTV.com.
Meenakshi Rana was dropping her young son to school in a rickshaw in Rohini when a gunman on a bike pulled up and fired at her several times. The shooter then escaped.
Newspapers report that Mrs Rana at first tried to dodge bullets by hiding behind cars and trees but the gunman was able to catch up with her. After killing her, he escaped on his bike.
Meenakshi Rana was dropping her young son to school in a rickshaw in Rohini when a gunman on a bike pulled up and fired at her several times. The shooter then escaped.
Newspapers report that Mrs Rana at first tried to dodge bullets by hiding behind cars and trees but the gunman was able to catch up with her. After killing her, he escaped on his bike.
12:29 What happens when coalition forces leave Afghanistan?
Ordinary Afghans fear for their future and what will happen once coalition forces leave. That's why some are risking everything for a chance at life in Australia. Read
12:18 Kejriwal in Kudankulam: Cops ransacking homes
Anti-corruption activist Arvind Kejriwal, who is in Kudankulam to lend his support to the nuclear plant protestors says that the behaviour by the police is unacceptable. Sitting on the dais, he accused the police of ransacking the homes of villager and destroying 40 boats belonging to fishermen. "The poor have been charged with waging war against the government. We need public debate on the safety of the plant. It's not wrong to demand safety measures," he raged.
12:07 Low-key role for Rahul in Gujarat
Another reason why Rahul Gandhi is in the news...
The Congress party seems to have come around to the view that its high profile general secretary Rahul Gandhi, who is otherwise tipped for a bigger role in the party, should have a low-key role in the forthcoming Gujarat campaign.On a day when the Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi kicked off his campaign for a record third term, virtually daring the Congress to join a no-holds barred battle, the party indicated that it would not like to provide an opportunity for the saffron strongman to engage it on his terms.
Read the DNA report
The Congress party seems to have come around to the view that its high profile general secretary Rahul Gandhi, who is otherwise tipped for a bigger role in the party, should have a low-key role in the forthcoming Gujarat campaign.On a day when the Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi kicked off his campaign for a record third term, virtually daring the Congress to join a no-holds barred battle, the party indicated that it would not like to provide an opportunity for the saffron strongman to engage it on his terms.
Read the DNA report
12:02
The death toll in the Pakistan garment factory fire has gone up to 112.
12:02 Pakistan blasphemy' family tell of fire threat
The family of a young Pakistani Christian girl, known as Rimsha, who is accused of blasphemy, say their Muslim neighbours threatened to burn them alive inside their home.Speaking to the BBC under tight security, Rimsha's father said he feared for their lives. Read
11:55 100 killed in Karachi garment factory fire
Nearly 100 people have been killed and 50 others injured, some of them who jumped out of windows to save their lives, in a deadly fire in a three-storey garment factory in Pakistan's financial hub Karachi.
The fire broke out on the second floor of the building in the Baldia town area of the city last evening. Around 35 fire tenders with dozens of firefighters were still trying to control the blaze till the filing of this report.
"The fire has been brought under control to a large extent but there are more people trapped inside the building right now particularly in the basement and we fear the building might also collapse eventually due to the damage caused by the fire," chief fire officer Ehtishamuddin said.
The fire broke out on the second floor of the building in the Baldia town area of the city last evening. Around 35 fire tenders with dozens of firefighters were still trying to control the blaze till the filing of this report.
"The fire has been brought under control to a large extent but there are more people trapped inside the building right now particularly in the basement and we fear the building might also collapse eventually due to the damage caused by the fire," chief fire officer Ehtishamuddin said.
11:50 Boy, 4, watches mom shot dead
In a gruesome murder at a residential colony in Rohini, northwest Delhi, a four-year-old boy watched her mother being shot thrice by a bike-borne assailant while they were on way to his school on Tuesday morning. Read
11:45 Cartoonist arrest like time of Emergency: BJP
Senior BJP leader L K Advani today hit out at Congress over the arrest of cartoonist Aseem Trivedi while drawing parallels with Emergency and alleged that the "draconian mindset" of the present rulers is born out of "failure and desperation".
"India has been independent now for sixty five years. I have always regarded the Emergency period 1975-77 as the worst in so far as suppression of civil liberties and freedom of expression were concerned.
"But seeing what has happened to political cartoonist and anti-corruption crusader Aseem Trivedi, I have started wondering is today's political set up worse even than the emergency?," Advani said in his blog.
"India has been independent now for sixty five years. I have always regarded the Emergency period 1975-77 as the worst in so far as suppression of civil liberties and freedom of expression were concerned.
"But seeing what has happened to political cartoonist and anti-corruption crusader Aseem Trivedi, I have started wondering is today's political set up worse even than the emergency?," Advani said in his blog.
11:37 Aseem Trivedi likely to accept bail terms, leave jail today
Cartoonist Aseem Trivedi, facing sedition charges, who was on Tuesday granted bail by the Bombay high court is likely to walk out of the Arthur Road jail today at around 3 pm. The Kanpur-based artist was initially reluctant to come out of jail unless all charges leveled against him are dropped.
However, since state home minister RR Patil has promised to get the sedition charge dropped and to show respect to the court Trivedi has decided to come out of jail.,
However, since state home minister RR Patil has promised to get the sedition charge dropped and to show respect to the court Trivedi has decided to come out of jail.,
11:32 Rave party bust: Vinod Khanna's son among 30 summoned
A year after the police busted a rave party at a resort in Khalapur, Raigad, the guests have been summoned by the cops. Over 240 youngsters -- including Bollywood actor Vinod Khanna's son Sakshi and his friends '" were caught at the party allegedly consuming drugs.The party was held at Mount View Club on July 2 last year. Inspector Anil Jadhav from the Anti Narcotics Cell's Worli Unit was also arrested and his medical reports showed that he had consumed drugs.
Read the report on the Indian Express.
Read the report on the Indian Express.
11:24 IAF backs pilot for refusing to fly Rahul Gandhi
The Indian Air Force has backed the pilot for refusing to fly Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday over inclement weather. Rahul was forced to change his travel plans as IAF did not oblige his request for flying him from in Kokrajhar to Guwahati citing bad weather.
IAF officials said the pilot was right to use his judgment and refuse to flym Rahul. The Congress general secretary was on a day's trip to the state to meet victims of ethnic violence in relief camps and held discussions with Bodoland Territorial Council leaders on the prevailing situation in Assam.
While travelling back to Guwahati with chief minister Tarun Gogoi, he was denied permission by the IAF officials to take off due to the bad weather, sources said in Kokrajhar.
IAF officials said the pilot was right to use his judgment and refuse to flym Rahul. The Congress general secretary was on a day's trip to the state to meet victims of ethnic violence in relief camps and held discussions with Bodoland Territorial Council leaders on the prevailing situation in Assam.
While travelling back to Guwahati with chief minister Tarun Gogoi, he was denied permission by the IAF officials to take off due to the bad weather, sources said in Kokrajhar.
11:14
The industrial production growth rate dips to 0.1 per cent in July, as against 3.7 per cent in the same month last year.
10:51 BJP to discuss UPA's 'draconian' regime with Prez
Onkar Singh reports from New Delhi: A delegation of Bharatiya Janata Party leaders will on Wednesday meet President Pranab Mukherjee to discuss the coal scam that has gripped the attention of the whole country.
The delegation will also discuss with the President that the present regime is more draconian than Emergency times, among other things.
According to reports, LK Advani, Arun Jaitley, Murli Manohar Joshi and Sushma Swaraj will discuss with the President the role of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh as coal minister between 2006 and 2009.
with inputs from Zee News
09:23 Police begin crackdown on MP jal satyagrahis
The police have begun cracking down on jal satyagrahis of Harda village in Madhya Pradesh, and are trying to forcibly evict the protestors from water.
08:42 US-Pak counterterror cooperation to intensify
PTI: The United States is now back in the business of trying to intensify its counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan, now that the ground lines of communications are open, a US official has said.
"In the context of having reopened the ground lines of communication, we are back in the business of trying to intensify our counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan," the State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland told reporters at her daily news conference in Washington, DC.
06:03 Republican Vice-Presidential nominee condemns Sikh attack
US Congressman Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney's running mate, will introduce a bill in the House of Representatives condemning the attack on the gurdwara in Wisconsin: http://americanturban.com/2012/09/11/republican-vp-nominee-paul-ryan-introduces-resolution-to-condemn-wi-sikh-attacks/#entry
05:55 Dalyrmple versus Naipaul
William Dalyrmple contests V S Naipaul's theory that the Vijayanagar empire was a bulwark against Islam: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Naipauls-musings-on-Vijayanagar-misleading/articleshow/16358501.cms
05:43 Another wounded in the head
Though the US State Department does not have confirmation about the death, Associated Press reports that one American consular official was killed in the attack: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/libya-1-american-dead-1-wounded-mission
05:35 Life as a Sikh in America
An evocative piece in Salon: http://www.salon.com/2012/09/11/my_life_in_a_turban/
03:45 Libya militias storm US consulate over 'insulting' film
Militiamen in Libya have stormed the US consulate in Benghazi, the country's second largest city.Reports say they were protesting against a US-made film that is allegedly insulting to the Prophet Muhammad, and set fire to the building.
The building is said to have burnt down. It is thought nobody was in the consulate at the time.Earlier, protesters in Egypt breached the wall at the US embassy in Cairo and tore down a flag over the film.
The film that sparked the protest is said to have been produced by US pastor Terry Jones and co-produced by some Egyptian Copt expatriates.
03:07 'Yemen sacks ousted president's security chiefs'
Yemeni President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi sacked top security chiefs seen as loyal to ousted leader Ali Abdullah Saleh in a reshuffle announced on state television today that pushes forward a transition of power.
Among those removed from their posts was the head of the country's National Security force, Ali al-Anisi, and Saleh's half-brother, Ali Saleh al-Ahmar, who was director of the office of the armed forces' top commander. Ainsi was replaced by the governor of Shabwa province in the south, Ali al-Ahmadi.
The two dismissed chiefs have been compensated with low-profile posts as ambassadors at the foreign ministry, according to the decrees. Yemen's military intelligence chief, Mujahid Ghoshaim, was also removed from his post.
02:09 5.8-magnitude quake strikes between Guam, Japan
The US Geological Survey says a magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck between Guam and Japan.
The early today earthquake was centered 155 miles southwest of Hagatna, Guam and 289 miles southwest of Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The epicenter had a depth of more than 6 miles.
There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. A magnitude 5.0 earthquake also struck the area early Saturday.
02:08 Obama will not receive Netanyahu in US
President Barack Obama will not receive Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to the US later this month, both sides said today, amid growing tensions between the allies over Iran's nuclear programme.
Netanyahu, who will be attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York, had asked for a meeting with Obama, proposing to travel to Washington for it, an Israeli official told AFP. "So far the response has been that Obama's very tight schedule does not allow such a meeting," the official said.
The White House too insisted that it was a matter of scheduling. The announcement, coming shortly after Netanyahu rebuked the US for refusing to set a clear "red line" for Iran to avoid military action, represents a new low in the uneasy relationship between the two leaders.
01:42 Karzai calls for 9/11 re-think in 'war on terror'
Afghan President Hamid Karzai today called for a re-think in the "war on terror" as the Taliban taunted the United States with the prospect of "utter defeat" on the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
The deaths of nearly 3,000 people in the worst terror strike on US soil saw troops invade Afghanistan to bring down the Taliban regime for sheltering al-Qaeda and implant a Western-backed administration. The anniversary itself was muted in Afghanistan, where US and NATO troops organised small ceremonies to honour the dead.
The war has steadily lost popular support in the West and the bulk of the 117,000 NATO combat troops are preparing to withdraw by the end of 2014. At one commemoration, US General John Allen, NATO commander on the ground, gave an upbeat assessment of progress, saying that 76 per cent of the population lives in areas transitioning to Afghan security lead.
01:00 Aleppo pounded as Jolie visits Syria refugees
Syrian guns pounded rebel positions in Aleppo and heavy fighting rocked the Old City amid a flurry of diplomatic activity today, as world powers pressed on with the formidable task of seeking an end to the bloodshed.
A day after nearly 140 people were reportedly killed across Syria, the UN refugee agency said the number of civilians fleeing nearly 18 months of violence has reached more than 250,000 The plight of the refugees was also under the spotlight as Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie spoke to journalists at the UN-run Zaatari camp in northern Jordan, flanked by UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres.
"We encourage the international community to do everything they can to support these refugees, and there is much to be done," said Jolie, a special envoy of the agency. "It has been a very heavy experience," she said of her tour of the camp. "It is very emotional to be with people who are wondering who is on their side." After an eerily quiet morning, a resident reported renewed bombardments of the Kalasseh and Bustan al-Qasr districts in the south, Suleiman al-Halabi in the centre and Bustan al-Basha in the north.
00:30 Suicide bomber kills police officer in Istanbul
A suicide bomber said to be from an outlawed leftwing extremist group blew himself up at a police station in Istanbul today, killing a Turkish police officer and wounding seven other people.
The attack, a rare suicide bombing in the country, occurred in an Alawite-majority area of Turkey's largest city, where deadly unrest had erupted almost two decades ago. The Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C), which the United States and the EU lists as a terrorist group, claimed responsibility, the pro-government Sabah newspaper reported on its website.
"I strongly condemn this disgustful terrorist attack at our police station carried out by terrorist groups chasing outdated ideologies," President Abdullah Gul was quoted as saying by the Anatolia news agency. Although suicide bombings are rare, the country has nevertheless witnessed numerous attacks by Kurdish rebels as well as Islamists and leftwing extremists.
00:17 WB: 4 killed, 8 injured in blast during bomb making
Four persons were killed todayand eight others injured in a blast that took place when thevictims were allegedly making bombs near Rampurhat town in Birbhum district, police said.
While two persons died on the spot, as many succumbed toinjuries in Rampurhat hospital, where the eight injured wereadmitted, they said.
The condition of some of them was critical, police said.
The incident occurred when a group of about 15 personswere making bombs at Bagtui village under Rampurhat police station.
00:10 SRK, King of Hearts
The star who recently shot in Kashmir for the first time ever, seen in this portrait: http://filmsandbooks.com/2012/09/11/shahrukh-khan-mild-mannered-srk-king-of-hearts/
00:09 India to give 25 million in credit to Maldives
India has granted another USD 25 million to the Maldives in addition to the USD 100 million credit facility agreed during Prime Minister Manmoham Singh's visit to this country last year.
An agreement in this regard was signed by Indian High Commissioner D M Mulay and maldivian Minister of Finance Abdulla Jihad at the Indian High Commission here.
The addendum amends the original agreement between the two countries on the USD 100 million Standby Credit facility.
The additional USD 25 million will come as fiscal support for the country. "The additional Indian fiscal support to the Government of Maldives is expected to be made available shortly," said a statement from the High Commission.
During Singh's visit to Maldives last, India and Maldives had signed an agreement wherein the Indian side agreed to extend a USD 100 million credit facility to Maldives to be operated through the State Bank of India (SBI) in Male.
00:07 Kudankulam: Udayakumar does not surrender
Anti-nuclear movement leader S P Udayakumar tonight gave up his plan to surrender to the police after making a dramatic appearance to do do so and was whisked away by his supporters.
Anti-corruption activist Arvind Kejriwal turned up at nearby Idinthakarai, venue of a 48-hour hunger strike launched by anti-nuclear protesters, expressed his solidarity with them and was believed to have asked Udayakumar, convenor of People's Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE), not to surrender.
Udayakumar turned up at Idinthakarai and announced he would surrender at 9 PM in the presence of a "prominent non-political national leader." But the emotional protestors said they would not allow the surrender and soon thereafter, Udayakumar was whisked away by his supporters in a boat, leaving others clueless about his whereabouts.
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