LIVE
Tue, 25 September 2012
Iran unveils new long-range drone
Timeline Refresh
22:54 Iran unveils new long-range drone
Iranian military leaders gave details of a new long-range drone and test fired four anti-ship missiles today in a prelude to upcoming naval war games planned in an apparent response to US-led warship drills in the Persian Gulf.
The show of Iranian military readiness and its latest tool a domestically made drone capable of reaching Israel and most of the Middle East also came as President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad prepared to address the UN General Assembly tomorrow amid a deepening impasse with the West over Tehran's disputed nuclear program.
22:44 Country needs Narendra Modi's vision: Sidhu
BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu today batted for Narendra Modi saying he wants the Gujarat chief minister to lead the country after the 2014 general elections.
"The country needs leader like Narendra Modi who is clear in his vision and I follow his principles. I wish that Modi unfurled the national flag from Red Fort after next general elections," he said at Swami Vivekanand Yuva Parishad held at Navlakhi compound on Rajmahal Road .
Modi had earlier addressed the public meeting to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda and announced setting up of 14,000 centres to promote sports culture among youths.
22:37 Bail pleas of Janardhana Reddy, 2 others rejected
The bail applications of former minister and mining baron G Janardhana Reddy and two others,arrested in an illegal mining case, were today rejected by aCBI court here.
Judge B M Angadi rejected the bail pleas of Reddy, his aide Mehfuz Ali Khan and then Range Forest Officer of Sandur Taluk, Mahesh Patil in the illegal mining caseinvolving Associate Mining Corporation owned by him.
21:56 Decision on Ajit after talking to NCP, Cong: Chavan
Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan today said he will speak to leaders of his party Congress and those from ally NCP before taking a decision on the resignation of his deputy Ajit Pawar.
"I have received a letter from Ajit Pawar tendering resignation from the Council of Ministers and suggesting alternative arrangements for the portfolios held by him. I will consult leaders of both the parties before taking a decision," he told reporters here.
21:38 Obama invokes Gandhi, says film no excuse for 'attack' on US
President Barack Obama today invoked the words of Mahatma Gandhi in his address to the UN General Assembly here as he remembered US envoy to Libya who was killed in violent protests that erupted in the aftermath of an anti-Islam film, saying the "crude and disgusting" video was no excuse for an "attack on America".
Obama took the stage at the UN General Assembly hall to address world leaders in what is his last international speech before the November 6 presidential elections.
21:20 Gadkari says govt using judiciary, Khurshid rejects charge
BJP President Nitin Gadkari today alleged that besides the CBI, the government is now using and pressurising the judiciary as well to "blackmail" Opposition parties and have its way, a charge rejected by the government.
Speaking to reporters here, Gadkari said, "The CBI is being misused. The CBI and the judiciary are being used to blackmail Opposition parties. Such facts are coming to light." But Law Minister Salman Khurshid, while playing down the allegation, rejected it saying that such statements have "no importance."
"If someone makes such an allegation, it has no importance. Are there any facts...judiciary has a respectable place in our system. Even Parliament cannot interfere in its functioning," he said here.
21:00 AP CM hopeful of 'appropriate' decision on Telangana issue
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy today hoped that the Centre would soon take an appropriate decision on the Telangana issue in the best interests of the state and country.
"There is separate state demand from Telangana region, while there is united Andhra Pradesh demand from coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions. This is a difficult situation. I hope the Centre and Congress would take an appropriate decision in the best interests of the state and the country, which benefits the highest number of people," Reddy said.
He was addressing a gathering on the first day of his 'Indiramma Bata' (on the path shown by Indiramma) mass-contact programme in Krishna district.
20:20 Ex-servicemen unhappy with pension hike
Ex-servicemen are unhappy with the pension hike announced by government saying it amounted to "wrong and deceitful" treatment of their long-pending 'One Rank One Pension' demand and vowed to continue struggle for their rights.
"It is deceiving. Government has wrongly interpreted the term 'One Rank One Pension' (OROP). They have not given OROP, instead they have just merely made an enhancement in pension," Chairman Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM) retired Lt Gen Raj Kadyan told PTI here.
20:00 All NCP ministers tender resignation to state party chief
Close on the heels of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar quitting his post, all NCP ministersin the Maharashtra Government have submitted theirresignations to party's state unit chief Madhukar Pichad.
"All ministers have submitted their resignations tome. Sharad Pawar is not in Delhi now. I will consult him todiscuss the further course of action. The Legislature party ofthe NCP will meet at 2 pm tomorrow," Pichad told PTI.
19:47 Gadkari all set to get a 2nd term as BJP chief
BJP's National Council meeting in Surajkund on September 27 and 28 will clear the decks for a second consecutive term to Nitin Gadkari as party president after it gives a nod to the amendment in the party Constitution.
The party's National Executive had passed a resolution in in its last meeting in Mumbai, allowing an amendment in the BJP constitution for a second term for its president.
Gadkari's current term as president ends in December when he is expected to get a second term, thereby giving him a tenure upto December 2015.
19:20 Nupur Talwar walks out of prison
Nupur Talwar walked out of prison and said that 'their fight for justice will continue'.
Talwar, facing trial in the twin murder case of her daughter Aarushi and domestic aide Hemraj, was today ordered by a CBI court in Ghaziabad to be released from prison on bail.
Special Judge A K Lal ordered Nupur Talwar's release in pursuance of a Supreme Court's order which had granted her bail on September 17, stipulating that she should be released by today, September 25.
19:11 No threat to Maha govt: NCP vice president
No threat to Maharashtra government after Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's resignation, NCP Vice President Praful Patel has said.
18:48 Gave permission to Ajit Pawar to resign: NCP chief
NCP chief Sharad Pawar today said he had given "permission" to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who is facing allegations of irregularities in irrigation projects, to resign from his post.
Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar told PTI over phone that Ajit, who is his nephew, had called him yesterday and sought permission to quit from the post.
18:20 NCP may quit Maha govt, extend outside support
Meanwhile, the NCP may quit Maharashtra government and extend outside support, Ajit Pawar's close aide and NCP MLC Vinayak Mete told PTI.
17:56 Alleged: The Hina Rabbani-Bilawal affair
One of the Western intelligence agencies has revealed the hidden fact about romantic relations between youngest foreign minister of Pakistan, Hina Rabbani Khar and Bilawal Bhutto, the son of President Asif Ali Zardari and slain prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
17:53 Sensex back in positive trend; ends 21 pts higher
The BSE benchmark Sensex on Tuesday ended over 21 points higher on some buying in fundamentally strong stocks as investors remained hopeful of more reform measures by the government to boost the economy.
The Sensex, which had lost 79 points in the previous session, recovered by 21.07 points, or 0.11 per cent, at 18,694.41.
Of 30 Sensex stocks, 12 gained while 18 closed lower. The BSE smallcap index rose by 0.53 per cent to 6,903.15 and mid-cap index by 0.46 per cent to 6,483.49.
Brokers said investors remained confident of government giving a further push to economic reforms, particularly after the Cabinet yesterday approved Rs 1.9 lakh crore debt restructuring of state electricity boards.
Power sector stocks, led by Torrent Power, ended with gains. Torrent rose by 1.78 per cent to Rs 171.10, Adani Power was up 1.09 per cent and Reliance Power 0.94 per cent.
Brokers said mild profit-booking trimmed the gains but markets more or less were in buoyant mode.
17:13 Irrigation scam: Maha Dy CM Ajit Pawar quits
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has resigned from his post over irregularities in awarding contracts for irrigation projects.
Reports published in a section of media had claimed that Pawar granted clearance to the projects worth Rs20,000 crore in a matter of three months in 2009.
The scam relates to awarding of tenders worth Rs 13,500 crore for projects in Vidarbha at exorbitant rates between 2006-09 when Ajit Pawar was water resources minister.
The allegation against the Maharashtra Deputy CM is that he tweaked the administrative process in such a way that every tender worth Rs 1 crore and above required his signature.
Defending Pawar, some senior NCP leaders blamed rivals and "vested interests" for stoking the controversy when the party is "rapidly" expanding its base to break the myth of it being a western Maharashtra phenomenon.
Home minister R R Patil said the party is aware of these "tactics". "People will soon know the truth and we are prepared to give a fitting reply," he said.
Rural development minister Jayant Patil echoed him. He said it seems NCP ministers are being targeted and forces opposed to the expansion of the NCP's sphere of influence could be behind it.
16:59 Aarushi case: Court orders Nupur Talwar's release
Dentist Nupur Talwar, facing trial in the twin murder case of her daughter Aarushi and domestic aide Hemraj, was on Tuesday ordered to be released from prison on bail by a CBI court in Ghaziabad.
Special Judge A K Lal ordered Nupur Talwar's release in pursuance of a Supreme Court's order, which had granted her bail on September 17, stipulating that she should be released by today, September 25.
After granting her bail, the apex court had put off her release by a week to enable CBI to get its remaining material witnesses examined by the trial court, which is currently recording the prosecution evidence.
The special judge ordered Nupur's release on a personal bond of Rs 2 lakh with two sureties of the same amount.
Presently lodged in Dasna jail in Ghaziabad, Nupur is expected to be released by late evening.
16:44 Now, download Einstein's brain as iPad app!
Now, the brain of great physicist Albert Einstein will be available for download on an Apple iPad application for just 9.99 dollars.
The exclusive iPad app, which will be launched on Tuesday, will make detailed images of Einstein's brain tissue more accessible to scientists than ever before.
According to the Age, a medical museum under development in Chicago obtained funding to scan and digitize nearly 350 fragile and priceless slides made from slices of Einstein's brain after his death in 1955.
The app has been designed by Steve Landers, a consultant for the National Museum of Health and Medicine Chicago, the report said.
16:43 20 killed in China coal mine accident
Twenty people were killed and 14 others injured when two carriages packed with workers of a coal mine in northwest China's Gansu province crashed today. This is the latest mishap to hit the country's accident-prone sector.
A steel cable pulling the locomotive, carrying 34 miners in two carriages, snapped in a pit in Baiyin city near Lanzhou in the wee hours of today, the provincial administration of work safety said.
The two carriages slipped and overturned, sending all the workers aboard down into the pit, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported. Rescuers had retrieved the bodies of 20 miners, while most of the 14 survivors were in the hospital.
16:42 Woman trespassing into ISRO remanded to police custody
A local court today remanded the woman -- who was arrested for trespassing into ISRO premises -- to four days police custody, said the police.
Buela N Sam was produced before the 10th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court and remanded to police custody.
The 41-year-old woman from Ahmedabad created a scare after she breached security to gain entry into the headquarters of ISRO by using a fake identity card, before being arrested.
16:40 President Pranab to tour Kashmir on Wednesday
President Pranab Mukherjee will travel to Jammu and Kashmir on a three-day visit beginning September 26, 2012.
During the trip, the President will attend a banquet hosted by state Governor Narinder Nath Vohra, attend the 18th annual convocation of University of Kashmir, review the Dal Lake Conservation Project and interact with a group of intellectuals.
16:31 ONGC studying CAG report on bids
Oil and gas behemoth ONGC on Tuesday said it is studying the CAG report which had questioned the state-owned company for hiring a deep sea drilling rig from Reliance Industries without calling for competitive bids, and termed the deal as untenable.
ONGC chairman and managing director Sudhir Vasudeva said his company was in the process of studying the CAG report and replying to the same.
"We have replied in the past but our view has not been taken into consideration. There were valid reasons. We have gone through a rigid process, rigorous process of diligence etc, duly approved by the board and accordingly we had gone ahead and taken this," Vasudeva said.
Vasudeva was speaking on the sidelines of an All-India Management Association summit in Mumbai
16:22 Indians detained in Kuwait safe
The ministry of external affairs on Tuesday said all Indians who had been detained in Kuwait are safe. According to sources, over 380 of them were released today.
The sources further said that the Kuwaiti authorities have assured that all Indians will be released, except those whose sponsors had not turned up at the police station.
Meanwhile, according to a report in an Indian daily, the Indian Embassy in Kuwait is taking all possible measures to ensure the safety of the Indians who were arrested last week during a wide-scale raid across Kuwait.
16:04 President Pranab pays rich tribute to Motilal Nehru
Launching the commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of Motilal Nehru, President Pranab Mukherjee today said institutions evolved by leaders like him should be strengthened instead of being destroyed.
Paying a rich tribute to Motilal, he listed his various achievements including his role in the evolving of Public Accounts Committee and protecting the independence of Legislature from the influence of the Executive by establishing a separate cadre for the Central Legislative Assembly, which is now the Parliament.
Deviating from his prepared speech, he spoke at length about the Nehru Commission Report, Motilal's role in the 1919 and 1928 sessions of the Indian National Congress and the 'ideological differences' that he developed with his son Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi.
16:01 Bosses less likely to suffer heart attack!
Being a boss could actually protect you against a heart attack rather than cause one! People in most powerful positions are likely to suffer less stress as being in charge offers them a heightened sense of control, a new Harvard study has found.
The study upheld the earlier research that showed being bossed around at work increases the risk of a heart attack by 23 per cent. Researchers tested the popular idea that leadership engenders greater stress.
Nearly 150 bosses recruited by Harvard University researchers had less of the stress hormone cortisol in their saliva than 65 non-leaders.
15:48 Two Maoists surrender in Odisha
Fed up with Naxal activities and driven by a desire to lead a normal life, two Maoist cadre have surrendered before the police in Odisha's Koraput district, the police said today.
The rebels, who surrendered on Monday, were identified as Rout Wadeda and Braja Sirika of Podapadar village in Narayanpatna police limits in the district.
"We had joined the Naxal movement to work for the downtrodden and the tribals, but now we realise that the rebels have deviated from the ideology and are involved in torturing and murdering people," the duo said while surrendering before the police.
15:48 Gujarat HC seeks CBI probe in RTI activist's murder
The Gujarat high court on Tuesday ordered a CBI probe in the murder case of RTI activist Amit Jethwa.
Jethwa had been shot dead from a close range by two unknown motorcycle-borne assailants near the Gujarat HC on July 20, 2010.
15:45 Arunachal floods: 9 killed, many areas cut off
With five more deaths reported from the remote Anjaw district bordering China, the toll in the current floods in Arunachal Pradesh rose to nine today, while four persons went missing in worst-affected Lohit district.
All seven administrative centres -- Hayuliang, Hawai, Manchal, Goliang, Walong, Kibitho and Chaglogam -- were completely cut off, a senior official said.
The five deaths were reported from different parts of the hilly district.
14:52 Shinde to meet Pak Interior Minister Rehman Malik
Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde is scheduled to meet his Pakistani counterpart -- Interior Minister Rehman Malik -- on the sidelines of the SAARC Home Ministers Meet, which is going on in Maldives, later today.
14:48 Mamata to attend Kolkata rally with local celebrities
A correspondent reports from Kolkata: Ministry of Railways does not belong to Trinamool Congress any more. Yet some celebrities from Bengal like painter Suvaprasanna and thespian Saoli Mitra still adorn the membership of a railway committee.
They apparently refused to step down, even after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appealed to them, on the ground that theirs are not offices of profit.
These celebs will take part in a meeting/rally in central Kolkata this afternoon. The chief minister too, it is heard, will be with them.
14:36 Ahuluwalia's loss is BK Chaturvedi's gain
A correspondent from Delhi reports: BK Chaturvedi, a member of the Planning Commission and a 1966 batch IAS officer, has been named as the leader of the Indian delegation to an investment meet in the US, as his boss Montek Ahuluwalia has to be in India to tackle the controversy over FDI in retail.
According to the buzz in the capital, BK Chaturvedi is making the most of his new assignment, as he is negotiating a three-day stopover to meet his son, daughter-in-law and grand children.
14:35 Is Foreign Minister S M Krishna on his way out?
A correspondent from Delhi reports: External Affairs Minister S M Krishna may face the axe in the major Cabinet reshuffle that is going to take place soon, according to political grapevine. Commerce Minister Anand Sharma, Law Minister Salman Khurshid and Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath are among the top contenders for his post.
But Krishna and his staff members remain oblivious to such reports as they continue to discuss the finer details of a lecture the Union minister will soon deliver at an American university, where he himself had studied.
14:34 Babudom at a standstill in Delhi
A correspondent from Delhi reports: The resignations of Union ministers from Trinamool Congress -- after the party's withdrawal from the ruling coalition -- has stalled work at South Block, North Block, Udyog Bhavan, Nirman Bhavan, Shastri Bhavan and Krishi Bhavan.
A senior secretary quipped that no work had anyway been done at the Rail Bhavan, held by the TMC recently, for the past two decades. Babudom has come to a standstill and nothing is moving in the government of India.
14:17 The curious case of 'missing' files
A correspondent from Delhi reports: This is another startling piece of information from bureaucratic circles.
Recently, a visitor to a constitutional authority urged the former not to act/forward/probe a controversial communication, and just fell short of suggesting that he report that concerned file had been misplaced.
This sensational document is a decade old and may open up a Pandora 's Box. It can send the oily 'visitor' and his political master to jail.
Nowadays, it is fashionable for the central government to file affidavits and then inform Parliament committees that the requisite file is 'missing'.
14:15 Rs 5 crore job for former govt official!
A correspondent from Delhi reports: A whopping figure of Rs 5 crore has been reportedly offered to a recently retired top official at North Block, to take up the post of a retainer.
The job profile involves focussing on political issues, identifying towns and villages for land acquisition, liaisoning with the chief secretaries of state governments and negotiating the purchase of land.
The retainer also has to lobby with opposition parties to accept the controversial FDI in retail. He also has to work towards positive media coverage of the issue.
14:12 Pak govt submits Swiss letter draft to SC
Under immense pressure to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari, the Pakistan government today submitted before the Supreme Court the draft of a letter to be sent to Swiss authorities in this regard.
Law Minister Farooq H Naek submitted the draft before a five-member apex court bench, headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, after which the judges studied it and raised some objections, before adjourning the hearing in the case till Wednesday.
Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf had last week told the apex court that his government had decided to withdraw a letter previously sent to Swiss authorities for closing graft cases against Zardari.
14:11 IMF lowers global economic growth forecast
The International Monetary Fund has lowered its outlook for global growth over the next two years. It has warned that Europe's financial crisis and slower expansion in China and India have weakened the world economy.
According to a quarterly update to its World Economic Outlook, the IMF said it expected the world economy to expand 3.5 percent this year, slightly down from its previous estimate of 3.6 percent in April.
14:10 Union minister gets PM's welcome
A correspondent from Delhi reports: India's intelligence agency RAW recently celebrated its Raising Day. But the timing of raising the toast coincided with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's national address.
The PM's address delayed several senior ministers, who arrived late for the event. Also present were chiefs of security agencies and paramilitary forces.
When a Union minister arrived for the event, he was given a rousing welcome usually reserved for someone like the PM.
13:41 Kudankulam plant: What went wrong?
The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Relentless protests, fear of radiation expressed by locals and violent repression by the authorities resulting in a number of casualties.
How did it all go so wrong?
13:38 R K Narayan deserves a memorial
R K Narayan, one of the greatest writers India has ever known, certainly deserves a memorial, in spite of the protests by a group of Kannada writers.
13:34 Coming soon: A younger, prettier Monalisa
The world's most famous painting, the Monalisa, may soon be replaced by a prettier version. Leonardo da Vinci's first attempt at painting his masterpiece, with a younger and happier looking Monalisa, will soon be unveiled to the world.
13:29 Four women cricketers make India proud
Four women cricketers have made India proud by finding a place in the Reliance ICC Women's Twenty20 international cricket rankings. The women who have found a mention in the top ten are Mithali Raj, Harpreet Kaur, Jhulan Goswami and Amita Sharma.
13:26 Akshay Kumar blessed with baby girl
Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar and wife Twinkle Khanna today became proud parents of a baby girl.
"Twinkle gave birth to their second child this morning at the Breach Candy hospital in South Mumbai. It was a normal delivery. Both the mother and new-born are doing fine," sources close to the actor said.
The star couple has a 10-year-old son Aarav.
13:22 Chidambaram's family demolishes controversial wall
A correspondent in Delhi reports: Union Finance minister P Chidambaram's family has finally bowed down to public pressure. They have agreed to demolish a wall which had allegedly encroached on land belonging to fishermen, in an area on the outskirts of Chennai.
The fishermen had lodged a complaint against Nalini Chidamabaram and Karthi Chidambaram a month ago. Based on the complaint, the Kanchipuram Revenue Department surveyed the area and was about to serve a notice. But Chidambaram's family has demolished the land before the notice was served.
13:19 Nupur Talwar to be released from jail today
Nupur Talwar, who is an accused along with her husband Rajesh Talwar in the murder of their teenaged daughter Aarushi and domestic help Hemraj, is expected to leave Ghaziabad's Dasna Jail today after nearly five months of imprisonment.
Nupur was granted bail earlier this month by the Supreme Court, which had also ordered then that she be released only by today, giving the CBI time to trace and question some star witnesses.
The Central Bureau of Investigation, during the last hearing, had argued that she could influence the witnesses, if granted bail.
13:18 Natarajan re-constitutes environment clearance committee
A correspondent in Delhi reports: Union Environment Minister Jayanti Natarajan has re-constituted an environment clearance committee of mega projects with M Raman, a former IAS officer and retired secretary, as its chairman.
The first meeting of this 21-member committee has 350 items on its agenda. Currently, this committee is meeting in New Delhi with much fanfare. Incidentally, Raman was picked by former Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh and his candidature was approved by the Prime Minister's Office.
12:53 Shumsher K Sheriff to be next Secretary-General, Rajya Sabha
Shumsher K Sheriff has been appointed as the Secretary-General of Rajya Sabha. Sheriff is currently serving as the secretary to Vice President Hamid Ansari.
Sheriff will take over the post on October 1 and hold it till August 31, 2013.
12:41 1.5 million Syrians need food aid: UN agency
The number of Syrians needing food aid has increased from 2,50,000 in April to 1.5 million in September, the United Nations has said.
The UN's World Food Programme warned that it is running short of funds to cover operations in Syria because of sharply growing needs.
World Food Programme chief Ertharin Cousin said the agency had raised 78 million dollars, but it needs 60 million dollars more to cover its annual Syria budget, Fox News reported.
12:40 Jagan case: AP minister appears in CBI court
Andhra Pradesh Minister for Roads and Buildings Dharmana Prasada Rao, an accused in the case pertaining to alleged quid-pro-quo deals involving YSR Congress party president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, today appeared before a special CBI court.
The minister and two senior IAS officers, also accused in the case, appeared before the court of principal special judge for CBI cases, which had earlier summoned them after taking cognisance of the fourth charge-sheet filed against Rao and senior bureaucrats, besides the Kadapa MP.
The court had also directed all the 14 accused named in the charge-sheet to appear before it today.
12:37 Drinking red wine may be the key to longevity
Bees decrease food intake and live longer when given resveratrol, a compound found in red wine, according to a new study.
In a series of experiments, a team of scientists from Arizona State University, the Norwegian University of Life Sciences and Harvard Medical School tested the effects of resveratrol on lifespan, learning ability, and food perception in honeybees.
Their research has confirmed that not only does this compound extend the lifespan of honey bees by 33 to 38 percent, it also changes the decisions that bees make about food by triggering a 'moderation effect' when they eat.
12:25 Bomb goes off in army office in Imphal
A powerful bomb exploded in an army office in Imphal this morning. The bomb was so powerful that the sound of the explosion could be heard from a distance of three km, official sources said, adding that security personnel have cordoned off the complex before checking some passers-by.
The bomb went off in the heavy security M-sector complex, adjoining the Manipur Raj Bhavan and the prestigious Johnstone Higher Secondary School, the sources said.
12:14 Economics vs politics in Delhi's power corridors
Last week witnessed some intense wrangling between economic and politics in the corridors of power in Delhi. Here is a behind-the-scenes look at what exactly went down when the government decided to finally unleash a slew of reforms.
11:55 The silent strategist
Once a politician by accident, Ahmed Patel is today one of the most powerful men in India. He is also the glue that holds the Congress party together.
Read more about Congress president Sonia Gandhi's most trusted lieutenant right here
11:51 Split in Trinamool Congress likely?
From a correspondent in Kolkata: The grapevine has it that a split in Trinamool Congress is likely soon. Disgruntled party MPs who may leave the party are: Saugata Roy, Somen Mitra, Ambikesh Banerjee, Kabir Suman and Ratna De Nag.
But it is not known for sure if these members of Parliament will move over to the Congress or if they will try to form a new party.
11:49 All about the new Land Acquisition Bill
Want to know all about the proposed Land Acquisition Bill, and the changes in it suggested by the Group of Ministers and the Parliament's Standing Committee?
You can also find out why the new Bill makes sense.
11:45 Sanchi Declaration seeks cooperation and unity
At the foundation laying ceremony of the Sanchi University of Buddhist and Indic Studies in Sanchi, a declaration resolved to promote exchanges in various fields such as art, literature, physical and applied sciences.
Also check out this map which illustrates the spread of Buddhism all over the world.
11:29 Modi to interact with youth at Vivekananda Convention
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi will interact with the youth at the Vivekananda Youth Convention in Vadodara at 5.30 pm today.
The event will be telecast live at www.narendramodi.in
Modi considers Swami Vivekananda as one of his heroes and has often mentioned him in his speeches.
11:20 Iran calls for Oscar boycott against anti-Islam film
Iran has called for a boycott of the Oscars unless the Academy of Motion Picture of Arts and Sciences condemns the anti-Islamic film that has sparked outraged in the Middle East.
The state-run media quoted Javad Shamaghdari, who leads Iran's government-controlled film agency, as saying that Iran should 'avoid' the Academy Awards until AMPAS denounces Innocence of Muslims, Politico reports.
The film has been held responsible for a wave of protests and attacks on US consulates overseas.
11:20 Taliban release video showing militants preparing for attack
The Taliban have released a video that shows militants preparing for an attack on Camp Bastion in Afghanistan earlier in September, which resulted in the death of two Marines and destroyed equipment worth more than 100 million pounds.
Fifteen Taliban militants armed with rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles attacked the airfield beside the NATO camp, on September 14, where Prince Harry has also been deployed. The attack destroyed six American Harrier aircraft and killed two US marines, leaving several others injured.
11:19 Apple loses patent case against Samsung, Motorola
Apple loses patent case against Samsung, Motorola A German court has dismissed tech giant Apple's claims that Google-owned Motorola and Korean firm Samsung infringed some of its multi-touch patents.
The Mannheim court rejected Apple's allegations that the two firms had copied how its devices handled data, according to how many fingers touched a gadget's screen.
According to the BBC, the Mannheim case is one of several patent trials Apple is involved with in Germany.
The iPhone maker filed separate legal claims against Motorola, now owned by Google, and Samsung over what are known as 'touch event' technologies.
11:12 Opposition is not being constructive: Sonia
At the CWC meeting, party president Sonia Gandhi welcomed the recent reforms, stating that the economic situation of the nation needed to be improved.
She also alleged that the Opposition, which has held strong protests against the reforms, is not being "constructive".
11:08 Telangana issue not discussed at CWC meet
The CWC meet was attended by the PM, Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, among others.
Chidambaram explained the need for the recent reforms to the members of the CWC.
Telangana issue was not discussed at the CWC meeting, said party spokesperson Janardhan Dwivedi.
11:00 Congress backs PM, endorses FDI in retail
According to sources, the Congress Working Committee on Tuesday passed a resolution endorsing the recent economic reforms undertaken by the party-led UPA government.
The CWC has passed a resolution endorsing FDI in retail, for which PM Manmohan Singh has received much flak from Opposition and allies alike.
10:58 Illegal quarrying: Madras HC denies bail to Alagiri's son
The Madurai bench of the Madras HC on Tuesday denied the bail plea of Union minister M K Alagiri's son Durai Dayanidhi.
Dayanidhi, his partner in a granite firm Nagaraj and T R Palanichamy, owner of a leading granite firm, have been charged in connection with illegal granite quarrying in Tamil Nadu.
They have been charged with various offences under the Indian Penal Code including mining without permission, damage to public property and erasing evidence.
10:54 Child killed in Pune over ransom demand
In a gruesome incident, a young boy was kidnapped and killed over ransom demand in Pune on Tuesday.
Further details are awaited.
10:13 Sam Pitroda to hold press meet on Twitter
The United Progressive Alliance government will hold its first press conference on Twitter.
Sam Pitroda, adviser to the PM, will reply to queries by journalists between 3.30 and 4.15 pm.
10:02 Stampede at Kanpur temple kills 1
One person was killed and several injured in a stampede at Panki Temple in Kanpur.
Further details are awaited.
09:30 Woman with fake ID: ISRO orders probe
The Indian Space Research Organisation has ordered a probe, a day after a woman, posing as a scientist, tried to enter the ISRO campus in Bangalore.
At the time of her arrest, fake identity cards were recovered from her. She has been sent to judicial custody till October 6.
09:26 CWC meeting to discuss reforms, Telangana
The Congress Working Committee will hold a meeting on Tuesday morning to discuss the evolving political situation in the wake of the Trinamool Congress severing ties with the UPA and the government's determination to push ahead with reforms. The CWC will formally endorse the decision of the Union Cabinet to allow Foreign Direct Investment in the retail sector.
The meeting also comes at a time when there is a clear realisation in Congress that the vexed issue of Telangana cannot be kept hanging for long. Indications have been given that a decision on the issue will be taken shortly.
02:01 Protesters target Ahmadinejad's New York hotel
Protesters targeted the Manhattan hotel where Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was staying today while attending the UN General Assembly.
About 50 people yelled slogans and waved placards near the upscale Warwick Hotel where the Iranian leader had booked in for the second year running during the annual UN get-together.
"Warwick, Warwick, shame on you," they chanted. One person held a placard reading: "Out of the Warwick, out of New York, out of the UN."
01:05 UN envoy says Assad clings to 'old' regime
AFP: UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi today said he sees no quick end to the Syrian war where president Bashar al-Assad is clinging to the 'old' regime.
Brahimi gave the divided UN Security Council a grim picture of the worsening conflict with a government using "medieval" torture on people in secret detention centers and ignoring all calls for change.
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