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Thu, 18 April 2013
Need to bridge gap between rural, urban: Kalam
Timeline Refresh
23:44 Need to bridge gap between rural, urban: Kalam
The gap between urban and rural should be bridged for overall development of the country, former President and 'Missile Man of India' A P J Abdul Kalam said today.
Addressing engineering students of Chandigarh University during a convocation ceremony at Landran near here, Kalam said development of rural areas was the need of the hour as the real power of the country lies in its villages.
Sharing his vision of making India a world power till 2020, Kalam said there was a need to bridge the gap between urban and the rural areas for the country's all round development.
23:20 Kerry says North Korea talks conditions 'unacceptable'
US Secretary of State John Kerry today dismissed a set of pre-conditions laid out by North Korea for talks as "unacceptable," calling them an opening "gambit" from Pyongyang.
The isolated North today responded for the first time to an offer from Kerry during his weekend visit to the Korean peninsula to return to the negotiating table in a bid to defuse heightened nuclear tensions.
The demands by the North's main military body included the withdrawal of UN sanctions and a permanent end to South Korea-US joint military drills.
23:11 No poison found after scare at US naval mailroom
The Pentagon today said that a suspicious substance in a US naval mailroom near Washington turned out to be harmless, amid jitters in the capital after ricin-laced letters were sent to a senator and President Barack Obama.
"The initial testing of the suspicious substance came out negative for a poisonous material and was cleared" by a hazardous materials team in Arlington, Virginia, the US Navy said in a statement.
23:00 Obama at Boston service: Our spirit remains undaunted
President Barack Obama traveled to Boston on Thursday, three days after the bombings at the famed marathon to reassure the city and the nation that their spirit remains strong.
"Everyone of us stands with you," the president said at an interfaith service inside the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. "Boston may be your hometown -- but we claim it, too."Boston, you're my home," Obama said. "For millions of us what happened on Monday is personal."
22:58 Rescuers scour Texas blast zone
Rescue workers on Thursday continued scouring the blast zone of a massive fertilizer-plant explosion that has left up to 15 people dead or missing, including emergency workers who responded to the initial fire, officials said.
As a heavy rain fell in this small town north of Waco, fire crews combed through the adjacent neighborhood. "We're still searching for survivors," Waco Police Sgt. William Patrick Swanton said Thursday morning
22:51 Egyptian parties differ on Brotherhood-led protests tomorrow
Several Egyptian political parties have backed the Muslim Brotherhood's call to protest tomorrow in Cairo to purge state institutions and call on the Shura Council to ratify the judicial authority law.
Parties like Al-Nour and political movements such as the 6 April Youth Movement have rejected the call to protest, while groups such as the Youth for Justice and Al-Wasat have taken up the call.
The Brotherhood yesterday announced it would protest in front of the High Court building in Cairo to purge state institutions and call on the Shura Council to ratify the judicial authority law, "responding to the demands of political forces".
22:33 Pak court provisionally allows Ashraf to contest polls
A Pakistani court today provisionally allowed former premier Raja Pervez Ashraf to contest the upcoming general election after suspending an Election Tribunal's decision to disqualify him.
A three-judge bench of the Lahore High Court headed by Justice Ijazul Ahsan accepted Asharf's appeal against the verdict of the Election Tribunal and Returning Officer.
The court issued a notice to the Election Commission to respond by Monday to Ashraf's appeal and also directed it to include his name in the list of "valid candidates" for the May 11 polls.
21:31 2G scam: JPC gives clean chit to PM, Chidambaram
The Joint Parliamentary Committee draft report gives clean chit to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister P Chidambaram in 2G case, sources tell PTI.
The JPC draft report also contradicts loss figure of Rs 1.76 lakh crore as suggested by CAG, sources add. The JPC says then Telecom Minister A Raja changed cut-off date and modalities of Letter of Intent without notice which amounts to irregularities.
The JPC also says the first-come-first-served policy had the backing of TRAI.
21:01 Cabinet clears s 500 cr package for Bihar
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has cleared Rs 5,000 crore backward region package for Bihar, PTI reports.
20:34 Govt hikes DA to 80pc; to benefit 80 lakh employees
Union Cabinet today approved the proposal to increase dearness allowance to 80 per cent, from existing 72 per cent, benefiting about 50 lakh employees and 30 lakh pensioners of the central government.
The hike would be effective from January 1, 2013 and the employees and pensioners will be entitled to arrears. The decision to raise the DA will impose an additional annual burden of Rs 8,629.20 crore on the exchequer, Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari told reporters after the meeting of the Union Cabinet.
Taking into account the additional outgo for the January- March period, the total burden during the current financial year would be Rs 10,067 crore.
20:04 Top LeT commander arrested in Sopore
PTI reports: Top Lashkar-e-Tayiba commander Qari Naveed alias Fahad arrested in Sopore township of north Kashmir, informs IGP Kashmir.
19:53 Advani, Rajnath, Sushma to campaign for BJP
The ruling BJP in Karnataka is set to unleash its campaign for the May 5 assembly polls, with its top national leaders slated to criss-cross the state from April 21.
Announcing the campaign schedule, BJP state unit president Prahlad Joshi rubbished media reports raising questions about Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's involvement in electioneering.
19:53 Special team begins probe into Presidency vandalism
The special team constituted by the West Bengal Human Rights Commission to probe the vandalism in Presidency University began its inquiry today.
It is expected to submit a report within 15 days.
19:52 Minor raped, killed in Aligarh; protesters baton-charged
A six-year-old girl was allegedly raped and murdered in Nagla Kalar area in Aligarh today, sparking violent protests by locals and prompting police to use force, in which at least seven persons were injured.
The minor girl went missing this morning. Later, her body was recovered at a garbage dump in Nagla Kalar area, police said.
The victim's family alleged that she was strangled to death after being sexually abused, they said.
19:51 Madhu Koda released from jail on provisional bail
Former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda, who received a three-week provisional bail from the Jharkhand high court, was today released from jail.
"He was released around 1 pm after he produced all relevant documents," a jail official said.
Koda, who was given bail on April 16 for the treatment of his ailing mother, could not be released yesterday as his lawyers failed to produce the necessary papers.
19:41 Narendra Modi's popularity decoded
Social commentator Shiv Visvanathan analyses why in spite of his controversial track record, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has so many followers.
19:39 CAG slams Maha govt over Rs 27 k crore cost overruns
The CAG has slammed the Maharashtra government over incomplete irrigation projects, saying it has led to cost overruns of around Rs 27,000 crore in a finding that could raise questions on the role of NCP and its leader Ajit Pawar.
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India, which presented its report for the year ending March 2012 to the state assembly today, also said Rs 43,270.01 crore were totally spent on 426 incomplete projects in Maharashtra.
19:38 SC modifies guidelines regarding amenities for Amarnath yatris
The Supreme Court today modified its order, in which it had passed a slew of guidelines for the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir government, to ensure proper healthcare and other amenities for Amarnath yatra pilgrims.
Modifying the order, a bench headed by B S Chauhan said registration of yatris will be done only in Jammu and Srinagar while its earlier order had allowed registration in Baltal and Panchtarni.
19:09 ONGC surpasses TCS to become most valued firm
State-owned energy major ONGC today became the country's most-valued company with market capitalisation of over Rs 2.86 lakh crore, surpassing Tata Group's software services company TCS.
At the end of the day's trade, ONGC commanded a market value of Rs 2,86,223 crore, the highest for any listed company in India. This is about Rs 2,289 crore more than Tata Consultancy Services' market capitalisation of Rs 2,83,934 crore.
19:08 Presidency alumni condemn attack, ask govt to punish guilty
The alumni of the Presidency University today condemned the vandalism at the premier institution last week and demanded that the West Bengal government immediately identify and punish those responsible.
"We demand of the state government that the attackers be immediately identified and punished, and adequate security be provided to prevent the recurrence of this shameful incident," a statement signed by alumni members said.
19:07 I am not bothered by retirement opinion of others: Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar may not be in the best of form of late but the senior Indian batman today said that he was not bothered by the opinion of others about his retirement and that he would just stick to his job.
"Lots of people have been talking about this question (of retirement). If I remember correctly, this question began in 2005 and it has been continuing since then. But my answer has been that I will stick to my job and you stick to your job," he said.
19:07 Gujarat HC grants temporary bail to Babu Bajrangi
The Gujarat high court today granted two days temporary bail to Babu Bajrangi, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in the 2002 Naroda Patiya riot case, as his wife is undergoing a surgery.
A division bench of Justices M R Shah and S H Vora allowed Bajrangi's plea, filed and argued by his son Viren Babubhai Patel. He would be out of jail on April 20 and 21.
A trial court had last year held Bajrangi guilty as the main conspirator of the Naroda Patiya massacre, in which 97 people were killed.
17:48 Mittal & Ruia's plea: Another judge recuses himself
In a curious development, Justice A R Dave of Supreme Court today became the second judge in four days to recuse himself from the bench hearing the petitions of Bharti Cellular Ltd CMD Sunil Bharti Mittal and Essar Group promoter Ravi Ruia in a graft case related to the allocation of additional 2G spectrum in 2002.
Without assigning any reason, Justice Dave, who was part of the bench headed by Chief Justice Altamas Kabir, opted out of hearing the pleas of Mittal and Ruia challenging the summons issued to them in the case.
17:47 Bus escapes Naxal-triggered landmine blast
A passenger bus escaped a landmine blast triggered by Naxals in Maoist-hit Narayanpur district of Chhattisgarh today, police said.
"The bus was heading towards Orchha from Narayanpurtown. The low intensity blast occurred near Pungera village under Jhara police station limits of the district, just a few meters away from the bus in afternoon hours," said Narayanpur Superintendent of Police Amit Kamble.
17:46 South-west monsoon likely to be normal: Pawar
The south-west monsoon is likely to be normal as per the IMD's forecast, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has said.
17:38 Chopper carrying Omar makes emergency landing
A helicopter carrying JK Chief Minister Omar Abdullah made an emergency landing in Kishtwar following technical problems, said the state police, adding that no one was hurt.
17:37 ULFA takes on popular singer Zubeen
ULFA's anti-talk faction today condemned Assam's popular singer Zubeen Garg for singing Hindi songs in Rongali Bihu functions and warned they would not be responsible for any consequences following the singer's refusal to obey their diktat.
The faction had earlier warned singers in Assam not to sing Hindi songs on stage during functions organised on the occasion of Bihu celebrations.
17:10 Modi paid PR firm $300 mn for publicity: Digvijaya
Attacking Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for his "false claims" about development of the state, Congress leader Digvijay Singh today accused him of hiring public relations companies to boost his image and to spread wrong facts about the state.
Accusing Modi of spending huge amounts on his publicity, Singh said, "Today's world is of media and public relations. Narendra Modi has given 300 million dollars to a PR agency. He has made wrong claims related to the development of Gujarat but keeps saying that it is the best state."
17:06 How watchable are Twenty-20s?
Dileep Premachandran's latest column on IPL is dedicated to the memory of Martin Richard, the 8-year-old child who died in the Boston Marathon blast.
17:01 German Bakery bomber sentenced to death
Mirza Himayat Baig, the lone arrested accused in the 2010 German Bakery blast case, was on Thursday sentenced to death by a Pune court.
On Monday, Baig had been found guilty on charges of murder and criminal conspiracy in the bombing that had left 17 people dead and over 60 injured.
Five other accused in the case are still absconding.
The ATS had filed a charge sheet in the case on December 4, 2010 against Baig and six others including Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal, one of the handlers of 26/11 terrorists, Fayyaz Kagzi, Yasin Bhatkal, Iqbal Bhatkal, Riyaz Bhatkal and Mohsin Chaudhari.
Baig's counsel Abdul Rahman has said he would move the high court against the verdict.
16:32 Sensex regains 19,000-level; up by almost 300 points
The BSE benchmark Sensex regained 19,000-level in closing hour of trade Thursday after a smart rally by interest sensitive stocks like banks, capital goods and automobile on hopes of an interest rate cut by the central bank early next month.
The 30-share barometer gained by 279.47 points, or 1.49 percent, to 19,010.63 with IT, oil and gas, healthcare, capital goods and realty sector stocks leading the recovery. The index had shed 13.17 points in yesterday's volatile session.
Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty moved up by 84.15 points, or 1.48 percent, to 5,772.85.
Brokers said besides encouraging corporate earnings, data showing that FIIs were net buyers in yesterday's trade on the bourses also influenced the trading sentiment.
16:30 A sacrifice the BJP cannot afford
With the Bharatiya Janata Party's rank and file squarely behind Narendra Modi, a parting of ways with Janata Dal-United's Nitish Kumar may now be impossible to prevent.
Maybe this is what Nitish actually desired, since it gives him a clear 10 months to forge a realignment of forces in Bihar.
But no realignment can be one-sided. There are forces in Bihar that could make the outcome of a triangular contest in a Lok Sabha election terribly uncertain.
The implications of trying to derail Modi on the strength of a sectional veto may have its own logic that could even override entrenched caste loyalties.
16:21 Dickie Bird @ 80: 'There's no Bothams or Dennis Lillees any more'
Dickie Bird turns 80 tomorrow.
And cricket's favourite umpire remains as engagingly passionate as ever about life and the sport he loves. Click HERE to read more
15:44 Narendra Modi faces assassination threat?
Does Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi face the threat of being assassinated? Academic Madhu Kishwar believes so.
Kishwar on Wednesday talked about the possibility of Modi facing an assassination attempt on Twitter. She tweeted, "Yesterday met some senior govt officers who said Modi's assassination real possibility if Teesta Congress fail to get fraud FIR against Modi."
She was referring to civil rights activist Teesta Setalvad.
When the tweet went viral on the social networking website and led to debate over the authenticity of the post, the academician deleted the tweet saying it had led to panic.
Kishwar, a supporter of Modi, is a Senior Fellow at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies
15:37 Security beefed up at Musharraf's farmhouse
Pakistani authorities today changed the chiefs of all police stations in the federal capital and beefed up security around former military ruler Pervez Musharraf's farmhouse hours after a court cancelled his bail and directed police to arrest him.
Hours after the High Court gave its order, additional policemen were deployed around Musharraf's farmhouse at Chaz Shahzad on the outskirts of Islamabad.
Members of the Anti-Terrorism Squad were also deployed in the area.
All roads leading to the farmhouse were blocked with barriers and cement blocks and people and media personnel were barred from approaching Musharrafs sprawling residence.
A small group of Musharraf's supporters gathered in the area and shouted slogans in his support.
14:53 Will UPA government give special status to Bihar?
With the BJP-JD-U war over Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi intensifying, the ruling Congress government at the Centre is trying hard to woo Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, with the Union Cabinet on Thursday considering his demand for granting special status to his state.
Among other issues, the Cabinet will also examine changes to the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act that also provide for confiscation of property if a case of graft is established.
Tougher provisions to cover "intermediaries" under the anti-corruption law but a buffer for retired officials who can be prosecuted only after investigating agencies get requisite sanctions will also be considered by the Union Cabinet today.
Doubling special support to Bihar to Rs 12,000 crore under the remaining four years of the 12th Plan, the judicial commission Bill and 8% dearness allowance (DA) for government employees are also on the Cabinet agenda.
The Bihar package under the Backward Region Grant Fund (BRGF) is a substantial mark up from Rs 5,500 crore during the previous Plan period and comes at a time when Congress is eyeing Janata Dal (U) leader Nitish Kumar to shore up support in Parliament.
14:19 Zaibunissa gets 4 more weeks to surrender
The Supreme Court on Thursday gave 1993 Bombay blasts convict Zaibunissa Kazi four more weeks to surrender.
Zaibunissa, 70, had argued that she is unwell and too old and sick to handle a jail sentence. She had also said that the court should not send her to jail till the President of the country decides on her clemency petition, but that appeal was rejected earlier this week.
The Supreme Court had on Tuesday dismissed Zaibunissa's plea to extend the time to surrender and had directed her to surrender by the given deadline of April 18.
Zaibunissa was charged for possessing illegal arms and ammunition and also under TADA. Zaibunisa's petition was outrightly rejected while Sanjay Dutt has been granted four weeks reprieve.
The question is whether this shows unequal treatement by the law.
14:11 SC cancels 49 mining leases in Karnataka
The Supreme Court today cancelled 49 leases in mines reporting maximum illegalities in Bellary, Tumkur and Chitradurga districts of Karnataka, but allowed resumption of activity in mines with lesser illegalities as recommended by a Central Empowered Committee.
CEC had categorised the mines in the area in three categories -- A, B and C. The mines in which there was least or no irregularities were categorised as 'A' and those with maximum illegalities were placed in category 'C'.
The apex court, while accepting the majority of the recommendations made by CEC since July 2011 on the mining issues in Karnataka, also said that illegal iron ore mining on the Andhra-Karnataka border would remain suspended till the demarcation of boundary between the two states is completed.
A bench of justices Aftab Alam, K S Radhakrishnan and Ranjan Gogoi passed the order on a plea by NGO Samaja Parivartana Samudaya which had alleged large-scale irregularities and illegalities were being committed by various private mining firms holding licences to mine in Bellary, Tumkur and Chitradurga districts as well as state-owned Mysore Mining Ltd (MML).
14:06 JK Home Minister slaps government official
In a shocking incident in Jammu and Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir Home Minister Sajjad Kitchloo allegedly slapped a senior government officer, Riaz Ahmed, in Kishtwar.
The incident happened just hours before Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's visit to the area.
Ahmed alleged he was slapped thrice by the minister.
"When he slapped me for the third time, I asked him what was he doing. Then his people, security people and all started hitting me," Ahmed said.
"They would've killed me. Now I'm going to lodge an FIR," he added.
12:37 ED questions Kalmadi in money laundering case
The Enforcement Directorate today questioned sacked CWG organizing committee chief Suresh Kalmadi and recorded his statement in connection with its probe into alleged money laundering in the run up to the 2010 sporting extravaganza.
The agency questioned Kalmadi for the second time in less than a month. He was questioned in a separate case of alleged forex violations on March 25 by the agency.
Kalmadi has denied any wrongdoing in these cases.
12:28 Musharraf has not fled, but at home: Aide
Close aides of former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf claim that he hasnot fled but only returned home from court.
Musharrafs close associate Raza Bokhari, who calls himself 'President Musharraf's North American Point of Contact' on Twitter, told a news channel, "President Musharraf, ever since deciding to return to Pakistan for the sake of Pakistan had anticipated that such unwarranted judicial activism could be activated against him".
The court rejected Musharraf's bail in a case related to his decision to suspend the constitution and declare a state of emergency in 2007.
12:01 Alas! Consensus emerges on land bill
Just in: Political parties have agreed to bring Land Acquisition Bill in second half of Parliament's Budget session beginning Monday.
We have reached a broad consensus on the Land Acquisition Bill, say Union Minister Kamal Nath and BJP leader Sushma Swaraj.
More details awaited
11:59 Dearness allowance to be hiked today
The Union cabinet is likely to approve a proposal to increase dearness allowance to 80 percent from existing 72 percent today.
This will benefit about 50 lakh employees and 30 lakh pensioners of the central government.
Read more HERE
Read more HERE
11:58 Aerobic exercise may protect brain from alcohol damage
For all those of who love your tipple, here's some good news.
US researchers found that aerobic exercise may protect white matter in the brain from alcohol-related damage.
US researchers found that aerobic exercise may protect white matter in the brain from alcohol-related damage.
11:54 India accounts for one third of the world poor: World Bank
India accounts for one-third of the world poor, people living on less than about Rs 65 per day, a World Bank report on poverty has said.
The report said that 1.2 billion people still living in extreme poverty across the world.
"The State of the Poor: Where are the Poor and Where are the Poorest?," using data released in the latest World Development Indicators, shows that extreme poverty headcount rates have fallen in every developing region between 1981 and 2010 from half the citizens in the developing world to 21 percent.
This despite a 59 percent increase in the developing world population.
However, a new analysis of extreme poverty released today by the World Bank shows that there are still 1.2 billion people living in extreme poverty, and despite recent impressive progress, Sub-Saharan Africa still accounts for more than one-third of the world's extreme poor.
11:41 SC allows 9 more Karnataka iron ore mines to resume
The Supreme Court has allowed nine more iron ore mines to resume production in Karnataka, a small fraction of the total, but exports from the country's second-biggest supplier of the steel-making raw material remain on hold for now.
The court also cancelled mining leases for all illegal mines in the state, Judge Aftab Alam said on Thursday.
The ruling is the latest step back from a total ban on mining in the state that was put in force in 2011, because of environmental concerns.
In September, the Supreme Court allowed 18 mines in Karnataka to resume operations, while state-run miner NMDC was cleared to produce one million tonnes a month in August 2011.
11:23 Musharraf flees after court orders his arrest
Former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf has reportedly made a quick escape shortly after the Islamabad High Court cancelled his bail and ordered his arrest.
According to Dawn, immediately after the bail cancellation, police tried to reach the former military ruler but he was escorted by his personal security, fleeing in his bullet-proof black four-wheeler.
Musharraf had arrived at the IHC for the hearing and a large contingent of police and Rangers personnel was stationed at the court's premises for security purposes
10:26 Bandh begins in Thane on violent note; 12 buses damaged
A bandh called by major political parties in Thane against ongoing demolition of illegal structures without providing alternate accommodation to the occupants began with some persons damaging at least 12 buses in the wee hours on Thursday, police said.
Parties, including Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena, gave call to the dawn-to-dusk shutdown against the razing of illegal buildings by Thane Municipal Corporation while demanding that alternate accommodation be provided to residents who will be displaced in the drive.
Unidentified persons pelted the buses with stones at different areas in the city. At least eight out of the twelve buses damaged belonged to Thane Municipal Transport and rest of state government, police said.
With political parties, except Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and BJP, participating in the bandh, public transport and autos have gone off the roads, causing inconvenience to people, especially office-goers, in the morning hours.
Shops and other commercial establishments have also downed their shutters.
10:07 PM must be secular, not just popular: Pawar
Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has said a person aspiring to be prime minister should be secular, open-minded and liberal, and being popular is not the only criterion for the job, implicitly questioning the suitability of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for the nation's top executive position.
"I might be popular, but that is not sufficient in a parliamentary democracy set-up. One has to assess every chief minister, his success and rating in terms of how far he has succeeded in developing his colleagues. If you feel there is a galaxy of capable leaders he (Modi) has developed for Gujarat and you can name them, that will be a good addition to my political knowledge," Pawar said.
Read more HERE
Read more HERE
09:50 Sensex gains over 74 points in early trade
The BSE benchmark Sensex today rose by over 74 points in early trade on emergence of selective buying by funds, after country's largest software exporter TCS posted encouraging fourth quarter results.
The 30-share barometer gained by 74.46 points, or 0.40 per cent, to 18,805.62 with IT, oil and gas, healthcare, capital goods and realty sector stocks leading the recovery. The index had shed 13.17 points in yesterday's volatile session.
Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty moved up by 13.55 points, or 0.24 per cent, to 5,702.25.
Stocks of Tata Consultancy Services rose 1.76 per cent to Rs 1,485, after the company yesterday reported a 22.1 per cent jump in net profit at Rs 3,596.9 crore for January-March quarter.
Brokers said besides encouraging corporate earnings, data showing that FIIs were net buyers in yesterday's trade on the bourses also influenced the trading sentiment.
09:33 Wireless messages dent SIT claim on Modi
A series of desperate wireless messages sent out by police and intelligence field staff positioned at the Sola Civil Hospital and other locations on February 27 and 28, 2002, blow a hole into the report of the SIT team -- that probed Zakia Jafris complaint against Narendra Modi and 58 others -- that stated there was no evidence to prove that the Chief Minister had sent the bodies of the 2002 Godhra victims to Ahmedabad with a view to parading them before the public.
The wireless extracts, annexed to a protest petition filed against the SIT's closure report by Jafri in a local court, show the following. One, there was a lot of anxiety over the Modi administration's decision to send the bodies to Ahmedabad.
Two, there were repeated pleas for bandobast at the hospital where crowds had gathered in anticipation of the arrival of the bodies.
Three, there were attacks on Muslims by crowds accompanying the funeral processions which set the stage for the large-scale violence that followed.
09:09 Will govt, Oppn stand on common ground on land bill today?
With differences dogging the contentious land acquisition bill, government will make a fresh attempt to evolve a consensus at an all-party meeting on the issue on Thursday.
The first all-party meet on the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2011, in New Delhi on April 9 had failed to iron out the differences between the government and BJP, SP and the Left Front.
Subsequently Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh has been reaching out to leaders of various political parties to sort out areas of disagreement, sources said.
The bill seeks to address problems of industry regarding acquisition of land for setting up projects. It provides for land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement of the displaced people and proposes to replace the Land Acquisition Act, 1894.
Over the past one week, Ramesh met BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley and CPI(M)'s Sitaram Yechury, seeking their support for the bill.
BJP had suggested that instead of acquisition, the land could be leased to developers as it was a "better proposition" because the land will remain with the farmer and would provide him with regular annual income.
09:07 India and China to open Afghan chapter today
India and China would hold their first-ever dialogue on Afghanistan in Beijing on Thursday aiming to cooperate to deal with the impact of US troops' pullout from the war-torn country by 2014 amid fears of return of Taliban and Al Qaeda.
The dialogue between the two countries signifies China's interest in seeking convergence with India on the emerging grim situation in Afghanistan even as it held similar talks with Russia and its close ally Pakistan.
The meeting is taking place in the backdrop of talks between the National Security Advisors of India, China and Russia held in Moscow recently to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.
China also held a trilateral meeting with Russia and Pakistan later.
From Indian side the talks will be led by Y K Sinha, Additional Secretary, Pakistan Afghanistan Iran, (PAI) of the External Affairs Ministry, and his counterparts in the Chinese Foreign Ministry, officials here told PTI.
08:51 Huge explosion at Texas fertilizer plant
A huge explosion has been reported at a fertilizer plant in Waco, Texas.
Many people are believed to have been injured.
CNN reported that a photo taken after the explosion showed a huge plume of smoke rising high into the air.
The West Fertilizer Plant is located about 20 miles north of Waco, which is observing the 20th anniversary of the deadly confrontation between federal authorities and heavily armed locals. About 76 people were killed in that operation.
The nearby Rest Haven nursing home has collapsed, with several residents believed to be trapped in the rubble, a Texas Department of Safety spokesperson said. Others, including children are trapped in an apartment building.
Tommy Alford, who works in a convenience store about three miles from the plant, told CNN that several volunteer firefighters were at the store when they spotted smoke.
04:03 Iraq executes 21 men convicted of terrorism
Iraq has executed 21 prisoners convicted on terrorism charges and links to al-Qaeda, the Justice Ministry said today, setting off fresh criticism from a human rights expert over Baghdad's insistence on enforcing capital punishment.
The prisoners were executed by hanging in the Iraqi capital yesterday, according to a statement posted on the ministry's website. All the convicts were Iraqi al-Qaeda operatives who were involved in bombings, car bomb attacks and assassinations, the statement said.
03:51 One dead, 20 injured in NW Pakistan clash
At least one person was killed and 20 others wounded today when the Pakistani army and Taliban militants exchanged fire near the Afghan border, an official said.
The clash erupted in Miranshah, the main town in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal district which borders Afghanistan and is infiltrated by Taliban and al-Qaeda led militants.
"Twenty people were injured and one killed during the clash between the army and militants," Dr Niaz Ahmed, from the main Miranshah hospital, told AFP.
03:50 US drone strikes kill 4 al-Qaeda suspects: Yemen
Two US drone strikes today killed at least four suspected al-Qaeda militants and destroyed the house of another in a mountainous area south of the capital, Sanaa, a Yemeni security official and witnesses said.
The four were killed in the first strike while riding a vehicle in the desert area of Oussab al-Ali, about 140-km south of Sanaa, the official said. The second strike targeted the house of a suspected jihadi, Hamed Radman, believed to be an al-Qaeda member, the official said. He said it was not known whether Radman was inside the house at the time.
02:55 Iraq executes 21 men convicted of terrorism
Iraq has executed 21 prisoners convicted on terrorism charges and links to al-Qaeda, the Justice Ministry said today, setting off fresh criticism from a human rights expert over Baghdad's insistence on enforcing capital punishment.
The prisoners were executed by hanging in the Iraqi capital yesterday, according to a statement posted on the ministry's website. All the convicts were Iraqi al-Qaeda operatives who were involved in bombings, car bomb attacks and assassinations, the statement said.
02:54 Boston court evacuated amid marathon bomb probe
A federal courthouse in Boston has been evacuated amid conflicting reports that a suspect in the deadly Boston Marathon bombing is in custody. Attorney Francis DiMento says he was in a hearing when someone announced a "code red" on the loudspeaker and told everyone to get out in a hurry.
Crowds of reporters are gathered outside. The FBI and the US attorney's office in Boston say no arrests have been made in Monday's bombing near the finish line of the world's most famous marathon.
02:22 Former US officials urge direct diplomacy with Iran
Former US officials called on the White House today to initiate direct talks with Iran over its nuclear programme instead of relying solely on sanctions to persuade Tehran to change course.
The 35 prominent ex-diplomats, military officers and other officials from both political parties issued a report urging President Barack Obama to renew diplomatic efforts to defuse the crisis and take advantage of economic sanctions that have hit Iran hard.
02:22 Taiwan runs live-fire military exercise
Taiwanese F-16 fighter jets roared across the sky at dawn, dropping bombs on Chinese ships sailing towards a rocky beach in the middle of the Taiwan Strait. Tanks on the shore shook the earth with rounds that sunk the mainland invaders trying to storm the island.
The barrage was intense. But it was not the kind of firing that, at least until recently, experts worried could erupt between China and the island that Beijing considers a renegade province. The enemy forces, for starters, were just coloured buoys.
01:52 Karna CM suspects terrorist hand in blast
The bomb blast near the state BJP city office that left at least 16 people injured indicated the hand of terrorists and state police has set up a special team to investigate the attack, Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar said today.
"By tomorrow or day after, details will be known about the incident and appropriate action will be taken in this regard," he told reporters after visiting the blast site. The police has started a comprehensive investigation and the central agencies are also assisting them in the process, the chief minister said. "Investigation is on to know the perpetrators behind the explosion," he said.
01:50 Thousands of Pakistanis homeless after quake
Thousands of people are homeless and desperate for aid in southwestern Pakistan following a deadly earthquake centred in neighbouring Iran that toppled scores of homes and killed at least 36 people, officials said today.
The Pakistani army has deployed several hundred soldiers to help the relief effort in Mashkel, the area of Baluchistan province hit hardest by yesterday's magnitude 7.8 earthquake. But many residents in Mashkel, where nearly all homes were destroyed, said they were unhappy with the official response.
01:50 Imran Khan's home attacked: Party
The party of Pakistan vote hopeful Imran Khan said today that "a horde of 100 miscreants" attacked his home and beat up his brother-in-law, as it accused the government of failing to provide security.
Islamabad police denied there had been any break-in at the hill-top villa of the cricket legend, a major contender in general elections next month, and blamed any disturbance on members of his own Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf party.
01:20 Egypt's Mubarak ordered back to prison
Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was ordered back to Tora Prison after a medical report Wednesday determined that he no longer needed advanced treatment at a military hospital along the Nile.
A probe by the general prosecutor's office into Mubarak's health followed his robust appearance during a court session Saturday on murder-related charges. His eyes concealed beneath tinted glasses, the 84-year-old deposed leader looked fit as he confidently waved and smiled at supporters through iron bars.
Mubarak's lawyers said they intended to appeal the prosecutor's decision.
01:04 Allow investigation to follow its own course: White House
With the FBI continuing with probe in the Boston Marathon bombing to find out the perpetrators of the terror attack, the White House today cautioned Americans not to jump at any conclusion and let investigations to follow its own course.
The White House statement came in the wake of fears of backlash among certain section of the society, in particularly Muslims and those from the Middle East. "We should not jump to any conclusions," White House spokesperson Jay Carney told reporters.
00:54 No arrests in Boston bombing case
No arrests in Boston Marathon bombing investigation, according to Boston police and the Justice Department.
00:39 9/11 hearing delayed over hacked emails
A judge has delayed an upcoming hearing for five men accused of plotting the September 11 attacks due to suspicions that confidential defence emails were monitored, a lawyer said today.
The next preliminary hearing had been set to take place on April 22 at the US military base at Guantanamo. It is now scheduled for June 17-21, according to a Pentagon spokesman.
Lawyers for four of the accused had filed an emergency motion with presiding Judge Colonel James Pohl, seeking a delay in proceedings after revelations that defence emails and computer files had been compromised.
00:22 Confusion over arrest reports in Boston bombing
CNN reports: There is conflicting information as to whether someone has been arrested in connection with the Boston Marathon bombings. A federal law enforcement source told CNN's Fran Townsend that someone was arrested.
But later, two senior administration officials and another federal official told Townsend that there had been a misunderstanding among officials and that no one has been arrested.
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