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Thu, 28 March 2013
Pakistan accuses Kabul of overreaction
Timeline Refresh
23:27 Pakistan accuses Kabul of overreaction
Pakistan today accused Afghanistan of overreacting after Kabul cancelled a military visit to protest cross-border shelling, saying such joint activities were crucial for building trust between the two countries.
"Cancelling of the visit by Afghan military officials seems to be an over-reaction. Such joint activities are meant to build trust and confidence and promote relations," Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said.
Pakistan hoped that Afghanistan would avail of opportunities like military visits "in the larger interest of building peace in the region", Chaudhry told a weekly news briefing in response to a question about Kabul's decision to cancel a visit by a team of Afghan National Army officers who were to participate in a military exercise in Quetta.
23:26 Afghanistan After the War Is peace possible?
Will Afghanistan, which has been at war since 1978'"thirty-four years, or a period longer than the two world wars and the intervening years combined'"finally see a minimal kind of peace before American forces leave next year? Can the United States focus enough diplomatic energy to help generate a cease-fire and a political deal between Kabul, Islamabad, and the Taliban? Can America and its allies satisfy the wider region that includes Iran, Central Asia, India, China, and Russia, so that they do not start undermining Afghanistan's still uncertain future?
22:52
Bloomberg Businessweek's Sam Grobart on How Samsung became the world's no.1 smartphone maker
22:50 SP can withdrew outside support to UPA: PM
To a question whether the Samajwadi Party can withdraw outside support to UPA, PM, who returned to New Delhi from Durban after wrapping up the four-day BRICS summit, said that possibility cannot be denied.
22:37 Govt stable, will last its full term, says PM
United Progressive Alliance government is stable and will last its full term, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said. Chinese activity on Brahmaputra not a cause of worry, PM adds.
Ruling out early elections, PM notes that his government will push ahead with reforms in the coming months.
22:18 Nelson Mandela 'responding positively' in hospital
BBC: Former South African President Nelson Mandela is "responding positively" to treatment for the recurrence of a lung infection, the presidency says.
A statement said the 94-year-old anti-apartheid leader remained under treatment and observation. Mandela was admitted to hospital just before midnight, the office of President Jacob Zuma said earlier.
He spent 18 days in hospital in December undergoing treatment for a lung infection and gallstones. The presidency has not identified the hospital where Mandela is being treated.
Read the full report here
21:18 Sparring directly with Al Qaeda fans online: US
The United States is deliberately sparring with Al Qaeda supporters and militants online aiming to shoot down extremist messages and win over hearts and minds, a government official has said.
Seeking out the virtual spaces where 'The Al Qaeda and its supporters lurk' is part of America's strategy to combat violent extremism, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Tara Sonenshine yesterday told students at the University of Maryland.
"We robustly engage with them in chat forums in Arabic, Somali, Punjabi and Urdu," she explained.
20:55 14-year-old girl killed by dogs in UK
A 14-year-old girl has died after she was attacked by a pack of 'out of control' dogs at a house in Greater Manchester, prompting calls for urgent reform of Britain's dog control laws.
Jade Anderson was found alone with five of the animals at a house she was visiting in Chaucer Grove, Atherton, Wigan, on Tuesday. Four dogs, believed to be two bull mastiffs and two Staffordshire bull terriers, were shot by police marksmen.
A fifth dog was contained.
"They were confronted by a number of dogs that were aggressive and out of control," a Greater Manchester police spokesman said. Police officers said her injuries were 'consistent with having been attacked by dogs'.
20:51 Advice for parents of newborns in high-and-low-Income countries
In talking to new parents of healthy babies in the US, most pediatricians will provide anticipatory guidance.
That means advice about feeding their newborn, expected sleeping patterns, number of stools and wet diapers to expect in a day, and how to recognize what may be danger signs in their baby.
There is a plethora of materials parents can access: books, pamphlets, websites, and adverts.
Add to this information volunteered by grandparents and parents, friends and co-workers, and the new, often sleep-deprived parents are surrounded, and often overwhelmed with advice from all corners.
Read the full story here
20:38 Pawar rubbishes rumours of his health
NCP chief and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today scotched rumours of his health, saying he was perfectly fine and visiting agriculture research institutes in Karnataka.
Pawar visited the Cardamom Research Centre in Madikeri in Karnataka and reviewed his functioning as rumours swirled about his ill-health. "I am perfectly fine. I am in Karnataka visiting ICAR institutes," he said.
In Mumbai, the Maharahstra unit of the NCP issued a statement saying Pawar was in good health and urged people to ignore the rumours.
20:25 Malala seals USD 3 mln deal to publish memoir
Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl shot in the head by the Taliban for advocating girls' education, has signed a deal for a whopping $3 million to pen down her memoir.
The 15-year-old, who staged a dramatic recovery after being shot at point-blank range, calls the book titled I am Malala her own story and that of millions of others denied the chance to go to school.
The book, due to be out in autumn this year, will be published by Weidenfeld & Nicholson in the UK and Commonwealth and by Little, Brown in the rest of the world. The deal is reportedly worth 2 million ($3 million).
20:22 BJP welcomes US delegation's meeting with Modi
BJP today welcomed the meeting of US Congressmen with Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and their open appreciation of his achievements in the field of good governance.
"It is a matter of great assurance that even senior US Congressmen are now openly appreciating the good work of all- round development under Narendra Modi in Gujarat.
After the European Union and Great Britain, now even American political leaders are lauding his work," BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad told PTI.
20:09 BEL to manufacture components for Boeing's fighter jet
State-run defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited will manufacture components for US-based global aerospace major Boeing's Super Hornet fighter aircraft.
"Boeing and BEL are expanding their partnership through a follow-on contract involving the manufacture of subassemblies for the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter jet," Boeing said in a statement.
As per the contract, BEL will produce Super Hornet subassemblies, including the ground power panel, helmet vehicle interface stowage and switch assembly and cockpit console panels, it said.
For the Indian Navy's P-8I anti-submarine warfare and maritime surveillance, BEL provides the Identification Friend or Foe interrogators and Data Link II communications systems.
"The BEL believes this cooperation with Boeing is a great opportunity and is ever willing to take it to greater heights," BEL director of Marketing H N Harikrishna said.
19:54 North Korea 'digitally altered' marine landings photograph?
Amid rising tension in the Korean peninsula, North Korea doctored a photograph of a recent military exercise as part of its increasingly aggressive propaganda, according to media reports.
Experts are fairly certain that an image released by North Korea's state-run KCNA news agency showing a military exercise taking place on North Korea's east coast on March 25 was actually doctored.
'Excessive digital alteration' had taken place to show double the number of hovercrafts carrying out landing and anti-landing drills on a snow covered beach than that were actually present, The Telegraph reported.
The alleged doctoring was first spotted by Alan Taylor of the US website The Atlantic, the report said.
19:47 Par panel questions poor infrastructure of NIA
A Parliamentary committee today questioned the poor infrastructure provided to the National Investigation Agency, set up to deal with terror related cases with inter-state and international linkages.
Members of the standing committee on home slammed the home ministry and the finance ministry for poor infrastructure provided to NIA.
Members were also critical about the 'limited' funds being provided to the agency set up in December 2008. The committee met here to discuss the demands for grants of the home ministry in which Home Secretary R K Singh and top officials of various central police agencies were also present.
19:40 China defends naval exercises in South China Sea
China today defended its naval ships conducting training missions near Malaysia and Brunei, asserting that its navy has a right to patrol the disputed South China Sea.
The Chinese navy has a right to patrol the South China Sea, a Foreign Ministry spokesman Hone Lei said responding to questions of four-ship Chinese Navy fleet conducting patrol and training missions near James Shoal, called by China as Zing Reef, the southernmost part of the South China Sea.
The fully equipped PLA amphibious naval task force created flutter yesterday conducting exercises near James Shoal, some 80 km from Malaysia, less than 200 kilometres from Brunei and 1,800 kilometres from the mainland coast.
19:20 Why Andhra Congress leaders make Personal visits to Delhi
Our Delhi correspondent reports: Andhra Minister D L Ravindra Reddy today met Union Minister Vyalar Ravi in New Delhi to sort out the dual citizenship issue of his son-in-law.
Reddy refused to divulge details. Meanwhile Former PCC chief D Srinivas also met Congress leaders in Delhi. He too termed the visit as purely personal.
19:17 Sanjay Dutt should not be pardoned: Ramdas Athawale
Stating that nobody is bigger than law, Republican Party of India (RPI) President Ramdas Athawale today said Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, convicted in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case, should not be pardoned. "Nobody is bigger than law. Law is equal for all. Sanjay Dutt should be punished and he should accept it (punishment) with humility," he said in a statement.
"Sanjay Dutt is not bigger than law or the country. He is a culprit and his crime has been proved," he said, adding that it is condemnable that some politicians are disappointed over the Supreme Court verdict in the case.
The 53-year-old actor, awarded five-year jail term by the apex court for illegal possession of arms, should not be pardoned in any circumstances, the former MP maintained.
Dutt should respect the apex court verdict and surrender before the police, the former Maharashtra minister said.
18:55 Nelson Mandela re-hospitalised with lung infection
Nelson Mandela, anti-apartheid icon and former South African President, has been re-admitted to an undisclosed hospital with a recurring lung infection, the country's Presidency said today.
Asking people to pray for the 94-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate, the Presidency said Mandela was admitted to the hospital just before midnight yesterday "due to the recurrence of his lung infection", for the third time in four months.
"Doctors are attending to him, ensuring that he has the best possible expert medical treatment and comfort," Presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj said in a statement. Maharaj appealed 'for understanding and privacy in order to allow space to the doctors to do their work'.
18:49 Pulling out of UPA has changed nothing for Tamils
DMK President M Karunanidhi today said pulling out of UPA on the Sri Lankan Tamils issue has not changed anything for 'Eelam Tamils' though he insisted his party was not bothered about withdrawing support to the coalition.
"DMK has now come out of Central government as desired by some persons including (chief minister) Jayalalithaa. So what has happened? Has there been an end to problems of Eelam Tamils? Did India bring in amendments to US resolution (at UNHRC)? Or has it adopted a resolution in Parliament with amendments?" he said in a letter to partymen.
18:25 NIA to take over Liyaqat arrest case
The home ministry on Thursday issued a notification facilitating the National Investigation Agency to take over the case related to the arrest of suspected Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Liyaqat Shah amid conflicting versions by the Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir police.
With the formal issuance of the notification, the NIA will now conduct a probe into the circumstances leading to the arrest of Shah, who was arrested near Indo-Nepal border by the Delhi police, which claimed that it had foiled a 'fidayeen' attack in the capital with his arrest.
18:10 We risked getting isolated: Italy PM on marines row
Outlining the reasons for sending back to India the two marines accused of killing Indian fishermen, Italy's outgoing Prime Minister Mario Monti said Rome faced serious risk of being isolated internationally and could have opened a crisis of "serious proportions" with New Delhi.
Monti also said that his Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi had resigned with motives not just limited to the marines issue.
The premier, who himself was sworn in to replace Terzi as interim foreign minister, gave more details behind the tangled diplomatic row, which Monti said risked ruining relations with key trade allies in the developing world.
Monti also said that his Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi had resigned with motives not just limited to the marines issue.
The premier, who himself was sworn in to replace Terzi as interim foreign minister, gave more details behind the tangled diplomatic row, which Monti said risked ruining relations with key trade allies in the developing world.
17:50 Oscar Pistorius granted freedom to travel
CNN reports: South African paralympic star Oscar Pistorius, charged with murder in the slaying of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, is once more allowed to travel overseas after a judge lifted a bail condition restricting his movements.
Judge Bert Bam said Pistorius could hand over his passport to his attorney, Barry Roux, and was entitled to use it to travel outside South Africa.
Read the full report here
Judge Bert Bam said Pistorius could hand over his passport to his attorney, Barry Roux, and was entitled to use it to travel outside South Africa.
Read the full report here
17:46 India's current account deficit at all-time high
India's current account deficit touched a record high of 6.7 per cent of GDP in the October-December quarter, mainly on account of widening trade gap.
The CAD, which is the difference between inflow and outflow of foreign currency, "widened from 5.4 per cent in Q2 (July-September) to a record high of 6.7 per cent of GDP in Q3, driven mainly by large trade deficit" RBI said in its report on Balance of Payments.
The report said while the merchandise exports did not show any significant growth during the third quarter ending December 2012, the imports shot up by 9.4 per cent, spurred largely by oil and gold imports. The trade deficit, RBI said, widened to $59.6 billion in third quarter, up from $48.6 billion in the corresponding quarter a year ago.
The CAD, which is the difference between inflow and outflow of foreign currency, "widened from 5.4 per cent in Q2 (July-September) to a record high of 6.7 per cent of GDP in Q3, driven mainly by large trade deficit" RBI said in its report on Balance of Payments.
The report said while the merchandise exports did not show any significant growth during the third quarter ending December 2012, the imports shot up by 9.4 per cent, spurred largely by oil and gold imports. The trade deficit, RBI said, widened to $59.6 billion in third quarter, up from $48.6 billion in the corresponding quarter a year ago.
17:39 Biopic on Lokmanya Tilak gets off the ground
Director-producer Nikhil Advani is going to produce a Marathi film based on the life of Lokmanya Tilak. It would be directed by debutant Om Raut.
"Lokmanya aspires to bring to the foreground one of our nation's greatest leaders whose teachings and ways make for relevant inspiration even today. This is what appealed to me most," Advani said in a statement.
"For us as a company, we believe bringing Marathi cinema closer into the fold of Bollywood will only create better value for us as an industry and of course for our audiences," said Advani, who would be producing his first Marathi film.
The film has received "direct validation" from Deepak Tilak, the great grandson of Lokmanya Tilak, the statement said.
The shooting will start from May 15. The film will have well-known Marathi actor Subodh Bhave in the title role. Shankar Ehsaan Loy would be composing the music.
17:37 'Bomb-like' clock triggers panic in Bangalore
A bomb-like object found inside the compound of a house in Bengalore triggered panic among the residents of the area today.
"The bomb disposal squad which rushed to the spot, after examination, discovered that it was just an alarm clock kept inside a bomb like object," Deputy Commissioner of Police (East Division) Krishna Bhat said.
The squad rushed to the spot after a complaint by the resident, a businessman who stated that he had received an anonymous call on his landline that a "holy gift" had been left inside his compound. Bhat said the call was being traced and the culprit would be nabbed "very soon".
17:22 Last date to apply for Haj extended to March 30
The last date for submission of applications for this year's Haj pilgrimage has been extended from March 20 to March 30.
People aspiring to go on Haj pilgrimage can now submit their applications latest by March 30 instead of March 20, Uttarakhand Haj Committee chief Haji Rao Sher Muhammad said.
The date has been extended for the convenience of Haj pilgrims, he said, adding that the process for issuing passports to the applicants has also been simplified. They are being issued passports on the very day their police verification reports are being received, the state Haj committee chief said.
People aspiring to go on Haj pilgrimage can now submit their applications latest by March 30 instead of March 20, Uttarakhand Haj Committee chief Haji Rao Sher Muhammad said.
The date has been extended for the convenience of Haj pilgrims, he said, adding that the process for issuing passports to the applicants has also been simplified. They are being issued passports on the very day their police verification reports are being received, the state Haj committee chief said.
17:14 Kerala: 8-yr-old tests HIV+ after blood tranfusion
In a shocking incident, an eight-year-old girl in Kerala has been
transfused with HIV infected blood, reports CNN-IBN.
The state government claims they have a confirmation that the child was given infected blood at a government hospital. The child, a thalassemia patient, has undergone numerous blood transfusions over the past seven years.
Read the full report here
The state government claims they have a confirmation that the child was given infected blood at a government hospital. The child, a thalassemia patient, has undergone numerous blood transfusions over the past seven years.
Read the full report here
16:42 US Cong, biz team meets Modi, invites him to US
A United States Congressional and business delegation, which is on a visit to India
this week, met Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad today and invited him to the US, reports CNN-IBN.
Aaron Schock, a Republican member of the House of Representatives from Illinois, led the delegation. After the meet Modi tweeted: Thankful to the US for their kind words on Gujarat's development.
The US has been denying Modi a visa for his alleged role in the 2002 Gujarat riotsim.
Aaron Schock, a Republican member of the House of Representatives from Illinois, led the delegation. After the meet Modi tweeted: Thankful to the US for their kind words on Gujarat's development.
The US has been denying Modi a visa for his alleged role in the 2002 Gujarat riotsim.
16:25 BSP leader's murder: 3 more detained
The Delhi police have detained three more suspects for the
murder of Bahujan Samaj Party leader Deepak Bhardwaj and found the
second car, a Santro, used by the killers to escape, reports NDTV.
Read the full report here
Read the full report here
16:01 Why Italy sent back its marines to India
On ZeeNews: Serious and objective risks that Italy could become "isolated in the international community amid a crisis of grave proportions with India" over the two marines led the Italian government to decide to send them back to India, outgoing Prime Minister Mario Monti has said.
The two marines - Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone - have been at the centre of a bilateral dispute since February 2012, when they were arrested in India on charges of shooting two Indian fishermen dead while on anti-piracy duty off its southern coast.
While Italy insists the incident happened in international waters, India claims that Latorre and Girone should be tried as the crime appeared on its territory.
"Our priority was safety, security and dignity of our two marines as well as of all Italians who are in India," Xinhua news agency quoted Monti as saying in an address to Parliament, a day after Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi quit out of disagreement with the government.
Monti said there were "serious and objective risks" that Italy could remain "isolated in the international community amid a crisis of grave proportions with India".
Click HERE to read further...
Click HERE to read further...
15:43 BSP leader's murder a conspiracy: Delhi Police
Zee News reports: Delhi Police sources said on Wednesday that going by the probe so far in the murder of billionaire realtor and BSP leader Deepak Bhardwaj, the case appears to be a conspiracy.
Sources said contract killers were hired to eliminate Bhardwaj and the motive so far appears to be property or money.
As regards who could be behind the murder, they said either the family or a business rival could have plotted the murder.
The police have so far detained eight people and questioned around 20 others in connection with the murder. Those quizzed include Bhardwaj's wife and younger son.
The 62-year-old real estate tycoon was shot dead on Tuesday by two unidentified men in his farmhouse in New Delhi
14:53 Can India become a great power?
Nobody doubts that China has joined the ranks of the great powers: the idea of a G2 with America is mooted, albeit prematurely.
India is often spoken of in the same breath as China because of its billion-plus population, economic promise, value as a trading partner and growing military capabilities.
All five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council support --however grudgingly -- India's claim to join them.
But whereas China's rise is a given, India is still widely seen as a nearly-power that cannot quite get its act together.
14:51 Google Play movies come to India, but....
On FirstPost: Google Play movies, which allows users to buy and then stream popular films and tv shows has come to India - but be warned.
They do not come cheap. Buying a movie costs an average of Rs 500, while renting costs around Rs 120, unless you want it in HD which will cost a little more.
The Play store had some popular films like The Amazing Spiderman and Premium Rush but the latest Oscar hits like Argo and Zero Dark Thirty were either only available for rent or not available at all.
14:49 Singapore firm discovers way to grow diamonds
Singapore-based IIa Technologies has found a way to grow diamonds on a commercially-viable scale after eight years of research.
The development presents new opportunities for high-tech industries, scientific institutions and laboratories.
Currently, industrial diamonds have a variety of applications, including in the electronics and semiconductor packaging, precision cutting and aerospace industries.
The gem is the hardest known natural material. It is used to cut and polish any other material, including other diamonds.
IIa Technologies believes there will be more applications for these diamonds.
It sees growth in the quantum computing field, where diamonds are used to store data.
Vishal Mehta, managing director at IIa Technologies, said: "This is something that has had a lot of research done. This will create a new technology that will be able to store data in a very small amount of space."
14:45 Asaram's Holi bash sparks a row
At a time when several states of the country are facing a drought-like situation and people have been advised not to waste water, controversial godman Asaram Bapu used a hydraulic pump to spray coloured water on thousands of his devotees at Jahangirpura Ashram in Surat to celebrate Holi,
Reports on Thursday said that several lakhs of litres of water was wasted in the process in water-scarce Gujarat.
Ahead of his artificial rain in Surat, Asaram had done similar things with his devotees during events in Nagpur and Mumbai recently.
Asaram, who was in Surat to play Holi with his devotees for two consecutive days, said that the media was unnecessary blowing the issue out of proportion.
"I sprayed a small quantity of water on my devotees who came here out of devotion, and the media created a hulabaloo. But when 41 tankers of water were used to make a helipad for a Maharashtra minister, why didn't media raised a hue and cry?" he was quoted as saying
14:21 PM leaves for home after attending BRICS Summit in Durban
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday left Durban for home, ending a four-day visit during which he attended BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Summit that decided to establish a development bank to finance infrastructure projects in emerging economies.
Dr Singh was accompanied by a high-level delegation including Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon.
On the sidelines of the summit, Dr Singh met China's new President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Dr Singh was accompanied by a high-level delegation including Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon.
On the sidelines of the summit, Dr Singh met China's new President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
14:00 Nokia slapped with Rs 2000 cr income tax notice
Income Tax department has slapped Rs 2000 crore notice on Finnish mobile firm Nokia for alleged tax violation.
Earlier in January Multi-national audit firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PW and Co), auditors for Nokia India, was summoned by the Income Tax department to appear before it in connection with the alleged tax default by the Finnish handset maker's plant in New Delhi
I-T department had on January 8 conducted a survey operation at Nokia's Sriperumpudur factory and said it had found prima facie defaults in TDS deductions on royalty payments made by the plan to its parent company.
Nokia India had already said it was fully cooperating with the IT department to ensure officials get the necessary information.
13:46 It is official! World's largest airline has been created
AMR Corp , American Airlines' bankrupt parent, on Wednesday received court approval to merge with US Airways Group Inc and create the world's largest airline.
But one clause in the merger agreement - a $19.9 million severance package for Tom Horton, AMR's outgoing chief executive -- was not approved by the judge at a hearing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan.
Judge Sean Lane said he will issue a written ruling explaining his decision regarding the severance package, which had brought an objection from the Department of Justice and skepticism from Lane at Wednesday's hearing.
13:25 Harry Potter-style invisibility cloak a reality soon?
Scientists have inched closer to developing a 'Harry Potter' style invisibility cloak after devising a revolutionary new method to make objects disappear within a limited range of light waves.
Researchers at the University of Texas developed a thin material called a 'mantle cloak' which makes an object 'invisible' after being wrapped in it.
However, the effect only applies to a limited range of light waves - specifically microwaves, 'CNN' reported.
Scientists covered a cylinder about a foot long and an inch or so in diameter with the material. Microwave detectors could no longer plainly 'see' it, although it was still visible to the human eye.
Researchers said the same principle could be transferred to the range of perceptible light, which would then make objects invisible to the human eye.
The effect only covers a very small band of electromagnetic waves at one time, and in the visible range of light, it would only work on objects much thinner than a single strand of hair.
According to the researchers, the new cloak is made of a sheer, handy material that can be applied to many surfaces, even irregular ones.
13:04 I have always been a bit of a lecher: Khushwant
At 98, Khushwant Singh counts himself lucky that he still enjoys his evening drink and relishes tasty food, but feels sad that he has always been a bit of a lecher and looked at women as objects of lust.
In "Khushwantnama: The Lessons of My Life", the country's most prolific writer and columnist reflects on a life lived fully and the lessons it has taught him. He writes on subjects as diverse as old age and the fear of death; on the joy of sex, the pleasures of poetry and the importance of laughter; on how to cope with retirement and live a long, happy and healthy life.
He also airs his views on politics, politicians and the future of India; on what it takes to be a writer; and on what religion means to him.
"In my 98th year, I have little left to look forward to, but lots to reminisce about. I draw a balance sheet of my achievements and failures. On the credit side I have over 80 books: novels, collections of short stories, biographies, histories, translations from Punjabi and Urdu, and many essays. On the debit side is my character...," Singh writes in the book, published by Penguin India.
12:52 Nelson Mandela hospitalised
Former South African President Nelson Mandela was admitted to hospital after a recurrence of lung infection, the South African president's office said today.
"Doctors are attending to him, ensuring that he has the best possible expert medical treatment and comfort," President Jacob Zuma's office said in a statement.
"Doctors are attending to him, ensuring that he has the best possible expert medical treatment and comfort," President Jacob Zuma's office said in a statement.
12:50 Star India becomes official partner of IPL
Star India is the latest brand to come on board as an official partner of the sixth season of the Indian Premier League.
"We are happy to be associated with the IPL primarily to drive our flagship channel, Star Plus. We saw a great opportunity to use this platform to communicate our brand promise of Rishta Wahi, Soch Nayi. The power of Star's platform is unique and we are keen to leverage this to support BCCI's efforts to increase the reach and popularity of IPL," Star India CEO Uday Shankar said.
The IPL already has Pepsi, Vodafone and Yes Bank as official partners.
12:48 Tension in Bhiwandi town over social media posts
The police today registered cases under sections of the IPC and IT Act against unidentified persons after an allegedly provocative post on a social networking site sparked outrage in some areas of the communally-sensitive powerloom town of Bhiwandi neighbouring Mumbai.
The cases were registered under section 295 (injuring or defiling place of worship) of Indian Penal Code and section 67-a of the Information Technology Act, at police stations in Bhiwandi city, Bhoiwada and Rabodi in Thane on the complaint of Aftab Hussan Saikh, the police said.
Earlier, tension gripped Bhiwandi, which has witnessed communal tension in the past, in the wee hours today as the word spread about the post, with a mob taking to the streets.
12:32 In male-dominated India, sex discrimination begins in womb
Women in India are more likely to get prenatal care when pregnant with boys, according to ground-breaking research that has implications for girls' health and survival.
The study by Leah Lakdawala of Michigan State University and Prashant Bharadwaj of the University of California, San Diego, suggests sex discrimination begins in the womb in male-dominated societies.
"It paints a pretty dire picture of what's happening," Lakdawala, MSU assistant professor of economics, said.
In studying the national health-survey data of more than 30,000 Indians, the researchers found that women pregnant with boys were more likely to go to prenatal medical appointments, take iron supplements, deliver the baby in a healthcare facility (as opposed to in the home) and receive tetanus shots.
Tetanus is the leading cause of neonatal deaths in India. According to the study, children whose mothers had not received a tetanus vaccination were more likely to be born underweight or die shortly after birth.
The researchers -- the first to study sex discrimination in prenatal care -- also looked at smaller data sets from other countries.
In the patriarchal nations of China, Bangladesh and Pakistan, evidence of sex-discrimination in the womb existed. But in Sri Lanka, Thailand and Ghana -- which are not considered male-dominated -- no such evidence existed.
Lakdawala said that in India, while it's illegal for a doctor to reveal the sex of an unborn baby or for a woman to have an abortion based on the baby's sex, both practices are common.
12:25 China jails 20 for terrorism and separatism
Two courts in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region have sentenced 20 people for taking part in terrorist activities and plotting to divide the country.
Nineteen of the suspects were given prison sentences ranging from five years to life in prison after a trial in the Kashagar Prefecture Intermediate People's Court on Tuesday.
They were convicted of using cell phones and electronic storage mediums to organise, lead and take part in terrorist activities. They were also convicted of illegally crossing borders and affray, according to the court's ruling.
12:23 In first speech since quitting ex-CIA chief apologises for affair
Disgraced former CIA director David Petraeus has apologised for his extra-marital affair that ensnared his career in an emotional speech at the University of Southern California event honoring the military.
Nearly five months after his sex scandal came to limelight and tanked his career, Petraeus has broken his silence to seek forgiveness.
According to the New York Daily News, giving his first public speech since resigning last November, the former four-star general apologised for his extra-marital affair with biographer Paula Broadwell and said he hopes to make amends.
Petraeus, 60, suffered a stunning fall from his career shortly after President Barack Obama's second election when news broke that he and Broadwell, a married army veteran and mother of two, got involved in an affair shortly after she finished writing her book the ex-CIA head.
Broadwell, 40, was later investigated for harassing Tampa socialite Jill Kelley -- whom she reportedly considered a romantic rival -- online.
12:13 Eelam demand: Tamil Nadu leaders are playing with fire
On FirstPost: Politics in Tamil Nadu is sliding fast down the slippery slope of competitive Tamil sub-nationalism.
The resolution passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Wednesday, demanding that India move a resolution in the UN Security Council for a referendum for a separate Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka, is the result of a dangerous game of political one-upmanship among the Opposition DMK and the ruling AIADMK -- and smaller fringe groups that feed off a fanatical Tamil identity.
It has the capacity to recoil on the Sri Lanka Tamils, who find that their genuine demand for political devolution within the Sri Lankan Constitution has been hijacked by diaspora politics and the short-sighted political games being played in Tamil Nadu.
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12:06 Yusuf Pathan ties the knot
Out-of-favour India all-rounder Yusuf Pathan has tied the knot with fiancee Afreen, at a family function in Mumbai.
Pathan got married with Afreen on Wednesday.
The 30-year-old big-hitting batsman had got engaged in a private ceremony at his farmhouse in Nadiad, 60 kms from Vadodara, last year.
Afreen was born and brought up in Mumbai but practises physiotherapy in Vadodara.
It is an arranged marriage and the match was decided after both families gave their consent.
Pathan, who has been out of the Indian team for some time now, has scored 810 runs in 57 ODIs and 236 runs in 22 T20s.
11:57
Just In: 10 Maoists killed in a joint operation of CRPF and Jharkhand police
More details are awaited
More details are awaited
11:47 US sends B-2 stealth bombers over to South Korea
The United States said Thursday it sent stealth bombers to South Korea to participate in annual military exercises amid spiking tensions with North Korea.
The B-2 Spirit bombers flew more than 6,500 miles from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri to South Korea, dropping inert munitions there as part of the exercises, before returning to the US mainland, the US Forces in Korea said in a statement.
The mission by the planes, which can carry both conventional and nuclear weapons, "demonstrates the United States' ability to conduct long range, precision strikes quickly and at will," the statement said.
The US military's announcement earlier this month that it was flying B-52 bombers over South Korea to participate in the routine exercises prompted an angry reaction from the North, which has unleashed a torrent of threats in the past few weeks.
11:09 I love India. I will not seek pardon: Sanjay Dutt
Just In: A tearful Sanjay Dutt held a press conference on Thursday announcing that he will surrender to the police before the lapse of the four week time given by the Supreme Court.
"I am a law abiding citizen, have highest respect for the Supreme Court. I will not seek pardon."
"I am a law abiding citizen, have highest respect for the Supreme Court. I will not seek pardon."
"I love my country and its citizens. I have lot of work; I will finish it. I want to spend time with my family."
Accompanied by sister Priya Dutt, the actor said: "I am a shattered man; this is a very tough time in my life."
The actor has been sentenced to five years in jail for possessing weapons illegally in a case linked to the 1993 Mumbai serial explosions.
The Supreme Court had last week upheld Dutt's conviction and said he must be sent to jail within four weeks.
Dutt has served 18 months in prison and has been on bail since 2007.
10:22 Is Syrian President Bashar Assad really dead?
Is Syrian President Bashar Assad really dead?
Reports have been circulating on the Internet about Assad being assassination by his Iranian bodyguard last Saturday.
Syrian authorities have outrightly rejected the reports.
However, experts believe the report to be accurate.
"In the last 24 hours have we seen Assad? Any photographs or video? No. Nor will we see any as loyalists who are closest to Assad have been threatened if any leaked photos or reports reach Western media. Iran is attempting to take control of the Syrian army and its wealth of weapons as Syrian solders are now deserting in mass. I don't believe that the West will allow any Iranian control of Damascus," an Israeli expert said.
On Wednesday, photographs of Assad's body have been seen on websites around the world.
Can't say if it is genuine....
10:05 Libya emerges as global weapons bazaar
Libya has become one of the the world's largest markets for weapons.
When war broke out in the country in 2011, arms ranging from handguns to anti-aircraft missiles flooded onto the streets and across the border.
The UN is now struggling to bring the global arms trade under control.
09:48 Sensex falls 59 points in early trade
The BSE benchmark Sensex on Thursday fell by almost 59 points in early trade as participants made fresh selling triggered by prevailing uncertainty on the domestic political front and a weakening trend in global markets.
Besides, ending monthly expiry in the derivatives segment also weighed on the trading sentiments.
The 30-share barometer fell by 58.85 points, or 0.31 per cent, to 18,645.68 with realty, auto and FMCG sector stocks leading the fall. The index had gained 23.11 points in the previous session on Tuesday.
Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty fell by 18.55 points, or 0.33 per cent, to 5,623.05.
The markets had remained closed yesterday on account of 'holi' festival.
Brokers said fresh selling by funds and retail investors on worries over domestic political stability and a weak trend in the Asian region in line with overnight fall on the US markets dampened the trading sentiment.
09:21 I'm proud of the Kargil operation: Pervez Musharraf
Former military ruler Pervez Musharraf today said he was "proud of the Kargil operation", during which Pakistani troops had crossed the Line of Control and occupied positions on the Indian side in 1999.
General Musharraf made the remarks when he was asked about criticism of his role in the Kargil issue at a news conference in the southern port city of Karachi.
General Musharraf was the army chief when the operation was launched. He later toppled the government of premier Nawaz Sharif and assumed power.
I am "proud of the Kargil operation," he said.
The former President, who returned to Pakistan on Sunday after nearly four years in self-exile, said he had not struck a deal with anyone for his homecoming. He claimed he had returned to Pakistan in the interest of the country and the people.
"I am among those people who think of the country and the citizens," General Musharraf said during his first news conference after returning to Pakistan.
09:13 NZ cricketer Jesse Ryder in coma after bar brawl
New Zealand cricketer Jesse Ryder was rushed to the hospital after he was involved in a bar brawl on Wednesday evening.
The left hander, is believed to be in Intensive Care Unit in Christchurch Hospital. According to reports, Ryder has sustained a fractured skull and is currently in coma.
Ryder was accompanied by his Wellington provincial side after they were beaten by Canterbury in a domestic match.
The 28-year old was due to fly to India later this week to represent Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premiere League.
Several reports have suggested that Musharraf will also contest the polls from two other constituencies in Sindh and Punjab provinces.
09:13 Musharraf to file nomination papers today
Former President Pervez Musharraf, who announced on Wednesday that he will contest the upcoming general election from a parliamentary constituency in Chitral in northern Pakistan, will file nomination papers today.
Shahzada Khalid Pervez, a leader of the All Pakistan Muslim League, said that the APML has decided to field Musharraf from
the mountainous constituency where the party has a "strong vote bank". He said he was optimistic that the APML chief would easily sail through polls in the constituency.
Musharraf had chosen the constituency in Chitral because the residents "wanted to pay tribute" to the former President for launching developmental programmes like the Lowari Tunnel, Pervez said.
Though the APML enjoys little support in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the people of Chitral have for long backed Musharraf, who ended nearly four years of self-exile when he returned to Pakistan on Sunday.
09:12 'Bazooka' attacks slowing Internet
The Internet may have been slowed by one of the largest cyber attacks ever seen, which targeted a European group that patrols the Web for spam, security experts said.
The attacks targeted Spamhaus, a Geneva-based volunteer group that publishes spam blacklists which are used by networks to filter out unwanted email, and led to cyberspace congestion which may have affected the overall Internet, according to Matthew Prince of the US security firm CloudFlare.
The attacks began last week, according to Spamhaus, after it placed on its blacklist the Dutch-based Web hosting site Cyberbunker, which claimed it was unfairly labeled as a haven for cybercrime and spam.
While the origin of the attacks has not been identified, some experts pointed the finger at Cyberbunker, possibly in coordination with Eastern European cyber-criminals.
CloudFlare, which was called for assistance by Spamhaus, said the attackers changed tactics after the first layer of protection was implemented last week.
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