The BJP reacts to Pranab's statement: Ravi Shankar Prasad says, who is Chidambaram to say he accepts Pranab Mukherjee's statement and consider the matter closed.

The CBI has to probe Chidambaram's involvement in the 2G allocation because he has a lot to answer. It is a loot of thousands of crores of public money and the matter certainly cannot be closed. Chidambaram is an accused and his role has to be probed. The government stands exposed before the people.  

The finance minister has not changed his stance and despite the united front both the ministers presented at the joint presser, Pranab stands by his view that the background paper was prepared and sent to the PMO.

Chidambaram says he's happy with the statement made by his senior and distinguished colleague Pranab Mukherjee and considers the matter closed.

P Chidambaram, Kapil Sibal and Salman Khurshid flank Pranab Mukherjee as he reads out his statement. The finance minister says a number of statements have appeared in the media on the 2G note. "The inferences about the home minister P Chidambaram do not reflect the views of my ministry or me. It was part of a inter-ministerial background paper."

Pranab Mukherjee is likely to address the media at 6 pm. At the meeting, will be present, P Chidambaram, Kapil Sibal and Salman Khurshid, but it may not be a joint address. 

The meeting of Mukherjee and Chidambaram with the Prime Minister, the first after his return from visit to New York, came on a day of hectic discussions in the Congress camp. This is the first time the two ministers have come face-to-face since the 2G note story broke. The meeting with the PM has now ended.

In the morning, Mukherjee met Congress President Sonia Gandhi after senior leaders A K Antony and Ahmed Patel held confabulations with her. Later, Law Minister Salman Khurshid and MoS in the PMO V Narayanasamy met Chidambaram before he left for the meeting with the Prime Minister.

Just in: The joint press conference which was to be addressed by Pranab Mukherjee and P Chidambaram on the finance ministry 2G note will not be held. Government sources say Pranab is not keen on it as he feels it would give too much importance to the note.

As of now, both Pranab and PC are in a closed-door meeting at the PM's residence at 7 Race Course Road over the same issue.

Earlier in the day, Sonia Gandhi met both the ministers and has asked Pranab Mukherjee to prepare the defence on Chidambaram's behalf.

The photocopy of former finance secretary D Subbarao's letter and statement on 2G were submitted today in the Supreme Court. But the photocopies were shabbily done and the Supreme Court has now asked for them to be redone.

Rediff.com's Sheela Bhatt reports that when the CBI lawyer, KK Venugopal was speaking in court today, the judges said that pages were missing from the documents he had submitted. This, in effect means, that Janata Party president Subramaniam Swamy's plea that former finance minister P Chidambaram be probed in the 2G spectrum allocation, can only be filed tomorow, thanks to the shabby photocopy.

Also, the courts will be on vacation for two weeks, so Swamy's plea will only be argued after court resumes on October 10.

Indian actress Freida Pinto's lighter skin tone in a new advertisement of L'Oreal Paris has sparked controversy but the cosmetic brand has denied that they resorted to photoshop to get the fairer skin tone. 

The 'Slumdog Millionaire' star, who was signed as the face of the brand in 2009, appears fairer compared to her original skin tone in their new ad for 'Colours Take Flight' make-up.

The cosmetic brand claims that the fairness comes because of the lighting effect and not because it was altered on computer.

Earlier, Aishwarya Rai had been whitewashed on the cover page of the Elle magazine stirring up a controversy.

Sachin Tendulkar may have realised a long-cherished dream of owning a house, but he is yet to obtain an Occupancy Certificate from the Mumbai civic body.

According to a Bombay Municipal Corporation official, the cricketer will will have to pay penalty to the Mumbai civic body as he flouted rules by moving into the house without getting the certificate. Tendulkar's new bungalow is situated at Perry Cross Road in suburban Bandra. As per the BMC's law, one cannot enter a flat or a building for which an OC has not been procured.

The 2G hearing in the Supreme Court scheduled for 2 pm today will now be heard on October 10.

An amazing analysis of H1B on smokinn.com. The US H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa, which allows a US company to employ a foreign individual for up to six years.

Here's an extract from the blog: It becomes painfully clear that software hubs are where H1Bs make the most on average. All those nicely paid Google, Apple and Microsoft jobs obviously. But wait, all the averages are under 90k? Some entry-level dev positions get better offers than that in major software centers. Read

Entering the cyberworld with a blog and a twitter account, Anna Hazare today accused "some government agents" of creating an image that it was due to
their "favourite ministers" that he gave up his fast in Delhi's Ramlila Maidan in August.

"It was only when my inner voice permitted me I broke my fast after getting assurance from the government. The reason I am clearing the misconceptions here is I came to understand some government agents tried to propagate and create an image that it was the handiwork of their favourite ministers that I
gave up my fast.

"I came across articles of self-praise, interviews published by them. This is a false propaganda," Hazare said in his multi-lingual blog http://annahazaresays.wordpress.com/.
 

Meanwhile, the Kerala government has given approval to a five-tier security system for the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple which has huge treasures locked up in its vaults.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Wednesday, took into account all possible dangers to the shrine including theft, sabotage and natural disasters, official sources said.

The system, which will have such advanced  components like satellite surveillance and seismographic-linked alarm system, is expected to cost Rs 41 crore. The Supreme Court had stayed the opening of the final vault of the temple till a foolproof security was in place.

The head of the selectors, Kris Srikkanth, is addressing the media at Chennai over the selection -- in Tamil. He seems to say that it is an opportunity for youngsters, about giving fresh faces a chance.

Srikkanth now speaking in English says, the selectors have put up a balanced side without compromising on the quality of the game. Skipper MS Dhoni is also confident India will do well, says Srikkanth.

The selectors will be very strict on fitness issues, they have to 100% fit, he says. Pointing out to the number of youngsters in the team, he says youngsters will have the enthusiasm to do well.

Incidentally, Gautam Gambhir makes a comback after his injury in England.

Just in: The Indian team for the first two ODIs against England has just been announced. Harbhajan Singh, Ashish Nehra have been dropped, while Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag  and Yuvraj Singh were not selected due to injuries.

Rahul Sharma, Umesh Yadav and S Aravind are part of the team.

Amid a raging controversy over the Finance Ministry note on 2G spectrum allocation, Congress President Sonia Gandhi today met Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar.

Sonia's 40-minute meeting with Kumar at the Speaker's residence took place ahead of the UPA chairperson's confabulations with senior ministers, including Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

However, there was no official word as to what transpired at the meeting with the Speaker which was described by sources as a courtesy call.

After meeting the Speaker, Gandhi held consultations with Defence Minister A K Antony and her political secretary at her 10, Janpath residence.

Later, Mukherjee also had a meeting with Gandhi. This is Mukherjee's second meeting with Gandhi in the last three days.

Mumbai-based Maoist leader Arun Thomas Ferreira who was arrested in May 2007 from Deekshabhoomi was re-arrested by a team of Gadchiroli police outside the Central jail in Nagpur after his release by a local court in a naxal-related case. 

Ferriera along with three other Maoists leaders -- MurliAshok Satya Reddy, Dharnendra Bhurle and Naresh Bansod -- were picked up the city police in a swift operation from Deekshabhoomi here on May 8, 2007 for their active involvement in strengthening the Naxalite network.    

Ferriera is believed to be the head of the communication and propaganda cell of CPI (M).

In fact, it's Sonia Gandhi, who wants the two ministers to hold a joint press conference today on the issue. She reportedly wants Pranab to give a political statement and put an end to the issue.

Sheela Bhatt says that in the war between Chidambaram and Mukherjee is a clash of ego and ambition as the government comes to a standstill. Mukherjee is now waiting for the court's reaction or otherwise, on the 11-page 2G note. All eyes are now on court #7 of the Supreme Court.  

More news on Pakistan.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair says Pakistan is "paying heavily" for its mistakes in the 1970s when it started mixing religion with politics and promoted extremism.

"I think Pakistan is paying a heavy price for the mistakes of 1970s by linking religion with politics and developing religious schools which are, in some cases, dangerous sources of extremism," Blair told CNBC TV18.

The former British Prime Minister was responding to queries relating to the role of ISI in spreading terrorism and its links with the Haqqani group in Afghanistan.

Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee and home minister P Chidambaram are likely to hold a joint press conference to clarify the the government's stand on the 2G note. Ever since the controversy broke, the government has been at pains to state that there was no infighting among its ministers. Sonia Gandhi, meanwhile, is closeted in a meeting with defence minister AK Antony.

For those interested...

Arnold Schwarzenegger was seen dining with his estranged wife for the second time this week, and it is being speculated that a reunion might be on the cards. Shriver was first spotted with her ex husband eating lunch together in Santa Monica around three days back. She filed for divorce earlier this summer after the 'Terminator' star confessed to fathering a lovechild with their housekeeper.

Just in:

• 2G scam accused Unitech MD Sanjay Chandra moves Supreme Court for a 12-day interim bail to join his family during festival season.

• Sonia Gandhi meets defence minister AK Antony over the 2G issue.

As Pakistan battles terror at home and an increasingly frozen relationship with US, here's a read that shows the country in a new light -- Islamabad bops to the American jazz beat. Read on cnn.com

The United States says it is close to deciding whether to label the Pakistan-based Haqqani network a foreign terrorist organisation. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said a final review was under way before making a decision on the group blamed for a series of attacks in Afghanistan.

US officials say the group was behind the recent attack on the US embassy in Kabul in which some 25 people died. They have been putting pressure on Pakistan to sever links with the group. Read more on bbc.co.uk

According to The Guardian, the missile, called Ghader, meaning capable in Farsi, could be used to strike Israel and potentially counter US naval presence in the Persian Gulf.

Irans Defense Minister said the missile has a 124-mile-long range and can sink giant warships. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad unveiled the missile in August, when he said the intention was defensive and to ensure that Iran''s enemies do not dare attack 

The railway police in Haridwar has received a letter purportedly sent by Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Toiba threatening to attack top
government functionaries and vital installations in Uttarakhand during the festival season, police said today. 

The letter was received yesterday by the office of the Haridwar Railway Superintendent, which had also got several such letters in the past. A spokesman of Haridwar Police said efforts were on to trace one Karim Ansari, who is said to have written the letter. 

The terrorist outfit had earlier threatened to attack vital installations on the occasion of Independence Day.

The fierce gunbattle between militants and security forces in north Kashmir's Kupwara district entered its fourth day today even as an army jawan injured in the operation succumbed to injuries. The jawan died last night, officials said.

A total of nine persons including five militants, an Army officer, a jawan and two policemen have been killed in the gunfight in Shamsabari forests, they said. The encounter broke out at Awathkul forest area of Kralipora, 130 kms from here, on Monday when police assisted by Army launched a search operation following information about presence of heavily-armed militants. Army sources believe the militants were six to seven in number and were part of the LeT group which had recently infiltrated from the Keran sector.

One terrorist, part of an infiltrating LeT group was apprehended by the army in the Machal sector yesterday. The terrorist Nisar Ahmed, who is the son of Ali Ahmed, a resident of Karachi claims that his group was assisted by ISI personnel during the infiltration.

In an attempt to ensure its pace of reforms goes on, Saudi King Abdullah has revoked a flogging sentence for a woman who allegedly flouted the conservative kingdom's strict rules that prohibit women from driving a car. Amnesty International said a Saudi woman was sentenced to 10 lashes for getting behind the wheel, and had urged the dismantling of the "whole system of women's subordination."

Saudi Arabia has also given the nod to women voting, but not before 2015. 

Here's a run-through with the rest of the news...

India and Pakistan have agreed to further liberalise trade flows with tentative moves such as opening a second customs post and issuing more visas.

And while on terror, here's the latest on the US, Pakistan standoff on Haqqanis. Asserting that the US is trying to make its relationship work with Pakistan, the Obama Administration's point man for Af-Pak has said that it is important both the countries recognise that terrorism, including Haqqani Network, is a threat to both of them. 

"We are trying to do all that we can to make this relationship work. We want it to be successful. But it's very, very important that the Government of Pakistan and the Government of the United States and the people of the two countries recognise that terrorism  - and that includes the Haqqani Network - is a threat to both of us," Special US Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Mark Grossman said. Terrorism and extremism is a threat to both Pakistanis and Americans. That includes the Haqqani Network, he said. "And we hope that action, joint action, will get taken," Grossman said.

Controversial 2G memo was background paper: Pranab (The Hindu)
It was to ensure that departments spoke with one voice. Read

FM note controversy awaits PMs arbitration (Hindustan Times)

Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee and home minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday took the2G note issue to the doorstep of the Prime Minister, who is keen on ending the political impasse between his key cabinet. Read

FIR against Dayanidhi Maran soon: CBI (The Hindu)

CBI was in the process of converting the PE into an FIR in the next few days. Offences such as undue favour and quid pro quo would be included in the FIR against Maran and others. Read

Indian Army to hold joint exercises with 16 forces (The Times of India)

The flurry of exercises constitute an effective diplomatic tool to enhance overall strategic ties and military-to-military cooperation with countries. Read

Two defences: One for CBI, another for PAC (DNA)
RBI governor D Subbarao is standing between the CBI and Union home minister P Chidambaram in the investigation into the 2G spectrum scam. Read

Designating Haqqani network as terror group in final stages: Clinton (Hindustan Times)

Designating the Haqqani network, blamed for deadly attacks in Afghanistan, as a foreign terrorist organisation is in final stages of review, Hillary Clinton has said. Read