23:53 A close look at Mumbai's Trash: Photographer Jonathan Raa looks at an unusual subject: http://asiasociety.org/blog/asia/photosinterview-jonathan-raa-takes-close-look-mumbais-trash?
23:48 O Henry at 150: As the world celebrates his 150th birth anniversary, some phrases O Henry gave us: http://blog.wordnik.com/o-henry-the-gift-of-words
23:45 The Los Angeles Times on Jeet Thayil: Jeet Thayil, formerly of India Abroad and Rediff, is the big surprise of the Booker Prize short-list, as the Los Angeles Times points out here: http://www.latimes.com/features/books/jacketcopy/la-jc-man-booker-2012-shortlist-announced-20120911,0,6649581.story
23:42 No 9/11 on New York Times front page: Clearly the newspaper, which won seven Pulitzer Prizes for its coverage of 9/11, thinks it is time to move on. Some front pages this morning, courtesy Poynter.org: http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/mediawire/188013/911-anniversary-forgotten-on-the-front-page-of-todays-new-york-times/
23:38 The only American not on Earth on 9/11: Read his story here: http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/12/09/the-story-of-the-only-american-not-on-earth-on-september-11th/262216/
23:35 Grenade blast in Assam; six injured: At least six persons were injured in a grenade explosion triggered by suspected anti-talks faction of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) at Bongaigaon town in western Assam tonight, police said.
The militants suspected to have come in an autorickshaw to hurl the grenade in a crowded locality in the town. Police claimed to have apprehended one ULFA cadre involved in the grenade explosion, reported K Anurag reports from Guwahati.
22:59 Lashkar-e-Jhangvi chief walks free after bail: The leader of notorious anti-Shia extremist group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi was today freed from prison, a day after he was granted bail by a Pakistani court in a case registered against him for making hate speeches.
Malik Ishaq, the head of the banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, was released from Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore. He had been granted bail against a surety of Rs 500,000 by an additional district and sessions court yesterday. Ishaq was arrested at Lahore airport on August 30 while returning to Pakistan from Saudi Arabia, where he had gone to perform the 'Umra' pilgrimage.
Though he had violated regulations by travelling abroad while free on bail, Ishaq was arrested for allegedly making a hate speech at a village on the outskirts of Lahore on August 9.
22:34 Cartoonist Aseem Trivedi accepts bail: Hours after refusing to take the bail granted by the Bombay high court, cartoonist Aseem Trivedi, arrested on the charges of mocking the Parliament and the national emblem, on Tuesday evening said that he would accept it and execute the bond on Wednesday.
The cartoonist said, "I respect judiciary, will execute the bail bond tomorrow."
This came hours after the cartoonist was granted bail by the Bombay high court on a personal bond of Rs 5,000. However, Trivedi told the court that he was not taking the bail as the sedition charge under Indian Penal Code Section 124 (A) against him had not been dropped yet.
The cartoonist said, "I respect judiciary, will execute the bail bond tomorrow."
This came hours after the cartoonist was granted bail by the Bombay high court on a personal bond of Rs 5,000. However, Trivedi told the court that he was not taking the bail as the sedition charge under Indian Penal Code Section 124 (A) against him had not been dropped yet.
21:24 Cong not in favour of petrol hike: Sources: The Congress is not in favour of a petrol price hike anytime soon, sources have told NDTV.
The party's core group met this evening and discussed the issue, sources said. Oil Minister Jaipal Reddy, who is not a part of the core group, was also present at the meeting.Just a few hours, before the meet, Reddy had said the "painful duty" of a hike in fuel prices cannot be ruled out in the near future.
The minister, however, clarified that the issue was not on the agenda of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs meeting, which was scheduled for later in the day, but has now been postponed.
Read full story here
The party's core group met this evening and discussed the issue, sources said. Oil Minister Jaipal Reddy, who is not a part of the core group, was also present at the meeting.Just a few hours, before the meet, Reddy had said the "painful duty" of a hike in fuel prices cannot be ruled out in the near future.
The minister, however, clarified that the issue was not on the agenda of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs meeting, which was scheduled for later in the day, but has now been postponed.
Read full story here
20:16 'Women can be provided with taser, pepper spray': The Maharashtra government on Tuesday submitted to the Bombay high court a proposed set of guidelines to ensure the safety of women who work late night and commute alone, which includes a recommendation that women be given personal safety gadgets such as pepper spray by the employers.
Women working between 7 pm and 7 am should be provided with car pick-up and drop facility with security personnel and trained in self-defence, besides giving them personal safety gadgets like tasers and pepper spray, the government proposals stated.
The division bench of Justices V M Kanade and P D Kode had that said while private firms are bound to ensure the safety of women employees working late hours, the state should come up with some guidelines for the firms.
19:30 Advani, Sushma to meet Pranab over coal scam: A BJP delegation comprising senior leaders L K Advani, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley and Murli Manohar Joshi will meet President Pranab Mukherjee to discuss the coal-gate scam.
BJP's insistence for cancellation of coal blocks allocation had resulted in the wash-out of the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
18:52 Taliban taunts US with defeat on 9/11 anniversary: The Taliban has taunted US with the prospect of "utter defeat" in Afghanistan, marking the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks that saw US troops invade to bring down the militia's repressive regime.
The anniversary itself was muted in Afghanistan, where US and NATO troops organised only small ceremonies to commemorate the deaths of nearly 3,000 people in the worst terror strike on US soil. Soldiers sang the US national anthem and said prayers on behalf of the victims.
The anniversary itself was muted in Afghanistan, where US and NATO troops organised only small ceremonies to commemorate the deaths of nearly 3,000 people in the worst terror strike on US soil. Soldiers sang the US national anthem and said prayers on behalf of the victims.
18:47 India may miss out on Midnight�s Children: The film adaptation of Salman Rushdie's "Midnight's Children' has the makings of a true Indian epic: spanning generations, it tells the story of modern India through the life of a man born at midnight on Aug. 15, 1947, when his country attained independence from British rule. Deepa Mehta, who directed the film, told the Hindustan Times they are yet to find an Indian distributor. Read
18:44 An unposted letter to PM Manmohan Singh : Dear Mr (sic) Singh,
I have never before addressed a person of your stature so do forgive me for my casual style of speech. Firstly, I would like to express my gratitude to you and your government for considering over 900 Pakistani Hindu citizens eligible for Indian nationality...
On the Dawn, an open letter to Dr Manmohan Singh.
I have never before addressed a person of your stature so do forgive me for my casual style of speech. Firstly, I would like to express my gratitude to you and your government for considering over 900 Pakistani Hindu citizens eligible for Indian nationality...
On the Dawn, an open letter to Dr Manmohan Singh.
18:41 News coming in says that cartoonist Aseem Trivedi has refused the bail from the Bombay High Court. The High Court has said that it will grant bail if the police don't have grounds for custody. Yesterday, the Mumbai police had surrendered his custody. Trivedi says he will accept the bail only if the sedition charges are dropped by the state.
18:37 SC judgment neither relief nor denial: Expert : Commenting on the Supreme court judgment today that refrained from putting a blanket ban on court reporting, senior constitutional expert Dr Subhash Kashyap said the judgment is 'neither a guaranteed relief nor a guaranteed denial of relief for the media'.
He said that though he was yet to read the full judgment, CJI SH Kapadia has used the term 'neutralizing techniques', which aims at provide a balancing act between the freedom of speech and expression and the requirements of a case to be prejudice free.
Explains Dr. Kashyap, "The media argues that its actions are under the ambit of right to freedom if speech and expression, under Article (19 ) (a), but the right to life and liberty, under Article (21) gives a person the right to life and right to one's reputation. The media sometimes takes up issues related to a person's right to life and liberty, and then there are television debates and so on. Hence in cases where a person believes it is having a prejudicing affect on the case, he can approach the court and seek relief."
He said that though he was yet to read the full judgment, CJI SH Kapadia has used the term 'neutralizing techniques', which aims at provide a balancing act between the freedom of speech and expression and the requirements of a case to be prejudice free.
Explains Dr. Kashyap, "The media argues that its actions are under the ambit of right to freedom if speech and expression, under Article (19 ) (a), but the right to life and liberty, under Article (21) gives a person the right to life and right to one's reputation. The media sometimes takes up issues related to a person's right to life and liberty, and then there are television debates and so on. Hence in cases where a person believes it is having a prejudicing affect on the case, he can approach the court and seek relief."
18:18 Remembering September 11, 1973: Were the lives of those killed at the World Trade Centre more valuable than the innocents murdered in Chile's US-backed coup? Read
18:12 Cartoonist gets bail, sedition charges dropped: Cartoonist Aseem Trivedi jailed on sedition charges has been granted bail by the Bombay High Court. The Maharashtra government decided to drop the sedition charges against the this afternoon. Trivedi was arrested in Mumbai Saturday and sent to judicial custody till September 24 Monday for allegedly uploading "ugly and obscene" matter on his web portal and putting up objectionable banners insulting the constitution during Anna Hazare's protest in 2011.
18:03 Extinct Dodo may just come back in soon: As a list of the world's 100 most critically endangered species was published, one academic challenged the idea that all should be preserved. Read
18:00 T-shirts rejoice over Margaret Thatcher's death: Commemorative T-shirts rejoicing in the moment when Bar Thatcher dies are being sold at the annual trades union gathering in Brighton. Read
17:56 Army Chief reviews preparedness of Southern Army Command: Army Chief General Bikram Singh today reviewed the overall preparedness of Pune-based Southern Army Command and held interactions with senior officials there over various issues and challenges being faced by the force.On a two-day tour to the Southern Command, General Singh will be visiting National Defence Academy at Khadakvasla and Bhopal-based Sudarshan Chakra Corps.
"The Army Chief interacted with senior functionaries of Southern Command and addressed the officers on contemporary challenges facing the Army. He was accompanied by Southern Army Commander Lt Gen A K Singh," officials said here.
17:27 Fiza committed suicide, wasn't killed: Police: Ruling out any foul play, the Mohali Police today said all evidence indicated that Fiza aka Anuradha Bali, the estranged second wife of former Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Chander Mohan, had committed suicide.According to Fiza's post-mortem report and police investigations, "it seems she has committed suicide", Mohali SSP Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said. The three-member Medical Board, which handed over the report to the Special Investigation Team of the Mohali Police yesterday, had opined that Fiza had died due to poisoning by aluminium phosphide in the presence of ethyl alcohol.
The post-mortem report, prepared by doctors P S Bhatti, Neera Verma and Sukhwinder Kaur, had said "the cause of death in our opinion is poisoning due to aluminium phosphide in the presence of ethyl alcohol."
The SSP said Fiza's advocate-friend Ranjeet Hooda had also told the SIT that she was under depression. "Though the medical report is not the last evidence, we rule out any foul play in her death as of now," he said.
The highly decomposed body of 39-year-old Fiza was found at her Mohali residence on August six. Fiza had shot into limelight four years ago following her controversial marriage to Chander Mohan, son of former Haryana Chief Minister Bhajan Lal
17:22 Satanic Verses was banned without scrutiny: Rushdie: While on writers an update on Salman Rushdie and his latest book, Joseph Anton.
In his memoirs, Rushdie writes that The Satanic Verses was banned by India four months before Iran's supreme leader late Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa for his killing without any proper examination or a judicial process.
"The Satanic Verses was denied the ordinary life of a novel. It became something smaller and uglier: an insult. And he became the Insulter, not only in Muslim eyes but in the opinion of public at large," Rushdie writes in his memoirs 'Joseph Anton' on his hiding days after the fatwa. In excerpts from the book published in 'The New Yorker', he said but for few weeks in the fall of 1988 the book was still "only a novel" and he was still himself.
In his memoirs, Rushdie writes that The Satanic Verses was banned by India four months before Iran's supreme leader late Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa for his killing without any proper examination or a judicial process.
"The Satanic Verses was denied the ordinary life of a novel. It became something smaller and uglier: an insult. And he became the Insulter, not only in Muslim eyes but in the opinion of public at large," Rushdie writes in his memoirs 'Joseph Anton' on his hiding days after the fatwa. In excerpts from the book published in 'The New Yorker', he said but for few weeks in the fall of 1988 the book was still "only a novel" and he was still himself.
17:09 Dispatches from an Opium Den: Jeet Thayil's debut novel Narcopolis opens in the late '70s. The narrator has fallen into trouble in New York City, caught with drugs in his pockets after running from a police officer, shipped to Bombay "to straighten out.' It's difficult to imagine a place less conducive to straightening out than the 1970s Bombay of this novel, however, and the narrator quickly becomes a regular at Rashid's opium den, a place where it's possible to lie still and dream for hours or talk quietly with his fellow addicts. The city is frenetic, but in the opium den time moves very slowly.
Read the review of Jeet Thayil's Narcopolis.
Read the review of Jeet Thayil's Narcopolis.
16:57 Trade talks with India too hot to handle: Pak: Trade talks between Pakistan and India, originally scheduled for September 12 and 13 in Islamabad, have been postponed, sources said.According to sources, the decision was taken at Pakistan's behest, as the foreign affairs and commerce ministries are reportedly not on the same page over the ''pace'' regarding the talks with India, reports The Nation.
The new dates would be finalised in the next few days after negotiations between the two ministries, sources added.Pakistan had earlier deferred the talks, which were scheduled to be held in July-August this year, till September 12.
The two countries were to discuss matters relating to granting the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India. Pakistan had already announced that the Negative List would be converted into Positive List by December 31 this year, implying that India would get MFN status from January 1 next year
The new dates would be finalised in the next few days after negotiations between the two ministries, sources added.Pakistan had earlier deferred the talks, which were scheduled to be held in July-August this year, till September 12.
The two countries were to discuss matters relating to granting the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India. Pakistan had already announced that the Negative List would be converted into Positive List by December 31 this year, implying that India would get MFN status from January 1 next year
16:56 India pledges support to Palestine, announces USD 10 mlln: India today announced a USD 10 million contribution to Palestine and pledged its support to Palestine's bid for full and equal membership of the UN. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas held comprehensive talks on host of bilateral issues and exchanged views on regional developments, particularly the developments in the West Asia and the Gulf region. Three pacts, including one in the field of Information Technology, were also inked after the talks.
16:50 Using a computer before you sleep is a BAD idea: In today's gadget-obsessed world, sleep experts often say that for a better night's rest, Americans should click the "off' buttons on their smartphones and tablets before tucking in for the night. Electronic devices stimulate brain activity, they say, disrupting your ability to drift off to sleep. Read
16:40 Shortlisted Thayil was a Rediff.com/India Abroad staffer: Apart from 53-year-old Thayil, a former Rediff.com/India Abroad staffer, authors on the short list are Deborah Levy, Hilary Mantel, Alison Moore, Will Self and Tan Twan Eng. The winner will be announced on October 16 at London's Guildhall during a live telecast on the BBC. Announcing the short list, the judges praised the powerful language and artistry displayed in the six books, whose common themes include old age, memory and loss.
The six books are: Tan Twan Eng (The Garden of Evening Mists), Deborah Levy (Swimming Home), Hilary Mantel (Bring up the Bodies), Alison Moore (The Lighthouse), Will Self (Umbrella) and Jeet Thayil (Narcopolis). The short list includes first novels by two authors: Jeet Thayil and Alison Moore. Of the six authors, two have previously been linked to the prize.
The six books are: Tan Twan Eng (The Garden of Evening Mists), Deborah Levy (Swimming Home), Hilary Mantel (Bring up the Bodies), Alison Moore (The Lighthouse), Will Self (Umbrella) and Jeet Thayil (Narcopolis). The short list includes first novels by two authors: Jeet Thayil and Alison Moore. Of the six authors, two have previously been linked to the prize.
16:30 Jeet Thayil makes it to Man Booker shortlist : Noted Indian poet and writer Jeet Thayil is among six authors shortlisted for the 2012 Man Booker Prize for Fiction worth 50,000 pounds and an assured spurt in the sales of the prize-winning book. Read more
16:27 Isnt this sedition?: If cartoonist Aseem Trivedi is guilty of sedition by replacing lions with wolves on the national emblem, isn't this sedition as well? This is the Congress party poster in Chennai. See
16:18 Obama, Romney call for truce today : President Barack Obama in the thick of campaign for his re-election and First Lady Michelle will mark the anniversary with a moment of silence in the White House lawns. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg will also skip the ceremony. Even his rival Mitt Romney is keeping away from political events to keep the sanctity of the occasion. Both Obama and Romney are taking down their negative advertisements in a brief truce from political battle.
16:17 9/11 anniversary to be low key affair in US : Eleven years after the nightmarish events of September 2001, Americans are set to mark the anniversary of the terror attacks today with low key ceremonies, indicating an apparent diminished passion about that fateful day.
Though the events to commemorate the 2,983 people killed would be subdued, administration is taking no chances ramping up security measures across the US ahead of the ceremonies, specially at New York's Ground Zero and the capital Washington DC.
Though the events to commemorate the 2,983 people killed would be subdued, administration is taking no chances ramping up security measures across the US ahead of the ceremonies, specially at New York's Ground Zero and the capital Washington DC.
16:15 Nitish wants to become PM, points out Lalu: RJD supremo Lalu Prasad today claimed that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar wants to become NDA's prime ministerial candidate. "Kumar is eying to emerge as the NDA's prime ministerial candidate for the next parliamentary polls by seeking to rally behind him the people of Bihar to get special category status for the state," he said.
If the chief minister was serious to get special category status for Bihar, then he should resign from his post and launch a 'jail bharo andolan' along with his ministers, Prasad said.
If the chief minister was serious to get special category status for Bihar, then he should resign from his post and launch a 'jail bharo andolan' along with his ministers, Prasad said.
16:07 MHA sees foreign hand in protests: The Indian government has once again blamed the foreign 'hand' for anti-nuclear protests in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, even as fresh violence left one dead. Read
15:54 Bin There, Done That: Osama bin Laden was mentioned 21 times during the nighttime speeches at the Democratic National Convention. Read
15:49 Female CIA agent who discovered Osama's Pakistan lair : The Navy SEAL who wrote the controversial book detailing the assassination of Osama bin Laden credits a 'feisty' female CIA analyst for leading them to their target, after spending five years hunting him. Read more
15:05 CCPA meeting at PM's house postponed: The Cabinet Committee meeting on Political Affairs to be held at the PM's residence has been postponed. The CCPA was to discuss raising diesel, cooking gas and kerosene prices, but with the meeting postponed, fuel prices will not be raised. Ally Trinamool Congress has not supported the proposed hike.
15:02 Women find taller men more attractive: Study: When it comes to love, size does matter as height plays a key role in sexual attraction, a new research has found. The study found that only after a couple has decided that the difference in height between them is right, they consider face, personality and body shape.
Men prefer to look down on a woman, while women are attracted to taller men, the Daily Mail reported.
Scientists have even worked out the ideal proportions, saying a man should be 1.09 times taller than his partner. This can be expressed as a ratio of 1.09:1. The study suggests that the ideal partner for a 5ft 8in woman is a man who stands 6ft 2in. By contrast a woman of 5ft 2in would seek out a man of around 5ft 8in.
Men prefer to look down on a woman, while women are attracted to taller men, the Daily Mail reported.
Scientists have even worked out the ideal proportions, saying a man should be 1.09 times taller than his partner. This can be expressed as a ratio of 1.09:1. The study suggests that the ideal partner for a 5ft 8in woman is a man who stands 6ft 2in. By contrast a woman of 5ft 2in would seek out a man of around 5ft 8in.
14:46 The heart of the US elections: Raghuram Rajan, professor at a Chicago university and and the International Monetary Fund's youngest-ever chief economist, deconstructs the US elections. Read
14:39 Kudankulam stir continuews: Protesters against the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project allegedly pelted stones at a government bus at Mount Road in Chennai damaging window panes. In Rameswaram, mechanised boat fishermen resolved to go on a three-day strike from tomorrow protesting the police action against the anti-KNPP protesters.
14:23 The Nazis and Thalidomide: The worst drug scandal of all time: The Nazis and their connections with the makers of the deadly drug Thalidomide Read
14:14 DMK leaders give Prez the cold shoulder in Chennai: Hectic speculation in Tamil Nadu political circles is why have DMK leaders not received Pranab Mukherjee at Chennai airport nor accept the invitation from Governor K Rosaiah for lunch hosted at the Raj Bhavan during Pranab's visit to Chennai. Neither did DMDK's Vijayakant. Does this send a signal for a future political alliance in Tamil Nadu -- a DMK-Vijayakant-Left parties alliance that will leave Congress in a lurch?
14:08 Has President Pranab Mukherjee turned veg?: Delhi gossip... President Pranab Mukherjee has apparently turned vegetarian. This has become evident from the circulars to organisers of public functions that the President's preference is for vegetarian courses at banquets or dinners. The food served on board the Presidential aircraft is cooked at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and even that has turned vegetarian with a vengeance.
13:59 Kanda to remain in jail till Sept 25: Heartwarming news for the family of Geetika Sharma.A Delhi court today extended the judicial custody of former Haryana minister Gopal Goyal Kanda and that of his aide Aruna Chaddha in the Geetika Sharma suicide case by 14 days. Kanda and Chaddha will be in judicial custody till September 25 after the Delhi police said investigation in the case was still on. The duo were not brought to the court physically from Rohini Jail after expiry of their judicial custody today.
13:55 Israel's enthusiasm for attack on Iran has cooled: Report: In other news... Stern messages from western powers seems to have "cooled" Israeli leaders' enthusiasm for launching an attack on Iran's nuclear installations, a media report here has said. Israel's hawkish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Ehud Barak have apparently recognised that in addition to the military implications of such a move where a barrage of Iranian missiles could kill hundreds of Israelis, it would also have serious foreign policy implications, the Ha'aretz reported.
It could result in a very deep rift between Israel and its greatest allies, France, Britain, Germany and the United States, it said.
It could result in a very deep rift between Israel and its greatest allies, France, Britain, Germany and the United States, it said.
13:49 Fuel price hike unavoidable, can't define extent: Reddy: An increase in diesel, cooking gas and kerosene price is "unavoidable", Oil Minister S Jaipal Reddy said today but indicated that the hike may not be decided by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs at its meeting later in the evening.
"There is a meeting of the CCPA (this evening). This item (increase in diesel and cooking fuel) is not listed," he told reporters after meeting Finance Minister P Chidambaram here.
"I am not sure if the item will be taken up at all today." Reddy said he had yesterday circulated an updated version of a note detailing the crisis created by rise in crude oil prices and fall in value of rupee against the US dollar to members of the CCPA, which is headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
"There is a meeting of the CCPA (this evening). This item (increase in diesel and cooking fuel) is not listed," he told reporters after meeting Finance Minister P Chidambaram here.
"I am not sure if the item will be taken up at all today." Reddy said he had yesterday circulated an updated version of a note detailing the crisis created by rise in crude oil prices and fall in value of rupee against the US dollar to members of the CCPA, which is headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
13:43 Kejriwal meets Aseem Trivedi in jail : Early this morning, anti-corruption campaigner Arvind Kejriwal met Aseem Trivedi in a Mumbai jail and warned that if charges of sedition were not dropped against the cartoonist, the India Against Corruption (IAC) activists would begin a demonstration outside the Arthur Road Jail from Saturday.
13:36 Yesterday, Justice Markandey Katju, chairman of the Press Council of India defended cartoonist Aseem Trivedi, saying he had done nothing illegal. Justice Katju said these are occupational hazards, and politicians must learn to put up with them.
13:31 Govt to drop sedition charges against cartoonist: The sedition charges will dropped in the next 24 hours. He was arrested in Mumbai on Saturday under IPC Section 124 (sedition), section 66 A of Information Technology Act and section 2 of Prevention of Insults to Nation Honour Act. Even if sedition charges are dropped the other two charges will remain.
13:27 Govt to drop sedition charges against cartoonist: The Maharashtra government has decided to drop the sedition charges against cartoonist Aseem Trivedi. Trivedi was arrested in Mumbai Saturday and sent to judicial custody till September 24 Monday for allegedly uploading "ugly and obscene" matter on his web portal and putting up objectionable banners insulting the constitution during Anna Hazare's protest in 2011.
13:00 After 9/11, this is how we honored our son's memory: Parents recall remember their youngest son, who was killed this day, on 2001.
Our child, Peter, was murdered on September 11, 2001, while attending a conference at Windows on the World at the World Trade Center. He was 25 years old when he died.When the towers fell, we were in France, on vacation to celebrate Steve's 60th birthday. Peter, our daughter, Jane, and our son Jeff and his wife, Tobey, had all been with us for a week before flying back to the U.S. on September 8. Read
Our child, Peter, was murdered on September 11, 2001, while attending a conference at Windows on the World at the World Trade Center. He was 25 years old when he died.When the towers fell, we were in France, on vacation to celebrate Steve's 60th birthday. Peter, our daughter, Jane, and our son Jeff and his wife, Tobey, had all been with us for a week before flying back to the U.S. on September 8. Read
12:50 Why lights stayed on in this village during north grid blackout: In rural Rajasthan, Gram Power's solar-powered microgrid kept the lights working and the buttermilk churning. Read the report on the Guardian.
12:45 Karimov threatens war, bids for peace: The Uzbek President islam Karimov has a reputation for blunt talking. But his mastery lies in nuancing his bluntness. It may sound a contrarian trait but then Karimov is a leader of many parts. That is why it is necessary to sit up and take note of his warning that wars could erupt in Central Asia over water disputes.
ReadMK Bhadrakumar's blog
ReadMK Bhadrakumar's blog
12:38 Modi begins 150-rally poll trail today, warns Cong : Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi who flagged off his Vivekananda Yuva Vikas Yatra in Mehsana, ahead of the state polls asked the Congress party not to obstruct the BJP's programmes in the state.
"I appeal to my friends in the Congress, conduct your programmes, go to the people. Whatever support you need from the government, I will provide but do do not obstruct the BJP's programmes."
Attacking the Congress government at the centre, Modi demanded an impartial probe into the coal scam and said the Central Bureau of Investigation was being "misused".He said the Congress was misusing the CBI to target him.
Modi plans to address 150 rallies in a month. Arun Jaitely and Rajnath Singh are accompanying Modi on the rally today.
"I appeal to my friends in the Congress, conduct your programmes, go to the people. Whatever support you need from the government, I will provide but do do not obstruct the BJP's programmes."
Attacking the Congress government at the centre, Modi demanded an impartial probe into the coal scam and said the Central Bureau of Investigation was being "misused".He said the Congress was misusing the CBI to target him.
Modi plans to address 150 rallies in a month. Arun Jaitely and Rajnath Singh are accompanying Modi on the rally today.
12:29 In India, Bengalis seek to recapture their glory as intellectuals: Bengalis have long enjoyed a reputation as India's intellectuals. Now West Bengal state wants to spark a renaissance, after years of stagnation and brain drain. Read the report on the LA Times
12:22 Sedition? Seriously?: "Take again Section 124-A of the Indian Penal Code,' Jawaharlal Nehru said during a parliamentary debate centred around freedom of speech in 1951. "Now as far as I am concerned that particular Section is highly objectionable and obnoxious and it should have no place in any body of laws that we might pass. The sooner we get rid of it the better.'Ironically, the sedition clause not only remains on the statute book but is used periodically against human rights activists, journalists and intellectuals.
The editorial on the Hindu on the sedition charges against cartoonist Aseem Trivedi
12:19 Pages apart: Copyright theft cannot be condoned in the name of promoting democratic student culture. Read
12:15 Postponement of publication in court cases necessary: SC : More on the SC guidelines for reporting from the court. The apex court today undertook the the exercise of framing the guidelines after receiving complaints of breach of confidentiality during the hearing of a dispute between Sahara Group and market regulator SEBI.
The issue of breach of confidentiality came up when certain documents regarding the dispute between Sahara and SEBI were leaked to the media.
However, once the hearing had started from March 27, the court had expanded its ambit and gave opportunity to others who in the recent past had felt aggrieved due to the publication and broadcast of sub-judice matters.
The constitution bench relied on a catena of judgements from foreign countries like United States of America, England, Canada, Germany, Australia and New Zealand along with the judgements of Indian courts to arrive at a conclusion that:
-- Postponement of publication of court proceedings in certain cases was necessary to strengthen the balance between free speech and fair trial for proper administration of justice.
-- It clarified that the order on postponement of publication of court proceedings has to be passed by the writ court subject to the twin test of necessity and proportionality.
-- The postponement of publication has to be for short duration without disturbing the essence of the proceeding.
-- The postponement of publication cannot be viewed as punitive measure
-- Such steps are necessary to protect the journalists from venturing into the contempt area.
The bench had reserved its judgement on May 3 after 17 days of hearing.
The issue of breach of confidentiality came up when certain documents regarding the dispute between Sahara and SEBI were leaked to the media.
However, once the hearing had started from March 27, the court had expanded its ambit and gave opportunity to others who in the recent past had felt aggrieved due to the publication and broadcast of sub-judice matters.
The constitution bench relied on a catena of judgements from foreign countries like United States of America, England, Canada, Germany, Australia and New Zealand along with the judgements of Indian courts to arrive at a conclusion that:
-- Postponement of publication of court proceedings in certain cases was necessary to strengthen the balance between free speech and fair trial for proper administration of justice.
-- It clarified that the order on postponement of publication of court proceedings has to be passed by the writ court subject to the twin test of necessity and proportionality.
-- The postponement of publication has to be for short duration without disturbing the essence of the proceeding.
-- The postponement of publication cannot be viewed as punitive measure
-- Such steps are necessary to protect the journalists from venturing into the contempt area.
The bench had reserved its judgement on May 3 after 17 days of hearing.
12:06 Lawless in Srinagar: On the morning of Aug. 21, 2012, during the foremost Id, Basharat Peer drives through Srinagar. This is the story of Kashmir through his eyes... Read
12:03 Goodbye and farewell India Shining: Is India Shining is a thing of a past, a narrative that no longer strikes a chord with the majority of the country's population? Find out here
12:00 Paapdi chaat goes molecular: In papdi chaat, a fried-dough snack typically accompanied by spicy yogurt and chutney, Gaggan Anand saw something that could segue from its usual streetside setting to a contemporary restaurant.Savour it.
11:53 Pakistani Hindu couple torn over India move: The WSJ story on a Pakistani Hindu couple who came to India and didn't go back... When Shaani Das left Pakistan, she didn't imagine having to shelter from the Indian monsoon under a damp and cramped plastic tent with her husband and children.But Kurup Das, her husband, says that their new life is still better than living like the 'lowest' in Pakistan. "Here we have the freedom to breathe without fear,' he said. Read
11:50 Bringing opportunity to India�s deaf: The students named the school themselves, says Noida Deaf Society founder Ruma Roka, as this was a way to let them know they mattered. Read
11:48 India, Palestine to hold bilateral talks today: India and Palestine will hold bilateral delegation-level talks here today. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who arrived here on Monday night on a state visit, will hold delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the two sides will also sign three pacts. Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari will then call on President Abbas at The Leela Palace here at around 4:30 pm.
11:38 Oz intercepts boat carrying 65 asylum seekers: Australian authorities have intercepted another boat carrying 65 suspected asylum seekers off the West Australian coast. ACV Hervey Bay - a Navy patrol vessel - found the boat northwest of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands last night, according to AAP news agency. Border Protection Command will transfer the passengers first to Cocos Islands then on to the Christmas Island detention centre for security, health and identity checks, the report said
11:24 SC: Court journos should not cross Lakshman rekha : Passing the order, the SC also said temporary postponement on reporting is a matter that can be sought by an aggrieved party by moving an appropriate court. It also warned journalists that they should know the Lakshman rekha so that they don't cross the line of contempt.
Freedom of speech and expression is not an absolute right under our Constitution, said the apex court and said the doctrine of postponement of reporting has been evolved as a preventive measure and not as a prohibitive and punitive measure. The reasonable restriction on publication of court proceedings is for societal interest.
Freedom of speech and expression is not an absolute right under our Constitution, said the apex court and said the doctrine of postponement of reporting has been evolved as a preventive measure and not as a prohibitive and punitive measure. The reasonable restriction on publication of court proceedings is for societal interest.
11:06 SC: NO generalised guidelines for legal reporting: The Supreme Court has delivered its judgement on the framing of media guidelines for reporting court proceedings of sub-judice matters. The court said guidelines and norms for media reporting can't be made across the board. There can be no guidelines for matters that are sub-judice. The court also said that it may have to pass postponement order to prevent prejudice in some cases and that curbs on a case-to-case basis may have to be made.
This issue was referred to the apex court after the leakage of certain documents to the media relating to dispute between Sahara group and market regulator SEBI.
However, the court expanded its ambit to others who were hurt by the broadcast of sub-judice matter. Media bodies like the Editors Guild, the Press Council and the National Broadcasters Association among others have opposed any such regulation.
This issue was referred to the apex court after the leakage of certain documents to the media relating to dispute between Sahara group and market regulator SEBI.
However, the court expanded its ambit to others who were hurt by the broadcast of sub-judice matter. Media bodies like the Editors Guild, the Press Council and the National Broadcasters Association among others have opposed any such regulation.
10:47 Why has China's next President not been seen in public for sone d: Xi Jinping cancelled his appointments with Hillary Clinton and the Danish prime minister. Is it a back injury or something more serious? This is Reuters' take: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/11/us-china-politics-xi-idUSBRE88A03K20120911
10:46 Uneasy calm in Kudankulam: An uneasy calm prevailed in Kudankulam today with police tightening vigil as anti-nuclear protesters continued with their relay fast at Idinthakari, epicentre of protests against the Kudankulam Nuclear plant, condemning the action against anti-KNPP activists.Police here said the situation was calm but they are keeping a strict vigil. "Security has been stepped up," sources said. Sources close to S P Udhayakumar, convener of People's Movement Against Nuclear Energy, spearheading the protest against KNPP, said key leaders including him and Pushparayan, will court arrest by turning up at the Kudankulam Police Station tonight.
The agitation had turned violent yesterday when one person was killed in police firing when protesters tried to attack a police station at Manapad in Tuticorin district.
10:42 Cancer�s 'Achilles heel' identified: Scientists at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have made a breakthrough that could lead to the development of new tests for early cancer diagnosis, prognostic tests, and innovative therapeutic strategies.
They have discovered a sub-population of cells that display cancer stem cell properties and resistance to chemotherapy, and participate in tumor progression.
Resistance to chemotherapy is a frequent and devastating phenomenon that occurs in cancer patients during certain treatments. Unfortunately, tumours that initially respond to chemotherapy eventually become resistant to it, contributing to tumour progression and death.
They have discovered a sub-population of cells that display cancer stem cell properties and resistance to chemotherapy, and participate in tumor progression.
Resistance to chemotherapy is a frequent and devastating phenomenon that occurs in cancer patients during certain treatments. Unfortunately, tumours that initially respond to chemotherapy eventually become resistant to it, contributing to tumour progression and death.
10:40 Heavy drinkers may experience stroke at young age: People who have three or more alcoholic drinks per day may be at higher risk for experiencing a stroke almost a decade and a half earlier in life than those who do not drink heavily. "Heavy drinking has been consistently identified as a risk factor for this type of stroke, which is caused by bleeding in the brain rather than a blood clot,' said study author Charlotte Cordonnier, MD, PhD.
10:38 Breast-feeding may cut risk of depression in adulthood: Couple of health stories coming up... Infants who are breast-fed are less likely to suffer from depression in adulthood, according to a new study. But the researchers find that amount of time a person was breast-fed has no bearing on the severity of later depression, the Daily Mail reported. They studied 52 people with an average age of 44 who were being treated for severe depression at an inpatient facility. The patients were considered to have been breast-fed if they, or their mothers, stated that they been nursed for more than two weeks.
10:35 Maha govt wants docs to improve handwriting legibility: In what is easily a first, the Maharashtra government has lend its support to the efforts taken by the medical fraternity in the state to create awareness about handwriting legibility amongst doctors to prevent prescription errors due to sloppy writing.
Senior doctors across the state are very positive about handwriting improvement to keep pharmaceutical malpractices and legal hassle for medical practitioners at bay, by clearly writing, and in capital letters.
Following this, a group of doctors have written to Health Minister Suresh Shetty about their proposed endeavour which the minister said is a good sign.
Senior doctors across the state are very positive about handwriting improvement to keep pharmaceutical malpractices and legal hassle for medical practitioners at bay, by clearly writing, and in capital letters.
Following this, a group of doctors have written to Health Minister Suresh Shetty about their proposed endeavour which the minister said is a good sign.
10:30 Police release video of US gurudwara shooting : A dramatic video of the tragic Gurdwara shooting incident in Wisconsin was released today in which Wade Michael Page, the white supremacist who gunned down six Sikh worshippers, is shown on the rampage.
"He (Page) was on a mission and he had to be stopped," Oak Creek police officer, Sam Lenda, who shot at Page told reporters at a news conference in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, after the police released the portions of the dramatic video of officers responding to the August 5 shooting.
Police Lt Brian Murphy, a 21-year officer, who had stopped to tend to a victim outside the temple, is also seen being ambushed by Page in the video as there was exchange of fire between the two. Murphy who was fatally injured during the incident is now recovering.
"He (Page) was on a mission and he had to be stopped," Oak Creek police officer, Sam Lenda, who shot at Page told reporters at a news conference in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, after the police released the portions of the dramatic video of officers responding to the August 5 shooting.
Police Lt Brian Murphy, a 21-year officer, who had stopped to tend to a victim outside the temple, is also seen being ambushed by Page in the video as there was exchange of fire between the two. Murphy who was fatally injured during the incident is now recovering.
10:01 Diesel, LPG price hike likely today:
Financial Express reports: Prices of diesel, LPG and kerosene may be raised from Tuesday when the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) meets.
Though the listed agenda for the CCPA meeting is to discuss the BJP boycott of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, sources said the Petroleum Ministry�s comprehensive proposal on various pricing options could be circulated at the meeting itself.
Another pointer for the issue being slipped-in at Tuesday�s meeting is that Petroleum Minister S Jaipal Reddy on Monday sent out an eight-page backgrounder on the current financial crisis of the state-run oil marketing companies to all the ministers who are members of the CCPA.
A formal announcement of listing of the pricing issue creates a scamper for topping up tanks, both by consumers and retail outlet owners to save and make money, respectively.
09:58 Japan to buy disputed islands, China fumes:
Japan's Cabinet has formally announced that the government will purchase several disputed islands that China also claims -- a move that Beijing said would bring 'serious consequences'.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura told reporters that Japan will buy the three uninhabited islands in the East China Sea from a private Japanese family it recognises as the owner, and has budgeted 2.05 billion yen ($26 million) for the purchase.
China and Taiwan also claim the islands, which are part of what Japan calls the Senkakus and China the Diaoyu group.
Fujimura said the decision to nationalise the islands is 'to maintain the Senkakus peacefully and stably'.
The signing of the deal was expected later Tuesday.
09:56 US facing utter defeat in Afghanistan: Taliban:
US forces face 'utter defeat' in Afghanistan and Americans are unsafe wherever they go in the world, the Taliban said ahead of the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks.
Eleven years ago Tuesday, almost 3,000 people lost their lives in the worst terror strike on American soil that saw two passenger planes hijacked by Al-Qaeda slam into New York's World Trade Center and another into the Pentagon. A fourth plane crashed in a Pennsylvania field.
What followed was a war in Afghanistan, launched over the Taliban's alliance with Al-Qaeda.
"The anniversary of 9/11 is approaching America this year at a time when it is facing utter defeat in Afghanistan militarily, politically, economically and in all other facets and it has exhausted all other means through which to prolong its illegal war," said a statement from the Afghan Taliban, the US-based SITE Intelligence Group said Monday.
The statement, which the Taliban wrote in English and posted on Sunday, goes on to say that the war in Afghanistan "under the pretext of retaliation for the September incident has no legal or ethical" basis, and that Afghans had "no hand" in what happened.
09:54 Fuel to be loaded in Kudankulam N-plant reactor today:
The loading of fuel at the Kudankulam nuclear power plant reactor is likely to take place on Tuesday.
In the first casualty in the year-long agitation against the Kudankulam nuclear power project, a fisherman was killed in police firing in Tuticorin on Monday even as protests at the plant site turned violent.
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board in August gave clearance for fuel to be loaded into one of the Kudankulam plant's two reactors, one of the last steps before it can begin producing power.
India is struggling to meet surging demand for electricity and suffers from a peak-hour power deficit of about 12%, which has become a significant drag on the economy. A grid failure on two consecutive days this summer caused one of the world's worst blackouts.
First conceived in 1988, Russian-built Kudankulam was supposed to have gone into operation last year, but protesters surrounded the compound after an earthquake and tsunami hit Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, causing radiation leaks and forcing mass evacuations.
The protesters fear a similar accident could happen in south India, a region that was hard hit by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
09:51 Were DGPs of non-UPA-ruled states kept out?:
Read more on this here
When the Prime Minister expressed his concern at the communal situation during an interaction with directors-general of police on Saturday, the message seems to have been meant only for the non-BJP states.
Only DGPs from states ruled by UPA allies -- with the lone exception of Bihar -- were invited, sources said. It was the home ministry and not the Prime Minister's Office that selected the invitees, they said, and the invites were sent well in advance.
It could not be confirmed whether the Himachal Pradesh police chief was present, but none of his counterparts from the rest of the BJP-ruled states were. Nor did the DGPs of Punjab (Akali Dal) and Tamil Nadu (AIADMK) attend the interaction.
Read more on this here
09:48 The Economist on the Congress Crown Prince:
The Economist magazine outlines the problems with Rahul Gandhi. Click here to read
Promoting Rahul Gandhi now would in theory make sense for Congress. He has long been presumed the successor-in-waiting to Sonia Gandhi, his mother and the party's president. He needs time to start showing some skills as a leader before campaigning starts in 2014. And for as long as Mr Gandhi does not rise, it is hard for other relative youngsters to be promoted without appearing to outshine him. That has left Congress looking ever older and more out of touch.
09:43 Read: The Memo on Osama for Bush in August 2001: A month before 9/11, President George W Bush received this memo on Osama bin Laden warning him that Al Qaeda might hijack American planes. White House officials, of course, believed that the threat was not specific
09:37 President issues a proclamation: 9/11 will henceforth be honoured as Patriot Day in the United States.
You can read the Presidential Proclamation here
You can read the Presidential Proclamation here
09:37 New York, New Jersey governors strike a deal: On the eve of the 11th anniversary of those horrific attacks, which also occurred on a Tuesday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie have announced plans for a 9/11 Museum.
Please read the story here
Please read the story here
06:40 Ends Britain's 75 year wait fir a Grand Slam title: Check out the BBC's coverage on a fabulous win: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/19551577
06:36 First Grand Slam for the Scot: Andy Murray wins the US Open in a five-set thriller, beating Novak Djokovic 7-6, 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2 to lift his first Grand Slam title. He also won the Olympic gold medal.
06:11 New book makes interesting claim: The book by the former US Navy Seal who took part in last year's mission to kill Osama bin Laden makes an intriguing claim about India's alleged role in the operation. You can read it here: http://www.redstate.com/2012/09/10/india-abbottabad-and-osama-bin-laden-did-new-delhi-assist-the-u-s-on-operation-neptune-spear/
06:01 Did US over-react to the 9/11 attacks?: An interesting assessment in the Scientific American: http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/cross-check/2012/09/10/did-the-u-s-overreact-to-the-911-attacks/
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