Beijing, Apr 5 Two people were killed and a person was injured when an explosion occurred in a chemical plant in north China's Chifeng City following which as many as 700 residents in the proximity of the site had to be evacuated.
The accident occurred when a high-pressure storage tank containing silicon tetrachloride exploded in Chifeng City in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region during the weekend, Xinhua news agency reported.
The blast in the Shengsen Silicon Technology Development Co, Ltd also injured another person.
Following the blast nearly 700 residents living nearby were evacuated to safer areas.
The injured has been confirmed to be in a stable condition in hospital, according to local authorities.
People returned to their homes after local environmental authorities announced that the atmospheric conditions in the town were normal.
2:20 AM
Blast kills four at ANP meeting in northwest Pak
planetInfo
bomb blast , killed , Pakistan , Peshawar , Timergara
Peshawar, Apr 5 A bomb blast targeted a gathering organised by the Awami National Party at Timergara in northwest Pakistan today, killing at least four persons and injuring over a dozen others.
The blast occurred at a rest house in the market of Timergara, the headquarters of Lower Dir district, where the ANP had organised a gathering to celebrate the government's decision to rename the North West Frontier Province as Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa.
The nature of the blast could not immediately be ascertained though TV news channels reported it could have been a suicide attack. The identity of the four dead was also not immediately known.
A large number of people had gathered for the celebrations organised by the ANP, which leads the ruling coalition in the NWFP.
Several government offices are located near the rest house where the blast occurred.
The blast occurred at a rest house in the market of Timergara, the headquarters of Lower Dir district, where the ANP had organised a gathering to celebrate the government's decision to rename the North West Frontier Province as Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa.
The nature of the blast could not immediately be ascertained though TV news channels reported it could have been a suicide attack. The identity of the four dead was also not immediately known.
A large number of people had gathered for the celebrations organised by the ANP, which leads the ruling coalition in the NWFP.
Several government offices are located near the rest house where the blast occurred.
2:19 AM
Kabul, Apr 5 NATO forces have admitted killing three women in a bungled raid on a village in Afghanistan earlier this year, after initially denying involvement.
The NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said in a statement late Sunday that its troops were responsible for the women's deaths in a village near Gardez, the capital of eastern Paktya province, on February 12.
Two newspapers, the New York Times and Britain's The Times, said today that the foreign troops involved in the shooting were members of US special forces who tried to cover up the deaths by removing bullets from the bodies.
ISAF had no immediate comment on the nationality of the troops or the cover-up claims, when contacted by AFP.
The NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said in a statement late Sunday that its troops were responsible for the women's deaths in a village near Gardez, the capital of eastern Paktya province, on February 12.
Two newspapers, the New York Times and Britain's The Times, said today that the foreign troops involved in the shooting were members of US special forces who tried to cover up the deaths by removing bullets from the bodies.
ISAF had no immediate comment on the nationality of the troops or the cover-up claims, when contacted by AFP.
2:18 AM
Magnitude 6.9 quake strikes Baja California
planetInfo
earthquake , Los Angeles , quake , US-Mexico
Los Angeles, Apr 5 (AP) A strong earthquake south of the US-Mexico border has shook high-rises in downtown Los Angeles and San Diego and was felt across Southern California and Arizona, but there were no immediate reports of major damage.
The 6.9 magnitude quake struck at 3:40 pm (2240 GMT) in Baja California, Mexico, about 30 kilometres southeast of Mexicali, according to the US Geological Survey. The area was hit by magnitude 3.0 quakes all week.
The quake was felt as far north as Santa Barbara, USGS seismologist Susan Potter said.
Strong shaking was reported in the Coachella Valley and Riverside, California. The earthquake rattled buildings on the west side of Los Angeles and in the San Fernando Valley, interrupting Easter dinners. Chandeliers swayed and wine jiggled in glasses.
In Los Angeles, the city fire department went on earthquake status and some stalled elevators were reported.
The 6.9 magnitude quake struck at 3:40 pm (2240 GMT) in Baja California, Mexico, about 30 kilometres southeast of Mexicali, according to the US Geological Survey. The area was hit by magnitude 3.0 quakes all week.
The quake was felt as far north as Santa Barbara, USGS seismologist Susan Potter said.
Strong shaking was reported in the Coachella Valley and Riverside, California. The earthquake rattled buildings on the west side of Los Angeles and in the San Fernando Valley, interrupting Easter dinners. Chandeliers swayed and wine jiggled in glasses.
In Los Angeles, the city fire department went on earthquake status and some stalled elevators were reported.
2:17 AM
Lahore, Apr 5 Alarmed by the development in Hyderabad where Shoaib Malik had his passport seized by the police, his family is now considering altering plans to travel to India on Wednesday to attend the Pakistani cricketer's marriage with Sania Mirza.
A close relative of Shoaib's family told us that they have contacted senior Pakistani government officials and the high commission in New Delhi for help and was considering changing their travel plans.
"Certain forces in India have become active to stop this marriage at any cost," the relative alleged.
Shoaib, set to marry Sania on April 15 in Hyderabad, was today grilled by Hyderabad police after MA Siddiqui, father of Ayesha who claims to be the cricketer's wife, lodged a complaint, accusing the cricketer of cheating his daughter.
A close relative of Shoaib's family told us that they have contacted senior Pakistani government officials and the high commission in New Delhi for help and was considering changing their travel plans.
"Certain forces in India have become active to stop this marriage at any cost," the relative alleged.
Shoaib, set to marry Sania on April 15 in Hyderabad, was today grilled by Hyderabad police after MA Siddiqui, father of Ayesha who claims to be the cricketer's wife, lodged a complaint, accusing the cricketer of cheating his daughter.
2:50 AM
Bhopal, Mar 26 The doctor-population ratio in Madhya Pradesh is about one-fifth of national average, resulting in acute shortage in government-run hospitals.
"According to officials figures of 2007, the doctor-population ratio in Madhya Pradesh stands at one doctor for 18,451 persons, which is far below the national average of one doctor for 3,500 persons," Professor of Community Medicine at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College Indore Sanjay Dixit said.
Dixit is in-charge of maintenance of records of medical facilities available in the state.
A senior doctor said as per WHO recommendation, there should be one doctor for 1,500 people.
However, President of Resident Doctors Association of Madhya Pradesh, Anand Rai said in reality there is wide gap between the official figures and the ground reality.
"According to officials figures of 2007, the doctor-population ratio in Madhya Pradesh stands at one doctor for 18,451 persons, which is far below the national average of one doctor for 3,500 persons," Professor of Community Medicine at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College Indore Sanjay Dixit said.
Dixit is in-charge of maintenance of records of medical facilities available in the state.
A senior doctor said as per WHO recommendation, there should be one doctor for 1,500 people.
However, President of Resident Doctors Association of Madhya Pradesh, Anand Rai said in reality there is wide gap between the official figures and the ground reality.
2:48 AM
Kanpur, Mar 26 An illegal factory manufacturing artificial ghee was unearthed by the police in Dadanagar Industrial area here and seized 150 quintal of the synthetic milk fat from the spot.
"Acting on a tip-off, a team of health department yesterday raided the factory in the industrial area of the city and recovered 449 tins of artificial ghee," Municipal Commissioner Rajiv Sharma said.
Empty boxes of branded companies and a machine used for packaging have also been recovered.
Some persons have also been arrested in this regard.
The accused, during interrogation, revealed that they used to supply artificial ghee in the markets after packaging them in boxes of branded companies, he added.
Also, recovered in the raid were spurious snacks.
"Acting on a tip-off, a team of health department yesterday raided the factory in the industrial area of the city and recovered 449 tins of artificial ghee," Municipal Commissioner Rajiv Sharma said.
Empty boxes of branded companies and a machine used for packaging have also been recovered.
Some persons have also been arrested in this regard.
The accused, during interrogation, revealed that they used to supply artificial ghee in the markets after packaging them in boxes of branded companies, he added.
Also, recovered in the raid were spurious snacks.
2:48 AM
Mumbai, Mar 26 Video conferencing facility would be installed at jails in Maharashtra to cut expenditure on moving undertrials to courts, Home Minister R R Patil said here today.
"The facility has already started in some jails and the Government would soon install it in remaining jails," Patil informed the Legislative Council.
The facility would also save the expenditure on security of undertrials while shifting them to courts, Patil said.
Shiv Sena MLC Neelam Gorhe raised the issue of attack on a jailor in Thane and asked if the Government has taken any measures like installing CCTV cameras inside jails to curb such incidents.
Patil said the proposal to install CCTV cameras in jails is already in the offing.
However, there are more prisoners and undertrials compared to the jail capacity, he said.
"The state jails have total capacity of 23,000 to 24,000 prisoners and undertrials.
"The facility has already started in some jails and the Government would soon install it in remaining jails," Patil informed the Legislative Council.
The facility would also save the expenditure on security of undertrials while shifting them to courts, Patil said.
Shiv Sena MLC Neelam Gorhe raised the issue of attack on a jailor in Thane and asked if the Government has taken any measures like installing CCTV cameras inside jails to curb such incidents.
Patil said the proposal to install CCTV cameras in jails is already in the offing.
However, there are more prisoners and undertrials compared to the jail capacity, he said.
"The state jails have total capacity of 23,000 to 24,000 prisoners and undertrials.
2:47 AM
Mumbai, Mar 26 Chairman of BCCI senior selection panel Krishnamachari Srikkanth today said that the "best team" has been picked for forthcoming Twenty20 World Cup and hoped India will put up good performance in the April 30-May 16 mega-event in the West Indies.
"We have selected the best team for the Twenty20 World Cup. We are happy with the performance of every member of the team. They have shown consistency," Srikkanth said after the selection committee meeting here.
"The Twenty20 World Cup is still one month away and we hope that this team will do well in the event," Srikkanth added.
The chief selector also said that the team has a strong batting department and hoped the Indian batsmen will not face much difficulties on the Caribbean pitches.
"Batting of our team is very powerful and condition of the wickets in Caribbean is similar to the Indian condition.
"We have selected the best team for the Twenty20 World Cup. We are happy with the performance of every member of the team. They have shown consistency," Srikkanth said after the selection committee meeting here.
"The Twenty20 World Cup is still one month away and we hope that this team will do well in the event," Srikkanth added.
The chief selector also said that the team has a strong batting department and hoped the Indian batsmen will not face much difficulties on the Caribbean pitches.
"Batting of our team is very powerful and condition of the wickets in Caribbean is similar to the Indian condition.
2:45 AM
Agartala, Mar 26 Ahead of a key tribal council election, the National Socialist Party of Tripura (NSPT) suffered a jolt as its general secretary Sridam Debbarma and a number of supporters joined Congress.
PCC president Surajit Dutta welcomed Debbarma and other members of the tribal-based party at Congress Bhavan here last night and urged them to work to strengthen the party, sources said.
The move is significant ahead of election to 28-seat Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) in May. NSPT has three members in TTAADC.
Congress, which has been trying to avoid split of anti-Left vote in the tribal council polls, has gained following the joining of at least five top leaders of NSPT, a tribal based party in Tripura.
Congress has not so far been able to strike seat sharing deal with its long-time ally, Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT).
"Congress-INPT discussion on seat sharing is going on.
PCC president Surajit Dutta welcomed Debbarma and other members of the tribal-based party at Congress Bhavan here last night and urged them to work to strengthen the party, sources said.
The move is significant ahead of election to 28-seat Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) in May. NSPT has three members in TTAADC.
Congress, which has been trying to avoid split of anti-Left vote in the tribal council polls, has gained following the joining of at least five top leaders of NSPT, a tribal based party in Tripura.
Congress has not so far been able to strike seat sharing deal with its long-time ally, Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT).
"Congress-INPT discussion on seat sharing is going on.
10:34 PM
Six new power plants to come up in Rajasthan : Gehlot
planetInfo
Ashok Gehlot , energy , Jaipur , power plants , Rajasthan
Jaipur, Mar 24 Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot today said his government is pursuing a target of setting up six new power plants over the next five years in a bid to make the state self-sufficient in the power sector.
Inaugurating a hybrid 132 kv sub-station at SMS stadium here, Gehlot said the state government has set itself a target of launching six new power plants over the next five years and the process has already started.
"We are moving ahead with an aim to secure future of the state in the energy sector. Our vision would help draw investments to the state in the sector and solve problems of farmers as well as general users," Gehlot said.
"There is ample potential for solar power generation in the desert state, and we hope to tap it to the hilt in the coming years," he said.
Inaugurating a hybrid 132 kv sub-station at SMS stadium here, Gehlot said the state government has set itself a target of launching six new power plants over the next five years and the process has already started.
"We are moving ahead with an aim to secure future of the state in the energy sector. Our vision would help draw investments to the state in the sector and solve problems of farmers as well as general users," Gehlot said.
"There is ample potential for solar power generation in the desert state, and we hope to tap it to the hilt in the coming years," he said.
10:33 PM
Mumbai, Mar 24 Country's youngest Everest conqueror Krushnaa Patil is in need of Rs five lakh to scale her next peak.
"I am on a seven-summit quest where I am trying to conquer the highest peak in every continent. I've already conquered five peaks but require Rs five lakh to continue my quest," said Patil, who scaled Mount Everest at the age of 19 last year.
"It is disappointing that despite proving myself in a sport where the risk element is probably the highest, we hardly find any sponsors," she said at the India International Sports Summit here today.
"I am on a seven-summit quest where I am trying to conquer the highest peak in every continent. I've already conquered five peaks but require Rs five lakh to continue my quest," said Patil, who scaled Mount Everest at the age of 19 last year.
"It is disappointing that despite proving myself in a sport where the risk element is probably the highest, we hardly find any sponsors," she said at the India International Sports Summit here today.
10:32 PM
Nainital, Mar 24 A male elephant was today found dead in Corbett National Park's Sonanadi Range here.
Forest personnel patrolling in the area spotted the dead elephant, officials said.
It is suspected that the elephant died in fight with a tiger last night, they said, adding the tusks of the animal were safe.
Forest personnel patrolling in the area spotted the dead elephant, officials said.
It is suspected that the elephant died in fight with a tiger last night, they said, adding the tusks of the animal were safe.
10:31 PM
Mainpuri, Mar 24 Two girls were killed and 25 others injured when a tractor trolley overturned in Kurawali police area of the district, officials said here.
The girls, aged 11 and 3 years, were killed when the tractor trolley carrying pilgrims turned turtle in Nagla Kohri village this evening, sub divisional magistrate Jaishanker Dubey said.
He said that the injured were admitted to the hospital, where condition of seven was serious.
The girls, aged 11 and 3 years, were killed when the tractor trolley carrying pilgrims turned turtle in Nagla Kohri village this evening, sub divisional magistrate Jaishanker Dubey said.
He said that the injured were admitted to the hospital, where condition of seven was serious.
10:30 PM
Chennai, Mar 25 Critically acclaimed actress Padmapriya will be seen in a new avatar that of a gun wielding village belle in Tamil Cowboy film 'Irumbukottai Murattu Singham'.
"I play the role of a Marshal's daughter in a village in this fantasy-action-cowboy movie," she said, a different genre from the 'intense' roles she usually gets to play in films.
"The movie is an entertainer. It has everything?- action, comedy, eroticism," Padmapriya, famous for her intense roles in Tamil movies like 'Pookisham', 'Satham Podathey', 'Thavamai Thavamirundhu' and 'Mirugam', told PTI.
And if that is not enough, the actress will also be seen doing some action and firing guns. "It has a huge cast, each one having well defined roles," Padmapriya said.
Lakshmi Rai and Sandhya are the other two heroines in the film directed by Simbudevan.
"I play the role of a Marshal's daughter in a village in this fantasy-action-cowboy movie," she said, a different genre from the 'intense' roles she usually gets to play in films.
"The movie is an entertainer. It has everything?- action, comedy, eroticism," Padmapriya, famous for her intense roles in Tamil movies like 'Pookisham', 'Satham Podathey', 'Thavamai Thavamirundhu' and 'Mirugam', told PTI.
And if that is not enough, the actress will also be seen doing some action and firing guns. "It has a huge cast, each one having well defined roles," Padmapriya said.
Lakshmi Rai and Sandhya are the other two heroines in the film directed by Simbudevan.
10:29 PM
Pak continues to support some terrorist group: official
planetInfo
Afghanistan , Islamabad , Pakistan , terrorist group , Washington
Washington, Mar 25 Even though Pakistan has taken strong military steps against terrorists in the past one year, it has continued to support some groups that operate in Afghanistan, a top US intelligence official has said.
"Islamabad has demonstrated determination and persistence in combating militants it perceives dangerous to Pakistan's interests, but it also has provided some support to other Pakistan-based groups that operate in Afghanistan," Mathew Burrows, Counsellor and Director of the Analysis and Production Staff at the National Intelligence Council, told foreign journalists here.
"US and coalition success against the insurgency in Afghanistan could provide new long-term incentives for Pakistan to take steps against Afghan-focused militants".
"Increased Pakistani cooperation is more likely, if Pakistan is persuaded that the US is committed to stabilising Afghanistan and capable of doing so," he said at a news briefing held at the Foreign Press Centre.
"Islamabad has demonstrated determination and persistence in combating militants it perceives dangerous to Pakistan's interests, but it also has provided some support to other Pakistan-based groups that operate in Afghanistan," Mathew Burrows, Counsellor and Director of the Analysis and Production Staff at the National Intelligence Council, told foreign journalists here.
"US and coalition success against the insurgency in Afghanistan could provide new long-term incentives for Pakistan to take steps against Afghan-focused militants".
"Increased Pakistani cooperation is more likely, if Pakistan is persuaded that the US is committed to stabilising Afghanistan and capable of doing so," he said at a news briefing held at the Foreign Press Centre.
10:57 PM
SPO, villager injured in Maoist fire
planetInfo
Malkangiri , Maoists , Orissa , police
Malkangiri (Orissa), Mar 23 Maoists today shot at and critically injured a special police officer (SPO) and a villager hours before the end of their two-day bandh in Orissa's Malkangiri district.
"The SPO Basudev Khila who went to his native Maribeda village in Kalimela police station to take part in Chaitra Parva tribal festival was shot at," Additional Superintendent of Police Uma Shankar Das said.
"Maoist guerrillas asked Khila and the other villager to come out of the festival venue where they were dancing with boys and girls. As they came out, the duo was taken to a nearby jungle and shot from close range," he said.
They managed to flee from the site with injuries, the police said, adding the injured were taken to a hospital.
"The SPO Basudev Khila who went to his native Maribeda village in Kalimela police station to take part in Chaitra Parva tribal festival was shot at," Additional Superintendent of Police Uma Shankar Das said.
"Maoist guerrillas asked Khila and the other villager to come out of the festival venue where they were dancing with boys and girls. As they came out, the duo was taken to a nearby jungle and shot from close range," he said.
They managed to flee from the site with injuries, the police said, adding the injured were taken to a hospital.
10:51 PM
New Delhi, Mar 23 A man was arrested for allegedly killing his wife, two days after she was found dead at her south Delhi residence, police said today.
Police said Manoj Kumar (34) strangled Neelam (33) with the help of a friend and then removed her mangalsutra and ransacked the house to make it look like a robbery-cum-murder to mislead them.
He allegedly committed the murder at around 5 pm on Saturday, went out of the house and returned at 7.30 pm.
"He went inside, took his wife's body and rushed it to Moolchand Hospital without informing police. This move made us suspicious. Later, hospital authorities called us and informed that a woman had been brought dead," a senior police official said.
They were married for the last eight years.
The couple did not have children and this was a major source of discontentment between husband and wife, the official said.
Police said Manoj Kumar (34) strangled Neelam (33) with the help of a friend and then removed her mangalsutra and ransacked the house to make it look like a robbery-cum-murder to mislead them.
He allegedly committed the murder at around 5 pm on Saturday, went out of the house and returned at 7.30 pm.
"He went inside, took his wife's body and rushed it to Moolchand Hospital without informing police. This move made us suspicious. Later, hospital authorities called us and informed that a woman had been brought dead," a senior police official said.
They were married for the last eight years.
The couple did not have children and this was a major source of discontentment between husband and wife, the official said.
10:50 PM
6 killed, 20 injured in Kolkata fire
planetInfo
fire , Kolkata , Park Street
Kolkata, Mar.23 A massive fire swept through a 150-year-old multi-storeyed heritage building housing offices and residences in Kolkata's busy Park Street today leaving at least six dead and 20 injured.
The fire which broke out at the six-storeyed Stephen Court building at 2.15 pm was brought under control in the night after the firemen battled hard to rescue trapped people.
The Stephen Court, located in the heart of the city, houses the iconic 100-year-old Flury?s confectionery house Peter Cat restaurant and a large music store called Music World and several other offices.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the fire may have started from a lift between the fifth and the sixth floors as a result of a short circuit and soon spread upwards and sideways, forcing people to move out of the windows to precariously perch themselves on narrow parapets and ledges waiting for help.
The fire which broke out at the six-storeyed Stephen Court building at 2.15 pm was brought under control in the night after the firemen battled hard to rescue trapped people.
The Stephen Court, located in the heart of the city, houses the iconic 100-year-old Flury?s confectionery house Peter Cat restaurant and a large music store called Music World and several other offices.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the fire may have started from a lift between the fifth and the sixth floors as a result of a short circuit and soon spread upwards and sideways, forcing people to move out of the windows to precariously perch themselves on narrow parapets and ledges waiting for help.
10:49 PM
New Delhi, Mar 24 Rajshri Productions' much coveted film 'Tansen', which was put on hold during the economic slump, is all set to be revived.
The big budget period drama, about legendary singer Tansen, one of the navratnas in Mughal emperor Akbar's court, will be directed by Satish Kaushik, who hopes to make a grand film now that the Barjatya's have given a green signal for the production.
"Number of films were hit by slowdown, worsening the situation in Bollywood. There were dozens of disasters that piled up in Bollywood which meant that there was no further progress on 'Tansen'. It was a wait and watch game for everyone involved since 'Tansen' was supposed to be a big budget extravaganza," Kaushik said.
Normally cost conscious Barjatyas were going all out with 'Tansen' and planning to pitch it as one of the costliest Hindi films to be ever made.
The big budget period drama, about legendary singer Tansen, one of the navratnas in Mughal emperor Akbar's court, will be directed by Satish Kaushik, who hopes to make a grand film now that the Barjatya's have given a green signal for the production.
"Number of films were hit by slowdown, worsening the situation in Bollywood. There were dozens of disasters that piled up in Bollywood which meant that there was no further progress on 'Tansen'. It was a wait and watch game for everyone involved since 'Tansen' was supposed to be a big budget extravaganza," Kaushik said.
Normally cost conscious Barjatyas were going all out with 'Tansen' and planning to pitch it as one of the costliest Hindi films to be ever made.