In the News
At least 58 dead after New Delhi explosions
NEW DELHI-Near-simultaneous explosions rocked the Indian capital Saturday evening, tearing through a bus and two markets crowded with people shopping for gifts for a Hindu festival. At least 58 people were killed and dozens wounded in the blasts, which the government blamed on terrorists.
At least 58 dead after New Delhi explosions
NEW DELHI-Near-simultaneous explosions rocked the Indian capital Saturday evening, tearing through a bus and two markets crowded with people shopping for gifts for a Hindu festival. At least 58 people were killed and dozens wounded in the blasts, which the government blamed on terrorists.
Police declared a state of emergency and closed all city markets. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh urged calm while denouncing the apparently coordinated bombings, which did not prevent an unprecedented India-Pakistan agreement to open the Kashmir border starting Nov. 7 to facilitate aid for survivors of the region’s devastating Oct. 8 earthquake.
“These are dastardly acts of terrorism,” Singh said in a brief televised statement. “We shall defeat their nefarious designs and will not allow them to succeed. We are resolute in our commitment to fighting terrorism in all forms.”
Hurricane Beta aims at Central America
SAN ANDRES ISLAND, Colombia-A strengthening Hurricane Beta headed for Central America’s Caribbean coast Saturday after lashing the small Colombian island of Providencia with harsh winds, heavy rains and high surf.
Nicaraguan troops evacuated thousands of people from low-lying areas as forecasters predicted the Category 1 hurricane could become a Category 3 storm before reaching the mainland Sunday, near the border between Nicaragua and Honduras.
In Honduras, President Ricardo Maduro declared a maximum state of alert. He reminded people of Hurricane Mitch in 1998, which stalled over Honduras with 120 mph winds, sweeping away bridges, flooding neighborhoods and killing thousands.
Beta, the record 13th hurricane of this year’s Atlantic storm season, was not expected to hit the United States.
Paramount takes down some 50 Cent billboards after protest
LOS ANGELES-Paramount Pictures is removing some billboards promoting the upcoming 50 Cent film “Get Rich or Die Tryin'” after community activists complained the billboards promoted gun violence.
The billboards depict the rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, holding a gun in his left hand and a microphone in his right. At least two were near schools, one in front of a charter school in Altadena and another in south Los Angeles, areas that have struggled with gang violence.
A studio spokesman said Friday that Paramount was evaluating the locations of the billboards and taking some down. He declined further comment.
Activists in a south Los Angeles neighborhood staged a rally Tuesday to protest the signs. Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich sent a letter Wednesday to Paramount President Brad Grey calling for immediate removal of the billboards.
