News Update: 18 July 2007

1) 200 People die in Brazil Plane Crash: A TAM Airlines Airbus 320 carrying 140 to 170 people crashed while attempting to land in heavy rain at Sao Paulo's Congonhas Airport. Since the plane struck a gas station, at least 200 people were killed. A massive fire broke out after the crash. Even people standing nearby could not came under the accident.

2) Mumbai Building Collapse: At least 30 people are feared trapped after a building collapsed in the Borivalli suburb of Mumbai on Wednesday evening. The building is called Laxmi Chhaya and located at the Babhai Naka - houses 12 families and commercial establishments on the ground floor. Resuce operations are on and eight dead bodies have been recovered so far.

3) 3 Get Death in '93 Mumbai Blast Case: A special TADA court in Mumbai awarded death sentence to three accused in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case.

4) HC raps Delhi Police on Jessica Lal Case: The Delhi High Court rapped the Delhi Police's Special Investigation Team for its report on the Jessica Lall murder case and questioned its impartiality in the way it probed the case.

5) JD(S) and TMC to abstain from Presidential Poll: The Deve Gowda-led JD(S) decided to abstain from voting in Thursday's Presidential poll. Ironically, JD(S) is the coalition partner of BJP in Karnataka. Mamata Banerjee's Trinamul Congress also decided to abstain from the voting.

6) Amarnath Base Camp Attack: One of the 14 injured in the Tuesday night attack by militants on the Baltal base camp for Amarnath pilgrims, succumbed to injuries.