In the country's biggest corporate fraud involving about Rs 8,000 crore (Rs 80 billion), iconic IT company Satyam was today hurtling towards disaster following the shocking disclosure of accounts fudging by its founder Ramalinga Raju, who then quit as chairman - leaving an uncertain future for the company and its 53,000 employees.

Amid speculation over his whereabouts, B Ramalinga Raju, who stepped down as chairman of Satyam Computer after admitting to financial irregularities, is believed to have left for the United States in connection with a court case.

Ajmal Amir Iman Kasab, the lone terrorist captured during the Mumbai attacks on November 26 last year, is a Pakistani national, a Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman said on Wednesday. However, Pakistan Information Minister Sherry Rehman stated that Kasab was not linked to any official agency.

A brief statement issued by the Prime Minister's House said Yousuf Raza Gilani had sacked Durrani 'for his irresponsible behaviour (of) not taking Prime Minister and other stakeholders into confidence and lack of coordination on matters of national security'. Gilani was quoted by Geo News channel as saying that he had sacked Durrani for commenting on the issue of the nationality of Iman alias Ajmal Kasab without taking him (Gilani) or the government into confidence.

Constable Vijay Khandekar died in a grenade attack by terrorists at Cama hospital. He was 35.

The Air India Office in Chennai has received a letter warning attacks by 'suicide bombers' and threats to disrupt the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) beginning in the city on Thursday, police said.

England cricket skipper Kevin Pietersen has resigned, Sky News reported on Wednesday. Pietersen, who was appointed last year, had been in dispute over the running of the team with England coach Peter Moores according to British media reports.

Australia has survived at the top of the ICC Test Championship table following its 103-run victory over South Africa in the third and final Test in Sydney on Wednesday. But the pressure is still on Ricky Ponting's team as the gap at the top has been closed to just five ratings points following the historic 2-1 series defeat.