PM Modi begins two-day Nepal visit on Sunday
Continuing with its neighbours-first foreign policy approach, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Nepal on Sunday for a two-day visit with a strong political message of friendship. A bilateral visit of Indian Prime Minister to Nepal is taking place after 17 years though there were 15 high level visits of both presidents and prime ministers from that country to India. Modi will have talks with his Nepalese counterpart Sushil Koirala and have the honour of addressing...

Kerala seeks special flight to bring back nurses
Kerala today urged the Centre to immediately arrange a special flight for passage of the Indian nurses who had left strife-torn Libya to neighbouring Tunisia to come back home. In a letter to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said 58 nurses had already left for Tunisia from Libya by road. Another 48 nurses had expressed their willingness to leave Libya. In the prevailing circumstances it would take at least 10 days for them to catch normal flights...

HC seeks to know the criteria for allotting Plus Two
The Kerala High Court on Saturday sought explanation from the state government as to what criteria was followed in allotting Plus Two schools in the state by overstepping recommendations of the Director of Higher Secondary schools. The High Court issued the directive while ruling a temporary stay on admissions to the Mar Agustin’s Higher Secondary school in Thuravur, which did not have the recommendations of the Director. The High Court issued the order while hearing a plea...

Young woman from Kolkata gangraped in Jaipur
A 22-year old woman was allegedly abducted and gangraped by four persons in the city when she was on her way to Ajmer Sharif shrine from here. The woman hailing from Kolkata, had arrived here in search of a job on July 28 and stayed in a hotel. She had planned a visit to Ajmer, and left in a taxi for the same on July 30, when some 7-8 miscreants surrounded her car, near a dispensary, police said.

Gas explosions kill 24, injure 271 in Taiwan
At least 24 people were killed and 271 others injured when several underground gas explosions ripped through Taiwan's second-largest city overnight, hurling concrete through the air and blasting long trenches in the streets, authorities said today. The series of explosions about midnight yesterday and early today struck a district where several petrochemical plans operate pipelines alongside the sewer system in Kaohsiung, a southwestern port with 2.8 million people.

Israel, Hamas agree to 72-hour Gaza truce brokered by US, UN
Israel and Hamas today agreed to an unconditional 72-hour ceasefire in Gaza even as the US said the deal to be negotiated in Cairo by Israeli and Palestinians is an opportunity to find a long-term solution to end the deadly 25-day conflict that has claimed over 1,500 lives.

Three ULFA (I) militants killed in Assam
Three ULFA (Independent) militants were killed when the bombs they were manufacturing exploded in Goalpara district of Assam today. The three militants forcibly took shelter in a villager's house at Mungreng along the Assam-Meghalaya border to make bombs which were to be used to cause disturbance during Independence day, police said. Two of the those killed were identified as Kandeswar Rabha and Babul Rabha of Paresh Baruah's ULFA(I) faction, they said.

Sonia's reaction to my book shows it has touched a raw nerve: Natwar
Natwar Singh, former Congress leader, today said that the strong reaction from Sonia Gandhi to his new book, proves that it has touched a "raw nerve" and something has "upset" her so much that she came out. He also claimed in an interview to NDTV that "50 Congressmen" called him to congratulate him for "telling the truth" in his new book.

One-day team selection for England series on Aug 7
The Indian squad for the five-match ODI series against England, scheduled after the conclusion of the ongoing five-Test rubber, would be picked here on August 7 by the national selection panel headed by Sandeep Patil. "The selection committee meeting (to pick team for ODIs as well as the lone T20 game) will be held on August 7 at 2pm," BCCI sources informed PTI today.

Curfew relaxed for eight hours in Saharanpur
With the situation gradually returning to normal, curfew was today relaxed in the violence-hit district for eight hours. The curfew has been relaxed from 10 AM to 6 PM, District Magistrate Sandhya Tiwari said. All government offices were functioning and a large crowd was seen in markets. A large number of commuters were also seen at the bus stands and railway station. However, the district administration is yet to give permission to educational institutions to reopen.

Prez congrats Commonwealth Games medals winners
President Pranab Mukherjee today congratulated Indian sportspersons for winning medals in the ongoing Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Mukherjee has congratulated Lalita (wrestling), Bijneesh Bajrang (wrestling), Sakshi Malik (wrestling), Satyavrat Kadian (wrestling), Santoshi Matsa (weightlifting), Navjot Kaur (freestyle wrestling) and Swati Singh (weightlifting) for winning medals at the XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, a release issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan said.

Govt to rationalise subsidies: Jaitley
Government will rationalise subsidies to ensure that only those entitled are benefited and the subsidy bill will be one of the major tasks before the Expenditure Management Commission it intends to set up in the coming days. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley informed Lok Sabha today that government "shall" rationalise subsidies to ensure that only the vulnerable sections get its benefits and not those who are ineligible.

Rajya Sabha adjourned twice during Question Hour on UPSC row
Opposition today created ruckus in Rajya Sabha over the issue of regional language aspirants having disadvantage in Civil Services examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) leading to two adjournments during Question Hour. Immediately after obituary reference to Pune landslide victims, opposition members including those from Congress, SP and JD-U were on their feet raising the issue of UPSC examination pattern.

50 more killed as Israel shells Gaza, death toll hits 1,283
At least 50 Palestinians were killed today, including 20 at a UN school, in relentless Israeli bombardment in Gaza, a day after one of the bloodiest days in the fighting between Israel and Hamas, taking the death toll to 1,283. Israeli military shelled the UN school based in Gaza's Jebaliya refugee camp early today. At least 20 people killed in the attack, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.

School head gets life term in Kumbakonam tragedy, 10 convicted
A decade after the worst ever school fire tragedy claimed the lives of 94 children in Kumbakonam, the school's founder was today sentenced to life imprisonment while eight of the nine others convicted were awarded five years in jail by a local court.

add add Union Ministers start visiting BJP office everyday
As part of its efforts to improve coordination between the party and the government, Union ministers started visiting the BJP headquarters from today with heavy Industries Minister P Radha Krishnan hearing grievances and suggestions from partymen and sought their feedback.He was accompanied by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaih Naidu and party general secretary J P Nadda.

Rahul stopped Sonia from becoming PM in 2004, claims Natwar
Sonia Gandhi declined to become Prime Minister in 2004 because of strong opposition from her son Rahul Gandhi who was afraid she would be killed like his father and grand mother if she accepted the post, former External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh claimed today.

Govt to amend Juvenile Justice Act
The NDA government today moved closer to amending an act which will empower the Juvenile Justice Board to decide on whether a juvenile in the age group of 16-18 years involved in heinous crimes such as rape is to be sent to an observation home or tried in a regular court.

Former Odisha DGP appointed Spl Secy in MHA
Former Odisha DGP Prakash Mishra was today appointed new Special Secretary (Internal Security) in Union Home Ministry, a key post that was vacant for the last ten months. The 1977-batch Indian Police Service officer was till recently officiating as the Odisha top cop before he was shifted to a similar position with a different charge in the state.

add add Cong slams Natwar's remarks as 'politically motivated'
Congress tonight slammed as "politically motivated" the claim of former External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh that it was not Sonia Gandhi's "inner voice" that prevented her from becoming Prime Minister but the strong opposition from Rahul Gandhi. "Natwar Singh had an unceremonious exit from the UPA Govt after the Volcker Committee Report on the Oil for Food scandal in 2005. He was later suspended from the Congress Party.

Boy dies after falling into boiling sugar syrup pot
A three-year-old boy, who fell into a huge pot containing boiling sugar syrup after being hit by a speeding e-rickshaw in Trilokpuri area of east Delhi yesterday, has succumbed to his injuries. The incident took place yesterday evening when Pinky, carrying her three-year-old son Dev in her arms, was standing outside a sweet shop, a senior police officer said.

P K Grover is new Lok Sabha Secretary General
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has appointed P K Grover, Secretary to officiate as Secretary General, Lok Sabha with effect from July 31, 2014, till the date of his superannuation. Grover retires on August 31, 2014 and his appointment thereafter as Secretary General will be on contract basis up to October 31, 2014 or until further orders, whichever is earlier, according to an order issued here today.

UAVs, NDRF teams deployed for search and rescue ops in Pune
Two Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and nearly 400 personnel of the NDRF have been deployed to help rescue nearly 170 people who are trapped following a landslide in Pune.The two UAVs have been directed to fly over Ambegaon in Pune to help the on-going rescue operations, a spokesperson of the National Disaster Response Force said here.

Kerry presses India on global trade deal as deadline looms
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who arrived in India on Wednesday for an official visit, has pressed New Delhi to drop its opposition to global trade reforms, saying it was a test of the country's commitment to advance economic liberalisation. Kerry made the call in a newspaper article, penned along with U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, published hours ahead of his arrival for talks aimed at revitalising ties that have been mired in disputes over trade, intellectual...

Swiss national held for suspected Maoist link
A 24-year-old Swiss national has been arrested after he allegedly attended a function organised in memory of a Maoist activist at Valapad. Police said Jonathan Bold, who arrived in Kerala on a tourist visa, attended a meeting organised in memory of Sinoj, a Maoist activist from Kerala who was killed while making country bombs in Andhra-Karnataka border last month. The meeting was organised by a group having Maoists and Naxalite sympathies. Sinoj belonged to Valapad in...

Madani's trial should not be extended indefinitely: CM
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Monday said that the trial of PDP leader Abdul Nasser Madani, who has been lodged in Bangalore jail in connection with the 2008 Bangalore blasts case, should not be extended indefinitely. He also said that the state is ready to consider any medical assistance if Madani demands it. Presently, he is being provided with better medical facilities, the chief minister added. Oommen Chandy on Monday met Madani, who is out of prison on bail for treatment of...

490 litres spirit being smuggled to Kerala seized
The Prohibition Enforcement Wing have seized 490 litres of Rectified Spirit (RS), being smuggled in a car and arrested a person in this connection. On a tip off that RS was being transported, PEW sleuths carried out vehicle check near Pollachi late last night, during which a car went without stopping, pew sources said today. The officials chased the car and stopped at a few km and nabbed the driver, near Sangampalayam. As the sleuths nabbed the driver, Deepu, others in the car...

Divorce: Manju Warrier writes open letter on FB
Manju Warrier comes to the fore with her maiden response regarding her marital separation with Dileep. Manju posted a letter written in her own hand on her official Facebook page. The letter that is three pages long and which was posted this morning started receiving good responses within minutes. Movie goers’ requests to her include not to separate from Dileep and to reconsider her decision. Manju starts her note by stating, 'I am someone who values privacy in personal life as...

ICC bans Moeen from wearing 'Save Gaza' wristbands
England batsman Moeen Ali has been banned from wearing wristbands featuring the slogans 'Save Gaza' and 'Free Palestine', the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Tuesday. Moeen, who is Muslim and of Pakistani descent, helped raise funds for charities working with those affected by the three-week conflict with Israel. He wore the wristbands on Monday's second day of the third test against India at Southampton. Moeen, 27, risked disciplinary action...

Modi greets people on the occasion of Eid
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday greeted people on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr and hoped that the festival strengthens the bond of peace, unity and brotherhood in the country. “Greetings on Eid-ul-Fitr. May this auspicious day strengthen the bond of peace, unity & brotherhood across our nation,” the Prime Minister said in his message. The Prime Minister greeted Vice President Hamid Ansari, Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptulla and Congress...