Son of Congress leader Jang Bahadur Singh was today shot dead by unidentified men near Raniganj market in the district, police said. Mahendra Pratap Singh (41) was shot while he was on way to his home in Fatte ka Purwa area in his car late in the evening, said Amethi SP Hira Lal.

Pro-Russia separatists shot down a Ukrainian military transport plane today, killing all 49 crew and troops aboard in a bloody escalation of the conflict in the country's restive east. 

The United States has ordered an aircraft carrier, the USS George H W Bush, into the Gulf in response to the crisis in Iraq, the Pentagon said today.

A fire broke out at the sixth floor of Shastri Bhavan here this evening, damaging some rooms occupied by officials of the I&B Ministry. According to Delhi Fire Service, they received a call about the blaze around 6:40 pm following which seven fire tenders were rushed to the spot. 

Infosys founder N R Narayana Murthy today said it was "too early" to comment on the government headed by Narendra Modi but expressed hope of seeing 'good days'. 

An Iraqi general said Saturday that Baghdad was secure, as hundreds of Iraqis converged on volunteer centers across the capital in response to a call by Iraq's highest Shiite cleric to fight back against a Sunni jihadist group making rapid gains across the north.

Iran is ready to assist the Iraqi government in its battle against extremist Sunni insurgents, President Hassan Rouhani has said.

Israel's defence minister today said he believes the three Jewish seminary students who went missing in the West Bank were kidnapped by Palestinian militants and that the military is determined to rescue the teens. 

He should have been in Rome this week, with his wife and daughter, marveling at the architectural glory of the Colosseum. 

A bomb attack targeting a weapons bazaar in eastern Syria close to the Iraqi border killed 30 "terrorists" today, state television reported. "A big explosion hits a terrorist arms market in Mayadeen, killing 30 terrorists and wounding dozens of others," the television reported.

Britain today said it would provide USD 5 million of emergency humanitarian assistance to help civilians fleeing the jihadists who have overrun a large chunk of northern Iraq. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday warned of "tough decisions" over the next couple of years to improve the country's financial health, which he said may not go down well with some sections, and attacked the way the previous UPA government had handled the economy.

Iran is serious in seeking a comprehensive nuclear deal with world powers despite lingering differences, President Hassan Rouhani said today, insisting negotiations could succeed before a July 20 deadline expires. 

The police have confirmed that the material found in an abandoned car in Varanasi is an explosive. 

With human skeletal remains still being found in Kedar valley, the Uttarakhand government today constituted a special task force to conduct intensive combing operations in the forests adjoining Kedarnath in search of bodies. 

The National Commission for Women has decided to take suo motu cognisance of the allegations of Bollywood actress Preity Zinta against her former boyfriend and businessman Ness Wadia, and will conduct a detailed investigation into the case.

"We will take congisance of Preity Zinta's case and conduct a detailed investigation into the matter on our own," NCW chairperson Mamta Sharma said.

"I have got to know through media reports that Preity used to live together with Ness Wadia till 2009. But it doesn't matter. If Wadia did something wrong as what Zinta is alleging, then we will proceed as per findings of our investigation," Sharma said.

India today advised its nationals in Thailand to take usual precautions for their safety and keep track of developments in the crisis-hit country.

The Indian embassy issued a statement asking Indian citizens in the country to take precautions, a day after the military government here lifted curfew across the nation. Certain provisions of martial law will still continue to be in effect, the statement said.

Taking a potshot at the United Progressive Alliance, PM Narendra Modi told BJP workers in Goa, "The government that has exited has left nothing back for us." 

Addressing Bharatiya Janata Party workers at Bambolim in Goa, PM Narendra Modi said, "Prasing me BJP won't do any good to the country. People may stop liking me due to my decisions. Though decisions need to be taken to improve India's economy."

Modi met party workers after he inducted INS Vikramaditya in the navy off the Goa coast. 

Iran is moving to stop the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant from capturing Baghdad and the provinces immediately to the north of the capital, The Independent reports.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is taking a central role in planning and strategy in Baghdad in the wake of the disintegration of the Iraqi army in the country's north, an Iraqi source has told The Independent.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan today said the Mumbai Metro would be extended till Thane and the final project report would be available with the government in a month's time.

Replying to a discussion on the calling attention notice for the proposed Thane Metro project at the legislative assembly, Chavan said a metro service within Thane city was not economically feasible.

Considering the prospects of development in Thane city and in Ghodbunder road area, he said earlier the government had proposed a metro service in the Thane city- Teen Haat Naka- Kaapurbavdi- Ghodbunder road sector and had hired firm Consulting Engineering Services to prepare a project report including its economical feasibility.

Pakistan government today filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against a high court decision to lift travel ban slapped on former military dictator Pervez Musharraf last year.

Attorney General Salman Aslam Butt filed the appeal against the ruling of the Sindh High Court ordering the government to lift the travel ban on 70-year-old Musharraf.

A two-judge bench of the Sindh High Court comprising Justices Mohammad Ali Mazhar and Shahnawaz had issued a brief ruling on Thursday directing the Nawaz Sharif government to remove Musharraf's name from the Exit Control List. The high court had given 15 days to file an appeal against its decision.

As police probe the molestation charges against Ness Wadia, actress Preity Zinta issued a fresh statement on her Facebook page. "Every human being has a limit of how much he can take. In my 15-year-long career I have never faced such humiliation. This time I was left with no option but to take stern action."

"I trust the police will do their job fairly and quickly. I am sure witnesses will speak the truth."    

Finance Secretary Arvind Mayaramtoday said the forecast of below normal monsoon is not"alarming" as of now but the government is keeping a watch. 

He said the country has strong foodgrains reserves to tackle any shortfall in production due to erratic rains.   

"The Met department prediction shows a little less rain than average. It is not alarming at this point of time but we have to watch. We believe that we have a very strong reserves position," Mayaram told reporters on the sidelines of an even there.   

According to official data, state-run Food Corporation of India held a stock of 41.6 million tonnes of wheat and11.4 million tonnes of paddy till June.

Facing stiff challenge to see JD-U candidates through in the coming by-poll for two Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar, Nitish Kumar today appealed to arch rival Lalu Prasad, the Congress and the Communist Party of India to make common cause to "foil the game plan of the BJP to destabilise the government".   

"I have talked to Lalu Prasad, Congress state chief Ashok Choudhary, its legislature party leader Sadanand Singh and CPI secretary Rajendra Singh seeking their support for the victory of two JD-U candidates in the by-poll to Rajya Sabha in Bihar," Nitish Kumar told reporters.  

The two JD-U nominees -- diplomat-politician Pawan Varmaand Gulam Rasool Balyawi -- are facing stiff challenge from independents -- real estate baron Anil Sharma and Sabir Ali whoare being backed by party rebels and BJP in the June 19 by-poll.   

The party leader and former chief minister said he has appealed to the three secular parties to foil BJP's "design of destabilising the Jitan Ram Manjhi government and thrust an early election in Bihar".  

India-born former Goldman Sachs director Rajat Gupta, who is scheduled to begin his prison term on June 17, hopes to release a book telling his side of the story and visit India once he completes his two-year sentence, according to a media report.

Gupta, 65, lost his final bid to avoid reporting to jail after the US Supreme Court last week denied his application to remain free on bail while his insider trading case is reheard.

While US district judge Jed Rakoff had recommended that Gupta be assigned to a medium-security prison in Otisville, about 70 miles northwest of New York, a report in the New York Times said he has been assigned to the satellite camp at FMC Devens in Ayer, Massachusetts, close to where his one-time friend Raj Rajaratnam is jailed for insider trading.

Sri Lanka-born former hedge fund billionaire Rajaratnam is lodged in FMC Devens' federal medical center. He is a diabetic and FMC Devens' medical unit provides dialysis. His facility is next to the satellite camp where Gupta will be.

Union Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to be elected to Rajya Sabha from Andhra Pradesh in the by-election slated for July 3.   

The ruling Telugu Desam Party has decided to allot the lone seat to its alliance partner Bharatiya Janata Party.   

The by-election was caused due to the death of sitting MP N Janardhana Reddy of the Congress, whose term was originally supposed to end on June 21, 2016.   

Since Sitharaman is currently not a member of Parliament, her name is tipped for the Rajya Sabha seat from AP where the TDP-BJP alliance has a comfortable majority of108 members in the 175-member assembly.

Eight persons were today killed and six others injured when a jeep they were travelling in collided with a truck in Pali area, police said in Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh.

The mishap occurred this morning when their jeep collided with a truck near Thamaria culvert, police said, adding that, victims were returning to Mirzapur district after attending a marriage function.

The Mumbai police are examining the CCTV footage at Mumbai's Wankhede stadium where actress Preity Zinta was allegedly molested by her former boyfriend Ness Wadia after an IPL game.

The police also said that they will question BBCI and IPL officials as eyewitnesses.   

"Why should we import defence equipment? We must be self sufficient. Why can't we send our defence equipment to other nations," said PM Narendra Modi. 

The PM today dedicated INS Vikramaditya to the nation. "This is an important day for our nation," the PM said while addressing naval officers on the warship.

"We need to give immense importance to latest technology. This will help the nation," he said.  

Former Bihar CM Nitish Kumar today spoke to Lalu Prasad seeking support for the Janata Dal-United candidates in the coming Rajya Sabha poll in Bihar.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses navy personnel on board INS Vikramaditya. "INS Vikramaditya is a major force for the navy."

He also announced that a war memorial will be built by the government. "It's a privilege to announce a creation of a war memorial," he said.  

"This government will implement one rank one pension soon," he said.     

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley today began his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir during which he will review the security situation with the state government and senior military officials.   

Accompanied by Army chief General Bikram Singh, Jaitley arrived in Srinagar on his maiden visit since assuming charge as defence minister last month and will be meeting Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.   

"The defence minister accompanied by Chief of the Army Staff General Bikram Singh arrived in Srinagar for a two-day visitof Jammu and Kashmir," a defence spokesman said.

In a statement issued by actress Preity Zinta after she filed a complaint of molestation against former boyfriend and industrialist Ness Wadia, she said, "It's a very difficult time for me and I request the media respects my privacy. My intention is not to hurt anyone but to protect myself."     

The Congress today continued to protest against the water and power crisis in New Delhi. The police fired water cannons at protesters to control the agitators.

Party leaders A S Lovely, Dr Naresh Kumar and Sajjan Kumar, who were leading the protests, have been detained, reports ANI. 

On board INS Vikaramaditya, PM Narendra Modi was watching various manoeuvres and formations. However, the demonstrations of naval vessels has been halted because of heavy rains.

The PM has been taken inside the warship. 

Delhiites woke up to light showers and partly cloudy skies this morning with weatherman predicting some more rain in the next few days.

Minimum temperature was today recorded at 25.5 degree Celsius, which was two notches below normal and maximum is expected to be at around 39 degree Celsius.

According to meteorological official, there would be a partly cloudy sky with light rains and thunderstorms in some parts of the national capital today. The observatory at Safdarjung has recorded 1.3 mm rainfall while Palam Met department recorded 1.6 mm rainfall till 8.30 am today.

Actor Preity Zinta has filed a police complaint against her former boyfriend and businessman Ness Wadia, alleging that he molested, abused and threatened her inside Mumbai's Wankhede stadium during an IPL game.

Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria on Saturday said, "Offence has been registered. We are trying to collect evidence like the statements of those involved and CCTV footage."

Aboard the warship, PM Modi boards fighter jet MiG-29K. He is also briefed to the jet by Indian Navy officers.   

Here is one of the first pictures clicked after Modi arrives on INS Vikramaditya. 
Picture: Courtesy ANI/Twitter.

From the Dabolim navy base, PM takes a navy chopper to INS Vikramaditya. The PM has arrived on the warship, which he will induct in the navy.   

PM Modi given a guard of honour before he embarks on INS Vikramaditya. This is his first outing on a military asset.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Panaji, Goa. He will launch India's largest warship  INS Vikramaditya. He was received at the naval station by Navy chief R K Dhowan at the Dabolim navy base. 

The PM will dedicate the ship to the nation.  

The warship is manned by 1600 personnel.   

Warships, combat aircraft and surveillance planes have been deployed by the navy as it is leaving no stone unturned to provide fool-proof security to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who will be on a visit in Panaji today. He is expected to reach there soon.

Warships have been deployed for securing the INS Hansa naval air base where the prime minister will land before taking a chopper ride to aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya in the Arabian Sea, navy sources said.

Sea traffic coming towards the Goa shore are being kept under a watch by surveillance planes, they said. At INS Vikramaditya, which has no air defence system of its own, the warships of the carrier battle group including Talwar class frigates and Delhi class destroyers will look after securing the largest warship from aerial threat, they said.

Iraq's most senior Shia cleric has issued a call to arms after Sunni-led insurgents seized more towns. The call by a representative of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani came as the militants widened their grip in the north and east, and threatened to march south, towards Baghdad.

 

The UN says hundreds have been killed - with militants carrying out summary executions of civilians in Mosul. President Barack Obama has said the US is reviewing its options over Iraq.

 

Read more on BBC

Emboldened militants, backed by Sunni tribal leaders, pushed toward Baghdad on Friday as Iran sent troops to fight alongside government forces. In Washington, increasingly nervous U.S. officials mulled their limited options to help slow the militants' advance.

 

In recent days, Iran has sent about 500 Revolutionary Guard troops to fight alongside Iraqi government security forces in Diyala province, a senior security official in Baghdad told CNN.

 

Meanwhile, Sunni tribal leaders have lined up behind radical Islamists from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, making their push toward Baghdad easier, a Saudi intelligence official told CNN's Nic Robertson.

Terrorists gain ground in Iraq fighting As Iraq further disintegrated, residents fled Mosul in droves. Militants captured the country's second-largest city this week after soldiers scattered, leaving their uniforms and weapons behind.

 

Read more on CNN

NDTV: Actor and Kings XI Punjab owner Preitzy Zinta files sexual harrasement case reportedly against team co-owner Ness Wadia in Mumbai.

 

The case has been filed at the Marine Lines Police Station in South Mumbai, reports suggest. A case under Section 354 of Indian Penal Code has been registered, report adds.

 

 

Government troops in eastern Ukraine have won back the port city of Mariupol from pro-Russian separatist rebels after heavy fighting. Five pro-Russian rebels were reported killed and four government soldiers injured in the city in Donetsk region.

 

Elsewhere, Ukraine's gas dispute with Russia showed no sign of resolution days before a Russian payment deadline. Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk gave orders to prepare for supplies being cut off from Monday.

 

Read more on BBC

Yashwant to rethink on party's request to come out of jail

Obama rules out sending US troops 'back into combat' in Iraq

Haryana CM unlikely to be removed: Sources

Maha assembly passes bill to ban dance performances in hotels

Incident of rapes less in West Bengal: Mamata

IB report on NGOs comes under attack from activists

Modi visit to Bhutan to display 'special token of friendship'

Army chief Gen Bikram Singh meets his predecessor V K Singh

Maha govt to take call on Maratha quota next week

Goa MLAs World Cup party pooped, to pay for trip

U'khand to get MI-17 cargo chopper for reconstruction work

Bihar man battles for after his fingers are chopped off

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