Congress today termed the hike in petrol and diesel prices as a "gift" by the Narendra Modi government to the people on its first anniversary and demanded that it withdraw the four-time increase in excise and customs duties to provide relief to the common man.

The reconstruction of the quake-ravaged Nepal would cost over Rs 500 billion, the Finance Minister said today, as he sought long-term support for bringing the country back on track. 

Islamic State fighters took control of Ramadi, capital of Iraq's largest province Friday, police in the city said, in what appeared to be a significant blow to a US-backed military campaign to retake Iraqi territory from the extremist Sunni group.

The death toll following the devastating earthquake that hit Nepal last month has reached 8,460 with more fatalities occurring after Tuesday's powerful aftershock, the government said today. 

In a jolt to consumers, the government has hiked the prices of petrol and diesel with effect from midnight tonight. The price of petrol was hiked by Rs 3.13 a litre, while diesel goes up by Rs 2.71per litre.


On April 30, after two rounds of cuts, petrol prices were raised by Rs 3.96 per litre and diesel by Rs 2.37 a litre, tracking global cues.


Petrol prices had been cumulatively cut by Rs 17.11 a litre in 10 reductions between August and February and diesel by Rs 12.96 a litre in 6 reductions between October and February. The rates were increased by 0.82 a litre in petrol and Rs 0.61 per litre in diesel on February 16, and by Rs 3.18 per litre in petrol and Rs 3.09 a litre in diesel on March 1.

After these, rates had been cut twice.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor reacts to reports of a polygraph test on three of the key witnesses. Tharoor said he would "cooperate 100 per cent with the probe and will say all after the probe is over."


Investigators probing Sunanda Pushkar death case have sought lie detector test of three key witnesses to verify certain evidence, Delhi Police chief B S Bassi today said, even as there is indication that around a dozen witnesses may be asked to undergo the examination.


The Delhi Police has approached a city court for permission to carry out polygraph test on Narain Singh, who is domestic help of Sunanda's husband and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, driver Bajrangi and family friend Sanjay Dewan.


Asked whether investigators were planning to subject Tharoor to polygraph test, Bassi said he would not like to "speculate".


Sunanda was found dead in the hotel suite on January 17 last year, a day after she was involved in a spat with Pakistani journalist Mehr Tarar on Twitter over the latter's alleged affair with Tharoor. Bassi said investigators are waiting a report from Federal Bureau of Investigation to know about the kind of poison found in Sunanda's body.


Pic: Shashi and Sunanda Tharoor on their wedding day in August 2010.

Islamic State fighters use six suicide car bombs to reach center of Ramadi, Iraq in overnight attack.

You might have seen numerous videos and parodies on Salman Khan's hit and run case and the verdict that followed it recently, but this one stands out. Not only the script is extremely funny, this video will remind you a lot of All India Backchod's videos which are highly popular over the internet. Watch

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is in China along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today said the state will welcome Chinese expertise and investment.


"Our country is rapidly urbanising, so our PM has unveiled his vision of making smart cities. India's most urbanised state, Maharashtra has much to contribute to it and thus would welcome Chinese expertise and investment in this sector," Fadnavis said.


The Chief Minister, who spoke about strengthening ties between Maharashtra and Chinese provinces at the 'Forum of Leaders of Regions of India and China', in a series of tweets, thanked Premier Li and Modi "for making province to province connect a reality," adding "he looks forward to stronger partnerships."


Pic: @Dev_Fadnavis tweets this picture: Group photograph with our PM @narendramodi ji,Premier Li Keqiang, CM Anandiben Patel at the Great Hall of People, Beijing

And in Beijing, PM Narendra Modi leaves for Shanghai. Showtime's over, folks.

The bodies of the four Indians killed in a Taliban attack on a guesthouse in Kabul comes back to India. The four were among 14 people killed on May 14 with a top Afghan official saying the Indian Ambassador could have been the target of the militants who stormed the complex popular among expats.

A close reading of the joint statement between India and China suggests that cautious, slow and steady diplomacy continues to remain in vogue between the two countries. Modi's arrival has changed the optics of the visit. There is a different demonstration of the confidence level in the Indian leadership, but not much has changed beyond that, reports Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com. Read

The biggie missing is the PM's selfie with 'good friend, Barack'.

Modi's selfie collection also includes this pic with Australia PM Tony Abott, when he visited the country in November. He posted the selfie with the message: "With my friend Tony Abbott at the MCG."

Modi adds to his collection of selfies with world leaders. Narendra Modi posts this with the message: It's selfie time! Thanks Premier Li.

Modi and Li inside the Temple of Heaven. It's also called the Altar of Heaven and is a complex of religious buildings situated in the southeastern part of central Beijing. The complex was visited by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest. 

PM Modi and Chinese premier Li Keqiang pose for pictures with the participants of the Taichi-Yoga performance. Modi taking selfies with the kids as well. It may be recalled that the selfie that got Modi in trouble was the one he clicked after casting his vote during the Lok Sabha polls holding a paper cutout of the BJP's lotus symbol. The EC forbids the display of party symbols on polling day. The Congress had filed a complaint with the EC, but it was rejected.


Modi then takes a selfie with premier Li and then thereafter poses with him and Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel with the backdrop of the Temple of Heaven.

PM Narendra Modi arrives at the Temple of Heaven for the Yoga Taichi fusion performance. 400 perform in unison to Chinese music. Of the 400, there are 200 performers from the Yogi Yoga centre started by Mohan Bhandari in 2003 in Beijing. 


Speaking at the event, the PM said, "I congratulate Premier Li Keqiang for the conceptualization of this event. I also congratulate him for the choice of the venue as this is the Temple of Heaven. Agar swarg prapt karna ho to mann, budhhi, shareer teeno ka santulan chahiye.


"It's wonderful to see Indian students doing Taichi and Chinese students doing yoga. The holistic health care that world needs can be fulfilled by yoga," he said.

Modi: I congratulate Premier Li Keqiang for the conceptualization of this event.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today in his address to students at Tsinghua University announced that Chinese tourists will be granted e-visas -- something that was not mentioned in the joint statement between India and China released earlier in the day.


But, says Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com,  according to an MEA source, "There is no goof-up over the e-visa issue with China. India has taken the decision. The decision to grant e-visa to Chinese tourists is not a consequence of (high-level) talks."


What the MEA source tried to suggest is that Prime Minister Modi's announcement of granting e-visa to the Chinese is final.


And, Chinese tourists and businessmen have reason to rejoice because when the visa regime is relaxed it adds to the level of mutual trust, increases people-to-people contacts and also brings business on both sides.

The Haryana government has constituted a commission to probe the land deals of Robert Vadra during the previous Congress rule in the state.


Former Delhi High Court judge Justice (retired) Dhingra, has been appointed as chairman of the newly formed commission, which will probe issues concerning the granting of licences for developing commercial colonies by the Department of Town and Country Planning, the subsequent transfer or disposal of lands and change of land use by favouring few companies.

PM Modi's full address at the Tsinghua University Beijing. Read  

Modi's apparent reference to Pakistan, when he says, India and China face terrorism for which the source is in the same region.

China has called Pakistan it's true friend and last month, announced a $58 billion package for it. 

Just in: SC gives a 1-year extension to complete Tarun Tejpal's sexual harassment trial in Goa.

PM Modi announces e-visas for Chinese tourists after Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar denies it. 

Key points of Modi's address to the students... 


-- We have taken big steps  to reform our policies and open up to FDI.

-- We are building a tax regime that is stable and competitive.

-- You will feel a change in India, you can notice our growth rate.

-- In many ways our two countries reflect similar challenges and opportunities.

-- We have launched major schemes on financial inclusion of all.

-- China's success over the past three decades changed the character of the global economy.

-- India is now at the next frontier of the economic revolution.

-- You will feel a change in India, you can notice our growth rate.

-- In many ways our two countries reflect similar challenges and opportunities.

-- We must address issues that lead to doubt even distress in our relation.

-- The spreading extremism and terrorism is a threat we both face, for both the source is the same region.

-- The prospects of the 21st cent becoming an Asian century will depend in large measure on what India, China achieve individually and what we do together.

-- We must try to settle the boundary question quickly.

-- The solution we choose should do more than settle the boundary question.   

PM speaks in Mandarin, which MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup, translates as: "If you think ahead a year, plant a seed; if you want to think ahead for 10 years, plant trees; if you want to think ahead for 100 years, teach the people."

Modi talks about the connection between India and China saying the Indian weavers learnt to weave Tanchoi from China.

He said, "After dark passages of history, India and China stand on verge of vast dynamic change in world."

In Beijing, PM Narendra Modi addresses students at Tsinghua University. Applause as he begins his speech in Mandarin.


"You are a world class institution. The wealth that increases by giving, is supreme of all possessions. One example of how our two nations are united in its wisdom," he says.

He goes on to talk about Hieun Tsang and the India-China bonds that goes back to millennia.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Beijing on Thursday night, for the second leg of his three-day China tour. After delegation level talks with his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang on issues of mutual interests including the boundary issue and the trade imbalance, both countries signed a record 24 bilateral agreements worth $10 billion.

So, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi began his padyatra in the Adilabad district of Telangana this morning, to console families of farmers who committed suicide.


The 44-year-old leader,  who arrived in Telangana last night after landing at Nanded in neighbouring Maharashtra, launched his walkathon on Friday morning from Koratikal village.

He met the family members of Velma Rajeshwar, who allegedly committed suicide due to a debt burden of nearly Rs 12 lakh, and consoled them.


As the family members spoke in Telugu, Uttam Kumar Reddy, president of Congress party's Telangana unit, helped Rahul in understanding the problems faced by them.

Congress leader Ajit Jogi, who was the former and the first chief minister of Chhattisgarh reacts to the notice on a district magistrate for wearing sunglasses in Modi's presence.

"They are good officers and new. They should be given another chance. A person's work matters more than what they more. The officers were on field duty maybe that's why they were dressed casually," Jogi said.

Three charred bodies found in US helicopter crash in Nepal, no chance of any survivors, says Nepali defence secretary. The Nepal army said wreckage of the missing US military chopper had been found this morning.


No details have emerged as yet of the location or state of the Marine helicopter, which went missing at 10 pm local time on Tuesday in the mountains of Nepal.

Six Marines and two Nepalese army soldiers were believed to be aboard the aircraft. However, three bodies were found.

Goa MLA Subhash Phaldesai's car mows down biker, one dead and one injured (being given medical help).

An IAS officer in Chhattisgarh has been issued a notice for wearing dark glasses while meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh, on May 9. The state's BJP government said that the district magistrate of Bastar, Amit Kataria, violated IAS rules.


CM Raman Singh said the notice had been given to make him aware of the protocol of receiving the PM.


The notice to the Bastar DM says, "You wore sunglasses when you received PM. It is unbecoming of an officer. You did not wear customary dress, instead had sunglasses. Violates All India Service (Conduct) rules. You are warned never to do anything that is not in accordance with the dignity of All India Services.


The DM had even posted the picture of his handshake with the Prime Minister on his Facebook page. 

Last fortnight, top editors in Delhi were invited to two dinners at finance minister Arun Jaitley's residence. The guest of honour at both the dinners was the PM.


Narendra Modi was relaxed on  both occasions and replied to innumerable questions from the media ranging from foreign policy to the Land Bill.


The media came away from the dinner with the feeling that Modi was in total control of the situation at home. Land reforms, GST, China visit, Ghar vapasi, RSS, and other issues were the highlights of the meetings -- all of which was of course, kept off record.


Months after the BJP won and Modi became PM, he has been at pains to to keep the media at bay. Not a single private media organisation is invited to cover the PM's foreign visits and nor does he grant interviews to the Indian media. Time magazine, yes, not Indian media.


Now, that a year has gone by and its time for stock taking by the media, there may be signs of a thaw in the chilly relationship.

And in India, the buzz in the corridors of power in Dilli is whether PM Modi will attend J Jayalalitha's swearing-in ceremony as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu on May 22. In 2011, Modi attended Jaya's swearing-in in Chennai, but Jaya did not return the courtesy and skipped Modi's swearing-in ceremony as PM in New Delhi last year.


To keep the political pot boiling with speculation, the BJP has floated a theory  that Modi will in fact attend the swearing in and utilise the occasion to strengthen the party ties with the AIADMK. The BJP needs to get 11 votes in the Rajya Sabha to pass crucial bills and also to ensure AIADMK does not cozy up with the Congress.

In China, they do things, 70 mm. That's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Great Hall of People, where he was accorded an official ceremonial reception after which he held one-on-one talks with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his first visit to China, today announced here that the second route for the Kailash-Manasarovar Yatra will become operational next month, allowing more Indians to undertake the pilgrimage.


"The Nathu La route for Indian pilgrims to visit Kailash Mansarovar will become operational in June. I want to thank China for that," the Prime Minister said in his address in Beijing after 24 agreements were signed between India and China.


The second route through the Himalayan pass of Nathu La, 4,000 metres above sea level, will allow more Indians to undertake the pilgrimage, in addition to the existing Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand.


The only route - Lipulekh Pass - was badly damaged in the floods in Uttarakhand in 2013. The route through Nathu La Pass will facilitate comfortable travel for Indian pilgrims by buses, especially for elderly Indian citizens, though conditions in the Himalayan region with less oxygen levels still pose a challenge.

The Mississippi native's reign as "king of the blues' lasted more than six decades and straddled two centuries, influencing a generation of rock and blues musicians, from Eric Clapton (pictured) and Stevie Ray Vaughan, to Sheryl Crow and John Mayer.


His life was the subject of the documentary "B.B. King: The Life of Riley,' and the inspiration for the The B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center, which opened in 2008.


King's enduring legacy came from his refusal to slow down even after cementing his status as an American music icon. Even with a long list of honors to his name -- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, Presidential Medal of Freedom -- he maintained a relentless touring schedule well into his 80s.

Blues legend Riley B King, the legendary guitarist known as BB King has died in Las Vegas at age 89, his lawyer says. The Associated Press reports that King died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Las Vegas. The one-time farmhand brought new fans to the blues and influenced a generation of musicians with his heartfelt vocals and soaring guitar on songs such as 'The Thrill Is Gone.'

AFP reports that Nepal army says wreckage of missing US military chopper found. No details have emerged as yet of the location or state of the Marine helicopter, which went missing at 10 pm local time on Tuesday in the mountains of Nepal. Six Marines and two Nepalese army soldiers were believed to be aboard the aircraft. Their status is not yet known.


A new 7.3-magnitude earthquake and seven powerful aftershocks struck Nepal on Tuesday killing at least 50 people and triggering panic in the Himalayan nation already devastated by a monster temblor less than three weeks ago that had claimed over 8,000 lives.


Yesterday, five aftershocks jolted Nepal, triggering panic among the people as the death toll in the powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake that struck the Himalayan nation two days ago climbed to over 110.

"Yes, issue of terrorism was discussed," S Jaishankar on being asked if India specifically raised the issue of terrorism emanating from Pakistani soil.

"If we and the Chinese are discussing terrorism, most issues have a context and real life sense to it. PM's own statement reflected the fact we felt early LAC clarification would help to strengthen peace and tranquility across border and take the border settlement issue forward; their view not fully in accordance with ours which is why matters are where they are."

India's Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar addresses a presser on Day 2 of PM Modi's China visit.  Key points.


-- India and China will set up task force to look into trade imbalance and other economic issues.


-- There was an agreement that we should expand number of border personnel meeting points.


-- This is the re-emergence of India and China.


-- Fair amount of discussion on borders.


-- No decision on E-visa for Chinese


-- Hotline between military HQ of India and China.


-- No timeline on border talks, the problem is too complex and too serious to contemplate putting a deadline


-- Nathula Route to be opened up speedily.


-- There was fair amount of discussion on strengthening peace and tranquility on border.


-- There was initiative that we should focus Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) in military to military contact.


-- India, China decide to have more Border Personnel Meeting Points as part of efforts to maintain peace and tranquility on the boundary.


-- We have issues and we must address them, but doesn't make us ignore the possibilities we have.


-- PM Modi said, when it comes to our relation (Indo-China), there was no question of going back,standing still was also not an option.


-- Approach was of two major powers in the region and world dealing with each other, in discussions that took place today.


-- India - China have a constructive model of relationship. 

The list of agreements signed between India and China.

1 Protocol for establishment of consulates in Chengdu and Chennai.

2 Cooperation in vocational education and skill development and setting up of Mahatma Gandhi institute on skill development in India

3 Consultative mechanism on cooperation in trade negotiations

4 Cooperation between Foreign Ministry and and Central Committee of Communist Party of China (CCCPC)

5 Action plan between national railway administration of China and Indian Railways

5 Memorandum of Understanding on education exchange programme

6 Cooperation in the fields of mining and minerals

7 Space cooperation outline

8 Broadcasting agreement between CCTV and Doordarshan

9 Agreement for cooperation in the field of tourism

10 Memorandum of Understanding on establishing India-China think tanks forum

11 Memorandum of Understanding between NITI Aayog and Development Research Centre

12 Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in earthquake science and engineering

13 Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in ocean sciences, climate change and cryosphere

14 Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in geo sciences

15 Memorandum of Understanding on establishment states/provincial leaders' forum

16 Cooperation between states and municipalities

17 Agreement on the establishment of sister states Sichuan and Karnataka


18 Agreement on the establishment of sister cities between Hyderabad and Gingdao

19 Agreement on the establishment of sister cities Aurangabad and Dunhuang

20 Memorandum of Understanding between ICCR and Fudan University for establishment of centre for Gandhian studies

21 Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of Yoga college in Kumning

22 Agreement on the establishment of sister cities between Chennai and Chongqing

23 Safety regulations on importing Indian rapeseed meal

24 Establishment of India-China state leaders forum


Ambitious plans ahead between China and India, but point to note is that China's President Xi Jinping and Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif signed a $58 billion investment plan in April which would see China and Pakistan jointly fund the creation of road, rail and pipeline links connecting China to the Arabian Sea.

PM Narendra Modi's media statement

Excellency, Li Keqiang,

Members of the Press,

Ladies and Gentlemen,


Let me start by expressing my deep gratitude to President Xi, Premier Li and the people of China for the exceptional welcome and hospitality.


I am very grateful to President Xi for his special gesture of hosting me in Xian; and, for showing me the city's extraordinary heritage. It is a treasure of the world.


Xian is also a symbol of our ancient spiritual and cultural links. I have a personal connection with Xian through Monk Xuan Zang.


He visited my hometown 1400 years ago.I am pleased to visit China in the first year of my Government. This is one of our most important strategic partnerships.The reason is obvious. The re-emergence of India and China and their relationship will have a profound impact on the two countries and the course of this century.


Our relationship has been complex in recent decades.


But, we have a historic responsibility to turn this relationship into a source of strength for each other and a force of good for the world.


We are committed to set a new direction between the two largest Asian countries.


I believe that my discussions with President Xi and Premier Li have advanced our relationship in that direction.Our conversations were candid, constructive and friendly. We covered all issues, including those that trouble smooth development of our relations.


I stressed the need for China to reconsider its approach on some of the issues that hold us back from realizing full potential of our partnership. I suggested that China should take a strategic and long term view of our relations. I found the Chinese leadership responsive.


On the boundary question, we agreed that we continue to explore a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable resolution. We both reiterated our strong commitment to make all efforts to maintain peace and tranquility in the border region.


I found sensitivity to our concerns on this issue; and, interest in further intensifying confidence building measures. I also reiterated the importance of clarification of Line of Actual Control in this regard.


I sought tangible progress on issues relating to visa policy and trans-border rivers. I also discussed some of our regional concerns.We agreed that as we move ahead, we should be sensitive to each other's interests; strengthen mutual trust and confidence; continue to manage our difference with maturity; and, seek solutions to outstanding issues.


Our decision to enhance strategic communication and coordination on our region is especially significant.


Bilateral cooperation was a very important part of our discussion. We have set a high level of ambition for our economic partnership. We see enormous bilateral opportunities and many similar challenges, like urbanization.We are pleased with the progress on the commitments from the Summit last September.


This includes cooperation in the Railways, where we have identified specific projects, and the two Chinese industrial parks in Gujarat and Maharashtra. I am pleased that the two chief ministers are here with me.


Both leaders were very supportive about increased Chinese participation in our Make in India mission and infrastructure sector. In Shanghai tomorrow, we will see over twenty ventures in the private sector take concrete shape.


President Xi and Premier Li were very receptive to the specific concerns I had raised on our growing trade deficit. We look forward to early impact on the ground.


An area of high priority for us is people-to-people contacts. Indians and Chinese don't know each other well, much less understand each other.


We have decided to take the relationship out of the narrow confines of governments in the national capitals to states, cities and our people.


For the first time, India has launched a State and Provincial Leaders' Forum with any country. This is consistent with my firm commitment to cooperative federalism in India.


This is the Year of India in China; the next one will be the Year of China in India. This will expand tourism between our two countries.


We are establishing a Centre for Gandhian and Indian Studies in Shanghai, a Yoga College in Kunming and a bilateral Think-Tanks Forum.


The Nathu La route for Indian pilgrims to visit Kailash Mansarovar will become operational in June. I want to thank China for that.Our decision to open a consulates in Chengdu and Chennai reflects growing mutual confidence and shared commitment to expand our relationship.


These steps will help make our relationship more broad-based and people-centric.


Finally, we have many common global and regional interests. For example, we have a shared interest in the outcome of the international climate change negotiations. We are both trying to strengthen regional connectivity.


Terrorism is a shared threat. Instability in West Asia matters to both of us. Peace and progress in Afghanistan benefits us both. I am confident that our international partnership will deepen.


Today, we have signed over 20 agreements, covering diverse areas of cooperation. This shows the depth and maturity of our relationship and the positive direction of our partnership.


This has been a very productive and positive visit.I look forward to working with President Xi and Premier Li.


I have welcomed President Xi's proposal to hold regular summits to realize our vision for the relationship. I have also invited Premier Li to visit India at an early date.I look forward to Shanghai tomorrow.

Thank you.

The bodies of four Indians, who were killed in the overnight Taliban attack at a guest house here on Wednesday will be flown home by a special aircraft on Friday. According to reports, the special flight from Delhi will land at around 11 am. The bodies will be flown to Delhi, after which state government resident commissioners will make arrangements to take them to their families. Some family and friends are expected to be present in Delhi. The four Indians killed in attack have been identified as Mathew George, RK Bhatti, Satish Chandra and Martha Farrel, army sources said. Two of those killed were from Kerala, one from Chandigarh and one from Andhra Pradesh.

"We agreed that as we move ahead, we should be sensitive to each other's interests and strengthen mutual trust and confidence," Modi said his statement and he pressed forward for greater ties and a bigger vision. Once again stressing on deepening ties, Modi said, "This has been a very productive and positive visit. I look forward to working with President Xi and Premier Li."

After signing 24 agreements worth $10 billion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a statement after China Premier Li Keiqang. Speaking to the media, Modi said he was glad to be in China in his first year of power. Commenting on their complex ties with China, Modi said, "We have a historic responsibility to turn this relationship into a source of strength for each other and a force of good for the world."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and China Premier Li Keiqang signed 24 deals worth $10 billion dollars. Some of the agreements that were signed was the education exchange programme, setting up of consulates in Chengdu and Chennai. 

"Anything is possible in Pakistan today. And those who are violent and powerful, we know from history, can hurt anyone." Fatima Bhutto, granddaughter of former Pakistan Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto speaks about the violence in Pakistan and the lack of freedoms in her country. 

And back in Beijing, after being accorded a ceremonial welcome, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is now holding delegation level talks with China Premier Li Keiqang . The talks between the two leaders overshot by 50 minutes, foreign ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.

Rahul Gandhi, the Congress vice-president, began his 15-km padyatra from Adilabad district in Telangana to highlight the plight of the farmers. Rahul will meet the families of farmers who have allegedly committed suicide due to agrarian distress in Telangana and will address farmers at Koratikal village at the end of his padyatra.

Looks like the Chinese media has caught Modi fever. Here's a collage of the front pages of Chinese dailies. And no surprise, that Modi rules the first page of almost all the papers. 

The Special Investigation Team probing Sunanda Pushkar's murder is now seeking to carry out a lie detector test on 3 witnesses, including Shashi Tharoor's help and driver. Calling Narain Singh (domestic help), Bajrangi (driver) and Shashi Tharoor's friend Sanjay Dewan "suspects" in the case, police have told a Delhi court that "it has been found that all three are concealing material facts and didn't disclose several issues related to the death of Sunanda Pushkar". 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his second leg of his 3-day tour to China in Beijing today. He was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Great Hall of People and was welcomed by Chinese Premier  Li Keqiang. The two will later discuss several issues, including the boundary issue and the trade imbalance. 

Mumbai's play-off hopes alive after narrow win over KKR