National News

Bhopal, May 9 (IANS) Union Minister of State for Communication and Information Technology Jyotiraditya Scindia said here Friday that he was interested in serving the common people irrespective of what position he held.

Bahraich (Uttar Pradesh), May 9 (IANS) A female leopard was caught and caged in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich district Friday after it attacked and injured three people.

Jammu, May 9 (IANS) Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah has challenged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's vision and package for the return of Kashmiri Hindus to their homes in the valley.

Jammu, May 9 (IANS) When this year's Amarnath pilgrimage begins June 18, the pilgrims will have to pass by an artificial Shivlingam before paying obeisance at the natural one.

New Delhi, May 9 (IANS) Senior Congress leader and union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh Friday took an indirect dig at Congress president Sonia Gandhi by saying that the 'yardstick of loyalty in the Congress has become limited these days', while praising Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and even Sanjay Gandhi.

Lucknow, May 9 (IANS) A group of Muslim women offered prayers at a mosque here Friday, defying an edict issued by Islamic seminary Darul-uloom.

Srinagar, May 9 (IANS) Indian Army chief Gen. Deepak Kapoor Friday said that the levels of infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir from across the border were almost unchanged in the past two years.

Ahmedabad, May 9 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi told a gathering of farmers in Junagadh Friday that the four 'Krushi Mahotsavs' organised by the state government were a success.

New Delhi, May 9 (IANS) The weather gods seem to have fell in love with the national capital. For the fourth straight day, the mercury remained below the season's normal, allowing the residents to heave a sigh of relief from the scorching summer sun.

New Delhi, May 9 (IANS) The bumper wheat crop this year has left the government godowns overflowing with 18 million tonnes of staple gain that the central and state agencies have procureed till Thursday, said the ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution Friday.

New Delhi, May 9 (IANS) Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel Friday said the modernisation of Kolkata and Chennai airports has been delayed by a few months, but the government was speeding up the process of short-listing companies for the purpose.

New Delhi, May 9 (IANS) The Aga Khan, spiritual leader of Shia Ismaili Muslims, will arrive here May 12 on a seven-day, four-city visit to India.

Vellore (Tamil Nadu), May 9 (IANS) Over 1,500 workers of a Tamil Nadu Muslim party were arrested Friday for violating orders and attempting to pray at a disused 200-year-old mosque inside a fort here. The party promised to continue its struggle to offer prayers at the mosque as its 'birth right'.

New Delhi, May 9 (IANS) The Supreme Court Friday issued notices to the Bihar government on two petitions challenging its power to appeal against the acquittal of Railways Minister Lalu Prasad by a state trial court in a disproportionate assets case.

New Delhi, May 9 (IANS) The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Friday gave a grant of Rs.15 million to the prestigious Constitution Club here to help renovate the decades-old structure.

Bangalore, May 9 (IANS) Anyone impersonating a genuine voter in the Karnataka assembly election starting Saturday will be jailed for up to one year.

New Delhi, May 9 (IANS) The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will discuss its relations with the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and the party's future course of action at a two-day national convention beginning here Saturday.

Jammu/New Delhi, May 9 (IANS) The Border Security Force Friday lodged a strong protest with the Pakistani Rangers over an infiltration bid Thursday night by more than 12 militants in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba sector and a heavy firing from the Pakistani side.

New Delhi, May 9 (IANS) The Supreme Court Friday dismissed a lawsuit seeking curbs on 'the increasing use of money bags' to win Rajya Sabha elections and the trend of corporate houses 'buying seats' for their candidates in the Upper House.