New Delhi, May 23 (ANI): Sports Minister Jitendra Singh on Thursday said he has been forced to hang his head in shame due to the Indian Premier League (IPL) spot-fixing scandal, which is becoming bigger and murkier with each passing day, insisting that a deterrent law could have prevented the credibility crisis that cricket is facing right now.

It is very shameful. As a young person, as a sports fan, as the Sports Minister of the country, my head hangs in shame today, Jitendra said.

New Delhi, May 23 (ANI): Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on Thursday sought to calm stock markets in India after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke suggested bond purchases could be scaled back if the U.S. economy improves.

Addressing a news conference here, Chidambaram said fears that the Federal Reserve would start reversing its U.S. monetary stimulus programme were being misunderstood in stock market and investor circles.

New Delhi, May 23 (ANI): Congress Vice-President, Rahul Gandhi met Delhi Congress leaders on Thursday and discussed strategy for the state assembly polls.

He visited the office of the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) office and met senior party functionaries.

Union Law Minister Kapil Sibal, said that Rahul Gandhi aims to strengthen the party.

Amritsar, May 23 (ANI): Italy's Ambassador to India Daniele Mancini has described his recent visit to Amritsar, and particularly to the Golden Temple, as a unique experience, and added that a place of spirituality in India affects people of any religion or belief.

Ambassador Mancini, who was accompanied by his family, visited Harmandir Sahib, popularly known as the Golden Temple, on the invitation of Giani Gurbachan Singh, the Jathedar of the Akal Takht.

Rayagada (Odisha), May 23 (ANI): More than 3000 tribals assembled in Muniguda village of Rayagada district on Wednesday (May 22), to protest against mining in the Niyamgiri hills.

The Supreme Court had recently suggested that there was need to seek the opinion of local tribals before mining as it did not want any damage to be caused to the environment. The mining project has also been opposed by the rights groups.

Badrinath (Uttarakhand), May 23 (ANI): Devotees took holy dip at a natural hot water spring, located near the revered Hindu shrine in Badrinath.

Hundreds of devotees and pilgrims came from different parts of the country, to take holy dip at Tapt Kund, a natural sulphurous spring, in India's northern state of Uttarakhand, on Wednesday (May 22).

Kamlesh Kumar Sharma, a devotee from Madhya Pradesh had come to experience this wonder and take a dip in the holy water spring.

Ahmedabad, May 23 (ANI): Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the first-ever Yoga University in Ahmedabad

The Lakulish Yoga University is claiming to be the first ever such private sector self-financed institution, has a special provision for degree course in Yoga.

The yoga course will be of three years duration, and will include six semesters. People below the age of 35 years are eligible for admission.

Guwahati, May 23 (ANI) A seminar was organised here recently to educate farmers , bamboo craftsmen and forest department officials about the need for marketing bamboo products all over the country.

The seminar educated craftsmen on new marketing techniques with the objective to promote self-employment and expand the outreach.

New Delhi, May 23 (ANI): Shashikant Sharma was today sworn-in as the new Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.

President Pranab Mukherjee administered the oath of office to Sharma at a glittering function held at the Darbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and senior BJP leader L.K.Advani were among those who attended the function.

Mumbai, May 23 (ANI): A 27-year-old woman committed suicide by hanging herself while her horrified husband watched the incident on a webcam.

According to media reports, the incident took place in Mumbai's Ville Parle area, while the couple were chatting over the internet.

The woman was upset and arguing with her husband, whose parents had sent her back refusing to accept their marriage.

New Delhi, May 23 (ANI): The Group of Ministers (GoM) appointed to discuss modalities for ensuring greater independence for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will meet on Thursday in Finance Minister P. Chidambaram's office.

According to a television channel report, the government had set up the GoM after the Supreme Court had pulled it over the lack of functional autonomy to the CBI.

Bangalore, May 23 (ANI): Decades ago, elderly Bangaloreans used to take their morning walk around the Lal Bagh Fort, and at the end of it, visit the Mavalli Tiffin Room, known more popularly as MTR, for their breakfast. On some days, the Tiffin Room used to be full and one had to wait in a queue.

New Delhi, May 23 (ANI): Former Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala, one of the accused in the 2000 teachers' recruitment scam, will be released from jail today after the Delhi High Court granted him interim bail for six weeks to undergo heart surgery.

The 78-year-old Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) chief was asked to furnish a personal bond of Rs 5 lakh along with two sureties of like amount before the trial court as a pre-condition for his release on bail.

New Delhi, May 23 (ANI): Vice President Hamid Ansari will visit Ethiopia to attend the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Organisation of African Unity/African Union (AU) on May 25.

Ansari will address the gathering of top African leaders in the Ethiopian capital on May 25, focusing on the road ahead, especially in the fields of peace-keeping and security.

New Delhi, May 23 (ANI): A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the appointment of new Comptroller and Auditor General and former defence secretary Shashi Kant Sharma.

The opposition has described it as a conflict of interest.

Sharma handled several defence acquisitions and the government has given no reason for appointing him as CAG.

The Supreme Court will now hear the matter in July.

New Delhi, May 23 (ANI): The Planning Commission has approved an annual plan outlay of Rs. 35,500 crore for Madhya Pradesh for the financial year 2013-14.

The plan size was finalized in a meeting between Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan here last evening.

Srinagar, May 23 (ANI): A dreaded Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist was today killed in an encounter with police in old city area of Srinagar.

He was involved in the killing of several civilians in Pattan and Sopore area of north Kashmir.

New Delhi, May 23 (ANI): UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi came down heavily on the main opposition BJP for disrupting Parliament proceedings and preventing crucial legislations from being passed.

At a function to mark the fourth year of UPA II government and the release of the Report to the People here last evening, Gandhi expressed disappointment over the manner Parliament was prevented from functioning and fulfilling its constitutional role and democratic obligations.

Gurgaon, May 23 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today laid the foundation stone of the Indian National Defence University (INDU) at Binola, Gurgaon.

INDU would be a unique autonomous Institution of national importance.

New Delhi, May 23 (ANI): The Planning Commission has approved an annual plan outlay of Rs. 35,500 crore for Madhya Pradesh for the financial year 2013-14.

The plan size was finalized in a meeting between Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan here last evening.

New Delhi, May 23 (ANI): UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi came down heavily on the main opposition BJP for disrupting Parliament proceedings and preventing crucial legislations from being passed.

At a function to mark the fourth year of UPA II government and the release of the Report to the People here last evening, Gandhi expressed disappointment over the manner Parliament was prevented from functioning and fulfilling its constitutional role and democratic obligations.

Gurgaon, May 23 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today laid the foundation stone of the Indian National Defence University (INDU) at Binola, Gurgaon.

INDU would be a unique autonomous Institution of national importance.

Srinagar, May 23 (ANI): A dreaded Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist was today killed in an encounter with police in old city area of Srinagar.

He was involved in the killing of several civilians in Pattan and Sopore area of north Kashmir.

New Delhi, May 23 (ANI): President Pranab Mukherjee will undertake a three-day visit to Himachal Pradesh from today.

Mukherjee will address the Members of Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha on May 24. On the same day, he will inaugurate the Tagore Centre for the Study of Culture and Civilization and deliver the first Rabindranath Tagore Memorial Lecture at Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla.

New Delhi, May 23 (ANI): Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla will pay an official visit to India from May 25 to 27.

On May 27, Parrilla will hold talks with his Indian counterpart Salman Khurshid. Both sides will discuss bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest.

During the visit, Parilla is expected to call on Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari and deliver a lecture at ICWA on Cuba-LAC Relations with India.

Binola (Gurgaon District, Haryana), May 23 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Thursday said India is well positioned to become a net security provider in the South Asian region and beyond.

New Delhi, May 23 (ANI): Congratulating Arunima Sinha for creating history by becoming the first Indian amputee to conquer Mount Everest, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh hoped her deeds will inspire millions of others.

Sinha, a former national level volleyball player, had lost her right leg after being thrown off from a moving train by some hoodlums who were attempting to snatch a chain that was on her neck.

New Delhi, May 22 (ANI): Listing the achievements of the UPA-II government, Prime Minsiter Manmohan Singh said that next year they will report directly to the people to seek a renewed mandate.

Starting on a philosophical note the PM said, UPA government has taken the country forward but we have many more miles to travel.

Manmohan Singh while unveiling UPA's report card began with the achievements of his government on the economic front.

New Delhi, May 22 (ANI): Listing the achievements of the UPA-II government, Prime Minsiter Manmohan Singh said that in the coming year they will report directly to the people to seek a renewed mandate.

Starting on a philosophical note the PM said, UPA government has taken the country forward but we have many more miles to travel.

Singh while unveiling UPA's report card began with the achievements of his government on the economic front.

Guwahati, May 22 (ANI): A bamboo seminar has been educating craftsmen about new marketing techniques with the objective of promoting self employment and expand the outreach.

To educate the farmers, bamboo craftsman and forest department officials, a seminar was organised this week here.

The state government under the federal scheme, 'National Bamboo Mission' sought to promote the potential of the bamboo sector in India, through this seminar.

Darjeeling (West Bengal), May 22 (ANI): Tourists, both domestic and foreign, are making a beeline for Darjeeling, to escape the scorching heat of the plains.

Darjeeling, located in the Lesser Himalayas, with its varied landscape and spectacular beauty, has been a favourite and affordable destination not only for locals, but also for people across the globe.

Tourists seemed to enjoy the cool weather while taking photographs of the hilly terrain.

Jammu/New Delhi, May 22 (ANI): Opposition parties in India trained guns at the ruling Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) on Wednesday over rampant corruption, even as the latter completed the fourth year of its second term in power.

A series of high-profile scandals has eroded trust and stymied policymaking in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's administration in recent months.

Bhopal/Kanpur, May 22 (ANI): Anti-corruption protests in Bhopal and Kanpur marred the UPA-II Government's fourth anniversary celebrations on Wednesday.

A series of high-profile scandals have eroded trust and stymied policymaking in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's administration in recent months.

A string of billion-dollar scandals has sparked widespread public anger against the government.

New Delhi, May 22 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday accused the central government of failing on all counts and called on the latter to self-introspect on its various acts of corruption.

Addressing a news conference here, senior BJP leaders, Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley dissected the second term of the UPA-II government in all sectors, and claimed that it had lost the trust of the people.

Kolkata/New Delhi, May 22 (ANI): The Trinamool Congress Party, which rules in West Bengal, on Wednesday said that the UPA-II Government at the centre is in a state of disarray after completing the fourth year of its second term in power.

TMC leader Sultan Ahmed said in Kolkata that the UPA has been pursuing anti-people policies.

New Delhi, May 22 (ANI): On the occasion of the fourth anniversary of its second stint-in power, the Congress-led UPA-II government is celebrating with a grand party at the Prime Minister's official 7, Race Course Road Residence.

A wide variety of dishes are on offer, including Jodhpuri Bhindi, Aaloo beans Dry, Sabz Nizami Handi, Kadhai Paneer, Langar Wali Daal, Sbz Dum Biryani, Malabar Awail, Drums Stick Sambhar, Kasturi Murg Tikka, Murg Handi Lazeez.

Mumbai/New Delhi/Patna, May 22 (ANI): A senior official of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday placed the onus of catching bookies and others involved in the recent spot-fixing scam on the police.

BCCI vice-president and chairman of the IPL Governing Council Rajiv Shukla, said that it was not BCCI's job to probe who are the bookies and which Bollywood personalities are involved.

Hyderabad, May 22 (ANI): Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday said he was confident that a Third Front would form the next government after the 2014 general elections.

Addressing media persons here, Naidu said that both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were worried about the possibility of a Third Front forming the next government.

Washington, May 22 (ANI): India has sought access from the US to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack convict David Headley and his accomplice Tahawwur Rana, both of undergoing sentence awarded by a Chicago court after being found guilty of terrorism charges.

New Delhi, May 22 (ANI): President Pranab Mukherjee conferred the 47th Jnanpith Award for the year 2011 on Dr. Pratibha Ray at a function at the Balyogi Auditorium here on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion, Mukherjee called upon schools and colleges to encourage the reading of the abundant prose and verse that has been published in India's vernacular languages.

New Delhi, May 22 (ANI): A timber factory located on the outskirts of New Delhi was damaged on Wednesday by the fire.

As many as 23 fire tenders headed to douse the fire.

Fire fighters at the spot said that the situation was under control.

No loss of human life has been reported.

Kolkata, May 22 (ANI): Kolkata recently hosted a meeting on Tuesday to discuss measures that needs to be taken to increase cross border trade with Bangladesh.

Amit Kumar Roy, Commissioner of Customs said that expectations were high as India considered Bangladesh a friendly and compliant neighbour.

Compared to other countries, compared to Pakistan etc, Bangladesh is very friendly and very compliant. They are very good to us. So, the expectation is very high, said Roy.

New Delhi, May 22 (ANI): The Delhi High Court on Wednesday ruled that Bollywood actor Shayan Munshi and another witness in the Jessica Lal murder case will be prosecuted on charges of perjury for turning hostile during their deposition in the case.

Munshi, who had lodged the FIR in the case, had pleaded to the court not to prosecute him saying, He cannot be termed hostile as even the apex court had used part of his deposition in convicting the accused.

New Delhi, May 22 (ANI): The Delhi High Court on Wednesday ruled that Bollywood actor Shayan Munshi and another witness in the Jessica Lal murder case will be prosecuted on charges of perjury for turning hostile during their deposition in the case.

Munshi, who had lodged the FIR in the case, had pleaded to the court not to prosecute him saying, He cannot be termed hostile as even the apex court had used part of his deposition in convicting the accused.

Noida, May 22 (ANI): Amity University added yet another feather to its cap by launching free Physiotherapy OPD at the Amity campus in Noida on Wednesday.

Inaugurating the Physiotherapy OPD , Dr. Ashok K Chauhan- Founder President, Amity Group said that today's life abounds with stress and hectic schedules, which take a toll on a person's physical well being, including wrong postures used while sitting, working, walking and sleeping.

New Delhi, May 22 (ANI): The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA), , completed the fourth year of its second term in power on Wednesday and the government said that it had ushered in several important decisions, while the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rubbished the former's performance.

Panaji, May 22 (ANI): India today successfully test fired the 290-km range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from the Navy's latest guided missile frigate INS Tarkash off the coast of Goa.

The missile performed the high-level 'C' manoeuvre in the pre-determined flight path and successfully hit the target.

Jointly developed by India and Russia, the BrahMos is capable of carrying a conventional warhead of 300 kg.

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir), May 22 (ANI): Kashmir's Nageen Lake has got a new look following the construction of a state of the art Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), and due to a cleanliness drive that has attracted tourists and received applause from locals.

The Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) constructed the STP which has a capacity to treat 5.4 million litres of sewage per day.

New Delhi, May 22 (ANI): Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath on Wednesday suggested it is time to project Rahul Gandhi as the prime ministerial candidate of the Congress Party for the 2014 elections.

I don't think the election is inevitable. The election will take place when it has to take place, at the scheduled time. As things stand now, there is no possibility, Kamal Nath said when asked for responsive to rumours of mid-term polls.

New Delhi, May 22 (ANI): President Pranab Mukherjee will undertake a three-day visit to Himachal Pradesh from May 23 to 25.

Mukherjee will address the Members of Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha on May 24. On the same day, he will inaugurate the Tagore Centre for the Study of Culture and Civilization and deliver the first Rabindranath Tagore Memorial Lecture at Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla.

New Delhi, May 22 (ANI): Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on Wednesday said that making laws in the country is not an easy task, and added that this has become even more difficult due to the legitimization of obstructionism as a parliamentary tactic in the coalition era.

New Delhi, May 22 (ANI): Addressing media persons in New Delhi, visiting Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Wednesday said Kabul has given a wish list to India, but did not specify what the list contains.

Karzai said: We have a wish list that we have put before the Government of India. It is upto the government now to provide us according to their means.

New Delhi, May 22 (ANI): Visiting Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai said on Wednesday that he was happy to see a strong engagement between India and China.

Karzai, who is in India on a three-day visit, said: We are happy to see a strong engagement between China and India.

India and China on Monday enhanced their bilateral ties with the inking of eight significant agreements that cover a range of areas including trade, culture and water resources.

New Delhi, May 22 (ANI): Asserting that Pakistan is an important element in maintaining peace in Afghanistan, visiting President Hamid Karzai said on Wednesday it would be difficult to fight terrorism without Islamabad's cooperation because it has influence over Taliban.

It would be difficult and cumbersome to fight terrorism without Pakistan cooperation because Pakistan has influence over Taliban, Karzai told reporters here.

New Delhi, May 22 (ANI): As the Congress-led UPA ruling coalition completed its ninth anniversary and four years of its second stint in office today and is set to release its report card at its celebration dinner this evening, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has hit out at the government by calling it a complete failure.

Attacking the UPA government over a range of issues, the BJP said the UPA government has failed on all fronts.

Chandigarh, May 22 (ANI): The ruling Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP combine has gained majority in the Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections in Punjab.

The SAD has captured about 90 per cent of the seats in both rural bodies in most of the districts in the region.

In Zila Parishad, ruling alliance has won 269 seats out of total 331 seats for 22 Zila Prishads, while Congress has won 23 seats and other parties has won 5 seats.

New Delhi, May 22 (ANI): The Centre on Wednesday asked the farming community to protect and conserve plant varieties to achieve higher and quality production in the agriculture sector.

Gurgaon, May 22 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will lay the foundation stone for the Indian National Defence University (INDU) tomorrow at Binola, Gurgaon.

INDU would be a unique autonomous Institution of national importance.

New Delhi, May 22 (ANI): In a step towards enhancing transparency, the Central Governmnet has extended the facility of e-filing of RTI applications to ministries of Home Affairs and Agriculture.

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), which acts as nodal ministry for implementation of Right to Information Act, has launched www.rtionline.gov.in to facilitate e-filing of applications and payment of fees.

Mumbai, May 22 (ANI): Almost a week after he surrendered, Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt was shifted out of Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail and sent to Pune's Yerwada prison late last night.

He will spend the next 42 months here to complete his jail term.

Dutt, who has been convicted in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case for illegal possession of weapons, is no stranger to the Pune prison. He has served time twice here.

Mumbai, May 22 (ANI): Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met the relatives of Dr. Dwarkanath Shantaram Kotnis in Mumbai.

New Delhi, May 22 (ANI): India has assured its full support to Afghanistan in the critical period of transition, development and nation-building.

The visiting Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai called on President Pranab Mukherjee at the Rashtrapati Bhawan here last evening.

During the meeting, Mukherjee said India would stand by the Government and the people of Afghanistan in the critical period of transition, development and nation-building.

New Delhi, May 22 (ANI): Agriculture and Food Processing Industries Minister Sharad Pawar will confer awards on four farming communities for their outstanding work in conservation of genetic resources, in a ceremony here today.

These awards, carrying a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh each, have been instituted by the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Right Authority (PPV and FR).

New Delhi, May 22 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will present the report card of UPA-II today in which he is expected to list the schemes such as Direct Benefit Transfer and FDI in retail.

Dr. is also expected to unveil plans related to National Food Security Bill and the Land Acquisition Bill.