PM hopes for a ‘new beginning’
15th LS gets going, 275 MPs take oath
New Delhi, June 1
The first session of the 15th Lok Sabha began on Monday with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hoping it will herald a “new beginning” as around 275 newly elected MPs took the oath in different languages reflecting the linguistic diversity of India. The oath taking ceremony of 543 MPs will continue for two days before the new speaker is elected on Wednesday. President Pratibha Patil will address parliament on Thursday.


Now, Sonia to focus on party matters


Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrives at Parliament. — PTI

2 trains torched in Bihar
Mamata withdraws orders against unscheduled halts
Patna, June 1
The sudden and unilateral decision of the railway authorities to cancel several “Lalu halts” in Bihar evoked a strong reaction today as an agitated mob of locals set aflame two trains at Fatuha and Khusrupur.

SC: Bride burners must get death
New Delhi, June 1
The Supreme Court today observed that “barbaric acts” like men killing their wives by pouring kerosene and setting them ablaze could be checked only by awarding death penalty in such cases.

Attackers will not be spared: Australia
Melbourne, June 1
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd today assured India that perpetrators of the recent attacks on Indian citizens here will be met "with full force of the law" as he condemned the incidents as "senseless" and "deplorable" acts of violence.

Taxi driver fresh victim
18 students detained

French plane crashes into Atlantic with
228 aboard
Paris, June 1
An Air France plane with 228 persons on board is believed to have crashed into the Atlantic Ocean today after hitting heavy turbulence during a flight from Rio de Janeiro to Paris. The airline offered its condolences to the families of the passengers, making clear it did not expect to find survivors.

Taliban take 450 students hostage
In a daring move, the Taliban on Monday hijacked 26 buses carrying about 450 students and teachers of the North Wazristan's Cadet College, Razmak, in the troubled Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) bordering Afghanistan.