Himachal literacy rate up 6.3 percent in decade: Census  (Just in)
Shimla, May 26 (IANS) The literacy rate in Himachal Pradesh, with a population of over 68 lakh, has registered an increase of 6.3 percent over a decade, says a Census report.

Hot Sunday morning in Delhi  (10 minutes ago)
New Delhi, May 26 (IANS) It was a hot morning in the capital Sunday with the minimum temperature settling at 29.3 degrees Celsius, two notches above average for this time of year. The weather office has forecast a clear and hot day ahead.

Old museum in Britain displays master drawings  (09:26)
By Bai Xu
Oxford, May 26 (IANS) The Ashmolean Museum, one of the world's oldest public museums, has launched an exhibition of master drawings to mark its founding in 1683.

Turkmen capital enters Guinness World Records  (09:06)
Ashgabat, May 26 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The Turkmen capital of Ashgabat has entered the Guinness World Records for the highest number of white marble buildings in the city.

Missiles not meteorites on US-Russia agenda  (08:38)
Moscow, May 26 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The US plans to collaborate with Russia on missile issues and Afghanistan, but not planetary defence from space threats, a US diplomat said.

Man held in Italy for abusing wife for 20 years  (08:16)
Rome, May 26 (IANS/AKI) A 58-year-old man from Frosinone town near Rome was arrested after his wife reported him to police for more than two decades of domestic violence.

Boston bomber's slain affiliate not an Islamist, says widow  (08:00)
Washington, May 26 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Ibragim Todashev, an affiliate of slain Boston bomber Tamerlan Tsarnaev, who was himself killed by US security personnel, was an aspiring athlete who took no interests in politics or radical Islam, his widow said.

Russian military orders six Be-200 amphibious planes  (07:42)
Moscow, May 26 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The Russian defence ministry has signed a contract with the Beriev Aircraft Company for the purchase of six Beriev Be-200 amphibious planes.

Tajikistan blocks YouTube without official explanation  (07:13)
Dushanbe, May 26 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Tajikistan has blocked YouTube for the third time in less than a year without an official explanation, a representative of the country's internet industry said.

'Married to Jonas' is therapy for Kevin Jonas  (07:13)
Los Angeles, May 26 (IANS) Actor-musician Kevin Jonas says his reality TV show "Married to Jonas" is like therapy for him because it allows him and his co-star wife Danielle Deleasa to review their points of view after a fight.

Russian police apologises for beating activists  (06:13)
St. Petersburg, May 26 (IANS/RIA Novosti) In a rare display of public humility, the head of police in Russia's St. Petersburg city publicly apologised to motorist rights activists after they were allegedly beaten up by policemen.

Chris Rock auctions role for charity  (06:13)
Los Angeles, May 26 (IANS) Actor Chris Rock is auctioning a role in his next movie to raise money for the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation.

Cameron Diaz looking for new man?  (05:17)
Los Angeles, May 26 (IANS) Actress Cameron Diaz is following veteran actress Jane Fonda's advice these days, and brushing up her intellectual abilities to find a Mr.Right for herself.

Eight-year jail term sought for bomb-maker in Indonesia  (05:17)
Jakarta, May 26 (IANS/AKI) Prosecutors in Indonesia have asked a court for an eight-year prison sentence for alleged bomb-maker Muhammad Thoriq.

There's space sex in 'Gravity', jokes Sandra Bullock  (04:12)
Los Angeles, May 26 (IANS) Actress Sandra Bullock has joked how her upcoming thriller film "Gravity" has a lot of "space sex", which is slower than real life.

US Air Force launches telecom satellite  (04:12)
Washington, May 26 (IANS/RIA Novosti) A Delta IV rocket has successfully launched a Wideband Global SATCOM 5 satellite of the US Air Force from Cape Canaveral.

Female suicide bomber attacks police in Russia's Dagestan  (03:14)
Moscow, May 26 (IANS/RIA Novosti) A female suicide bomber in Russia's turbulent region of Dagestan blew herself up, killing one and injuring at least 14 others, including police officers, officials said.

Dozens held at Moscow gay pride rally  (03:14)
Moscow, May 26 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Several dozens of LGBT activists and their "opponents" were detained in the Russian capital Saturday during a string of gay pride events, Moscow police said.

Heather Graham displays yoga skills  (02:14)
Los Angeles, May 26 (IANS) “Hangover Part III” actress Heather Graham showed off her yoga skills at a talk show.

One Direction to donate 200,000 pounds for charity  (02:14)
London, May 26 (IANS) One Direction band members have announced that they will support a charity organisation, Stand Up To Cancer by donating 200,000 pounds from ticket sales of their 2014 stadium tour.

Maoists kill 16 in attack on Congress rally in Chhattisgarh (Lead)  (01:40)
Raipur/New Delhi, May 26 (IANS) An over 100-strong group of Maoists Saturday attacked a Congress party convoy, carrying out a landmine blast and then opening fire, resulting in the death of 16 people, including two senior Congress leaders and injuries to 25 others.

UAE minister ranked 67th among world's 100 powerful women  (01:18)
Abu Dhabi, May 26 (IANS/WAM) Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, the UAE's minister of development and international cooperation, has been ranked 67th among the world's powerful women in 2013 in an annual report by Forbes.

Emirates opens luxury lounge in Paris airport  (01:18)
Paris, May 26 (IANS/WAM) Emirates has inaugurated a refurbished lounge for passengers at the Paris Charles de Gaulle airport.

Maoists attack Congress convoy, two leaders killed; Sonia condemns  (00:34)
Raipur/New Delhi, May 26 (IANS) An over 100-strong group of Maoists Saturday attacked a Congress party convoy, carrying out a landmine blast and then opening fire, resulting in the death of two senior Congress leaders, including Mahendra Karma, and injuries to senior party leader V.C. Shukla.

Lourdes stops Madonna from partying?  (00:18)
New York, May 26 (IANS) Pop star Madonna's 16-year-old daughter Lourdes reportedly stopped her mother from attending a VIP night at Lincoln Center here.