Morning Wrap: Modi-Xi To Meet Today, India Looking For Big Lead In Pune Test & Other Top Stories

PM Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping To Hold Informal Summit Today At Mahabalipuram

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will sit down in the 7th century Shore Temple complex overlooking the Bay of Bengal in the bustling ancient town of Mamallapuram on Friday in an attempt to reconfigure ties strained by tough talk on the Kashmir issue by both sides. Ahead of the two-day summit, Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Weidong told news agency PTI that a "new set of consensus" including "guiding principles" on giving a new direction to the bilateral ties are expected from engagement. Read more..

‘I Did What I Thought Was Appropriate’: Rajanth Singh On Rafale Puja

Soon after performing 'Shastra Puja' of Rafale fighter jet, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh faced staunch criticism from opposition. Rajnath Singh, who arrived in Delhi from France on Thursday, finally opened up on the opposition’s criticism over performing of ‘Shastra puja’. He said, "People can say whatever they want. I did what I thought was right and I will continue to do so. This is our faith, that there is a superpower and I have believed it since childhood." Read more..

Uttar Pradesh: 7 Killed As Bus Mows Down Sleeping Pilgrims In Bulandshahr

At least seven people were killed when a bus mowed down a group of pilgrims who were sleeping along the roadside in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr. The deceased include four women and three children. The accident took place near Gangaghat in Bulandhahr. Early reports suggest the victims had come from Hathras to take a holy dip in Ganga at Naraura ghat in Bulandshahr via a roadways bus. They were resting along roadside when the accident took place. Another bus drove over the sleeping victims killing seven of them. Read more..

IND vs RSA, 2nd Test Day 2: Kohli, Rahane Aim To Sustain Dominance

When Virat Kohli won the toss and chose to bat in Pune, the Indian team heaved a collective sigh of relief. The MCA pitch was different from Vizag. This pitch had more pace and bounce as compared to Vizag. For Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal, the key was to play out the new ball. They played out 10 overs and the first hour. Rohit fell cheaply, but Agarwal carried on and notched up his second century. Backed by superb fifties from Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli, India ended the first day at 273/3. Read more..

Kadri Gopalnath, Noted Saxophone Exponent, Dies At 69

Noted saxophone exponent Kadri Gopalnath passed away in the early hours of Friday at a private hospital in Mangaluru. The Padmashree awardee was 69 and was ailing for some time. Read more..