Former Maoist and TRS leader Konapuri Ramulu gunned down

NALGONDA: Unidentified assailants gunned down TRS leader and former Maoist Konapuri Ramulu (40) inside a function hall here on Sunday. The murder took place minutes after TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao left the venue.

Ramulu was coming out of MA Baig function hall on Miryalaguda road after attending the marriage of New Democracy leader Parvatalu's daughter when the assailants, who were hiding in nearby bushes, suddenly pounced on his security guards and threw chilli powder on them.

Egyptian army threatens to shoot violent protesters

CAIRO: Egypt's army threatened on Thursday to shoot those who use violence in a stark warning before what both sides expect will be a bloody street showdown between Islamists and opponents of deposed President Mohamed Mursi.

An army official said the military had set Mursi's Muslim Brotherhood an ultimatum, giving it until Saturday to sign up to a plan for political reconciliation which it has so far spurned.

Hemant Soren stakes claim to form government in Jharkhand

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) legislature party leader Hemant Soren has staked claim to form a new government in the 82-member state assembly.

He met Governor Sayed Ahmed on Tuesday evening to do so. Soren handed over a list of 43 MLAs supporting him to the Governor.

The latest development in this regard comes nine days before the six-month period of President's rule ends in Jharkhand. The state was carved out of Bihar on November 15, 2000.

Egyptian army issues 48-hour ultimatum

Cairo - The Egyptian army has given the country's politicians a 48 hours ultimatum to resolve the current political stalemate, further emboldening opponents of Mohamed Morsi, the embattled president, and pushing the most populous Arab nation deeper into uncertainty.

The army statement, delivered on state television on Monday, called on political groups to resolve the situation.

"The armed forces repeat their call for the people's demands to be met and give everyone 48 hours as a last chance,” it said.

Presidential elections: President Zardari will not seek another term

KARACHI: After the poor showing of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in the May 11 parliamentary elections, President Asif Ali Zardari says he will not seek another term in office.

Asif Zardari was elected to the Presidency on September 6, 2008 and his five-year constitutional term expires in September 2013.