Indian Sub-continent

Patna, Jun 2 (PTI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Sunday expanded his cabinet with the induction of eight new faces -- all from his Janata Dal (United).

Members of allies, the BJP and LJP, were left out from the cabinet expansion.

Kumar, after the cabinet expansion, said the BJP was offered a berth in his cabinet, but the saffron party was not too keen.

Bhopal, Jun 2 (PTI) In a major administrative reshuffle, the Congress government in Madhya Pradesh has transferred 33 IAS and 37 IPS officers, including collectors of 15 districts and Superintendent of Police (SP) of as many districts in the state.

As per the order issued post-midnight on Saturday, Bhopal collector Sudam P Khade was transferred as additional secretary in the state secretariat, although nobody was appointed in his place, a state government official said.

New Delhi, Jun 1 (PTI) Home Minister Amit Shah Saturday said country's security and welfare of the people are the key priorities of the Modi government.

Shah, who assumed the charge of the sensitive ministry on Saturday, also said he would try his best to implement all these priorities.

"Country's security and people's welfare are the Modi government's priorities. Under the leadership of Modi, I will try my best to fulfill all these priorities," he tweeted after assuming the charge.

Berhampur (Odisha), Jun 1 (PTI) The police after an exchange of fire, arrested two persons in connection with the killing of a Congress' assembly poll candidate in Ganjam district of Odisha.

Manoj Jena, Congress candidate from the Aska assembly seat, was shot at on May 22, on the eve of the counting day, and he died on May 24. He, however, did not win the seat.

The two accused, both residents of Aska, were arrested on late Friday night.

Mumbai, Jun 1 (PTI) Veteran actor-director Satish Kaushik says Salman Khan has evolved a lot as a performer.

The 63-year-old actor said the Bollywood superstar is dedicated towards his work.

"He is very warm and loving person. He is a subdued actor. Today his acting has lot of depth and he has become strong as an actor. He is a huge star and he does take his work seriously," Kaushik told PTI.

The filmmaker, who has also directed Salman in 2003 blockbuster "Tere Naam", will be next seen along side the 53-year-old actor in "Bharat".

Bhawanipatna, June 1 (PTI) A pack of stray dogs Saturday attacked and killed a woman when she was on her way to attend nature's call in Odisha's Kalahandi district, police said.

The incident took place at Banjibahal village under Golamunda block in Kalahandi district when 57-year-old Bhumisuta Majhi had gone near the pond.

A pack of 8 to 10 stray dogs attacked and pounced on the woman and left her bleeding in different parts of her body, the police said adding that she died on the spot.

By the time, local people reached the spot hearing her scream, she was dead.

Mumbai, Jun 1 (PTI) NCP president Sharad Pawar Saturday dismissed speculation that his party was likely to merge with the Congress.

Speaking at a party meeting here, Pawar also touched on the issue of alleged Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) tampering, saying he had doubts about the technology from early on.

The meeting was held Saturday to discuss the Lok Sabha results and review preparations for the Maharashtra Assembly polls.

Koraput, Jun 1 (PTI) A 17-year-old girl was set ablaze allegedly by a man after she rejected his advances at Semiliguda in Odisha's Koraput district, police said Saturday.

The girl, a second-year engineering (diploma) student, suffered critical burn injuries, they said.

The accused Gopi Khemundu, of Ganjana village, was obsessed with the girl and angry after she turned down his proposal, said Sunabeda Sub-Divisional Police Officer Niranjan Behera.

Seoni (MP), Jun 1 (PTI) A dog saved his owner's life by forcing a tiger to retreat in Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh Saturday.

Pancham Gajba (22) and his brother were returning from a jungle near Paraspani village in the morning after attending nature's call when the incident took place, said Divisional Forest Officer T S Suliya.

As he was breaking off a tree branch, a tiger jumped out from bushes and attacked him, Gajba told reporters. His brother was some distance away.

His dog, however, didn't scamper away but started barking ferociously.

Jaipur, Jun 1 (PTI) Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday laid emphasis on making students aware of the Constitution of India from school days.

He said the preamble of the Constitution should be printed at the beginning of school textbooks so that the feeling of responsibility towards the Constitution could be developed in students.

Sharing his views at a 'yuva chintan shivir', organised by the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) in Bhilwara, Gehlot said every section of society had the freedom of expression.