MILLIONS of Asians turned their eyes skyward as dawn suddenly turned to darkness across the continent in the longest total solar eclipse of this century. Millions of others, seeing the rare event as a bad omen, shuttered themselves indoors.

The longest solar eclipse of the 21st century pitched a swathe of Asia from India to China into near darkness today as millions gathered to watch the phenomenon.

Heavy monsoon rains have lashed northern India, killing at least 74 people and destroying dozens of poorly constructed buildings, police said today.

A SERIES of explosions ripped through courthouse complexes yesterday in three north Indian cities, Lucknow, Varanasi and Faizabad, killing at least 13 lawyers and injuring dozens of other people.

A series of co-ordinated explosions ripped through courts in three north Indian cities today killing at least 13 people and injuring dozens more.

A series of co-ordinated explosions ripped through courts in three north Indian cities today killing at least 10 people and injuring dozens more.

At least 13 female pilgrims were trampled to death at an Indian railway station in a stampede that began when two trains arrived simultaneously.

Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty is appealing to an Indian Supreme Court to overturn an arrest warrant issued against herself and Richard Gere.

Hollywood actor Richard Gere is bemused at the media storm surrounding his kiss with Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty.

CELEBRITY Big Brother star Shilpa Shetty has been swept up in controversy again — this time after being kissed by Richard Gere.

Angry crowds in several Indian cities burned effigies of Richard Gere, a day after he swept up Celebrity Big Brother winner Shilpa Shetty in his arms and kissed her several times during an Aids-awareness event.

Thousands of security personnel were deployed throughout India to prevent any militant attacks during national day celebrations today as millions of people, including Russia’s president, watched a military parade in the capital.

A little-known Islamic militant group that claimed responsibility for Mumbai’s train bombings warned of more attacks today, as investigators questioned Muslim preachers in India’s remote north-east about the blasts.

Indian police have detained four men for questioning about bombings that killed 20 people at a temple and train station in Hinduism’s holiest city, a top state official said today.

Indian investigators believe one of Kashmir’s most notorious Islamic militant groups planted bombs that killed 20 people at a temple and train station in Hinduism’s holiest city, police said today.

Soldiers and police patrolled holy sites across India today following a series of bloody bombings in Hinduism’s holiest city, Varanasi.

Security forces were deployed to holy sites across India today after terror bombings killed 20 people in Hinduism’s holiest city, sparking anger among its residents and concerns of possible widespread sectarian violence.

Explosions rocked a packed railway station and crowded Hindu temple today in Varanasi, Hinduism’s holiest city, and at least 12 people were killed and dozens injured, officials said.

Explosions rocked a railway station and a Hindu temple today in the Indian holy city of Varanasi. At least four people were killed.

A crowded passenger train ploughed into a stationary cargo train in western India today, killing at least 24 people and leaving dozens more injured.

Seventeen people are believed to have died when a boat full of villagers returning from a picnic capsized in India’s Ganges River today, a senior police officer said.

Heavy rains collapsed houses and swollen rivers inundated thousands of villages in India’s largest state, killing at least 28 people, officials said today.

MONSOON rains finally hit the southern coast of India yesterday, bringing respite from a scorching heatwave that killed at least 1,438 people in the past three weeks.

Monsoon rains finally hit the southern coast of India today, bringing respite from a scorching heatwave that killed at least 1,438 people in the past three weeks.

Mystery surrounded the whereabouts of the family of the late Beatle George Harrison today, as Hare Krishna devotees backed away from earlier claims that they would spread his ashes in India’s holy Ganges River.

Supporters of assassinated Bandit Queen turned politician Phoolan Devi battled with police, threw crude bombs and burned buses as her body arrived for cremation in an Indian town.