New Delhi , March 30: A click on the mouse and your photograph, biometric data such as fingerprints, as well as identity, occupation and residence details will soon be available to the government. Keeping security concerns and smooth access to government services for the aam aadmi in mind, the government will launch Census 2011 on Thursday, covering 1.2 billion residents of India living in 35 states and Union territories.

Delhi Daredevils’ David Warner in action during their IPL-3 match against the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Ferozshah Kotla in New Delhi on Monday. The Daredevils won by 40 runs on the back of a swashbuckling 107 off 69 balls by Warner. n More report on Page 20    Photo: Pritam Bandyopadhyay

Moscow ,March 29: Two female suicide bombers killed at least 38 people on packed Moscow metro trains during rush hour on Monday, stirring fears of a broader campaign in Russia’s heartland by Islamists from the North Caucasus.

Hyderabad ,March 29: India’s ace tennis player, Sania Mirza is to marry Shoaib Malik, the former cricket captain of Pakistan. The wedding has been scheduled within a month.

Chennai ,March 29: The Tamil Nadu government has rejected a plea for premature release made by S. Nalini, sentenced to life in prison for the 1991 assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, endorsing the advisory board’s view that she still had no regret for having committed the heinous crime.

New Delhi ,March 29: New Delhi will extend legal assistance to 17 Indians sentenced to death by a court in Sharjah for killing a Pakistani man. This, according to some reports, could be the highest number of death sentences handed down at one time in the United Arab Emirates.

New Delhi ,March 29: While Central enforcement agencies are busy investigating the multi-crore hawala racket involving former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda, his associates are believed to be busy chalking out plans to dispose of properties illegally acquired by them overseas.

New Delhi ,March 29: The government on Monday announced the reappointment of UPA chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi as NAC chairperson. As NAC head, Mrs Gandhi will hold the rank and status of a Cabinet minister with immediate effect.

Pope Benedict XVI is cheered by the faithful after his Palm Sunday mass at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican on Sunday. The Pope opened Holy Week amid one of the most serious crises facing the Church in decades, with questions about his handling of cases of pedophile priests and the Vatican acknowledging its “moral credibility” was on the line. n Report on Page 10 PHOTO: AP

US President Barack Obama inspects a guard of honour with Afghan President Hamid Karzai at the presidential palace in Kabul on Sunday. Mr Obama arrived unannounced in Afghanistan on Sunday, his first visit to the war zone that could define his presidency. Air Force One landed in darkness at the Bagram airbase north of Kabul, from where he was whisked by helicopter to the presidential palace. He is expected to spend several hours in Kabul before the long flight back to Washington.  PHOTO: Reuters