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'Good Chance' of China Trade Deal, Could Include Huawei: Trump
"Good chance" of China trade deal, could include Huawei, says US President Donald Trump.
(Source: AFP)
Taiwan Begins First Legal Gay Marriage Registrations
Taiwan's first official same-sex weddings kicked off Friday in a landmark moment for LGBT rights in Asia, as government offices opened their doors to welcome same-sex couples wanting to register as married.
(Source: AFP)
Taiwan Holds First Gay Marriages in Historic Day for Asia
Taiwan's first official same-sex weddings kicked off Friday in a landmark moment for LGBT rights in Asia as gay couples took the historic step of registering as married, the culmination of a three-decade fight for equality.
(Source: AFP)
Body of Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind Commander Found at Pulwama Encounter Site
Body of Zakir Musa, commander of Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind found at the encounter site in Tral area of Pulwama. One AK-47 rifle and one Rocket Launcher have also been recovered.
(Source: ANI)
Indian Envoy Rules out Talks With Pakistan Unless It Stops Supporting Terror
India can no longer hold talks with Pakistan until it gives up its policy of supporting terrorism, the country's Ambassador to the US Harsh Vardhan Shringla said, hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi was re-elected in a general election fought on a strong nationalistic sentiment in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack.
(Source: PTI)
EU Elections Shift to Ireland as Populist Forces Gather Elsewhere
Phased EU-wide elections take place in Ireland on Friday after a campaign dominated by concerns over neighbouring Britain's messy bid to leave the bloc, and as eurosceptic forces elsewhere in Europe hope to create a political earthquake.
(Source: AFP)
SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket With First Starlink Internet Satellites Blasts Off
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket blasts off from Florida on mission to carry first Starlink internet satellites into orbit.
(Source: Reuters)
India Against Escalation of Tension in the Middle East: Envoy
India depends heavily on the Middle East for its energy needs and is against any further escalation of tension in the region, a top Indian diplomat said here as experts apprehended a confrontation between the United States and Iran.
(Source: PTI)
Curfew Imposed in Parts of Kashmir Following Tral Encounter
Curfew was imposed in parts of Kashmir on Friday, a day after Zakir Musa, the so-called chief of a group affiliated to the Al-Qaeda, was believed to have been killed in an encounter with security forces in Tral.
Educational institutions have been closed and curfew was imposed in places in Kashmir as a precautionary measure, following the Thursday incident, officials said. Internet was also shutdown, they said.
BOC Aviation Delivers Three Boeing Aircraft to SpiceJet
Singapore-based aircraft leasing company BOC Aviation on Friday said it has delivered three Boeing B737-800 NG aircraft to Indian carrier SpiceJet.
(Source: PTI)
India Stopped Purchasing Iranian Oil After US Waivers Expired: Envoy
India has stopped importing oil from Iran after American waivers granted to eight buyers expired early this month, New Delhi's envoy in Washington has said, becoming the latest country to comply with the US sanctions on Tehran over its nuclear programme.
(Source: PTI)
Brazil's Supreme Court Votes to Make Homophobia a Crime
A majority in Brazil's supreme court has voted to make homophobia and transphobia crimes like racism, a decision coming amid fears the country's far-right president will roll back LGBT social gains.
(Source: AP)
Justices Bose, Bopanna, Gavai, Kant Sworn-In as SC Judges
Justices Aniruddha Bose, AS Bopanna, Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai and Surya Kant sworn-in as the judges of the Supreme Court.
(Source: ANI)
Possibility of Including Huawei in Trade Deal With China: Trump
There is a possibility of including Huawei in the ongoing trade deal with China, US President Donald Trump has said, days after signing an executive order that effectively barred the Chinese telecom giant from the American market.
(Source: PTI)
Internet Services Suspended in Kashmir Valley After Zakir Musa's Killing
Following killing of Zakir Musa, commander of Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, the authorities have suspended mobile internet services temporarily across Kashmir valley. Schools and colleges have been ordered to be closed today.
(Source: ANI)
China Unveils 600 Kmph Magnetic Levitation Train Prototype
China has unveiled a prototype magnetic levitation train with a designed maximum speed of 600 kmph, which its manufacturers say could pose a major competition to the airline industry.
(Source: PTI)
Boat Capsizes on Southwest China River, 10 Dead, 8 Missing
A boat carrying passengers across a river capsized in southwestern China, killing at least 10 people.
Twelve divers were among personnel working at the scene Friday. Eight people were still missing, state broadcaster CCTV reported.
(Source: AP)
Fire Reported at Bhilai Steel Plant in Chhattisgarh
A fire has been reported at the Bhilai steel plant in Chhattisgarh.
(Source: NDTV)
ED Seeks Bail Cancellation of Robert Vadra, Approaches Delhi HC
Enforcement Directorate (ED) approaches Delhi High Court seeking bail cancellation of Robert Vadra in a money laundering case. A trial court had recently granted him anticipatory bail.
(Source: ANI)
Blast in Assam's Hailakandi District, No Casualty
A blast was reported at a place in Hailakandi district of Assam on Friday, partially damaging a place of worship, a police officer said.
(Source: PTI)
Three More Deaths on Overcrowded Everest
Three more deaths on overcrowded Everest state expedition organisers.
(Source: AFP)
US Sees Pakistan-Based Let Threat to It in Afghanistan: Pentagon
The US considers Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) as one of the greatest threats to it and allied forces in war-torn Afghanistan, where at least 300 fighters from the terror group are active, a Pentagon report has said.
(Source: PTI)
Oldest Meteorite Collection on Earth Discovered in Chile
Scientists say they have uncovered the oldest meteorite collection on Earth's surface in Chile's Atacama Desert, allowing them to reconstruct the rate of falling meteorites over the past two million years.
(Source: PTI)
SC Rejects Rajeev Kumar’s Protection from Arrest Plea
Supreme Court refuses to entertain the plea of former Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar, seeking protection from arrest by CBI till concerned jurisdictional court in West Bengal decides his anticipatory bail plea.
Juvenile Apprehended for Killing Gym Trainer in Delhi's Najafgarh
A juvenile was apprehended in connection with the killing of a 27-year-old gym trainer in Dwarka's Najafgarh earlier this week, police said Friday.
(Source: PTI)
Seven Indians Arrested After Shootout in Nepal
Seven Indians have been arrested in Nepal following a shootout with the police near a temple on Thursday.
The accused, who hail from Bihar's Samastipur district, include one Ravi Mallik who has sustained a bullet injury in the ensuing gunbattle, the police said in a statement.
(Source: PTI)
3 Dead, State Capital Battered as Storms Rake Missouri
An outbreak of nasty storms spawned tornadoes that razed homes, flattened trees and tossed cars across a dealership lot, injuring about two dozen people in Missouri's capital city and killing at least three others elsewhere in the state.
(Source: AP)
UK PM Theresa May Announces Resignation
British Prime Minister Theresa May announces resignation, will resign on 7 June.
SC Defers Hearing on Plea on EWS Quota in Medical Admissions in Maharashtra
The Supreme Court has deferred the hearing to 27 May, the writ petition seeking direction not to implement the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quota to post graduate medical admissions in the State of Maharashtra, reports ANI.
SBI To Organise Nationwide Customer Meet to Address Grievances
The country's largest lender, State Bank of India (SBI) on Friday said it is organising a nationwide customer meet on 28 May to understand their grievances and enhance services.
Under the initiative, the lender is looking to engage with over 1 lakh customers at over 500 locations through 17 of its local head offices.
(Source: PTI)
Blast Near Mosque in Afghanistan's Kabul
A blast has been reported near a mosque in Paktia Kot area in Kabul, Afghanistan, during Friday prayers. Mawlawi Samiullah Raihan, the imam of the mosque was reportedly killed and nine other people were wounded, reports TOLO news, citing Ministry of Interior.
Three Indians Win Big at Dubai's Raffle Draw
Three Indians, including a female student, have won the raffle draw in Dubai, taking home prize money of USD 1 million and luxury cars, according to a media report.
Bahrain-based Sanjeev Nair, 55, won a BMW in the Dubai Duty Free's Finest Surprise promotion draw.
Basheer Koonholi, another Indian, won a Range Rover.
Sara Elrayah Ahmed, 21-year-old Indian national and a medical student from Nile University in Sudan received USD 1 million cheque as part of the Millennium Millionaire Promotion.
(Source: PTI)
One Killed, Several Injured in a Blast in Pakistan
At least one person was killed and over a dozen injured in a blast targeting a mosque during Friday prayers in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province, police said.
The explosion targeted the Rehmania Mosque in Pashtunabad area of the provincial capital Quetta, it said, adding that the injured have been shifted to different hospitals for treatment.
“The death toll could rise as it was a big explosion,” said a security official.
(Source: PTI)
NIA Arrests Man in Connection with Seizure of Fake Indian Currency
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on 22 May arrested a man from East Champaran district in Bihar in connection with seizure of Fake Indian Currency Note with the face value of Rs. 10,20,00, from two persons last year by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in Visakhapatnam.
The accused, Tajamul SK, will be produced in the NIA Court at Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
(Source: ANI)
US Charges Wikileaks Founder with Publishing Classified Info
The US filed new charges on Thursday against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, accusing him of violating the Espionage Act by publishing secret documents containing the names of confidential military and diplomatic sources.
The Justice Department's 18-count superseding indictment alleges that Assange directed former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning in one of the largest compromises of classified information in US history.
It says the WikiLeaks founder, currently in custody in London, damaged national security by publishing documents that harmed the US and its allies and aided its adversaries.
(Source: AP)
UK's Boris Johnson Says Time to 'Deliver Brexit'
Boris Johnson, the frontrunner for leadership of the United Kingdom, says it’s time to 'deliver Brexit', reports AFP.
Chinese Vice President Wang to Visit Pak Next Week
Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan will visit Pakistan next week to hold talks with Prime Minister Imran Khan and other top leaders on a host of bilateral issues including the smooth development of the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Wang's visit from 26 to 28 May is in continuation of high-level exchanges between the two countries, which have acquired an increased momentum since Prime Minister Khan's visit to China in November 2018 and his participation in the Belt and Road Forum (BRF) in Beijing in April, according to Pakistan Foreign Office.
(Source: PTI)
EU Says May Resignation Changes Nothing in Brexit Talks
The European Union said on Friday that Prime Minister Theresa May's resignation does nothing to change its position on the Brexit withdrawal deal that its members agreed with Britain.
EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker noted May's decision "without personal joy," a spokeswoman said, adding that the council of EU leaders has "set out its position" on the Brexit deal.
(Source: AFP)
Pulwama Op Was Handled Well, There Was No Collateral Damage: IGP Kashmir
"The (Pulwama) encounter (in which Zakir Musa was killed) has ended. The operation was handled well, there was no collateral damage, arms and ammunition have been recovered. Further investigation is underway," ANI quotes SP Pani, IGP Kashmir, as saying.
DRDO Successfully Test-Fires Inertially Guided Bomb
The The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) today successfully test-fired an indigenously-developed 500 kg inertially Guided Bomb at the Pokhran test firing range in Rajasthan. The bomb hit its target at 30 km with high precision, reports ANI.
Sunanda Pushkar Death Case: Court Dismisses Subramanian Swamy's Plea
Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court dismisses the Petition of Subramanian Swamy under section 301 the CrPC to bring the Delhi Police Vigilance report on the alleged evidence tampering, on record in connection with Sunanda Pushkar death case.
(Source: ANI)
Nepal Police Arrests 2 Pakistanis, 2 Nepalis over Fake Currency
The Nepal Police arrested four Pakistanis and two Nepalis in possession of fake Indian currency notes at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, reports ANI.
North Korea Blames US for Failed Summit, Urges 'New Calculation'
North Korea said on Friday an “arbitrary and dishonest” US position had resulted in the failure to reach a deal during a second North Korea-US summit, warning the nuclear issue would never be resolved without a new approach.
(Source: Reuters)
China Slams US 'Lies' About Huawei's Government Ties
China ramped up a war of words with the United States over Huawei on Friday, accusing Washington of spreading "lies" about the telecom giant thrust to the centre of their trade war.
The fiery response came hours after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo rejected Huawei's denials that the Chinese company works with the Communist government.
The Trump administration has infuriated Beijing by blacklisting the smartphone and telecommunications company over worries that China uses it as a tool for espionage, and allegations of breaking sanctions on Iran.
(Source: AFP)
Mother Dairy Hikes Milk Prices by up to Rs 2 a Litre
Mother Dairy on Friday, 24 May, hiked milk prices by up to Rs 2 per litre effective Saturday as it is paying more to farmers for procurement of milk from farmers due to rising cost of fodder.
The leading milk supplier in the national capital region has increased the prices for the first time in more than two years. It also comes days after Amul hiked milk prices by Rs 2 per litre.
Mother Dairy has increased the prices of only poly pack milk. The prices of bulk vended milk, also known as token milk, have not been hiked.
"The 1 litre pack has been increased by Re 1 only and the 500 ml pack by Rs 2 a litre, effectively impacting the consumer by Re 1 per pack," it said in a statement.
(Source: PTI)
Pollachi Sexual Abuse Case: CBI Files Charge Sheet Against 5 Persons
The CBI has filed a charge sheet against five persons in connection with Tamil Nadu's Pollachi sexual abuse case, reports PTI, citing officials.
Spanish Parliament Suspends 4 Jailed Catalan MPs
The Spanish parliament has suspended four jailed Catalan MPs, reports AFP.
All Schools & Colleges Across Kashmir to Remain Closed Tomorrow
All schools and colleges across Kashmir to remain closed tomorrow, reports ANI, quoting Baseer Ahmad Khan, Jammu & Kashmir Divisional Commissioner.
This comes after Zakir Musa, top militant commander of Al Qaeda's Kashmir cell, was killed in an encounter with the security forces in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir.
(Source: ANI)
4 New SC Judges Administered Oath of Office
Four new judges of the Supreme Court were administered the oath of office by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi on Friday, taking their overall number to 31 -=- the full sanctioned strength of the top court.
Justices BR Gavai, Surya Kant, Aniruddha Bose and AS Bopanna were administered the oath of office by the CJI in court No.1 in the presence of several other sitting apex court judges.
(Source: PTI)
4 Killed in Van-Truck Collision in UP's Jaunpur
Four people were killed in a van-truck collision on the Jaunpur-Allahabad Road in Jaunpur, police said on Friday.
The accident took place on Thursday night near Fatehganj bazar under Buxa Police Station area when the van carrying professional music organisers for events crashed into a truck, while returning from Machhlishahr, said ASP (city) Anil Kumar Pandey.
(Source: PTI)
India Successfully Test-Fires BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile
A BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile was successfully test-fired, on a specially designed target chosen at a range of 270 Km, by a Unit of Eastern Command, Indian Army from Car Nicobar Islands at 2:50 pm on 22 May, as part of joint training by Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.
(Source: ANI)
HC Stays Trial Court Proceedings Against Top PNB Officials for Violation of Banking Norms
The Delhi High Court has stayed the trial court proceedings against PNB's 11 top officials, including the former and current executive officers as also the present managing director, facing allegations of criminal conspiracy and violation of banking regulations.
Justice RK Gauba sought response of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the complainant in the case, on PNB's plea challenging the trial court's summoning order.
"Be listed on 17 July. Meanwhile, the proceedings before the trial court shall remain stayed," the high court said in its recent order. \
(Source: PTI)
Kenya HC Refuses to Decriminalise Homosexuality
Kenya high court has refused to decriminalise homosexuality, reports AFP news agency.
4 Drug Peddlers Arrested in J&K
Four suspected drug peddlers were arrested in three separate incidents in Jammu and Kashmir, an officer said on Friday, 24 May.
Acting on a tip-off, the police intercepted Mohd Sharif near Banihal railway station on Thursday and recovered 250 grams of heroin from him, he said.
During interrogation, the accused revealed that he bought the heroin from Kashmir's Sangam area and was to sell it to a man in Punjab, police said.
In a separate incident, two men - Parvez and Bilal Ahmed - were held from Manwal area of Jammu and 740 intoxicant bottles of codeine phosphate (opiate) was recovered from them, the officer said.
(Source: PTI)
Sweden to Host Anti-Semitism Conference
Sweden will host an international conference against anti-Semitism in memory of the Holocaust in October 2020, Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven announced on Friday.
The gathering heads of state and government will be held in Malmo, southern Sweden, on 27 and 28 October - 20 years after the Declaration of the Stockholm International Forum on the Holocaust and 75 years after the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp.
"You find anti-Semitism in Sweden, in Europe and all over the world. Anti-Semitism isn't only a Jewish problem, it is a poison for all of society," Stefan Lofven told AFP in an interview.
NIA Arrests Absconding Accused in Fake Indian Currency Seizure Case
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested absconding accused Tajamul SK from Bihar in connection with its probe in seizure of fake Indian currency notes with a face value of Rs 10 lakh in Visakhapatnam.
CBI Court Issues Notice to Alleged Middleman in Agusta Westland Case
In an update in the Agusta Westland Money laundering case, CBI court issues notice to alleged middleman Sushen Mohan Gupta & two firms that have been made accused in supplementary chargesheet filed by Enforcement Directorate. Sushen Gupta's judicial custody extended till next date of hearing on 18 September.
Two Booked on Rape Charge in Rajasthan's Ajmer
Two persons were booked here on the charge of rape, the police said.
The accused were identified as Kamal Meghwanshi (20) and Ramesh Meghwanshi (21), both residents of Kanwali village in Pushkar, police added.
Former Michigan Priest Charged With 6 Counts of Sex Crimes
A Catholic priest who admitted when he resigned from a Flint-area parish that he had sexually abused a child has been charged with several counts of sexual assault dating back decades.
Thai King Opens First Parliament Since 2014 Coup
Thailand's king opened parliament on Friday five years after a 2014 coup, stressing the importance of "national security" and "people's well-being" as the junta moves within striking distance of cementing its grip on power.
Wearing glasses and reading from prepared remarks, King Maha Vajiralongkorn told hundreds of assembled MPs standing in white uniform to act with responsibility because "each member's action will directly affect national security and people's well being." Members of the diplomatic corps were also in attendance.
(Source: AFP)
CBDT Task Force Gets 2-Month Extension to Draft New Direct Tax Code
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) Task Force has got a two-month extension till 31 July to draft new direct tax code, reports ANI, citing Finance Ministry sources.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley gave approval of 2 month extension during the meeting held earlier in the day with Secretaries of Finance Ministry.
Six Wounded in Explosion in France's Lyon
Several people were wounded on Friday by a suspected package bomb blast on a pedestrian street in the heart of Lyon in southeastern France, the local prosecutors' office said.
The area where the explosion occurred, on the narrow strip of land between the Saone and Rhone rivers in the historic city centre, has been evacuated, according to AFP journalists at the scene.
A police source told AFP the package contained "screws or bolts" and had been placed in front of a bakery on the corner of the two popular streets.
Police said eight people had been injured but that none of the injuries appear to be life-threatening.
President Emmanuel Macron called the blast an "attack" during a live Facebook interview, adding that no deaths had been reported "for the time being." "It's not for me to give a toll but it appears there are no casualties. There have been injuries, so obviously I'm thinking of these injured and their families," Macron said.
(Source: AFP)
Missouri Governor Signs Bill Banning Abortions at 8 Weeks
Missouri Governor Mike Parson signed a bill that bans abortions on or beyond the eighth weeks of pregnancy without exceptions for cases of rape or incest, making it among the most restrictive abortion policies in the nation.
Under the law that comes into force 28 August, doctors who violate the eight-week cutoff could face five to 15 years in prison. A legal challenge is expected, although it's unclear when that might occur.
(Source: AP)
BSF Jawan Allegedly Commits Suicide in Tripura
Ashwini Kumar, a 50-year-old BSF personnel allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself with his service rifle on Friday, 25 May, in Pancharatan area of Dhalai in Tripura. Ashwini Kumar hailed from Jammu and Kashmir.
(Source: ANI)
US Judge Temporarily Blocks Mississippi Abortion Ban
A federal judge has temporarily blocked a Mississippi law that would ban most abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected.
US District Judge Carlton Reeves on Friday issued an order to stop the law from taking effect from 1 July.
(Source: AP)