Gaza, May 11 (IANS) Israel has begun intensive bombardment of Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah after the talks on the Israel-Hamas truce held in Egypt’s Cairo collapsed two days ago, a local source said. The number of casualties is not immediately available, Xinhua news agency reported on Friday. The Kuwait Hospital in Rafah has been largely out of operation, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. Around 110,000 people have fled Rafah in search of safety as Israeli bombardment intensifies in the city, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near Ea ..read more

Moscow, May 11 (IANS) The Russian State Duma or lower house of the Parliament has approved Mikhail Mishustin as Prime Minister, according to a statement posted on its website. Mishustin garnered a total of 375 votes in favour, with no veto, of his reappointment as Prime Minister, nominated by Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier on Friday, Xinhua news agency reported. In a meeting with Mishustin on Friday, Putin noted that much had been accomplished in the country under difficult conditions, and it would be right for Mishustin to continue his work as head of the government. During his spe ..read more

Nairobi, May 11 (IANS) United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has renewed a call for the global community to support action on the climate crisis and civil strife undermining the quest for peace, stability, and sustainable growth in Africa. Guterres said at a briefing on the sidelines of the UN Civil Society Conference, which concluded on Friday in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, that Africa remains the epicentre of climate emergencies despite its negligible contribution to the emission of planet-warming gases, Xinhua news agency reported. “This continent is being blasted by extreme ..read more

Bengaluru, May 11 (IANS) The wife of BJYM leader Praveen Nettaru — who was hacked to death in 2022 in Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada district by PFI cadres — on Friday expressed her happiness after the NIA arrested the prime accused in the murder case. Nutana Kumari said all her family members were happy over the arrest of Mustafa Paichar. “All the accused in the case should be hanged. No such incident should recur in society. All our family members are happy, and I thank NIA officers on behalf of my family,” Nutana said. “Stringent punishment should be given to the accused and that should be a ..read more

Dublin, May 11 (IANS) Ahead of the T20 World Cup, Ireland caused a sensation in the cricket world by defeating Pakistan by five wickets in the first T20I of the three-match series at the Clontarf Cricket Club, here on Friday. This is Ireland’s first win against Pakistan in T20Is — coming in what is only the second-ever encounter between the two teams. Pakistan had won the first match between them. Seasoned Andy Balbirnie top scored for Ireland with a 55-ball 77, studded with 10 fours and two sixes, as they successfully chased down the target of 183/5 with a ball to spare after restricting Pak ..read more

Ahmedabad, May 11 (IANS) Captain Shubman Gill and B. Sai Sudharsan unleashed an outstanding assault on Chennai Super Kings bowling attack by slamming centuries each to power Gujarat Titans to a comfortable 35-run win over Chennai Super Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium here on Friday. Pushed into batting first on a placid pitch, Gill hit nine fours and six maximums at a strike rate of 189.09 to hit 104, his fourth IPL hundred in Ahmedabad. On the other hand, Sudarshan, opening the batting after Wriddhiman Saha was ruled out due to a niggle, slammed five fours and seven sixes at a strike rate ..read more

New Delhi, May 11 (IANS) Delhi and its surrounding areas in the National Capital Region (NCR) were hit by a massive dust storm and scattered rain on Friday evening, resulting in the uprooting of many trees. The sudden onset of the storm caught many residents by surprise as gusty winds swept across the region with dust reducing visibility at many places. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a post on X: “Delhi reported winds with over 50 kmph speed. Gusty Winds (at 2200 hrs IST of Friday) reported (kmph) over Delhi: Ujwa 77 kmph; Jafarpur 57 kmph; Lodhi road 61 kmph; Pragati Maida ..read more

United Nations, May 11 (IANS) The UN General Assembly on Friday voted to upgrade Palestine’s status in the world body while keeping it as an observer, in a move aimed at bypassing the US veto of full observership. In the shadow of the Israeli invasion of Gaza and faltering efforts for a ceasefire, the landmark resolution was adopted with 143 votes, including that of India, France, China, Russia, and Japan, with 9 against, including the US and Israel, and 25 abstentions, including the UK, Canada, and several European members, defying the lone US veto of Palestine’s bid for full observership la ..read more

Jaipur, May 10 (IANS) An SHO in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara was transferred to the police lines while an ASI and a constable were suspended on Friday for forcing an accused to pluck hair from his beard. The inhuman act came to light after a video surfaced on Friday morning, showing the policemen ordering an accused to sit on the floor and pluck hair from his beard. According to sources, the cops from the Pratap Nagar police station arrested a person named Suresh Gurjar (35) from the Gulabpura area on May 8. During his interrogation, SHO Sugan Singh asked Suresh to pluck hair from his beard, while th ..read more

Doha, May 11 (IANS) Olympic and World Champion Neeraj Chopra started his outdoor season on Friday, finishing second in the javelin throw discipline of his first Diamond League event of the year here on Friday. With his back against the wall, the Indian star came up with his best throw in his sixth and final attempt in Doha but missed the top spot by just 0.2 metres. Chopra had a best throw of 88.36 metres, ending behind Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic, who finished first with a best effort of 88.38. The 27-year-old Chopra, who is one of the biggest stars of the Diamond League 2024 in the ..read more