Live: 60 feared dead in Ukraine school bombed by Russia, governor says

Live news updates: Group of Seven leaders plan to discuss potential new penalties against Russia on Sunday.

5:47 PM

Punjab govt announces Rs 1 cr compensation for kin of Army jawan killed in Arunachal

The Punjab government on Sunday announced Rs 1 crore ex gratia and a government job for a family member of Subedar Hardeep Singh who died in the line of duty along the LAC in Arunachal Pradesh.

Subedar Singh made the supreme sacrifice last Friday.

The mortal remains of Subedar Singh of 15 Punjab Regiment were consigned to flames at his native Baranda village in Hoshiarpur district with full military honours.

He is survived by his wife, a daughter and a son.

His last rites were performed by his son Varinderpal Singh.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, in a statement, said Subedar Hardeep Singh displayed utmost dedication to defend the country's unity and his sacrifice would inspire his fellow soldiers to perform their duties with far more devotion and commitment.

In Hoshiarpur, Punjab minister Bram Shanker Jimpa, MLA from Urmar seat Jasbir Singh Raja and legislator from Dasuya Karamvir Singh Ghuman, military, civil, police officials and other dignitaries paid tributes to the departed soul on the occasion.

5:33 PM

CPEC works behind schedule, only 3 out of 15 projects completed: Report

The $60-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is running behind schedule with only three out of its 15 projects completed, according to a media report on Sunday.

Till date, Pakistan has completed only three CPEC projects in Gwadar worth $300 million, Express Tribune newspaper reported.

A dozen projects worth upto $2 billion remain unfinished including water supply and electricity generation, the news article quoted the CPEC Authority.

The ambitious CPEC is a 3,000-km long route of infrastructure projects connecting China's northwest Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and the Gwadar Port in the western Pakistan province of Balochistan.

India has protested to China over the CPEC as it is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

As per a progress review, the CPEC authority said all works relating to the socio-economic benefits in Gwadar were running behind schedule.

The completed projects are USD 4 million Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan, the Physical Infrastructure of Gwadar Port, construction of Free Zone Phase-1 costing $300 million and the Pak-China Technical and Vocational Institute built from a $10-million Chinese grant.

Presently, Gwadar port area does not have its own power generation and water supply sources. The port area imports its electricity from neighbouring Iran.

The Express Tribune report said Gwadar's water demand by 2020 would be 20 million gallons per day, as against the earlier supply of only 2 million gallons.

The CPEC includes laying pipelines from Swad Dam and Shadi Kure Dam with a capacity of 5 million gallons per day and 2.5 million gallons per day respectively.

However, these works are far from completion.

5:25 PM

Patnaik announces cash sops for winning medal at World Skills Competition

The Odisha government announced cash incentives for people of the state for winning medals in the World Skills Competition to be held in Shanghai China in October this year.

The announcement was made by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday while felicitating the winners of the India Skills Competition. Students the state have got 59 medals at the India Skills Competition 2021 which was held in New Delhi in January 2022.

"Winning is a habit, so is excellence. I believe our children have now formed the habit to excel, to compete with the best in the world and win," Patnaik said. He said Odisha will put the best resources available towards training the winners as they go through the gruelling preparations for the World Skills Competition.

He said that from this edition onwards, the gold medal winner in the World Skill competitions will get an award of Rs 1 crore, the silver medalist will get Rs 50 lakh and the bronze medalist will get Rs 25 lakh.

The institution which nurtures the gold medal winner will get Rs 5 crore for setting up the Biju Patnaik Centre of Excellence, he said.

5:23 PM

Indian Navy ships reach Saudi Arabia for overseas deployment

Four ships of the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron reached the port city of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia for overseas deployment.

The Navy vessels arrived in Saudi Arabia as part of a five-nation overseas deployment and will stay in the country for four days, the Indian Navy informed in a statement.

During this visit, Captain Aftab Ahmed Khan, senior officer, First Training Squadron along with commanding officers of the accompanying Indian ships called on Rear Admiral Yahya Bin Mohammed Al-Assiri, Western Fleet Commander of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, the statement read.

The statement also added that issues of bilateral Naval cooperation and training initiatives between the two countries were discussed during the meeting between officers.

Jeddah is a port city situated on the coast of the Red Sea, located between the Suez Canal and the Gulf of Aden.

Notably, the Indian Navy routinely conducts anti-piracy operations in the region, with the Navy's INS Kolkata recently visiting Djibouti from May 4-7 as part of an anti-piracy patrol in the Gulf of Aden.

Indian Navy warships have been deployed in the Gulf of Aden since October 2008 for an anti-piracy patrol to ensure the safe transit of merchant vessels, the Navy informed in a statement on Twitter.

5:20 PM

High disposal rate of land-related applications under Mission Basundhara': Himanta

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said that 'Mission Basundhara', an initiative to provide time-bound services under the revenue department, has recorded high application disposal rate, as the first phase of the programme came to an end.

He announced incentives for the employees connected with the mission, adding that the second phase will be launched in October.

Sarma, after taking part in a programme to mark the occasion, tweeted, "Happy to announce successful completion of Mission Basundhara with a very high application disposal rate."

He stated that all services provided under the mission will be available on the Right to Public Service (RTPS) portal from May 11.

The CM also said Mission Basundhara 2.0 will be launched on October 2, a year after the first phase of the initiative was rolled out.

"As a mark of appreciation for their dedication & hard work, we will pay all employees connected with the Mission an amount equivalent to their one-month basic salary," he wrote.

 

5:15 PM

Dozens feared dead after Russian bomb levels Ukraine school

Dozens of Ukrainians were feared dead on Sunday after a Russian bomb destroyed a school sheltering about 90 people in the basement as Moscow's invading forces kept up their barrage of cities, towns and villages in eastern and southern Ukraine.

The governor of Luhansk province, one of two areas that make up the eastern industrial heartland known as the Donbas, said the school in the village of Bilohorivka caught fire after Saturday's bombing.

Emergency crews found two bodies and rescued 30 people, he said.

Most likely, all 60 people who remain under the rubble are now dead, Gov. Serhiy Haidai wrote on the Telegram messaging app. Russian shelling also killed two boys, ages 11 and 14, in the nearby town of Pryvillia, he said.

Since failing to capture Ukraine's capital, Russia has focused its offensive in the Donbas, where Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting since 2014 and occupy some territory.

The largest European conflict since World War II has developed into a punishing war of attrition due to the Ukrainian military's unexpectedly effective defense.

To demonstrate success, the Russian military worked to complete its conquest of the besieged port city of Mariupol, which has been under relentless assault since the start of the war, in time for Victory Day celebrations on Monday. A sprawling seaside steel mill is the only part of the city not under Russian control.

All the remaining women, children and older civilians who had been sheltering with Ukrainian fighters in the Azovstal plant were evacuated Saturday. The troops still inside have refused to surrender; hundreds are believed to be wounded.

 

5:15 PM

Dozens feared dead after Russian bomb levels Ukraine school

Dozens of Ukrainians were feared dead on Sunday after a Russian bomb destroyed a school sheltering about 90 people in the basement as Moscow's invading forces kept up their barrage of cities, towns and villages in eastern and southern Ukraine.

The governor of Luhansk province, one of two areas that make up the eastern industrial heartland known as the Donbas, said the school in the village of Bilohorivka caught fire after Saturday's bombing.

Emergency crews found two bodies and rescued 30 people, he said.

Most likely, all 60 people who remain under the rubble are now dead, Gov. Serhiy Haidai wrote on the Telegram messaging app. Russian shelling also killed two boys, ages 11 and 14, in the nearby town of Pryvillia, he said.

Since failing to capture Ukraine's capital, Russia has focused its offensive in the Donbas, where Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting since 2014 and occupy some territory.

The largest European conflict since World War II has developed into a punishing war of attrition due to the Ukrainian military's unexpectedly effective defense.

To demonstrate success, the Russian military worked to complete its conquest of the besieged port city of Mariupol, which has been under relentless assault since the start of the war, in time for Victory Day celebrations on Monday. A sprawling seaside steel mill is the only part of the city not under Russian control.

All the remaining women, children and older civilians who had been sheltering with Ukrainian fighters in the Azovstal plant were evacuated Saturday. The troops still inside have refused to surrender; hundreds are believed to be wounded.

 

4:54 PM

Article 370 history, reclaiming PoJK will become reality soon: VHP leader

Article 370 of the constitution has become history, senior Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Surendra Jain said on Sunday as he raised a pitch for reclaiming parts of Jammu and Kashmir under the "illegal occupation of Pakistan and China", saying it will become a reality soon.

Jain, Union Joint General Secretary of VHP, was speaking at a rally 'Punya Bhumi Samaran Sabha' organized by RSS-backed Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Forum here to pay collective tributes to those who were killed in Pakistani onslaught on October 22, 1947 and reiterate a pledge to reclaim the lost areas.

Senior BJP leaders led Tiranga yatra' from different parts of the city to join the rally which was attended by Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) displaced persons from within and outside Jammu and Kashmir besides Peethadheeshwar Sri Sri 1008 Sri Swami Vishwatmanand Saraswati Maharaj, Mahamandaleshwar Swami Dharmadev, film actor and producer Mukesh Rishi.

Amid chants for liberation of PoJK, the VHP leader said whether you want compensation or land of your ancestors and religious places like Sharada Peeththe pledge you have taken is shortly becoming a reality, he said.

Jain said it is not an issue related to Hindus and Muslims as many nationalist Muslims were also killed by the Pakistani raiders in 1947.

Without naming National Conference, Congress and PDP, he said the role of a few families who ruled J&K in past decades is over. Now only the writ of the country and the people of J&K will run in J&K.

 

4:49 PM

National Lok Adalat in Thane, Palghar: Over 8,600 cases involving Rs 41 cr settled

Over 8,600 pre-litigation and pending matters involving a cumulative sum of Rs 41.39 crore were settled at the National Lok Adalat held for Thane and Palghar districts, an official said on Sunday.

The NLA was held on Saturday and 7,206 pending matters and 1,462 pre-litigation ones were settled, with the settlement amounts being Rs 39,10,96,190 and Rs 2,28,60,952 respectively, said District Legal Services Authority secretary MR Deshpande, adding that the settlement also included 133 MACT cases with the amount being Rs. 9,21,36,180.

"In one cheque bouncing case, panel chief JR Mulani ensured a amicable settlement after one of the parties, who is in Dubai, participated via Whatsapp call. The total number of cases settled was 8,668 and the amount was Rs 41,39,54,142," he said.

Among the highest payouts was Rs 75 lakh given to a 33-year-old widow for the death of her husband in a road accident in June 2017.

4:35 PM

Kejriwal scared of my son, used police to intimidate us: Bagga's father

Delhi BJP leader Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga's father Pritpal Singh Sunday claimed Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is scared of his son and is using the Punjab Police to intimidate the family.

He said the last few days -- referring to Bagga's arrest by the Punjab Police from his residence on Friday and his subsequent release, and then a non-bailable arrest warrant issued against the BJP leader by a Mohali court the next day -- have been very tough for them but they are "prepared to fight for the truth".

Whatever is happening is for good and whatever will happen in the future will also be for good, Singh told PTI over phone.

He said they have got relief from the High Court in the non-bailable warrant issued against his son Saturday. My son is consulting lawyers and we will proceed according to their advice.

Hours after the Mohali court issued the arrest warrant in connection with a case registered against him by the Punjab Police last month, Bagga had moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court challenging it.

In a reprieve to Bagga, the HC Saturday night directed that no coercive step be taken against him.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is scared of Tajinder. This is not the first such incident. This has been going on for the last five to seven years. Even Aam Aadmi Party workers say Kejriwal gets nightmares about Bagga.

 

4:34 PM

Shriram City F23 focus on gold, personal, small biz loans; eyes 18% AUM growth

Shriram City Union Finance will focus on personal, gold and small business loans to achieve its 18 per cent growth in AUM in the current fiscal year amid a slowdown in demand for two-wheelers due to shortage of components and other factors, a top company executive said.

Noting that the demand in the economy has not yet fully recovered, while rural and semi-urban areas have been doing better now, Y S Chakravarti, MD & CEO, said majority of the company's business comes from semi-urban and rural markets and anything good for the rural economy will help the company's business.

"Our focus will be on personal loan, gold loan and small business loans. In terms of economic recovery, we have not recovered fully. Urban areas are still struggling, to some extent the rural economy has picked up probably because, one the harvest has been good and in current year also there is good rainfall prediction,"Chakravarti told PTI in an interaction.

He said the crop harvests and also the prices are likely to be good because of the demand globally. "If you look at wheat today, it is selling higher than the MSP. So, I expect the rural economy to do well. But there is still distress in urban areas," he said.

The overall demand scenario for the company seems good, however, demand for financing in the two-wheeler category is subdued for a lot of reasons, Chakravarti said.

4:31 PM

UK pledges more aid to Ukraine as Europe marks VE Day

Britain will provide an extra 1.3 billion pounds (USD 1.6 billion) in military support to Ukraine to help the country defend against Russian forces, officials said Sunday.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, U.S. President Joe Biden and leaders from other Group of Seven countries are expected to hold online talks with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday to discuss the further support.

The meeting is partly meant to display unity among Western allies on Victory in Europe Day, which marks Nazi Germany's surrender in 1945.

The funding, which comes from British government reserves, includes 300 million pounds of military kit promised by Prime Minister Boris Johnson earlier this week, such as radar systems to target Russian artillery, GPS jamming equipment and night vision devices.

Britain's government said it is the highest rate of U.K. military spending on a conflict since Iraq and Afghanistan.

Officials said Johnson will meet with British arms companies later this month to discuss increasing production in response to the demand created by the conflict in Ukraine.

Johnson said Britain's aid to Ukraine will also help boost the U.K. defence economy.

Britain has already committed to about 1.5 billion pounds for Ukraine, including humanitarian aid and loan guarantees.

 

4:30 PM

Indian Grand Prix 3 & 4 shifted to Bhubaneswar from Madurai

The Indian Grand Prix 3 and 4, which were originally scheduled to be held in Madurai, will now be organised here on May 21 and 24, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) said on Sunday.

This is the second time the venue of the two one-day events has been changed. The IGP 3 and 4 were originally to be held in Madurai on May 17 and 21 respectively.

On Thursday, the AFI had issued a circular that the two events will be held at the LNCPE in Thiruvananthapuram. They will now be held in Bhubaneswar.

"Earlier these meets were to be held at Madurai. The Grand Prix Meets have been shifted to provide better facilities to the athletes," the AFI said in a release.

"These Athletics meets have special importance as the athletes can achieve the qualification standard for the World Athletics (Championships), Commonwealth Games and the postponed Asian Games."

There will be 17 events in both the meets which include nine for women and eight for men. The meets will be held in the evening on both the days.

4:23 PM

Monkeypox virus case confirmed in UK after Nigeria travel link

The UK health authorities have confirmed a case of monkeypox, which is a virus passed from infected animals such as rodents to humans, in someone with a recent travel history to Nigeria where they are believed to have caught it.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said monkeypox is a rare viral infection that does not spread easily between people and is usually a mild self-limiting illness and most people recover within a few weeks. However, severe illness can occur in some cases.

It is important to emphasise that monkeypox does not spread easily between people and the overall risk to the general public is very low, Dr Colin Brown, Director of Clinical and Emerging Infections at the UKHSA, said on Saturday.

We are working with NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSEI) to contact the individuals who have had close contact with the case prior to confirmation of their infection, to assess them as necessary and provide advice. UKHSA and the NHS have well established and robust infection control procedures for dealing with cases of imported infectious disease and these will be strictly followed, he said.

The patient is being treated in specialist isolation unit at St Thomas' Hospital by expert clinical staff with strict infection prevention procedures, added Dr Nicholas Price, Consultant in Infectious Diseases at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital.

As a precautionary measure, UKHSA experts said they are working closely with England's state-funded National Health Service (NHS) and will be contacting people who might have been in close contact with the individual to provide information and health advice.

This includes contacting a number of passengers who travelled in close proximity to the patient on the same flight to the UK.

4:22 PM

Beijing loyalist John Lee elected as Hong Kong''s next leader

John Lee, a hard-line security chief who oversaw a crackdown on Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement, was elected as the city's next leader on Sunday in a vote cast by a largely pro-Beijing committee.

Lee was the only candidate and won with over 99% of the vote in which nearly all 1,500 committee members were carefully vetted by the central government in Beijing.

He will replace current leader Carrie Lam on July 1. Her five-term was marked by huge pro-democracy protests calling for her resignation, a security crackdown that has quashed virtually all dissent, the recent COVID-19 wave that had overwhelmed the health system events that have undermined Hong Kong's reputation as an international business hub with Western-style freedoms.

I look forward to all of us starting a new chapter together, building a Hong Kong that is caring, open and vibrant, and a Hong Kong that is full of opportunities and harmony, Lee said in his victory speech.

Lam congratulated Lee in a statement and said she would submit the election results to Beijing.

The election followed major changes to Hong Kong's electoral laws last year to ensure that only patriots loyal to Beijing can hold office. The legislature was also reorganized to all but eliminate opposition voices.

The elaborate arrangements surrounding the predetermined outcome speak to Beijing's desire for a veneer of democracy. The committee members voted in a secret ballot, and Lee's 1,416 votes were the highest support ever for the city's top leadership position.

Without opposition, Lee would likely have easier time governing Hong Kong compared to Lam, said Ivan Choy, a senior lecturer at the Chinese University of Hong Kong's Department of Government and Public Administration.