Live News Highlights: Ukraine conflict must be resolved through dialogue, diplomacy: Quad

Lumpy skin disease detected in Sikkim   

-- The contagious lumpy skin disease (LSD) was detected among cattle in three districts of Sikkim, an official said on Saturday.

-- Samples from Soreng, Pakyong and Namchi districts sent to the National Institute of High Security Animal Disease (NIHSAD) in Bhopal turned out to be positive, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Secretary P Senthil Kumar said.

-- The government was taking various measures to control the disease, he said.

TMC National General Secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee on RBI scrapping circulation of Rs 2,000 note:

“Now it is the time for 'votebandi', 'notebandi' won't do anything. 'Votebandi' will happen in 2024...Karnataka results will be repeated in 2024.”

Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal visits Odisha's Sambalpur

-- Members of the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal visited Odisha's Sambalpur district on Saturday to study the ground situation.

-- The tribunal, headed by retired Supreme Court judge AM Khanwilkar, was formed in 2018 to resolve the disputes between Odisha and Chhattisgarh over the sharing of Mahanadi's water.

-- The members of the tribunal were accompanied by officials of the Water Resources Departments of the two states, technical teams, assessors, and law experts during the visit to the Hirakud dam and other places in Sambalpur.

PM Modi meets British PM Sunak, Indonesian President Widodo and UN chief in Japan

- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met his British counterpart Rishi Sunak, Indonesian President Joko Widodo and UN chief Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the G7 summit here in this Japanese city.

- Modi said he had a productive discussion with Sunak on the sidelines of the Hiroshima G-7 Summit. The two leaders are expected to meet formally on Sunday.

Peace, unity and development only agenda of DPAP: Azad

- Peace, unity and development are the only agenda of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), its chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad said as he started a three-day tour of Doda district on Saturday.

- "Chenab valley (comprising Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar districts) is my main focus and we will ensure it is developed and connected properly with the rest of the country," Azad said, interacting with party workers and members of various delegations.

NEWS ALERT:

TMC National General Secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee comes out of the CBI office after over nine hours of questioning in the Kuntal Ghosh letter case.

Quad leaders pledge to uphold peace and stability in Indo-Pacific region 

The United States, Australia, India, and Japan, a group known as Quad, on Saturday pledged to uphold peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and "oppose unilateral actions seeking change in status quo by force", they said in a statement.

They also expressed a "serious concern at the militarisation of disputed features, efforts to disrupt other countries' offshore resource exploitation activities", the statement added.

2 Pakistani drones shot down in Punjab

-- Two Pakistani drones were shot down last night by the BSF troop of the Amritsar sector.

-- 2.6 kg of heroin was recovered from a drone shot down under the border outpost of Ratankhurd.

-- Another drone was shot in Dhariwal, DIG Sanjay Garg informed

Toll in West Bengal firecracker factory explosion rises to 12           

-- The toll in the blast at an illegal firecracker factory in West Bengal's Purba Medinipur district rose to 12 after two more persons succumbed to their injuries.

-- Rabindranath Maity and Pinki Maity, who had third-degree burn injuries, died at the state-run SSKM Hospital in Kolkata where they were undergoing treatment.

-- Prime accused and owner of the illegal firecracker manufacturing unit, Kalipada alias Bhanu Bagh, who was arrested by the West Bengal CID on Thursday, had succumbed to his injuries at a private nursing home in Odisha's Cuttack, where he had fled soon after the blast on May 16.

Quad leaders reiterate condemnation of 26/11, Pathankot terror attack

Condemning terrorism in all its forms, the quad leaders said in a joint statement: “We are committed to working together to promote accountability for the perpetrators of such terrorist attacks. We reiterate our condemnation of terrorist attacks, including the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai and in Pathankot, and our commitment to pursuing designations, as appropriate, by the UN Security Council 1267 Sanctions Committee.”

“We unequivocally condemn terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations including cross-border terrorism. We are committed to international cooperation and will work with our regional partners in a comprehensive and sustained manner to strengthen our capability to prevent, detect and respond to threats posed by terrorism and violent extremism, consistent with international law.”

NEWS ALERT:

231 stolen antiques brought back to India in the last 9 years: Union Minister Jitendra Singh

Ministry had no other choice, says SMEV official on Govt plans to cut subsidy for EV two-wheelers

Reacting to the plans of the ministry to cutting subsidy provided to EV two-wheelers under the FAME-II Scheme among other possible changes, Sohinder Gill, Director General, SMEV (Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles) and CEO of Hero Electric, said: “The Ministry of Heavy Industries had already announced a few months back that they are about to achieve their target of one million sales in four years and subsidy may not continue thereafter. However, the industry felt that it is too premature to withdraw subsidy as the E2W had hardly reached 4.9 percent adoption rate. So, subsidies must be continued for at least three years before they are tapered off.”

“In the absence of any additional budget, the ministry was left with no choice, but to either suddenly stop the subsidy or to somehow manage the rest of the year with greatly reducing the budget and drawing some unspent money from the E3W budget. On top of it, there is no clear indication of FAME III support. Hence, the industry also had no choice but to accept this else the subsidies would have finished instantly.”

Ordinance in line with Supreme Court verdict, Delhi isn’t ‘Arvind Territory’, says BJP

The BJP on Saturday defended the ordinance on the transfer and posting of government officers in Delhi as a step in consonance with the Constitution and in line with the Supreme Court's observations in the matter, asserting that this is also in the interest of the common man.

BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia launched a sharp attack on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal following his denouncement of the Centre for bringing the ordinance, which seeks to negate the apex court order giving the authority over officers to the elected government, saying his ideology is against the Constitution and is anarchic.

Citing the verdict of the Constitution bench, Bhatia said it had said that if "Parliament enacts a law granting executive power on any subject", then the power of the Lieutenant Governor can be modified accordingly.

We have made enormous progress in the last two years, says Joe Biden in Hiroshima

-I think people will look at this Quad 20-30 years from now and say that change is dynamic not only in the region but the world. In my view, we have made enormous progress in the last two years: US President Joe Biden during the #QUAD meeting in Hiroshima

PM Modi talks about hosting QUAD summit in India

"We will be happy to host the Quad summit in India in 2024," says Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Quad meeting in Hiroshima, Japan.

Japanese PM addresses meeting in Hiroshima

We will listen to the voices of regional countries of ASEAN, South Asia & Pacific island states to engage in practical cooperation which delivers true benefits to the region as a force for good, says Japanese PM Fumio Kishida during QUAD meeting, in Hiroshima

Japan PM Fumio Kishida says at QUAD meeting in Hiroshima

“We will listen to the voices of regional countries of ASEAN, South Asia and Pacific island states to engage in practical cooperation which delivers true benefits to the region as a force for good.”

CBI questions Sameer Wankhede for more than 5 hours in cruise drug bust bribery case

The CBI on Saturday quizzed former Mumbai NCB chief Sameer Wankhede for more than five hours in a case in which he is accused of demanding a Rs 25 crore bribe from superstar Shah Rukh Khan for not implicating his son Aryan in the Cordelia cruise 'drug bust' case, an official said.

Wankhede reached the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) office in Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) around 10.15 am.

Indian Army rescues 500 stranded tourists from landslide-hit Sikkim         

-- The Indian Army rescued 500 stranded tourists, including 54 children, from north Sikkim as torrential rain in parts of the Himalayan state caused landslides and roadblocks, a defence official said on Saturday.

-- Heavy rain was witnessed in Lachen, Lachung, and Chungthang on Friday.

-- As a result of the downpour, approximately 500 tourists, who were travelling to Lachung and Lachen valley, were stranded at Chungthang due to landslides and roadblocks en route, he said.

NEWS ALERT:

PM Modi unveils Mahatma Gandhi's bust in Hiroshima, site of world's first nuclear attack

Arvind Kejriwal on Centre's ordinance to create National Capital Civil Services Authority in Delhi:

“They were waiting for the Supreme Court to be closed for summer vacations. They waited because they know this ordinance is illegal. They know it will not stand in the court for 5 minutes. When SC opens on July 1, we will challenge it,” says Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal.

Ukraine war is issue of humanity, says PM Modi at G7 summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Hiroshima, for the first time since the Russia-Ukraine conflict, says, “Ukraine war is a big issue in the world. I don't consider it to be just an issue of economy, politics, for me, it is an issue of humanity. India and I will do whatever we can for resolution of war.”

Drug seizures saw increase during NDA rule, says Amit Shah

-- The Indian Navy and NCB have seized drugs worth Rs 12,000 crore off a coast in Kerala.

-- However, during the 10 years of UPA rule, drugs worth only Rs 680 crore were seized.

-- This shows that surveillance has increased during NDA rule, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said.

PM Modi holds talks with Ukraininan President during the G7 summit

PM Narendra Modi held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the G-7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan

Robots deployed at the International Media Centre at the G7 Summit

-"Namaste to India," Robots deployed at the International Media Centre during the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan.

G7 members stand against Russia's "illegal," "unjustifiable, "unprovoked" war against Ukraine

-The Members of G7 have reaffirmed their commitment to stand together against Russia's "illegal, unjustifiable and unprovoked war ofagression" against Ukraine, as per the joint statement issued during the G7 leaders Summit that commenced onsaryrdatyin Hiroshima, Japan.

-The committee also stated that the leaders of G7 are taking concrete steps to support Ukraine for "as long as it takes" against the illegal war ofagressionlaunched by Russia.

G7 summit underway in Hiroshima, Japan.

The country's culture put on display as World Leaders and delegations visit the city.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives in Japan

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on saturday landed in Hiroshoma, Japan to attend the annual summit of G7, the world's most industrialised ccountries.

Assam CM talks about organic farming in the state

Guwahati, Assam: "Last year, PM Modi and I had various meetings where PM suggested to increase organic farming in Assam. Recently, we have seen a documentary that there is so much potential hidden in our land, if we try to use it efficiently, we won’t need Urea, Nitrogen, or Phosphate. During our campaign, we had said that we would work to stop fertilizer jihad. Extensive usage of fertilizer will affect health," says Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Congress veteran Siddaramaiah has sworn in as the Chief Minister of Karnataka

PM Modi tweets about German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during the G7 summit

"Glad to have met my friend, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, on the sidelines of the G-7 Summit in Hiroshima," tweets PM Modi

PM Modi appreciates Japanese painter Hiroko Takayama for imbibing spirit of India in her paintings

-PM Narendra Modi on saturday appreciated the well known Japanese painter Hiroko Takayama for imbibing the spirit of Indin in her paintings, thus contributinh to the promotion of cultural cooperation betwee India and Japan

China to Boycott G-20 Meet in Kashmir, Calls it Disputed Region

-China has said it will not attend next week’s G-20 tourism group meeting scheduled to take place in Jammu and Kashmir.

-“China firmly opposes holding any form of G20 meetings on disputed territory. We will not attend such meetings,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at apress briefingon May 19 in Beijing.

(Inputs from Bloomberg)

PM Modi meets Joe Biden in Japan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden share a hug as they meet in Hiroshima, Japan.

Karnataka Deputy CM welcomes Congress Leaders to Bengaluru

-KarnatakaDeputy-CM designate DKShivakumarwelcomes Congress leadersRahulGandhi andPriyankaGandhiVadratoBengaluru. They are here to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the newly-electedKarnatakaGovernment.

As G20 chair, I will represent perspectives, priorities of Global South, says PM Modi at G7 Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an interview with the Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shibum has noted the importance pf the cooperation between the G7 and the G20, whilst addressing serious global issues.

The Prime Minister, who also chairs the G20 summit, laid emphasis on hos commitment towards leading the international relations, as well as resolving multiple challenges of the "Global South", including developing and emerging countries.

PM Modi holds bilateral meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart

PM Modi holds bilateral meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh in Japan

Google, Apple & Amazon under anti-trust scanner in India

"The ministry has to take action," Chandrasekhar said. "We have thought through it. You will see it in the coming weeks. Certainly it's not something that we will leave and push under the carpet," IT Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said on action against Google. He said the issue "is worrisome, not just for us, it's worrisome for the entire digital ecosystem in India".
Other companies such as Apple and Amazon also face cases against them for potential anti-competitive practices in India. Chandrasekhar said the government was keen to take steps to ensure India's digital economy is protected.
"We don’t want it to be growth in a way that distorts consumer choice or free competition," Chandrasekhar said. "We will certainly be looking into what the government needs to do to prevent anybody, including but not limited to Google, from abusing their market power or market dominance," he added.

Growing tension between Indian companies and Google

India's competition watchdog has begun another inquiry into Google after Tinder owner Match Group and many startups alleged that a new service fee system Google uses for in-app payments breaches the competition commission's October decision, Reuters reported.
Google has previously said the service fee supports investments in the Google Play app store and the Android mobile operating system, ensuring it can distribute it for free.
Following the Android antitrust order in India, Google was also forced make sweeping changes to how it markets its mobile operating system in the country, even though it warned "no other jurisdiction has ever asked for such far-reaching changes".

India plans action against Google after antitrust breaches

India's government plans to take action against Alphabet Inc's Google after an antitrust watchdog last year found the group to have abused its market position by indulging in anti-competitive practices, a top IT minister told Reuters. India's antitrust body in October fined Google $275 million in two cases, which involved abusing its dominant position in the Android operating system market, and pushing developers to use its in-app payment system.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the federal deputy minister for information technology, told Reuters in an interview at the IT ministry in New Delhi that such findings are "serious" and cause "deep concern" to India's federal government, which will take its own action against Google.

G7 aims to rein in risks from China, awaits Zelenskiy

A look at a draft of the final G7 communique

G7 leaders agreed that China's status as the world's second-largest economy meant they had to continue to cooperate, Reuters reported.
"We do not seek to thwart China's economic progress and development," the leaders said in the draft, which is still subject to change.
Zelenskiy is expected to hold bilateral meetings with attendees of the G7 summit, including the host, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

G7 focussed on "managing security risks"

The G7, composed of the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Britain, Italy and Canada, has been increasingly focussed, officials say, on managing what they see as considerable security risks with China while maintaining critical trade ties.
G7 leaders planned to outline steps to protect sensitive technology, including outbound investment measures, in their communique, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters at a briefing in Hiroshima. Members of the group were looking to "de-risk, not decouple" from China, he said.
The leaders would outline a common set of tools to address economic coercion, including steps to build more resilient supply chains and efforts to protect sensitive technologies through export controls and outbound investment measures, Sullivan added.

PM Modi unveils Mahatma Gandhi's bust in Hiroshima, site of world's first nuclear attack

G7 aims to rein in risks from China, awaits Zelenskiy

Leaders from the Group of Seven (G7) nations will outline steps to help rein in risks from China while preserving economic ties, the White House said on Saturday, highlighting the difficult balancing act rich democracies face with Beijing. US President Joe Biden and other G7 leaders have gathered in the Japanese city of Hiroshima for a three-day summit that has put in sharp focus both the relationship with Beijing and the urgency of ending Russia's conflict with Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is due to arrive in Hiroshima on Saturday, as he seeks to drum up support for his country's efforts to counter the invasion by Russia.

Inflation remains well above the Fed's target, says Jerome Powell 

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has reiterated that inflation remains well above the Fed's target, and as reports emerged that US debt ceiling talks have stalled.All three major US stock indexes turned red as Powell said the central bank has not made any decisions about whether rates are "sufficiently restrictive" to tame inflation.
Adding to market volatility, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told bank CEOs that more mergers may be necessary to stanche the banking liquidity crisis, according to CNN.

An IRS officer arrested for allegedly stalking and harassing a woman IAS officer

- Case registered at Parliament Street PS under sections 354D (stalking), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation) of the IPC.

US Senator Tim Scott files for 2024 US presidential run

US Senator Tim Scott announced his candidacy for the 2024 US Presidential elections, emerging as the latest opponent to Donald Trump, CNN reported citing Federal Election Commission's website.

Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin will lead business delegation to Singapore from May 23 to 24 

Around 350 businesspeople and members of the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and government officials of both sides are expected to participate in the Tamil Nadu Investment Conclave on May 24, the SICCI said in a press release on Friday.

Truck driver arrested in multi-vehicle freeway crash that killed 7 in US

The driver of a semitruck that slammed into a passenger van on Interstate 5 in western Oregon, killing 7 people in one of the state's deadliest crashes in recent years, was arrested Friday on suspicion of manslaughter, DUI and other charges, police said. (AP)