NAMASKAR! A warm welcome to 'World News: an Indian perspective on AKASHVANI. This is Saira Mujtaba bringing glimpses of the major developments of the day from across the globe. Over the next half an hour, we shall bring to you the latest from the world of politics, economy, sports, entertainment and more.

<><><>

THE HEADLINES:

⦁ Prime Minister Narendra Modi terms technology as a tool for adding momentum to the country's growth; Dedicates to the nation many high end scientific projects to mark National Technology Day.

⦁ Pakistan Supreme Court orders immediate release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, rules his arrest illegal.

⦁ IMD says, cyclonic storm Mocha over Southeast Bay of Bengal intensifies into severe category; Likely to escalate further by Friday morning.

⦁ United States to implement tougher law to curb migrant influx as Title 42 ends tonight.

⦁ World Health Organisation declares end to mpox public health emergency.

⦁ Bank of England raises rates to 4.5% as borrowing costs reach to their highest since 2008.

⦁ Indian pair of Divya TS and Sarabjot Singh win gold in the 10m air pistol mixed team event in ISSF World Cup at Baku in Azerbaijan.

<><><>

PM-NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY DAY

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that India is moving forward in the field of technology with new thinking and a holistic approach. He added that India does not consider technology as a medium to establish its dominance, but a tool for adding momentum to the country's growth trajectory. He was speaking on the  occasion of National Technology Day after laying the foundation stone and dedicating to the nation multiple scientific projects worth over five thousand eight hundred crore rupees. During the programme in New Delhi, the Prime Minister also inaugurated the Expo showcasing scientific and technological advancements made in India in the recent past.

Prime Minister Modi also said, a strong foundation has been laid in the field of science and technology sector in the last nine years.

The National Technology Day marks the anniversary of the Pokhran nuclear tests in 1998. It is celebrated every year to commemorate the achievements of innovations and technological excellence in the country.

<><><>

GOVT- TECHNOLOGY

Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Thursday asserted that India will be a global player in all things technology. He said Government’s focus has been to push India from being an outlier to become a serious, competitive participant in global value chains. Addressing the 15th AGM of Public Affairs Forum of India in New Delhi, he spoke about how a number of global players like Apple, Samsung, and Cisco are shifting to India. He exuded confidence that India will soon be among the top three economies by 2026-27. Referring to semiconductor space, Mr Chandrasekhar said Government has created opportunities in manufacturing and design in just 14 months.

<><><>

JAISHANKAR-MANUFACTURING

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has said that India's economy can grow and become stronger only if the focus is shifted to deep manufacturing capabilities and businesses should stop looking for a China fix. Addressing a book release event in New Delhi, he said, India's economic growth cannot be built on Chinese efficiency and businesses need to stop looking for a China fix. Dr Jaishankar said, Make in India is not just about making, it's also about thinking. It has to be think in India. He said, in a way, we are in a very unique circumstance and there are experiences and analogies that we can take best practices. The Minister said, but at the end of the day, we have to think through our growth strategy for ourselves. He said, ultimately if we are really to sustain and take the economy to a different level, we have to create the kind of domestic vendor change that a serious manufacturing economy will do. Dr Jaishankar stated that one should not allow a level playing field in this country for others who subsidise efforts, that's not a level playing field, that is economic suicide. He further stated that every country must support its manufacturers and businesses. He said, we must not let other businesses enjoy advantages in our country at the expense of our own. The External Affairs Minister said, global polarization makes diplomacy far more complex but it is also a window of opportunities for many nations.  On change in the politics of the country, he said  that we are today moving to the politics of delivery. He added that it is the politics of the delivery which is reshaping and rethinking the public of the country. Dr Jaishankar said, it is important for India to move to a strategic economy, have a clear sense who are the partners, where are the opportunities and where should be the focus on the technology tie-ups.

<><><>

 GADKARI-CII

Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has said, India will become a global leader in the automobile sector in the next five years, leaving behind China and America. Mr Gadkari was addressing an event organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi.

Mr. Gadkari appealed industry to find technical solutions to problems like water scarcity and pollution in cities. He also urged for investment in the tourism sector so that jobs can be created.

<><><>

J&K-G20

Security has been tightened in India's Jammu region, particularly in border districts, ahead of a G-20 meeting in Srinagar from 22nd to 24th May. The security agencies have identified infiltration routes and stepped up security to prevent any infiltration from the Pakistani side of the border. However, Multi-tier security of Indian Army, Border Security Force, police and Central Reserve Police Force besides Village Defence Committees (VDCs) has been activated along the International Border and the Line of Control. Security and checkpoints have also been strengthened along the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway, all vehicles are being checked and all movements are being monitored. In view of the threat perception, schools on the national highway and in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch have been closed and online classes will be conducted for students till 25th May. The police urged people to remain alert and check their vehicles before starting them. In the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, cordon and search operations are going on to track down the terrorists involved in the attacks on 20th April and 5th May in which 10 soldiers, including five para commandos of special force, were killed. Worth to mention, the third G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting will be held at Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar from May 22 to 24.

<><><>

PAKISTAN-IMRAN

In Pakistan, the country's Supreme Court has ruled illegal the arrest of former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust case. Imran Khan is accused of accepting land worth over 5 billion Pakistani rupees from private real estate firm Bahria Town in exchange for protecting the company in a money laundering case. According to reports, the apex court ordered the immediate release of Imran Khan rejecting the government's contention that an accountability court had already approved the former prime minister's physical remand. The Supreme Court reportedly said that if the foundation of the arrest was illegal, a structure cannot be allowed to be built on it. The top court asked Imran Khan to approach the Islamabad High Court again on Friday. The Supreme Court asked Khan to abide by the order of the Islamabad High Court.

A three-member apex court bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Mohammad Ali Mazha was hearing the case. During the hearing, Justice Athar Minallah said that the time had come for the court to set an example for the future. He said that the manner in which Khan was arrested cannot be tolerated. After the Supreme Court passed the order, Imran Khan said that no harm should be caused to the country and asked his supporters to remain peaceful. This comes as a relief for Khan who was arrested from the Islamabad High Court premises on May 9 amid the heavy presence of security forces.

Khan's appeal came after his supporters and party leaders carried out nationwide protest resulting in clashes with security forces leading to arsons and riots. It may be noted that senior leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party including former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and former federal Minister Fawad Chaudhry have already been arrested by the Islamabad police. The party has claimed that 47 of its workers died, and 1,000 were arrested in clashes with security forces. Pakistan’s military was called in large parts of the country to maintain the law and order.

Many countries including US and Canada have issued travel advisories for their citizens and diplomatic staff, citing political unrest in Pakistan.

<><><>

HOTSPOT

In today's hotspot section, we bring you a News Commentary on Pakistan's current political and economic crisis.

<><><>

CYCLONE MOCHA

The cyclonic storm Mocha over southeast Bay of Bengal moved northwards during the past six hours with a speed of eleven kilometres per hour and intensified into a severe cyclonic storm. It lies centered about 520 kilometres west of Port Blair, 1100 kilometres south southwest of Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh and 1020 kilometres south-southwest of Myanmar's Sittwe. Met department said it is very likely to move nearly northwards during next 12 hours and intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm by tomorrow morning over central Bay of Bengal. It is likely to cross southeast Bangladesh and north Myanmar coasts around noon of 14th May as a very severe cyclonic storm with maximum sustained wind speed of 150 to 160 kilometres per hour. Andaman and Nicobar Islands will witness heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places tomorrow. Rainfall has been predicted at most places in Tripura and Mizoram on 13th May with heavy rainfall at isolated places.

<><><>

BANGLADESH CYCLONE

Bangladesh is bracing to deal with the impact of Cyclone Mocha as it is set to intensify into a Super Cyclonic Storm by Friday morning. Local media reports that people in the coastal areas of Bagerhat, Baleshwar and Pashur in Mongla among others passed an anxious night fearing the hightide caused by the cyclone which is likely to cross Cox’s Bazar area of Bangladesh on Sunday, May 14. The Government of Bangladesh has prepared 446 cyclone shelters in Bagerhat district. In Cox’s Bazar also cyclone shelters have been kept ready.

<><><>

BANGLADESH-IOC

Bangladesh will host the 6th Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) scheduled to be held between May 12-13 in Dhaka. High level government delegations and think tanks from about 25 countries are expected to take part in the IOC. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the conference and later host a dinner in honour of the guests in the evening. The meeting will discuss aspects strengthening cooperation between the countries of the Indian Ocean region. Bangladesh State Minister of Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam told the media on Wednesday that around 150 foreign guests will participate in the conference including representatives from D8, Saarc and BIMSTEC. Minister for External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar will deliver the keynote address at the opening session in Dhaka on Friday. During his stay in Bangladesh, Dr. Jaishankar is scheduled to call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

<><><>

US-MIGRANTS

In the United States, the number of migrants have surged at the US-Mexico border. This comes as the United States is all set to lift COVID-19 border restrictions known as Title 42 on Thursday night. Due to the restrictions, tens of thousands of migrants have been waiting at the border to cross over to the US. According to reports, number of migrants caught crossing illegally into the US has climbed to over 10 thousand per day this week. Due to the Title 42 restrictions, the border cities in the US have struggled to shelter migrants.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden's administration has increased the deployment of personnel and funds to the border. The US government is also implementing a new regulation that will deny asylum to migrants who cross the border illegally. The new measure will take effect when Title 42 ends along with the broad COVID public health emergency. According to the new regulations, migrants caught crossing illegally could be deported and barred from the United States for five years if they do not qualify for asylum.

<><><>

US-SOUTH AFRICA

The United States has accused South Africa of supplying weapons to Russia despite professing neutrality in the Ukraine conflict. US envoy to South Africa Reuben Brigety said he was confident that a Russian ship loaded with ammunition and weapons was present in Cape Town last December. South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa said his government was looking into the claims. Ambassador Brigety said that Washington had concerns about South Africa's stated non-aligned stance on the conflict. He referred to the docking of a cargo ship in the Simon's Town naval base between 6 and 8 December last year.

<><><>

UNHRC-SUDAN

The United Nations Human Rights Council has voted to increase monitoring of human rights abuses in conflict-hit Sudan. A total of 18 countries voted in favour of the West-led initiative at a special session in Geneva, while 15 voted against and 14 abstained. Sudan has itself had vigorously opposed the motion, arguing that the conflict was an internal affair. Sudan’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Hassan Hamid Hassan, questioned the decision to hold the emergency session just weeks before the Council’s regular session in June. The development comes after more than three weeks of fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) loyal to General Abdel Fattah Al Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. Hundreds of civilians have been killed since fighting erupted last month between Sudan's rival military factions.

<><><>

ISRAEL-GAZA CONFLICTS

Amid the fresh conflict between Israel and Gaza, the Israeli military has killed the head of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) rocket launching force. The PIJ head was reportedly killed in a pre-dawn air strike on an apartment in Gaza. The Israeli military said that two other militants also died in the attack. The apartment was located in Khan Younis city. Sirens later sounded in southern Israel as rockets and mortars were launched from Gaza but no injuries were reported. According to reports, Gaza militants fired 507 rockets and mortars at Israel on Wednesday and Israel struck 158 PIJ targets in Gaza.

On the other hand, the Foreign Ministry of the Sultanate of Oman and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar have condemned Israeli action.

The death toll in the fresh conflict has risen for three consecutive days, with 24 fatalities and 64 injuries, mostly among women and children who have sustained severe injuries.

<><><>

GERMANY SHOOTING

In Germany, at least two people died following a mass shooting incident at a Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen city. According to reports, police detained a suspect. The accused is 53 years old and opened fire on the victims before security workers at the site held him down and handed him over to police. Police said the suspect did not resist arrest. The motive of the shooter is yet to be known. The incident was the latest of several mass shootings in Germany in recent years. The mass shooting incidents have mounted pressure on the German government to consider further tightening the country's already-strict gun laws.

<><><>

SERBIA-GUN AMNESTY

In Serbia, the ongoing month-long amnesty period against gun culture has received a positive response from the public. Serbian citizens have handed over nearly six thousand unregistered weapons in the first three days of the amnesty programme. The anti-gun crackdown comes after two mass shootings incidents last week. Police also have received nearly three lakh rounds of ammunition and about 470 explosive devices so far. The effort to rid Serbia of excessive guns was launched after 17 people were killed in two mass shootings last week and 21 were wounded, many of them children. Authorities have urged citizens to give up unregistered weapons by June 8 or face prison sentences.

<><><>

MILAN-FIRE

In Italy's Milan, a van transporting oxygen gas canisters exploded during transportation injuring four people and setting ablaze nearby cars and motorbikes. Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala ruled out any foul play and informed that no casualty took place in the incident. The mayor informed that the van driver told the fire brigade that the fire started from his vehicle's engine and later resulted in an explosion of the cylinders. Firefighters managed to extinguish the fire quickly limiting damages. According to reports, the fire appeared to have spread to a nearby building which was evacuated.

<><><>

WHO-MPOX

The World Health Organization said on Thursday that mpox is no longer a global health emergency. The WHO statement brings an end to a near year-long alert for mpox that led to confirmed cases in more than  hundred countries across the world. The decision came after the health organisation noted a sustained decline in the number of mpox cases. It may be recalled that the World Health Organization had declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern in July 2022. According to WHO's latest report, over 87 thousand mpox cases were confirmed globally from the beginning of 2022 till May 8 this year. The WHO tag is designed to trigger a coordinated international response and unlock funding to collaborate on sharing of vaccines and treatments.

<><><>

TWITTER

Twitter will now be offering encrypted messaging services just like WhatsApp, Telegram and other social media platforms. Twitter chief executive Elon Musk said that direct messages sent through the platform will be end-to-end encrypted. This means private messages can only be read by the sender and the recipient. Musk, however, said that this is an early version of the service and people should try it, but don't trust it yet. The feature is currently available only to people who pay for Twitter Blue or are affiliated to a verified Twitter account. It is also not yet possible to send media in the messages - users can only send text and links.

<><><>

BOE RATE HIKE

Amid inflation running above 10 percent, the Bank of England today hiked the key interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 4.5 percent. This is the 12th consecutive hike taking borrowing costs to their highest since 2008. The central bank of England said that it no longer predicts a recession and revised its growth forecasts upwards. The policymakers voted 7-2 for a rate hike. The Bank of England was the first major central bank to start raising borrowing costs in December 2021.

<><><>

WORLD NEWS CAPSULE

Key domestic indices ended flat today amid mixed global cues. The BSE Sensex closed near 61,900 points while the NSE Nifty settled below 18,300 level. A report from the business desk-  

<><><>

PM TWEETS

Indian boxers have ensured three medals at the World Boxing Championships for the first time as they advanced to the semifinals in Tashkent on Wednesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Deepak Bhoria, Hussamuddin and Nishant Dev for their performance in the Men’s World Boxing Championships. Retweeting a tweet by Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, the Prime Minister said their accomplishments are very inspiring.

<><><>

ISSF GOLD

In the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup at Baku in in Azerbaijan, Divya TS and Sarabjot Singh won gold in the 10m air pistol mixed team event today in Azerbaijan's capital Baku.  The Indian pair defeated the Serbian legends Damir Mikec and Zorana Arunovic in the final match pulling off a nerve-wracking 16-14 win. It was a second ISSF World Cup gold for Sarabjot who had won the individual air pistol in Bhopal in March this year. On the other hand, it was the first senior medal for Diya at the international level. Ismail Keles and Simal Yilmaz of Turkey won bronze.

<><><>

FPR

Now let us take a look at the major developments around the world, as reported in the Foreign Press.

⦁ The Globe and Mail reports, Donald Trump stands by election fraud claims at CNN town hall in New Hampshire.

⦁ The Financial Times writes, Turkish presidential candidate İnce pulls out of race days before vote.

⦁ The Wall Street Journal reports, Zelensky Says Ukraine Needs More Time Before Launching Counter-offensive.

⦁ The Guardian reports, Gaza Strip fighting enters third day despite Egypt ceasefire efforts.

⦁ Le Monde reports, French mayor resigns after death threats and arson over plans to host refugees.

⦁ The Straits Times reports, Indonesia accepts lack of progress in Myanmar peace plan, but asks Asean to stay united on issue.

⦁ The Business Recorder writes, Political turmoil damaging Pakistan’s already battered economy.

⦁ Japan Times reports quoting former Chinese colonel that South China Sea - not Taiwan - more likely spark of U.S.-China conflict.

<><><>

REPEAT HEADLINES

⦁ Prime Minister Narendra Modi terms technology as a tool for adding momentum to the country's growth; Dedicates to the nation many high end scientific projects to mark National Technology Day.

⦁ Pakistan Supreme Court orders immediate release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, rules his arrest illegal.

⦁ IMD says, cyclonic storm Mocha over Southeast Bay of Bengal intensifies into severe category; Likely to escalate further by Friday morning.

⦁ United States to implement tougher law to curb migrant influx as Title 42 ends tonight.

⦁ World Health Organisation declares end to mpox public health emergency.

⦁ Bank of England raises rates to 4.5% as borrowing costs reach to their highest since 2008.

⦁ Indian pair of Divya TS and Sarabjot Singh win gold in the 10m air pistol mixed team event in ISSF World Cup at Baku in Azerbaijan.

 <><><>

And now, before we end, let us listen to Mahatma Gandhi's favourite bhajanVaishnav Jan, by artists from Indonesia.

And With That, We End This Bulletin. We'Ll Be Back At The Same Time Tomorrow With The Next Edition Of World News.

<><><>