Indian Sub-continent

Mumbai, May 3 (PTI) A police constable suffered serious injuries in an encounter with Naxals in Maharashtra's insurgency-hit Gadchiroli district on Tuesday, a senior official said.

The skirmish took place near Dodraj forest in Bhamragad, located over 900 km from the state capital Mumbai, when a team of C-60 commandos, a specialised combat unit of the Gadchiroli police, was patrolling in the area, he said.

The ultras, who had gathered in the forest, opened fire at the police patrolling team, following which the security personnel retaliated.

New Delhi, May 3 (PTI) A 32-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly raping and killing a 14-year-old girl in north Delhi's Narela area, police said.

The accused has been identified as Sunil, a resident of Uttar Pradesh's Hardoi district, they said.

The police said a case of kidnapping had been registered on February 15 after receiving a complaint from the girl's father, a resident of a village in Narela.

New Delhi, May 3 (PTI) Exports rose by 24.22 per cent to USD 38.19 billion in April on account of healthy performance by sectors like petroleum products, electronic goods and chemicals, the commerce ministry said on Tuesday.

Imports during the month under review grew 26.55 per cent to USD 58.26 billion. The trade deficit in April 2022 widened to USD 20.07 billion as against USD 15.29 billion in the year-ago period, it said.

NEW DELHI (AP) — An unusually early and brutal heat wave is scorching parts of India, with acute power shortages affecting millions as demand for electricity surges to record levels.

Supplies of coal at many thermal power plants are running perilously low, spawning daily power outages in several states. The shortages are sparking scrutiny of India’s long reliance on coal, which produces 70% of the country’s electricity.

SRINAGAR, India (AP) — Muslims across India marked Eid al-Fitr on Tuesday by offering prayers outside mosques, even as the celebrations this year came in the backdrop of a series of recent attacks against the community during the month of Ramadan.

“We will not have the same kind of festivity” this time, said Mohammad Habeeb ur Rehman, a civil engineer in India’s financial capital, Mumbai. “This is the most painful Eid with worst memories for Indian Muslims,” he added.

Bijnor (UP), May 2 (PTI) A nine-year-old girl was allegedly raped by her 18-year-old uncle who works as a labourer at a brick kiln here, police said on Monday.

They said the incident happened at Shivalakala Kalan when the girl's parents had gone for work at the same brick kiln.

They said the accused was arrested after an FIR was filed against him under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences Act.

Kanpur: A strange occurrence was reported here on Sunday with UP Public Works Minister Jitin Prasada.

During the address to the villagers in Chaubepur block in the district, his mic started going off several times in between.

Upon this, he quipped that the people who put the mike may be either of SP or BSP. As soon as the minister spoke, there was panic among the officers present there.

Along with the DM, other officers also moved towards the control room of the mic and sound system. But, till then the technician present there fixed the problem.

Kanpur: An old mother beseeches the DM to get her 19-year-old girl traced. She used to cook utensils in the houses in Chakeri Deviganj here.

She had filed a report 12 days ago accusing K Balmiki of the area of ​​kidnapping her young daughter.

He alleges that the police are negligent in finding his daughter.

DM Neha Sharma had also joined the cabinet minister Jitin Prasada's arrival in the office of Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana here.

NEW DELHI, May 1 (Xinhua) -- The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday formally came into force, officials said.

The trade pact was signed between the two countries on Feb. 18.

India's Commerce Secretary B V R Subrahmanyam flagged off the first consignment of goods comprising of jewellery products from India to UAE under the India-UAE CEPA at a function in New Delhi.

Thane, Apr 30 (PTI) The Thane district court on Saturday refused to grant pre-arrest bail to BJP MLA Ganesh Naik in a case of rape and intimidation filed by a woman with whom he was allegedly in a relationship.

District and Additional Sessions Judge N K Brahme pronounced the order.

Two First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered against Naik, a former Maharashtra minister, in Navi Mumbai for alleged rape as well as for offenses under the Arms Act earlier this month.