Indian Sub-continent

Kolkata, May 15 (PTI) In one of the largest expansions in the labour market since the beginning of the pandemic, 8.8 million people joined the country's workforce in April, as per data provided by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE).

COLOMBO, May 14 (NNN-XINHUA) – Sri Lanka will continue promoting friendly cooperation with China, newly appointed Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe said, yesterday.

During a meeting with Chinese Ambassador, Qi Zhenhong, Wickremesinghe thanked China for extending assistance to Sri Lanka, during the difficult times, saying that, the new Sri Lankan government will promote the Belt and Road construction, and accelerate the development of the Colombo Port City, Hambantota Port and other major cooperation projects.

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, May 14 (NNN-PTI) – At least four pilgrims were killed and 24 others suffered burns yesterday, after a bus carrying them caught fire, in Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.

The bus caught fire near Katra town, in Reasi district, about 224 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

“Today a bus bearing registration number JK14-1831, on the way from Katra to Jammu caught fire about one km from Katra. Four pilgrims were killed in the incident and 24 others were injured,” a police official said.

COLOMBO, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Saturday appointed four ministers to the new cabinet after United National Party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the South Asian country's prime minister on Thursday.

The new appointments are Dinesh Gunawardena as the minister of public administration, G.L. Peiris as the minister of foreign affairs, Prasanna Ranatunga as the minister of urban development, and Kanchana Wijesekera as the minister of power and energy, according to the President's Media Division.

Udaipur, May 13 (PTI) The Congress on Friday said it will discuss alliance issues after strengthening its own organisation and unifying its cadres as no partner will come if you don't have any investment .

Ahead of the three-day 'Chintan Shivir' here, senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said the party will decide on alliances with those parties that subscribe to its ideology and are concerned over the "attack" on democracy and the Constitution and want to save them.

New Delhi, May 13 (PTI) Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah urging him to stop the "destruction" ensuing in the national capital due to the anti-encroachment drive by the BJP-ruled municipal bodies.

In an online briefing, Sisodia slammed the "bulldozer politics" of the BJP and claimed that the civic bodies are planning to raze 63 lakh dwellings in the national capital.

Saharanpur (UP), May 13 (PTI) A 16-year-old girl was allegedly raped at gunpoint at a village here, police said on Friday.

The girl had gone to work in a farm along with a woman on Thursday when a youth dragged her aside and raped her, SP (City) Rajesh Kumar said quoting the complaint.

As the locals working in nearby fields started reaching the spot on hearing her shrieks, the youth fled.

The girl informed about the incident to her family members, after which a complaint was lodged.

Gurugram, May 13 (PTI) A 22-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly raping a minor girl, police said on Friday.

The accused, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, was produced in a city court which sent him to judicial custody, they said.

An FIR under the POCSO Act was registered at the Badshahpur police station, they said.

The accused lived in the same building where the family of victim, a class 4 girl. resided. On Wednesday afternoon, when the victim was alone at home, the accused barged into her room and allegedly raped her, police said.

Varanasi (UP), May 13 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Friday said all religions lead to the same destination, and urged everyone to follow the path of 'dharma'.

During his two-day visit to Varanasi, he attended the Pattabhishek program of Dr. Mallikarjuna Shivacharya Swami as the 87th Jagadguru of Shri Kashi Peeth in the Veer Shaiv Sammelan organised at Jangambari Mutt.

He said that there are different religions, sects and communities in India.

Varanasi, May 14 (PTI) The videography survey of the Gyanvapi Masjid complex in Varanasi resumed on Saturday amid tight security arrangements, officials said.

The mosque management committee has indicated that it will cooperate for now with the team assigned the task by a local court.