Indian Sub-continent

Islamabad, May 6, IRNA -- A senior Pakistani columnist has stressed upon the need for developing effective barter trade system between Iran and Pakistan.

Ayub Malik in his article published in Urdu daily ‘Jang’ said that many countries in the world are doing trade with Iran through barter system so Pakistan should also use that link to boost bilateral trade ties.

He said recent visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to Iran has paved the way for durable peace in the region and enhances trade and political ties between the two countries.

New Delhi, May 5; PTI/GANASHAKTI: The Supreme Court Sunday termed as "wholly incorrect" a media report that said that justices RF Nariman and DY Chandrachud met Justice SA Bobde, who is heading the in-house committee inquiring into sexual harassment allegations against Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi.

A statement issued by the office of the Supreme Court's secretary general said it is "most unfortunate" that a leading newspaper chose to state that the two judges met Justice Bobde on Friday evening.

Lucknow, May 5; PTI/GANASHAKTI: A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi charged the SP with going soft on the Congress as part of a "big game" against the BSP, the two "mahagathbandhan" partners blamed the PM on Sunday for trying to create a rift in the alliance.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati said the alliance "will continue in the future as well", while Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav said the prime minister was "misleading" people.

Colombo, May 6 (PTI) Sri Lankan authorities Monday lifted an overnight curfew in the western coastal town of Negombo where violence erupted between groups of people over the weekend, days after the Easter bombings by Islamist extremists that killed more than 250 people in the island nation.

The curfew was imposed on Sunday after a group of miscreants carrying swords attacked some people travelling on a three-wheeler in Porathota area of the town. The vehicle was set on fire.

Puducherry, May 5 (PTI) Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy Sunday urged Kiran Bedi to quit as Lt Governor after the Madras High Court had recently held that the Lt Governor "cannot interfere in the day-to-day activities of the elected government in the union territory."

The High court had laid down very clearly that the Lt Governor had no powers to act independently and that she must work "in tandem with the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers," he told reporters here.

Bengaluru, May 5 (PTI) A tweet by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tipu Sultan triggered a war of words between senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah and BJP's Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Sunday, with the former saying he was not the one to "eat biryani" with the premier of an enemy country.

Siddaramaiah's comment came in the wake of Khan's tweet on Tipu Sultan, the 18th-century ruler of the erstwhile Mysore kingdom.

Raipur, May 5 (PTI) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel Sunday announced a financial aid of Rs 11 crore to Odisha following cyclonic storm Fani to help the state carry out restoration work.

'Fani' barrelled through Odisha on Friday, unleashing heavy rain and winds of up to 175 kmph, killing at least 29 people, blowing away thatched houses and swamping towns and villages.

A Chhattisgarh government statement said Baghel had spoken to Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik and assured him of all support.

Thiruvananthapuram, May 5 (PTI) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has extended solidarity to the people and the government of Odisha, which was hit by cyclone Fani.

Vijayan, in a letter sent to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Saturday, said Kerala would do everything possible to assist in relief and rehabilitation of the cyclone-affected.

The Kerala chief minister said Kerala and its people "offer all assistance" including provision of medical teams, fire and rescue services and state electricity board personnel if necessary.

New Delhi, May 5 (PTI) The Delhi police on Sunday filed an FIR against the man who allegedly slapped Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during a roadshow a day ago, officials said.

The accused, Suresh, has been booked under Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 153 (promoting enmity between different groups) of the Indian Penal Code, Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Monika Bhardwaj said.

He was sent to two days of judicial custody, the police said.

New Delhi, May 5 (PTI) The Election Commission Sunday rejected a plea to reschedule the commencement of polls during the last three phases of the Lok Sabha elections to 5 am instead of 7 am due to Ramzan.

Ramzan, the month of fasting in Islam, will begin from May 7 (Tuesday).

The Supreme Court had on Thursday directed the Election Commission to take a call on a plea seeking to advance the voting timing to 5 am for the remaining phases of the Lok Sabha election due to heat waves and Ramzan.