Kerala Rain News Live: The state is on high alert for extremely heavy rainfall in five districts on Monday, for the third consecutive day, as pre-monsoon rainfall lashed across Kerala, leaving several places inundated. A red alert warning for extremely heavy rain has been sounded for five districts Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Kozhikode, and Kannur. The IMD warned about the advancement of the southwest monsoon into the Andaman Sea and more rain accompanied by stormy weather in the coming days.
Show more Show less
!1 New UpdateClick here for the latest updates
Buddha’s thoughts can make the planet more peaceful, harmonious, and sustainable: PM Modi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on the occasion of Buddha Purnima on Monday that the thoughts of Buddha can make our planet more peaceful, harmonious, and sustainable. He tweeted, “On Buddha Purnima, we recall the principles of Lord Buddha and reiterate our commitment to fulfilling them. The thoughts of Lord Buddha can make our planet more peaceful, harmonious, and sustainable.” PM Modi also travels to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddhism’s founder, in Nepal to mark the day.
China logs 140 new local COVID-19 cases, 69 in Shanghai
The Chinese mainland on Sunday reported 140 locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases, of which 69 were in Shanghai, according to the National Health Commission’s report on Monday. Apart from Shanghai, eight other provincial-level regions on the mainland witnessed new local COVID-19 cases, including 39 in Beijing, according to Xinhua News Agency.
India to host key SCO anti-terror meet today.
India is set to host a Regional Anti-Terror Structure (RATS) talks under the auspices of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in New Delhi on Monday. The key anti-terror meeting will begin in New Delhi at 9 am today. All members of the SCO will be attending the conference, which will include a three-member delegation from Pakistan. On Saturday, an inter-ministerial board from Pakistan reached India via the Wagah border crossing. The Pakistani delegation would stay in India till May 20, The Express Tribune newspaper reported.
Delhi CM Kejriwal to hold meeting over anti-encroachment drive
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will meet with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs on Monday regarding the anti-encroachment drive in the national capital. The conference, which will begin at around 11 a.m., was initially scheduled for May 14 but was canceled due to the massive building fire in Mundka the previous day, which claimed the lives of 27 people. Monday’s meeting will take place at Kejriwal’s residence in Civil Lines. “Everyone will share their ideas to counter the BJP. The BJP-controlled MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi) has launched the encroachment drive, which we must stop to save the Delhiites. In the name of encroachment, they are demolishing people’s homes. AAP is standing with the common people of Delhi,” said an AAP leader.
UU.S. Two die, several injured in flea market Texas shootout
Two people died, and several others were injured in a shootout near a north Harris County flea market Sunday afternoon, police said. “@HCSOTexas units responded to a shooting at a flea market located at 8729 Airline Drive. Initial info: multiple people have been shot, and two are confirmed deceased on the scene. Homicide/CSU investigators are enroute. Command Staff & PIO also en route,” said Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. According to officials from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, thousands of people were at a flea market when two groups began shooting at each other.
Jet fuel prices hiked by 5% in Delhi.
The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has hiked jet fuel prices by 5 percent, taking it to Rs 1.23 lakh per kilolitre in Delhi as on May 16. Since January, prices of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) have hiked 61.7 percent from Rs 72,062 per kg to Rs 1.23 lakh per kg.
Shanghai aims to return to normal life from June 1
Shanghai aims to reopen more broadly and allow normal life to resume from June 1, a city official said on Monday, after declaring that 15 out of the city’s 16 districts had achieved “zero-COVID cases outside quarantined areas” status. Deputy mayor Zong Ming made the comments at a daily online news conference.
China’s retail sales lowest in two years from Covid damage
China’s retail sales slumped to their lowest in over two years while factory output plunged, official data showed Monday, the latest among dismal numbers capturing the fallout from Beijing’s zero-Covid policy. Retail sales shrank 11.1 percent in April while industrial production fell 2.9 percent, said the National Bureau of Statistics, adding that the virus had a “big impact” on the economy.
New Cabinet ministers of the Manik Saha-led Tripura govt to take oath today
Eleven MLAs – nine from the BJP and two from the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) – will take oath as the cabinet ministers of Tripura on Monday. A day after Manik Saha took oath as Tripura Chief Minister, 11 MLAs are scheduled to take oath as Cabinet Ministers at noon in Agartala on Monday. Governor SN Arya will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the cabinet ministers at a program in Raj Bhavan in the presence of Chief Minister Manik Saha, former chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb, and other dignitaries.
Kerala rain: Red alert in 5 districts, NDRF teams deployed
The state is on high alert for extremely heavy rainfall in five districts on Monday, the third consecutive day, as pre-monsoon rainfall lashed across Kerala, leaving several places inundated. A red alert warning for extremely heavy rain has been sounded for five districts Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Kozhikode, and Kannur. All other sections except Thiruvananthapuram and Palakkad have been issued orange alerts of heavy rainfall. The IMD warned about the advancement of the southwest monsoon into the Andaman Sea and more rain accompanied by stormy weather in the coming days. IMD said that a cyclonic circulation over south interior Karnataka and neighborhoods between 2.1km and 5.8km above mean sea level tilting southwestwards will bring more rain to the state. Under the influence of this cyclonic circulation and strong lower-level westerly winds from the Arabian Sea, heavy rains will continue.
Oil prices drop on profit-taking; supply fears linger.
Oil prices slipped on Monday, giving up earlier gains as investors took profits after a surge in the previous session. Brent crude futures were down 64 cents, or 0.6%, at $110.91 a barrel at 0137 GMT, while UU.S.West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures dropped 60 cents, or 0.5%, to $109.89 a barrel. Both benchmarks, which jumped about 4% last Friday, increased by more than $1 a barrel, with WTI reaching its highest since March 28 at $111.71. Still, global supply fears loomed with the European Union preparing to phase in a ban on imports from Russia. “Oil markets are expected to gain this week as a pending ban by the European Union on Russian oil will further tighten global supplies of crude and fuels,” said Kazuhiko Saito, chief analyst at Fujitomi Securities Co Ltd.
Slight rise in Covid cases in Mumbai, Maharashtra
The state, and the city, registered a marginal rise in new cases of Covid-19 on Sunday. Maharashtra reported 255 new cases, while Mumbai recorded 151 points, up from Saturday’s tally of 248 and 131, respectively. Active topics in the state breached the 1,500 mark for the first time since March 19. The state also reported a single death from Mumbai, taking its overall Covid-19 toll to 1,47,855. This was the third consecutive day Mumbai reported an end due to the novel coronavirus. Before this, the city had not seen any fatality for 12 days. Civic officials said the deceased was a senior citizen with comorbidities. Mumbai had reported four Covid-19 deaths in all of April. In comparison, three deaths have already occurred in the first two weeks of May.
UP: Lucknow illuminated ahead of PM Modi’s visit.
Lucknow has been decorated with colorful lights as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the capital city of Uttar Pradesh on Monday. PM Modi will visit Uttar Pradesh’s Kushinagar, after which he will leave for Nepal today, where he will pay obeisance at Lord Buddha’s birthplace on the occasion of Buddha Purnima. After his Nepal visit, the Prime Minister will visit Lucknow and interact with the Cabinet Ministers of Uttar Pradesh at chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s official residence. On arrival in Nepal, PM Modi will visit Mayadevi Temple and attend a special prayer. PM Deuba will accompany him. PM Modi will also be lighting a butter lamp in front of the Ashokan Pillar and watering the Bodhi tree gifted by PM Modi during his 2014 visit.
Gold prices up from 3-month lows as dollar surge slows
Gold prices on Monday rose above the more-than-three-month low level hit in the previous session, as a weaker dollar outweighed pressure from higher UUU.S. TreasuryyieldsGold fell more than 1% on Friday to its lowest since Feb. 4 and marked its fourth straight weekly decline. . Spot gold was up 0.3% at $1,815.69 per ounce as of 0057 GMT. UU.UU.S. goldtures gained 0.2% to $1,812.2e.
According to the planning minister, the Philippines’ 7-9% GDP growth target is achievable.
The Philippines’ target of 7% to 9% gross domestic product (GDP) growth this year is “doable” despite external risks, its economic planning minister said on Monday.” The bulk of the development will come from domestic demand, and we have to ensure a strong domestic rebound,” Economic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua told ANC news channel, days after reporting a better-than-expected 8.3% GDP growth in the first quarter.
S Korea says it will spare no effort to help North Korea amid the COVID outbreak.
South Korea’s President Yoon Suk-you said on Monday that the country would spare no effort to help North Korea as the isolated nation battles a COVID-19 outbreak. He reiterated he would remain open for humanitarian aid. Suppose North Korea responds (to our support). In that case, we will spare no medicines, including COVID-19 vaccines, medical equipment, and health personnel,” said Yoon in a speech at the plenary session of the National Assembly. Inthe address, Yoon also said he would discuss with UUU.S. President Joe Biden ways to strengthen cooperation on the global supply chain through the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. Biden is scheduled to visit the country this week.
President Ram Nath Kovind receives a warm welcome from the Indian diaspora in Jamaica.
Indian diaspora extends a warm welcome to President Ram Nath Kovind in Jamaica. President Kovind is on a state visit to Jamaica, St Vincent, and the Grenadines from May 15-21, 2022. This is the first-ever visit by an Indian Head of State to these countries.
The dollar starts the week on a strong footing on a firm safe-haven bid.
The dollar started the week off a 20-year high against peers on Monday as investors sought safety due to fears about global growth. At the same time, cryptocurrency markets appeared to stabilize after last week’s turmoil. The dollar index was at 104.54, having briefly crossed the 105 level on Friday, its highest since December 2002, after six successive weeks of gains. Investors have flocked to the safe-haven currency on concerns about the UU.S.Federal Reserve’s ability to dampen inflation without causing a recession, along with worries about slowing growth arising from the Ukraine crisis and the economic effects of China’s zero-COVID-19 policy. “A mounting global growth concern is supporting broad USD strength,” said Barclays analysts.
PM Modi to lay foundation stone for Centre of Buddhist Culture and Heritage in Nepal’s Lumbini today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for constructing a unique center for Buddhist Culture and Heritage within the Lumbini Monastic Zone during his official visit to Nepal’s Lumbini on Monday on the occasion of Vaishakha Buddha Purnima, informed the Ministry of Culture. The Prime Minister will visit the sacred Mayadevi temple to offer prayers at Lumbini. Prime Minister will also deliver an address at a Buddha Jayanti event organized by the Lumbini Development Trust under the aegis of the Government of Nepal, said the ministry in its press release.
Cuban lawmakers passed a new penal code critiqued by rights and media groups.
Cuban lawmakers on Sunday approved a new penal code for the country that is being critiqued by some rights groups who say its clause on foreign funding may be used to unjustly stifle dissent and independent journalism in the wake of widespread anti-government protests last July. The government said the new code, which replaces a more than 30-year-old penal law drafted under former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, is in line with the country’s new constitution approved by referendum in 2019 and international treaties. The president of Cuba’s Popular Supreme Court, Ruben Remigio Ferro, said the code was compatible “with international legal instruments on criminal matters, always respecting human rights,” according to a report in the state-run newspaper Granma.
China reports 1,227 new COVID cases for May 15 vs. 1,789 a day earlier.
Mainland China reported 1,227 new coronavirus cases for May 15, of which 151 were symptomatic, and 1,076 were asymptomatic, the National Health Commission said on Monday. That compares with 1,789 new points a day earlier, consisting of 239 symptomatic and 1,550 asymptomatic infections, which China counts separately. There were four further deaths, bringing the death toll to 5,213. As of May 15, mainland China had confirmed 221,955 coronavirus cases.
Tokyo shares open higher after UU.S.gains
Tokyo shares opened higher on Monday after Wall Street rebounded, backed by gains among high-tech stocks. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index gained 1.23 percent, or 325.72 points, to 26,753.37 at the open, while the broader Topix index rose 1.03 percent, or 19.13 points, to 1,883.33. Wall Street stocks rallied on Friday, finally scoring gains at the end of a week beset by worries over inflation, the Ukraine war, and the global economic outlook.
North Korea reports eight deaths as Kim laments virus response.
North Korea reported eight new deaths and 392,920 more people with fevers amid a growing COVID-19 outbreak as leader Kim Jong Un blasted officials over delays in medicine deliveries and ordered his military to get involved in the pandemic response in the country’s capital, Pyongyang. The eight new deaths reported in the 24 hours through 6 p.m. Sunday brought its death toll to 50. The North’s emergency anti-virus headquarters said more than 1.2 million people fell ill amid a rapid fever spread since late April, and about 564,860 are currently under quarantine. State media didn’t specify how many of the fever cases and deaths were confirmed as COVID-19 cases. Experts say North Korea likely lacks large numbers of testing supplies and equipment to ensure coronavirus infections and mostly relies on isolating people with symptoms at shelters.
Independent probe points to Israeli fire in journalist death.
As Israel and the Palestinians wrangle over the investigation into the killing of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, several independent groups have launched their probes. One open-source research team said its initial findings lent support to Palestinian witnesses who said she was killed by Israeli fire. The outcome of these investigations could help shape international opinion over who is responsible for Abu Akleh’s death, particularly if an official Israeli military probe drags on. Israel and the Palestinians are locked in a war of narratives that already has put Israel on the defensive.
Blinken discusses global food insecurity stemming from the Ukraine war with their French counterpart.
Ahead of the US-EU Trade and Technology Council ministerial meeting (TTC), UU.S.State Secretary Antony Blinken on Sunday met with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian in Paris-Saclay, France, where both the leaders highlighted the need to ‘confront’ global food insecurity stemming from the war in Ukraine. They also discussed efforts for a joint return to implement the Iran nuclear deal fully. “The two discussed issues of importance in the bilateral relationship, especially the urgent need to confront global food insecurity exacerbated by Russia’s unjust and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine,” a UU.S.State Department press release said.
Somali lawmakers proceed to the final third round to elect a new president.
Somalia is proceeding to the third and final round of voting for the election of the nation’s tenth president after the previous two rounds of voting by lawmakers failed to elect a new president. Four presidential candidates, including Puntland State President, Said Deni, incumbent President Mohamed Farmajo, former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, contested in the second round of voting after the first round ended without any candidate garnering two-thirds of the votes cast, or 219 votes required to win the polls on Sunday. The joint committee organizing the exercise said Former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who garnered 110 votes, and incumbent President Mohamed Farmajo, who secured 83, will now proceed to the third and final round of voting.
Mundka fire: Building owner sent to 2-day police custody
The owner of the building in outer Delhi’s Mundka, where a massive fire claimed 27 lives, had been sent to two-day police custody for further investigation into the fire mishap. The building owner, identified as Manish Lakra, was arrested on Sunday morning. Lakra, absconding after the incident, was nabbed after the police conducted multiple raids in Delhi and Haryana.
JP Nadda is to interact with 14 Heads of Missions today.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president JP Nadda will interact with a group of Head of Missions to India on Monday. Head of Missions from 14 countries will interact with Nadda at 4 pm at BJP Headquarters 6A, Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Margin Delhi tomorrow, according to an official statement issued by the party. This interaction is a part of the series of programs called the “Know BJP” initiatives launched by the party’s national president.
PM Modi leads slew of ambitious water projects to conserve water, secure future.
Recognizing the urgency of water conservation to provide tap water connections in all rural households in India, the national government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a slew of ambitious water projects. One of the key global issues is Global Warming, and all the countries are struggling to cope with this challenging situation. Like any other country, India is not immune to its effects. Although India has 18 percent of the world’s population, it only possesses 4 percent of its renewable water resources, as reported by the Saudi Gazette.
Assam floods: Nearly 57,000 people across seven districts affected
Around 57,000 people across seven districts of Assam have been affected by the current spell of flood in the northeastern state, according to an official statement. The data also shows that nearly 222 villages under 15 revenue circles were affected in this flood wave, and around 10321.44 hectares of cultivated land have submerged under flood waters. Apart from human beings, the surge has also affected 1,434 animals, and a total of 202 houses have been damaged. Three people inclu, including a child, died during this natural calamity in Assam.
