Highlights: US announces $2.1 billion arms package for Ukraine

The United States on Friday announced a $2.1-billion military aid package for Ukraine, just as Kyiv appeared to be opening its long-awaited counter-offensive aimed at driving Russia from the country.

The package included missiles for Patriot air defense systems, artillery rounds, drones and laser-guided rocket system munitions.

The new arms, illustrate "the continued commitment to both Ukraine's critical near-term capabilities as well as the enduring capacity of Ukraine's Armed Forces to defend its territory and deter Russian aggression over the long term," the Pentagon said in a statement, reported AFP. 

ED issues show-cause notice to Xiaomi India, 3 banks for alleged FEMA violation of ₹5,551 crore. Read full story

The 10 years of the Congress-led UPA regime were "a lost decade" and saw a "bhrashtachar ki dukan", Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said on Friday.

He also took a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's "mohabbat ki dukan" (shop of love) pitch and called him a "prolific foreign tourist".

Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters to highlight the Narendra Modi government's achievements in the electronics and technology sector, he said India is witnessing the "most exciting" period in its history as it is reaching new heights due to the prime minister's decisive and effective policy decisions.

PTI

IndiGo is all set to commence codeshare flights through Istanbul to the US as the no-frills carrier continues to expand its international connectivity.

The flights, in codeshare partnership with Turkish Airlines, will provide connections to New York, Boston, Chicago and Washington, effective June 15, it said in a release on Friday, reported PTI. 

The airline, India's largest in terms of domestic market share, already provides codeshare connections to 33 destinations.

The CBI has formed a special investigation team (SIT) under a DIG-rank officer to probe six Manipur violence cases referred to it by the state government, officials said on Friday, reported PTI.

During his visit to the northeastern state, Home Minister Amit Shah had announced a CBI probe to investigate six FIRs -- five on alleged criminal conspiracy and one on general conspiracy behind the violence in Manipur.

Acting on a reference from the state routed through the Centre, the CBI has formed the SIT and taken over the investigation in the cases, they said.

The United Nations envoy to Sudan, a key mediator in the country's brutal conflict, is no longer welcome in the African country, Sudanese authorities say, as the warring sides agreed to a new 24-hour cease-fire, reported AP. 

A terse statement issued by Sudan's Foreign Ministry late Thursday comes just weeks after the head of the country’s military, Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, demanded in a letter to envoy Volker Perthes that he should be removed from his post.

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Amazon Kisan to combine strengths and create synergy between the two organizations for guiding the farmers on scientific cultivation of different crops for optimum yield and income.

"ICAR will provide technological backstopping to the farmers through Amazon's network. It will improve farmers' livelihood and boost crop yield. This MoU in farmer's partnership with Amazon Kisan program will help ensure access to high-quality fresh produce for consumers across India, including through Amazon Fresh," an official statement said. (ANI)

At least three people have died and many are feared trapped after an illegal coal mine collapsed in Jharkhand's Dhanbad on Friday, news agency PTI reported citing an official. Read full story

NCP workers on Friday held a protest here and courted arrest over BJP leader Nilesh Rane's tweet, in which he termed Sharad Pawar as a "reincarnation" of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. NCP spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said hundreds of party workers courted arrest against Rane's "defamatory" tweet against the party chief, reported PTI. 

Accused was brought to Naya Nagar Police Station today. He is being questioned by senior officials of Naya Nagar Police Station.

'We will regulate AI... either they mitigate user harm or won't be allowed to operate', says govt.

Ukraine's domestic security service said on Friday it had intercepted a telephone call proving Russian forces blew up the Kakhovka hydroelectric station and dam in southern Ukraine's Kherson region.

Two accused, on the run after committing a loot, were arrested after a brief encounter in the Karhal area here, police said. The looted cash, mobile and other things were also recovered on Thursday night from their possession, a senior police officer said.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Friday that despite former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi coining the slogan 'Garibi Hatao' (remove poverty) years ago, for the last 52 years, Congress has exploited the poor only for their vote bank.

Supreme Court again declines urgent hearing of a plea challenging RBI’s decision permitting citizens to exchange ₹2000 banknotes, which are being pulled out of circulation, without any requisition slip and ID proof.

Ukraine's military shot down four cruise missiles and 10 attack drones during a Russian air strike overnight, the air force said in a statement early on Friday.

"Thank you for the insightful conversation Sam Altman. The potential of AI in enhancing India’s tech ecosystem is indeed vast and that too among the youth in particular. We welcome all collaborations that can accelerate our digital transformation for empowering our citizens", tweets PM Narendra Modi.

The Border Security Force (BSF) recovered a Pakistani drone along the International Border near Rai village in the Amritsar sector in Punjab in the intervening night of Thursday and Friday.

Twenty newborns were shifted to other medical facilities after a fire broke out at a hospital in west Delhi's Janakpuri area in the early hours of Friday, officials said.

The Odisha government has approved 18 investment proposals worth ₹3,457 crore which will generate employment for at least 14,436 people, an official said.

President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Thursday reiterated their commitment to help Ukraine repel Russia's ongoing invasion, while agreeing to step up cooperation on challenges their economies face with artificial intelligence, clean energy, and critical minerals.

The FBI on Thursday arrested a businessman at the center of the scandal that led to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's historic impeachment, a move that came amid new questions about the men’s dealings raised by financial records the Republican's lawyers made public to try to clear him of bribery allegations.

Trump has been charged with seven counts related to the mishandling of classified documents, according to two people familiar with the indictment.

Police arrested a female IT employee on charges of extorting a man by making false allegations of molestation against him, police said on Thursday.

In his post, Trump, who is running for president again, said he has been summoned to a federal courthouse Tuesday in Miami.