FGN70 NEPAL-4THLD COUNTING
*Rookie Balendra Shah defeats four-time PM Oli, RSP set to form next government in Nepal
Kathmandu: RSP's Balendra Shah on Saturday defeated four-time PM K P Sharma Oli by a huge margin and set to form the next government in Nepal, decimating traditional political parties in the first general elections since last year's violent Gen Z protests demanding generational change and corruption-free regime.
FGN77 NEPAL-BALEN-LD PROFILE
Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah is Nepal's rising star in politics
Kathmandu: Balendra Shah 'Balen', the rapper-turned-politician who won Kathmandu's 2022 mayoral polls as an independent, has become the face of a generational change, symbolising a break from Nepal's traditional parties.
FGN76 NEPAL-COUNTING-LD BALEN
RSP's Balendra Shah defeats four-time PM Oli by huge margin in Nepal polls
Kathmandu: RSP leader and rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah 'Balen' on Saturday defeated four-time prime minister K P Sharma Oli by a huge margin of about 50,000 votes in Jhapa-5 constituency, the traditional stronghold of the CPN-UML.
FGN72 CHINA-XI-LD MILITARY
* Enhance political loyalty, Xi Jinping tells Chinese military after purges
Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday called on the PLA to enhance political loyalty after the recent purge of the top brass of the military, while a top General called on the defence personnel to resolutely obey the Chinese leader's command.*
FGN73 LANKA-IRAN-SAILORS
Sri Lanka will repatriate bodies of Iranian sailors killed in US attack
Colombo: Sri Lanka will repatriate the bodies of the Iranian sailors who were killed on IRIS Dena, the first Iranian ship that was torpedoed by the US, the Deputy Defence Minister said on Saturday.
FGN26 US-ASSASSINATION-LD PLOT
Pakistani man with ties to Iran convicted for plotting to kill US President Trump, other American leaders
New York: A Pakistani man with ties to Iran has been convicted here for plotting to assassinate US President Donald Trump and other American politicians to avenge the death of Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in 2020.
FGN25 US-INDIA-LD RUSSIAN OIL
US has given 'permission' to India to accept Russian oil, says Treasury Secretary Bessent
New York/Washington: The US said it has given “permission” to India to buy Russian oil that is on ships already floating on waterways with a view to easing supplies around the world amid the West Asia conflict.
FGN31 PAK-FUEL-HIKE
Pakistan increases petrol, diesel prices by PKR 55 per litre, highest-ever hike
Islamabad: In the first post-Iran war economic shock, Pakistan government in an overnight decision has increased petrol and high-speed diesel prices by PKR 55 per litre each, the highest-ever hike.
FGN52 PAK-COURT-IMRAN
Pak court sentences 47 leaders, supporters of Imran Khan's party to 10 years imprisonment
Islamabad: An anti-terrorism court on Saturday sentenced 47 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders and supporters to 10 years imprisonment and a PKR 5,00,000 fine each in absentia for vandalism and violence during the May 9, 2023, protest.
FGN49 PAK-SAUDI-LD MUNIR
Pak’s CDF Munir meets Saudi defence minister amidst escalating regional tensions
Islamabad: Amidst escalating tensions in West Asia, Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir travelled to Saudi Arabia and met Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman to discuss the security situation.
FGN44 PAK-TERRORISTS
15 terrorists killed in two separate operations in Pakistan's Balochistan
Islamabad: Pakistani security forces have killed 15 terrorists in two separate intelligence-based operations in the restive Balochistan province, the army said on Saturday.
FGN53 IRAN-2NDLD US
Iran's president apologises for strikes on neighbours as missiles, drones still pound their cities
Dubai: Iran's president apologised on Saturday for attacks on regional countries even as its missiles and drones flew toward Gulf Arab states, suggesting Tehran's political leadership could not exercise full command over the Islamic Republic's armed forces as an intense campaign of US-Israeli airstrikes rocked the nation, marking one week of the war. (AP)*