India's ruling and opposition parties miss deadline set by poll body

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party and the country's main opposition party Congress have not replied to a notice from the Election Commission and have sought more time.

Both parties were asked to file a reply by Monday, following allegations that speeches made by Modi and Congress' de facto leader Rahul Gandhi violated election rules.

Modi is accused of using religion to seek votes, something India's election rules prohibit.

He's alleging that the opposition will 'snatch the country's wealth' and give it to the country's 200 million Muslim residents, if voted back to power.

Neha Poonia has more.

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India expresses "deep concern" over Sikh separatist slogans at event in Canada

India has summoned Canada's Deputy High Commissioner to express "deep concern and strong protest" after separatist slogans were raised at an event addressed by Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries after Trudeau last year said there were "credible allegations" potentially linking India to the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia.

Rebecca Bundhun reports from Mumbai

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US AND THE PHILIPPINES HOLD MOCK ASSAULT DRILLS

Troops from the US and the Philippines are participating in amphibious assault drills as part of their annual two-week joint military exercises

The drills run until May 10 amid high tensions between Beijing and Manila who both have claims to maritime territory in the South China Sea, as Laura Westbrook reports from Hong Kong.

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US Gaza protests escalate with more arrests and deadlines

Pro-Gaza protests are escalating on US college campuses, with more
arrests and deadlines defied.

In Austin, riot police have tried to break up a new encampment at the
University of texas.

While in New York, protesters camped out at Columbia have remained,
despite the university issuing a deadline for them to leave or face
suspension from the institution.

Sally Patterson reports from the protest site in New York.

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Blinken urges Hamas accept ceasefire proposal

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has discussed a possible
ceasefire in Gaza with US allies in Saudi Arabia, urging Hamas to
accept the proposal.

Blinken has also warned Israel over its planned ground offensive in Rafah.

Nick Harper reports from Washington.

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UN closes several cases involving UNRWA staff linked to Oct 7 attacks

The United Nations' internal investigations team has closed several
cases involving UNRWA employees linked to the October 7 attack,
due to lack of evidence provided by Israel.
The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services has been investigating
some 12 cases, following Israel's accusations in January this year.
Jody Jacobs reports from the United Nations in New York...

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More than 800 arrests at US campus protests

More than 800 arrests have been made at college campuses across the US, as pro-Palestinian protests continue.

On Monday, Columbia University said it has not reached an agreement with demonstrators camping out on the college grounds.

This comes after protests - and counter demonstrations - sprung up at more than 20 campuses across the country in the past week.

Sally Patterson reports from New York.

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Tesla gearing up to sell self-driving tech in China, after Musk trip

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has just completed a successful trip to China, to get permission to sell his car company's Full Self-Driving technology.
His trip comes just after Secretary of State Anthony Blinken's visit in a bid to improve communication and relieve tensions between China and the U.S.
Caroline Malone reports.

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Millions under severe weather alerts across central US as deadly storm rages

Tens of millions of people are under severe weather alerts across the US south on Monday as a storm front pushes its way through Louisiana and parts of Texas. It's the same storm system that killed at least four people over the weekend, including an infant. Toni Waterman has more.

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CHAT GPT OWNER WILL WILL PAY FINANCIAL TIMES FOR ACCESS TO ARTICLES

The owners of artificial intelligence chat bot, ChatGPT, will be able to use content from the Financial Times newspaper after signing a new deal.

It marks the latest attempt by OpenAI to pay publishers for content its chat bots use, after getting embroiled in a legal battle with other publications for allegedly using their work.

Stuart Smith reports from London.

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Indian PM Narendra Modi slams opposition saying autocracy accusations false

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi says India is not becoming an autocracy, in response to claims from opposition politicians.

Speaking to a national daily in the country, he says this accusation is false, and is being spread by his political rivals.

Sreoshi Mukherjee reports...

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TOGO VOTES IN PARLIAMENTARY AND REGIONAL POLLS

Voting is underway in Togo to elect lawmakers and regional representatives for the West African nation.

It comes as opposition groups accuse President Faure Gnassingbé of grabbing power  as he looks to extend his tenure

This month, the country's parliament passed a controversial reform, which will allow lawmakers to directly select the president instead of going through a national vote.

Correspondent Nabil Ahmed Rufai reports from Accra.

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An Indian court dismisses petition to disqualify Prime Minister Modi from elections for 6 years

An Indian court dismissed a petition seeking Prime Minister Narendra Modi be disqualified from contesting elections for six years.

The petitioner accused him of violating India's election code by allegedly seeking votes in the name of religion and places of worship.

Priyata Brajabasi has more.

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Chinese president to start three-nation tour in May with visit to France

The Chinese president will visit France next week as he starts five days of diplomatic visits in Europe.

Xi Jinping will be in France from 6-7 May, before heading on to Serbia and Hungary.

Ross Cullen reports.

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Nigeria Secures $600 Million Investment from Maersk to Expand Seaport Infrastructure

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Nigeria has secured a $600 million investment from A.P Moller-Maersk, a Danish shipping and logistics company, for seaport infrastructure.

The investment was secured during a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and Moller-Maersk Chairman Robert Maersk Uggla on the sidelines of a World Economic Forum meeting in Saudi Arabia.

Correspondent Ajeck Mangut reports.

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The IMF board meeting is set to meet on Monday to review Pakistan's last tranche under the Standby arrangement

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The International Monetary Fund's board of directors are set to meet on Monday to review Pakistan's final $1.1 billion tranche.

Last year, Islamabad secured a $3 billion loan program which helped prevent a debt default and stabilized its economy.

Hira Mustafa has more.

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ALLEGED COUP PLOTTERS GO ON TRIAL IN GERMANY

The first of three high profile criminal trials get underway today in Germany - as a group faces allegations of preparing to try and violently overthrow the German government. 

From Berlin, Trent Murray reports. 

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US rejects a portion of exports of Indian spice brand over salmonella contamination

Data from the US Food and Drug Administration has revealed that United States has refused 31 per cent of all spice-related shipments exported by popular Indian spice brand MDH over salmonella contamination in the last six months.

This comes at a time when both Singapore and Hong Kong have suspended sales of certain products of Indian spice brands MDH and Everest after alleged detection of a carcinogenic pesticide.

Priyata Brajabasi has more.

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HEAT WAVE WARNING FOR SOUTH ASIA

Large parts of South Asia are battling an intense heat wave.

In India, heat wave warnings are in place for southern regions - even as in neighbouring Bangladesh schools have reopened after being shut briefly last week.

Neha Poonia has more.

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Southeast Asia Heat Wave Shuts Schools in the Philippines

The Philippines has suspended classes for two days until Tuesday as temperatures hit 50 degrees Celsius in parts of the country.

The Philippines authorities say the extreme heat will continue into the second week of May.

Laura Westbrook reports.

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