A 25-year-old woman from Telangana, Guntipalli Sowmya, died after being hit by a car in Florida, USA, her family reported. Sowmya was struck by a speeding car while crossing the road on May 27, according to information received by her family. She died on the spot. Sowmya had traveled to the US for higher studies and recently graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a master’s degree. She was in the process of seeking employment. The news of her sudden death shocked her family. Her parents, Koteswara Rao and Balamani are appealing to the Indian government for assistance in bringing her body back to India.
India announces aid for landslide-hit PNG
India has announced immediate assistance worth $1 million to Papua New Guinea (PNG) in the wake of a devastating landslide that buried hundreds of people and caused major destruction. PM Modi expressed deep condolences and conveyed India’s readiness to extend all possible support. “As a close friend and partner under the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) and as a gesture of solidarity with the friendly people of Papua New Guinea, Govt of India extends an immediate relief assistance...,” said the govt in a statement, adding that India has firmly stood by PNG during times of difficulty and devastation caused by natural disasters, like in the wake of the earthquake in 2018 and volcanic eruptions in 2019 and 2023
Indian origin takes over bankrupt WeWork
Anant Yardi, an Indian-origin software tycoon, has become the new CEO of WeWork after acquiring a majority stake in the company. This change in leadership comes as WeWork navigates bankruptcy. Yardi, an IIT-Delhi alumnus, has invested over $200 million in equity and debt into WeWork over the past two years. Founded in 2010 by Adam Neumann and Miguel McKelvey, WeWork once had a peak valuation of $47 billion but filed for bankruptcy in November 2023, dropping its valuation to $750 million by April 2024. Yardi immigrated from India to the US in 1968, where he started his own company, Yardi Systems. Before founding his own company, Yardi spent 14 years at Burroughs Corporation (now Unisys).
4 Pak soldiers killed in Khyber region blast
At least four Pakistan Army soldiers were killed while three others were injured in an IED blast in the country’s restive northwest region, police said. The incident occurred late Friday evening when the security forces were on patrolling duty in Sra Bangla and Tarkhanan area of the country’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The injured were immediately shifted to hospital, said police. A search is on to trace the fleeing culprits involved in the attack. No group has claimed responsibility for the blast yet.
Iranian forces kill 4 Pakistanis in Balochistan
Four Pakistanis were killed and two were injured, when Iranian forces opened fire in the restive southwestern province of Balochistan in Pakistan, officials said. The shooting took place near the Pakistan-Iran border, in Washuk District, confirmed Umar Jamali, additional deputy commissioner. Naeem Umrani, deputy commissioner Washuk, said an investigation is being initiated to determine the reason for the shooting. Iran and Pakistan have had a history of rocky relations, but missile strikes in January were the most serious incidents in years, with Pakistan recalling its ambassador to Tehran and not allowing its counterpart to return to Islamabad, as well as cancelling all high-level diplomatic and trade engagements.
Indian origin student goes missing in California
A 23-year-old Indian student from Hyderabad has been missing since May 28 and police have sought public help to locate her. Nitheesha Kandula, a student at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB), was last seen in Los Angeles on May 28. She was reported missing to the Los Angeles Police Southwest Division on May 30, according to a social media post by John Guttierez, Chief of Police, CSUSB. Police sought help public to locate the missing student. The missing person alert describes her as 5 feet 6 inches tall. She weighs around 160 pounds and has black hair and black eyes. She may have been driving a 2021 Toyota Corolla.
Starliner launch calls off again
Ground control teams dramatically called off the first crewed launch of Boeing’s Starliner spaceship on Saturday with just under four minutes left on the launch countdown clock, for reasons that are not year clear. It was the latest setback for the troubled program, which has faced years of delays and safety scares. A previous launch attempt was cancelled on May 6. Nasa astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were seen exchanging thumbs-up signs and waves with their families before boarding a van for the journey to the launch pad.
Claudia Sheinbaum elected Mexico president
Claudia Sheinbaum was elected Mexico's first woman president by a landslide, making history in a country plagued by rampant criminal and gender-based violence. Crowds of flag-waving supporters sang and danced to mariachi music in Mexico City's main square celebrating the ruling party candidate's victory. "I want to thank millions of Mexican women and men who decided to vote for us on this historic day," Sheinbaum said in a victory speech. Sheinbaum, a scientist by training, won around 58-60 per cent of votes, according to preliminary official results from the National Electoral Institute.
14 HK democrats found guilty in subversion trial
Fourteen Hong Kong pro-democracy activists were found guilty and two were acquitted in a landmark subversion trial that critics say could deal another blow to the city’s rule of law and its reputation as a global financial hub. The verdicts in Hong Kong’s biggest trial against the democratic opposition come more than three years after police arrested 47 democrats in dawn raids at homes across the city. They were charged with conspiracy to commit subversion under a national security law imposed by China. Sentencing will come at a later date for those found guilty, with prison terms ranging from three years to life. The US and some other countries have criticised the trial as politically motivated, calling for the accused to be released.
Shooting in Ohio kills 1, wounds 2 dozen others
An early morning shooting on a street in Ohio killed one person and injured 24 others, some critically, police said. Police said shots were reported early Sunday in the city of Akron, where multiple victims struck by gunfire were reported. Capt Michael Miller, an Akron police public information officer, said some of the victims were in critical condition while others had injuries that were not life-threatening, he said. No arrests were immediately reported. Police said the investigation is on. WEWS-TV reported that a street party was happening in the area before the gunfire broke out, and a witness at the scene told the station that hundreds of people were enjoying themselves with everyone in white T-shirts and “women on top of vehicles dancing”.
