Colombia has chosen Iván Duque, a conservative neophyte, to be its next president after a long and divisive campaign that often centred on a controversial peace process with leftist rebels the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).

Duque, who opposes the peace deal, won in a second round runoff election on Sunday with 53.9% of the vote. His vanquished opponent, Bogotá’s former mayor Gustavo Petro – once a leftist militant himself – defends the peace process.

Despite being the first leftist in the conservative country’s history to come so close to the presidency, he lost on the night, taking 41.8% of the vote.

Many now worry about the fate of the fragile peace deal signed with the Farc in 2016, which formally ended 52 years of civil war that left 220,000 dead and seven million displaced.

ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece and Macedonia will sign an accord on Sunday to change the name of the former Yugoslav republic, the Greek government’s press ministry said on Friday as the governments of both countries faced mounting opposition at home over the deal.

Washington: US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis assailed Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, accusing him of attacking western democracy and trying to break up NATO.

Mattis's remarks came just hours after President Donald Trump repeated his assertion that Russia should be invited back into the G7 group of industrialized nations, from which it was kicked out for annexing Crimea in 2014, an event he blamed on his predecessor Barack Obama.

"For the first time since World War II, Russia has been the nation that has redrawn international borders by force of arms in Georgia and Ukraine, while pursuing veto authority over their neighbours' diplomatic, economic and security decisions," Mattis said at a US Naval War College graduation ceremony in Rhode Island.

"Putin seeks to shatter NATO. He aims to diminish the appeal of the western democratic model and attempts to undermine America's moral authority."

The Pentagon chief added that Putin's actions were designed not to directly challenge America's military prowess, but rather "to undercut and compromise our belief in our ideals."

Union Minister of State for Health, Ashwini Choubey, today said that the Nipah virus has been contained and there was no need to run away from Kerala, from where several deaths were reported.

He said that though 17 deaths due to the virus have been reported from Kerala, no fresh cases of infection were filed.

"There has been no cases of Nipah reported from anywhere in the country. The virus has been stalled. This is a good sign. Nipah is not epidemic. There is nothing to be scared of," Choubey told . 

The minister is in the city for official meetings with several health institutions, besides state ministers. 

Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Shipping, Road Transport & Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari released a book ‘Water productivity mapping of major Indian crops’ published by NABARD in a function at New Delhi today.

Addressing the gathering Shri Gadkari said that there is no scarcity of water in the country but we have to improve upon the planning and management of water resources. Our Ministry and Government is thinking about innovative ways for better management of water resources. Proposal for three projects at Tuticorin, Paradip and Kandla are under consideration where sea water can be desalinised and used for irrigation and other works.

He further said that we are in a process to encourage pipelines in place of long canals.  Piped and drip irrigation will definitely conserve water. We are committed for the vision of ‘Har Khet Ko Pani’ and ‘Per Drop More Drop’. He also stressed on the need of water testing like soil testing before cultivating any crop. This will improve crop yield and avoid wastage of water also.

Secretary Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Shri U.P. Singh emphasized on the need of short term measures also for water conservation. He said that perforated Borings should be used for quick recharge and storage for underground water.

Mumbai: Global ratings agency Fitch on Friday said ICICI Bank and Axis Bank have "gaps" in their risk control mechanisms and has revised down its outlook on the latter to negative on sour assets worries.

"Both the banks exhibit gaps in risk controls. An ongoing investigation at ICICI Bank on extending a loan with a potential conflict of interest has also focused authorities' attention on the bank's governance," it said in a note.

The report also warns that adverse findings may create a "reputational risk", especially if they point at broader weaknesses in management.

The agency cut its outlook on Axis Bank's issuer default rating to negative from stable, pointing out to the high proportion of NPAs and the limited capital buffers available, despite a recent infusion

Smriti Mandhana is set to become the first Indian to appear in the Kia Super League in England this summer after being signed by defending champions Western Storm. Mandhana will be Storm's second overseas player this season. India's T20 captain Harmanpreet Kaur had been signed by Surrey Stars last year but she had to pull out because of a shoulder injury.

"I am very excited to be playing for the Kia Super League champions," Mandhana was quoted by the Storm website. "To be the first Indian player to appear in the tournament is a real honour and I hope that I can help Western Storm to more success."

Mandhana, who will turn 22 next month, is one of the most sought-after Indian players apart from Harmanpreet. Mandhana has already represented Brisbane Heat in the Women's Big Bash League. More recently, she also led the Trailblazers side in the women's IPL exhibition match played in Mumbai last month.

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the FIFA World Cup open after a colourful opening ceremony at the 81,000-seater Luzhniki Stadium here on Thursday.

"The love of football unites the world in one team, independent of language or ideology," the Russian president stated during his speech, as reported by Sputnik news agency.

Putin said he hoped fans, players and officials enjoy their stay in Russia during the World Cup, reports Xinhua news agency.

"Football is truly loved here and it is called love at first sight, since our first official match here in 1897," Putin said.

"I hope fans and teams enjoy their stay in Russia, an open, hospitable and friendly country with people who have the shared values. Football brings us altogether in one team, we are united by this spectacular game," he added.
FIFA chief Gianni Infantino also addressed the gathering.

Artistic performances from UK singer Robbie Williams and Russian operatic soprano Aida Garifullina were the highlights of the opening ceremony.