An author from Oman has won the prestigious Man Booker International Prize for "Celestial Bodies", the story of three sisters of a desert country confronting its slave-owning past and a complex modern world.

Jokha Alharthi, the first Arabic-language writer to take the prize, will split the 50,000 pounds or 64,000 US dollar purse with her UK-based translator, Marilyn Booth. 

Historian Bettany Hughes, who led the judging panel, said yesterday that the winning novel was "a book to win over the head and the heart in equal measure.

 "Celestial Bodies" beat five other finalists from Europe and South America, including last year's winner, Poland's Olga Tokarczuk. The prize is a counterpart to the Man Booker Prize for English-language novels and is open to books in any language that has been translated into English.

Indian Space Research Organisation has successfully launched its earth observation satellite RISAT-2B from Sriharikota.  ISRO's trusted workhorse PSLV-C46 carrying RISAT-2B blasted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 5:30 this morning. 

The 615 kg satellite was released into the orbit 15 minutes after the lift-off. RISAT-2B meant for application in fields such as surveillance, agriculture, forestry and disaster management support. It will replace the RISAT-2, which was launched in 2009.

Soon after the launch, ISRO Chairman K Sivan said this particular mission is really important in the sense that PSLV has crossed a landmark of launching 50 tonnes into space. 

He said, there are several new features in RISAT-2B. Dr Sivan said, it is having expanded Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) making it an advanced earth observation satellite, operating in spotlight mode, mode and mosaic mode.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed varsities and higher educational institutions to observe 21 May as Anti-Terrorism day to wean away the youth from terrorism.

The activities suggested for the day include debates, discussions, symposium, pledge taking ceremony and screening of films. "Every year May 21 is observed as Anti-Terrorism day in India to wean away the youth from terrorism and showing as to how it is prejudicial to the national interest," the commission said in a letter to vice-chancellors.

"You are requested to kindly observe the 'Anti-terrorism day' in your university and in your affiliated colleges on 21 May 2019. You should accordingly organise appropriate programmes suggested by the Ministry of Home Affairs," the letter stated. 

Indonesia's Joko Widodo has been re-elected as president of the country, beating rival Prabowo Subianto, a retired general.

The elections commission has said Widodo and his vice-presidential running mate Ma'ruf Amin won the election by a 55.5 percent to 44.5 percent margin over Subianto and Sandiaga Uno.

The commission was expected to announce the official results of the April 17 poll tomorrow. But amid fears about unrest and street demonstrations in response to the final count, the final tally was released early with little advance notice.

57-year-old Widodo, had been widely predicted to win according to unofficial results. His challenger 67-year-old Subianto, has vowed to challenge any victory for Widodo, alleging widespread voter fraud, and warned that it could spark street protests across the country.

ONGC had a net profit of Rs 19,945.26 crore in 2017-18 fiscal, lagging behind IOC
Reliance Industries has toppled state-owned Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) to become the country’s biggest company by revenue.

The Mukesh Ambani-led conglomerate, in the 2018-19 fiscal year that ended March 31, reported a turnover of Rs 6.23 lakh crore. In comparison, IOC posted a turnover of Rs 6.17 lakh crore for the fiscal, according to regulatory filings by the two companies.

It was also the most profitable company in the country with a net profit of more than double that of IOC in FY2019.

Reliance was about half the size of IOC till about a decade back. Its bet on burgeoning consumer base and foray into new businesses such as telecom, retail, and digital services vastly expanded its business, clocked a net profit of Rs 39,588 crore in FY19. IOC, on the other hand, ended the year with a net profit of Rs 17.274 crore.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will leave for Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan today to represent India in the meeting of Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

The two day meeting will begin from today. This will be the second CFM meeting that India will be attending as a full member of SCO.

AIR correspondent reports that the meeting will review the preparations for the forthcoming SCO Summit in Bishkek which will begin from 13th of next month. 

The Council of Foreign Ministers will  also exchange views on topical issues of international and regional importance. 

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had also attended the last CFM meeting in China in April last year.

India got off to a flying start at the Second India Open International Boxing tournament in Guwahati with all the seven Indian pugilists won their preliminary bouts on the opening day yesterday. 

Ace boxer Mary Kom will start her campaign today in 51 kilogram against Nepal's opponent. In the same category, two Indians- Nikhat Zareen and Anamika will face each other. In 64 kilogram category,  local girl Ankushita Boro will vie against Lalita. In men's category,  Ankit and Manjeet Panghal will play their matches in 60 and 75 kilogram category respectively.
 
As many as 10 Indian boxers are already confirmed of a medal each with six in men and four in women entering the semi-finals straightaway because of the smaller size of the draw.

Pakistan, on Monday, appointed Mueenul Haq as the High Commissioner to India. Haq's appointment comes after Sohail Mehmood left the High Commission to take over as Pakistan's foreign secretary, news agencies reported citing Pakistani media. Haq was Pakistan’s Ambassador to France and served as chief of the protocol before his appointment in Paris.

"New Delhi, India, is very important...After the consultation, I have decided to appoint Mueenul Haq, the current ambassador in France, who will be sent to (New) Delhi, and I hope that he (Haq) will deliver," Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said in a televised statement.

Besides India, Pakistan also announced appointments of High Commissioners to China, Japan and Brussels. "After consulting the Prime Minister, I am happy to announce the following appointments. I wish the newly appointed officers good luck and hope they represent Pakistan with utmost dignity and effectiveness," Pak FM tweeted.

The nation is paying homage to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 28th death anniversary today. 

Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in a suicide bombing at  Sriperumbudur of Tamil Nadu on this day in 1991. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his tribute to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary.

UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Former President Pranab Mukherjee, former Vice President Hamid Ansari,  former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and other Congress leaders offered floral tributes to Rajiv Gandhi at his memorial Vir Bhumi in the national capital. 

The martyrdom of Rajiv Gandhi is also observed as Anti-terrorism Day.

The Second India Open International Boxing Tournament will begin today at Sarusajai stadium in Guwahati.

16 countries will participate in the tournament where nearly 200 boxers will vying for the podium. The preliminaries will be held today and tomorrow to be followed by the quarter-finals and semi-finals, culminating into the grand finale on May 24.

India has fielded a strong contingent of 38 men and 37 women in the tournament including Mary Kom in 51-kilogram category.

Six pugilists from Assam would representing the country in front of the home crowd. Last year, India won 6 gold medals. The competition will be held in a total of 18 categories, 10 in men and 8 in women.

The gold medalist will get 2500 US dollar and Silver medalist will earn 1000 US dollar.