Breaking news live updates, May 20: Strong 6.2-magnitude earthquake strikes Japan

US test fires mobile rocket system near Mount Fuji in rapid 'shoot and scoot' drill

US Marines on Wednesday test-fired a dozen rockets from a mobile launcher during drills in the foothills of Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji, as part of efforts to sharpen operational readiness around a weapon system that has become an increasingly important part of the American military arsenal, as cited by AP.

The exercise involved the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), a launcher mounted on a military truck that can be quickly deployed from concealment, fire rockets and rapidly relocate to avoid retaliatory strikes.

Irish foreign minister 'appalled' by video of Gaza flotilla activists

Irish foreign minister Helen McEntee on Wednesday said she was “appalled and shocked” by footage showing activists, including Irish citizens, being detained by Israel after attempting to reach Gaza aboard a flotilla.

McEntee called for the immediate release of the “illegally detained” activists after Israel’s security minister shared a video showing dozens of detainees kneeling with their hands tied and their foreheads to the ground, as cited by AFP.

Among those detained was the sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly.

ED conducts searches at Chennai premises linked to Thangam Steel, PS Krishnamurthy Steels

ED’s Chennai Zonal Office conducted search operations at seven premises linked to M/s Thangam Steel Ltd (TSL), M/s PS Krishnamurthy Steels Private Ltd (PSK), their directors and other key accused in Chennai on May 19, 2026.

The ED said the investigation was initiated on the basis of two FIRs registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation’s Economic Offences Branch in Chennai for alleged offences of cheating and fraud under the IPC.

According to the FIRs, Thangam Steel Ltd and PS Krishnamurthy Steel Pvt Ltd allegedly cheated the State Bank of India of around Rs 311 crore. The CBI has already filed chargesheets in connection with the cases.

Samsung union says South Korea strike off until further notice

Workers at Samsung Electronics have suspended their planned strike after wage negotiations with management resumed with the participation of South Korea’s labour minister.

“The strike will be put off until further notice,” the union said in a statement late Wednesday, adding that members would vote on a tentative wage agreement.

Rs 3,000cr, 600 MW solar power project ready for commissioning, says Andhra CM

Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday announced that the first project under the state’s Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024, a Rs 3,000-crore, 600 MW solar power project, is ready for commissioning.

Naidu said the project, developed by SAEL in the Rayalaseema region in a record 11 months, showcased Andhra Pradesh’s speed of execution and growing investor confidence in the state.

“It is a matter of pride for Andhra Pradesh that the first project under our forward-looking Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024 is now being commissioned,” Naidu said in a post on X.

“Our government is committed to positioning Andhra Pradesh as India’s clean energy capital, with a target of attracting Rs 10 lakh crore in green energy investments over the coming years,” he added.

NEET paper leak: Delhi court sends 5 accused to judicial custody till June 2

A Delhi court on Wednesday remanded Mangilal, Vikas Biwal, Dinesh Biwal, Yash Yadav and Dhananjay Lokhande to judicial custody till June 2 in connection with the NEET paper leak case.

Ebola outbreak 'not a pandemic emergency', says WHO

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo does not currently meet the threshold to be classified as a pandemic, the chair of the World Health Organization’s emergency committee said on Wednesday.

“The current situation and criteria for a public health emergency of international concern have been met, and we agree that the current situation does not satisfy the criteria for a pandemic emergency,” Lucille Blumberg told reporters from South Africa.

Ebola outbreak 'started probably a couple of months ago', says WHO

Delhi experiences warm morning; 'orange' alert issued for heatwave

Delhi experienced a warm Wednesday morning as the minimum temperature settled at 28.3 degrees Celsius while the weather office issued an 'orange' alert for heatwave conditions, with isolated places in the city likely to reel under intense heat during the day.

An orange alert stands for 'be prepared', while the maximum temperature is expected to hover around 46 degrees Celsius. Isolated places in the city are likely to reel under heatwave to severe heatwave-like conditions during the day, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Among the weather stations, Safdarjung recorded a minimum temperature of 28.3 degrees Celsius, 1.8 notches above normal.

Palam recorded 28.5 degrees Celsius, 1.4 notches above normal; Lodhi Road 26.8 degrees Celsius, 2.8 notches above normal; Ridge 28.0 degrees Celsius, 1.3 notches above normal; and Ayanagar 27.0 degrees Celsius, 0.5 notch above normal.

Meanwhile, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 177 in the 'moderate' category at 9 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

As per the CPCB standards, an AQI of 0-50 is considered 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor', and 401-500 'severe'.

G Sudhakaran sworn in as pro-term speaker of Keralam assembly

Senior MLA G Sudhakaran on Wednesday was sworn in as the pro tem speaker of the Keralam Legislative Assembly at Raj Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram.

The oath-taking ceremony was held in the presence of Keralam Chief Minister VD Satheesan and Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.

This comes after the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) officially assumed power in Keralam on Monday, ending ten years of Communist Party of India-led (Marxist) Left Democratic Front (LDF) rule.

Strong 6.2-magnitude earthquake strikes near Okinawa Main Island in Japan; early warning issued

6.1-magnitude earthquake strikes Peru’s southern coast

A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Peru’s southern coast on Tuesday, though authorities said there were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage.

According to Peru’s Geophysical Institute, the quake hit the Ica region at 12:57 pm local time. Its epicenter was located about 41 kilometers south of the city of Ica, and the tremor was also moderately felt in the capital, Lima, around 400 kilometers away.

Residents described feeling strong shaking, with one Ica resident telling local radio that he rushed into the street with his wife during the quake.

Peru lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a region known for intense seismic activity, and experiences at least 100 earthquakes each year.

California mosque shooting: FBI says suspects shared 'broad hatred' online

Authorities said the two teenagers accused of killing three people at a mosque in San Diego had connected online and shared what investigators described as a “broad hatred” toward various religions and racial groups.

During a press conference on Tuesday, FBI official Mark Remily said investigators had recovered written material from the suspects, though officials declined to reveal the specific ideologies or beliefs expressed in those writings.

Authorities also said they seized 30 firearms and a crossbow from two homes linked to the investigation. Investigators are continuing to examine whether the suspects had plans for additional attacks.

Police had reportedly been searching for the two teenagers for hours before Monday’s deadly shooting.

NTA brings in senior officers and opens top posts to strengthen exam system

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has brought in four senior government officials and opened applications for three key leadership roles as part of efforts to strengthen its organizational structure. The new appointments include two joint secretary-level officers serving as additional director generals and two director-level officers. In addition, the agency has invited applications for the posts of chief technology officer (CTO), chief finance officer (CFO), and general manager (HR).

The changes follow recommendations from a government-appointed high-level expert committee aimed at reforming examination systems. According to the NTA, these steps are intended to improve the integrity, transparency, and operational efficiency of its high-stakes examinations.

Woman dies after falling into uncovered manhole in Manhattan

A 56-year-old woman died in Manhattan after falling into an uncovered manhole on a busy street, police said on Tuesday. According to reports, she had parked her car late on Monday night and accidentally stepped into the open manhole, falling roughly 10 feet.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) said officers found her unconscious inside the manhole and she was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Authorities said there have been no arrests so far, and the investigation is ongoing.

Footage from the scene showed a parked black Mercedes near the open manhole, which has since been cordoned off by police.

US embassy in India announces first official visit of US secretary of state Marco Rubio

The US Embassy in India said that it is looking forward to welcoming Secretary of State Marco Rubio on his first official visit to India. The visit is expected to support key multilateral discussions and further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.

In a post on X, the embassy said Rubio will take part in ministerial Quad meetings, other high-level engagements, and commemorations marking 250 years of the United States.

Acting US attorney general defends $1.8 billion 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' amid Senate backlash

Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the establishment of a roughly $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” during a Senate hearing, saying it is intended to compensate individuals who believe they were wrongly targeted by the Biden administration.

The fund was created as part of a settlement after Donald Trump dropped a lawsuit against the IRS over the alleged leak of his tax returns. Democrats strongly criticized the move, calling it a misuse of public money and a “slush fund” designed to benefit political allies of Trump.

Blanche rejected claims that the fund is limited to Republicans or Trump supporters, saying that any individual who can demonstrate harm from alleged governmental “weaponization” may apply.

He also said Trump himself would not be eligible for compensation, while leaving open the possibility that some participants in the January 6 Capitol attack could be eligible.