Latest world news
Iraq: PM Haider al-Abadi and Muqtada Sadr form largest alliance

After having three and a half month long dialogue before formation of government, eleven Iraqi political groups, including those led by firebrand cleric Moqtada al-Sadr and Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi have announced formation of largest alliance on Sunday before they form new government.
According to a report quoting a document published by the Iraqi state news agency, the newly announced alliance includes 177 lawmakers out of 329 from 16 electoral lists. It is now in pole position to form the next government.
On Monday, parliament was convened for the first time after election results declared on May 18. It will elect a new speaker and launch the process of forming a government.
The new alliance includes the blocs of Vice President Ayad Allawi and Shiite Muslim cleric Ammar al-Hakim, as well as several Sunni Muslim lawmakers and groups representing Turkmen, Yazidi, Christian and other smaller minorities.
Rad More: Iraq: Muqtada Sadr wins highest Parliament seats
The newly announced alliance does not include Kurdish groups. Since 2003, when Saddam Hussein was toppled by US invasion, country’s power has been shared. The prime minister is a Shiite, the speaker of parliament a Sunni and the president a Kurd.
Iraqis voted for electing members of the parliament on May 12 since the defeat of Daesh (IS) but a contentious recount process delayed the announcement of final results until last month.
Uncertainty over the make-up of the new government has raised tensions at a time when public frantic protests were reported from different cities over poor basic services, high unemployment and the slow pace of rebuilding.
Read More: Iraq audits EVMs, orders manual vote count
The recount of the votes delayed the process of formation of new government by three months. However, it has not changed the initial results, with Sadr, a populist Shiite cleric, retaining his lead of 54 seats. Abadi’s bloc remained third with 42.
The elected members of the 329 members of the Council of Representatives, the country’s unicameral legislature, will elect the President and Prime Minister. The Iraqi parliament ordered a manual recount of the results on 6 June 2018. However, on 10 June, a storage site housing roughly half of the ballots in Baghdad caught fire.
Read More: Iraq’s PM: Burning of election warehouse, a plot against democracy
The parliamentary elections took place six months after a non-binding independence referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan. Kurds took part enthusiastically and 93% voted in favour of independence. In return, Haider al-Abadi led government closed Erbil International Airport, seized control of all border crossings between Kurdistan and neighbouring countries.
Mobilization Force known as Hashd al-Shaabi seized control oil-rich city of Kirkuk. Nonetheless, Iraqi politicians called for dialogue with the Iraqi Kurdistan government and force them to formally annul the results.
Meanwhile Iraqi News portal reported Haider al-Abadi saying on Sunday that he will attend Parliament session on Monday “as prime minister and a winner of the elections”. However, he added that he will not take oath at the parliament tomorrow (Monday) because that will prevent him from assuming his executive tasks as a prime minister.
Iraqi President Fuad Masum issued a decree last week, ordering the newly-elected parliament to convene Monday under the leadership of oldest lawmaker, a move which precedes the election of the new president and formation of the new cabinet.
Under the Iraqi constitution, 15 days after final election results are endorsed by the Federal Supreme Court, the new parliament must hold its first session during which the speaker will be elected.
New president will be elected within three days of the legislature convening and the president will then ask the largest parliamentary bloc to form a cabinet. President is elected by the parliament by a two-thirds majority and is limited to two four-year terms.
Latest world news
Video of Sikh shopkeeper fending off robbers in London goes viral, users laud the shopkeeper | Watch
The Sikh man can be seen alarming and screaming at the masked men as they run out of the store and lurk on the gate in a bid to intimidate. However, the Sikh man then can be seen rushing towards his cabinet and pulling out a cricket bat which made the robbers flee.

A video has been making rounds on the internet where a Sikh shopkeeper can be seen fending away men trying to rob his shop. The video is reported to be from a shop in London. The video, so far has been viewed by 61 thousand people.
In the video, several masked men can be seen entering and browsing through the shop as the Sikh man approaches the counter. However, things take an awry turn as one of the masked men try to jump over the counter. The Sikh man can then be seen reaching for his Kirpan, after which the Robber’s retire.
Watch video here:
The Sikh man can be seen alarming and screaming at the masked men as they run out of the store and lurk on the gate in a bid to intimidate. However, the Sikh man then can be seen rushing towards his cabinet and pulling out a cricket bat.
Upon witnessing the Sikh shopkeeper pulling out a bat, the robbers flee from the place. He can then be seen rushing toward the gate to lock it in a bid to stop them from attacking again.
Read Also: Karnataka Assembly Elections: ECI announces single-phase polling, result on May 13
Twitter user’s reaction
After the video of the incident went viral, many users came forward to add their take on the incident as one user wrote praised the Sikh man for being brave, implying that the Sikh man fending away 3 robbers from his shop is a brave act.
One user highlighted how the robber who tried to jump over the counter had a change of heart after witnnessing the Sikh man pulling out a weapon. The user further praised the Sikh man for his braveness.
One user wrote that the robbers fled even before the Sikh man could take out his Kirpan. The user further wrote claimed that the robbers must have thought that the Sikh man was armed and was pulling out a gun.
Bombay HC refuses to grant any relief to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee in National Anthem case
Lakshadweep MP Mohammed Faizal’s Lok Sabha membership restored ahead of SC hearing
Latest world news
Video of US couple feeding alligator grilled sandwich in Florida goes viral, users in splits | Watch
After feeding it, the man goes on to pick another piece of the grilled sandwich as he waits for the alligator to come back. The woman in the video can also be seen in an unfazed state as she continues to snack on the grilled sandwich that is left.

A bizarre video has come to light from the USA’s Florida where a couple can be seen feeding an alligator a grilled sandwich. The video was uploaded by a page named Onlyinfloridaa which usually shares videos of incidents that happen in Florida.
In the video, a man can be seen sitting in a stream with his partner as he goes on to offer a piece of grilled sandwich to an alligator, unfazed by the thought of getting eaten by the feral animal. The man can be seen feeding the alligator with the sandwich and then petting it as well.
Watch video here:
After feeding it, the man goes on to pick another piece of the grilled sandwich as he waits for the alligator to come back. The woman in the video can also be seen in an unfazed state as she continues to snack on the grilled sandwich that is left.
User’s reaction
After the video of the incident went viral, many users came forward to add their take on the incident as one user wrote and question if the woman was eating grilled cheese, implying that the Aligator might have spared the couple because of the grilled cheese sandwich they offered.
One user wrote and said that everyone believes that alligators associate people with food and further facetiously wrote that alligators must have thought that the couple is food and have come with appetizers.
One user wrote and said that they watched the whole video in hopes that they would see the alligator grip the couple and do the death roll that the feral animal is famous for.
One user wrote and said that their partner was asking to go out for a date and after watching this video, they know where to take their partner on the date. The user further termed the date to be very unique.
Latest world news
Pakistan cannot afford bananas during Ramzan
Pakistan’s economic crisis is worsening with each passing day with prices of basic vegetables and fruits rising up continuously.

The world is aware of Pakistan’s economic crisis and it seems bananas can now only be eaten by affluent households in the country. The Banana Republic of Pakistan! Yes. This is how internet users named the country after bananas’ price skyrocketed to Rs 500 per dozen during Ramzan.
Pakistani journalist Naila Inayat took to Twitter to share a post that read that prices of bananas shoot to Rs.500/Dozen in Pakistan.
Have a look at the tweet here:
Apart from bananas, prices of other fruits including grapes have also increased during the Islamic festival celebrated across the world.
Pakistan’s economic crisis is worsening with each passing day with prices of basic vegetables and fruits rising up continuously. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics said the inflation based on sensitive price indicators was recorded at 47 per cent year on year on March 22.
A report in Mint said the prices of onions in the country increased by 228.28 per cent, wheat flour by 120.66 per cent, cigarettes by 165.88 per cent, gas charges for Q1 by 108.38 per cent, and Lipton tea by 94.60 per cent. Bananas’ prices have spiked by 89.84 per cent, diesel by 102.84 per cent, eggs by 79.56 per cent, and petrol by 81.17 per cent.
Read Also: 80-year-old woman earns Guinness World Record for donating 203 units of blood
Pakistan is currently going through a massive lack of foreign currency to maintain its balance of payments as a result of the ongoing economic crisis and the holdup in IMF loans.
Meanwhile, Muslims across the globe will observe their Day 4 of Ramzan today. During the month, people have only two meals in a day called Sheri and Iftar.
Sehri and Iftar timings for March 27 In Delhi
- Sehri- 04:58 AM
- Iftar- 06:37 PM
Sehri and Iftar timings for March 27 In Mumbai
- Sehri- 05:23 AM
- Iftar- 06:52 PM
Sehri and Iftar timings for March 27 In Lucknow
- Sehri- 04:45 AM
- Iftar- 06:22 PM
Maharashtra Police seize cough syrup worth Rs 9.30 lakh containing Narcotic Drug, 4 arrested
Pakistan Minister says either Imran Khan or us will get murdered
-
Latest Politics News15 hours ago
Karnataka Assembly Elections: ECI announces single-phase polling, result on May 13
-
India News17 hours ago
Video of couple hugging in the middle of Pune road goes viral, users rush in with their takes | Watch
-
Top Stories16 hours ago
Bombay HC refuses to grant any relief to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee in National Anthem case
-
India News18 hours ago
Women Sub-inspector in Haryana caught red-handed taking bribe by vigilance agency, video goes viral | Watch
-
India News14 hours ago
Fire breaks out at hotel in Indore’s Madhya Pradesh, narrow escape for 40 guests
-
Top Stories17 hours ago
Amritpal Singh hunt: Khalistani leader spotted in Delhi without turban, covered face with mask, video viral | WATCH
-
India News18 hours ago
Lakshadweep MP Mohammed Faizal’s Lok Sabha membership restored ahead of SC hearing
-
Health17 hours ago
India records over 2,151 new Covid-19 cases in single day, highest since October 2022