Kupwara encounter, France protests, and other news in pictures

Senior security officers carry the coffin of policeman Deepak Thusoo after wreath laying ceremony, at the Police Headquarters in Srinagar, on Thursday. Thusoo was killed in a two-day long fierce gun battle with the Lashker-e-Toiba terrorists in the Kupwara district of north Kashmir.

 

Published at 8:00 pm

Army pays tributes

The Army on Thursday paid tributes to three jawans who laid down their lives during an encounter in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir. General Officer Commanding (GoC) of Chinar Corps Lt. Gen. A.K. Bhatt led all ranks in paying homage to the slain soldiers on behalf of the nation, an Army official said.

Published at 6:00 pm

Protests and strikes across France

French railway workers gather at the Gare de l'Est train station before demonstrating in the streets of Paris, France on Thursday.

 

Trains, planes, schools and other public services across France were seriously disrupted Thursday as unions set up dozens of street protests across the country against President Emmanuel Macron's economic reforms. In the western city of Nantes, brief scuffles broke out between some protesters and riot police using water cannons. Airport authorities say 30 percent of flights to and from Paris are canceled. National train company SNCF says only 40 percent of high-speed trains and half of regional trains are running. Some schools and kindergarten were also closed.

Published at 11:30 am

 

Special status for Andhra Pradesh

YSR Congress Party MPs protest at the Parliament House, demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh.

 

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu says the promises made to the State had not yet been fulfilled; the Special Category Status was its right and it should be given.

Published at 9:00 am

 

Boult breaks through

New Zealand's Trent Boult celebrates after bowling England's Chris Woakes on the first day of the first Test match at Eden Park on March 22, 2018..

 

New Zealand's Trent Boult rips through England's top order to reduce the visitors to 23 for eight inside the first hour of the day-night first Test at Eden Park on Thursday.

 

Published at 8:30 am

 

Serena loses in round one

Serena Williams greets Naomi Osaka of Japan after losing to her in straight sets during Day 3 of the Miami Open.

Indian Wells champion Naomi Osaka defeated 23-times grand slam champion Serena Williams 6-3 6-2 in the Miami Open first round on Wednesday, the latest big win for the emerging 20-year-old Japanese player.

(With inputs from Agencies)