As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes a key demand driver for cloud investment, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud collectively grew by 24 per cent, accounting for 66 per cent of total spending in the first quarter (January-March) period. Tech giant Microsoft outpaced both AWS and Google Cloud, with sales rising by 31 per cent (year-on-year), nearly double the AWS’s growth rate of 17 per cent, while Google Cloud grew 28 per cent YoY, according to global market research firm Canalys.

Two children were confirmed dead while another was injured after an unexploded device went off in north Afghanistan's Balkh province, a statement by the provincial police said on Saturday. The incident occurred in the province's Balkh district when the children found a device and were playing with it on Friday afternoon. The device that was left over from past wars exploded, killing two kids on the spot and injuring another, the statement added, news agency reported.

Kyiv is at a disadvantage in its defence against Russian forces due to restrictions on using US weapons against targets on Russian soil, according to the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The latest report from the US think-tank released on Friday states that Russia exploits these restrictions by launching attacks from protected areas near the Ukrainian border. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for permission to use US weapons on Russian territory but was currently denied by the US to avoid further escalation.

Reigning world champion Nikhat Zareen and compatriot Minakshi clinched gold medals as the Indian contingent concluded their Elorda Cup 2024 campaign with 12 medals here on Saturday. Besides Nikhat and Minakshi’s gold medals, Indian boxers won two silver and eight bronze medals to better their last edition’s record of five medals in this event held annually in Astana, Kazakhstan. Nikhat (52kg) continued her dominance in the ongoing prestigious tournament as she outclassed Zhazira Urakbayeva of Kazakhstan with a unanimous 5-0 scoreline to add yet another gold medal to her coveted medal tally.

Aam Aadmi Party candidate from Sangrur and Cabinet Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer has presented a report card of works done by the AAP government and his ministry in the last two years. He said, “Look at our government and my work in two years, then decide” Meet Hayer today addressing large election rallies in the villages of the Bhadour constituency and despite the heat wave, large gatherings of the villagers joined. Meet Hayer started his campaign in villages Dhaula, Rooreke Kalan, Dhurkot, Pakho Kalan, Tajoke, Dhillwan, Sukhpura, and Ghunnas.

A Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) court on Saturday convicted two men and acquitted seven accused in the Bhilwara gangrape and murder case in which the minor was burnt alive after the heinous crime. The prosecution presented statements from 43 witnesses, with 42 supporting its evidence, Special public prosecutor Mahavir Kisanawat said.Kisanawat said, "Magistrate Anil Gupta of the Bhilwara POCSO court found two main accused guilty in the incident. The other seven have been acquitted."

At least 14 people were killed when a mini lorry carrying a family plunged into a ditch due to brake failure, the rescue service said on Saturday.

The incident took place in the Khushab district of the central Punjab province early Saturday morning.

The vehicle was carrying members of a family who were travelling to a neighbouring district for work.

Following the assassination attempt on Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, there has been an increase in threats against other politicians in the country, Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok told the media on Saturday. He said he had received death threats. The Minister belongs to the second-largest governing party, Voice-Social Democracy (Hlas-SD).

The ongoing controversy on Saturday surrounding Madhya Gujarat Vij Corporation Limited's (MGVCL) installation of smart electricity meters has ignited fresh protests in Vadodara. The installation of 25,000 smart meters has led to widespread dissatisfaction among consumers, who claim that their prepaid Rs 2,000 is being consumed within a week of installation. Consumers have reported that the smart meter app issues frequent reminders to recharge their accounts, cutting off power when the balance falls below minus Rs 300.

Gurugram district administration has recovered 20,104 litres of illicit liquor worth Rs 61.16 lakh while 381 FIRs have also been registered after the Model Code of Conduct was implemented. Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioners (Excise) Amit Bhatia said that till May 16, police recovered 17,174 litres of illicit liquor worth Rs 53. 43 lakh and also filed 370 FIRs while 2,930 litres of illicit liquor was seized by the enforcement team during the same period.