News brief: Big stories of the day

The Patiala House court on Wednesday granted the investigating agency five-day custody of Christian Michel, the alleged middleman in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal.

It's an end to Germany's fantastic hockey. They have defeated Netherlands 4-1 after lacking 0-1 in the first quarter.

They scored three late goals in the fourth quarter to put up a challenging game and register a win.

The Centre on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that the fight between two top officers of the CBI - Director Alok Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana - in public exposed the premier probe agency to ridicule.

The United States warned Russia on Tuesday it will withdraw from a major Cold War treaty limiting mid-range nuclear arms if Moscow does not dismantle missiles that Washington says breach it within 60 days.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan told America's special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad on Wednesday that peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan are in Islamabad's abiding interest and he will continue to support peace efforts in the war-torn neighbouring country.