News brief: Big stories of the day

Fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya today said he has become the "Poster Boy" of bank default and a lightning rod of public anger, and there's nothing he could do "if politically motivated extraneous factors interfere" with his efforts to settle the dues.

Speaking after "two years of silence" over the controversy surrounding him in the over Rs 9,000-crore Kingfisher Airlines loan default case, Mallya denied that he was a wilful defaulter.

Issuing new security guidelines to states in the wake of an "all-time high" threat to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the home ministry has said that not even ministers and officers will be allowed to come too close to the prime minister unless cleared by the Special Protection Group (SPG).

A bill enacting Britain's decision to leave the European Union has become law after months of debate, the speaker of parliament announced on Tuesday to cheers from Conservative Party lawmakers.

Speaker John Bercow said the EU (Withdrawal) Bill, which repeals the 1972 European Communities Act through which Britain became a member, had received royal assent from Queen Elizabeth II.

A foul on Cristiano Ronaldo during Portugal`s Group B clash against Iran on Monday resulted in a record 19th penalty at the World Cup before the knockout rounds.

Although Ronaldo`s spot kick was saved by Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, the decision eclipsed the previous record tally of 18 penalties awarded at the 2002 World Cup hosted by Japan and South Korea.