News brief: Big stories of the day

Leaders across party lines bid adieu to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, last journey to begin at 1 pm today

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee died following a prolonged illness in New Delhi on Thursday. Leaders cutting across political parties and organisations paid rich tribute to the departed soul.

'US-India ties continue to benefit from Vajpayee's vision': Mike Pompeo

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US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday reacted to former prime minister Atal Bihar Vajpayee's demise saying that the relationship between India and US continues to benefit from his vision, which helped encourage cooperation.

Vatican voices 'shame and sorrow' over damning sex abuse report

The Vatican expressed "shame and sorrow" on Thursday over revelations that Roman Catholic priests in Pennsylvania sexually abused about 1,000 people over seven decades, vowing to hold abusers and those who protected them accountable.

Military parade ordered by Trump, costing $92 million, postponed until 2019

Military parades in the United States are generally rare. Such parades in other countries are usually staged to celebrate victories in battle or showcase military might.

Pakistan violates ceasefire in J&K's Poonch

Pakistani forces violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch sector's Chakan da Bagh in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday.