News brief: Big stories of the day

New Zealand has banned assault rifles, semi-automatic rifles, high-capacity magazines, and parts that convert guns into military-style semi-automatic (MSSA) rifles.

London's Westminster court on Wednesday remandedPunjab National Bank (PNB) scamaccused Nirav Modi, 48, incustody.It was the first time the fugitive businessman had been in court.

The bullet-riddled Al Noor mosque in Christchurch was being repaired, painted and cleaned ahead of Friday prayers, as grievingfamilies buried more victimsofNew Zealand`s worst mass shooting.

A bullish US President Donald Trump predicted Wednesday that the Islamic State group would bewiped off the map within hours, as he unfurled printouts showing the jihadists' shrinking presence in Iraq and Syria.

The United States has asked Pakistan to take sustained, verifiable and irreversible action against the perpetrators of terrorism, while warning the country that another terror attack on India will prove to be "extremely problematic".