News brief: Big stories of the day

Two people missing after blasts at Russian military plant, 22 injured

At least two people were missing on Saturday after blasts at the explosives plant Kristall in the central Russian town of Dzerzhinsk, Interfax and RIA news agencies reported. Some 22 people were injured, Interfax news agency reported citing a source. An official at the local health ministry said earlier that most of the injured have fragment wounds.

BJP will have no walkover in Parliament: Rahul Gandhi

Asserting that the 52 newly-elected Congress MPs will work like "a pride of brave-hearted lions", Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that his party will continue to work "fearlessly" and that the BJP cannot have a "walk over" in parliament.

Won't stake claim in Lok Sabha for Leader of Opposition: Congress

The Congress party on Saturday said that it will not stake a claim for the post of the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha as it is falling short of two seats and is not able to reach the required number of 54. 

Mexico eyes steps to cut immigrant flows to US border: Official

Mexico wants to sharpen existing measures in its bid to narrow a flood of Central American migrants to the US border, a top Mexican official said on Friday, ahead of planned meetings in Washington over tariffs threatened by President Donald Trump.

US, Chinese defence chiefs discuss sanctions enforcement on North Korea

Patrick Shanahan, the acting US Defence Secretary, and Wei Fenghe, the Chinese Defence Minister, discussed ways to better enforce UN sanctions on North Korea during a "constructive and productive" meeting held on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum here on Friday.