Recent Posts

› Unlabelled › 8pm NEWSFEED

8pm NEWSFEED

5, మార్చి 2022, శనివారం

8pm NEWSFEED

130 Russian buses ready to evacuate Indian students

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 11:26 PM PST

130 Russian buses are ready to evacuate Indian students and other foreigners from Ukraine’s Kharkiv and Sumy to Russia’s Belgorod Region, Russian National Defense Control Center Head Colonel General Mikhail Mizintsev announced on Thursday.

“A total of 130 comfortable buses are ready to depart to Kharkiv and Sumy from the Nekhoteyevka and Sudzha checkpoints in the Belgorod Region since 6 AM today in order to rescue Indian students and citizens of other foreign states,” he said.

It is also reported that places for temporary accommodation and rest have been set up at the checkpoints. The refugees will be provided with hot meals; mobile clinics have also been set up there with a stockpile of medicine, reported Russian News Agency TASS.

“The evacuees will be then transported to the city of Belgorod for subsequent departure to their homeland by air, including via Russian military airplanes,” said General Mizintsev.

On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that in response to a request by the heads of the Donbas republics, he had made a decision to carry out a special military operation in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the UN said that one million people have now fled Ukraine since Russia’s military operations.

The tally from the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees amounts to more than 2 per cent of Ukraine’s population — which the World Bank counted at 44 million at the end of 2020.

The agency cautions that the outflows are far from finished. It has been predicted that as many as four million people could eventually leave Ukraine.

BJP MLAs protest outside state assembly, demand Nawab Malik’s resignation

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 11:00 PM PST

Maharashtra BJP MLAs protest on the stairs of the state Assembly, demanding the resignation of minister and NCP leader Nawab Malik.

He was connected by ED in connection with Dawood Ibrahim money laundering case and is in ED custody till March 7th.

Ukraine Neo-nazis using civilians as human shields- Putin

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 10:53 PM PST

Moscow [Russia]: Amid heavy fighting with Ukrainian forces, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said that nationalist “neo-Nazis” units of Ukraine are preventing foreigners, including Indians from leaving the war zone and are using them as human shields.


In a video address, Putin on Thursday said, “The fact that we are fighting neo-Nazis is proved by how the hostilities are going, nationalist neo-Nazi’s units are using foreign mercenaries from the Middle East. Also, they use civilians as human shields, hiding behind their backs and we have facts, pictures of how they deploy heavy weapons in residential areas.”

He alleged that Ukrainian forces are taking them hostage. Putin said, “That’s how gangsters act, from the kindergartens, from hospitals, they put their guns, tanks, cannons and they are taking foreign citizens as hostages from thousands of students studying in Ukraine colleges.”


He also alleged that around 3000 Indian students were taken as hostages by Ukrainian “neo-Nazis” units.


“They kept more than 3,000 Indian citizens as hostages, including 576 people in Sumy. Neo-Nazis opened fire at Chinese students who wanted to leave Kharkiv, two of them were wounded,” said Putin.


Meanwhile, the Indian Government on Thursday said that the Indian embassy in Ukraine is in continuous touch with its stranded citizens, adding that it has not received any reports of students being held hostage in the war-hit country.


The government’s remarks came in response to media queries after the claims of the Russian embassy in India on Wednesday that the Indian students have been taken hostage by Ukrainian security forces to use them as a human shield.


Refuting the reports of Indian students being held hostage, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi informed that many students left Kharkiv yesterday with the cooperation of Ukrainian authorities.


“We have not received any reports of any hostage situation regarding any student. We have requested for the support of the Ukrainian authorities in arranging special trains for evacuating students from Kharkiv and neighbouring areas to the western part of the country,” he added.


Bagchi further said that the MEA has been coordinating effectively with the countries in the region, including Russia, Romania, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Moldova, and expressed gratitude towards Ukrainian authorities for their help in the evacuation of Indians.

India rescue Sri Lanka from financial turmoil

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 10:48 PM PST

Colombo [Sri Lanka]: Due to a severe shortage in oil, gas, medicines, and food items because of a shortage of forex, Sri Lanka was under huge economic crisis, however, India’s timely help rescued the emerald island.


According to reliable sources, India in the last six months has provided assistance on several fronts to its tiny neighbour to tide over its economic crisis.


India is further expected to extend a food and health security package to Sri Lanka on an urgent basis, along with an energy security package and currency swap, and also push Indian investments.


The food and health security package would envisage the extension of a line of credit to cover the import of food, medicines and other essential items from India.


It is said the energy package would also comprise a line of credit to cover the import of fuel from India and an early modernisation of the Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm.


The financial duress was due to a number of reasons including government policies that included unsolicited, attractive tax concession to income taxpayers. The consequence of this extraordinary money growth was the build-up of inflationary pressure in the domestic economy on one side, and the depletion of foreign reserves putting pressure on the rupee to depreciate in the market, on the other.


The rest of the crisis was due to the massive drop in tourism-related earnings owning to COVID-19. The result of all this was that 500,000 people according to the World Bank have fallen below the poverty line, whilst food inflation hit 21 per cent.


Moreover, oil-dependent Sri Lanka’s problems got further aggravated with oil prices surging despite new measures by the US and EU aimed at calming markets troubled by the invasion of Ukraine.


According to published data, Lanka’s oil bill in 2021 had increased by 50 per cent, compared with the last year, reported Daily FT.


The Indian assistance at this time, is timely and impactful on several fronts. Sri Lanka would certainly need more assistance from them to ride over 2022. 

Melinda slams ex-husband Bill Gates on his relations with child molester Epstein

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 10:36 PM PST

Melinda French Gates on Thursday criticised her ex-husband Bill Gates for having met multiple times with Jeffrey Epstein, the financier accused of child sex crimes who committed suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial.

In her first televised interview since the couple announced their divorce in May, French Gates also acknowledged that she had once met Epstein, saying that afterward she “had nightmares.”

“I wanted to see who this man was, and I regretted it from the second I stepped in the door,” she said, without clarifying when the meeting occurred.

She described Epstein in the meeting as “abhorrent,” and “evil personified,” but declined to say if she requested her husband to stop meeting with him.

“Any of the questions remaining about what Bill’s relationship there was, those are for Bill to answer, but I made it very clear how I felt about him,” said French Gates.

When asked by the CBS journalist if her husband’s relationship with Epstein played a role in their divorce, the philanthropist, reportedly worth $6 billion, said that it was one of “many things” that contributed.

The Wall Street Journal revealed that Bill Gates’s March 2020 departure from Microsoft occurred during an investigation into an affair he had with an employee in 2000.

Gates, who founded Microsoft in 1975 and has a reported wealth of $129 billion, stepped down as the company’s CEO in 2000, saying he wanted to focus on his foundation.

He left his full-time role at Microsoft in 2008, but held onto his board seat until March 2020.

Epstein hanged himself in his Manhattan jail cell in August 2019, where he was awaiting charges of sexual exploitation of underage girls.

A socialite and donor, his network of relationships extended from former presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton to British Prince Andrew.

Another person linked to Epstein, the French modeling agent Jean-Luc Brunel, was found dead in his cell in Paris two weeks ago.

In August, while Gate’s divorce was being finalised, he admitted on CNN that it had been “a huge mistake to spend time” with Epstein, but that his goal was to raise money for his foundation.

The former couple continue to lead their eponymous Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation non-profit together despite the divorce.

India 109 for 2 at lunch on day one of the 1st test against Lanka

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 10:21 PM PST

India were 109/2 at Lunch on Day 1 of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the IS Bindra PCA Stadium in Mohali. 

India skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat. Rohit Sharma was looking very dangerous before throwing away his wicket to Lahiru Kumara in the 10th over. Rohit and Mayank had given India a positive start by taking them past the 50-run mark without any hiccups.

At lunch, Virat is batting on 15 and Hanuma Vihari was at 30 runs. Earlier Mayank Agarwal was trapped by Embuldeniya for 33.

Sri Lanka will look to spoil the party for India, as the Island nation also play their 300th game in Test cricket.

4.3kg Heroin seized in Ferozepur, Punjab

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 10:09 PM PST

Chandigarh (Punjab): Personnel of the Border Security Force (BSF) Punjab Frontier foiled an attempt to smuggle contraband and seized approximately 4.3 kg of suspected heroin in the Ferozepur sector, officials said on Friday.


The attempt was foiled yesterday by BSF personnel. The confiscated heroin was packed in five different packets and kept in a bag. “Despite adverse weather conditions, alert BSF jawaans foiled the attempt of Anti-national elements to smuggle contraband items an seized 1 bag with 5 Packets weighting approx. 4.3 Kg of suspected heroin in Ferozepur Sector,” the BSF Punjab Frontier tweeted.


Amid dense fog and low visibility last month, the Punjab BSF Frontier had foiled an attempt to smuggle contraband and seized three packets weighing approximately 3 kgs of suspected heroin. 

8,600 Jan Aushadhi Kendras providing medicines at 50% cost- Health Minister

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 10:02 PM PST

New Delhi [India]: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday participated in the heritage walk as part of ‘Jan Aushadhi Jan Jagran Abhiyan’ in Purana Qila in New Delhi.


“Today we had a heritage walk with youth as part of Jan Aushadhi week which is being celebrated from March 1- March 7. Over 8,600 Jan Aushadhi Kendra is being operated across the country which provides affordable and quality medicines,” Mandaviya said.

Chemical and Fertiliser Ministry organising weeklong Aushadhi Diwas on January 4 at different locations across the country covering all States/UTs. This will generate awareness about the usages of generic medicines and the benefits of Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana.

He further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to fulfilling his mission of proving affordable and accessible medicine to the poor and deprived section, and has set up 8600 Jan Aushadhi Centres across India with quality medicines available 50 per cent cheaper.


The Union Minister further said that the Jan Aushadhi Kendras are being run keeping in mind that the cost of medicine should be kept at a minimum.


“Illness comes unannounced. It comes to the rich and poor both but when a rich person gets sick, he has money to buy medicines but when a poor person gets sick, it doesn’t happen,” he added.

Ukraine crisis-Indian student shot in Kyiv

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 09:55 PM PST

Rzeszow [Poland]: An Indian student has been hospitalised after he was shot with a bullet in the capital city of Ukraine, a few days after an Indian student lost his life in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.


Speaking on the matter, Minister of State for Ministry of Civil Aviation General VK Singh revealed the information at Poland’s Rzeszow airport on Thursday. “A student from Kyiv was reported to have been shot and was immediately admitted to the hospital in Kyiv,” he said.

The student was trying to escape Kyiv and was wounded in firing, according to the minister. He was reportedly taken back into the city and is in hospital.


“The Indian embassy had earlier cleared on the priority that everyone should leave Kyiv. In the event of war, the gun bullet does not look at anyone’s religion and nationality,” he added.


The students are currently fleeing the war-torn country Ukraine and trying to reach the border of Poland for their safe return to India.


Four Union Ministers, Hardeep Singh Puri, Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Kiren Rijiju and Gen (Retd) VK Singh — are overseeing the evacuation efforts in the countries adjoining Ukraine.

Sensex slumps, Nifty down 304 points

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 09:27 PM PST

Sensex slumps 1050.65 points, currently trading at 54,052.03. Nifty down by 304.40 points, at 16,193.65 at 10:50AM.

The Indian equity indices fell sharply on Friday amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis. Asian equity markets suffered heavy losses while oil prices jumped as investors took fright from reports of a nuclear power plant on fire amid fierce fighting between Ukraine and Russian troops.

7 dead, several injured in explosion in Bhagalpur, Bihar

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 09:21 PM PST

7 dead and several injured in an explosion in Tatarpur police jurisdiction in Bhagalpur district.

Prima facie it is coming to light that the family was involved in making firecrackers. 2-3 houses have been damaged. We are further investigating the matter: Bhagalpur DM, Subrat Kumar Sen.

US senator calls for Putin’s assassination

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 09:20 PM PST

Washington [US]: Calling for the assassination of Russian President Vladimir Putin, US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham asked whether there is a Brutus or a “more successful” Colonel Stauffenberg in the Russian military.


Julius Caesar, a Roman general, was assassinated by Brutus while Colonel Stauffenberg, a German army officer, had attempted to assassinate Adolf Hitler on July 20, 1944. In a series of tweets, Graham said, “Is there a Brutus in Russia? Is there a more successful Colonel Stauffenberg in the Russian military? The only way this ends is for somebody in Russia to take this guy out. You would be doing your country – and the world – a great service.”


He further said, “The only people who can fix this are the Russian people. Easy to say, hard to do. Unless you want to live in darkness for the rest of your life, be isolated from the rest of the world in abject poverty, and live in darkness you need to step up to the plate.”


This comes against the backdrop of Russian forces launching military operations in Ukraine on February 24, three days after Moscow recognised Ukraine’s breakaway regions – Donetsk and Luhansk – as independent entities.


Several countries including the UK, the US, Canada, and the European Union have condemned Russia’s military operations in Ukraine and imposed sanctions on Moscow. These countries have also promised Ukraine to help with military aid to fight Russia.


The US, Canada and European allies agreed to remove key Russian banks from the interbank messaging system, SWIFT which means Russian banks won’t be able to communicate securely with banks beyond Russia’s borders. President Putin has also signed a decree on special economic measures against the US and its allies.

23 cattle rescued from being smuggled to Bangladesh

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 09:11 PM PST

Cachar (Assam) : The Border Security Force on Thursday rescued 23 cattle from the Cachar district of Assam, allegedly meant for smuggling to Bangladesh.


BSF, in a statement, said, “Acting on specific inputs, troops of 1 Bn BSF, Mizoram and Cachar Frontier rescued 23 cattle from three vehicles meant for smuggling to Bangladesh on NH – 6 at Hilara area in Cachar district on Thursday (March 3).”


Recently, Director General of Border Security Force (BSF) Pankaj Kumar Singh had said that the border guarding force is using technologically advanced devices to stop cattle smuggling along the India-Bangladesh border.

6396 COVID-19 cases reported in last 24 hours

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 09:06 PM PST

New Delhi [India]: Continuing the downward trend, India on Friday reported 6,396 fresh COVID-19 cases with a daily positivity rate of 0.69 per cent, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.


As per government data, India has an active caseload of 69,897 which accounts for 0.16 per cent of the total cases. The recovery rate witnessed an upward trend with 98.64 per cent reported today as compared to 98.62 per cent on Thursday. With 13,450 people recovering from the infection in the last 24 hours, the total recoveries mounted to 4,23,67,070.


In the last 24 hours, the country logged 201 deaths taking the death toll to 5,14,589.
A total of 9,23,351 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours. The weekly positivity rate is at 0.90 per cent.


Meanwhile, in the ongoing nationwide vaccination drive against COVID-19, 178.29 crore vaccine doses have been administered so far. The vaccination drive across the country was started on January 16, 2021. 

Pet Maliboo & his owner arrive in Delhi from war-torn Ukraine

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 09:03 PM PST

New Delhi [India]: Rishab Kaushik, a Dehradun resident who refused to leave war-torn Ukraine without his pet dog Maliboo, arrived in India early on Friday via Budapest (Hungary).


Kaushik is an undergraduate student of software engineering at the Kharkiv National University of Radio Electronics Engineering.


He had posted a video on Instagram regarding the difficulties he is facing in bringing his dog along with him to India, urging the Government to allow NOC.


His video led People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to appeal to the Indian government to press for allowing the Indians to take their pets along with in the flights.


Earlier on Tuesday, the Government of India issued a memorandum facilitating “a one-time relaxation measure” for bringing back pet dogs and cats along with stranded Indians who are being evacuated from war-hit Ukraine.


“There was a lot of documentation in India, the procedure was long. But in war-like situations, they should’ve allowed their own citizens. So, I had put up the appeal. A memorandum had come recently which stated that pets and even strays are now being allowed without NOC,” said Kaushik.
A special flight from Hungary carrying 219 Indian nationals stranded in conflict-torn Ukraine reached Delhi on Friday.


The special IndiGo flight under Operation Ganga departed from Hungary’s capital Budapest on Thursday.


Minister of State for Home Affairs Nisith Pramanik received the Indian students on their arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport. He also interacted with the students.


The Ministry of External Affairs, in close coordination with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, is making all efforts to bring the Indian students back to India at a fast pace.


Four Union Ministers — Hardeep Singh Puri, Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Kiren Rijiju and Gen (Retd) VK Singh — have gone to countries adjoining Ukraine to support and supervise evacuation operations. Indian civilian planes as well as Indian Air Force planes are regularly bringing back stranded Indian students.


The Ministry of External Affairs said more than 7,400 persons are expected to be brought through special flights in the next two days. Further, 3,500 persons are expected to be brought back on Friday and over 3,900 on March 5.
Russian forces launched military operations in Ukraine on February 24, three days after Moscow recognised Ukraine’s breakaway regions – Donetsk and Luhansk – as independent entities.


Several countries including the UK, the US, Canada, and the European Union have condemned Russia’s military operations in Ukraine and imposed sanctions on Moscow. These countries have also promised Ukraine to help with military aid to fight Russia.


The US, Canada and European allies agreed to remove key Russian banks from the interbank messaging system, SWIFT which means Russian banks won’t be able to communicate securely with banks beyond Russia’s borders. President Putin has also signed a decree on special economic measures against the US and its allies.

All offices to open globally- Twitter

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 08:56 PM PST

Twitter’s new chief Parag Agrawal on Thursday said it will reopen offices globally this month but let people work remotely if they wish, as many businesses end closures put in place to fight the spread of Covid-19.

Google is also preparing for employees to return to its Silicon Valley offices in early April, with the expectation they will work from home only a couple of days a week.

Tech company campuses were abandoned early in the pandemic as the spread of Covid-19 caused a societal shift to working remotely.

“Business travel is back effective immediately, and all global Twitter offices will open starting on March 15,” Mr Agrawal said in a series of tweets.

“Wherever you feel most productive and creative is where you will work and that includes WFH (work from home) full-time forever.”

He stressed that those opting to continue working remotely would need to “learn and adapt” given that “distributed working will be much harder.”

Mr Agrawal advocated for returning to the office, maintaining that it fueled a vibrant company culture.

Google this month plans to help employees adapt to “hybrid” schedules combining working remotely and in offices, according to US media reports.

Ukraine crisis: Biden urges Russia to allow emergency services at Nuclear plant

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 07:54 PM PST

Washington: US President Joe Biden on Thursday urged Russia to stop its military activities at a Ukrainian nuclear power plant and to allow in emergency services.

Biden joined Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “in urging Russia to cease its military activities in the area and allow firefighters and emergency responders to access the site,” a White House readout of a call between the two leaders said.

Russian troops attacked the Ukrainian nuclear plant — Europe’s largest — early Friday local time, with images on a live feed showing blasts lighting up the night sky and sending up plumes of smoke.

A senior US official said the latest information “shows no indications of elevated levels of radiation, and we’re monitoring closely.”

US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm tweeted that she had spoken with her Ukrainian counterpart and said that the site’s reactors are protected by “robust containment structures” and “are being safely shut down.”

“Russian military operations near the plant are reckless and must cease,” she said, adding that her department had activated its Nuclear Incident Response Team.

Russia’s attack on the plant drew swift international outcry, with the UN’s atomic watchdog warning of “severe danger” if the reactors were hit and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of endangering all of Europe.

Novak Djokovic looking to defend the french title

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 07:41 PM PST

Only after the French government relaxed vaccine passport regulations, Novak Djokovic’s chances of competing in the French Open in May have risen.

From March 14, Prime Minister Jean Castex announced that vaccine passports will no longer be required to enter venues.

After being deported from Australia in January, Djokovic defended his right to refuse the coronavirus vaccine in February.

In the United States, vaccination is still required play.

As a result, Djokovic, who lost the men’s world number one status to Daniil Medvedev on Monday, is scheduled to miss the Masters Series events in Indian Wells and Miami in March.

Djokovic’s next tournament might be the Monte Carlo Masters in April after France’s Castex declared “the conditions are met” to “halt the vaccination permit wherever it applies.”

The 34-year-old Serb was eliminated in the quarterfinals of his first tournament of the year, in which he competed in Dubai at the end of February.

If Djokovic competes in the French Open, which begins on May 22, he will be the defending champion.

67% adolescent girls did not attend online classes during COVID-Report

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 07:36 PM PST

New Delhi [India]: At least 68 per cent of adolescent girls faced challenges in accessing health and nutrition services and 67 per cent did not attend online classes during COVID-19 lockdowns in four states across the country, shows a report by an NGO.


The report named ‘The World of India’s Girls- Wings 2022’ by Save the Children, India studied the condition of adolescent girls amid COVID-19 in four states – Delhi, Maharashtra, Bihar and Telangana. It stated that 51 per cent of adolescent girls continued facing challenges in accessing health services post COVID-19 lockdown.


It further stated that 56 per cent did not get time to indulge in outdoor play and recreational activities during the lockdown.


More than half the mothers surveyed perceived that the chances of girls rather than boys getting married early are higher due to COVID-19.


All these four states were selected based on the incidence of COVID-19, child sex ratio, women getting married before 18 years, annual dropout ratio and women aged between 15 and 24 years using hygienic methods during the menstrual cycle among other measures.


Save the Children, India has been liaising with key Ministries and departments to take forward the recommendations of the ‘Wings’ report to influence policy interventions. These include the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and Ministry of Education (MoE).


While speaking on the matter, Sudarshan Suchi, CEO, Save the Children said that the report is aimed at understanding the implications of the pandemic on adolescent girls’ access to education, health, nutrition and play and recreation, and risk of child marriage.


The report aims to bring up the spotlight on some of the topical issues such as girls’ access to health, education, and opportunities for play and recreational activities with a focus on the changes that have taken place in the overall context of their insecurities.


It also includes understanding the coping mechanisms adopted by the families to deal with the increased health and nutritional insecurities, the abrupt decline in learning opportunities, the pressure on early marriages and limited play and recreation facilities.


“We are hopeful that the report will help in sensitising individuals, families, communities, civil society organisations, media and the government around the issues of children especially adolescent girls thereby leading to a catalytic change in making India an equal and better place for our girls,” Suchi said.


In a bid to create a safe environment for women, several initiatives have been taken in the past.


Telangana had launched ‘Safety Clubs’, a special initiative of the ‘Women Safety Wing’ of Telangana Police.


The work for girls’ and women’s safety in public spaces by Save the Children has also received positive reassurance from the Uttar Pradesh government with the allocation of Rs 8.2 crores for the cause.


Its ‘LightUpHerLife’ campaign was endorsed by the Delhi government where it declared over 2 lakh LED street lights in the national capital in an effort to make streets safer for women.

US invokes OSCE Moscow Mechanism to report human rights abuses by Russia in Ukraine

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 07:27 PM PST

Washington [US]: The US on Thursday invoked the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Moscow Mechanism to establish an expert mission to examine reported human rights abuses & violations of humanitarian law by Russia in Ukraine.


With Ukraine’s agreement, the United States and 44 other countries have invoked the OSCE Moscow Mechanism. This action will establish an expert mission to address our grave concerns regarding the humanitarian and human rights impacts on the people of Ukraine caused by Russia’s further invasion with the support of Belarus, read US State Department statement.

“The US & @OSCE partners invoked the Moscow Mechanism to establish an expert mission to examine reported human rights abuses & violations of humanitarian law by Russia in Ukraine. The mission will compile a factual record to inform accountability efforts,” tweeted State Department spokesperson Ned Price.


As per the State Department statement, there are troubling media reports of human rights abuses and violations of humanitarian law by Russia’s forces, including the mounting number of civilian casualties and extensive damage to civilian infrastructure.


The OSCE expert mission will work impartially to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding possible contraventions of OSCE commitments and violations and abuses of international human rights law and international humanitarian law by Russia’s forces, added the statement.


The Moscow Mechanism expert mission will prepare a report that will be shared with all OSCE participating States and relevant accountability mechanisms, including national, regional, and international courts and tribunals.


The United States and our partners will hold Russia and its forces accountable for all human rights abuses, violations of international humanitarian law, war crimes, and crimes against humanity they commit in Ukraine, said the statement. 

Discounts on Liquor promote more drinking, Delhi govt tells HC

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 07:24 PM PST

The Delhi administration told the high court on Thursday that it had stopped discounts on liquor because it was encouraging people to drink and creating a monopoly in the market.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the Delhi government, told justice V Kameswar Rao that “a lot of malpractices in the pretext of discounts were going on.”

"A lot of malpractices in the guise of discounts were going on. Two of them I have highlighted is promoting drinking beyond a reasonable limit and monopolising," senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi told justice V Kameswar Rao.

For the first time, the Delhi government’s new excise policy permitted retailers in the city to sell liquor at a discount or with special offers. Retailers offered high discounts, causing crowds in certain establishments throughout the city. The cancellation of discounts (for which an order was issued on February 28) occurred as Delhi prepares for key municipal elections next month, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which now governs the civic bodies, hence, focusing on the new excise policy.

The liquor licence holders contended in one of the petitions filed by Bhagwati Transformer Corporation through advocate Sanjay Abbott that the government’s decision takes away their right to make business decisions regarding discounts, concessions, and rebates, which the petitioners were otherwise empowered to make under the new excise policy and tender documents.

EU sanctions on Russia starting to have an effect

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 07:23 PM PST

Sanctions imposed by the European Union (EU) on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine are beginning to have an impact, according to an EU official.

"Take the economic side, we have the Moscow stock exchange being closed since Monday. The depreciation of the rouble is also quite impressive. The fact that the Russian Central Bank had to double his interest rate to 20 per cent,” the official said

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen stated on Thursday that if the situation in Ukraine worsens, the EU would consider new measures against Russia. It is also prepared for reprisal from Russia, which includes diversifying the bloc’s energy suppliers.

On Thursday, Japan’s prime minister stated that the government will apply additional penalties against Russia, including a possible airspace restriction.

"As for additional measures including a ban on Russian airplanes in Japan's airspace, we need to take appropriate steps while working with the G7 and international community," Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told a press conference.

NATO to hold meeting over Ukraine today

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 07:22 PM PST

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will host an emergency meeting on Friday in response to Russia’s full-scale attack in Ukraine. After Russian President Vladimir Putin authorised the war on Ukraine last week, NATO members rushed to fortify their eastern flank, according to news agency AFP. The allies, on the other hand, remained firm that they would not get ‘military entangled’ in Ukraine, which is not yet a member of the alliance.

Despite international pressure, the US-led alliance has rejected the idea of implementing a no-fly zone over Ukraine, where Russian forces have launched repeated attacks against civilian targets. The alliance claimed that imposing a no-fly zone would risk escalating into a nuclear war with Russia.

The NATO meeting takes place just one day after Russia and Ukraine held their second round of ceasefire talks in Belarus on Thursday. Military and humanitarian challenges, as well as a prospective political settlement of the ongoing conflict, were discussed by both governments. Moscow and Kyiv agreed to set up humanitarian corridors to evacuate civilians, as well as a possible temporary ceasefire in the evacuation zones.

Rohit wins toss and elects to bat in India face-off with Sri Lanka in Virat Kohli’s 100th test match

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 07:22 PM PST

Virat Kohli will play his 100th Test match, and he is expected to be the centre of attention for the next five days.

When Virat Kohli walks out on the pitch against Sri Lanka in Mohali, he will become the 12th Indian player to play 100 Tests. Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, and Virender Sehwag are among a select group of Indian batsmen who have accomplished the feat.

Meanwhile, the Indian team will undergo some significant adjustments.

KL Rahul has been ruled out due to injury, while Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara have been withdrawn from the side. Mayank Agarwal, Shreyas Iyer, and Shubman Gill can all play in the starting XI if three key players are unavailable.

Coming to Sri Lanka, the team will include Niroshan Dickwella, who is making a comeback after serving a one-year suspension. Kusal Mendis’ fitness has been questioned, and he is unlikely to play in the first Test. Wanindu Hasaranga will also miss the Test series after missing the first two T2OI games

IAEA in contact with Ukraine after Nuclear plant fire; Radiation threat secured

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 07:21 PM PST

Kyiv [Ukraine]: After Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), located in southern Ukraine, reported a fire on its territory, IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is in contact with Ukrainian authorities about the situation.


“Ukraine: IAEA is aware of reports of shelling at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), in contact with Ukrainian authorities about situation,” tweeted IAEA. Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, has appealed for a halt of use of force and warned of severe danger if reactors are hit as it could be disastrous for radiation spread.


“IAEA Director General @RafaelMGrossi speaks with Ukraine PM Denys Shmygal and with Ukrainian nuclear regulator and operator about the serious situation at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, appeals for halt of use of force and warns of severe danger if reactors hit,” tweeted IAEA.


Meanwhile, Ukraine said that the fire at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has not affected “essential” equipment.


“Ukraine tells IAEA that fire at site of #Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has not affected “essential” equipment, plant personnel taking mitigatory actions,” tweeted IAEA.


Earlier on Friday — before the fire broke out — the IAEA released a statement warning that Russian troops were approaching the area and any fighting near the plant could be disastrous.


Ukraine told the IAEA “a large number of Russian tanks and infantry ‘broke through the block post to the town of Enerhodar, a few kilometres from the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP),” the IAEA said in a statement.


It added that Ukraine’s regulatory authority had sent them an “urgent letter,” warning that Russian troops were moving directly toward the nuclear plant and the situation was “critical.”


Meanwhile, Ukraine regulators told IAEA that there has been no change reported in radiation levels at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.


“#Ukraine regulator tells IAEA there has been no change reported in #radiation levels at the #Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant site,” tweeted IAEA.


As per Eastern European media, NEXTA, there was no threat of radiation spread.
“According to Andrey Tuz, spokesman of the press service of the nuclear power plant, there is no threat of radiation spread,” tweeted NEXTA.


Earlier, the mayor of a nearby town said the nuclear plant was on fire amid intense fighting in the area, with firefighters unable to reach the site. Ukraine’s foreign minister said Russian troops were “firing from all sides” at the plant.

‘Braj Holi Mahotsav’ – 3 day carnival in Rajasthan from March 12 to 14

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 07:18 PM PST

Rajasthan Tourism Department is set to host a three day Holi festival “Braj Holi Mahotsav” from March 12 to 14 in the cities of Bharatpur, Deeg and Kaman.

Talking about the event, Nishant Jain, Director of the Department of Tourism said, “The east of Rajasthan is imbued with the essence of Braj and the annual Braj Holi festival of Rajasthan tourism department is a celebration of the rich traditions. From local sports to folk dance and music, it is set to enthral visitors of all ages with colours of Braj.”

The traditional region of Braj spreads from east of Rajasthan to the neighbouring state of Uttar Pradesh and is known for its unique culture inspired and immersed in the devotion of Shri Krishna and his “Leelas” of adolescence age. The festival of Holi thus becomes even more auspicious and enchanting at Braj and hence, visitors from the country and abroad visit the region every year to be part of the Holi celebrations. The department has planned a list of activities to make the festival memorable for the visitors, Jain added.

Jain further added that the Braj Mahotsav will commence from Bharatpur with popular local sports competitions such as kabaddi and kho-kho at the Lohagarh Stadium, followed by ‘Mehendi’ & ‘rangoli making’, turban tying and moustache competitions events. On the same day, ‘Mega Night-Cultural Evening’ will be organised where the renowned singer Vidya Shah is set to mesmerize the audiences with her melodious voice.

The second day of the festival will be celebrated at Deeg, with popular local sports activities like kabaddi, rope pulling etc at the city’s Mela Maidan along with ‘Mehendi’ art and rangoli making competitions, turban tying and moustache events, Jain stated.

He also said that the visitors during the evening will have an opportunity to witness a glorious colourful fountain show, performances by Rajasthani folk artists, and ‘Radha Raas’ by well-known classical Indian Kathak dancer Manjari Chaturvedi at the iconic Palace of Deeg.

Jain also stated, “On the closing day, Kaman will host the various forms of Holi including Gulal Holi, Dudh-Dahi Holi, Laddu Holi and Lathmar Holi in the various prominent temples of the city, followed by ‘Shobhayatra’ of Rajasthani folk artists from Gopinath Temple to Vallabh Ji Temple. ‘Krishna Bhajan Sandhya’ and ‘Braj Rasiya Gaayan’ shall mark the conclusion of the Mahotsav.”

Germany starts replacing imports from Russia

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 07:14 PM PST

Berlin [Germany]: Germany has started to replace gas imports from Russia with supplies from other countries but still purchases some fossil fuels from Russia, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said.


“We have prepared for purchasing gas anywhere else, we had been doing that and continue to do that,” Scholz told the ZDF broadcaster, adding that Germany is still buying gas, oil and coal from Russia. The chancellor stressed that the decision to suspend the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline as well-timed. 

Invasion of Kyiv appears stalled, fighting rages in Kharkiv-US

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 07:09 PM PST

Washington [US]: The Russian “invasion” prong aimed at the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv appears to be stalled, while fighting rages in Kharkiv, the country’s second-largest city, a senior US defence official said on Thursday.


Russian President Vladimir Putin has amassed more than 150,000 troops in 120 battalion tactical groups on the border of Ukraine since last fall, and about 90 percent of the forces have invaded, the US official was quoted as saying by US Defence Department.

In the southern part of the besieged country, news reports indicate the Russians have taken the city of Kherson, but US officials cannot independently confirm this development. Russian forces did get closer to Mariupol and are shelling the city.
The Russians are also shelling Kyiv and Kharkiv, with more rounds hitting civilian targets, according to the US defence department.


“Obviously, [the Russians] are hitting residential areas. There’s no doubt about that,” he said. “The degree to which that is intentional — and intentionally precise, in that regard — is difficult for us to assess. But clearly it’s happening.”


Across northern Ukraine, Russian forces appear to be largely stalled, the official said. “In Kyiv, the Russian forces remain north and northwest of the city,” he said. The capital city is under increasing bombardment.


In Kharkiv, officials assess that the Russian forces now appear to be just outside the city, very near the ring road, a bypass road around the city.


Ukrainian command and control nodes continue to function, and Ukraine’s air defences remain effective, the US official said. “They continue to be able to fly their airplanes and to employ air-defence assets,” the official said. “And, as of this morning, we have now counted more than 480 Russian missile launchers, again, of all of all sizes and stripes.”


The defense official said the United States cannot confirm that Russia is using cluster munitions or thermobaric fuel-air bombs against Ukraine.


The Russian movements may appear to be stalled, but there is still a lot of combat power available to Putin, the US official said. Ukrainian fighting abilities have had an effect on the Russians, as have problems with logistics and sustainment, or they may be pausing to reassess their campaign and redirect their efforts, the official added.

Britney Spears wants to have “a family” with her fiance Sam Asghari.

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 07:06 PM PST

On Sam’s birthday, Britney, on Friday, took to Instagram and penned a sweet wish for the former. “Happy Birthday to my Fiance … I love you so much … I want a family with you … I want it all with you,” she wrote.

Alongside the heartfelt note, the ‘Lucky’ hitmaker dropped an adorable picture with Sam against the backdrop of a beautiful seaside sunset.

Britney’s birthday wish left Sam extremely happy.
Reacting to the post, he commented, “Millions of things to wish for. I only have one wish.”

Britney is already a mother to two teen kids with ex-husband Kevin Federline – Sean Preston, 16, and Jayden James, 15, and now she is all set to have baby number three.

Russian attack has opened a dangerous new chapter-UN High Commissioner of Human rights

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 07:04 PM PST

Geneva [Switzerland]: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has said Russia’s military attack on Ukraine has “opened a new and dangerous chapter in world history”.


She made these remarks during an urgent debate on Thursday during which she led calls for a ceasefire, UN News reported. Convened at the request of Ukraine, the Human Rights Council gathered in Geneva to consider a draft resolution on the “situation of human rights in Ukraine stemming from the Russian aggression,” a week after it began a “special military operation” in Ukraine.


“One week ago, the Russian Federation’s military attack on Ukraine opened a new and dangerous chapter in world history,” Bachelet said. “Military operations are escalating further as we speak, with military strikes on and near large cities, including Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Kherson, Mariupol…and the capital, Kyiv. The town of Volnovakha in Donetsk region has been almost completely destroyed by shelling, and its remaining residents have been hiding in basements.”


Bachelet updated the participants on casualty figures from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), indicating at least 227 deaths – 15 of them children. Moreover, at least 525 people have been injured, including 28 children.


Of that number, 323 casualties were recorded in Donetsk and Luhansk regions (65 killed and 258 injured), while 429 casualties were recorded in other regions of Ukraine – Kyiv, Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Kherson, Kyiv, Odesa, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, and Zhytomyr regions – with 162 killed and 267 injured.
Bachelet added that “most civilian casualties were caused by the use of heavy artillery, multi-launch rocket systems and air strikes in populated areas, with concerning reports of the use of cluster munitions striking civilian targets.” 

US Senators propose sanctions against China in event of Taiwan invasion

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 06:59 PM PST

Washington [US]: Amid China’s growing military aggression towards Taiwan, three US senators have proposed a bill that would allow for the imposition of financial sanctions against China in the event of an attack or invasion of the island.


This bill comes at a time when the experts fear that China too might flex muscles over Taiwan and the South China Sea, after taking cues from Russia’s military operation in Ukraine. The bill will give US lawmakers to sever all financial transactions between the US and China if China engages in armed aggression against Taiwan.

Senators Rick Scott, and two other US lawmakers introduced the Deterring Communist Chinese Aggression Against Taiwan Through Financial Sanctions Act, which would seek to impose financial sanctions on Beijing should it invade, blockade, or enact regime change in Taiwan through the use of force.


Senator Rick Scott said, “Taiwan is one of America’s most important partners in the Asia-Pacific, and its peace and stability are in our political, security, and economic interests. We have watched Communist China’s increasingly frequent actions to harass and intimidate the Taiwanese people, through regular military encroachments and cyberattacks. We must be clear that these intimidation tactics will not be ignored.”


“As Beijing quietly watches Putin’s invasion of and assault on Ukraine, America must stand strongly behind our partners in democracy and leave no ambiguity as to our resolve to condemn and punish tyrants who attack our partners. Passing this bill will make clear to General Secretary Xi that if he mimics Putin’s invasion then he will be met with economic isolation and severe financial sanctions,” he added.


Senator Kevin Cramer said their bill threatens crippling financial sanctions as a deterrence to China trying to follow in Putin’s footsteps.


Another US Senator John Kennedy said, “Now more than ever, we must make it clear to the Chinese Communist Party that armed aggression towards Taiwan would deal a devastating blow to China’s economy. As we know, waiting too long to sanction bad actors can create major national security risks at home. We can’t let China seize the moment to attack one of America’s key partners in the Pacific.”
China continues to regard Taiwan as a breakaway province despite seven decades of separate governance.


Beijing has not ruled out military force to take Taiwan and has kept the pressure on the democratic island with frequent warplane flights into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone.

Australian former wicketkeeper-batter Rod Marsh passes away at age of 74

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 06:52 PM PST

Australia Cricket on Friday announced that former wicketkeeper-batter Rod Marsh passed away at the age of 74. Marsh was in an induced coma and was fighting for his life after he had suffered a major heart attack last week.

“This is a tremendously sad day for Australian cricket and for all those who loved and admired Rod Marsh. Rod will be forever remembered for the way he played the game and the pleasure he brought crowds as a member of some great Australian teams. ‘Caught Marsh, bowled Lillee’ has iconic status in our game,” Cricket Australia chairman Dr Lachlan Henderson said in an official statement.

Marsh’s partnership with Australian teammate and fellow West Australian Dennis Lillee is part of cricket legend, the dismissal ‘caught Marsh, bowled Lillee’ featuring on scoreboards across the cricketing world 95 times in Test matches.

Born in the Perth suburb of Armadale, Marsh honed his cricket skills alongside older brother Graham. Both represented WA as juniors before Graham forged a successful career as a professional golfer.

Marsh made his debut for WA in the 1968-69 season and went on to play 257 first-class matches, scoring 11,067 runs at 31.17 and completing 869 dismissals before his retirement in 1984.

For Australia, Marsh played 96 Test matches scoring 3633 runs at 26.51 and completing 355 dismissals, and 92 one-day internationals making 1225 runs at 20.08 with 124 dismissals – a career disrupted for two years by his involvement in World Series Cricket.

Marsh was something of a pioneer, selected to make his debut in the 1970-71 Ashes series largely for his batting at a time when wicketkeeper was usually a specialist position.

Marsh also served as Cricket Australia’s Manager of Elite Coaching Development and as Australia’s Chairman of Selectors.

Marsh received the Order of the British Empire in 1981 for his services to sport and is a member of the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame, Sport Australia Hall of Fame and the ICC Hall of Fame.

He is survived by his wife Ros and children Paul, Dan and Jamie.

Spike in terror incidents in Balochistan leaves Pak govt in a fix

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 06:48 PM PST

Balochistan [Pakistan]: As the security situation in Balochistan province continues to worsen, analysts have pointed to the spread of violence to urban centres by rebels of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).


At least three people were killed and 24 others injured in a blast near a police van at Quetta’s Fatima Jinnah Road on Wednesday. The local police said the nature of the blast was being ascertained, but added that 2-2.5 kgs of explosives were used, the Dawn newspaper reported.


Experts say that the recent surge in terror attacks has left the Pakistani government in a fix.


“Overtly, having backed the Taliban and the change of government since the withdrawal of the US troops last August, it will lose face in the international community if its bickering came out into the open,” said the European Times.
According to Islamabad-based Pak Institute of Peace Studies, the new regime in Afghanistan is “not helping in any way Pakistan’s efforts to deal with the militant groups threatening its security”.


Analysts believe that the dilemma Pakistan faces is evident from the fact that while it seeks world recognition for the Taliban regime, which it has itself has not recognised.
Earlier this month, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said that there is “no other alternative to Taliban in Afghanistan,” so the “only option the world has right now is to engage with the Taliban for things to move forward.”


In an exclusive interview with Fareed Fareed Zakaria for CNN, talking about Pakistan’s diplomatic relations with the new Taliban government in Afghanistan, he said that sooner or later, the Taliban will have to be recognised by the world as it is about the well-being and future of about 40 million Afghans.


“Afghanistan is on the verge of experiencing the worst humanitarian crisis,” Imran Khan said. “Considering the circumstances, is there any other alternative to the Taliban in Afghanistan? No, there isn’t.”

Quad meet- Leaders reaffirm dedication to regional stability & prosperity

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 06:44 PM PST

Canberra [Australia]: The Quad leaders convened a virtual meeting on Wednesday and discussed the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and assessed its broader implications.


Quad Leaders – Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan, and President Joe Biden of the United States reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, in which the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states is respected and countries are free from military, economic, and political coercion, read the joint statement.

They reaffirmed their dedication to the Quad as a mechanism to promote regional stability and prosperity.


The Quad Leaders agreed to stand up new humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mechanism which will enable the Quad to meet future humanitarian challenges in the Indo-Pacific and provide a channel for communication as they each address and respond to the crisis in Ukraine, added the statement.


In their continuing pursuit of a free and open Indo-Pacific, the Quad Leaders agreed to meet in person in Tokyo in the coming months.


This was the first meeting since the leaders of four Quad countries held a summit in September last year in Washington.


This meeting virtual meeting was held amid Russia’s military action in Ukraine that has led to a refugee crisis in European countries.


Since the start of the Russian “special military operation” last week, several western countries including the US, Canada and Australia, have imposed crippling sanctions on Russia.


India has called for immediate de-escalation and advocated the path of diplomacy.

Talent hunt for singers organised in Kashmir

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 06:38 PM PST

Anantnag (Jammu and Kashmir): A singing and music talent hunt competition for budding Kashmiri artists was organised in Anantnag on Thursday.


The audition cum talent hunt was organized by the Indian Army 108 TA battalion in collaboration with Mumbai-based AD Ventures at Khandru camp at Anantnag district of South Kashmir.


Renowned artist Ameya Dabli and his team held auditions of local singers and musicians of various districts of Kashmir valley.

According to the Indian Army, the prime objective of the event was to hone the skills of the selected artists and provide them with a platform to perform in concerts. Some of these concerts are planned for the later part of the year. This will help in increase the reach of our artists and their music.


Speaking on the matter, Singer Ameya Dabli said that he was overwhelmed to see the talent of Kashmiri budding singers and musicians and hope they will perform in Bollywood in the coming years.

“I am a student of music. Our aim is to promote the talents of our artists and facilitate them in getting platforms where they can showcase their talent. Our purpose is to collaborate with the local artists and promote their talent. I saw a great passion for music among the participants. They all aspire to achieve something,” said Dabli.


The participants lauded the initiative by the Indian Army to promote the talents of Kashmiri artists.

“I am happy that this event was organised. I feel great performing in front of a big singer. These events help us to know our levels and areas where we need to improve,” said Fazal Altaf, a budding singer.

Another participant Sheikh Sana said these kinds of events will enhance the skills of budding artists and they will get exposure. Some of them said if this kind of event is held in other districts, then the hidden talents of Kashmiri youth will get exposure.

Opposition leaders have become accidental Hindus-Giriraj Singh

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 06:32 PM PST

New Delhi [India]: Attacking the Opposition parties, Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Thursday said that their leaders have become “accidental Hindus”.


Mr. Singh further said, “Earlier they used to fear uttering the word ‘Hindu’. Thanks to Modi ji, they are now becoming accidental Hindus. It is a good thing that the number of people who believe in Sanatan Dharma is increasing but it is seasonal.”

Launching a sharp attack at Congress, Singh said, “Those who do not respect their own ancestors and traditions how can they respect others. Rahul Gandhi even changes ‘gotra’ ahead of elections. Priyanka ji could have celebrated her grandfather’s birthday at his tomb in Allahabad to send a message that she respects her religion and so as of others. They are the ones who talked about Hindu terrorism.”


Asked if SP is a tough challenge before the BJP in Uttar Pradesh polls, the Union Minister said, “This time again BJP will cross 300 mark in UP. I feel their (SP) thermometer got damaged as they cannot assess the poll fever. They made their ‘MY’ equation but all failed.”


Polling for six phases of the seven-phased Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections has concluded. The seventh and last phase of assembly polls will be held on March 7. The counting of votes will take place on March 10.

Target 10% of Global trade-Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goel

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 06:26 PM PST

New Delhi [India]: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday called for increasing India’s share in global trade to 10 per cent and taking the country’s share of exports in GDP to about 25 per cent.


Goyal was addressing the closing session of the Post-Budget Webinar on “Make in India for the World.” Speaking at the occasion, the Union Minister said “These are ambitious targets, but I think doable. Today other countries are also talking of programmes very similar to Aatma Nirbhar Bharat. And I think there can be no better endorsement of the importance and the success of this vision than the fact that the world today wants to emulate the India story.”


Goyal called for taking India among the top three nations in Global Services Trade. He called for supporting MSMEs in foreign trade, besides creating top 10 research and development labs and innovation centres to position India as a leader in technology during the next 25 years.


“Let all of us become job creators, work towards strengthening India’s manufacturing ecosystem in a collaborative approach,” he said.

Stating that the government is looking at a more liberal regulatory regime for the Drones sector barring the defence systems, Goyal said the Industry should aim to make India become the manufacturing hub of Drones. He called for integrating quality in the full value chain and said it should not just come into the picture once the final product is made.


Underlining the need to develop technical skills of tomorrow for the industry, the Union Minister called for the need to reorient academic courses to make them relevant to the “needs of today”.


“Very often, demand of time is moving very fast, change in curriculum moves much slowly, Of course, there are lot of problems, you cannot change curriculum overnight, but I think more relevant, contemporary education is equally important,… so more academic courses relevant to what you require, and for that we will need to do some research for what is being taught today and how contemporary that is,” he added.

3 women crushed under debris in Rudraprayag

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 06:21 PM PST

Rudraprayag (Uttarakhand): Three women were crushed by debris falling from mountains at Luthiyag in Jakholi block and the body of one of them has been taken out, said Rudraprayag district magistrate Manuj Goyal on Thursday.


According to the information, the three women had gone to collect gravel and concrete when the accident happened. The District Magistrate said that the place where this incident happened is part of Tehri district, but Rudraprayag being close to the place of the incident, the disaster management team and administration team of Rudraprayag district were deployed in the rescue operation.

After about two hours of struggle, one body has been recovered from under the rubble by the rescue team. The search for the other two women is still on.

BJP slams Chandrashekar Rao; accuses Telangana CM of changing constitution

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 06:17 PM PST

Hyderabad (Telangana): Slamming Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader NV Subhash said that the process of changing the Constitution began by KCR with not inviting Governor to the state Assembly session.

NV Subhash said, “As far as article 176/1 is concerned it is mandatory for the state government, Legislative Assemblies and Councils whenever the budget session is there it is mandatory for the Governor to come and give a report of the state government and address the joint session of Assembly and Council. Then comes the process of thanking the Governor’s address followed by submitting the finance bill.

This process is not being followed by the state government as they do not have achievements last year to show.” He further said that the TRS government not inviting the Governor is an insult to the Constitution of India and the Telangana people. He said BJP demands a proper explanation for not inviting the Governor.

“Earlier KCR has said that he wanted to change the Constitution. We wonder if the process of changing the constitution has begun by not inviting the Governor to the joint session of Assembly and Council and not following the protocols when PM visits the state. KCR purposefully abstained receiving Narendra Modi last month during his visit,” said Subhash.

A ‘weakened’ congress unable to challenge BJP-Sitaram Yechury

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 06:10 PM PST

Kochi (Kerala): CPIM general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Thursday said that the “weakened” Congress is unable to challenge the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre which does not see the grand old party as a major threat.


Briefing media persons, Yechury said, “Any amount of flirting with soft Hindutva, which will feed into the agent of the Hindutva forces and that is what Congress is doing. Congress is today only weakened. Many in the BJP and RSS do not see Congress as a major threat because, at any point of time, any of its leaders can leave the Congress and join the BJP. So weakened Congress is unable to take on this challenge.”

On the Opposition’s alliance, the CPIM leader said, “A stronger Left will be able to bring together all the secular forces. On many occasions in Kerala, Congress played in tandem with the BJP against the LDF government. This kind of compromising attitude cannot help in advancing and achieving the objective of removing the ruling BJP.”
He said state-by-state analysis and alliance to formed accordingly will be the effective solution to defeat the ruling BJP at the Centre.


“The other response to combat that to majoritarian communalism or Hindutva communalism by mobilising minority fundamentalism, that also eventually feeds into the agenda of Hindutwa. We see that happening in various issues come up recently. What we required is that the minority, as well as all secular-minded people, come together within the secular democratic mainstream,” he said.


The CPIM general secretary said BJP is on the back foot in the assembly polls in five states. “In this election, the BJP continued to be more on the back foot. We never heard of an Indian Prime Minister is spending three times continuously in his constituency to make sure that in the assembly election the BJP wins,” said Yechury.


The CPIM leader’s remark comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Varanasi on Friday.


On the evacuation of Indians from conflict-torn Ukraine, Yechury said, “This is actually a war between Russia and the USA NATO. Ukraine is the theatre where this war is being played out. No patriot in our country will oppose the government’s effort to bring back Indians. All of us will support it. This does not mean appreciation of the government’s move.

Why were the instructions not given to evacuate all Indians in Ukraine on the day when the government decided to evacuate the staff and the family of Indian diplomats in the Kyiv Embassy. Why did they wait for the outbreak of the war? Even at the outbreak of the war, they exaggerated the issues saying Indians should leave Kharkiv.” 

#OperationGanga-7,400 people to be evacuated in next 2 days

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 06:00 PM PST

New Delhi [India]: A special flight from Hungary carrying 219 Indian nationals stranded in conflict-torn Ukraine reached Delhi on Friday.


The special IndiGo flight under Operation Ganga departed from Hungary’s capital Budapest on Thursday. Minister of State for Home Affairs Nisith Pramanik received the Indian students on their arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport. He also interacted with the students.

“We are getting successful in evacuating all the stranded Indian students in Ukraine. The four ministers deployed under the guidance of PM Modi are working very hard. All evacuated students have a zeal and respect for India. They thanked the Government of India and were happy,” Pramanik said.

The Ministry of External Affairs, in close coordination with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, is making all efforts to bring the Indian students back to India at a fast pace.
Four Union Ministers — Hardeep Singh Puri, Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Kiren Rijiju and Gen. (Retd) VK Singh — have gone to countries adjoining Ukraine to support and supervise evacuation operations. Indian civilian planes as well as Indian Air Force planes are regularly bringing back stranded Indian students.


The Ministry of External Affairs said more than 7,400 persons are expected to be brought through special flights in the next two days. Further, 3,500 persons are expected to be brought back on Friday and over 3900 on March 5.


Russian forces launched military operations in Ukraine on February 24, three days after Moscow recognised Ukraine’s breakaway regions – Donetsk and Luhansk – as independent entities.


Several countries including the UK, the US, Canada, and the European Union have condemned Russia’s military operations in Ukraine and imposed sanctions on Moscow. These countries have also promised Ukraine to help with military aid to fight Russia.


The US, Canada and European allies agreed to remove key Russian banks from the interbank messaging system, SWIFT which means Russian banks won’t be able to communicate securely with banks beyond Russia’s borders. President Putin has also signed a decree on special economic measures against the US and its allies.

Ukraine crisis-Europe’s biggest nuclear plant on fire; could be 10 times worse than Chornobyl

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 05:51 PM PST

Kyiv [Ukraine]: The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), located in southern Ukraine, has reported a fire on its territory, media reports said on Friday.


The Zaporizhzhia NPP is located in the Zaporizhzhia region, and is the biggest nuclear power plant in Europe, Sputnik news agency reported. On Monday, the Russian Defense Ministry said that the Russian troops had established control over Enerhodar.

“There is a fire at the nuclear power plant,” the NPP’s press service said in a statement. Russian media reports said it was unclear how significant the fire is and whether it was caused by the hostilities.


Ukraine Foreign Minister said Dmytro Kuleba claimed that the Russian army is firing from all sides upon Zaporizhzhia NPP.


Taking to Twitter, Kuleba said if the nuclear plant blows up, “it will be 10 times larger than Chornobyl.”


“Russian army is firing from all sides upon Zaporizhzhia NPP, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Fire has already broken out. If it blows up, it will be 10 times larger than Chornobyl! Russians must IMMEDIATELY cease the fire, allow firefighters, establish a security zone,” Kuleba tweeted.


The Chernobyl disaster was a nuclear accident that occurred in April 1986 in the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, near the city of Pripyat in the north of the Ukrainian SSR in the Soviet Union.


This disaster is considered the worst nuclear disaster in history both in cost and casualties.

Russia to appeal to CAS against FIFA and UEFA ban

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 11:04 AM PST

Russian football federation on Thursday said that it will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the decisions by FIFA and UEFA to bar Russian national teams from international competitions over the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Russian football federation said in a statement it would file one lawsuit against the two governing bodies to demand that Russian men’s and women’s national teams be allowed to compete, including in qualifying for this year’s World Cup in Qatar. It was earlier stated by FIFA that Russia would be able to continue to play under the ‘Football Union or Russia’ name, and without their flag or anthem being present at matches.

But world football’s governing body then released a joint statement with UEFA on Monday announcing Russia’s national teams and its clubs were banned from all competitions.

Russia were due to play Poland in a World Cup qualifier later this month, with the winner of the tie playing either Sweden or the Czech Republic for a place at the finals in Qatar, but all three nations refused to face them.

Following rising tension between Russia and Ukraine, the sports fraternity has become proactive and many events in Russia have been cancelled, including the Russian Grand Prix.

The Champions League final has also been moved out of Russia and it will now take place in Paris.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday had announced a military operation in Ukraine and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere with the Russian action would lead to “consequences they have never seen.”

Celebrate the women in your life with special gifting ideas

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 10:52 AM PST

International Women’s Day, which is annually celebrated on March 8, is an occasion that is dedicated to the women in our lives who go beyond their means to bring a smile to our faces.

It is a global day for commemorating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. The women around us play a vital role in our lives by making us grow personally and professionally, and that too most of the time unknowingly. Hence, won’t it be great if you appreciated them for their efforts and dedication. And for that, we have curated this special list of gifting ideas that will put a smile on her face, just like she brings to yours.

  1. Dinner date/Lunch date
    It’s well known that time is an irreplaceable gift, hence, you can spend some quality time with the special women in your life by going on a lunch or dinner date with them. Take them out for an experience that lets her know that her presence is all that matters to you.
  2. Books by a female writer
    For those who are looking for something that’s inspiring and makes her grow, then there is nothing better than a book. There are plenty of female writers who have written stories on women that are inspiring. On this day, go ahead, and look for the book that you want to gift to the special woman in your life.
  3. Jewellery
    Though a bit more inclined towards materialism, still, the efforts of women can be appreciated by gifting them a beautiful necklace or a pair of earrings. This will surely remind them that you are grateful for the efforts they put to make you happy.
  4. Earphones
    Listening to music is an activity that is unanimously liked by everyone. Thus, gift her a pair of great earphones so that even on the days that she is feeling low, the beats of music can uplift her and bring back that lost joy on her face.
  5. Spa day
    There is one thing that most women have missed to death during the COVID-19 pandemic and that is the spa. However, now that the restrictions are being relaxed, you can book her a spa appointment delivered at home filled with rejuvenating massages and hot oil rubs instead of the usual traffic navigating hustle to work.
  6. Personalised pen
    You can add a personal touch to any average pen by simply engraving the name of a person on it. Be it your writer friend or partner, a personalised pen is one of the best ways to surprise her on International Women’s Day and inspire her to write more and better.

Though women can sometimes be notoriously difficult to shop for, these excellent gift ideas from us are sure to impress every woman in your life and make International Women’s Day memorable for them.

‘What A Sandwich’ hits 65 centres in India

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 10:41 AM PST

‘What A Sandwich’, one of the prominent quick food service formats specializing in submarine sandwiches and salads with a desi-touch, has grown its presence across 65 centres in India. With presence in Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata and among other Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities, What A Sandwich brings nutritious, delicious and affordable submarine sandwiches, cheesy paninis and wraps, burgers, salads, pav burgers, sliced sandwich, fries, etc in vegetarian and non-vegetarian options for selection.

Modeled on delivery kitchen or cloud kitchen format featuring no dine-in space but only licensed commercial food production facilities, ‘What A Sandwich’ combines the winning formula of low rental cost, minimized labour cost and operating volumes to bring pocket-friendly aspirational meals. The brand is replicating its success with their franchise partners, and offering them the opportunity to operate a quick food restaurant, with minimal operating cost.

Started in 2013, What A Sandwich has won several awards and accolades, including winning the ‘Iconic Sandwich’ category by Times Food Delivery Icons Pune in August 2021 and Times Food Delivery Icons Mumbai in September 2021.

Bharat Dynamics pays interim dividend of over Rs 100 crore to government

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 10:31 AM PST

Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) has paid an interim dividend of Rs 7.30 per equity share of Rs 10 each for the financial year 2021-22 amounting to Rs 133.7953 crore, the Ministry of Defence said on Thursday.

The interim dividend declared by the company works out to 73 per cent of the paid-up share capital of Rs 183.28 crore. Commodore Siddharth Mishra (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director, BDL, presented the cheque for Rs 100.24 crore, being the interim dividend pertaining to the Government of India shareholding in BDL, to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in the national capital on Thursday.

Sanjay Jaju, Additional Secretary (Defence Production), Ministry of Defence and N Srinivasulu, Director (Finance), BDL, Commodore TN Kaul (Retd), Executive Director (Mktg), BDL were present on the occasion.

BDL, a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, holds an impressive order book position of Rs 11,400 crore net as of today, according to a Ministry of Defence release.

“To further enhance the order book position of the company, BDL has signed several contracts during the current financial year. More orders are being expected by the company, as approvals are at various stages in the Ministry of Defence,” it said.

BDL also plans to sign several MoUs with various companies during Defexpo – 2022 scheduled to be held in Gujarat this month.

To ensure timely delivery of work orders, the Company has augmented its production capabilities. Modernization of existing facilities is being taken up aggressively to supply futuristic weapons to the Indian Armed Forces, the release said.

In addition to the domestic market, BDL is looking up to foreign customers to consolidate its order book and become a global exporter of weapon systems.

Kohli gets under the skin of bowlers, he is like Miandad: Gavaskar

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 10:22 AM PST

Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar has said that Virat Kohli has always had that fire in his belly since his Test debut and how he is unique in terms of getting under the skin of the bowlers.

As India take on Sri Lanka in the first Test of the two-match series, batter Virat Kohli will achieve the milestone of playing 100 matches in the longest format.

“Playing 100th Test for your country is an incredible feeling, all of us when we were kids playing in the compounds of our house, we dream of playing for India. After playing for the country and you come to your 100th Test, it is an incredible feeling. Reaching the 100th Test means you have played for the country very successfully. No carrier will be smooth, there will be highs and lows,” said Gavaskar in a video posted on the official Twitter handle of BCCI.

“Whether Kohli is fielding or going out to bat, the crowd will lift him up. That is what crowds do, especially when it is a home crowd. Everyone will be wanting him to get a hundred in his 100th Test. His has been an incredible journey, I remember him making his debut in the West Indies in 2011, even there you could see a fire in him,” he added.

Kohli was slated to play his 100th Test during the South Africa series earlier this year, but as fate has it, he will reach the milestone in India itself with a 50 per cent crowd in attendance at the PCA Stadium, Mohali.

“To provoke a fast bowler takes something else. Kohli is one of the rare batters who likes to sledge bowlers. He has been different, he likes to get under their skin. He is like Javed Miandad in that sense. His progress has been phenomenal, the consistency with which he has played, the 100th Test and beyond should be more of the same,” said Gavaskar.

Two Ukrainian footballers dead amid Russia’s ongoing military operation

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 10:06 AM PST

Two Ukrainian footballers have died fighting amid Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, global footballers’ union FIFPRO has confirmed.

The 21-year-old Vitalii Sapylo and 25-year-old Dmytro Martynenko have lost their lives in the conflict following the military invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces, Goal.com reported. Sapylo was a goalkeeper with the third-division side Karpaty Lviv’s youth team, while Martynenko last represented second-division side FC Hostomel.

“Our thoughts are with the families, friends, and teammates of young Ukrainian footballers Vitalii Sapylo and Dmytro Martynenko, football’s first reported losses in this war. May they both rest in peace,” FIFPRO’s official statement stated.

Following rising tension between Russia and Ukraine, the sports fraternity has become proactive and many events in Russia have been cancelled, including the Russian Grand Prix.

The Champions League final has also been moved out of Russia and it will now take place in Paris.

Earlier, Chelsea FC’s Russian owner Roman Abramovich confirmed he will sell the club after spending 19 years in charge of the club.

Abramovich has faced severe backlash due to his alleged close ties with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin amid the country’s ongoing military operation in Ukraine.

UEFA: Belarus teams to play on neutral ground

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 10:01 AM PST

Following Russia’s military operations in Ukraine, UEFA has announced that the teams from Belarus will be playing on neutral grounds.

“The UEFA Executive Committee met today and decided that all Belarusian clubs and national teams competing in UEFA competitions will be required to play their home matches at neutral venues with immediate effect. Furthermore, no spectators shall attend matches in which the teams from Belarus feature as host,” stated UEFA in an official statement.

“The UEFA Executive Committee will convene further extraordinary meetings, on a regular ongoing basis where required, to reassess the legal and factual situation as it evolves and adopt further decisions as necessary,” stated further.

Following rising tension between Russia and Ukraine, the sports fraternity has become proactive and many events in Russia have been canceled, including the Russian Grand Prix.

The Champions League final has also been moved out of Russia and it will now take place in Paris.

UEFA and FIFA have also barred Russia from international football until further notice. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday had announced a military operation in Ukraine and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere with the Russian action would lead to “consequences they have never seen.”

Sushmita Sen says that mainstream Bollywood isn’t giving her the kinds of roles she wants

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 08:49 AM PST

Sushmita Sen transitioned from beauty contest winner to actress with ease. She went on to have a tremendous cinematic career, receiving critical acclaim as well as popular adoration. She did, however, take a nearly ten-year vacation after working in films for over a decade.

Sushmita chose to return to acting with a web series rather than a film after that. In a recent interview, the actress explained that it was because mainstream Bollywood was not providing her with the types of roles she desired.

Sushmita remarked in a video engagement with film critic Sucharita Tyagi for the Critics Choice Short Film and Series Awards’ Facebook page, “I think the 10-year hiatus set the priorities in order. It told me what I need to do and what not to do. Mainstream cinema wasn’t giving me what I wanted. A lot of it was a pre-conceived notion of my age and my screen age and that I hadn’t worked for ten years.”

Sushmita’s last film before taking a break from acting was the 2010 comedy Dulha Mil Gaya, in which she co-starred with Fardeen Khan and Shah Rukh Khan in a cameo role. In 2020, she made a comeback with the Disney+ Hotstar online series Aarya. In the meanwhile, the actress stated that raising her two kids, Renee and Alisah, was her first priority.

The actress added that her own inability and reluctance to network with people meant she missed out on opportunities as well. She said, “I don’t know what the mindset was or maybe I was not putting myself out there. I have never been good at that. I am no good at networking. It did not work for me.”

Sushmita is now seen in the film Aarya. The show has already broadcast two seasons, with a third in the pipeline.

Russian and Belarusian athletes barred from competing in Paralympics

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 06:59 AM PST

The International Paralympic Committee announced on Thursday in Beijing that Russian and Belarusian competitors have been barred from competing in the Winter Paralympic Games due to their countries’ actions in the Ukraine conflict.

The U-turn comes less than 24 hours after the IPC stated on Wednesday that Russian and Belarussian competitors would be allowed to compete when the Games begin on Friday, but only as neutral athletes with no national colours, banners, or other emblems.

The IPC was roundly chastised for its initial ruling. It was described as a betrayal, sending the incorrect message to Russia’s leadership. Many athletes refused to compete against Russians or Belarusians, according to the IPC, causing instability at the Paralympics and undermining the country’s reputation.

The IPC has now joined the list of sports that have outright banned Russians and Belarusians, including football, athletics, basketball, hockey, and others.

The winter Paralympics open on Friday and ends on March 13

Bangladesh defeats Afghanistan in T20I

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 06:16 AM PST

Bangladesh beat Afghanistan by 61 runs in their first Twenty20 match on Thursday, with left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed claiming a career-best 4-10.

To support Nasum’s effort, pacer Shoriful Islam took 3-29 and left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan 2-18. Nasum reduced Afghanistan to 20-4 in the fifth over.

Afghanistan was unable to recover from the early setback and was eventually dismissed for 94 in 17.4 overs in response to Bangladesh’s 155-8.

Shakib also dismissed Zadran in his following over, who had top-scored for 27 runs.

Against Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling, debutant Azmatullah Omarzai added 20.

Liton and Afif established a 46-run partnership against Afghanistan’s much-vaunted spin attack, which included Rashid, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Nabi.

Liton pushed a Rashid delivery too long on for a single, reaching his sixth fifty.
He was eventually eliminated by Fazalhaq Farooqi after hitting four fours and two sixes.

Farooqi and Omarzai both got two wickets in the final overs, preventing Bangladesh from scoring much.

On Saturday, the second and final T20 will be played.

Ukraine crisis- 2nd round of talks to begin soon

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 05:41 AM PST

In the shadow of Putin’s statement that any attempts by Kyiv to delay negotiations would result in Moscow adding more items to its list of demands, a Ukrainian delegation said Thursday it was en route for a second round of ceasefire talks with Russia. 

“On our way to negotiations with the Russian Federation. Already in helicopters,” presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak said on Twitter.

Podolyak posted a photo of himself with lawmaker David Arakhamia dressed in military uniform in what appears to be a helicopter cabin. 

The Ukrainians are expected to arrive for the talks in the Brest region of Belarus. From the Russian side, Vladimir Medinsky, an aide of Russian President Vladimir Putin will head the delegation

Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday that his country was ready for talks to resume. However, he noted that Russia's demands had not changed. He also said that he would not accept any ultimatums, according to the report.

According to Russia’s delegation its proposals have to do with “military-technical, humanitarian-international and political matters”.

PM Modi to hold roadshow in his constituency Varanasi tomorrow

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 05:27 AM PST

Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a roadshow in Varanasi on Friday, ahead of the seventh phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.


Giving details of PM Modi’s roadshow, regional Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Mahesh Chandra Srivastava said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold roadshow from Maldahiya to Vishwanath Dham. At Vishwanath Dham, the roadshow will conclude.” After offering prayers at Vishwanath Dham Temple, PM Modi will garland the statue of Madan Mohan Malviya located at BHU Gate.


Polling for the sixth phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections concluded today.
Polling for the seventh phase, which will be the last, will be held on March 7. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. 

Biden’s ‘Make in America’ inspired by ‘make in India’?

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 05:22 AM PST

New Delhi [India]: In the latest State of the Union Address, US President Joe Biden announced a slew of reforms and measures with a promise to improve the lives of millions of Americans.


The economic vision as envisaged by the Biden administration in his speech encapsulated many diverse aspects ranging from the need to ‘Make in America’, jobs creation for millions of Americans, safe drinking water, access to affordable health facilities, double America’s clean energy production in solar and wind, and so on.

While the US is trying to build a renewed economic vision, the Indian Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already been treading this economic journey for the past 8 years now. India is already on the path of promoting Ease of Doing Business, reducing compliance burden and minimising government interference.


Biden promised, “Every American has clean water to drink at home and at school, provide affordable high-speed internet for every American–urban, suburban, rural, and tribal community.”


In India, launched with the aim of ‘Har Ghar Jal’, the Jal Jeevan Mission has brought about a huge difference in the lives of the people. Nearly six crore rural households have been provided tap water connections despite the constraints imposed by the pandemic.


In India, the biggest projects to modernise digital and physical infrastructure got unprecedented momentum in the Corona times itself. More than 6 lakh villages in the country are connected with optical fibre. An investment of USD 1.3 trillion is being made, especially on connectivity infrastructure.


The cost of internet connectivity and the price of smartphones in India today are among the cheapest in the world. India is also working with great pace on 5G mobile connectivity, which will open doors to new opportunities. India’s efforts on semiconductors will significantly benefit our start-up ecosystem.


Biden’s speech laid emphasis on the need to “Invest in America. Educate Americans. Grow the workforce. Build the economy from the bottom up and the middle out, not from the top down. Buy American: buy American products to support American jobs.”

He even said that “We will buy American to make sure everything from the deck of an aircraft carrier to the steel on highway guardrails is made in America.

The rebirth of pride comes from stamping products ‘Made In America’ and the revitalisation of American manufacturing.” India is already moving ahead with the spirit of Make in India, Make for the world.


Along with telecom, insurance, defence, aerospace, there are limitless possibilities offered by India in this regard. While following the path of self-reliance, India’s focus is not only on easing the processes but also on incentivising investment and production. With this approach, today, Production-Linked Incentive schemes worth USD 26 billion have been implemented in 14 sectors. The USD 10 billion incentive plan to roll out the fab, chip and display industry is a testament to our commitment to making the global supply chain smooth.


Biden reiterated, “Let’s provide investments and tax credits to weatherise your homes and businesses to be energy efficient and you get a tax credit, double America’s clean energy production in solar, wind, and so much more, lower the price of electric vehicles.” Climate change is a major challenge confronting the whole world at present. India has emerged as a responsible global voice on the subject.


Today, India is at number four in the world in installed renewable energy capacity. India’s non-fossil fuel energy has increased by more than 25pc in the last 7 years and now it has reached 40 pc of our energy mix. Passengers numbering more than the entire population of the world, travel by Indian Railways every year. This huge railway system has set itself a target of making itself ‘Net Zero’ by 2030.


This initiative alone will lead to a reduction of 60 million tonnes of emissions annually. Similarly, our massive LED bulb campaign is reducing emissions by 40 million tonnes annually. Along with this, India has also given institutional solutions to cooperate with the world at the international level.


As a revolutionary step in solar power, India initiated the International Solar Alliance. We have created a Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure for climate adaptation. This is a sensitive and vital initiative to save crores of lives. India has also taken the initiative of “Green Grid Initiative: One Sun, One World, One Grid” with the global community.


Biden also said, “If we want to go forward, not backward, we must protect access to health care. Preserve a woman’s right to choose. And let’s continue to advance maternal health care in America.” Health facilities are now easily accessible to the common people because of the responsive policies of the government.


In India, more than 80,000 health and wellness centres and crores of Ayushman Bharat cards have helped the poor immensely in getting treatment. The government has reduced the cost of treatment by providing affordable medicines through more than 8,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras. ‘Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission’ is an important step in providing easy and accessible health services.


Biden in his speech announced, “We’re going to have an infrastructure decade. We’ll create good jobs for millions of Americans, modernising roads, airports, ports, and waterways all across America”.

India has also launched the Gati Shakti National Master Plan to bring every stakeholder on the same platform for promoting development. Under this National Master Plan, work will be done on infrastructure planning, development and implementation in an integrated manner.


This will give a new impetus to seamless connectivity and movement of Goods, People and Services. Biden called for “increasing the productive capacity of our economy for building a better America.” He highlighted the need to boost the startup culture to bring new-age innovations in the world. Since 2016, more than 60,000 new start-ups have been established in 56 different sectors in India and more than six lakh jobs have been created by these start-ups. 

Ukraine Latest: Moscow ready for talks, but will continue war till the end

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 03:57 AM PST

Latest Development:

  • Russia’s foreign minister has said that Moscow is ready for talks to end the fighting in Ukraine but will continue Ukraine war ’till the end’. Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said that the Russian delegation submitted its demands to Ukrainian negotiators earlier this week and is now waiting for Kyiv’s response in talks slated for Thursday.
  • French President Macron held new 90-minute call with Putin: Elysee.
  • Ukrainian officials confirm Russia’s capture of southern city Kherson.
  • US raises alarm bells about “staggering” human toll
  • UN General Assembly overwhelmingly demands Russian pullout
  • Russia, Ukraine to discuss ceasefire Thursday
  • Russian forces said they had captured the Black Sea port of Kherson on Wednesday as Russian and Ukrainian troops battled for Kharkiv, the country’s second-biggest city, and #Ukraine‘s president said Moscow wanted to “erase” his country
  • US Justice Department launches task force to pursue ‘corrupt Russian oligarchs’
  • Russian foreign minister Lavrov says third world war would be nuclear and destructive: Reuters
  • The Kremlin says a Russian delegation is ready to continue peace talks with Ukraine as Moscow’s invasion of the pro-Western country enters its seventh day.
  • Russian military claims to have taken control of Ukraine’s Kherson. “The Russian divisions of the armed forces have taken the regional centre of Kherson under full control,” defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in televised remarks.
  • Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says almost 6000 Russians killed in 6 days of war: Reuters
  • Russia’s largest lender Sberbank is quitting the European market after coming under pressure from Western sanctions levelled against the state bank in response to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. The bank says its European subsidiaries are facing “abnormal cash outflows”
  • Russian airborne troops have landed in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, the Ukrainian army says. “Russian airborne troops landed in Kharkiv… and attacked a local hospital. There is an ongoing fight”-AFP
  • US President Joe Biden announces ban on Russian aircraft from using US airspace during his State of the Union speech. Canada and several other European nations have already closed their airspace to Russian planes following Ukraine’s invasion.
  • The World Bank has announced that it is preparing a $3 billion aid package for Ukraine, which will include at least $350 million in immediate funds.
  • An Indian student lost his life in shelling in Ukraine this morning, the foreign ministry said. India has already asked its nationals to leave Ukraine capital Kyiv “urgently today, by trains or any other means available”. 
  • The Russian military convoy threatening Kyiv and its nearly 3 million residents is far bigger than initially thought, with satellite images showing it occupying much of a 40-mile (64-kilometer) stretch of road north of the capital.
  • Fierce resistance on the ground has so far denied Russian President Vladimir Putin decisive early gains after he last week launched the biggest assault on a European state since World War Two.
  • India advises its nationals to “leave Kyiv urgently today” in latest advisory
  • Ukraine claims that 352 civilians, including 14 children, have been killed in Russia’s offensive that began last Thursday. Negotiation talks between the two nations are on after Russian President Vladimir Putin put out his condition.

  • Indian Air Force is likely to deploy several C-17 aircraft as part of Operation Ganga from Tuesday, sources informed.
  • The decision to deploy C-17 aircraft as part of Operation Ganga was taken after another round of high level meeting, the third in the last 24 hours on Ukraine-Russia situation, sources also said.
  • Vladamir Putin told his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron that the demilitarisation of Ukraine and Western recognition of Russian sovereignty over the Crimean peninsula were prerequisites to ending fighting in Ukraine.
  • Russian shelling has killed at least 11 civilians in Ukraine’s second city Kharkiv: regional governor.
  • IOC calls on sports organisers to exclude Russian, Belarusian athletes and officials from international events.
  • Russia has been expelled from the World Cup after being suspended from all international competitions “until further notice”, FIFA and UEFA announced, while European football’s governing body also ended its partnership with Russian energy giant Gazprom
  • Russia, Belarus suspended by World Rugby ‘until further notice’: statement
  • Zelensky seeks ban on Russia in all global airports and ports

US says 12 expelled Russians ‘intelligence operatives’

  • Trudeau announces Canada ban on Russian oil imports
  • Russian ruble tanks almost 30% after latest sanctions. The ruble was indicated to be down 27% at 114.33 per dollar in offshore trading, according to Bloomberg News.
  • European subsidiary of Russia’s state-owned Sberbank is facing bankruptcy, the European Central Bank says.
  • Saudi Arabia confirms its commitment to the ‘OPEC Plus’ accord with Russia: state news agency.

Ukraine claims to have destroyed columns of Russian troops

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 03:50 AM PST

Kyiv [Ukraine]: Ukraine on Thursday claimed to have destroyed columns of Russian troops with heavy artillery, inflicting heavy damage.
“The enemy does not go unpunished. Artillerymen of the Joint Forces inflict heavy fire damage, destroying columns and clusters of Russian occupation troops. Ukraine’s artillery is working as clearly, precisely, and effectively as ever,” tweeted the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

Earlier, Ukraine’s capital city Kyiv on Thursday woke up with air raid alerts. The residents were advised to take shelter in safe houses.
“Air raid alert in Kyiv. Residents should go to the nearest shelter,” tweeted The Kyiv Independent.

“Air raid alerts in Kyiv Oblast, Mykolaiv, Lviv, Zhytomyr, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernihiv and Chernihiv Oblast, Volyn Oblast, Cherkasy Oblast, Kirovohrad Oblast, Poltava Oblast, Khmelnytskyi Oblast, Zaporizhzhia and Odesa, The Kyiv Independent tweeted.


Meanwhile, a building of the military faculty of Sumy State University in Ukraine’s northeastern city Sumy was shelled this morning by Russian force.

The mayor of the southern city of Kherson indicated it had fallen on Wednesday, saying Ukrainian forces had left. This follows several days of heavy fighting, with Russian forces surrounding the strategically significant city north of the Crimean Peninsula.

Meanwhile, Russian forces moving towards Ukraine’s capital, including a large military convoy, “remain stalled,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday. The troops could be “regrouping,” or facing challenges such as supply shortages and Ukrainian resistance.

A large Russian military convoy stretching over 30 km was delayed on Thursday due to staunch Ukrainian resistance, mechanical breakdown and congestion said the latest UK defence intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine.

“The main body of the large Russian column advancing on Kyiv remains over 30km from the centre of the city having been delayed by staunch Ukrainian resistance, mechanical breakdown and congestion. The column has made little discernible progress in over three days,” tweeted the UK Ministry of Defence.

Pakistan skips UNGA emergency session

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 03:43 AM PST

Pakistan skipped the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) emergency session called to discuss the Ukraine crisis. Pakistan is already grappling with a severe economic crisis and amidst this, it is in a dilemma as it has to consider its relations with the US and EU, as well as not jeopardising ties with Russia while the pressure in the days to come will mount, especially if the crisis drags on, the Dawn reported.

Representatives of foreign missions in Pakistan, mostly belonging to the Western camp, have called on this country to condemn the Russian invasion in a joint letter.
Pakistan will have to carefully and intelligently navigate the choppy waters ahead by condemning the aggression, while at the same time refusing to be drawn into bloc politics as geopolitical changes occur with incredible swiftness.


Pakistan abstained at the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday in the 11th emergency special session and fourth plenary meeting on the ongoing Russian military operation in Ukraine.


UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres termed this “escalating violence … totally unacceptable”. Pakistan abstained from voting, so did India, however, India made sure to participate in the UNGA discussions, reported Dawn.


However, apart from this, it is also Pakistan’s responsibility to condemn ‘the invasion’ of a sovereign country. The country should be calling for a cessation of hostilities.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has mentioned the Ukraine crisis during his address to the nation on Monday night. He displayed his intent to import Russian wheat and gas, thus implying that this country should not get on Moscow’s wrong side.


It is necessary to maintain and balance political, strategic and economic relations. However, any country’s moral imperatives cannot be forgotten, reported the newspaper.


Members of the Western bloc have responded to the Russian invasion with schemes to isolate Moscow from the international order. Pakistan, on the other hand, will have to navigate these choppy waters cautiously.

BJP has freed UP of Goons & Mafia- Amit Shah

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 03:34 AM PST

Azamgarh (Uttar Pradesh): Amid the ongoing sixth phase of the Assembly election in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah attacked the Samajwadi Party (SP) saying that the ruling BJP government has made Purvanchal (East UP) an education hub while the SP had ignored it during their rule.


“Earlier, they (opposition) neglected Purvanchal, our government made it an education hub. We made universities in Azamgarh, Ballia and Gorakhpur along with 12 new medical colleges in the region,” said Union Home Minister Amit Shah while addressing an election rally in Azamgarh’s Lalgunj.

Stating that the BJP has freed Uttar Pradesh from mafia and musclemen, Shah said, “There was a time when kattas (indigenously built gun) were made in UP, today it makes missiles, which even Pakistan is afraid of.”


He added, “In Azamgarh, under Akhilesh government, goons, mafia used to roam in open jeep carrying AK-47. He (Akhilesh) used to do bomb blasts in Ahmedabad from Azamgarh. Today no one has the courage to do riots.”


Taking a dig at Akhilesh Yadav’s stand on abrogation of Article 370, Shah said, “When Article 370 was being removed, Akhilesh told us not to remove it or else there will be rivers of blood flowing in the country. But in reality, no one even dared to pelt a stone let alone rivers of blood.”


The seventh phase of the Uttar Pradesh election is on March 7. Meanwhile, polling for the sixth phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections began at 7 am today and will continue till 6 pm. Polling is being held for 57 Assembly constituencies spread across 10 districts, including Gorakhpur, Ambedkarnagar, Ballia, Balrampur, Basti, Deoria, and Kushinagar, Maharajganj, Sant Kabir Nagar and Siddharthnagar.

Fire breaks out in Mumbai’s Byculla area

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 03:18 AM PST

Mumbai (Maharashtra): A fire broke out in Zakaria Industrial Estate in the Byculla area of Mumbai on Thursday.
A total of eight fire tenders are present at the spot to douse the fire. Currently, fire fighting operations are underway.

‘Pariwarwadis’ took care of their their Mafia friends-PM Modi

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 03:11 AM PST

Chandauli (Uttar Pradesh): In a veiled attack at the Samajwadi Party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that ‘Pariwarwadi’ parties are still stuck in their old alliances with ‘mafias’ whereas BJP has alliance with the people of Uttar Pradesh.


Addressing a public rally in Chandauli ahead of the seventh phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, PM Modi said, “These ‘Pariwarwadi’ parties are still stuck in their old alliances with mafias. Whereas BJP’s alliance is with the people of Uttar Pradesh. Our alliance is with those 14,000 poor families of Chandauli, for whose dreams we have worked hard day and night to fulfil.

“The BJP’s alliance is with the sisters of every family of Chandauli, to protect their dignity, we first built toilets, now we are working at a fast pace to provide tap water to them. In front of this strong alliance, the fake and adulterated alliance of extreme ‘Pariwarwadi’ parties cannot stand even for a moment,” he added.


The Prime Minister further said that in the last seven years, BJP has done many important things to change the politics of the country.


“When the ‘Pariwarwadi’ parties were in power, wheat and paddy were procured from only 12,000 farmers of Chandauli. But after the formation of the BJP government, wheat and paddy have been bought from about 50 thousand farmers here. Whatever purchase is being done, its money is being deposited directly into the bank accounts of the farmers,” said PM Modi.


He further said that under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, about Rs 400 crore has been sent directly to the accounts of more than 2 lakh farmers of Chandauli.
PM Modi said that ‘Pariwarwadi’ parties only took care of their families, relatives and their mafia friends.


“The goal of ‘Pariwarwadi’ parties is to enjoy power, that is why they have been doing politics of division in the society. Our goal is to build the nation, so we take everyone along and complete the work as a service. In the last five years, work has been done on every infrastructure in Chandauli rapidly,” he said.


“We don’t do vote bank politics. We credited financial aid of government schemes in your bank accounts directly,” PM Modi said in Chandauli.


He further said that earlier people had to go to government offices for their small works but under the BJP government everything is at the doorstep of people.
“Earlier, people had to go to government offices and political leaders for small needs, we started sending money directly to the bank accounts of the poor. Under PM Kisan scheme, money is directly sent in the bank accounts of poor, children’s stipend money is directly reaching in their bank accounts, and people are also getting their gas subsidy in bank accounts,” said PM Modi.


He further exuded confidence in winning the Assembly polls stating, “It is consistently visible after every phase of UP elections that the people have decided to give a befitting reply to ‘Pariwarwadi’ parties. People in UP will celebrate Holi on March 10th (on the day of election results).”
Polling for the sixth phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections is underway and will continue till 6 pm.


A total of 676 candidates are in the fray in the sixth phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, while Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is among the prominent candidates.Polling for the seventh phase, which will be the last, will be held on March 7. The counting of votes will take place on March 10.

Sanjay Kapoor’s ‘Bedhadak’ daughter Shanaya Kapoor’s debut film announced

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 03:04 AM PST

Actor Sanjay Kapoor’s daughter Shanaya Kapoor is all set to make her acting debut with the film titled ‘Bedhadak’. ‘Bedhadak’ is presented by Karan Johar and helmed by Shashank Khaitan. Sharing the update, Shanaya took to Instagram and unveiled her first look from the film.

“I am extremely grateful and humbled to join the Dharma Family with #Bedhadak – directed by the brilliant Shashank Khaitan. I can’t wait to kickstart this journey, I need all your blessings and love,” she captioned the post. With ‘Bedhadak’, Karan is also launching actors Lakshya and Gurfateh Pirzada apart from Shanaya.

Welcoming Gurfateh on board, Karan on Instagram wrote, “His brooding good looks will have you smitten in no time! Watch Angad’s character come alive in #Bedhadak with @gurfatehpirzada bringing his effortless suave onto the big screen.”

He also dropped the first look of Lakshya.

“Looks that will melt your heart just as easily as his smile will. Presenting @itslakshya as Karan in #Bedhadak. Directed by the maestro of emotions, Shashank Khaitan,” Karan posted while sharing Lakshya’s look.

‘Bedhadak’ is touted as a love triangle in the rom-com space.

‘Purvanchal will wipe out BJP’-Akhilesh Yadav

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 03:01 AM PST

Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), March 3: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday exuded confidence over his victory in Purvanchal and said that people will “wipe out Bharatiya Janata Party” from the region.


The SP chief also assured the development of Purvanchal if voted to power in Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Speaking to reporters in Varanasi today, Yadav said, “I have full faith that Purvanchal will wipe out BJP. I assure the people of Purvanchal that when the Samajwadi government is formed, we will ensure the development of Purvanchal.”


Earlier in the day, Yadav termed Uttar Pradesh polls “election of UP’s future” and assured the employment opportunities for Army if SP voted to power in the state.
“This is the election of UP’s future. It is also an election to decide whether democracy will be saved or not. When our government will come, along with police recruitments, we’ll also ensure that recruitments for Army are done,” he stated.
Polling for the sixth phase is being held for 57 Assembly constituencies spread across 10 districts, including Gorakhpur, Ambedkarnagar, Ballia, Balrampur, Basti, Deoria, and Kushinagar among others.


Polling for the seventh phase, which will be the last, will be held on March 7. The counting of votes will take place on March 10.

Operation Ganga: 80 flights deployed to evacuate stranded Indians from Ukraine.

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 02:55 AM PST

In a bid to further scale up the evacuation efforts, the government has deployed 80 flights under ‘#OperationGanga’ to evacuate stranded Indians from Ukraine. The government has also roped in more than two dozen Ministers to monitor evacuation missions without any hiccups, sources told ANI on Thursday. Sources told ANI that the government has accelerated the evacuation plan for the Indians stranded in Ukraine.

Total flights ferry has been increased to bring more and more Indians. By March 10, a total of 80 flights will be pressed into service to evacuate the stranded Indians. These flights belong to the fleet of Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, Spice Jet, Vistara, Go Air, and also planes from Air Force.

Sources also told ANI that the 35 evacuations have been planned from the Romanian capital city Bucharest, which include 14 flights of Air India, eight of Air India Express, seven of IndiGo, one of Spice Jet, three of Vistara and two of Indian Air Force.

A total of 28 flights have been scheduled to take off from Hungary’s capital Budapest. Among these 28, 15 flights are from Go Air, 9 from IndiGo, 2 from Air India, 1 from Indian Air Force, and 1 from Spice Jet. A total of nine flights are scheduled from Rzeszow, Poland, which includes eight from IndiGo and 1 from Indian Air Force, while five flights will take off from Suceava, Romania and 3 flights will take off from Kosice, Slovakia.

Sources also stated that approximately 17,000 stranded Indians will be evacuated from Ukraine by these 80 flights, scheduled to take off from Budapest, Bucharest, and Rzeszow, Suceava, and Kosice.

Till March 2, a total of 24 flights have landed under ‘Operation Ganga’. The government started ‘Operation Ganga’ on February 26 to evacuate stranded Indians from Ukraine.

The first flight carrying Indians landed in Mumbai on February 26 which was received by Piyush Goyal, Minister for Commerce and Industry, Textile, Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution.

Prime Minister has sent four Ministers Jyotiraditya Scindia, Hardeep Singh Puri, Kiren Rijiju, and VK Singh to Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and Poland to oversee the evacuation of Indians.

The Modi government has also roped in ministers to monitor smooth evacuation and receive Indians at Delhi and Mumbai Airport who are coming from Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and Poland under Operation Ganga.

Ministers Jitendra Singh, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Rao Inderjeet Singh, Narayan Rane, G Kishan Reddy, Kailash Choudhary, Parshottam Rupala, Bhagwant Khuba, Virendra Kumar, Meenakshi Lekhi, V. Muraleedharan, Bhagwat Karad, Nisith Pramanik, Shantanu Thakur, Rao Saheb Danve, Darshana Jardosh, Devusinh Chauhan, Bharati Pravin Pawar, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma, Subhas Sarkar, Kapil Patil have been assigned to receive the flights coming from neighboring countries of Ukraine carrying Indians.

UP Polls: 53.31% voter turnout recorded till 5PM

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 02:55 AM PST

53.31% voter turnout recorded till 5PM for phase VI of voting in UP state elections. Counting will take place on March 10.

46.70% voter turnout recorded till 3 pm during ongoing polling across 10 districts in the sixth phase.

Ambedkar Nagar at 52.40% saw the highest turnout so far. The turnout at other districts was- Kushinagar at 48.49%, Basti at 46.49%, Sant Kabir Nagar at 44.67%, Gorakhpur at 46.44%, Siddharth Nagar recorded 45.33%, Ballia at 46.48, Deoria at 45.35% Maharajganj at 47.54% and Balrampur at 42.67% till 3PM today.

36.33% voters turnout was recorded till 1 pm during ongoing polling across 10 districts in the sixth phase.

Ambedkar Nagar at 40.60% saw the highest turnout so far followed by Kushinagar at 39.36, followed by Basti at 37.48%, Gorakhpur at 36.63%, Siddharth Nagar recorded 36.51%, Ballia at 36.39, Maharajganj at 35.32% Balrampur recorded the lowest turnout at 29.89% voter turnout till 1PM.

21.79% voter turnout recorded till 11 am during ongoing polling across 10 districts in the sixth phase.

Siddharth Nagar recorded 23.42%, Ambedkar Nagar 23.10%, Basti 23.33% and Kushinagar 23.24% voter turnout till 11 AM.

Voting for UP polls-phase VI began at 7AM this morning. CM Adityanath Yogi was one of the first ones to cast his vote in his constituency in Gorakhpur.

This 6th phase is being considered as a prominent event, as the strongest candidate and current Chief Minister from Bhartiya Janata Party, Yogi Adityanath will be contesting from the Gorakhpur constituency. Gorakhpur constituency is considered to be a strong ground for Yogi and he won from Gorakhpur last time also, hence the party was optimistic and ensured another win of Yogi from the same constituency.

Meanwhile, Over 2.14 crore voters are eligible to exercise their voting rights in these ten districts which have 57 seats. The constituents apart from Gorakhpur are Ambedkar Nagar, Balrampur, Siddharthnagar, Basti, Sant Kabir Nagar, Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Deoria and Ballia. A total of 676 candidates will be contesting in the 6th phase.

While addressing a rally in Gorakhpur yesterday, Yogi tweeted, “The ‘Jai Ghosh’ of the BJP is an attack on the ill-intentioned plans of the ghastly familyists, from the innumerable groans of the nationalist people of my Gorakhpur’s Sahjanwan region. ‘Ram-Rashtra’ is seated in the heart of the people here. Good governance and development are sure to win at every booth here… Thanks, Sahajanwan people!”

On the other hand, the opposition leader from Samajwadi Party, Akhilesh Yadav is also confident about uprooting the BJP stronghold from Gorakhpur.

The results will be announced on March 10th.

Congress supports govt’s stand of abstaining from voting in UNGA: Sources

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 02:47 AM PST

Congress leaders have supported the Union Government’s stand of abstaining from voting in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), informed sources on Thursday. This came after a Consultative Committee of Parliament on External Affairs held a meeting at the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi. External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar briefed the committee of Parliament meeting amid the ongoing Russian military operations in Ukraine. He gave a presentation about the evacuation process and the current situation.

“Congress leaders supported the government’s stand of abstaining from voting in UNGA,” sources said.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, who was also present in the meeting expressed gratitude to Jaishankar over “comprehensive briefing” and “candid responses.”

Post the meeting, speaking to media persons, Tharoor said, “(We had) many points. MEA will talk. It was a good meeting. We are all united.” “Excellent meeting of the Consultative Committee on External Affairs this morning on #Ukraine. My thanks to @DrSJaishankar & his colleagues for a comprehensive briefing & candid responses to our questions &concerns. This is the spirit in which foreign policy should be run,” he tweeted.

In a series of tweets, he said that the meeting took place in a “constructive spirit.”

“I have declined media requests for comments since the meeting is confidential. However, we urged MEA to issue a more detailed statement than usual. The meeting took place in a constructive spirit and all parties are united in their desire to see our nationals return safely home,” he said. “Nine MPs attended from six political parties. @INCIndia MPs present were @RahulGandhi, @AnandSharmaINC & myself. Frank discussions took place in an amicable atmosphere, a reminder that when it comes to national interests we are all Indians first and foremost,” Tharoor added.

After the meeting, Jaishankar said that there was a “good discussion on the strategic and humanitarian aspects of the issue”.
“Just completed a MEA consultative committee meeting on developments in Ukraine. A good discussion on the strategic and humanitarian aspects of the issue. Strong and unanimous message of support for efforts to bring back all Indians from Ukraine,” he tweeted.

“A national consensus on the importance of dialogue and diplomacy. Thank all members for their participation,” he added.

The Indian government has been ramping up its efforts to evacuate its citizen from Ukraine. Special flights have been arranged under ‘Operation Ganga’.

Meanwhile, a total of 17,000 Indian nationals have left Ukraine since the advisories were issued and flights under ‘Operation Ganga’ have been increased to facilitate the evacuation of remaining students stranded in Ukraine.

The students who left Ukraine also included some Indians who had not registered with the Embassy of India in Kyiv previously.
Further, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting on the issue. The meeting was attended by Union Ministers S Jaishankar, Piyush Goyal, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and other officials.

Priyanka Chopra and her ‘Khatta Dhokla’

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 01:53 AM PST

Actor Priyanka Chopra, who often shares glimpses from her life on social media, posted a sneak peek of her breakfast plate that took her back to Mumbai. On Thursday, ‘The Sky Is Pink’ actor took to her Instagram handle and shared a picture of her breakfast plate that included poha, khatta dhokla and mixed vegetables.

She captioned, “Poha in La that took me back to Mumbai! Thank you @hungryempire @wholesam.”

By reading the caption, it seems like the ‘Baywatch’ actor was eating poha after a long time. Recently, Priyanka also celebrated Mahashivratri with her husband Nick Jonas. The ‘Bajirao Mastani’ actor shared an image featuring her and Nick performing pooja at home in which they can be seen seated in front of a huge white-coloured Lord Shiva idol.

Meanwhile, on the work front, she recently wrapped up the shoot for the thriller series, ‘Citadel’.

Is Karisma Kapoor battling COVID-19? find out

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 01:45 AM PST

While the third wave of coronavirus wanes in the country, actor Karisma Kapoor found herself at the receiving end of the deadly virus. The revelation was made by Karisma’s sister Kareena while talking to actor Kajol outside Mehboob Studios in Mumbai on Thursday. For the unversed, Kajol and Kareena bumped into each other today. Their mini reunion was captured by the paparazzi.

In the viral videos, the two can be seen talking about Bebo’s (Kareena’s nickname) second child Jeh and COVID-19.

Kajol asked, “What’s happening? How is your new baby?” Kareena, whose son Jeh turned one on February 21, replied, “Oh god, he’s already a year.” Then their conversation switched to COVID-19.

Kajol said she had tested positive earlier as well. This is when Kareena revealed that Karisma is COVID-positive. She said, “Lolo (Karisma’s nickname) just turned positive yesterday.”

However, Karisma has not disclosed her diagnosis publically yet.

Exposure to green outdoors had positive mental health impact during pandemic

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 01:38 AM PST

The lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic gave a breather to the trees, plants and parks around our houses, with lesser pollution causing vehicles roaming around like mad. The peace and calm during the first lockdown made people appreciate nature even more. Now, a new University of Colorado Boulder research has found some positive impacts of green surroundings on people’s mental health.

The study, published in the journal ‘PLOS One’, found that people exposed to more green space during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic reported significantly less depression and anxiety. The study also found that, at a time when mental health problems soared due to financial woes, supply shortages and nonstop news coverage of the virus, people sought solace in the great outdoors, with one-third spending more time there than they did pre-COVID.

“This research shows how critical it is to keep parks and green spaces open in times of crisis,” said senior author Colleen Reid, an assistant professor of geography in the Institute for Behavioral Science. “It also shows that, as a public health measure, more effort should be made to put in green spaces and make them accessible.”

For the study, the authors presented about 1,200 Denver-area residents with a 30-minute survey gauging their mental health and their perceptions of green space near their home, including how much there was, whether they could see it, whether it was accessible, how much they used it and its quality. They also collected aerial satellite imagery to objectively quantify greenery in respondents’ neighbourhoods.

The survey ran from November 2019 to January 2021.
Once COVID-19 emerged and lockdowns ensued, Reid added additional questions, providing a rare opportunity to also look at how the pandemic influenced mental health over time and what was most stressful about it.

“Not surprisingly, we found that the pandemic impacted mental health negatively,” said co-author Emma Rieves, a master’s student in the Department of Geography. “But we also found that green space could have a powerful protective effect, even at a time of such extraordinary stressors.”

Surprisingly, the study found no association between being diagnosed with COVID and having poor mental health. But respondents reported that having symptoms, no diagnosis and no way to test was distressing.

Those who lost income or felt they were working in an unsafe environment were also more likely to be stressed or depressed, while the strongest source of mental health problems was a fear of supply shortages (including toilet paper and food).

People who spent a lot of time scrolling the internet looking at the news reported poorer mental health. In contrast, merely having abundant green space nearby, as measured by satellite images, was associated with lower depression scores.
To get the most benefit out of nearby green space, the study found, people had to get out and use it. Those who used green space most had significantly lower anxiety and depression.

“There are many dimensions of green space, and our study looked closely at how these dimensions impact mental health,” said Rieves, noting that policymakers often rely solely on objective measures, like satellite images or proximity to parks when assessing whether to invest in more greenery in a community.

On a satellite image, Rieves pointed out, a large patch of greenery could actually be a weed-filled lot. A ‘nearby park’ could be on the other side of a busy highway.

“It’s not just about being able to see trees from your home. The amount, quality and accessibility of that green space matters,” said Rieves.

Many public agencies closed public green spaces, including neighbourhood playgrounds and national parks, at the onset of the pandemic for fear that the virus could be easily spread via surfaces. Once parks reopened, with places like gyms, bars and churches still closed, Coloradans flocked to the outdoors: 33 per cent of respondents reported spending more time in parks or on trails than the year before.

The study added to a growing body of evidence which suggested that green spaces have a measurable impact on health.
According to one theory, known as the ‘biophilia hypothesis,’ humans innately tend to seek connections with green spaces, where the calming environment influences stress hormones in a way that promotes healing and fends off disease.

“The idea is that we have evolved with nature, and only in the recent past have we been living in the concrete jungle,” said Reid.
One famous 1984 study even found that when hospital patients had rooms with a window looking out on green space, their wounds healed faster and they required less pain medication than those looking out on a brick wall.

Reid cautioned that correlations between green space and health have been scrutinized, in part because people with higher incomes and, thus, better access to healthy food and health care may also be more able to afford to live near green spaces.

To address that, Reid’s study took sociodemographic factors into account, along with the many unique circumstances that have emerged during COVID.

After controlling for all the factors, the benefits still remained clear: “Spend more time outside,” Rieves said. “Pandemic or no pandemic, it’s good for your mental health.”

‘Vayu Shakti’ the Biggest IAF exercise to be held on March 7, 148 aircraft to display IAF power.

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 12:45 AM PST

'Vayu Shakti' is IAF's biggest exercise and is held every three years to showcase India's air power. 148 aircraft of the Indian Air Force will take part in the 2022 edition of 'Vayu Shakti' that will held at Rajasthan's Pokhran test facility on March 7.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the chief guest for the event this time.

The exercise is being held in the backdrop of IAF's high-tempo operations in the Ladakh sector where India and China have been locked in a border row since May 2020. A total of 109 fighter jets, 24 helicopters and seven transport planes are among the aircraft that will participate in the drill.

"The objective of the exercise is to showcase the capability of IAF to conduct full spectrum operations. It will also demonstrate IAF's capability to defend vital areas and points by employing surface-to-air guided weapons," an official said.

Several platforms that have operated in the Ladakh sector will be a part of the drills in the exercise. These include Rafale, MiG-29 and Sukhoi-30 fighter jets, C-17 heavy lifters, C-130J special operations aircraft, Apache AH-64E attack helicopters and CH-47F (I) Chinook multi-mission helicopters.

The platforms inducted after the Balakot raid include the Apaches and Chinooks. To be sure, these acquisitions were planned years before the airstrikes.

Virat to play his 100th Test Match tomorrow-Sachin, Rahul, VVS wish him the best

Posted: 03 Mar 2022 12:42 AM PST

Tomorrow, Virat Kohli will be playing his 100th Test match. Only 11 Indians have done so far done that in the past. Kohli would become the 12th Indian to do it and would join greats like Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, and others.

The first test match between India and Sri Lanka will be played at Mohali on Friday March 4. Earlier, it was decided that the game would be played behind closed doors – but now – BCCI has confirmed a 50 per cent capacity crowd at Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali. Fans would be hoping that he can break his century drought in the landmark Test.

In an interview, Virat says he is grateful to be able to make it to 100 even as wishes poured in from all quarters.

Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar too wished Virat the best and recalled the day when he first heard of Virat.

Indian Coach and former Indian wicket keeper batsman Rahul Dravid also congratulated Kohli.

List of Players who have played 100 Test matches for India

PLAYERSMATCHESRUNSWICKETS
Sachin Tendulkar2001592146
Rahul Dravid163132651
VVS Laxman13487812
Anil Kumble1322506619
Kapil Dev1315248434
Sunil Gavaskar125101221
Dilip Vengsarkar11668680
Sourav Ganguly113721232
Ishant Sharma104785311
Harbhajan Singh1032224417
Virender Sehwag

#OperationGanga: 3726 Indians to be brought back today

Posted: 02 Mar 2022 10:43 PM PST

Under Operation Ganga, 3726 Indians will be brought back home today on 8 flights from Bucharest, 2 flights from Suceava, 1 flight from Kosice, 5 flights from Budapest and 3 flights from Rzeszow Civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia

Earlier, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju interacted with evacuated students in Slovakia, before their departure to India.

While Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi received students arriving to Delhi from Budapest in Hungary

China spends more time criticising US than helping Afghanistan-US at UN

Posted: 02 Mar 2022 09:47 PM PST

United Nations: The United States and Russia on Wednesday presented opposing visions at the Security Council for the UN’s role in Afghanistan, with Washington’s call for robust support of human rights running contrary to Moscow’s desires.

With the UN political mission’s mandate in need of renewal by March 17, the United States underscored its “strong support” for the human rights work being carried out.

Russia’s Deputy UN Ambassador Anna Evstigneeva said, however, that Moscow does “not agree that the human rights component of the mission should be reinforced.”

“We stand against linking the human rights situation to humanitarian and recovery assistance,” she said.

The mission “must not become a kind of a supervisor to meet the interests of those who are not ready to help Afghans without preconditions,” she said.

For his part, US Deputy Ambassador to the UN Jeffrey DeLaurentis said the United States supports the mission’s human rights monitoring functions and humanitarian coordination role.

He also highlighted its child and civilian protections and work to promote equal participation of women “in all aspects of public life.”

The United States additionally took a swipe at Beijing, with DeLaurentis stating that it was “a pity that China spends more time criticizing US actions, than focusing on helping the Afghan people themselves.”

“China’s the second largest contributor to the UN. What China has done to help the people of Afghanistan, or contribute to regional security, does not match that standing,” he said.

At the beginning of the session, the UN envoy to Afghanistan, Deborah Lyons, asked the UN to engage with the Taliban without isolating them, which she said was the only way to enact positive change.

“We believe, as the winter season comes to an end, that we have perhaps averted our worst fears of famine and widespread starvation,” she said.

PM to attend QUAD virtual summit today

Posted: 02 Mar 2022 09:34 PM PST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate along with US President Joe Biden, Australian PM Scott Morrison, and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida in a Quad Leaders’ virtual meeting today. They will exchange views and assessments about important developments in the Indo-Pacific. The Quad Leaders will also review ongoing efforts to implement the Leaders' initiatives announced as part of the Quad’s contemporary and positive agenda: Ministry of External Affairs

Covid Update: 6,561 New cases reported

Posted: 02 Mar 2022 07:45 PM PST

India reported 6,561 new cases, 142 deaths and 14,947 recoveries in the last 24 hours. The total active caseload stands at 77,152.

178 crore vaccines have so far been administered in India.

India denies report of students being held hostage even as Russia, Ukraine trade charges

Posted: 02 Mar 2022 07:32 PM PST

India says “have not received any reports of any hostage situation regarding any student” after Russia’s charge on Ukraine

The Russian Embassy in India had yesterday tweeted that Indian students were taken hostage by Ukraine.

The Ukrainian government had also charged Russia of taking Indian and Pakistani students as hostage.

Indian students being kept as hostage by Ukraine-Russia

Posted: 02 Mar 2022 07:22 PM PST

Ukrainian forces are keeping a large group of Indian students as “hostages” as human shields, in Kharkiv, the Russian Defence Ministry has alleged, amid an escalating assault on the country on Wednesday.

“According to our information, Ukrainian authorities are forcibly keeping a large group of Indian students in Kharkiv who wish to leave Ukrainian territory and go to Belgorod,” a Russian military spokesperson said at a briefing.

“In fact, they are being held as hostages… Russian armed forces are ready to take all necessary measures for the safe evacuation of the Indian citizens. And send them home from the Russian territory with its own military transport planes or Indian planes, as the Indian side proposed to do,” he added.

The Russian Embassy in India tweeted that Indian students were being taken as Human shields by Ukrainians and said that the onus was now on Kyiv.

Earlier, Prime Minister Modi and his Russian counterpart President Putin spoke on the phone on the Ukraine situation and the safe passage of Indian students stuck in Ukraine

Kim Kardashian is single again

Posted: 02 Mar 2022 07:14 PM PST

A Los Angeles judge on Wednesday granted Kim Kardashian, the businesswoman and star of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians”, request to be declared legally single from rapper Kanye West after nearly eight years of marriage.

Kim Kardashian filed for divorce a year ago, citing irreconcilable differences with West, who has legally changed his name to Ye. The couple have four children ranging in age from 2 to 8.

Kanye West, 44, had objected to the divorce and publicly appealed for his wife to return to their marriage. In recent Instagram posts, he criticized her parenting and her new relationship with “Saturday Night Live” actor Pete Davidson.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Steve Cochran approved Kardashian’s petition to end the marriage through a bifurcation proceeding, which allows for a change in marital status while other issues are addressed.

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, married in May 2014, making them one of the most talked about celebrity couples in Hollywood, popularly known as “Kimye.”

The couple's relationship became strained in 2020 when West, who suffers from bipolar disorder, ran an unsuccessful campaign marked by erratic statements to be elected U.S. president under his self-styled Birthday Party.

The marriage was the first for Kanye and the third for Kim after she had brief marriages with basketball player Kris Humphries and music producer Damon Thomas.

‘We are still in tents’ say Arab refugees, as Europe welcomes Ukrainians fleeing war

Posted: 02 Mar 2022 07:12 PM PST

Syrian refugee Ahmad al-Hariri, who fled the war in his country for neighbouring Lebanon 10 years ago, spent the last decade hoping in vain to escape to a new life in Europe.

Watching European nations open their arms to hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians in less than a week, the father of three can't help but compare their fates.

"We are wondering, why were Ukrainians welcome in all countries while we, Syrian refugees, are still in tents and remain under the snow, facing death, and no one is looking to us?" he told Reuters in a refugee centre where 25 families are sheltered on the edge of the Mediterranean city of Sidon.

In the Arab world, where 12 million Syrians have been uprooted by war, critics ranging from Hariri to activists and cartoonists contrast the Western reaction to the refugee crisis triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine with the way Europe sought to hold back Syrian and other refugees in 2015.

Some recalled images of refugees walking for days in harsh weather, or losing lives in perilous sea crossings as they tried to breach Europe's borders.

On Monday, four days after Russia launched its attack, the European Union said at least 400,000 refugees had entered the bloc from Ukraine, which has land borders with four EU states.

Millions more are expected and the EU is preparing measures which would offer temporary residence permits as well as access to employment and social welfare – a swift opening of its doors at odds with its response to wars in Syria and elsewhere.

By early 2021, 10 years after Syria's conflict erupted, EU states had taken in 1 million Syrian refugees and asylum seekers, of which Germany alone took more than half. Most of them arrived before a 2016 deal in which the EU paid billions of euros for Turkey to continue hosting 3.7 million Syrians.

This time the welcome has been immediate.

"We have here not the refugee wave which we are accustomed to and we do not know what to do with – people with an unclear past," Bulgaria's Prime Minister Kiril Petkov said, describing Ukrainians as intelligent, educated and highly qualified.

"These are Europeans whose airport has been just bombed, who are under fire," he said. Bulgaria has said it will help everyone coming from Ukraine, where there are about 250,000 ethnic Bulgarians.

Last year 3,800 Syrians sought protection in Bulgaria and 1,850 were granted refugee or humanitarian status. Syrians say most refugees only pass through Bulgaria to wealthier EU states.

Poland's government, which came under heavy international criticism last year for pushing back against a wave of immigrants crossing over from Belarus, mostly from the Middle East and Africa, has welcomed those fleeing the Ukraine war.

In Hungary, which built a barrier along its southern border to prevent a repeat of the 2015 influx of people from the Middle East and Asia, the arrival of refugees from neighbouring Ukraine has triggered an outpouring of support and offers of transport, short-term accommodation, clothes and food.

"RELATIVELY CIVILISED"

Hungary and Poland both say that refugees from the Middle East who arrive at their borders have already crossed other safe countries which have a duty to provide shelter.

Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto defended the different approaches. "I must reject drawing comparisons between those fleeing war and those trying to get into the country illegally," he told a United Nations meeting in Geneva.

The welcome has been eased by the fact that Ukraine is home to a large ethnic Hungarian community.

Ties like those have led some Western journalists to suggest that the humanitarian disaster in Ukraine is different to crises in Syria, Iraq or Afghanistan, because Europeans could relate more closely to the victims.

Their comments sparked a wave of condemnation on social media, accusing the West of bias. Clips of the reports were widely circulated and heavily criticised across the region.

For instance, a television reporter on US network CBS described Kyiv as a "relatively civilised, relatively European" city, in contrast to other war zones. Others said Ukraine was different because those fleeing were middle class or watched Netflix.

The CBS reporter Charlie D'Agata apologised, saying he had been trying to convey the scale of the conflict. CBS did not immediately respond to a request for further comment.

Nadim Houry, executive director of the Arab Reform Initiative, said parts of the media coverage were disturbing and revealed "ignorance about refugees from other parts of the world who also have the same aspirations as Ukrainians".

FIGHTERS

Houry and other critics also say some governments are showing double standards on the issue of volunteers who want to fight in Ukraine against Russian forces.

Britain's foreign minister Liz Truss on Sunday backed President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's appeal for people to join an international force to fight Russian troops. "Absolutely. If people want to support that struggle, I would support them doing that," she told BBC television.

In contrast, British police warned Britons travelling to Syria to help the rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad eight years ago that they could be arrested on their return, saying they may pose a security risk to the UK.

The foreign office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Truss's remarks. Defence minister Ben Wallace said the situation was different to fighters who joined groups like Islamic State in Syria, but that the government would discourage people from going to Ukraine.

While their sense of abandonment has been heightened by the Ukrainians' welcome in eastern Europe, several refugees in north Syria, Lebanon and in Jordan told Reuters responsibility for their plight lay with authorities closer to home.

Some say Arab countries should have done more to support the military struggle against Assad, which grew out of widespread popular protests against the president in 2011, and helped the refugees more. Apart from Syria's neighbours Jordan and Lebanon, Arab countries have taken in few of the war's displaced people.

"We do not blame European countries, we blame Arab countries," said Ali Khlaif, living in a tented camp near the northwestern Syrian town of Azaz. "European countries welcome those from their people. We blame our Arab brethren, not the rest."

Abramovich on the verge of selling Chelsea

Posted: 02 Mar 2022 07:11 PM PST

Roman Abramovich, the Russian oligarch, has decided to sell Chelsea, according to an official statement released by the Chelsea Twitter account on Wednesday.

The statement read "I would like to address the speculation in media over the past few days in relation to my ownership of Chelsea FC. As I have stated before, I have always taken decisions with the Club's best interest at heart. In the current situation, I have therefore taken the decision to sell the Club, as I believe this is in the best interest of the Club, the fans, the employees, as well as the Club's sponsors and partners," Abramovich said.

Abramovich has stated that he will not seek repayment for the 1.5 billion pounds ($2 billion) in loans he has given the club over the course of 19 years of putting money into the club to help it become one of Europe’s most successful.
After winning their second Champions League title last year, the Blues won the Club World Cup for the first time last month in front of Abramovich in Abu Dhabi.

The speed with which Abramovich is leaving Chelsea is remarkable, given that he was attempting to put in place a strategy this past weekend to relinquish some power in order to keep the club under his control. Mr Abramovic also announced that all the net proceeds from the sale of the club will be donated to a foundation that will help the victims of the War in Ukraine.

However, as Russia’s intervention in Ukraine began its seventh day, pressure mounted on the British government to name him among the affluent Russians who would be sanctioned.

China told Russia to hold off the invasion of Ukraine until the end of the winter Olympics- NYT

Posted: 02 Mar 2022 06:49 PM PST

The New York Times reported earlier today that senior Chinese officials warned senior Russian officials not to invade Ukraine before the end of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, citing Biden administration officials and a European official who referenced a Western intelligence analysis.

The intelligence analysis, according to the New York Times, suggested that senior Chinese officials were aware of Russia’s plans or intentions to attack Ukraine before Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated the operation last week.

China had made the request, according to a source familiar with the situation, but the source declined to disclose further specifics. Due to the sensitivity of the situation, the source declined to be identified.

The intelligence on the meeting between Chinese and Russian officials was gathered by a Western intelligence service, according to the New York Times, and it was deemed trustworthy by those analysing it.

Officials from the United States have corroborated previous Times reports that Washington passed on intelligence on the Russian force buildup around Ukraine to senior Chinese officials ahead of the invasion in the hopes that Beijing would persuade Moscow to withdraw its soldiers.

The evidence was handed around by senior officials in the US and other governments as they pondered when Putin would invade Ukraine, according to the newspaper, but intelligence services had differing interpretations, and it was unclear how broadly the information was shared.

The evidence does not necessarily show that negotiations about an invasion took occurred at the level of Xi and Putin, according to one individual familiar with the intelligence, according to the New York Times.

According to Bonny Lin, a China researcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, it’s unclear how much Xi knew about Putin’s plans.

She stated that China had been too tardy in evacuating Ukrainian residents which suggest it was not prepared for the situation

Source : The New York Times

UAE tightens entry for Ukranians as refugees flee war

Posted: 02 Mar 2022 06:45 PM PST

DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates has temporarily suspended a visa waiver for Ukrainian citizens, Kyiv’s embassy in the Gulf Arab state said, at a time thousands of people are fleeing war in Ukraine.

The UAE decision went into effect on Tuesday, the embassy said in a notice to citizens on its Facebook page, without providing a reason. Emirati authorities did not respond to a request for comment.

Ukranian Anna Goncharnco, speaking to Reuters in Dubai where she is on holiday, slammed the decision at a time the “whole world is helping”. She lives in the Netherlands, but her daughter lives in Kyiv with her father.

“I find it actually a crime from this country (UAE) if they don’t let Ukrainians enter the country right now and require a visa. How they should get a visa at this moment, it’s impossible,” she said, tearing up outside the Ukraine pavilion at the Dubai Expo world fair.

More than 650,000 people have fled Ukraine to neighbouring European states since Russia’s invasion. The European Union has said it is preparing for millions of refugees.

The UAE, which has adopted a neutral stance in the conflict and called for a ceasefire and diplomacy, said on Wednesday it would provide aid assistance to civilians in Ukraine worth $5 million, state media reported.

Inna and her daughter Sonia, also visiting Dubai for the world fair, are worried about their family and friends in the Black Sea port city of Odessa.

“It is so terrible, so sad. We are nervous for our friends, for our family because they are there and can’t leave the country,” said Inna, who declined to give her last name.

Sonia wants to go home.

“This year I was supposed to graduate from class, now I don’t know what will happen tomorrow…Please stop the war in our country, it is so scary,” she said, speaking in English.

Ukraine Crisis: As India abstains from voting at the UN again, US frustration grows

Posted: 02 Mar 2022 06:33 PM PST

India also, along with 34 others abstained from voting against Russia at the United Nations General Assembly, where a resolution demanding that Russia stop military operations in Ukraine was passed with 141 votes in favour.

In a statement, India’s ambassador to UN TS Tirumurti said India has decided to abstain in view of the “totality of the evolving situation”.

“We demand safe and uninterrupted passage for all Indian nationals, including our students, who are still stranded in Ukraine, particularly from Kharkiv and other cities in the conflict zones… this remains our foremost priority,” the statement added.

In the meanwhile, US appeared frustrated by India’s repeated abstinence from voting at the UN.

Let me say that all of us have been working to urge India to take clear position, a position opposed to Russia’s actions. But what have we seen so far? We have seen a number of abstentions: Asst State Secretary Donald Lu at the US Senate Committee hearing on ‘US Policy towards India’

Asst State Secretary Donald Lu, also said, “India’s maintained to not take either side to be a partner working towards diplomatic solution.We’ve seen them make right phone calls…unfortunately, they’ve not yet been effective’.

On being asked about India-Russia defence partnership, Asst State Secy Donald Lu said, “we’re in process of trying to understand whether defence tech that we are sharing with India can be adequately safeguarded, given India’s historical relationship with Russia & its defense sales”

Three decades ago, we could not have imagined selling anything to India on the defense side, that amount and the sophistication of what today we are transferring to India is staggering.

We’re making small steps as we assure you that we are working every day to make sure to close the gap between where we are and where our Indian partners are…Senior State Dept officials conducting various high-level dialogue with our Indian counterparts over Ukraine.

We have seen an interesting evolution in past couple of days. India at UN called for all states to abide by UN Charter to respect the sovereignty & territorial integrity of other states; a very clear reference to Russia’s violation of UN Charter & Ukraine’s sovereignty

Hardik Pandya demoted from A to C category in BCCI central contracts

Posted: 02 Mar 2022 06:27 PM PST

Former Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane and opener batter Cheteshwar Pujara were downgraded in the latest central contracts list of the BCCI that was ratified by the Board’s Apex Council on Wednesday.

The BCCI has four categories — A+ which has annual remuneration of Rs 7 crore while A, B and C categories are valued at Rs 5 crore, Rs 3 crore and Rs 1 crore respectively.

Last time, 28 cricketers were provided central contracts but this year, 27 have been awarded contracts with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah static as A+ players.

Accordingly, Pujara, Rahane and Ishant Sharma, who were in Grade A are now in Grade B, after a slump in form that saw them being dropped from the upcoming home Test series against Sri Lanka.

Group A, which earlier had 10 players, has now shrunk to five with Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul and Mohammed Shami retaining their slots.

The biggest demotion, however, was for injury-ravaged all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who has been shunted out from Grade A to C in the list along with senior opener Shikhar Dhawan, who now plays only one format and that is ODIs.

Controversial keeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha, who has been dropped from the Test team, will still be richer by Rs 1 crore after being demoted from group B to C.

Saha, who has breached the central contract clause by public comments on selection matters and statements on BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and head coach Rahul Dravid, has been kept in group C even though it has been made clear by the team management that he is unlikely to play for India again.

Spinner Kuldeep Yadav and pacer Navdeep Saini, who were part of the earlier group, have been dropped from the list altogether.

Ukraine crisis; Modi-Putin speak to facilitate student evacuation; India abstains from voting in UNGC

Posted: 02 Mar 2022 06:21 PM PST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday and discussed the situation in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, where over a thousand Indian students are stranded.

The second largest city of Ukraine, Kharkiv is virtually under Russian control where a large number of students study.

According to the MEA, PM Modi and Mr Putin “reviewed the situation in Ukraine, especially in the city of Kharkiv where many Indian students are stuck”. They discussed the “safe evacuation of the Indian nationals from the conflict areas,” the statement added.

India also, along with 34 others abstained from voting against Russia at the United Nations General Assembly, where a resolution demanding that Russia stop military operations in Ukraine was passed with 141 votes in favour.

In a statement, India’s ambassador to UN TS Tirumurti said India has decided to abstain in view of the “totality of the evolving situation”.

“We demand safe and uninterrupted passage for all Indian nationals, including our students, who are still stranded in Ukraine, particularly from Kharkiv and other cities in the conflict zones… this remains our foremost priority,” the statement added.

According to report by NDTV, the stranded girl students in Kharkiv, have already been sent on their way to Ukraine’s western border by train, with the help of Russians. Efforts are now being made to evacuate the boys as well.

The report further states, “lot of background negotiations with Russians have been going on. Now they, in fact, are helping us in evacuation”.

The Russians, the report said, “have avoided the areas we had asked them not to target… We are tying up with the Russians for safe passage of our students”.

In the meanwhile, the third Indian Air Force’s C-17 aircraft carrying 208 Indian citizens from Ukraine, landed at Hindon airbase near Delhi from Rzeszow in Poland. MoS Defence, Ajay Bhatt interacted with the Indian nationals, after their arrival.

At the war front, air raid alerts in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast, Mykolaiv, Lviv, Zhytomyr, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernihiv and Chernihiv Oblast, Volyn Oblast, Cherkasy Oblast, Kirovohrad Oblast, Poltava Oblast, Khmelnytskyi Oblast, Zaporizhzhia and Odesa have been reported by the Kyiv Independent.

In another development, the Russian Embassy in India tweeted that Indian students were being taken as Human shields by Ukrainians.

Oil surges to $111/barrel- Petrol, diesel to get costlier from next week

Posted: 02 Mar 2022 06:15 PM PST

Petrol and diesel prices are. likely to be hiked after state elections get over next week to bridge the Rs 9 a litre gap created by international oil prices soaring past USD 100 a barrel.

Oil prices surged on Wednesday as supply disruption fears mounted following hefty sanctions on Russian banks amid the intensifying Ukraine conflict, while traders scrambled to seek alternative oil sources in an already tight market.

Brent crude futures rose by more than $8, touching a peak of $113.02 a barrel, the highest since June 2014, before easing to $111.17, up by $6.20

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures also jumped more than $8 a barrel, hitting the highest since August 2013 before losing some steam to trade up $5.86 or 5.7% to $109.27 a barrel.

"Due to limited diversification options, any disruption to Russia's energy exports will result in another energy crisis in Europe," said Kaho Yu, principal Asia analyst at risk consultancy Verisk Maplecroft.

"Although the US has called for a global oil reserve release, oil prices are likely to remain above $100 unless significant alternative supplies enter the market." Russian oil exports account for around 8% of global supply.

Exxon Mobil on Tuesday said it would exit Russia oil and gas operations as a result of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The decision will see the firm pull out of managing large production facilities on Sakhalin Island in Russia's Far East.

While Western powers have not imposed sanctions on energy exports directly, US traders at hubs in New York and the US Gulf are shunning Russian crude.

US President Joe Biden warned Vladimir Putin that the Russian leader "has no idea what's coming" in a State of the Union speech dominated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. A coordinated release of 60 million barrels of oil by International Energy Agency member countries agreed on Tuesday failed to reassure the market, and prices rose after the announcement. — Reuters

Daughter-in-law has no indefeasible right in shared house – Delhi HC

Posted: 02 Mar 2022 05:51 PM PST

The Delhi High Court has said a daughter-in-law does not have an indefeasible right of residence in a shared household under the Domestic Violence Act and she can be evicted at the behest of aged in-laws who are entitled to live peacefully.

Justice Yogesh Khanna, who was dealing with an appeal by a daughter-in-law against a trial court order denying her the right to stay in the matrimonial house, stated that in the case of a shared household, there was no embargo upon the owner of the property to claim eviction of his daughter-in-law and in the present case, it would be appropriate if an alternative accommodation was provided to the appellant till her marriage continues.

The judge says in the present case, both the in-laws are senior citizens who are entitled to live peacefully and not to be haunted by the marital discord between their son and daughter-in-law.

"I am of the opinion, since there exists a frictional relationship between the parties, then at the fag end of their lives it would not be advisable for old parents to stay with appellant and hence it would be appropriate if an alternative accommodation is provided to the appellant as is directed

Delhi Police file supplementary charge sheet in larger conspiracy case of northeast Delhi violence

Posted: 02 Mar 2022 05:44 PM PST

The Delhi Police have filed a third supplementary charge sheet in the matter of the North East Delhi Violence, which is linked to a bigger conspiracy under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. It includes video footage as well as Asif Iqbal Tanha’s voice sample report.

On Wednesday, Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat received a supplementary charge sheet. The copies will be sent to the court by Thursday morning, according to the police.

The charge sheet was taken into consideration by the Court.
According to Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Amit Prasad, this charge sheet contains details of images of the accused who attended the Chandbagh meeting on the 22nd and 23rd of January 2020. He said that the plot was concocted in Aiyaz’s basement.

This case concerns riots that occurred in Delhi’s North East in February 2020. According to the authorities, 53 people died and hundreds were injured during the unrest.

100 Indian students harassed and turned back into Ukraine: Belarus envoy to UN

Posted: 02 Mar 2022 05:42 PM PST

Belarus said on Wednesday that Polish border guards harassed roughly 100 Indian students before returning them to Ukraine, where they were housed in a Romanian refugee camp.

The remarks were expressed by Belarus Ambassador to the United Nations Valentin Rybakov during a statement to the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday.

“On the 26th of February, Polish border guards beat up and turned back into Ukraine a group of around 100 Indian students who then were kindly placed in a refugee camp in Romania," Rybakov said.

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla stated on Tuesday that 8,000 Indians, mostly students, are stranded in Ukraine.

Because Ukraine’s airspace has been closed since February 24, India has begun evacuating its citizens via special aircraft from Ukraine’s western neighbours, such as Romania, Hungary, and Poland.

Since the morning of February 24, when the Russian military struck Ukraine, the Ukrainian airspace has been blocked to private aviation.

UN votes to demand for withdrawal of all Russian forces in Ukraine

Posted: 02 Mar 2022 05:39 PM PST

The United Nations General Assembly voted in an emergency session on Wednesday to urge an immediate halt to Moscow’s attack on Ukraine and the withdrawal of all Russian forces, with prolonged applause erupting after a massive display of opposition to the invasion from the 193 member nations. The UN wants Russia to "Deplored in the strongest terms" its aggression in Ukraine, reaffirmed its commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and demanded Russia "immediate cease its use of force" and "completely and unconditionally"

Only five countries — Russia, Belarus, Eritrea, North Korea, and Syria — voted against the resolution, and 34 abstained.

India refrained from voting on the resolution titled “On Ukraine’s Aggression.” On Monday, India’s permanent representative to the United Nations, TS Tirumurti, urged for a return to diplomacy, stressing India’s commitment to the UN Charter, international law, and respect for all governments’ sovereignty and territorial integrity. This is the fifth time that India has abstained from a Ukraine-related vote on a UN platform, and the fourth in less than a week.

Maharashtra government allows 25 per cent Spectators in the IPL, teams will begin practising in mid-March.

Posted: 02 Mar 2022 08:47 AM PST

The state government said that while COVID-19 instances are on the decline, the audience restriction has been set at 25%, and only fully vaccinated fans will be allowed into the stadiums, according to an official statement released in the evening here.

This came after the Maharashtra government met with the BCCI and the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) on Wednesday to discuss the smooth running of the IPL, which is now a 10-team affair.

The meeting was attended by state ministers Aaditya Thackeray and Eknath Shinde, as well as MCA chairman Vijay Patil, apex council members Ajinkya Naik and Abhay Hadap, and treasurer Jagdish Achrekar.

It was previously reported that IPL teams will begin practising in the city on March 14 or 15 and that five practise venues have been identified.

Authorities are said to have identified the MCA ground in suburban Bandra Kurla Complex, the MCA ground in Thane, the Dr DY Patil University ground and a football pitch, as well as the CCI (Cricket Club of India) and the Reliance Corporate Park ground in Ghansoli as practise venues for the cash-rich tournament.

Players are expected to begin arriving in the city on March 8. All participants would be subjected to RT-PCR tests 48 hours prior to their arrival in Mumbai.

State minister Aditya Thackrey announced this in a series of tweets.

‘PM is busy with UP elections and not prioritising student’s evacuation from Ukraine’: Mamata Banerjee

Posted: 02 Mar 2022 07:54 AM PST

Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is busy with Uttar Pardesh elections, while students are still strangled in the war-torn areas of Ukraine.

While addressing media on Wednesday, Banerjee asked the Central government that if they were ware about the Ukraine development, why they did not start the evacuation program earlier? In a statement, she said, “Somebody died, some people are moving from here & there. somebody is waiting in bunkers, somebody is waiting in Romania, somebody is not getting food. They search for food & get killed. When the Govt was aware of developments, why didn’t they bring the students earlier?”

Bengal CM also claimed that she will also go to UP just like PM Modi, to support Akhilesh Yadav, the opposition leader, the only difference between them according to her is that, she is going to UP after completing all her responsibilities as CM of Bengal. Banerjee is openly supporting Yadav in the UP elections.

Meanwhile, Banerjee also offered the central government a joint sitting proposal including all the political parties, amidst the Ukraine- Russia crisis. She clarified in a statement that she is not interfering with the work of External Affairs, however, there’s still a lot to be done for the strangled citizens in Ukraine. “I don’t want to criticise govt, especially for matters of external affairs, because we’re one. But sometimes I’ve seen that external affairs matter, because of some coordination gap & political business, we’re lagging behind & our students are stuck there.”

WTA Monterrey open: Elina Svitolina of Ukraine defeats Anastasia Potapova of Russia.

Posted: 02 Mar 2022 07:01 AM PST

Elina Svitolina wore the yellow and blue of Ukraine to beat Anastasia Potapova of Russia 6-2, 6-1 in the first round of the Monterrey Open, concluding that participating rather than boycotting the match would be more beneficial to her country.

Top-seeded Svitolina had previously stated that she would not face Potapova in Mexico, or any other Russian or Belarusian opponent, until the International Tennis Federation and the men’s and women’s tennis circuits prohibited participants from those nations from using national insignia, flags, or anthems.

The tennis governing organisations released a statement on Tuesday announcing that Russian and Belarusian players will be able to compete at the highest level without their national flags. “Today was a very special match for me,” Svitolina, who is 27 years old, remarked.

She also announced that all her earnings from the tournament will go to the Ukrainian army fighting the occupying Russian army.

Svitolina stated in a social media post on Monday that her goal in requesting tennis follow the International Olympic Committee’s lead and only identify players from Russia and Belarus as neutral athletes were not to target a particular rival.

She thanked all her supporters and the Ukrainian army after her stellar performance.

Leave Kharkiv immediately-MEA to Indian nationals

Posted: 02 Mar 2022 03:55 AM PST

Urgent MEA advisory asks Indians in Kharkiv to leave immediately.

Kharkiv has been witnessing incessant onslaught from Russian forces. Four people have been killed and another nine wounded during shelling in Kharkiv, where Russian forces landed on Wednesday, the emergencies services said. Kharkiv mayor says Russian air strikes are hitting residential areas.

‘King’ is back in and as ‘Pathaan’

Posted: 02 Mar 2022 03:45 AM PST

Shah Rukh Khan announced his next big project on Wednesday and the netizen can’t stop talking about it. SRK shared a teaser to announce the release date of Pathan, which features Deepika Padukone and John Abraham along with King Khan.

Sharing the update of the film, SRK tweeted, “I know it’s late… But remember the date… Pathaan time starts now… See you in cinemas on 25th January, 2023. Releasing in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. Celebrate Pathaan with #YRF50 only at a big screen near you.” Soon after the announcement, fans of SRK started sharing tweets along with the hashtag #KingIsBack.

On Twitter, #KingIsBack has been trending all day and the memes just won’t stop.

SIT of NCB suggests- Shahrukh’s son Aryan not part of drug conspiracy

Posted: 02 Mar 2022 03:35 AM PST

A probe by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has found, that there is no evidence to connect Aryan Khan, son of actor Shah Rukh Khan, with international drug conspiracy. Also, there was no evidence to prove that Khan was a part of an international drug syndicate, the sources further said.

However, when contacted, officials refused to speak on the matter. They only said that there were some irregularities in the raid conducted on the Goa-bound Cordelia Yachat. The matter is still being looked into by the SIT.

An NCB team headed by the then Mumbai Zone head, Sameer Wankhede, had conducted a raid on the Cordelia Cruise yacht where a drug party was reportedly underway on the intervening night of October 2 and 3.

Aryan Khan and a few others were detained by the team on charges of drug conspiracy and consuming drugs.

Khan was placed under arrest by the NCB team on October 3. After interrogation, he was remanded to judicial custody. His first bail was dismissed by the trial court. Later, Khan through his counsel, approached Bombay High Court which granted him bail on October 28. Due to legal procedures, he was freed from the jail on October 30.

So far, the NCB has arrested 20 people, including two Nigerian nationals. The NCB’s SIT will file a chargesheet in the matter and is currently seeking legal opinion.

India’s rising power helped India evacuate its people; PM Modi

Posted: 02 Mar 2022 01:28 AM PST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that the country was able to evacuate citizens from Ukraine because of India’s rising power.

India has evacuated 1,377 citizens from war-torn Ukraine in the past 24 hours, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said today.

It is due to India’s rising strength that we are able to safely evacuate our nationals stuck in #Ukraine, for which we are running #OperationalGanga: PM Modi at a rally in Robertsganj, UP

He also stated: We’re making all efforts to evacuate people stuck in #Ukraine under Operation Ganga. 1000s of citizens brought back to India. To accelerate this mission, India has sent its 4 ministers there, will leave no stone unturned for the safe passage of Indians

Pakistani students hold Indian flags to escape Ukraine

Posted: 02 Mar 2022 01:28 AM PST

Indian government is working hard to get all nationals out of war torn Ukraine. According to on-ground reports, evacuation of Indian students is far superior than that of other countries.

Clearances are easier with the Indian flag and students from the sub continent are using the Tricolour to ensure their safety- including Pakistani & Turkish students who held Indian Flag to escape.

Pakistani Students are in dire straits and allege no help from the Imran Khan government, even though the Pak premiere was on a 3-day visit to Russia recently

Racism Alert: Blue eyed, Blonde Hair people are being killed! Listen-in

Posted: 02 Mar 2022 01:20 AM PST

Blue eyed, blonde hair people are be killed! Civilised European City not Iran or Afghanistan! Prosperous Middle class people not refugees from Middle East or North America! This is how a part of the European Media is describing the Ukraine crisis.

Listen in to some reporting from the world over compiled beautifully by Alan MacLeod, Senior Staff Writer & Podcast Producer

Milan Derby: Inter draws level with 0-0 with Milan in the first leg of Italian cup Semifinal

Posted: 01 Mar 2022 10:30 PM PST

Inter Milan’s poor form continued on Tuesday when the first leg of their Italian Cup semifinal against city rival AC Milan ended in a 0-0 draw.

Since the beginning of February, Inter has only won one of its last seven matches in all competitions.
The defending Serie A champion has dropped out of first place in the league, losing 2-0 at home to Liverpool in the opening leg of their Champions League tie.

It was also Inter’s fourth consecutive game without a goal.
The Nerazzurri have now gone more than 400 minutes without scoring a goal.

At San Siro, both teams had chances, and while neither goalkeeper was well tested, Inter’s Samir Handanovic did have to make a one-handed stop to keep out a Rafael Leo curler early in the second half.

Inter hasn’t advanced past the semifinals since winning the last of its seven trophies in 2011, while Milan hasn’t won the cup in over two decades – since 2003.

Milan and Inter tied 1-1 in their first Serie A match of the season in November, while Olivier Giroud scored twice in Milan’s 2-1 league victory against Inter three weeks ago.

On April 20, the second-leg match will take place.
The final will be held on May 11th.

వినోదం - తాజా - Google వార్తలు

లోడ్ అవుతోంది...