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8pm NEWSFEED

18, మార్చి 2022, శుక్రవారం

8pm NEWSFEED

After Assembly poll fiasco, Sonia Gandhi meets G-23 leader Ghulam Nabi Azad

Posted: 18 Mar 2022 06:12 AM PDT

Senior Congress leader and member of G-23 group Ghulam Nabi Azad met party interim president Sonia Gandhi at her residence on Friday.

Earlier, G-23 leaders, who have been calling for sweeping reforms in the grand old party, met on Wednesday to discuss the party’s debacle in the recently concluded Assembly elections in five states – Punjab, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur and Goa. Party leaders Kapil Sibal, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Anand Sharma, Manish Tewari, Shashi Tharoor, Mani Shankar Aiyar, PJ Kurien, Preneet Kaur, Sandeep Dikshit and Raj Babbar were among those present. The G-23 group has been a vocal critic of Congress leadership, demanding an organizational overhaul after its members wrote a joint letter to Gandhi in 2020.

Meanwhile, former Haryana Chief Minister and veteran Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda met Rahul Gandhi on Thursday. Hooda, a G 23 leader, was the first to reach out to the Congress High Command after the faction’s meeting at Azad’s residence in New Delhi over the poll drubbing.

According to sources, Rahul Gandhi had asked Hooda about the meeting of the G-23 leaders and their resolution. Hooda suggested elections of the Congress Working Committee and taking future decisions through discussions only in CWC as this was also mentioned by the G-23 group.

The former Haryana chief minister, in the meeting with Rahul Gandhi, also sought the appointment of an experienced person, who understands the politics of North India and is well versed with Hindi, after removing party General Secretary KC Venugopal from his post, sources informed.

The results of five assembly polls came as a shock to the Congress which was hoping to do well to revive its prospects for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and to fend off the emerging challenge from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Trinamool Congress to replace it as the fulcrum of anti-BJP politics in the country.

The party is slated to elect a new party chief later this year at the culmination of organizational elections. 

Afghanistan: Two killed, three injured in blast in Paktia province

Posted: 18 Mar 2022 06:04 AM PDT

Two people were killed and three others injured after a blast occurred in Afghanistan’s Paktia province on Friday, according to media reports.

Citing state-run news agency Bakhtar, Xinhua reported that a mortar shell exploded in the Sarokhil area of Gardi Siri district, killing two people on the spot and injuring three others. Afghanistan has been witnessing these attacks for years.

Last week, seven people of the same family were injured as a device exploded in a house of Marja district of Afghanistan’s southern Helmand province.

Shyam Benegal unveils poster of ‘Mujib – The Making of a Nation’, biopic on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

Posted: 18 Mar 2022 05:53 AM PDT

Veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal has unveiled the poster of his upcoming biopic feature on ‘Bangabandhu’ titled ‘Mujib – The Making of a Nation’.

‘Mujib – The Making of a Nation’ is an India-Bangladesh co-production on the life of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of the nation of Bangladesh, under an audiovisual co-production agreement between the Republic of India and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. Directed by the legendary filmmaker Shri Shyam Benegal, the film was extensively shot in India and Bangladesh, abiding by all the health guidelines amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The film was wrapped up in December 2021.

Mujibur was born in a prestigious Muslim family. Growing up in a religious and harmonious atmosphere, he was very kind to the poor and was empathetic towards them.
I

nspired by Mahatma Gandhi, Mujibur struggled against the disparity and deprivation between West Pakistan and East Pakistan and against the Pakistani Military rule. Imprisoned for about 11 years between 1947 to 1971, he strived and achieved an independent and sovereign state ‘Bangladesh’ that’s why Mujib is known as the father of the nation of Bangladesh and ‘BANGABANDHU’.

Director Shyam Benegal said, “I am glad to be working on this feature film, it has always been a fruitful association working with NFDC since its inception and now collaborating with BFDC was a joyful experience. Mujib – The Making of a Nation, remains a very emotional film for me, To bring Bangabandhu’s towering life on reel is a tough task, we have portrayed his character in an uncompromising way. Mujib, remained a great friend of India, we hope the poster connects with the audiences.”

Bangladeshi actor Arifin Shuvoo who plays the role of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman shared, “Fascinated to be playing the role of Mujib, this is a dream come true, I am honoured to be part of this iconic project, and to be directed by the legend himself, Shyam Benegal ji, no words to express how big this feature film is for me and for my nation. I felt the warmth, and great hospitality during the production of the film in India. Hopeful, that I have justified the role and the audiences will connect with me and love the way they do for Bangabandhu.”

The movie also stars Nusrat Imrose Tisha, Fazlur Rahman Babu, Chanchal Chowdhury, Nusraat Faria in pivotal roles.

The film is written by Atul Tiwari and Shama Zaidi. The line producer of the film is Satish Sharma, the action direction is done by Sham Kaushal, the editor is Aseem Sinha, the Associate Director of the film is Dayal Nihalani, costume designer is Pia Benegal.
The production designer is Nitish Roy, music is composed by Shantanu Moitra, the Director of Photography is Akashdeep, the choreography is Masum Babul, the art director is Vishnu Nishad. Casting of the film is done by Shyam Rawat and Baharuddin Khelon.

BJP backs Jharkhand Governor over returning mob lynching bill

Posted: 18 Mar 2022 05:44 AM PDT

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand and State BJP President Deepak Prakash on Friday welcomed the Governor’s decision to return the bill against mob lynching saying that this was done as it was illegal.

Jharkhand Governor Ramesh Bais on Thursday returned the draft of the ‘Prevention of Mob Violence and Mob Lynching Bill, 2021’ passed by the state assembly in December last year, to the state government with suggestions. Speaking to ANI, the BJP state unit chief said, “It is very unfortunate that the Jharkhand Government, which had passed a bill against mob lynching in the state Legislative Assembly and sent it to the Governor, was not legal. There was also a violation of CrPC and IPC in the bill.”

He further said that the bill “will disrupt social harmony” in the state.
“Under this bill, when two persons are involved in crime then it will be called a mob lynching. If a businessman writes something, then that too will be mob lynching. In such a situation, how can Jharkhand Government justify it?” Prakash asked.

“It was politics of appeasement and was not legal. The BJP is constantly opposing it,” he said.

The BJP MP said that there should have been a “lawful” discussion in the Assembly on the bill.

“But the state government did not do so. They did not do the work of bringing a lawful bill and only did this for politics of appeasement,” Prakash said.
The anti-mob lynching Bill passed by voice vote in the state Assembly on December 21, 2021, had been sent to the Governor for his assent.

The legislation envisages imprisonment for those who are found to be involved in mob violence and mob lynching for periods ranging from three years to a life term, besides imposition of fine and attachment of properties for those found guilty of violence.

TDP refutes Mamata Banerjee’s allegations of buying Pegasus software

Posted: 18 Mar 2022 05:36 AM PDT

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) general secretary Nara Lokesh on Friday refuted the allegations that his party purchased Pegasus spyware while it was in power in Andhra Pradesh, but said the firm offered it to the state government.

A day after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed that the previous Chandrababu Naidu government purchased the Pegasus spyware, Lokesh retorted, “She was misinformed”. “We have never purchased any spyware. We never indulged in any illegal phone tapping,” Lokesh said.

Lokesh, who was the then Minister for Information Technology in his father’s Cabinet, said that Chandrababu Naidu would never indulge in such illegal acts. “Yes, Pegasus offered to sell its spyware to the AP government as well but we rejected it,” he asserted.

Further, the TDP MLC said, “If there had been any such thing, would the (current) Jagan regime have spared us? In the last three years, they have tried every trick to fix us in one thing or the other but failed because we did nothing wrong.”

Lokesh said the DGP office clarified on August 12, 2021, that the Andhra Pradesh government had ‘never procured’ Pegasus software.

“This was in reply to the RTI application dated July 25, 2021, sent by one Nagendra Prasad, a resident of Yemmiganur, Kurnool district,” he said.

Nara Lokesh said the RTI application had asked for details of the sanction letter for procuring Pegasus spyware, the office where it was installed, and officers in charge of it.

200-strong mob attacks ISKCON-affiliated temple in Dhaka, India in touch with Bangladeshi authorities

Posted: 18 Mar 2022 05:30 AM PDT

An ISKCON affiliated Radhakanta Jeev temple in the Wari area of Dhaka, Bangladesh was attacked on March 17, sources said on Friday.

Sources said around 150-200 people were involved in the violence at the ISKCON temple, in which three ISKCON members were injured. Some damage was caused to the property. According to sources, the High Commission of India is in touch with Bangladeshi authorities. The cause of the trouble, according to the Bangladeshi authorities, is a longstanding dispute over the land on which the ISKCON temple exists.

Reportedly, a recent judgment in the dispute went in favour of one litigant, who then tried to unilaterally enforce his title by force.

Local authorities intervened thereafter and brought the situation under control. The injured have been admitted to Dhaka Medical College. Cases have been filed by both parties in the matter, and police are examining the same.

The High Commission of India remains in touch with the minority groups, law enforcement, and senior leaders.

This incident comes a few months following a series of attacks on minority religious places in Bangladesh last October.

An ISKCON temple in Noakhali city was vandalised in October last year.

Earlier, communal tensions gripped the country following allegations that the Quran was dishonoured at a puja pavilion in Cumilla, triggering violence in several districts across the country. 

Arnold Schwarzenegger appeals to Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop war in Ukraine

Posted: 17 Mar 2022 09:07 PM PDT

Coming out in the support of Ukraine, veteran star Arnold Schwarzenegger recently made a strong appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin via a video message.
Urging Putin to end the war in Ukraine, Arnold said, “I’m sending this message to various different channels to reach my dear Russian friends and the Russian soldiers serving in Ukraine,” Schwarzenegger said in a nine-minute address.


He added, “I’m speaking to you today because there are things that are going on in the world that have been kept from you, terrible things that you should know about. Let me tell you the truth about the war in Ukraine.”

As per The Hollywood Reporter, the ‘Terminator’ star spoke about how the fighting was instigated by Russia in February, explaining that the invasion has been “declared illegal by 141 countries, that many civilian buildings (such as a maternity hospital) have been bombed, that there’s now a massive refugee crisis and that thousands of Russian soldiers have died.”

“The world has turned against Russia because of its actions in Ukraine. The destruction that Russian bombs are raining down on innocent civilians has so outraged the world that the strongest global economic sanctions ever taken have been imposed on your country … This is not the war to defend Russia like your grandfather or your great grandfather fought. This is an illegal war,” he emphasised.
Arnold also opened up about his father’s dark history as a Nazi sergeant when tackling the Russian government’s false claims that its troops are engaged in a “denazification” of Ukraine.

“(My father) was injured at Leningrad and the Nazi army he was part of did vicious harm to the great city and to its brave people,” he said.

“When my father arrived in Leningrad, he was all pumped up on the lies of his government. When he left Leningrad, he was broken — physically and mentally. He lived the rest of his life in pain — pain from a broken back, pain from the shrapnel that always reminded him of those terrible years and pain from the guilt that he felt. To the Russian soldiers listening to this broadcast: You already know much of the truth that I’m speaking. You’ve seen it in your own eyes. I don’t want you to be broken like my father,” Arnold shared.

Schwarzenegger concluded the video with a message to Russian protesters who have risked imprisonment to take to the streets to voice opposition to the war in Ukraine.
“The world has seen your bravery,” he said. “We know that you’ve suffered the consequences of your courage. You have been arrested, you’ve been jailed and you’ve been beaten. You are my new heroes. You have the strength of Yuri Petrovich Vlasov. You have the true heart of Russia,” Arnold said.

Arnold’s video has garnered over 6.7 million views on Twitter.

Greg Finley joins crime thriller ‘Gemini Lounge’

Posted: 17 Mar 2022 08:59 PM PDT

‘The Flash’ fame Greg Finley has been roped in to play a pivotal role in the crime thriller titled ‘Gemini Lounge’.

As per Variety, the film, which features Emile Hirsch, is directed by Danny A. Abeckaser, who is best known for helming Mob Town. In the upcoming project, Hirsch star as Bobby Belucci, a demoted detective who goes undercover in an attempt to take down the mob’s most ruthless killer. As Belucci loses himself in the role, he finds his life spiralling out of control – and with it, his last chance at redemption.
Finley is set to play one of the mob’s hitmen, gangster Anthony Senter.

Daniel Radcliffe shares why he will not star in ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’

Posted: 17 Mar 2022 08:54 PM PDT

Daniel Radcliffe will not be returning to Hogwarts anytime soon.

E! News obtained quotes of ‘The Harry Potter’ star’s recent interview with The New York Times in which he revealed that he would not be interested in returning for the film adaptation of ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’, the play that’s currently on Broadway and in six other cities around the globe. “This isn’t the answer that anybody’s going to want, but I think I was so able to go back and enjoy it because it’s not a part of my day-to-day life anymore,” Daniel said. “I’m getting to a point where I feel like I made it out of Potter OK and I’m really happy with where I am now, and to go back would be such a massive change to my life.”

He added a glimmer of hope for fans in the future.
“I’m never going to say never,” he continued, “but the ‘Star Wars’ guys had like 30, 40 years before they went back. For me, it’s only been 10. It’s not something I’m really interested in doing right now.”

The 32-year-old actor recently commemorated the franchise’s 20th anniversary with Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and the rest of the Hogwarts cast for HBO Max’s ‘Harry Potter reunion’.

Up next, Daniel will be seen in ‘Weird: the Al Yankovic Story’, a biopic about the comedic parody song musician and singer “Weird Al” Yankovic.

Steven Spielberg, Kate Capshaw donate USD 1 million to Ukraine relief

Posted: 17 Mar 2022 08:50 PM PDT

Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, veteran filmmaker Steven Spielberg and his wife Kate Capshaw have come forward to help the citizens of the Eastern European country.

As per The Hollywood Reporter, the star couple has donated USD 1 million in aid to Ukraine. Spielberg and Kate committed the funds through Hearthland Foundation, the nonprofit they co-founded in 2020. Their funds will be dispersed across five organizations: Polish Red Cross, Polish Humanitarian Action, World Central Kitchen, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society and Urgent Action Fund.

A few weeks ago, Leonardo DiCaprio donated USD 10 million to Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s military operation.

All England Open: Sayaka Takahashi upsets PV Sindhu; Satwiksairaj, Chirag ease into QFs

Posted: 17 Mar 2022 08:45 PM PDT

Sayaka Takahashi of Japan defeated sixth-seeded PV Sindhu at the All England Open 2022 on Thursday to reach the quarter-finals of the women’s singles event.

The world number 13 Japanese shuttler defeated the double Olympic medallist Indian in a thriller by 21-19, 16-21, 21-17 in a match that lasted for titanic one hour and six minutes. This was Sindhu’s third straight loss against the left-hander from Japan. Takahashi will next play her compatriot and tournament second seed, Yamaguchi Akane to see who will make the semi-finals.

The Japanese player gained the upper hand by clinching a closely fought opening game. Sindhu fought back hard with a dominant display in the second game to force a third.

With the match pushing past the 60-minute mark, both players seemed to be struggling physically. Takahashi was able to just stay ahead of a determined Sindhu as she took the victory.

At court 2, the Indian duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty stormed into the quarter-finals with a comprehensive win over the German pair.
Indians defeated the German duo of Mark Lamsfuss and Marvin Seidel by 21-7, 21-7 in just 27 minutes.

Earlier, Lakshya Sen defeated the world number three Anders Antonsen to reach the quarter-finals of the men’s singles event. The unseeded Indian defeated the third-seed Danish shuttler by 21-16, 21-18 in a match that lasted for 55 minutes here at Utilita Arena Birmingham.

At Court 4, Olympic medallist Saina Nehwal tried her best but was unable to stop Japan’s world number two and second seed Akane Yamaguchi in the women’s singles event. It was a very close-run match which the Japanese star won in three games.
Reigning world champion Yamaguchi looked comfortable in the third game as she triumphed 21-14, 17-21, 21-17 in a match that lasted for 50 minutes.

This is the first BWF Super 1000 event of badminton’s 2022 BWF World Tour and will culminate with the finals on March 20 at the Arena Birmingham in England. 

All England Open: Kidmabi Srikanth loses to Anthony Sinisuka Ginting in second round

Posted: 17 Mar 2022 08:38 PM PDT

Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth on Thursday lost in the second round of the men’s singles event of the ongoing All England Open 2022, here at Utilita Arena, Birmingham.

Playing at court 7, Srikanth lost against Indonesia’s Anthony Sinisuka Ginting 21-9, 18-21, 19-21, in a match that lasted for 62 minutes. After getting brutally dominated in the first game, Ginting showed a terrific comeback in the next two games and clinched the victory. With this win, Ginting has advanced into the quarter-finals of the men’s singles event.

Earlier, sixth-seeded PV Sindhu was defeated in the second round of the women’s singles event against Sayaka Takahashi of Japan in a thriller by 21-19, 16-21, 21-17. Meanwhile, the Indian duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty stormed into the quarter-finals with a comprehensive win over the German pair.

Indians defeated the German duo of Mark Lamsfuss and Marvin Seidel by 21-7, 21-7 in just 27 minutes. Shuttler Lakshya Sen also entered the quarter-finals after defeating World No 3 Anders Antonsen.

On the other hand, Olympic medallist Saina Nehwal was defeated by Japan’s world number two and second seed Akane Yamaguchi 21-14, 17-21, 21-17, in the women’s singles event.

This is the first BWF Super 1000 event of badminton’s 2022 BWF World Tour and will culminate with the finals on March 20 at the Arena Birmingham in England. 

All England Open: Lakshya Sen topples world no 3 Anders Antonsen; Saina Nehwal bows out after losing to Yamaguchi

Posted: 17 Mar 2022 08:34 PM PDT

Lakshya Sen defeated the world number three Anders Antonsen at the All England Open 2022 on Thursday to reach the quarter-finals of the men’s singles event.

The unseeded Indian defeated the third-seed Danish shuttler by 21-16, 21-18 in a match that lasted for 55 minutes here at Utilita Arena Birmingham. Playing at court 1, the 20-year-old Sen gained a two-point advantage at the first break in the match. With the lead in hand, the Indian never looked back as he claimed the first game very easily.

The third-seeded Dane did try to fight back against the world number 11 in the second game as the score was 14-14. But the Indian soon shifted his gears and broke the resistance of Antonsen to claim the match.

Earlier at Court 4, Olympic medallist Saina Nehwal tried her best but was unable to stop Japan’s world number two and second seed Akane Yamaguchi in the women’s singles event.

It was a very close-run match which the Japanese star won in three games. The pair traded the lead in the first game, but it was Yamaguchi who drew the first blood.
In the second game, the Indian who is celebrating her 32nd birthday, controlled the rallies from the get-go and eventually forced the decider.

Reigning world champion Yamaguchi looked comfortable in the third game as she triumphed 21-14, 17-21, 21-17 in a match that lasted for 50 minutes.
This is the first BWF Super 1000 event of badminton’s 2022 BWF World Tour and will culminate with the finals on March 20 at the Arena Birmingham in England.

US to continue providing life-saving aid to Ukraine

Posted: 17 Mar 2022 08:16 PM PDT

US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken on Thursday (local time) said that the United States will continue to provide life-saving aid to the Ukrainians.

He was speaking at the press briefing and these remarks came ahead of US President Joe Biden’s call on Friday with China’s Xi Jinping. “The support we are providing Ukraine, as well as our financial and economic measures against Moscow, will strengthen Ukraine’s hand at the diplomatic table. And we commend Ukraine for staying at that table and continuing to pursue diplomacy while the Kremlin’s brutal aggression continues,” Blinken said.

Blinken said that Russia’s military operation in Ukraine is not welcomed by Ukraine and on contrary, the country is fighting against Putin’s armed forces to protect their families, people and homes.

Blinken further explains how the Kremlin is manufacturing narratives about chemical weapons, then falsely blaming Ukraine to justify potential escalations of attacks.
Blinken also discusses the innocent people who lost their lives in this war. He said, “With every day that passes, the numbers of civilians, including children, killed and wounded continues to climb.”

US President Biden will meet Chinese President Xi on Friday and US will make clear that if China supports Russia’s aggression then China will bear responsibility for any actions, and the US can impose costs.

There is a lot of conjecture about the strategic relationship between China and Russia, and the degree of knowledge that Chairman Xi Jinping had before President Vladimir Putin launched his lamentable invasion of Ukraine.

This war is proving to be fraught with risks for China, putting Beijing in an awkward nexus as it tries to juggle support for its ally while pretending to be neutral.

LGBT community celebrates Holi with flowers, ‘abir’ in Kolkata

Posted: 17 Mar 2022 08:13 PM PDT

The LGBT community people in Kolkata celebrated Holi with flowers and colourful ‘Abir’ ushering joy in each other’s life.

“We are neglected and deprived by society but still we have no grudge against anyone because in our own community we are happy. The colours of Holi are not limited to certain people. We are celebrating Holi to spread love and happiness,” said Ranjita Sinha Transgender Community Board Member.

Speaking on LGBT communities’ Holi, Venkatesh said, “It’s immense pride to be here. The LGBT has always been discriminated against in the past until date. It’s 2022 and it’s still going on. The Holi celebrations here is a very inclusive thing both for the people who live here and for the outsiders. I feel great to be amongst fellow LGBT brothers and sisters.”

People of the LGBT community celebrated this festival by singing and dancing on “Ore Grihabasi, khol dwar khol laglo je dol…. (O home dweller, open the door, the Dol festival is here)”, the famous Tagore song which is sung in cultural functions on the occasion of Doljatra at many places in the state, including Visva-Bharati university.

The festival of colours is celebrated across India with zeal. People throw “gulaal” or dried colour on each other and sing and dance to mark the festival. On this day people celebrate the victory of good over evil and officially welcome the spring season.

In Eastern India, the festival of spring is celebrated as Dol Jatra, also known as Dol Purnima, Dol Utsav. Dol Jatra is being celebrated in West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam on Friday. 

Jharkhand Governor returns ‘Prevention of Mob Violence and Mob Lynching Bill’ to State govt with suggestions

Posted: 17 Mar 2022 07:57 PM PDT

Jharkhand Governor Ramesh Bais on Thursday returned the draft of the ‘Prevention of Mob Violence and Mob Lynching Bill, 2021’ passed by the state assembly in December last year, to the state government with suggestions.

According to sources, one of the suggestions includes reconsidering the definition of the mob, which, as defined in the proposed law is not in line with the well-defined legal lexicon. The “Prevention of Mob Violence and Mob Lynching Bill, 2021,” which was passed by the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly during the winter session defines a mob as a group of two or more individuals.

The bill has provisions for jail terms ranging from three years to life imprisonment and fines of up to 25 lakhs against those involved in mob lynching leading to injury or death of an individual.

The Bill also provides the punishment for conspiracy or abetment, attempt to lynch, obstructing legal process, dissemination of offensive material and enforcing a hostile environment.

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