Recent Posts

› Unlabelled › 8pm NEWSFEED

8pm NEWSFEED

15, మార్చి 2022, మంగళవారం

8pm NEWSFEED

Kapil Sharma thanks Anupam Kher for clarifying allegations about ‘The Kashmir Files’ invite; actor reacts

Posted: 15 Mar 2022 05:11 AM PDT

Mumbai: Comedian-actor Kapil Sharma recently thanked veteran star Anupam Kher for refuting false claims against him that he deliberately didn’t invite the team of ‘The Kashmir Files’ on his popular TV show.


Last week, the comedian got trolled on social media for allegedly not inviting the team of Vivek Agnihotri’s latest directorial, ‘The Kashmir Files’, on ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’. Though Kapil had explained that there was no truth to such claims, ‘Boycott Kapil Sharma’ heavily trended on Twitter.

Reacting to these claims, the lead star of the movie, Anupam Kher, in a recent interview, clarified that he was invited to Kapil’s show but chose not to attend given the movie’s sensitive subject and the show’s light-hearted nature.


However, the veteran actor also said that it was two months ago that he got invited.
On Monday night, Kapil shared a video from Anupam’s interview in which he is telling a TV anchor that he was invited to ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’, but he told his manager that he cannot attend because of the film’s subject matter, which would be inappropriate for a comedy talk show.


Reacting to the video, Kapil wrote on Twitter, “Thank you paji @AnupamPKher for clarifying all the false allegations against me. Thanks to those who showered me with so much love without knowing the truth.”

However, Anupam later replied to Kapil saying he wish the comedian would have shared the whole video and not the “half truth”.


The veteran actor tweeted, “Dear @KapilSharmaK9! I wish you had posted the full video and not the half truth. The entire world is celebrating, you also celebrate tonight. Love and prayers always!”

In line with the actor’s tweet, a Twitter user shared the full video of Anupam and Vivek Agnihotri’s discussion of the controversy from the interview.


In the video, Vivek Agnihotri called ‘Kashmir’ the superstar of his film. Meanwhile, Anupam shared about refusing to make an appearance on the show. However, he further added that his refusal wasn’t the reason behind ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’ not promoting ‘The Kashmir Files’.


Further, Vivek divulged that the reason that he was given by the producers was different and is well known to people. Anupam then added that Kapil surely doesn’t have any malice towards him or anyone from the film.


The controversy sparked after ‘The Kashmir Files’ director Vivek Agnihotri wrote on Twitter that his team was not invited to Kapil’s show since the film didn’t feature any big stars.


Responding to a fan who wanted the movie to be promoted on ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’, the director wrote, “I don’t get to decide who should be invited on @KapilSharmaK9 show. It’s his and his producers choice whom he wants to invite. As far as Bollywood is concerned, I’d say what once Mr. Bachchan was quoted saying about Gandhis: Woh raja hai, hum rank.”


‘The Kashmir Files’ has received an overwhelming response from fans and critics alike. Until now, the film has made Rs 27.15 crores.


The film, which revolves around the genocide of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990, had released in theatres on March 11. It stars Anupam, Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumaar, and others.


The film has been declared tax-free in several states including Uttar Pradesh, Tripura, Goa, Haryana and Uttarakhand.

Prescribing uniform in educational institutions reasonable-Karnataka High Court

Posted: 15 Mar 2022 04:20 AM PDT

Bengaluru (Karnataka): The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday held that prescription of uniform is a reasonable restriction which students could not object to and dismissed various petitions challenging a ban on Hijab in education institutions.


“We are the considered opinion that wearing Hijab by Muslim woman does not form an essential religious practise in the Islamic faith, ” the High Court said. “We are of the considered opinion that the prescription of school uniform is only a reasonable restriction constitutionally permissible which the students cannot object to,” it said.


A bench of Karnataka High Court comprising Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S Dixit, and Justice JM Khazi said that no case is made out for invalidating the Government Order of February 5.


The Court said that it has considered the opinion that government has the power to issue impugned order and no case is made out for its invalidation.


The Court upheld the government order which directs strict enforcement of schools and colleges uniform rules. It also said that petitions challenging the Hijab ban are without merit.


The Karnataka government had defended its decision before the High Court and said that wearing Hijab is not an essential religious practice of the Islamic faith.


Advocate General Prabhuling Navadgi, appearing for the state, had said that the petitioners have placed zero material to substantiate their claim for a declaration that wearing of hijab is an essential religious practice.


While speaking to media persons, Navadgi said, “The judgment marks a paradigm shift in the interpretation of Article 25 of the constitution. Institutional discipline prevails over individual choice.”


“It restates the position of law as held by Supreme Court in Sabarimala case by saying that what is essentially religious is not sufficient but what is required to be shown is essential to religion,” he added.


A three-judge bench of the Karnataka High Court had begun the hearing the matter on February 10 on a day-to-day basis and reserved the order on February 25.


The Hijab row had erupted in January this year when the Government PU College in Udupi allegedly barred six girls wearing the hijab from entering. Following this, the girls sat in protest sat outside college over being denied entry.


After this, boys of several colleges in Udupi started attending classes wearing saffron scarves. This protest spread to other parts of the state as well leading to protests and agitations in several places in Karnataka.


As a result, the Karnataka government said that all students must adhere to the uniform and banned both hijab and saffron scarves till an expert committee decides on the issue. On February 5, the pre-University education board released a circular stating that the students can only wear the uniform approved by the school administration and no other religious attire will be allowed in colleges.


The order stated that in case a uniform is not prescribed by management committees, then students should wear dresses that go well with the idea of equality and unity, and does not disturb the social order.


A batch of petitions was filed against the government’s rule in the Karnataka High Court by some girls seeking permission to wear the hijab in educational institutions.


A bench of Karnataka High Court comprising Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S Dixit, and Justice JM Khazi heard the petitions challenging the government rule on dress code.


On February 10, the high court issued an interim order stating that said students should not wear any religious attire to classes till the court issues the final order. The hearings related to the Hijab case were concluded on February 25 and the court had reserved its judgement. 

Karnataka HC rules Hijab not essential religious practice of Islam, dismisses petitions challenging ban

Posted: 15 Mar 2022 04:18 AM PDT

Bengaluru (Karnataka) : The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday dismissed various petitions challenging a ban on Hijab in education institutions and said that wearing Hijab is not an essential religious practice of Islam.


A bench of Karnataka High Court comprising Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S Dixit, and Justice JM Khazi said that no case is made out for invalidating the Government Order of February 5. The Hijab row had erupted in January this year when the Government PU College in Udupi allegedly barred six girls wearing the hijab from entering. Following this, the girls sat in protest sat outside college over being denied entry.


After this, boys of several colleges in Udupi started attending classes wearing saffron scarves. This protest spread to other parts of the state as well leading to protests and agitations in several places in Karnataka.


As a result, the Karnataka government said that all students must adhere to the uniform and banned both hijab and saffron scarves till an expert committee decides on the issue. On February 5, the pre-University education board released a circular stating that the students can only wear the uniform approved by the school administration and no other religious attire will be allowed in colleges.


The order stated that in case a uniform is not prescribed by management committees, then students should wear dresses that go well with the idea of equality and unity, and does not disturb the social order.


A batch of petitions was filed against the government’s rule in the Karnataka High Court by some girls seeking permission to wear the hijab in educational institutions.
A bench of Karnataka High Court comprising Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S Dixit, and Justice JM Khazi heard the petitions challenging the government rule on dress code.


On February 10, the high court issued an interim order stating that said students should not wear any religious attire to classes till the court issues the final order. The hearings related to the Hijab case were concluded on February 25 and the court had reserved its judgement. 

Over 13,500 Russian troops killed since war began: MFA, Ukraine

Posted: 15 Mar 2022 04:14 AM PDT

Kyiv [Ukraine]: Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday shared the details of the losses that the Russian Armed Forces have incurred noting that more than 13,500 Russian troops have been killed and 404 Russian tanks being destroyed since Russia began its war on Ukraine.


According to the MFA data, 1,279 armoured vehicles of different types, 81 aircraft, 95 helicopters, 150 artillery pieces, and 64 MLRs were hit during the combat.

Furthermore, the destroyed facilities also include 60 cisterns, 640 vehicles, 3 vessels, 9 UAVs, and 36 Russian anti-aircraft warfare systems.


Russian forces launched military operations in Ukraine on February 24, three days after Moscow recognised Ukraine’s breakaway regions, Donetsk and Luhansk as independent republics followed by the announcement of a “special military operation” to “demilitarise” and “denazify” Ukraine. 

5.3 lakh police posts vacant in country, over 1 lakh in UP: Centre

Posted: 15 Mar 2022 04:07 AM PDT

New Delhi: Around 5.3 lakh posts are lying vacant in various police stations across the country, Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Nityanand Rai informed Lok Sabha on Tuesday.


Rai, in a written reply to a question by Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi MP Dr T. R. Paarivendhar on vacancies in police stations across the country. Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Rai in his response said that as per data on Police Organisations compiled by the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), sanctioned strength of police is 26,23,225, actual strength is 20,91,488 and 5,31,737 vacancies are there as on January 1, 2020.


On being asked regarding the action taken by the government to fill these vacancies and the time by which all these vacant posts are likely to be filled, he replied that “Police” is a State subject falling in List-II (State List) of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India.


“It is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments to fill up the vacancies in the police force in their respective States.”


He added the Centre also issues advisories to the States for filling up these vacancies in the States and to bring in the requisite reforms in the police administration to meet the expectations of the people.


“In the States/UTs wise list of sanctioned and actual strength of police as per BRP&D, except the state Nagaland that has 1375 more police personnel than the sanctioned strength, rest of states short fall of their sanctioned strength. In UP over one lakh vacancies of policemen are pending followed by West Bengal (55,294) and Bihar (47,099).”

Sensex snaps 5-day rally; slumps 709 points

Posted: 15 Mar 2022 03:57 AM PDT

Mumbai: After five days of rally, the Indian equities markets benchmark Sensex slumped 709 points on Tuesday due to heavy selling pressure in metal, energy, IT and banking stocks.


The 30 stock S&P BSE Sensex closed 709.17 points or 1.26 per cent down at 55,776.85 points against its previous day’s close at 56,486.02 points. Earlier, the Sensex started the day with a gain of around 200 points at 56,663.87 points. The index witnessed lacklustre session till noon. However, it witnessed heavy selling pressure in the last one hour of trading. The index hit a low of 55,418.95 points in the intra-day.


The Sensex has closed in the negative for the first time in the past six trading sessions. The Sensex had gained 935.72 points or 1.68 per cent on Monday.


The broader Nifty 50 of the National Stock Exchange slumped 208.30 points or 1.23 per cent to 16,663.00 points against its previous day’s close at 16,871.30 points. The Nifty had gained 240.85 points or 1.45 per cent on Monday.


Metal, energy, IT and banking stocks witnessed heavy selling pressure. Tata Steel slumped 4.89 per cent to Rs 1233.65.


Kotak Bank tumbled 3.11 per cent to Rs 1733.40. Tech Mahindra fell 2.92 per cent to Rs 1459.05. Infosys slumped 2.73 per cent to Rs 1839.15. HCL Technologies fell 2.15 per cent to Rs 1176.90.


The index heavyweight Reliance Industries fell 2.28 per cent to Rs 2363.45.


Only 10 of the 30 scrips that are part of the benchmark Sensex closed in the positive. Mahindra & Mahindra jumped 2.31 per cent to Rs 760.85. Maruti Suzuki jumped 1.40 per cent to Rs 7417.25. Nestle India, Asian Paints, Titan and Bharti Airtel were among the major Sensex gainers. 

Shahrukh Khan announces new OTT app; Karan Johar calls it Biggest news of the year, Salmaan demands party

Posted: 15 Mar 2022 03:12 AM PDT

SRK has a new announcement and we are not complaining. SRK’s social media team today posted an OTT related teaser on twitter saying ‘kuch kuch hone wala hai… OTT ki duniya mein’ with reference to Shahrukh’s hit film Kuch kuch hota hai. The OTT platform appears to be called SRK+ and the excitement has peaked already.

Fans and industry reacted positively the the announcement even as congratulations poured in from all over.

Salman Khan also promptly congratulated his colleague.

Karan Johar called it the biggest news of the year.

The fans went hysterical and a meme fest ensued.

Vaccination of children between 12-14 years to start from tomorrow

Posted: 15 Mar 2022 02:41 AM PDT

New Delhi: India will start vaccinating children in the age group of 12-14 years from March 16, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan has written to Chief Secretaries of all states.


Only the Corbevax vaccine would be used for the beneficiaries of age group 12-13 and 13-14 years, Bhushan said. Corbevax has been included as the third vaccine against COVID-19 and will be available at all centres where free vaccination is available, stated Bhushan.


While the precaution dose can now be provided to 60 plus and above. Prioritisation and sequencing of this dose would be based on the completion of nine months from the date of the second dose, stated Bhushan.


Vaccination of precaution dose should be with the same vaccine with which primary vaccination was done, as per Bhushan.

Chennai students stage protest against Karnataka HC verdict on hijab row

Posted: 15 Mar 2022 01:53 AM PDT

Chennai (Tamil Nadu): Students of a college in Chennai protested against the Karnataka High Court’s verdict over the hijab row on Tuesday.


Earlier in the day, the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday dismissed various petitions challenging a ban on Hijab in education institutions and said that wearing Hijab is not an essential religious practice of Islam. A bench of Karnataka High Court comprising Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S Dixit, and Justice JM Khazi said that no case is made out for invalidating the Government Order of February 5.


The Hijab row had erupted in January this year when the Government PU College in Udupi allegedly barred six girls wearing the hijab from entering. Following this, the girls sat in protest sat outside college over being denied entry.


After this, boys of several colleges in Udupi started attending classes wearing saffron scarves. This protest spread to other parts of the state as well leading to protests and agitations in several places in Karnataka.


A batch of petitions was filed against the government’s order in the Karnataka High Court by some girls seeking permission to wear the hijab in educational institutions.

Paytm shares at all-time low; Looses Rs 60,000Cr market cap. in 4 months.

Posted: 15 Mar 2022 01:50 AM PDT

Mumbai: The share price of Paytm’s parent company One 97 Communications Ltd dipped by another 10 per cent on Tuesday hitting a new all-time low.


At 13.38 pm, One 97 Communications Ltd share was trading at Rs 610.85, which is 9.55 per cent down from its previous day’s close at Rs 675.53. This is the lowest ever price of One 97 Communications Ltd share.


The scrip has tumbled by over 20 per cent in the last two days after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) barred Paytm Payments Bank from onboarding new customers.
One 97 Communications Ltd share had slumped 12.84 per cent on Monday.


The company’s market capitalisation slipped below Rs 40,000 crore for the first time.

On the day of its stock market debut on November 18, 2021, the market capitalisation of One 97 Communications Ltd stood at Rs 1.01 lakh crore. The company has lost over Rs 60,000 crore in market capitalisation in less than four months.


The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) last week imposed restrictions on Paytm Payments Bank and asked it to appoint an IT audit firm to conduct a comprehensive system audit of its IT system.


In its reply to the RBI’s action, One 97 Communications Ltd said, “The bank (Paytm Payments Bank) is taking immediate steps to comply with RBI directions, including appointment of a reputed external auditor to conduct a comprehensive System Audit of its IT systems. PPBL remains committed to working with the regulator to address their concerns as quickly as possible.” 

‘Leadership in cuckoo land’ says Kapil Sibal; Cong. hits back as infighting continues

Posted: 15 Mar 2022 01:44 AM PDT

New Delhi: The infighting in the Congress continued after the Congress Working Committee meet, with the party’s Lok Sabha whip Manickam Tagore today hitting out at senior leader Kapil Sibal for his remarks against the leadership and accusing him of speaking the language of the RSS and BJP.

Mr Tagore, a staunch Rahul Gandhi loyalist, said the RSS and the BJP want the Gandhis to be out of leadership position in the party in order to kill the Congress party and destroy the ‘idea of India’.

“Why the RSS and BJP wants Nehru-Gandhi’s out of the leadership? Because without Gandhi’s leadership Congress will be become Janata party. It’s easy to kill Congress then it’s easy to destroy the idea of India (sic),” Mr Tagore said on Twitter.

“Kapil Sibal knows it but why he is speaking the language of RSS/BJP,” he claimed.

Kapil Sibal has said that Gandhis should step aside and give some other leader a chance to lead the party. “Leadership is in cuckoo land… I want a ‘Sab ki Congress’. Some want a ‘Ghar ki Congress’,” Mr Sibal told the Indian Express in an interview.

The remarks came after the Congress Working Committee met on Sunday, and after almost five hours of deliberations urged Sonia Gandhi to continue to lead and initiate changes required to strengthen the party.

The Congress Working Committee also rejected Mrs Gandhi’s offer to make any and every sacrifice for the party, which was construed by some as an offer of Gandhi family to step aside, and reposed faith in her leadership.

The Congress then put out a video of all its former leaders from Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, on its Twitter handle.

“We will fight on. We will overcome. We will continue to raise your voice,” the party said.

Newly elected members of Goa Assembly take oath

Posted: 15 Mar 2022 01:35 AM PDT

Panaji (Goa): The newly elected members of the Goa legislative Assembly took oath on Tuesday.


The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA and pro-tem Speaker Ganesh Gaonkar presided over the special sitting of the Assembly during the swearing-in of the newly-elected MLAs.

Earlier on Monday, Goa Governor Sreedharan Pillai administered oath to Gaonkar as pro-tem Speaker of the Assembly at Raj Bhavan.


Gaonkar won the election from the Sanvordem Assembly seat.


The BJP emerged as the single largest party in Goa winning 20 seats in the 40-member state Assembly and decimated Congress to 11 seats.

Independent candidates bagged three seats while two seats each went to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP). Revolutionary Goans Party and Goa Forward Party (GFP) got one seat each.


The BJP, which fell one seat short of the majority figure in Goa, is set to retain power in the state with the help of Maharashtrawadi Gomantak (MGP) and independent candidates. 

Students should focus on studies now- K’taka CM Bommai after Hijab verdict

Posted: 15 Mar 2022 01:30 AM PDT

Bengaluru (Karnataka): After the Karnataka High Court upheld the ban on wearing Hijab in educational institutions, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday urged the students to focus on education, saying “it is a question of fate and education of our children”.


The Chief Minister said, “It is a question of fate and education of our children. Education is more important than anything else. Therefore, we should all follow the verdict of a three-member bench of the High Court. Everyone should co-operate while implementing the orders of the High Court.” All should accept the judgment and maintain peace and law and order, he added.

He said, “All students must comply with the High Court order. Your education is very important. He said all should attend classes, not skip the examinations, shape your future.”


The CM also said, “Necessary arrangements have been made to maintain law and order. As the case is settled by a High Court decision, everyone must agree. On the contrary, if the law is taken into hand, our home department will take necessary action.”


Karnataka Minister ES Eshwarappa said, “I welcome the HC’s decision. Muslim students of the state faced problems for a long time. Someone had misguided them. Quality education should be given to all students. So everyone should accept the order.”

Supertech Twin Towers will Be Demolished In 9 Seconds

Posted: 15 Mar 2022 12:23 AM PDT

Noida: Up to four tonnes of explosives could be used to raze down the illegal Supertech twin towers in Noida and the implosion of the nearly 100-metre tall structures on May 22 would take just nine seconds, according to officials.

Also, around 1,500 families living in close vicinity to the towers located in sector 93A would be moved out of their homes for around five hours when the implosion takes place at 2:30 pm on May 22, they said.

A stretch of the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway close to the site would also be shut for traffic for an hour, while security personnel would be deployed in the area in large numbers on the day, according to the demolition plan shared by Edifice Engineering, the company which has been handed the job.

The Supreme Court had ordered the demolition of Supertech’s Apex (100 metre) and Ceyane (97 metre) on August 31 last year as the twin towers had come up in violation of building norms.

The Supreme Court had also rapped the local Noida Authority for approval of the project under its watch.

Sharing a presentation with media on Monday, Utkarsh Mehta, partner at Edifice, said Ceyane (31 floors) will collapse to the ground first followed by Apex (32 floors).

“The building will fall inwards in multiple stages, floor by floor. Ten levels will act as primary blast floors and seven as secondary blast floors. The primary blast floors will have explosives in all columns. In the secondary floors, explosives will be in 40 per cent of the columns,” Mehta said, explaining the technical aspects of the process.

The company had previously demolished the 108-metre tall Bank of Lisbon in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2019 with an implosion.

The gap between the structure and an adjoining building there was around seven metres, while in Noida the space is around nine metres, according to officials.

South Africa-based Jet Demolition is providing expertise on the blast for safe implosion and a trial blast would take place ahead of the actual implosion.

“Explosives between 2,500 kg and 4,000kg will be required. A test blast has been planned in the last week of March or the first week of April to optimise the use of explosive vis-à-vis safety measures,” Mehta said.

While the actual implosion would take only nine seconds for the towers to be razed, the ground work preparation is already underway.

This includes removal of structures like electrical fittings, plumbing items, doors and windows. Walls are also being demolished to reduce the amount of rubble the implosion would create.

He said the company is also preparing two to three layers of wired mesh around columns which would be filled with explosives and laying ‘geo-textile fabric’ on the ground to stop debris from flying off in an uncontrolled manner.

The implosion, he said, would induce a pull away from the premises of Emerald Court, the group housing society where 600 families live and on which the twin towers are located.

According to Noida Authority officials, experts will examine Emerald Court and the buildings in the vicinity for damage assessment after the implosions.

They said locals have been assured of no damage to other buildings due to the implosions and in case of any damage, there will be an insurance cover.

The specially-prepared cushions on the ground would reduce the impact of rubble falling on it and minimize vibrations.

Residents from the exclusion zone (the blast radius) will be asked to move out at least three hours ahead of the implosion and they can return at least two hours after the action.

The exclusion zone includes entire Emerald Court, nearby ATS Greens Village and parts of Parsavnath Prestige, a park and the road in the front of the towers as well as a portion of the Noida Expressway.

Traffic on the expressway would be stopped for an hour, even as security personnel, including police, would be deployed in the area.

“We will need people to evacuate the entire area during the implosion. We have given a report in this regard to the Noida Authority, but a final evacuation zone will be decided in consultation with the police,” Mr Mehta said.

“At the time of the blast, only five persons – two foreign experts, one police personnel, one blaster, and the Edifice project manager, will be present in the exclusion zone to execute the demolition,” Mr Mehta added.

Pak govt to deploy paramilitary forces in Islamabad ahead of no-confidence motion

Posted: 15 Mar 2022 12:19 AM PDT

Islamabad [Pakistan]: With an eye on the no-confidence motion moved by the opposition parties against the Imran Khan government later this month in the National Assembly, Pakistan’s federal government has tightened the security to maintain law and order situation.


The decision to deploy paramilitary forces was made after the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party announced a plan to hold a public gathering in Islamabad on March 27, Pakistan’s Geo News reported citing sources. The report said that Pakistan’s Interior Ministry has sent a summary to the Cabinet regarding the deployment of at least 1,000 paramilitary personnel in Islamabad.


After PTI made the announcement about holding the public rally, the opposition Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) called the people and workers of opposition parties to begin a long march towards Islamabad on March 23 to stage a sit-in.


This announcement was made by PDM president Maulana Fazlur Rehman after attending the meeting of the joint opposition at the residence of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported.


Amid the ongoing political turmoil in the country, PTI senator Javed Khan announced that the voting for no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan is expected to take place after March 27.


The PTI senator said in a tweet that the “biggest rally” in Pakistan’s history will take place in Islamabad’s D-Chowk on March 27 in front of the Parliament House, where the Pakistani PM will give a “historic speech.”


“Voting on the no-confidence motion will take place after March 27. The opposition will face complete defeat. Confidence in PM Imran Khan will [increase],” Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported.


Last week, while addressing a public meeting in Lower Dir district, Imran Khan urged people to gather at D-Chowk on the eve of the no-trust vote.


The opposition parties in Pakistan are jettisoning mutual hatred to oust Imran Khan as they submitted the no-trust motion in the National Assembly secretariat on March 8.


While the PTI government has exuded confidence to defeat the no-trust motion, the Opposition is sure that they will oust Imran Khan. 

Inadvertent missile firing; high-level probe ordered-Rajnath Singh

Posted: 15 Mar 2022 12:13 AM PDT

New Delhi [India]: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that a high-level probe has been ordered into the inadvertent firing of a missile that landed in Pakistan on March 9 saying that “if any lapses are found, action will be taken accordingly”.


Addressing Rajya Sabha, the minister informed that standard operating procedures (SOPs) for “operations, maintenance, and inspection” of such systems were being reviewed in the wake of the incident.

“I’d like to tell this House about an incident that occurred on 9th March 2022. It’s related to an accidental missile release during the inspection. During routine maintenance and inspection of the missile unit, around 7 pm, one missile got accidentally released. While this incident is regretted, we are relieved that nobody was hurt due to the accident,” the Defence Minister told Rajya Sabha.


Singh sought to assure Parliament that the “Indian missile system is very reliable and safe” and that the “safety procedures and protocols are of the highest order”.


“I can assure the House that the missile system is very reliable and safe. Moreover, our safety procedures and protocols are of the highest order and are reviewed from time to time. Our Armed Forces are well-trained and disciplined and are well experienced in handling such systems,” Singh said in the Upper House of Parliament.


The Defence Minister informed that the government has taken serious note of the incident, and that “a formal high-level inquiry has been ordered”.


“The inquiry would determine the exact cause of the accident,” said Singh


“We attach the highest priority to the safety and security of our weapon systems. If any shortcoming is found, the same would be immediately rectified,” he said.


India on March 11 had said that a technical malfunction during routine maintenance had led to the accidental firing of a missile.


Pakistan Army had said that an Indian projectile had entered the Pakistani airspace and caused some damage to surrounding areas after it fell near a place called Mian Channu in their territory.


The Defence Ministry then said that it had ordered a court of enquiry into the incident adding that it was a matter of relief that there was no loss of life due to the accidental firing.

Bombay HC to pronounce judgement on Nawab Malik’s plea today

Posted: 15 Mar 2022 12:04 AM PDT

Mumbai (Maharashtra): Bombay High Court will pronounce on Tuesday the judgement in Maharashtra Minister and NCP leader Nawab Malik’s plea in connection with Dawood Ibrahim money laundering case.


Malik in his plea has demanded that the FIR against him be cancelled. The plea also calls the Enforcement Directorate against him illegal and wrong. Malik was arrested on February 23 and remained in the Enforcement Directorate custody till March 7.

Future course of action; Congress G-23 leaders to meet tomorrow

Posted: 15 Mar 2022 12:02 AM PDT

New Delhi [India]: Congress G23 leaders may hold a meeting tomorrow in Delhi to discuss their future course of action, said sources. Apart from G23 leaders other Congress leaders may also join the meeting, added sources.


The G-23 is a group of leaders who had written a letter to party president Sonia Gandhi in August 2020 to press for internal reforms and collective leadership. The G-23 includes Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma and Kapil Sibal among others.


The meeting is likely to be held tomorrow at 7 pm. The venue has not been decided yet, added sources. It will be a hybrid mode meeting with many leaders joining it virtually.


After the crushing defeat in the Assembly elections, the group of 23 (G-23) leaders met at senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad’s Delhi residence on Friday to discuss the latest round of poll debacle for the party.


The leaders held their meeting at Azad’s residence even before the official announcement of the CWC meeting soon after the election results were declared.
Following the poll debacle in five states, discussions and blame-game have started in Congress. 

Alia Bhatt’s first look from ‘Brahmastra’ unveiled on her birthday

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 11:59 PM PDT

Bollywood actor Alia Bhatt, on the occasion of her 29th birthday, introduced fans to Isha, her character from the upcoming Ayan Mukherjee directorial ‘Brahmastra’, co-starring her beau Ranbir Kapoor.

Alia took to her Instagram handle and shared a 31-second teaser of ‘Brahmastra’ that began with a glimpse at Alia and Ranbir as Isha and Shiva respectively. It then went on to show her in several different avatars, ranging from soft romantic, bubbly and chirpy to fearless and determined. In the post’s caption, the actor wrote, “Happy birthday to me. Can’t think of a better day and a better way for you’ll to meet Isha .. Ayan my wonder boy. I love you. Thank you! #brahmastra.”

Ayan too shared the same teaser on his Insta handle and wrote, “Happy Birthday, Little One. For all the Joy… the Pride… the Inspiration, and the Magic that you make me feel… Here’s something to celebrate you on your special day. Our Isha – the Shakti of Brahmastra – in the first visuals we are releasing from our movie ! Love. Light. Fire. Go ! #happybirthdayalia #brahmastra.”

Apart from Ranbir and Alia, ‘Brahmastra’, set to release in theatres on September 9, 2022, also features megastar Amitabh Bachchan. Nagarjuna Akkineni and Mouni Roy are also part of the star cast.

The film’s story, which is based on Indian mythology, has been constructed as a trilogy with the first part following the protagonist Shiva (Ranbir), who is in love with Isha (Alia).

Ayan’s magnum opus, the ‘Brahmastra’ trilogy, has been produced by Fox Star Studios, Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, Prime Focus and Starlight Pictures.
It will be released in five Indian languages – Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada. The second and third parts of ‘Brahmastra’ are due in 2024 and 2026.

No place for dynastic politics in BJP-PM Modi

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 11:57 PM PDT

New Delhi [India]: There will be no place for dynastic politics in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the family led political parties will continue to be challenged, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday told the Parliamentary party meeting, adding that he takes onus for denying tickets to children of the party leaders in the recently concluded Assembly elections, sources said.


The Prime Minister applauded the party leaders for the victory of the BJP in four out of five states which went to the polls recently. It was also reliably learnt that the major focus of the Prime Minister in his speech was on the ills of the dynastic politics, with sources saying that he ensured that tickets were denied to a number of claims made by the party leaders for their children in the states where the elections were held. The message needs to go to people that family and dynastic politics are not leading the country anywhere, sources quoted PM Modi having told the Parliamentary party meeting, which was held at the Ambedkar Bhavan.


“Several members of Parliament and party leaders were seeking tickets in the recently concluded elections for their children and many of them were denied. For those who are not given tickets for the children, the responsibility entirely lies with me,” the Prime Minister is learnt to have said in the meeting.


The Prime Minister further said that increasing ‘Parivarad (dynastic politics)’ leads to casteism, sources added.


Sending a strong message, PM Modi said that the BJP is fighting dynastic politics, and it was important that the party leads by example, sources said.


Several times in the past, including in Parliamentary party meetings, the Prime Minister has hit out at the Gandhi family for promoting dynastic politics while lacking credentials.


PM Modi also gave an account of the evacuation of the stranded Indians from Ukraine in the meeting, sources added.


Besides PM Modi and Nadda, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, leader of the House in Rajya Sabha Piyush Goyal were present in this meeting.


The meeting took place at the Ambedkar Centre on Janpath road due to the ongoing repair work in the Parliament library building.


The BJP has retained power in Uttar Pradesh by winning 255 out of 403 constituencies, securing a 41.29 per cent vote share.


The BJP emerged as the single largest party in Goa winning 20 seats in the 40-member state Assembly and decimated Congress to 11 seats.


The BJP has secured a majority in Manipur Assembly elections, reducing other parties to single digits and will now form the government in the state for the second consecutive term.


In the elections, the BJP went solo this time and contested all seats alone. It won 32 seats out of 60 in Manipur.


The BJP has come back to power for the second consecutive term in Uttarakhand with a two-thirds majority in the 70-member Assembly. 

Pralhad Joshi welcomes Karnataka HC decision on Hijab, appeals for peace

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 11:52 PM PDT

New Delhi [India]: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Tuesday welcomed the Karnataka High Court’s decision to uphold the Hijab ban in educational institutions and appealed to everyone to maintain peace by accepting the order of the Court.


“I welcome the Court’s decision. I appeal to everyone that the state and country have to go forward, everyone has to maintain peace by accepting the order of the High Court. The basic work of students is to study. So leaving all this aside they should study and be united,” said Joshi.

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday dismissed various petitions challenging a ban on Hijab in education institutions and said that wearing a Hijab is not an essential religious practice of Islam.


A bench of Karnataka High Court comprising Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S Dixit, and Justice JM Khazi said that no case is made out for invalidating the Government Order of February 5.


Moreover, it added that the prescription of school uniforms is a reasonable restriction which students could not object to.


The Hijab row had erupted in January this year when the Government PU College in Udupi allegedly barred six girls wearing the hijab from entering. Following this, the girls sat in protest sat outside college over being denied entry.


After this, boys of several colleges in Udupi started attending classes wearing saffron scarves. This protest spread to other parts of the state as well leading to protests and agitations in several places in Karnataka.


As a result, the Karnataka government said that all students must adhere to the uniform and banned both hijab and saffron scarves till an expert committee decided on the issue. On February 5, the pre-University education board released a circular stating that the students could only wear the uniform approved by the school administration and no other religious attire will be allowed in colleges.


The order stated that in case a uniform is not prescribed by management committees, then students should wear dresses that go well with the idea of equality and unity, and do not disturb the social order.


A batch of petitions was filed against the government’s rule in the Karnataka High Court by some girls seeking permission to wear the hijab in educational institutions.
A bench of Karnataka High Court comprising Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S Dixit, and Justice JM Khazi heard the petitions challenging the government rule on dress code.


On February 10, the high court issued an interim order stating that said students should not wear any religious attire to classes till the court issued the final order. The hearings related to the Hijab case were concluded on February 25 and the court had reserved its judgement.

Anjali Bhimani joins cast of ‘Ms Marvel’ series

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 11:03 PM PDT

Actor Anjali Bhimani is all set to join the cast of Disney Plus’s ‘Ms. Marvel’ in a recurring role, the details of which have currently been kept under wraps.

According to Deadline, ‘Ms. Marvel’, penned by writer Bisha K. Ali, will tell the story of Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani), a Pakistani-American teen based in New Jersey. Ms Marvel had made her first appearance in 2014 as Marvel’s first Muslim character to star in her own title. Now, she will be Marvel Studios’ first onscreen Muslim hero.

The upcoming show also stars Aramis Knight, Matt Lintz, Laurel Marsden, Rish Shah, and Saagar Shaikh with Ali serving as head writer on the series.

It will be directed by filmmakers Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah along with two-time Oscar winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, and Meera Menon.

As per Deadline, Kevin Feige, Marvel Studios chief, has even said that along with being part of this series, the Ms Marvel character will also be part of future Marvel films. 

Harish Rawat asks rivals to prove ‘money for tickets, posts’ charges

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 10:54 PM PDT

Dehradun (Uttarakhand): Taking a serious note of allegations being levelled against him that he had taken money for tickets and posts in the Assembly elections, Harish Rawat, former Uttarakhand CM, on Tuesday tweeted that the charges be proved and if they come true action should be taken against him.


In a series of tweets, Harish Rawat said: “The allegation of selling of posts and party tickets in return for money is very serious, and if that allegation is being levelled against a person who has held several posts, including the Chief Minister, then the party should expel him.” He further said, “This is an allegation which is being levelled by someone who is at the responsible post in the party. The allegation is also being circulated by his supporters. I pray to God that the Congress party should initiate action against me and should expel me from the party…”


As the chairman of the Congress party’s campaign committee, Rawat had also apologised to every member and leadership in the working committee.


The BJP retained power in Uttarakhand after winning 47 seats. Congress, which was banking on anti-incumbency against the state government, won 19 seats in the 70-member state Assembly.


The Assembly elections were held in Uttarakhand on February 14 to elect 70 members of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly. The results were declared on March 10.

Hijab Row Verdict Today, Gatherings Banned In Bengaluru

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 09:49 PM PDT

Dakshina Kannada (Karnataka) : As the Karnataka High Court verdict on the Hijab row is expected on Tuesday, the authorities have ordered all schools and colleges in Dakshina Kannada district to be closed on the day even as prohibitory orders have been imposed in several places.


External exams will happen as per schedule but internal exams of all schools and colleges will be postponed. “We are declaring holiday for all schools and colleges for tomorrow…external examinations would be there as per schedule… but internal exams of all schools and colleges will be postponed. Issuing prohibitory orders in the entire district,” Dr Rajendra KV, Deputy Commissioner, Dakshina Kannada district said.


In view of the High Court verdict, the Kalaburagi district administration has imposed Section 144 effective from 8 pm today till 6 am on March 19.


“In view of the Hijab row verdict tomorrow, the district administration has imposed Sec 144 effective from 8 pm today till 6 am on March 19. All educational institutions in the district will remain closed tomorrow,” Yeshwanth V Gurukar, DC Kalaburagi said.


A similar decision has also been taken in Shivamogga. Section 144 has been imposed in the district till 21 March and all schools and colleges will remain closed tomorrow.
“All schools and colleges will remain closed tomorrow (March 15) in Shivamogga. Section 144 has been imposed in the district till 21 March. Eight companies of KSRP, 6 companies of District Armed Reserve, 1 company of RAF have been deployed,” Shivamogga SP, BM Laxmi Prasad said.


Commissioner of Police, Kamal Pant also said that “all types of gatherings, agitations, protests, or celebrations in public places are prohibited in Bengaluru for one week from March 15 to March 21.”


The Karnataka High Court is set to deliver its judgment in the Hijab row case on Tuesday.


Earlier, the High Court had reserved its order on various petitions challenging the ban on Hijab in educational institutions.


Earlier, a bench of the three judges, comprising Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, Justice Krishna S Dixit and Justice JM Khazi, was hearing various petitions challenging the ban on hijab in educational institutions.


The hijab protests in Karnataka began in January this year when some students of Government Girls PU college in the Udupi district of the state alleged that they had been barred from attending classes. During the protests, some students claimed they were denied entry into the college for wearing hijab.


Following this incident, students of different colleges arrived at Shanteshwar Education Trust in Vijayapura wearing saffron stoles. The situation was the same in several colleges in the Udupi district.

Tom Cruise starrer ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ to be screened at Cannes Film Festival

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 09:48 PM PDT

Hollywood star Tom Cruise starrer ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ will screen at Cannes in advance of its Memorial Day premiere in theatres, revealed sources close to the festival.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Paramount and Skydance’s high-profile sequel will open in North America on May 27, after beginning its international rollout earlier that week. Canner, which this year will run from May 17-28, has long been a platform to launch a big Memorial Day tentpole. It provides Hollywood studios access to press from around the world, not to mention the benefit of high-profile stars walking the famous red carpet for photos.

Since the Ron Howard-directed ‘Far and Away’ bowed at Cannes in 1992, this would be the first time in 30 years a Cruise film has screened at the festival. However, it would not serve as the world premiere for ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, as that has been planned to be held in San Diego, where the first film was set.

As per The Hollywood Reporter, this Joseph Kosinski directed ‘Top Gun’ sequel has had to face a long road to the screen because it was delayed multiple times due to COVID pressures on theatrical business. The film’s first trailer had been released in 2019 at the San Diego Comic-Con. 

Tom Cruise starrer ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ to be screened at Cannes Film Festival

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 09:43 PM PDT

Washington [US]: Hollywood star Tom Cruise starrer ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ will screen at Cannes in advance of its Memorial Day premiere in theatres, revealed sources close to the festival.


According to The Hollywood Reporter, Paramount and Skydance’s high-profile sequel will open in North America on May 27, after beginning its international rollout earlier that week.

Canner, which this year will run from May 17-28, has long been a platform to launch a big Memorial Day tentpole. It provides Hollywood studios access to press from around the world, not to mention the benefit of high-profile stars walking the famous red carpet for photos.


Since the Ron Howard-directed ‘Far and Away’ bowed at Cannes in 1992, this would be the first time in 30 years a Cruise film has screened at the festival. However, it would not serve as the world premiere for ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, as that has been planned to be held in San Diego, where the first film was set.


As per The Hollywood Reporter, this Joseph Kosinski directed ‘Top Gun’ sequel has had to face a long road to the screen because it was delayed multiple times due to COVID pressures on theatrical business. The film’s first trailer had been released in 2019 at the San Diego Comic-Con. 

Charlie Cox reveals he disliked Ben Affleck’s 2003 ‘Daredevil’ movie

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 09:39 PM PDT

Washington [US]: Actor Charlie Cox of ‘Daredevil’ fame has said that he isn’t a fan of Ben Affleck’s 2003 movie iteration of the Marvel superhero character.


According to Variety, Cox revealed he had never watched the 2003 ‘Daredevil’ movie until after he was cast as Matt Murdock/Daredevil in the Netflix-Marvel series. He made the revelation during his recent visit to Middle East Film and Comic Con 2022 in Abu Dhabi. “I watched it once, and then I wanted to go and do my own thing. I hadn’t seen it before I got the role. I watched it when I got the role,” Cox said.


While Cox said Affleck does “a really good Matt Murdock” and that “I like his Matt Murdock,” he added, “I don’t love the movie. I feel like the movie tried to do too much and it was a little tonally confused.”


Cox continued, “They had everyone in that movie, they had Kingpin, they had Bullseye, they had Elektra, they had Karen Page, they had Foggy. It was saturated, and it’s two hours. So that was part of that problem. And the suit sucks!”


Affleck too would probably not object to Cox’s criticism, as he himself had dissed his own ‘Daredevil’ movie in 2015, telling Entertainment Weekly that the movie “didn’t work at all.”


As per Variety, starting from March 16, all three seasons of Cox’s ‘Daredevil’ will begin streaming on Disney Plus instead of Netflix.


The actor had recently reprised the role or some iteration of it for a brief cameo in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’, opening the door for himself to continue playing the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

India reports 2,568 new COVID cases, 97 deaths in last 24 hrs

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 09:34 PM PDT

New Delhi: India reported 2,568 new COVID-19 cases and 97 deaths in the last 24 hours.
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 4,722 recoveries have been reported in the last 24 hours, taking the total tally to 4,24,46,171 in the country.

The recovery rate stands at 98.72 per cent. India’s active cases currently stand at 33,917 and are 0.08 per cent of the cumulative caseload. The daily positivity rate is at 0.37 per cent whereas the weekly positivity rate stands at 0.46 per cent.


In the last 24 hours, 7,01,773 samples were collected.


Meanwhile, 180.40 crore vaccine doses have been administered so far in the country.
More than 182.84 crore (1,82,84,94,230) vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through the Government of India (free of cost channel) and through the direct state procurement category.


More than 17.30 crore (17,30,61,681) balance and initialised COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered. 

NASA continue to work with Russian counterpart

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 09:31 PM PDT

Washington [US]: While Russian forces invade Ukraine and the West responds with unprecedented sanctions, US space agency NASA said they are continuing to work with their Russian counterparts. “NASA continues working with all our international partners, including the State Space Corporation Roscosmos, for the ongoing safe operations of the International Space Station,” a NASA spokesperson Dan Huot said.


“The new export control measures will continue to allow US-Russia civil space cooperation. No changes are planned to the agency’s support for ongoing in orbit and ground station operations.” Hout added.


This comes after Dmitry Rogozin, the head of Russia’s space agency Roscosmos and a longtime ally of Putin, took to social media and warned that US sanctions could have “dire” consequences for the International Space Station program.


There were some fears after Russia invaded Ukraine that the Russian Space Agency would ditch Vande Hei, an American astronaut who is scheduled to return to Earth in a Russian capsule from the International Space Station on March 30.


Despite the concerns, NASA said Vande Hei will be on the Soyuz rocket later this month. NASA has said that Vande Hei’s plans to touch down in Kazakhstan have not changed. The Russia-Ukraine crisis three weeks ago has caused space programs to cancel launches and to break contracts.


Concerns over Russia’s willingness to help return Vande Hei to Earth came up after President Biden announced a series of economic sanctions on Moscow in response to its invasion of Ukraine. The sanctions would “degrade their aerospace industry, including their space program,” Biden said during a White House news conference.


For the past 24 years, the US and Russia have worked together to construct and maintain the ISS where research has led to some of the most important discoveries of the 21st century.


The ISS has been permanently occupied for more than 20 years with its main operators being the United States and Russia. American astronauts routinely return back to Earth on the Russian Soyuz capsules.


NASA and space agencies in Europe, Japan, and Canada want to keep the ISS running until 2030, but the Russians have not committed beyond 2024. 

Encounter breaks out between terrorists, security forces in J-K’s Awantipora

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 09:27 PM PDT

Awantipora (Jammu and Kashmir): An encounter between security forces and terrorists began on Tuesday morning in the Charsoo area of Awantipora district of Jammu and Kashmir, said police.


“Encounter has started at Charsoo area of Awantipora. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow,” Kashmir Zone Police said in a tweet. Further details are awaited.

Delhi: Man held for snatching phone of former MP Vijay Goel

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 09:24 PM PDT

New Delhi [India]: One person has been arrested for allegedly snatching the mobile phone of former BJP MP Vijay Goel near Red Fort, police said on Tuesday.


The accused identified as Sajan had sold the phone for Rs 2,200. According to police, at around 6.45 pm on Monday, a man came towards Goel’s car and snatched the phone from the ex MP’s hand before fleeing.


The case has been registered under Sections 356 and 379 of IPC.

BSE Sensex & Nifty 50 open in the green

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 09:21 PM PDT

Mumbai (Maharashtra) : Equity indices opened in green on Tuesday with Sensex up by 156.26 points and Nifty by 27.90 points.


The 30-scrip BSE Sensex was up by 156.26 points or trading at 56642.28 and up by 0.28 per cent at 9:21 AM. The 50-scrip NSE Nifty was trading at 16899.20 at 9:21 AM, up by 27.90 points or 0.17 per cent. 

Dolly Parton declines Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nomination

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 08:45 PM PDT

Washington [US]: American singer and songwriter Dolly Parton has bowed out of her nomination for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.


Dolly made the revelation in a statement posted on her Instagram handle. It read, “Even though I’m extremely flattered and grateful to be nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I don’t feel that I have earned that right. I really do not want votes split because of me, so I must respectfully bow out.” This had been the singer’s first nomination for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Her fellow nominees included Beck, Devo, Kate Bush, Eminem, Rage Against the Machine, Carly Simon and others, according to The Hollywood Reporter.


In her social media statement, Parton further said, “I do hope the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will understand and will be willing to consider me again-if I’m ever worthy. This has, however, inspired me to put out a hopefully great rock n’ roll album at some point in the future, which I have always wanted to do!”


She also noted that her husband Carl Dean is a rock n’ roll fan, saying, “He always encouraged me to do one.”


“I wish all of the nominees good luck and thank you again for the compliment. Rock on!” Parton concluded her note by offering encouragement.

As per The Hollywood Reporter, this isn’t the first instance when Parton has bowed out of a highly esteemed honour. Last year, Parton requested that Tennessee lawmakers not consider a bill that would allow a statue of the legendary singer-songwriter to be built on the grounds of the state Capitol.

4.1 magnitude earthquake hits Arunachal

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 08:42 PM PDT

Siang (Arunachal Pradesh): An earthquake of magnitude 4.1 on the Richter scale jolted the Pangin town in Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday, the National Center for Seismology (NCS) informed.


The epicentre of the quake was located at 215 km North of Pangin. “Earthquake of Magnitude: 4.1, Occurred on 15-03-2022, 08:21:03 IST, Lat: 30.08 & Long: 95.18, Depth: 10 Km, Location: 215 km N of Pangin, Arunachal Pradesh, India,” NCS tweeted.


Further details are awaited.

Sachin Tendulkar congratulates Team India for winning Test series against SL

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 08:40 PM PDT

Mumbai (Maharashtra): Cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar praised Team India on clean sweeping the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.


India beat Sri Lanka by 238 runs in the second Test on Monday at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium to clinch the two-match series 2-0. “#TeamIndia’s pink, white and red ball form at home this season has been outstanding. Congratulations on a good win,” tweeted Sachin.


Former India batter and current National Cricket Academy (NCA) chief VVS Laxman also took to his Twitter and wrote, “Clinical series win for India. Shreyas Iyer was a treat to watch in both innings, Rishabh Pant was at his entertaining best and Bumrah showed his class again. For Sri Lanka, Karunaratne fought valiantly but it was always going to be an uphill task. Congratulations.”


On the other hand, former Indian batter Irfan Pathan also congratulated Team India and also said that Sri Lanka needs to work on their performance.


“Feel good series win by team India Bumrah was outstanding on this dry pitch. Not a single win during this Indian trip for Sri Lanka, they need to learn a lot quickly,” tweeted Irfan.


Resuming the post-Tea session at 151/4, Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne and Niroshan Dickwella struck a 50-run partnership for the fifth wicket. The 55-run partnership was broken by left-arm spinner Axar Patel who dismissed wicket-keeper batter Dickwella for 12 after he was stumped by wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant.


Charith Asalanka joined his skipper but could not do much as he became the second victim of Axar Patel, caught by Rohit Sharma for 5 to put Lankans in further trouble at 180/6.


Karunaratne kept the fight on as he went on to notch up his century and along with Lasith Embuldeniya took Sri Lanka’s total beyond the 200-run mark.


Jasprit Bumrah was again introduced into the attack and the pacer cleaned up the centurion Karunaratne for 107 with the visitors losing their seventh wicket for 204. In the next over, Lasith Embuldeniya was dismissed leg before wicket for 2.


Bumrah struck for the third time in the innings as he cleaned up tail-ender Suranga Lakmal for 1 picking up his eighth wicket of the match. Ashwin delivered the final blow as he dismissed Vishwa Fernando for 2 to bowl out visitors for 208. Ashwin finished with 4 wickets in the second innings.


This was India’s third day-night Test match victory on home soil in as many matches.

China’s new COVID-19 cases double in last 24-hour

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 08:31 PM PDT

Beijing [China]: China reported two times more new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday from the previous day as the country faces, by far, the biggest outbreak since the pandemic began.


The country identified 3,507 new locally spread cases in the last 24 hours, up from 1,337 a day earlier, The Washington Post reported citing China’s National Health Commission. China has imposed various rules to keep the COVID-19 cases away from the country since the deadly initial outbreak in the city of Wuhan in early 2020 but the fast-spreading variant known as “stealth omicron” is testing China’s zero-tolerance strategy.


The country’s COVID-19 cases are low as compared to elsewhere in the world but in the first two weeks of March, China recorded over 10,000 cases which exceeded the previous flare-ups.


Till now, no new deaths were reported in the multiple outbreaks across China. Most of the new cases were reported in northeast China’s Jilin province, where 2,601 were reported, according to The Washington Post.


After recording the highest COVID-19 cases in Jilin, the authorities there have barred residents from leaving the province and travelling between cities within it.


The nine million residents of Changchun, the provincial capital and an auto manufacturing hub, have been locked down since Friday as authorities conduct repeated rounds of mass testing both there and in the city of Jilin.


Meanwhile, Guangdong province in the southeast, where the metropolis and major tech centre of Shenzhen has been locked down since Sunday, reported 48 new cases.
Amid a rapid resurgence of COVID-19 cases, Shanghai-based renowned infectious disease expert Zhang Wenhong remarked that it is “not time for China to lie flat” and debate over zero-COVID, and instead Beijing should take the period as an opportunity to lay out anti-epidemic strategies that are complete and sustainable.


He made these remarks in a post on the Chinese social media platform Sina Weibo on Monday. He said that it is “the most difficult period” for China since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.


Zhang noted that it is “still not time for China to lie flat.” “We should have clearer methods for the future rather than debating over zero-COVID or co-existence,” he was quoted as saying by the Chinese state media tabloid Global Times.
The state media reported that Chinese observers warned local governments to avoid taking extreme measures such as city lockdowns, as they would harm the local economy. 

UN wary of Russia-China ‘alignment’: US official

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 08:27 PM PDT

Washington [US]: United Nations has “deep concerns” on China’s alignment with Russia at present time, a US official said, adding that the national security adviser was directed about those concerns and the potential implications and consequences of certain actions.


“We do have deep concerns about China’s alignment with Russia at this time, and the national security adviser was direct about those concerns and the potential implications and consequences of certain actions,” the official said.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki underscored that message, suggesting the US would take action against China should it help Russia.


“We’ve been clear there would be consequences,” she said at a White House briefing.
Today, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met Chinese Communist Party Political Bureau Member and Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission Yang Jiechi and raised a range of issues in US-China ties, with “substantial discussion” of Russia’s war against Ukraine.


“Sullivan raised a range of issues in US-China relations, with substantial discussion of Russia’s war against Ukraine. They also underscored the importance of maintaining open lines of communication between the United States and China,” a White House readout said.


The meeting between the US and Chinese diplomates was held in Rome, Italy.
“Their meeting followed up on the November 15, 2022, virtual meeting between President Biden and President Xi,” the readout said.


Earlier, the US had warned China of the consequences of helping Russia bypass sanctions.


According to Sullivan, the US believes that China was aware in advance of what Washington describes as an “invasion” of Ukraine, Sputnik reported.


On February 24, Russia began a special military operation in Ukraine after the Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republics requested help in defending themselves.


The Russian Defence Ministry said the special operation is targeting Ukrainian military infrastructure only and the civilian population is not in danger.


The West however denies these claims by the Russians and in response, Western nations have imposed comprehensive sanctions on Moscow. In addition, they introduced sanctions on Belarus for supporting Russia’s operation in Ukraine.

Ukraine war ‘most severe’ test ever for European security body

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 08:19 PM PDT

New York [US]: The war in Ukraine is the most severe test the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has faced since its creation in 1975, the top UN political affairs official told the Security Council on Monday.


These remarks came as the 15-member organ held its annual briefing on the OSCE’s work against the backdrop of intensifying fighting of key Ukrainian cities.

Rosemary DiCarlo, who is Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peace building Affairs, expressed concern that the situation on the ground worsened over the weekend.


She cited unrelenting shelling and bombardment of numerous cities in Ukraine, with civilians killed daily, as well as reports that Russian forces are using cluster munitions – including in populated areas, UN News reported.


“The Russian invasion has shaken the foundations of the European security architecture to its core,” said the Under-Secretary-General.


Recalling the organisation’s history and its growing partnership with the UN, DiCarlo said today’s tragic conflict in Ukraine vividly illustrates the importance of mechanisms to maintain and strengthen European and international peace and security.


Among other things, DiCarlo warned the Council that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine risks dismantling longstanding confidence-building measures, arms control treaties and other frameworks in Europe.


Amid dire humanitarian conditions, the UN is scaling up its support to the people of Ukraine as well as its engagement with key partners, including OSCE, in support of an immediate ceasefire and a lasting diplomatic solution.


“The challenges we face today, and those potentially ahead, demand that we work even more closely together,” she concluded.


OSCE, an organisation that started in 1975, currently has 57 participating States and serves as a critical platform for regional dialogue and negotiations on such issues as counter-terrorism, cyber security, and good governance. 

Yami Gautam comes out in support of ‘The Kashmir Files’, says ‘being married to a Kashmiri Pandit, I know the atrocities’

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 08:17 PM PDT

Actor Yami Gautam and her husband-filmmaker Aditya Dhar have extended their support to Vivek Agnihotri’s latest directorial ‘The Kashmir Files’, which revolves around the genocide of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990.

Taking to Twitter, Yami and Aditya shared their reviews of the film and urged people to give it a watch.

“You might have seen numerous videos of Kashmiri Pandits breaking down in the theatres after watching #TheKashmirFiles. The emotion is real. It shows how long we kept our pain and tragedy repressed as a community. We didn’t have any shoulder to cry on and no ear to hear our pleas,” Aditya tweeted.

Sharing her husband’s tweet, Yami said her marriage to Aditya, a Kashmiri Pandit, has made her more aware of their exodus from the valley.

“Being married to a Kashmiri Pandit, I know first hand of the atrocities that this peace-loving community has gone through. But majority of the nation is still unaware. It took us 32 years and a film to get to know the truth. Please watch and support #TheKashmirFiles,” she emphasised.

‘The Kashmir Files’ stars Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumaar, and others.

Neena Gupta urges people not to troll someone for wearing short clothes

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 08:11 PM PDT

Veteran star Neena Gupta is completely against judging someone on the basis of their clothes.

On Monday night, Neena took to Instagram and shared a video in which she can be seen urging people to stop questioning each other’s character over their dressing choices. “Aisa lagta hai jo log sexy type kapde pehnte hai jaise maine abhi pehne hai woh aise hi bekar hote hai lekin main batadun maine Sanskrit me maine MPhil kar rakhi hai aur bhi bhaut kuch kiya hua hai toh kapde dekhkar kisi ko judge nahi karna chayie.

Troll karne walo samjh lo (People who wear short sexy dresses are often judged and considered as useless.. this is not fair. Right now I am wearing a short dress and let me tell you that I have done MPhil in Sanskrit and have done many other great things in life.. so we should stop judging others,” she said in Hindi in the clip.

Neena could be seen dressed up in a western outfit while making a humble appeal to her followers.

Neena’s video has garnered a lot of appreciation from netizens.
“You are amazing,” a social media user commented.
“I have always loved wearing a saree and making a bun with a big bindiya.. From the age of 22 till date I love wearing sarees.. I was always called ” bahenji” in my office and made fun of.. But theek Hai.. Jiski jitni soch.. Uski utni hi pahoch.. Who cares,” another one wrote.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Neena will be seen sharing screen space with her daughter Masaba Masaba in the second season of ‘Masaba Masaba’. She is also a part of ‘Goodbye’.

High fuel prices makes Maharashtra man use horse to commute

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 08:11 PM PDT

Aurangabad (Maharashtra): A man in Maharashtra’s Aurangabad district uses a horse to ride to work as he found it to be a feasible option amid rising fuel prices.


Shaikh Yusuf, a lab assistant at a YB Chavan College of Pharmacy shelled out Rs 40,000 to purchase the horse named ‘Jigar’ primarily to commute during COVID-19 lockdown. Before the pandemic, Yusuf had an old bike but with increasing petrol prices he hit upon the idea to buy a horse to commute to his workplace that was 15 kilometres away from where he lived.


Speaking on the matter, Yusuf said, “I bought it during the lockdown. My bike wasn’t functioning, petrol prices had gone up and public transport wasn’t plying, which is when I bought this horse for Rs 40,000 to commute.”


‘Jigar’, he said is a four-year-old black horse of the Kathiawari breed.


“I work as a lab assistant at a college, and even today, I use my horse to commute. It keeps one fit and healthy. Also, given the rise in fuel prices, horse as a mode of transport is a feasible option,” he added.


Yusuf said that he also gives rides to children.


“My expenses had increased because of the old bike and rise in fuel prices. Riding a horse is also good for health.”

‘Akhar Kab Tak?’-Kashmiris voice angst against militants

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 08:06 PM PDT

New Delhi [India]: Militants have long been responsible for lists of bombings, shootings, and murders of civilians, tourists, and military personnel – the innocent victims added to the log of the collateral damage of the Kashmir Conflict, their files collecting dust in the lethargic government offices.


But for the first time in three decades after the unfortunate death of two civilians due to a grenade attack in Srinagar, one of whom was a brilliant student looking at a bright future, Kashmiris have raised their voice against the crusaders of war on humanity and have sworn to take vengeance against the ones who have bloodied the soil and corrupted the young minds of Kashmir.

19-year old student, Rafiya Nazir, succumbed to her injuries during her treatment at the SMHS hospital and a 70-year old man died on spot in the crowded market area of Amira Kadal.

The grenade also left 33 people, including a policeman injured. Only a month back Rafiya’s family celebrated her Class 12 examination result, a grand 94 per cent. Her father, a carpet weaver, had drawn a loan of 1.5 lakhs for her medical examination coaching.

She wanted to be a doctor, he said, she was the light of hope for us, for our family’s deteriorating financial and health conditions. At her funeral in Hazratbal, hundreds gathered, mourned, and wailed.


Srinagar witnessed its first candlelight protest against perpetrators of such violence who have debilitated the peaceful atmosphere of the land of Sufi Saints and kept it under siege of darkness.

The streets of Lal Chowk swarmed with citizens of the state who staged a sit-in protest at the Clock Tower in unanimity against the terror attack. They raised slogans holding placards reading “Akhar Kab Tak?” (For How Long We Must Suffer?) The echo of “Save Youth, Save Kashmir” reverberated in the capital that evening.


Some carried the Tricolour high in the air displaying faith in the government. The demonstrators condemned the deaths of the innocents in great emotion and said that they wish for exemplary punishment for the offenders. Some lifted an admonitory finger on the live telecast and spoke of vengeance against the culprits.


It is not surprising that no terrorist outfit claimed responsibility for the attack as in the past when they would miss their target, they blamed it on the security agencies. This was the second grenade attack in Srinagar this year, after January 25th when four people were injured in Lal Chowk.


A protestor questioned, “Where are the Human Rights activists today? Where is Amnesty International?” Another came forward saying, “When international media highlights the killing of civilians by security forces in Kashmir, why stay mum when terrorists kill civilians? Or should we infer that it is acceptable for them when civilians are targeted?” A thought-provoking question was asked by one protestor, “Why isn’t there any statement from Amnesty International and other rights groups on this incident? Why isn’t there any human rights-themed story with a Srinagar dateline?”

Later on March 10th, a Pakistani terrorist of Lakshar-e-Toiba (LeT) was killed in a shootout when he tried to attack the much revered Hazratbal Darga Sharif in Srinagar along with two Kashmiri operatives of the outfit.

They fired at the police guards positioned at the shrine and tried to snatch their duty weapons. The policeman shot dead the gunman Manzoor Haider Hamzah. This incident proved to the Kashmiris that their neighbours only wish for constant turmoil and unrest in the region. And the militants will not spare a chance, even if it means aiming at the holiest shrine of Kashmir just as they did in 1993 and 1996.


Kashmiri leaders have finally acknowledged the abuses and violations by the militant groups that they lovingly used to call “freedom fighters”. An ordinary Kashmiri regrets placing their faith in these people who promised to “liberate” but ended up training their guns on the same Kashmiris.

In J&K there was a greater political sympathy for the militants’ cause than their violations on civilians and security personnel. The candlelight march and a consentient voice against terrorism after the grenade attack shows that Kashmiris are no longer scared; they will not allow Kashmir to be an entertainment ground of forces across the border.


Kashmiris have been subjected to immense suffering due to militancy in the past three decades. There is not a single family that hasn’t lost a relative, or a dear friend to the turbulences fuelled by Pakistan. They have endured to the extent that there are no tears left to cry. When one has nothing more to lose, fear evaporates. This incident has sparked a new passion for revolution in Kashmiris which will last until each raider is slain.

Pakistan: Will no-confidence motion against Imran Khan succeed?

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 07:52 PM PDT

Islamabad [Pakistan]: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s response to the no-confidence motion tabled against him and his government has been to get the police to act tough against several prominent lawmakers.


This could either mean that Imran Khan is over-confident of his own powers and survival, or he feels insecure and is working overtime to save himself. The question now is whether the no-confidence motion moved by the opposition has any chance of success, given the current level of support for Imran Khan from the Pakistan Army?

The more important question is, can the Army remain neutral in the political struggle unfolding in Pakistan? The answers remain hazy at this stage, but it is certain that the Pakistan Army will back Imran Khan.


The immediate result of the tabling of the no-confidence motion against PM Imran Khan was the raid by a police contingent (11 March 2022) on the Parliament Lodges to expel members of the Ansarul Islam, the volunteer force of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F).


This force had been invited to provide security to the opposition lawmakers. The police claimed to have arrested, during the operation, at least four legislators, along with two dozen Ansarul Islam volunteers. The other occurrence was that both the Opposition and the government and groups of dissenters have been in touch with each other in the aftermath of the no-confidence motion tabling.


PM Imran Khan’s immediate focus appeared to be Punjab, rather than the Federal dispensation because of the revolt within the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) against the Punjab Chief Minister, Usman Buzdar. Khan spent the entire day (10 March) in Lahore meeting with his provincial Assembly members.


His presence in Lahore for the whole day was basically to bolster support for Chief Minister Buzdar. The catch here is that PM Khan cannot resolve the no-confidence issue without first solving the Punjab crisis. Many members of the ‘angry group’ within the PTI met Imran Khan and said that they had attended the Jahangir Tarin group and Aleem Khan Group meetings to convince them to come back to the party.


The ruling PTI coalition has a total of 179 members in the National Assembly, while the opposition claims to have the support of 162 members. It also claims to have the allegiance of 24 members of the ruling party, which could tilt the balance in favour of the opposition, as and when the motion is placed and voted upon in the National Assembly.


The tabling of the no-confidence motion, however, signals a degree of confidence within the opposition that they are ready to take on Imran Khan, already surrounded by a plethora of challenges, ranging from a sinking economy to a troubled security environment, with the TTP on the ascendant. While this may be so, the historical record shows that no government in power has ever been removed by a no-confidence motion.


What are the signs currently of dissidence within the PTI that could signal the likelihood of a shift in the power equation in Islamabad? The growing ranks of dissidents have worsened with the passage of time and the revolt against the Punjab Chief Minister signals the unravelling of the party that could also threaten the survival of the PTI government.


A major problem is that there is no consensus on any other candidate. The PML-Q will not accept anyone other than Pervaiz Elahi as the chief minister. With the no-confidence motion hanging over the head of the PTI government, the PML-Q has upped its stakes. The party’s bargaining position seems to have been further strengthened with the reported offer by the opposition to give the top provincial office to the PML-Q leader.


While the opposition has been galvanised somewhat by the tabling of the no-confidence motion, PM Imran Khan continues to use other means to muzzle his critics. The latest in this series is the passage in the National Assembly of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act (PECA) 2022 by Ordinance. The timing of this bill comes at a time when the ruling PTI government is faced with a no-confidence motion.


The new Act for instance, the ordinance, gives the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) powers to arrest anyone and put them in jail till the conclusion of the trial. Federal officers also have the authority to unlock any electronic device. Another provision open to gross abuse is the provision that the complainant doesn’t necessarily be the aggrieved person or institution; it can be any member of the public, making the new law open for abuse.


The PECA 2022 signals that PM Khan wants to ensure that there is no criticism levelled against him, especially when he is beleaguered politically on all sides. The new law, along with the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2020, that seeks to jail anyone who “ridicules or brings into disrepute or defames the military” has made life difficult for journalists, human rights activists, and social media champions.


Imran Khan knows very well that a free press in Pakistan could very well turn criticism into political mileage. That is why the insistent on curbing media freedom and in the larger context an attempt to muzzle anything that remotely pulls up the military for its faults.


The tabling of the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan creates an uncertain political situation for Pakistan. Unfortunately, whatever the outcome of the motion, the net loser is Pakistan for political instability will persist. Pakistan’s economy is on a downward spiral and without doubt, the PTI government under Imran Khan is responsible for a large part of the problem.


If Imran Khan wins the vote, then he will be emboldened to continue on the path taken so far. If the opposition wins, then the selection of a prime ministerial candidate will occupy political space and time. In the meantime, the only beneficiary will be the Army. That is why it has been said that the Army has turned ‘neutral’ in the ongoing political crisis. But is this really so? 

It was difficult pitch and I decided to attack- Rishabh Pant

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 07:49 PM PDT

India beat Sri Lanka by 238 runs in the second Test at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium to clinch the two-match series 2-0. One player who excelled in both the Tests in Mohali and Bengaluru was Rishabh Pant.

The wicketkeeper-batsman performed with both the bat and gloves. In the first Test in Mohali, he scored 96 from 97 balls. In the second Test, Pant played an attacking knock to score 39 from 26 balls in the first innings and scored the fastest 50 by an Indian in a Test in the second innings breaking Kapil Dev’s record of achieving the same in 30 balls way back in 1982 against Pakistan in Karachi.

“As a cricketer, you want to evolve. In the past, I have made a few mistakes, but I want to keep improving. My mindset is not the same, but it was a difficult pitch and I decided I had to attack the bowling early on, ” Pant said during the Post-match presentation ceremony.

Pant affected three dismissals with gloves in the first Test and five in the second. His all-around performance in the series helped him bag the ‘Player of the Series’ award.
“I think it’s more about confidence. I used to think too much about what I might miss. Now I am focusing on my process, ” said Rishabh Pant after getting the ‘Player of the Series award.

Hope to maintain consistency in time to come- Shreyas Iyer

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 07:45 PM PDT

Playing under lights with a pink ball in a Day-Night Test match is challenging as most of the teams and their players are yet to get used to it. But for Shreyas Iyer who was playing his first Test under lights here at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium had a different approach and his attacking style paid rich dividends to the team as his 92 run knocks in the first innings helped India score 252 in the first innings when at one stage India was tottering at 148 for 6.

“That wasn’t my normal approach but when I saw other batters struggling, I knew I had to attack. I was just trying to be one step of the bowlers. When the tail came in, I was on 55 and I added 37 more, so I wasn’t too bothered about missing out on a hundred,” said Shreyas Iyer in the post-match presentation ceremony. In the second innings too Shreyas Iyer top-scored by playing a knock of 67 and played an important role in taking India’s second innings total to 303 for 9.

“We were given a target, and I was in the mindset to play as many balls as possible. I have always dreamt about being a Test player for India and playing alongside the greats and contributing at the highest level. I hope I can maintain that consistency in the time to come,” said Shreyas Iyer.

Shreyas Iyer’s performances in both innings helped him bag the ‘Player of the Match’ award.

Mumbai: One dies, one injured as lift collapses

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 07:43 PM PDT

Mumbai (Maharashtra): In a tragic incident, a lift collapsed during maintenance work in Mumbai, killing one while leaving another injured as informed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).


A lift from the 40th floor of a building collapsed on the ground floor in the Siddesh Jyoti building in Mumbai which left two people injured. Later, one succumbed to death.

ICC Player of the Month: Shreyas Iyer for men and New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr for women’s

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 07:41 PM PDT

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday announced India’s star all-format batter Shreyas Iyer and White Ferns all-rounder Amelia Kerr were voted ICC Players of the month for February 2022.

Shreyas Iyer earned the ICC Player of the Month award on the back of his brilliant white-ball exploits during the home series against West Indies and Sri Lanka respectively last month. Iyer pipped fellow nominees, UAE’s Vriitya Aravind and Nepal’s Dipendra Singh Airee to claim the award. The right-hander struck a well-crafted, match-winning 80 in the third ODI against the West Indies in Ahmedabad and followed it up with a brisk 16-ball 25 in the closing game of the subsequent three-match T20I series.

He went even better in the T20I series against Sri Lanka, aggregating 204 runs without being dismissed across three innings at a highly impressive strike rate of 174.36. He registered scores of 57*(28), 74*(44) and 73*(45) across three games while striking 20 fours and seven sixes collectively in a Player of the Series performance.

The 27-year-old has carried his form in the ongoing month too, having produced an outstanding 92 in the first innings of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Bangalore.
Amelia Kerr, the 21-year-old New Zealand all-rounder, was named the Women’s POTM, following her supreme consistency with both bat and ball during the home white-ball series against India. After scoring 17 and returning 2/25 in New Zealand’s 18-run win in the only T20I, Kerr showcased exemplary skills during the ODI leg to further establish her skills as a world-class cricketer.

She finished the top-run scorer in the ODI series with 353 runs at a staggering average of 117.67, while bagging seven wickets at an economy of 5.78. She was named the Player of the Match in the second and fourth ODI respectively, her standout performance coming in the former, in which she returned 1/43 with the ball before anchoring a tense 271-run chase with a sublime unbeaten 119.

Kerr was chosen ahead of fellow nominees, India captain Mithali Raj and all-rounder Deepti Sharma for the award. The Wellington-born is already being hailed as one of the best women cricketers of the modern game.

Kerr is an integral part of the White Ferns setup at the ongoing ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 and has already racked up 111 runs and bagged five wickets from four outings thus far.

Sitharaman says 890 central laws applicable in J-K after removal of Article 370

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 07:40 PM PDT

New Delhi [India]: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said that after the removal of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, as many as 890 central laws have become applicable in the union territory.


Replying to the debate on budget Jammu and Kashmir for 2022-23, she said the laws are enabling people to get what has been denied to them for so long. “After removal of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, 890 Central laws have become applicable there. What was denied to the people of Jammu and Kashmir over 70 years will be given to them,” she said.


“That which Dr Ambedkar gave for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) is now available for people of Jammu and Kashmir,” she added.
Article 370 was nullified in August 2019.


Sitharaman also said that abrogation of Article 370 had been “delayed” and was necessary.


The minister talked of the government’s initiatives to boost development in Jammu and Kashmir and said 1,198 startups have been registered.


“More than 200 startups have been funded till now and Rs 143 crore (have been) given to Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) units in Jammu and Kashmir under Emergency Credit Guarantee Scheme during COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.


She said 1.43 lakh tourists visited Kashmir valley alone, which is the highest in the last seven years.


After Sitharaman’s reply, the House passed the demands for grants for Jammu and Kashmir for 2022-23, supplementary demands for grants for 2021-22, supplementary demands for grants (third and final batch for 2021-22), demands for excess grants for 2018-19 and the relevant appropriation bills

Income Tax Department conducts raids on Real estate group ‘Omaxe’

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 07:33 PM PDT

New Delhi [India]: The Income-Tax Department on Monday conducted searches at a leading real estate group Omaxe in the national capital and 45 other regions including Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Lucknow and Indore, as informed by the I-T Department.


The department has so far recovered Rs 12 crore in cash as the search operation continues. Omaxe is one of the leading real estate groups in Delhi-NCR with its reach within other states. 

MEA Jaishankar to make statement on Ukraine in RS today

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 07:26 PM PDT

New Delhi [India]: Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will make a statement on the prevailing situation in Ukraine at 2.30 pm in Rajya Sabha today.


In the second part of the Budget Session in Parliament, Jaishankar will speak on the rescue operation to evacuate Indian students from the war zone in Ukraine and what is India’s stand vis-a-vis the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The Central government launched ‘Operation Ganga’ on February 24 to bring back stranded Indians from Ukraine.


Four Central ministers Kiren Rijiju, Hardeep Singh Puri, Jyotiraditya Scindia and General (Retd) VK Singh were sent by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Ukraine’s neighbouring countries to coordinate the efforts for the rescue of the stranded Indians.


So far, India has been able to rescue around 22,500 stranded citizens in more than 80 special evacuation flights. Through its ‘Operations Ganga’, India has also been able to rescue several citizens of the neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and Nepal.


During the operation, buses and trains brought Indians to the western borders of Ukraine and they were flown to India via locations like Bucharest, Budapest, Suceava, and Warsaw.


The last batch of over 600 students who were evacuated from Sumy was brought back to India via Poland.


In recent months, ‘Operation Ganga’ has been India’s largest evacuation drive to bring back stranded Indians after operation ‘Devi Shakti’ was launched by the Narendra Modi government in Afghanistan last year.

Kabaddi player Sandeep Nangal Ambiya shot dead in Jalandhar

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 07:22 PM PDT

Jalandhar (Punjab): Kabaddi player Sandeep Nangal Ambiya was shot dead by four unidentified youths during a Kabaddi match in the Mallian Kalan village of Nakodar in Punjab’s Jalandhar on Monday evening, informed the police.


According to the police, one of Sandeep’s friends also sustained bullet injuries in the incident.


The senior superintendent of police (SSP) Satinder Singh of Jalandhar Rural Police, who reached the spot said, “Sandeep had come here for his team at the kabaddi match and around 6 pm in the evening, four unidentified youths who came in a Swift car opened fire at him, killing Sandeep on the spot and one of his friend also sustained bullet injuries, whose condition is now stable.”


The SSP further said, “We have done a preliminary investigation but the cause of the attack is yet unknown, though the killers will soon be arrested.”


As soon as the incident was reported, the newly appointed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Nakodar Inderjit Kaur reached the spot and condemned the incident and said, “The law and order situation in Punjab was already disturbed but to defame the new government, such incidents are happening. The SSP has been ordered to arrest the killers soon.”


After getting information about the incident, Congress leader and spokesperson Dr Navjot Dahiya also condemned the incident and extended his condolences to Sandeep’s family.

‘inadvertent’ firing of missile-Rajnath Singh to make statement in Lok Sabha today

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 07:16 PM PDT

New Delhi [India]: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will make a statement in Lok Sabha on Tuesday over the “inadvertent” firing of a missile that landed in Pakistan last week.


India on Friday had said that a technical malfunction led to the accidental firing of a missile. Pakistan Army had said that an Indian projectile had entered the Pakistani airspace and caused some damage to surrounding areas after it fell near a place called Mian Channu in their territory.


The Indian Defence Ministry said that it has ordered a court of enquiry into the incident adding that it was a matter of relief that there was no loss of life due to the accidental firing.


“On 9 March 2022, in the course of routine maintenance, a technical malfunction led to the accidental firing of a missile. The Government of India has taken a serious view and ordered a high-level Court of Enquiry,” the Defence Ministry said in a statement.
“It is learnt that the missile landed in an area of Pakistan.

While the incident is deeply regrettable, it is also a matter of relief that there has been no loss of life due to the accident,” it said.

Govt closely monitoring global energy markets in evolving geopolitical situation: Centre

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 07:10 PM PDT

New Delhi: The Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Rameswar Teli in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Monday informed that the geopolitical situation between Russia and Ukraine has resulted in a steep increase in global crude oil and gas prices.


He said that the government of India is closely monitoring global energy markets as well as potential energy supply disruptions as a fall-out of the evolving geopolitical situation.

According to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, in November 2021, in a bid to control inflationary pressures, the Government of India, in consultation with major energy consumers, had agreed to release 5 million barrels from its Strategic Petroleum Reserves.


The government of India is ready to take all appropriate action, as deemed fit, for mitigating market volatility and calming the rise in crude oil prices, said the ministry.


“Prices of petrol and diesel have been market-determined with effect from June 26, 2010, and October 19, 2014, respectively. Since then, the Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) take appropriate decision on the pricing of petrol and diesel in line with their international product prices, exchange rate, tax structure, inland freight and other cost elements.

The prices of petroleum products in the country are linked to the price of respective products in the international market,” said the ministry.


As per the ministry, the Central Government reduced the Central Excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs. 5 and Rs. 10 per litre respectively effective from 4 November 2021.

The measure was aimed to give a further fillip to the economy and to boost consumption and keep inflation low, thus helping the poor and middle classes.

Many States/UTs have also reduced the VAT on petrol and diesel subsequently.


“Prices of LPG in the country are based on Saudi Contract Price (CP), the benchmark for international prices of LPG. Saudi CP has risen approximately 228 per cent from April 2020 to February 2022 (236 USD/MT to 775 USD/MT).

However, for domestic LPG the Government continues to modulate the effective price to consumers to insulate the common man from rise in international prices,” added the ministry. 

Several BJP, Congress leaders from Haryana join AAP

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 06:59 PM PDT

New Delhi [India]: Several leaders from Haryana including former MLAs, ministers, and social activists from the state joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the national capital on Monday in the presence of Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain.


While addressing a press conference on Monday, Jain said, “We are very happy to announce that various ministers, MLA’s, and social activists from Haryana have joined the Aam Aadmi Party.” “People in Haryana are eager to bring AAP to power,” he added.


Umesh Agarwal – former MLA (BJP), Balbir Singh Saini – former Haryana minister (Indian National Lok Dal), Bijendra Singh (Congress), Ravindra Kumar former Independent MLA, Javed Ahmed former Independent candidate, Jagat Singh (Congress), Ashok Mittal (BSP), Amandeep Singh Waraich (BJP), Brahm Singh Gurjar (BJP), Sardar Gurlal Singh (Sarpanch), Parminder Singh (Social Activist), Kamal Singh Tavar (Advocate), Khemi Thakur (Sarpanch), Sardar Azad Singh (Congress) are amongst the leaders who joined AAP on Monday. 

Edible oil prices soar as Russia-Ukraine conflict hits sunflower oil import

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 06:53 PM PDT

Pune (Maharashtra): The prices of edible oil are soaring as the import of sunflower oil from Ukraine and Russia has stopped amid the ongoing war between the two countries.


Kanhaiya Lal Gujrathi, Director, Poona Merchant’s Chamber, told ANI, “The oil prices have increased by around Rs 300 to Rs 400 per 15 kg container. There is a shortage of oil in the market as the import has stopped totally.”


Another trader said, “There is a shortage of oil in the market and the rate, especially of the sunflower oil, has increased by around Rs 600 per 15 kg container which is going to impact the common man.”


The sunflower oil is imported in India majorly from Ukraine and Russia.
Gujrathi said, “Before the war between the two nations started, the soyabean oil was sold around Rs 1950 which has now increased to Rs 2500, while the sunflower oil was earlier at Rs 2,150 which has now crossed Rs 2,750.”

A retailer on the matter said, “The rates of oil will not come down until the war is going on. People have started to stock up on edible oil as they fear that they will not get enough in future.”

20 killed, 28 injured in missile strike by Ukraine, says Russia

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 06:48 PM PDT

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that 20 people have been killed while 28 were injured by a missile launched by the Ukrainian troops.

According to the military, the attack occurred in a residential neighborhood in Donetsk with a Tochka-U tactical missile. Ukrainian media reported that heavy fighting in Donbas continues. According to Ukraine’s Armed Forces, 100 Russian soldiers were killed and six vehicles were destroyed, The Kyiv Independent reported.

Russia tried to break through Ukrainian defences in Donetsk Oblast, it added.

The Kyiv Independent reported that Russia hits Kharkiv with ballistic missiles.
Kharkiv Governor Oleh Synyehubov claimed that Kharkiv was hit by short-range Iskander ballistic missile systems stationed in Russia.

On February 24, Russia began a special military operation in Ukraine after the Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republics requested help in defending themselves.
The Russian Defense Ministry said the special operation is targeting Ukrainian military infrastructure only and the civilian population is not in danger.

The West however denies these claims by the Russians and in response, Western nations have imposed comprehensive sanctions on Moscow. In addition, they introduced sanctions on Belarus for supporting Russia’s operation in Ukraine.

US to allow Ukrainian refugees, provide weapons to defend against invading Russian force: Biden

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 06:43 PM PDT

US President Joe Biden on Monday (local time) announced to provide Ukraine with weapons against Russia’s military operations.

Taking to Twitter, the President also said that America will also allow Ukrainian refugees in the US, and send money, food, and other humanitarian aid to Kyiv. “We will make sure Ukraine has weapons to defend against the invading Russian force. We will send money and food and aid to save Ukrainian lives. We will welcome Ukrainian refugees with open arms,” he said.

Earlier, US President Joe Biden authorized USD 200 million for additional arms and equipment to Ukraine, White House said on Saturday (local time).

“Today, President Biden authorized USD 200 million for additional arms and equipment to

Ukraine. This unprecedented fourth drawdown in less than one year brings the total U.S. security assistance to Ukraine to over USD 1.2 billion since January 2021,” the White House said in a tweet.

Biden’s decision brings total US security aid provided to Ukraine to USD 1.2 billion since January 2021.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Antony Blinken tweeted: “I have authorized a drawdown of up to USD 200 million for additional arms and equipment to Ukraine. This unprecedented fourth drawdown in less than a year will bring total US security assistance provided to Ukraine to more than USD 1.2 billion since January 2021.”
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russian forces of targeting a humanitarian corridor. 

Russia urges food assistance, other forms of aid from China

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 06:25 PM PDT

Russia has requested both military and financial assistance from China amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Citing sources, CNN reported that among the assistance Russia requested was pre-packaged, non-perishable military food kits, known in the US as “meal, ready-to-eat” or MREs. Earlier, it was reported that Russia has asked China for military assistance including drones, to support its invasion of Ukraine, a top US official cited by CNN broadcaster said.

Following Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, the US and its European allies have introduced sanctions targeting several major Russian banks and high-rank Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, besides ousting Russia from the SWIFT financial system.

Liu Pengyu, the Chinese embassy spokesperson in Washington, said he was unaware of any suggestions that China might be willing to help Russia.

“I’ve never heard of that,” Pengyu said in a statement when asked by CNN about the reporting of Russia’s request for military aid.

On February 24, Russia began a special military operation in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and several officials from State Department will meet Chinese Communist Party Political Bureau Member and Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission Yang Jiechi in Rome to discuss the impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine on regional and global security. 

890 central laws applicable in J-K after removal of Article 370 – Sitharaman

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 06:20 PM PDT

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said the removal of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, as many as 890 central laws have become applicable in the union territory.

Replying to the debate on budget Jammu and Kashmir for 2022-23, she said the laws are enabling people to get what has been denied to them for so long. “After removal of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, 890 Central laws have become applicable there. What was denied to the people of Jammu and Kashmir over 70 years will be given to them,” she said.

“That which Dr Ambedkar gave for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) is now available for people of Jammu and Kashmir,” she added.
Article 370 was nullified in August 2019.

Sitharaman also said that abrogation of Article 370 had been “delayed” and was necessary.

The minister talked of the government’s initiatives to boost development in Jammu and Kashmir and said 1,198 startups have been registered.

“More than 200 startups have been funded till now and Rs 143 crore (have been) given to Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) units in Jammu and Kashmir under Emergency Credit Guarantee Scheme during COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.

She said 1.43 lakh tourists visited Kashmir valley alone, which is the highest in the last seven years.

After Sitharaman’s reply, the House passed the demands for grants for Jammu and Kashmir for 2022-23, supplementary demands for grants for 2021-22, supplementary demands for grants (third and final batch for 2021-22), demands for excess grants for 2018-19 and the relevant appropriation bills.

US ‘bluntly’ warns China to avoid supporting Russia’s military operations in Ukraine

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 06:15 PM PDT

US President Joe Biden’s National Security Adviser warned a top Chinese official on Monday (local time) about Beijing’s support for Russia’s military operations in Ukraine, even as the Kremlin denied reports stating that it had requested Chinese military equipment to use in the war.

US adviser Jake Sullivan and senior Chinese foreign policy adviser Yang Jiechi met in Rome earlier today. Sullivan held an “intense” seven-hour meeting with his Chinese counterpart and laid out potential consequences of Beijing assisting Russia in the war in Ukraine. “The national security adviser and our delegation raised directly and very clear our concerns about the PRC’s support to Russia in the wake of the invasion, and the implications that any such support would have for the PRC’s relationship not only with us but for its relationships around the world,” said State Department spokesman Ned Price, using the initials for the People’s Republic of China.

“We are watching very closely the extent to which China or any other country provides any form of support, whether that’s material, economic or financial support to Russia, any such support from anywhere in the world would be of great concern to us,” added the spokesperson.

In advance of the talks, Sullivan bluntly warned China to avoid helping Russia evade punishment from global sanctions that have hammered the Russian economy. “We will not allow that to go forward,” Price said.

Russia, however, on Monday (local time) denied it needed China’s help. President Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said reports Russia had asked China for military assistance were not true.

“Russia possesses its own independent potential to continue the operation. As we said, it is going according to plan and will be completed on time and in full,” he said.
Russia has asked China for military support and China had signaled willingness to provide military assistance to Russia., including drones, as well as economic assistance for its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, according to US officials.

Potential assistance from the Chinese would be a significant development in Russia’s invasion. It could upend the hold Ukrainian forces still have in the country as well as provide a counterweight to the harsh sanctions imposed on Russia’s economy.

The Chinese foreign ministry accused the US of spreading disinformation. Russia denied asking Beijing for military help. In response, a spokesman for the foreign ministry in Beijing, Zhao Lijian, said the US had “been spreading disinformation targeting China on the Ukraine issue, with malicious intentions”.

Russia expanded its offensive to western Ukraine on Sunday, firing missiles near the city of Lviv and hitting a large military base close to the Polish border, reportedly killing dozens of people and drawing the war closer to the borders of a NATO country.
The attack came the day after the Kremlin threatened to attack Western weapons shipments to Ukraine.

Ukraine’s economy may shrink by up to 35 pc if war continues: IMF

Posted: 14 Mar 2022 06:10 PM PDT

Ukraine’s economy is expected to shrink by 10 per cent in 2022 as a result of Russia’s military operations, Ukrainian media reported citing the International Monetary Fund report.

Ukraine’s government continues to function, the banking system is stable and debt payments are viable in the short term, the IMF said, Daily Sabah reported. Daily Sabah further reported that the report prepared ahead of the IMF’s approval of USD 1.4 billion in emergency financing, said Ukraine’s economic output could shrink by 25 per cent to 35 per cent, based on real wartime gross domestic product (GDP) data from Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and other countries at war.

“In 2022, Ukraine’s GDP will shrink by at least 10 per cent if the war ends soon. If the war continues at the current pace, Ukraine can lose 25-35 per cent of its GDP by the end of the year,” The Kyiv Independent reported.

The country’s economy grew 3.2 per cent in 2021 amid a record grain harvest and strong consumer spending.

On February 24, Russia began a special military operation in Ukraine after the Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republics requested help in defending themselves.
The Russian Defense Ministry said the special operation is targeting Ukrainian military infrastructure only and the civilian population is not in danger.

The West however denies these claims by the Russians and in response, Western nations have imposed comprehensive sanctions on Moscow. In addition, they introduced sanctions on Belarus for supporting Russia’s operation in Ukraine.

వినోదం - తాజా - Google వార్తలు

లోడ్ అవుతోంది...