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8, మార్చి 2022, మంగళవారం

8pm NEWSFEED

With little help from govt., Pakistani students fend for themselves in Ukraine

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 08:05 AM PST

Islamabad [Pakistan]: While the Indian Government launched Operation Ganga to evacuate its citizens from Ukraine amid escalating tensions with Russia, the Pakistani Government’s apathy towards its students left them in the middle of the war.


Many Pakistani students recounted their harrowing journeys out of Ukraine on their own, without the help of its government, reported Dawn. Disappointed by the behaviour of the Pakistani embassy, Misha Arshad, a final year student at the National Aerospace University in Kharkiv said “they did nothing” to help us evacuate. “We are the future of Pakistan and this is how they treated us in this difficult time,” she lamented.


She managed to flee the city amid artillery fire and rocket attacks.


Arshad was among the over 76,000 international students from 155 nations studying in various universities across Ukraine because of its low tuition and cost of living. Of these, nearly 25 per cent were from India, while the rest were from Morocco, Turkmenistan, Nigeria, China and Pakistan, according to the University World News.
Afifa Maham, a third-year student at Ternopil National Medical University, who managed to reach Warsaw after several days of uncertainty, also felt let down by the Pakistani embassy in Ukraine.


“Our ambassador did nothing to help us!” said Maham.


Similar sentiments were expressed by Basit Hamid, a Lahore-based businessman, whose 21-year old son, Rayyan Hamid, was studying dentistry at Kyiv Medical University, reported Dawn.


“I blame our ambassador in Ukraine who did not have the foresight to evacuate Pakistani students earlier when war clouds were looming. Was he sleeping? Did he not understand when other embassies — US and UK and Canada — were telling their people to leave?” questioned the father. “He kept telling them to stay put and focus on studies,” he added.


Meanwhile, the Pakistani embassy in Ukraine said on Saturday that it had safely evacuated 1,476 Pakistani nationals and students stranded in the conflict zone, with nine more on the way. It added that efforts were afoot to evacuate the remaining 37 students, reported Dawn.


In addition, the Pakistan embassy in Lviv was also helping Indian students, the foreign ministry said. Commenting on a video clip doing the rounds showing Indian students being fed by the Pakistani embassy, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said: “They are in distress due to war” and the Pakistan embassy helped them “on a humanitarian basis”.


But not everyone was convinced by the rhetoric. “The successful evacuation by our government is fake news!” said Arshad, when asked about the embassy’s claims, dismissing them completely. 

Third round of talks between Russia, Ukraine begins in Belarus

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 07:56 AM PST

Minsk [Belarus]: The third round of negotiations between the delegations of Ukraine and Russia began on Monday, informed the Belarus Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).


“Russia-Ukraine talks kick off in Belarus for the third time,” tweeted Belarus MFA. Notably, Russia and Ukraine will discuss political, humanitarian aspects and a military settlement during the third round of talks, Sputnik reported citing the head of the Russian delegation, presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky.


The first round of talks between the two sides was held in the Gomel region of Belarus on February 28. The talks are aimed at finding a way to end the Ukraine conflict. Following the talks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office said Russia and Ukraine identified some priority topics on which they have outlined certain decisions.


The second round of talks between Russia and Ukraine over the crisis in Ukraine was held in Belarus on March 3. The Russian delegation, in the first talks, was headed by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky. Earlier, Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office said the key “issue of the negotiations is an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of troops from the territory of Ukraine.”


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. 

Fire breaks out in fireworks factory in TN; one dead

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 07:50 AM PST

Virudhunagar (Tamil Nadu) : A fire broke out at a fireworks manufacturing unit in Virudhunagar on Monday leaving one person dead and another person injured.


Virudhunagar district administration today informed, “One person died and another suffered injuries after a fire broke out at a fireworks manufacturing unit in Virudhunagar.”

The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, the official said.
Further probe in the matter is underway. 

Sawant confident BJP will get full majority in Goa

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 07:43 AM PST

Panaji (Goa) [India]: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday expressed confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will come back with a full majority in the state.


CM Sawant said, “BJP is coming back with a full majority. BJP will get 18-22 seats in Goa and will form the government. I strongly believe people will once again choose the double engine government.” He added that the Goa BJP government’s priority is to complete the infrastructure projects of the double engine government. “We will fulfil the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Swayampurna Goa’ under this mission”, said Sawant.

Goa went for assembly polls on February 14. The counting of votes will take place on March 10.


“As per exit polls also, BJP will return to power in UP, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur and will have good performance in Punjab”, said Sawant.


In March 2017, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 13 seats and the Congress 17 in the 40-member assembly.


The BJP formed an alliance with Goa Forward Party (GFP), Maharastrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and two Independents, following which they had claimed a majority in the 21 in the 40-member house. At that time, the Goa government led by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar came to power.


This year, Aam Aadmi Party, Trinamool Congress, BJP, Congress, MGP, GFP among others will be contesting the polls. 

Three-day winter festival in Gulmarg ends

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 07:37 AM PST

Gulmarg (Jammu and Kashmir): Winter festival, organised by Indian Army Dagger Division in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir tourism department, concluded on Sunday.


This festival was a mega event encompassing a wide range of activities showcasing various facets of Gulmarg as a premier tourist destination along with the immense creative potential of the Kashmiri youth. To add to the thrill and adventure, a variety of snow sports including snow skiing & snow cycling races were incorporated into the event.


In addition, the attractions of the festival also included musical performances by several renowned locals as well as youth. Bollywood actors Neelam Kothari and Samir Soni were also present on the last day of the celebrations at Gulmarg.

Demonstrations by highly acclaimed teams from High-Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) and the Indian Institute of Skilling & Mountaineering (IISM) were the highlights of the festival.

Lt Gen DP Pandey, General officer commanding (GOC) Chinar Corps while speaking to ANI said, “It is important to organize such events on a regular basis as it passes on the message that the valley is safe and more and more tourists visit the valley. Kashmir is blessed with an abundance of art, culture, and music, which ensures joy and happiness in the hearts of every citizen visiting here”

He added, “I urge the youth to imbibe discipline, hard work, a healthy lifestyle, and a strong focus in life, to achieve eminence in any field they choose to pursue.”
The Gulmarg festival aimed at providing further impetus to the tourism sector by promoting the sector as a Winter sports destination, as well as showcasing a range of local talent across a spectrum of activities.


The era of normalcy and all-around development in Jammu & Kashmir is amply evident in the revival of multifarious economic, social, cultural & tourist activities, most of which are newly led by the youth especially women & girls.


This year’s festival was aligned with ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations that commemorate 75 Years of India’s Independence. 

Ruckus in W. Bengal Assembly, Opposition protests against civic polls violence

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 07:29 AM PST

Kolkata (West Bengal): A ruckus erupted inside West Bengal Legislative Assembly on Monday, the first day of the budget session as the opposition protested over the alleged violence in the recently concluded civic elections in the state.


BJP leaders along with the Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari marched towards Raj Bhavan to meet West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar after ruckus in the Assembly session.

“Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar was physically assaulted by TMC leaders…what happened inside the House everybody saw very carefully… we’ll meet Governor. He should take appropriate action against it. If necessary, we will consult with the Central government”, said Suvendu Adhikari.


BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul said, “Shockingly, the TMC leaders and ministers (women’s) hackled and touched the governor. We were protesting because, for the past months, the kind of elections that have happened in West Bengal even that is something unprecedented. The people of Indian have not seen this kind of election wherein every booth 100-300 outsiders were hired by TMC with firearms. They have even changed the EVM boxes. We want a re-poll and we had a very genuine demand. Our candidates were beaten up and it was being encouraged by Chief Minister.”


Dhankhar, who arrived at the assembly to deliver the inaugural address, could not do it as BJP legislators descended to the well-carrying posters of alleged victims of civic poll violence staged a protest in the assembly.


During the ruckus, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Speaker Biman Banerjee urged the Governor to go ahead with the speech. When the Governor tried to leave the House without reading his speech, TMC MLAs gathered against his seat and prevented him from leaving the House.


Mamata Banerjee termed the uproar “unprecedented” and said that it was a “planned attempt” to create a Constitutional crisis. “BJP is doing this because they miserably failed to win the election”, she added.

CM Banerjee also visited the Raj Bhawan later on Monday to meet Dhankhar. She thanked him for staying back in the Assembly amid the uproar.
The Chief Minister added, “What BJP has done today in the Assembly was a shame on democracy.”

Exit polls predict AAP govt. in Punjab

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 07:22 AM PST

New Delhi [India]: Exit polls on Monday predicted a clear victory for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab with the scale of the party’s victory varying across various surveys.


Several surveys predicted Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP, which is in power in Delhi, getting a landslide victory. The surveys also predicted that the ruling Congress will finish a distant second in the state followed by Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) which had allied with Bahujan Samaj Party. The BJP and its allies are not predicted to do well, according to the surveys.


If the results come as per the prediction of exit polls, it will be the first time that AAP will come to power in Punjab.


News24-Today’s Chanakya Exit poll predicted AAP getting 100 (plus, minus 11) seats and Congress 10 (plus, minus 7) seats in the 117-member Punjab assembly. It predicted SAD getting six (plus, minus five) seats and BJP one (plus, minus one) seat.


According to India Today-Axis My India exit poll, AAP is predicted to win 76-90 seats in Punjab, Congress 19-31, SAD and its allies 7-11 and BJP and its allies 1 to 4 seats.
The ABP News-C Voter predicted that AAP would get 51-61 seats, Congress 22-28 seats, SAD 20-26 seats and BJP 7-13 seats.


The ETG Research survey predicted AAP getting 70-75 seats, Congress 27-33 seats, SAD 7 to 13 and BJP three to seven seats.


According to Times Now-Veto exit polls, AAP is predicted to get 70 seats, Congress 22, SAD 19 and BJP five seats.


According to P MarQ survey, AAP is predicted to get 62 to 70 seats, Congress 23 to 31 , SAD 16-24 and BJP 1-3 seats.


The News-X Polstrat predicted AAP getting 56-61 seats, Congress 24-29, SAD 22-26 and BJP one to six seats.


India News-Jan ki Baat said AAP is predicted to get 60-84 seats, Congress 18-31, SAD 12-19 and BJP three to seven.


It is the first time that BJP fought over 65 seats in Punjab. It formed an alliance with the Punjab Lok Congress of Capt. Amarinder Singh and SAD (Samyukt) led by SS Dhindsa.


Polling was held in the state on February 20 and the results will be declared on March 10. 

Punjab CM Channi meets Amit Shah

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 07:14 AM PST

New Delhi [India]: Just two days before the announcement of the results of the Punjab Assembly elections, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi met Union Home Minister Amit Shah at his residence in Delhi.


However, the Chief Minister after the meeting mentioned that the main issues discussed were on amending Bhakra Beas Management Board rules and the ongoing Operation Ganga. Speaking to reporters here today after meeting Shah, Channi said, “Main issue was BBMB (Bhakra Beas Management Board), officers should be deployed like earlier. The Centre wants to deploy people from outside. I requested Home Minister to reconsider it. He assured me that he’ll discuss this with his minister in 1-2 days and act as per Punjab’s wish.”


Notably, political parties in Punjab, barring the BJP, are against the Centre’s decision to amend the rules regarding appointments to two key positions on the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).

The Central Government issued a notification on February 23 2022 to amend the BBMB Rules 1974, thereby changing the criteria for the selection of whole-time members of the Board.


Further speaking to reporters today, Channi said, “Secondly, 997 of our students were in Ukraine out of whom 420 have returned, 200 have gone to Poland and are safe but some people are still stranded. I made a request for them, Home Minister assured me that they are monitoring the situation and the students will be evacuated.”

Delhi transport Minister flags off 100 CNG buses, 1 electric bus

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 07:07 AM PST

New Delhi [India]: Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot flagged off as many as 100 new CNG buses and one electric bus from the DTC Indraprastha depot on Monday.
Gahlot said that the Delhi Government is committed to providing affordable, convenient, and clean public transport to all its citizens.

In a tweet today, Gahlot said, “Flagged off 100 new CNG buses along with all-new Electric bus from DTC Indraprastha depot today. Under the visionary leadership of @ArvindKejriwal, Delhi government is committed to providing affordable, convenient and clean public transport to all its citizens.”


The Transport Minister claimed that for the first time ever Delhi’s public bus fleet crossed the 7000 mark and said that more than 2000 e-buses will be added in the coming year.


“Today, Delhi’s public bus fleet, for the first time ever, crossed the 7000 mark! Under @ArvindKejriwal’s visionary leadership, our buses have become an example of safe, convenient and affordable transport! We’ll continue adding to this number, with 2000+ e-buses in the coming year,” he tweeted. 

ED arrests four directors of TN-based firm for cheating public of Rs 1,100 cr

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 06:59 AM PST

Chennai (Tamil Nadu): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested four Directors of Disc Assets Group in connection with a money laundering case of defrauding the public to the tune of over Rs 1,100 crore in ‘Collective Investment Scheme’.


The arrested persons are N Umashankar alias NM Umasangarr, N Arun Kumar alias N Arun, V Janarthanan and A Saravana Kumar.


ED initiated an investigation under PMLA, 2002 based on the FIR registered by the economic offences wing of the Tamil Nadu Police. During the course of the investigation, it was revealed that Disc Assets Lead India Limited and Ors collected money amounting to over Rs 1,100 crore from the gullible public promising land or money with a higher interest in return.


The money thus collected was diverted in the guise of investment in subsidiaries, as payment of royalty to the directors or family members of directors of the company, as dividends and as a diversion to unrelated entities.


ED has also attached 1,081 properties worth Rs 207 crore of the group entities.

The accused persons had filed SLP before the Supreme Court against the order of Madras High Court dismissing their bail petition. The SLP by the accused persons was dismissed by the Apex Court on February 25.

Accordingly, ED arrested the four persons on March 5, based on the non-bailable warrants issued by the principal special judge for CBI Cases, Chennai. The principal special judge has remanded the accused persons to Judicial Custody. 

Nawab Malik sent to 14-day judicial custody; arrives in Arthur Road Jail

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 06:53 AM PST

Mumbai (Maharashtra): Maharashtra Minister and NCP leader Nawab Malik on Monday arrived at Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai after a Special PMLA court sentenced him to 14-day judicial custody till March 21 in connection with the Dawood Ibrahim money laundering case.


Malik was arrested in the matter on February 23 and remained in the Enforcement Directorate custody till March 7. Earlier today, he was taken to JJ Hospital in Mumbai before being taken to the court for his medical checkup.

Will decide after discussion with family: Robert Vadra on joining politics

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 06:47 AM PST

New Delhi [India]: Businessman and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s husband Robert Vadra on Monday said that he may join politics and will take a decision after a discussion with family.


Speaking on the matter, Robert Vadra said, “If I can help people on a larger scale, make a change in some way in constituency and area then I will think about it. I will decide where I could be standing from but it also comes after discussion with my family. If they feel it is correct then, I will take part. Most importantly, I look at what the country needs. People need change, safety for women. People need medical facilities.”

Referring to the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, Robert Vadra said, “People have seen how Priyanka worked hard in Uttar Pradesh. People were there killed because of the vehicle driven by Minister’s son. She was pushed, mistreated when she went met to the families. We do not know the reason for her arrest, she was kept in a room and other leaders who were protesting were released in a few hours. She is a fearless woman. She fights hard and knows how to survive.”


“It was COVID era when she cleaned her place, CM of the State says that ‘wo ussi layak hai’ to clean the room. How can chief minister have two thought processes when Prime Minister talks about Swach Bharat Abhiyan and when a woman does it and chief minister has that kind of thought process. How can you be a CM of a state when you have a thought process like that,” he said.


Vadra said people have seen how Priyanka Gandhi fought for people’s rights.
“I am very proud of her (Priyanka Gandhi) for the hard work. I think women for the first time have a person who is taking their voice ahead, making them feel safe and taking up the issues that she felt in the ground that needed to be addressed. She is fighting for the people who are joining her in her roadshows and door-to-door campaigns,” he added.


He said, “I feel all her efforts will show results soon but even if it does not, I feel the family from years together from her grandmother and father who sacrificed their lives for the country so will Rahul, Priyanka and my mother-in-law they will work as they can for the people and I feel even if whatever results are it does not deter them from working harder for the people and they will continue working harder for the people.” 

Security personnel injured in IED blast in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 06:39 AM PST

Bijapur (Chhattisgarh): One security personnel was injured in an IED blast in the Ilmidi area of the Bijapur district earlier today.


A police official said today that a District Force constable was injured in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district today. The injured jawan has been admitted to the district hospital in Bijapur and is stable, the official added.


Further probe in the matter is underway.

Coal production & coal based power production increased by 2% & 3.5% respectively in February

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 06:33 AM PST

New Delhi [India]: The Ministry of Coal today in a statement said the country’s coal production has increased to 79.54 million ton from 77.99 million ton (MT) as compared to February last year. This is an increase of 2 per cent.


As per the provisional statistics of the Ministry of Coal, during Feb 2022, the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) and others have registered a growth of 7.19 per cent and 49.04 per cent by producing 6.04 MT and 9.24MT of coal. Whereas, Coal India Limited (CIL) registered a negative growth of 2.87 per cent by producing 64.26MT in comparison to 66.16MT in February 2020.


The statement said, “Coal Production of FY 2022 has been compared with FY 2020 as FY 2021 has been considered as an abnormal year due to COVID-19 pandemic.”
Out of the top 35 coal-producing mines, 14 mines performed more than 100 per cent. Five mines’ production performance was between 80 and 100 per cent and another five mines’ performance stood between 50 and 80 per cent, the official statement further added.


Ministry stated, “The coal dispatch increased by 7.48 per cent to 71.27 MT from 66.31 MT during February this year as compared to February 2020. During February 2022, CIL and others registered a growth of 4.90 per cent and 38.17 per cent by dispatching 57.47 MT and 8.38MT respectively. Whereas, SCCLhas registered a slightly negative growth of 0.81 per cent by dispatching 5.41MT in comparison to 5.46MT in February 2020.”


At the same time, the power utilities dispatch has grown by 15.27 per cent to 60.06 MT last month compared to 52.10 MT in Feb 2020. Fall in import prices has been observed since the end of Oct 2021. However, prices are still at a high level discouraging coal import, added the statement.


Ministry further stated coal-based power generation has registered a growth of 7.58 per cent in the month of February 2022 in comparison to February 2020. The overall power generation during February has been 5.49 per cent higher than the power generated in February 2020. However, coal-based power generation in the month of February 2022 has been 85534 million units (MU) in comparison to 88642 MU in January 2022 with a negative growth of 3.51 per cent.


Total power generation has also decreased in February 2022 to 112531 MU from 115757 MU the previous month. 

Grenade-throwing module of LeT busted in Kashmir; 4 terrorists arrested

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 06:27 AM PST

Awantipora (Jammu and Kashmir): Police in Awantipora on Monday busted a grenade-throwing module linked with proscribed terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and arrested four terrorists, thereby averting major catastrophic terror attacks.


The police said, “The arrested terrorist associates have been identified as Aqib Manzoor Bhat, Mudasir Ahmed Bhat, Gh Mohd Ahanger, all residents of Haffu Tral and Waris Bashir Najar, resident of Sheikh Mohalla Chewa Uller, Tral. Three-hand grenades have been recovered from their possession.”

The police also informed that Waris Bashir Najar was involved in throwing a grenade on the Army camp at Mandora on the evening of March 1.


The police further added, “During the preliminary investigation, it came to fore that they were carrying grenade throwing activities on the directions of Irshad Ahmed Bhat son of Late Fayaz Ahmed Bhat (slain Hizbul Mujahideen Terrorist), who is lodged in the Central Jail Srinagar in a murder case and Mustakeem Ahmed Ahangar Waheed, who too is detained in the same jail in connection with smuggling of weapons.”


Both Mustakeem and Irshad are coordinating terror activities even from Central Jail Srinagar, the police further added.


In this regard, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered and investigation has been initiated and more arrests are expected in the case once further links are investigated and established, stated the police.

Former Army chief, General Sunith Francis Rodrigues laid to rest with full military honours in Panjim

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 06:20 AM PST

Panjim (Goa) [India]: Former Indian Army chief General Sunith Francis Rodrigues was laid to rest with full military honours at Panjim in Goa on Monday.


Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane paid profound tributes on behalf of the Indian Army and expressed condolences to the bereaved family members. “General Sunith Francis Rodrigues, former #COAS of #IndianArmy, was laid to rest with full #Military honours at Panjim, #Goa.

General MM Naravane #COAS paid profound tributes on behalf of the #IndianArmy and expressed condolences to the bereaved family members. #IndianArmy,” tweeted the Indian Army today.


On March 4, Former Indian Army chief General SF Rodrigues passed away at the age of 88.


He served as the Chief of Army Staff between 1990-93. In addition to his more than 40 years of illustrious service in the Army, he served two terms on the National Security Advisory Board and was Governor of Punjab between 2004 to 2010. 

UP assembly polls last phase: 54.18 pc voting till 5 pm

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 04:49 AM PST

A voter turnout of 54.18 per cent was recorded till 5 pm on Monday in the seventh and last phase of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.

Election Commission data showed that Chandauli was the only district to have crossed 50 per cent voter turnout till 3 pm but all other districts have now seen over 50 per cent voting. Chandauli continued to have the highest poll percentage of 59.59 per cent followed by Sonbhadra with 56.95 per cent.

Varanasi recorded a voter turnout of 52.79 per cent till 5 pm while it was 52.34 per cent in Azamgarh. The polling percentage was 55. 04 per cent in Mau, Mirzapur (54.93 per cent), Bhadohi (54.26 per cent), Ghazipur (53.67 per cent), and Jaunpur (53.55 per cent).

Out of 20,000 Indian nationals, over 16,000 evacuated by Govt so far: MoS MEA

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 04:14 AM PST

With thousands of Indian nationals being brought back from Ukraine under Operation Ganga, Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan on Monday apprised about the efforts taken by the Indian Embassies to help people in conflict-ridden Ukraine.
Muraleedharan said, “Out of 20,000 Indian citizens, we have been able to evacuate more than 16,000 citizens. Around 3,000 citizens are still there in the neighbouring countries of Ukraine. Around 600 students are there in Sumy area.” “The Embassy is making arrangements to evacuate them.”
The Centre arranged for flights from neighbouring countries of Ukraine for the evacuation of Indian students under ‘Operation Ganga’.
Amidst the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will speak to both Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, officials said.
Meanwhile, tensions have escalated following Russia’s military action in Ukraine and the government has arranged flights from countries neighbouring Ukraine for the evacuation of Indian students under ‘Operation Ganga’.
On Sunday the Indian government said that since February 22, it has so far evacuated nearly 16,000 Indian students from Ukraine through flights from Ukraine’s neighbouring countries.

PM Modi speaks with Russian President, suggests direct talks with President Zelenskyy

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 04:07 AM PST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and suggested that a direct conversation between the presidents of Russia and Ukraine may greatly assist the ongoing peace efforts to deal with the ongoing conflict.
A PMO statement said that the two leaders discussed the evolving situation in Ukraine. President Putin briefed Prime Minister Modi on the status of negotiations between the Ukrainian and Russian teams.

The Prime Minister welcomed the ongoing negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and expressed hope that they would lead to the cessation of the conflict.
“He suggested that a direct conversation between President Putin and President Zelenskyy may greatly assist the ongoing peace efforts,” the statement said.
Prime Minister Modi conveyed his deep concern for the safety and security of the Indian students still remaining in Sumy.

President Putin briefed Prime Minister about the ongoing measures related to humanitarian corridors for facilitating the evacuation of civilians including Indian students. Sources said the phone call lasted for about 50 minutes.

The Prime Minister had earlier in the day talked with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
President Zelenskyy briefed the Prime Minister in detail about the conflict situation and the ongoing negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.

PM Modi expressed deep concern about the ongoing conflict and resultant humanitarian crisis. Prime Minister reiterated his call for an immediate cessation of violence and noted that India has always stood for peaceful resolution of issues and direct dialogue between the two parties.

Prime Minister thanked Ukrainian authorities for their facilitation in evacuating more than 20,000 Indian citizens from Ukraine. He expressed deep concern for the safety and security of Indian students still remaining in Ukraine and emphasized the need for their quick and safe evacuation.

The sources said that talks between leaders lasted about 35 minutes.
Tensions have escalated since Russia began a special military operation in Ukraine on February 24.

PM Modi had earlier spoken to President Putin twice on February 24 and March 2. He had spoken with Ukraine President on February 26. The government had said on Sunday that nearly 16,000 Indian students have been evacuated from Ukraine through flights from Ukraine’s neighbouring countries under Operation Ganga. 

Women’s Day 2022: Sports personalities who broke gender stereotypes

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 03:48 AM PST

On March 8, the entire world will celebrate ‘International Women’s Day’. India too will celebrate this day to honour their endeavour and achievements for the nation. With the Indian sportswomen making the nation proud with their superlative performances we take a look at those sportswomen who have done exceptionally well for the country.

Here is a curated list of some of the many women sports personalities-

1. Mithali Raj
Mithali Dorai Raj, also known as India’s greatest female batter, hails from Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Her career in international cricket is almost two-decades-long with several achieved milestones in between. The 39-year old batter is the only captain in India to have led the side to two 50-over World Cup finals.

She is the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket and the only female cricketer to surpass the 7,000 run mark in Women’s ODI matches. Raj also became the first player to score seven consecutive half-centuries in ODIs.

In June 2018 during the 2018 Women’s Twenty20 Asia Cup, she became the first player from India to score 2000 runs in T20Is, and also became the first woman cricketer to reach 2000 WT20I runs. In September 2019, Raj bowed out from the T20I cricket to focus on the 50-over format.

She has been conferred with Arjuna Award in 2003, Padma Shri in 2015, Wisden Leading Woman Cricketer in the World in 2017, and Major Dhyanchand Khel Ratna in 2021, by the government of India.


2. PV Sindhu
PV Sindhu is one of the finest athletes that India has produced and she has held the national flag high at many events, including the Olympics. She is the only Indian to become the Badminton World Champion and only the second individual athlete from India to win two consecutive medals at the Olympic Games.
The shuttler has also won a silver medal each at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and 2018 Asian Games, and two bronze medals at the Uber Cup.
Sindhu has also been awarded Arjuna Award and Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna in the past, along with India’s fourth-highest civilian award, the Padma Shri.
She has also been conferred with the Padma Bhushan.


3. Mary Kom
With her unrelenting drive to win, it took Mary Kom little time to storm the highest summits of Indian boxing. On the international arena, she announced her arrival by winning a silver medal at the World Boxing Championships in 2001.

Mary Kom followed it up with a gold in 2002 – the first of her six world championships over the years. As it stands, she is the most successful women’s boxer in the history of the competition. Ireland’s Katie Taylor – a London 2012 lightweight gold medallist – won it five times.

Mary Kom also has a bronze to her name at the event, taking her total medals tally to 8 – more than any boxer, men’s or women’s, in history. But the most important win for the Indian pugilist came in 2012 when she won a bronze medal in the London Olympics.

Mary Kom also holds the distinction of being the first Indian woman boxer to win an Asian Games gold in 2014 and a Commonwealth Games gold in 2018. She is also a five-time Asian champion.


4. Avani Lekhara
Avani Lekhara is one of the finest Paralympians in India. Currently, World No 2 in Women’s 10m Air Rifle standing SH1, Avani has made the nation proud on many occasions.

She won a gold medal in 10m air rifle standing and a bronze medal in 50m rifle 3 positions at Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

Lekhara is the first Indian woman to win a Paralympic gold medal. Later, she also competed 2020 Summer Paralympics and won a gold medal. With a score of 249.6 points in the final event, the young shooter set a Paralympic record and tied the world record.

She has been conferred with the Khel Ratna Award in 2021 and Padma Shri Award in 2022 by the government of India.


5. Saikhom Mirabai Chanu
India’s campaign at the Tokyo Olympics started off on the best possible note. The Manipuri weightlifter bagged a silver medal for India on the opening day of the prestigious showpiece event in the 49 Kg weight category lifting 202 Kg (87+115) (including both snatch and clean & jerk).


Mirabai shrugged off her Rio Olympics disappointment where she failed to lift even a single clean and jerk in three attempts. She has won gold medals for India in World Champions as well as Commonwealth Games.


The 28-year-old bagged her first Commonwealth Games medal in Glasgow in 2014 by winning a silver in the 48 Kg weight category. In Rio Olympics 2016 she failed but bounced back two years later to win a gold medal in the 2017 World Championship.
She carried it with her rich run of form to win a gold medal in Gold Coast Commonwealth Games 2018. But her real test came in 2021 in Tokyo Olympics when she bounced back from her previous Olympics debacle to become the first India weightlifter to win a silver medal in the Olympics and only the second Indian weightlifter to win an Olympic medal after Karnam Malleswari who won a bronze in Sydney Olympics 2000.


These women sports personalities have set examples for standing out of the crowd and showing that female empowerment is important because it is essential that women are able to do everything they set their motivations on.

Govt has controlled prices of over 800 medicines: PM Modi

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 03:41 AM PST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, while interacting virtually with the beneficiaries of the “Jan Aushadhi Kendra”, said that the Central government kept under control the prices of more than 800 medicines required for the treatment of serious diseases including cancer, tuberculosis, diabetes, and heart diseases.

“As of now, more than 8,500 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been opened in the country. These centres are now becoming solution centres for the common man and not just another government store. The government has controlled the price of more than 800 medicines required for the treatment of diseases like cancer, tuberculosis, diabetes, heart disease. The government has also ensured that the cost of stunting and knee implants is also kept under control,” PM Modi said. Giving statistics of the “affordable medical care” for the people, the Prime Minister said that there are “more than 50 crore people” in the ambit of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana.

“More than 50 crore people are in the ambit of Ayushman Bharat Yojana. More than 3 crore people have taken benefit of the scheme, saving 70 thousand crore rupees of the poor and middle-class people. PM National Dialysis programme has saved 550 crore rupees. Knee implant and medicine price control saved 13 thousand crore rupees,” he said.

Interacting with the beneficiary from Patna, Hilda Anthony, the Prime Minister asked how she came to know about the Jan Aushadhi medicines. He also enquired about the quality of the medicines. She replied that she has benefited greatly from the medicines as she is able to get her monthly medicines for 250 rupees instead of 1200- 1500 rupees earlier. She said that she spends the savings on social causes. The Prime Minister appreciated her spirit and hoped that people’s faith will increase in Jan Aushadhi through people like her.


He said the middle class can be a great ambassador for this scheme. He also talked about the impact of disease on the financial situation of middle and lower-middle and poor sections of society. He called upon the literate segment of society to talk about the benefits of Jan Aushadhi.


The Prime Minister informed that a few days back, the government has taken another big decision, which will benefit the poor and middle-class children. “We have decided that half the seats in private medical colleges will be charged at par with government medical colleges”, he informed.


Jan Aushadhi week is being celebrated across the country from March 1 to generate awareness about the usage of generic medicines and the benefits of Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana. The theme of this event was “Jan Aushadhi-Jan Upyogi”. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya was also present at the event.

Imran Khan challenges opposition to introduce no-confidence motion; calls them thieves

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 03:31 AM PST

Punjab [Pakistan]: Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, while addressing a huge public gathering in Mailsi on Sunday challenged the opposition to introduce the no-confidence motion in the parliament, declaring that after its failure, they would have to face the consequences.


In his address, Imran Khan used derogatory nicknames for his rivals. He said that a ‘clique of looters’ has now united to protect their vested interests by creating hype about a no-trust motion against the government. Pakistani PM also added that he was fully prepared to tackle the moves made by a ‘bunch of thieves’.

PM accused Nawaz Sharif, Asif Zardari and Maulana Fazlur Rehman of being the real ones behind the no-confidence motion, reported The News International.


He called Nawaz Sharif an absconder and said that he was involved in corruption. Khan said that sources of Sharif’s ill-gotten wealth and properties are yet unknown while he has been living in a luxurious house in the UK.


The prime minister said that the two families of Sharif and Zardari had plundered the country during the last 30 years. Furthermore, talking on the Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif, Khan said an amount of Rs 3.75 billion was detected in the account of his servant and peon Maqsood.


Ahead of the no-confidence motion against the Imran Khan government, principal Opposition parties, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), have asked Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) to cancel their foreign visits and stay put in Islamabad for the next few days, media reports said.


The development comes amid reports that the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government is planning to arrange foreign visits for the lawmakers as part of the strategy to counter the Opposition’s no-confidence motion plan.


The Opposition parties in Pakistan have ramped up their activities ahead of the planned no-confidence motion against the Imran Khan government for “misgovernance and bad economic handling”. 

As Russia’s isolation grows, China limits its friendship with Moscow

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 03:26 AM PST

Beijing [China]: Despite sharing strong ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and criticising the West over the sanctions against Russia, China’s President Xi Jinping has not stepped in to help Moscow.


Radio Free Europe reported that the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), a Chinese-led development bank, suspended all business with Russia and Belarus on March 3, a possible sign of the limits to Beijing and Moscow’s relationship.

Similarly, the Shanghai-based New Development Bank also suspended business with Russia the same day.


Meanwhile, many companies including PayPal, American Express Sunday announced the suspension of their operations in Russia and Belarus over the ongoing military operation in Ukraine.


This comes a day after credit card and payment giants Mastercard and Visa announced that they were suspending operations in Russia and that their cards issued by Russian banks will no longer work outside the country.


“In light of Russia’s ongoing, unjustified attack on the people of Ukraine, American Express is suspending all operations in Russia. As a result, globally issued American Express cards will no longer work at merchants or ATMs in Russia,” American Express said in a statement.


Economic ties between the countries, however, have strengthened in recent years, with bilateral trade soaring to turn China into Russia’s largest trading partner as the countries sought to deal more in Chinese yuan, which is outside the US-dollar financial system, Radio Free Europe reported.


Strengthening ties between Moscow and Beijing were underscored by a meeting on February 5, when President Vladimir Putin met Chairman Xi Jinping during the Winter Olympics, their first face-to-face meeting in more than two years. The China-Russia Comprehensive Partnership of Coordination for a New Era was agreed on 5 June 2019, when Xi visited Putin. That was his eighth visit to Russia since 2013, underscoring closer ties between the two strongmen.


According to Al Jazeera, even as Beijing has refused to term Putin’s action on Ukraine an “invasion” and condemned Western-led sanctions, Chinese state-owned financial institutions have been quietly distancing themselves from Russia’s economy.


The moves suggest a careful balancing act by Beijing as it seeks to buttress ties with Moscow without openly violating sanctions, which could jeopardise its access to key Western export markets and the US dollar-centric international financial system, the media outlet said. 

Russian banks switch to Chinese UnionPay after Mastercard & Visa suspended operations in Russia

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 03:21 AM PST

Moscow [Russia]: Following the suspension of operations in Russia by payment giants Visa and Mastercard, Russia’s state-owned Sberbank announced on Sunday that it is working on issuing payment cards using China’s UnionPay and Russia’s domestic Mir payment systems, Russian media reported.


Sberbank also said in the statement that the suspension of Visa and Mastercard services in Russia will not affect the use of cards issued by Russia’s Sberbank within the country, although foreign transactions will be limited, further stating that the date that the new payment card will be issued will be intimidated in due course.

“International payment systems have decided to limit their work in Russia in the coming days. This decision will not affect the operation of Sberbank Visa and MasterCard cards within the country,” the statement read, quoted Sputnik News Agency.


Credit card and Payment giants Mastercard and Visa announced on Saturday that they were suspending operations in Russia and that their cards issued by Russian banks will no longer work outside the country.


“Effective immediately, Visa will work with its clients and partners within Russia to cease all Visa transactions over the coming days. Once complete, all transactions initiated with Visa cards issued in Russia will no longer work outside the country and any Visa cards issued by financial institutions outside of Russia will no longer work within the Russian Federation,” Visa said in a statement.


The severe action followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, after recognising the breakaway Donetsk and Luhansk regions as independent republics.
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.


A number of countries, including Japan, South Korea and Australia, have also slapped financial sanctions and travel bans against Russia. They are mulling new targeted penalties to freeze assets and restrict travel against Russia’s most influential political and military officials.

JP Nadda to visit Mata Vaishno Devi temple today

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 03:16 AM PST

Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President JP Nadda reached Jammu to offer prayers at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine on Monday.


The BJP chief will also address the party workers of the union territory after his visit to the temple. Nadda’s visit to the revered shrine comes on the day of the polling for the last phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.


The counting of votes for the Assembly polls in five states including Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Uttarakhand and Manipur will take place on March 10. 

Sensex tumbles 1491 points, Nifty slips below 16K mark amid worsening Russia-Ukraine crisis

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 03:07 AM PST

The Indian stock markets key indices, Sensex and Nifty, plunged by around three per cent on Monday, to hit the lowest level in eight months, as oil prices soared to the highest level in 14 years and rupee plunged to record low amid worsening Russia-Ukraine crisis.


The 30 stock S&P BSE Sensex started the day deep in the red at 53,172.51 points and tumbled to a low of 52,367.10 points in the intra-day, which is 1,966.71 points lower from its previous session’s close at 54,333.81 points. The Sensex recouped part of the losses toward the end of the day and closed 1491.06 points or 2.74 per cent down at 52,842.75 points, the lowest level in eight months.


This is the fourth consecutive session of deep loss in the benchmark index. The Sensex had plunged by 768.87 points, 366.22 points and 778.38 points in the previous three sessions, respectively.


The broader Nifty 50 of the National Stock Exchange slipped below 16,000 points mark. The Nifty closed 382.20 points or 2.35 per cent down at 15,863.15 points.
Earlier, the Nifty opened deep in the red at 15,867.95 points and slumped to a low of 15,711.45 points in the intra-day.


The Nifty had lost 252.70 points on Friday, the last trading session.
There was heavy selling pressure in banking and financial stocks. IndusInd Bank crashed 7.63 per cent to Rs 834.10. Axis Bank tumbled 6.70 per cent to Rs 662.25. Bajaj Finance slumped 6.37 per cent to Rs 6122.55 and Bajaj Finserv dipped 6.27 per cent to Rs 14368.20. State Bank of India slumped 4.68 per cent to Rs 440.35.
Maruti Suzuki crashed 6.56 per cent to Rs 6769. Mahindra & Mahindra slumped 5.85 per cent to Rs 689.30.


The index heavyweight Reliance Industries slumped 3.67 per cent to Rs 2239.95.
Only four of the 30 scrips that are part of the Sensex closed in the positive. Bharti Airtel soared 3.46 per cent to Rs 675.60. HCL Technologies rose 1.38 per cent to Rs 1153.70. Tata Steel and Infosys were other Sensex gainers. 

Ashram underpass to be operational from March 22; Sisodia

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 02:42 AM PST

New Delhi [India]: After paying an inspection visit to the construction site of the Ashram underpass in Southeast Delhi, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Monday announced the opening of the underpass for the public from March 22.


“I have inspected the Ashram underpass. Due to COVID-19 and the lockdown which was imposed time and again, the work of the underpass was delayed. Once the lockdown is imposed, the labourers go, the work gets stalled, then it takes time in speeding up the work. But now the work has sped up and in the next 15 days, we will open the traffic here,” said Sisodia.

“Only some work might be left, but within 15 days, traffic will start. So, today is 7 March and till March 22, we will make sure that the public won’t face any problem here and lakhs of people will get benefit from this,” Sisodia added.


Citing the COVID restrictions as the reason for the delay in the construction work, the Deputy Chief Minister said the work of the Ashram flyover has also been delayed and will be completed by August this year.


“Along with this, the construction work of the Ashram flyover has also been delayed. That work will be completed by August. There are various deadlines for the Pragati Maidan underpass. Till may, most of the work will be done there,” he said.


Asked about the chances of his party in the Punjab Assembly polls that took place on February 20, Sisodia exuded confidence in forming government in the state.
“AAP government will be formed in Punjab. Rest how many votes people have given to which party, that will be told on March 10,” he said.


Sisodia also mentioned the states where his party is contesting elections for the first time like Goa and Uttarakhand and said that they are “getting a good number of seats”.


“In Goa and Uttarakhand as well, we are getting good numbers of seats. We have given an option in front of the public on education, a working government, a government which develops, a politics of honesty. Let’s see how many people have given votes there. we have fought elections there for the first time,” he said.

The counting of votes will take place on March 10. 

11,000 Russian troops killed- Ukraine

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 02:37 AM PST

Moscow [Russia]: Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared the details of the losses that Russia has incurred since the invasion of Ukraine started noting that a total of 11,000 Russian forces were killed till Monday (local time).


According to the MFA data, 999 armoured vehicles of different types, 46 aircraft, 68 helicopters, 290 tanks, 117 artillery pieces and 50 MLRs were hit during the combat. Furthermore, the destroyed facilities also include 60 cisterns, 454 vehicles, 3 vessels, 7 UAVs and 23 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.

Modi, Putin talk on Ukraine crisis & Indian Students evacuation for 50 mins.

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 02:33 AM PST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and stressed the importance of the safe evacuation of Indian citizens from Ukraine’s Sumy city at the earliest. He also urged him to hold direct talks with President Zelensky of Ukraine, in addition to the ongoing negotiations between their teams. The two leaders discussed the evolving situation in Ukraine in a phone call that lasted about 50 minutes, government sources said.

UP Assembly polls : 46.40% voter turnout till 3 pm

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 02:28 AM PST

46.40% voters turnout recorded till 3 pm in the seventh and final phase of UP elections.

The average voter turnout in the last leg of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections on Monday was reported to be at 35.51 per cent till 1 pm.

Election Commission of India’s data shows that the highest voter turnout was witnessed in Chandauli with 38.45 per cent, followed by 38.05 per cent in Mirzapur and 37.08 per cent in Mau district. Jaunpur saw a voter turnout of 35.80 per cent while 35.68 per cent was recorded in Sonbhadra, 35.60 per cent in Bhadohi, 34.60 per cent in Azamgarh and 34.15 per cent in Ghazipur.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Parliamentary constituency Varanasi recorded the least voter turnout of 33.55 per cent.

A total of 613 candidates are in the electoral fray for the 54 Assembly constituencies spread across nine districts of Mau, Azamgarh, Jaunpur, Ghazipur, Varanasi, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, and Bhadohi (Sant Ravidas Nagar).


Voting for the last phase of the seven-phased Uttar Pradesh elections began at 7 am today and will continue till 6 pm.

The constituencies where polling is underway are Atraulia, Gopalpur, Sagadi, Mubarakpur, Azamgarh, Nizamabad, Phulpur-Powai, Deedarganj, Lalganj (SC), Mehnagar (SC), Madhuban, Ghosi, Muhammadabad-Gohna (SC), Mau, Badlapur, Shahganj, Ghazipur, Jangipur, Zahurabad, Mohammedabad, Zamania, Mughalsarai, Sakaldiha, Saidaraja, Chakia (SC), Pindra, Ajgara (SC), Shivpur, Rohaniya, Varanasi North, Varanasi South, Varanasi Cantonment, Sevapuri, Bhadohi, Gyanpur, Aurai (SC), Chanbe (SC), Mirzapur, Majhawan, Chunar, Madihan, Ghorawal, Robertsganj, Obra (ST) and Duddhi (ST). Of these, 11 seats are reserved for scheduled castes and 2 for scheduled tribes.

A total of 2.06 crore voters are eligible to cast their votes while 613 candidates are in the electoral fray in the 54 Assembly seats.
The counting of votes will take place on March 10.

Swiz Ambassador offers prayers at Golden Temple

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 02:26 AM PST

Amritsar (Punjab): Swiss Ambassador to India Dr Ralf Heckner visited the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Monday and offered prayers.


Ambassador Heckner was guided around the temple premises by the temple officials. He also joined ‘langar’ at the temple. “It was an incredible experience for me. I felt the spirituality of the place and I was privileged to be able to pray with his holiness (‘Jathedar’ of ‘Akal Takht’). I prayed for the Sikh community and I also prayed for peace in the world,” the Swiss Ambassador said.


Talking about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, he said, “I prayed for peace in Europe and I prayed also for peace all over the world,” adding that India was also included in his prayers.


Earlier on February 28, the Swiss Federal Council, Switzerland’s top administrative body decided to adopt the packages of sanctions imposed by the European Union (EU) against Russia, including freezing the assets of a number of Russian individuals and companies, reported Xinhua News Agency


Swiss airspace is closed to all flights from Russia and to all movements of aircraft with Russian markings with the exception of flights for humanitarian, medical or diplomatic purposes.


Switzerland has also expressed its willingness to actively contribute to a solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

China willing to mediate in Ukraine crisis: Foreign Minister Wang Yi

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 02:22 AM PST

Beijing [China]: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday expressed China’s willingness to mediate in the ongoing crisis between Russia and Ukraine.


He said that China can work to facilitate dialogue between Russia and Ukraine. The Foreign Minister made the remarks while addressing a press briefing on China’s foreign policy and international relations at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.


“China is prepared to continue playing a constructive role to facilitate dialogue for peace and work alongside the international community,” Wang Yi said. He expressed readiness to carry out necessary mediation (between Russia and Ukraine).


Emphasising the need for a negotiated settlement, Wang said, “China believes that talks should continue during a tense situation.” He added that the wider the disagreement, the greater is the need to sit down and hold negotiations.


Wang Yi reiterated the close ties between Russia and China and said that the relationship between the Chinese and the Russians is “rock solid” and that the two countries will continue their close partnership.


“No matter how precarious and challenging the international situation may be, China and Russia will maintain strategic focus and steadily advance our comprehensive strategic partnership and coordination,” Wang Yi said.


The Chinese minister also announced humanitarian aid to Ukraine, saying, “I wish to announce that the Red Cross society of china will provide Ukraine with a tranche of emergency humanitarian supplies as soon as possible.”


Russia and Ukraine had agreed to organise humanitarian corridors to evacuate civilians in the second round of talks in Belarus on March 4.


Russia’s delegation has left for Belarus for the third round of negotiations with Ukraine which are expected today to try a negotiated settlement and end the conflict, reported Sputnik News Agency.


Following Russia’s invasion of 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.


A number of countries, including Japan, South Korea and Australia, have also slapped financial sanctions and travel bans against Russia. They are mulling new targeted penalties to freeze assets and restrict travel against Russia’s most influential political and military officials.

Operation Ganga a political stunt- Akhilesh Yadav

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 02:18 AM PST

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) : Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday slammed the BJP-led Centre over ‘Operation Ganga’, saying he would have applauded if stranded students were evacuated from war-hit Ukraine directly.


Speaking on the matter, Yadav questioned the claims of having evacuated the students from Ukraine, saying the Centre “failed to evacuate Indians”.

Calling the operation a mere political stunt for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Yadav said, “Don’t know which international recognition they are boasting about.

They (BJP-led Centre) failed to evacuate Indians, named evacuation ‘Operation Ganga’ because of the polls in Varanasi. Had they rescued our people from Ukraine directly I would’ve appreciated it.”


The Centre arranged for flights from neighbouring countries of Ukraine for the evacuation of Indian students under ‘Operation Ganga’.


The government on Sunday said that it has evacuated nearly 16,000 Indian students since February 22 from Ukraine.


Conflict erupted in Ukraine on February 24 when Russia launched a special military operation there. 

Maharashtra: Amravati MLA alleges police pressurised to file case against him

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 02:14 AM PST

Mumbai (Maharashtra): Independent MLA from Amravati Ravi Rana on Monday alleged that Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil pressurised the police to file a false case against him of throwing ink on Amravati Municipal Commissioner.


“I was not even present in Amravati during a program where some workers threw ink on the face of Amravati Municipal Commissioner for allegedly removing Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue,” said Rana during the Question-Answer session in Maharashtra Assembly.

Rana, who was supported by Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs, created a ruckus in the assembly and said, “The CM and Home Minister pressurised the Amravati Commissioner of Police to file a case against me.”


“At midnight around 150 police officials reached my residence and searched my home that day. I want justice,” he said.


Rejecting the allegations, Home Minister Patil said “Rana claims to be in Delhi when the incident happened, we will look into it. However, neither did I nor the CM instruct or pressurise anyone.”


“It is true that the Shivaji Maharaj statue was placed without the permission of the local authorities in Amravati. So, the Municipal commissioner took the decision to remove the statute. Later, ink was thrown on his face for removing the statute,” he said.


Later, the names of the Home Minister and Chief Minister were removed from the records of the Assembly following a request by Shiv Sena MLA Bhaskar Jadhav who said that “it is not right to make allegations against the CM or HM when nothing of this sort has been proved.”

Ten students suffer burn injuries in gas cylinder blast in Bulandhshahr

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 02:09 AM PST

Bulandshahr (Uttar Pradesh) [India]: Ten students of a Polytechnic College in Dibai of Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr on Monday suffered burn injuries after a gas cylinder suddenly burst itself in the hostel kitchen, informed Bulandhshahr District Magistrate CP Singh.


After the incident, the students were immediately sent to Aligarh Higher Medical Centre. The students are said to be out of danger. “Today at 9 am in the hostel kitchen of Government Polytechnic Dibai, a small cylinder of 5 kg burst itself while the food was being cooked. 10 students have suffered burn injuries.

They have been admitted to the Aligarh Higher Medical centre. The students are out of danger. SSP and I are going to meet the students,” said the DM.
No student is seriously injured,” he added. 

Capt. Amarinder Singh meets Amit Shah

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 02:06 AM PST

New Delhi [India]: Former Chief Minister and Punjab Lok Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday met Union Minister for Home Affairs Amit Shah in Delhi while expressing confidence that the BJP led alliance will do well in the state Assembly elections.


Addressing the media, Singh, when asked about the prospects of his alliance in the polls, said, “I am not a Pundit. I am not somebody who can predict. My party has done well. The BJP has done well. Let us see what happens.” Further, the former Chief Minister said that his meeting with Union Home Minister in Delhi was to discuss Punjab in general and had nothing to do about the elections.


“Results are not declared yet. I had a general discussion with Home Minister. There’ll be a detailed discussion after the results,” Singh said.


Meanwhile, the BJP national president J P Nadda chaired a meeting with the party’s national general secretaries to take stock of the party’s prospects in the five states – Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa and Manipur.


Punjab witnessed a multi-cornered contest with Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Shiromani Akali Dal-Bahujan Samaj Party alliance, and the coalition of Bharatiya Janata Party-former chief minister Amarinder Singh’s Punjab Lok Congress party as key players.


The result of elections in five states, including Punjab, are to be announced on March 10. 

Will tour to unite farmers after governorship tenure ends-Meghalaya Governor Satya Pal Malik

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 02:01 AM PST

Jind (Haryana) [India]: Meghalaya Governor Satya Pal Malik, while addressing a gathering in Haryana’s Jind, said that he would tour northern India to unite farmers after his tenure as Governor ends and will urge them to form their own government.


“I will soon tour the northern states to unite the farmers and urge them to form their own government in Delhi. Though the PM accepted some of their demands, many issues remain unaddressed,” said Malik on Sunday. “This is the time to change the government. Get united and form your own government,” he added.


Malik has been a vocal opponent of now repealed Centre’s three farm laws which witnessed protest by farmers for a year on the border of the national capital.


“We had lost more than 700 farmers and the Prime Minister, who used to write a letter on the death of a bitch, did not even speak a single word to condole their death,” Malik said charging an attack on the government.


Alleging the mala fide intentions behind the passage of three farm laws, Meghalaya Governor said, “the Union Government has failed to give legal guarantee on the MSP because the Prime Minister’s friend, who had constructed a godown on 50 acres of land in Panipat before the three farm laws were brought, want to purchase wheat at lower prices and sell the same at higher prices and this is a battle between farmers and government.”


Both the houses of Parliament passed the three farm laws on September 2020. The three laws enacted were the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.


Farmers, mainly from Punjab and Haryana, started protesting against the laws on the Delhi border from November 2020.


Several rounds of talks were held between farmers’ leaders and the central government.


On November 19 2021, Prime Minister Modi announced that the Centre will roll back the farm laws.


After the Prime Minister’s announcement, Samyukta Kisan Morcha, an umbrella organisation under which many farm unions were protesting against the laws, on December 9, 2021 announced the suspension of their year-long agitation.


The laws were repealed after the requisite bills were passed during the winter session of Parliament which began on November 23, 2021. 

Padma awardee Pandit Chhannulal Mishra appeals for larger voters’ turnout

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 01:56 AM PST

Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh): Hindustani classical singer and Padma awardee Pandit Chhannulal Mishra on Monday cast his vote in the seventh and last phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections and appealed to people to exercise their voting power.


Speaking outside a polling booth in Varanasi, he said, “I appeal to the public to come out and vote in large numbers. Each vote counts.” “A single vote sometimes decides the fate of the candidates. Vote for whoever you want,” he added.


A few days ago, the Padma awardee had showered his blessings upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi at ‘Prabudh Sammelan (intellectual meet)’ in Varanasi.


He had said that the Prime Minister has “renewed Banaras”.
The Prime Minister in his Parliamentary constituency Varanasi had also held a high-octane campaign.


Speaking at the meeting of the intellectuals, Pandit Mishra had said, “I bless my Prime Minister that he remains healthy and keeps leading our country forward. He has renewed Banaras. Everyone should bless Prime Minister that he remains with us like this.”


The classical singer also dedicated a hymn to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.


A total of 613 candidates are in the electoral fray for the 54 Assembly constituencies spread across nine districts of Mau, Azamgarh, Jaunpur, Ghazipur, Varanasi, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, and Bhadohi (Sant Ravidas Nagar).
Voting for the last phase of the seven-phased Uttar Pradesh elections began at 7 am today and will continue till 6 pm.


The counting of votes will take place on March 10. 

Maharashtra farm loan waiver data bogus – alleges BJP

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 01:53 AM PST

Mumbai (Maharashtra): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders on Monday raised the issue of farm loan waiver, including bogus reporting of data, in the Maharashtra Assembly.


Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly Devendra Fadnavis questioned the government over reports of farmers, whose loans had been waived off, not getting fresh loans from the banks. “I request the government to furnish the details of loan waiver in the House,” said Fadnavis.


Replying to Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that the state government hasn’t received any such complaint so far. But if such a situation arises the state government will issue a notification to the banks, he added.


Meanwhile, the BJP MLA Chandrakant Patil raised the issue of bogus reporting of data in the scheme of loan waivers.


However, state minister Shamrao Pandurang Patil refuted the allegation, saying “no such case has been reported”

Snow leopard spotted near Kaza, Spiti Valley; Watch

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 01:47 AM PST

Kaza (Himachal Pradesh): A fully grown snow leopard was seen by ITBP troops near Kaza, Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh at 12,500 feet on Monday morning.


The snow leopard is the state animal of Himachal Pradesh and the state forest department has been putting efforts to conserve snow leopards in the hill state. Snow leopards can be usually sighted near Komic, Hikkim, Kibbar, Pangi, Miar and Demul regions of Himachal Pradesh. Watch

UP polls: NDA will win all 5 Mirzapur seats; Apna Dal chief Anupriya Patel

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 01:41 AM PST

Mirzapur (Uttar Pradesh): Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Apna Dal (Sonelal) National President Anupriya Patel on Monday said that the NDA candidates will win all five seats in Mirzapur.


Speaking to media persons after casting her vote at a booth in Mirzapur, Patel said, “I am assured that all five seats in the constituency will be won our NDA candidates.” Apna Dal is contesting Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections in alliance with the BJP.


Apna Dal is a constituent of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). In the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, Apna Dal had contested 11 seats and managed to win nine. This time the party is contesting on 18 seats.


Polling is underway for the last phase of the state Assembly elections. Till 1 pm, a voter turnout of over 35 per cent was recorded.


A total of 613 candidates are in the electoral fray for the 54 Assembly constituencies spread across nine districts of Mau, Azamgarh, Jaunpur, Ghazipur, Varanasi, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, and Bhadohi (Sant Ravidas Nagar).


Voting for the last phase of the seven-phased Uttar Pradesh elections began at 7 am today and will continue till 6 pm.

The counting of votes will take place on March 10. 

UP polls: SP-SBSP to win 45-47 seats in Purvanchal; OP Rajbhar

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 01:38 AM PST

Kasimabad (Uttar Pradesh): Amid voting for the last phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party chief OP Rajbhar on Monday exuded confidence of winning over 45 seats in the Purvanchal region of the state.


A former BJP ally, the SBSP has sealed an alliance with Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party for these Assembly elections. Speaking on the matter Rajbhar said, “We’ll win 45-47 seats in the Purvanchal region. We are winning on five of eight seats in Varanasi, three of four seats in Chandauli, seven of nine seats in Jaunpur.”


Further, the SBSP chief said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) will not win a single seat in Ghazipur, Mau, Azamgarh, Ambedkar Nagar and Ballia.


Meanwhile, the average voter turnout in the last leg of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections was reported to be at 35.51 per cent till 1 pm.


A total of 613 candidates are in the electoral fray for the 54 Assembly constituencies spread across nine districts of Mau, Azamgarh, Jaunpur, Ghazipur, Varanasi, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, and Bhadohi (Sant Ravidas Nagar).


Voting for the last phase of the seven-phased Uttar Pradesh elections will continue till 6 pm.


The constituencies where polling is underway are Atraulia, Gopalpur, Sagadi, Mubarakpur, Azamgarh, Nizamabad, Phulpur-Powai, Deedarganj, Lalganj (SC), Mehnagar (SC), Madhuban, Ghosi, Muhammadabad-Gohna (SC), Mau, Badlapur, Shahganj, Ghazipur, Jangipur, Zahurabad, Mohammedabad, Zamania, Mughalsarai, Sakaldiha, Saidaraja, Chakia (SC), Pindra, Ajgara (SC), Shivpur, Rohaniya, Varanasi North, Varanasi South, Varanasi Cantonment, Sevapuri, Bhadohi, Gyanpur, Aurai (SC), Chanbe (SC), Mirzapur, Majhawan, Chunar, Madihan, Ghorawal, Robertsganj, Obra (ST) and Duddhi (ST). Of these, 11 seats are reserved for scheduled castes and 2 for scheduled tribes.


A total of 2.06 crore voters are eligible to cast their votes while 613 candidates are in the electoral fray in the 54 Assembly seats.


The counting of votes will take place on March 10.

Poor arrangement cause of low voter turnout in Varanasi; Congress leader Ajay Rai

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 01:31 AM PST

Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh): Congress leader Ajay Rai on Monday charged that the low voter turnout in the last leg of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections was due to the lack of proper arrangements by the local administration.


He also said that Congress will gain a majority in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. After casting his vote in Varanasi, the Congress leader said, “Not many people can be seen … unlike earlier elections when long queues used to be seen outside the polling booths.

They haven’t made proper arrangements, and people are forced to stand in the open. People don’t seem to be excited. Yet, we will get the majority.”


He further said that the important issues of the elections are unemployment and inflation.


The Congress leader claimed that after the polling ends today, the prices of fuel will increase.


“The government is not doing anything to control inflation,” he alleged.
Last month, Rai had stirred controversy, saying that after the results, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi ”will be buried in salt”.


Indicating that the BJP government is set to lose the elections, he had said, “Post results, the leaders, including Modi and Yogi, will be buried in the same salt (which the government claims to be giving free of cost to the people).”


These comments came in a video that had gone viral wherein Rai had commented on the UP government’s scheme to provide salt and cooking oil along with free grains to the people.


Rai had contested the Lok Sabha elections against the Prime Minister from the Varanasi Parliamentary constituency twice.


Polling is underway for the last phase of the state Assembly elections. Till 1 pm, a voter turnout of over 35 per cent was recorded in the state.


A total of 613 candidates are in the electoral fray for the 54 Assembly constituencies spread across nine districts of Mau, Azamgarh, Jaunpur, Ghazipur, Varanasi, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, and Bhadohi (Sant Ravidas Nagar).


Voting for the last phase of the seven-phased Uttar Pradesh elections began at 7 am today and will continue till 6 pm.


The counting of votes will take place on March 10.

Arrested Ex-NSE chief Chitra Ramkrishna produced before court

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 01:25 AM PST

Former National Stock Exchange (NSE) chief Chitra Ramkrishna, was arrested last night by the CBI and was brought to the courtroom at Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court today.

She was confronted with her former aide Anand Subramanian, but she refused to recognise him, the agency told the court today.

CBI is seeking a 14 day-remand of Chitra, to confront her with officials of NSE and SEBI, says CBI counsel in court

“We have recovered 2,500 email exchanges between the accused,” the CBI said, seeking 14-day custody of Chitra Ramkrishna, who has been arrested in a case of market manipulation.

Ms Ramkrishna’s lawyer argued that she had been questioned for eight days and that she appeared before the CBI on Saturday and Sunday, even after the court rejected her request for protection from arrest.

The CBI said: “She gave evasive answers and that’s why we had to arrest her. We need to confront her with the evidence.”

Ms Ramkrishna was accused of taking decisions under the influence of a yogi living in the Himalayas by market regulator SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) in a report.

PM Modi, Zelensky speak- discuss evolving situation in Ukraine

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 01:15 AM PST

Prime Minister Modi spoke on phone to President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine.The phone call lasted for about 35 minutes. The two leaders discussed the evolving situation in Ukraine. PM appreciated the continuing direct dialogue between Russia & Ukraine: GoI Sources

PM Modi also sought Ukraine’s support in the evacuation of Indian nationals stuck in Ukraine’s Sumy. 

Indian rupee plunges to a record low of 77.02 against a dollar

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 12:43 AM PST

The Indian rupee plunged to a record low of 77.02 against a US dollar on Monday as a sharp rise in crude oil prices amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict dampened investors’ sentiments.


At the interbank foreign currency market, the rupee hit a low of 77.02 against a US dollar in the intra-day trade on Monday against its Friday’s close at 76.16 against a dollar. The Indian rupee has weakened sharply in the last couple of weeks due to a sharp rise in crude oil prices in the international markets.


The Brent crude oil price surged to near $130 a barrel, the highest level since 2008.
Due to high crude oil prices, India’s trade and fiscal deficits are set to rise. This will put increasing pressure on the Indian currency.

PM Modi speaks to Ukraine’s Zelensky, seeks support in evacuation of Indians from Sumy

Posted: 07 Mar 2022 12:25 AM PST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky amid the ongoing conflict with Russia, and sought continued support from his government for the evacuation of Indian nationals from Sumy.

The Prime Minister also appreciated the continuing direct dialogue between Ukraine and Russia, Government of India sources informed.

In a phone call that lasted for about 35 minutes, PM Modi thanked President Zelensky for the help extended by the Government of Ukraine in the evacuation of Indian nationals from Ukraine.

As per the sources, the two leaders discussed the evolving situation in Ukraine.

“PM Modi appreciated the continuing direct dialogue between Russia and Ukraine,” sources added.

Notably, PM Modi will also be speaking to Russian President Vladimir Putin today.

Since the beginning of the conflict on February 24 when Russia launched a special military operation on Ukraine, the Prime Minister has spoken to both the leaders twice.

On February 26, PM Modi spoke to Ukrainian President Zelensky in which the latter briefed the Prime Minister in detail about the ongoing conflict situation. After India abstained during a vote in the United Nations Security council, Zelensky spoke to PM Modi and sought India’s political support at the UNSC.

The Indian prime minister had spoken to the Russian President on February 24 night and then on March 2. In his last call, PM Modi reviewed the situation in Ukraine, especially in Kharkiv and both the leaders had also discussed the safe evacuation of the Indian nationals from the conflict areas, according to the Prime Minister’s office.

Meanwhile, tensions have escalated following Russia’s military action in Ukraine and the government has arranged flights from countries neighbouring Ukraine for the evacuation of Indian students under ‘Operation Ganga’.

On Sunday the Indian government said that since February 22, it has so far evacuated nearly 16,000 Indian students from Ukraine through flights from Ukraine’s neighbouring countries.

COVID-19: SC expresses concerns against fake medical certificates to avail ex-gratia compensation

Posted: 06 Mar 2022 11:50 PM PST

The Supreme Court on Monday warned against the misuse of its order to get ex-gratia compensation for COVID-19 death on the basis of fake medical certificate and observed that it would order an independent probe to catch those who indulged in such practice.

A bench headed by Justice MR Shah expressed serious concerns at fake certificates being issued by doctors to enable undeserving people to claim the ex-gratia compensation for COVID-19 deaths.

The apex court sought suggestion on a mechanism to curb fake COVID-19 death certificates, being issued to avail Rs. 50,000 ex gratia.

Our orders should not be allowed to be misused, said the bench while observing that some doctors are preparing fake certificates to justify COVID-19 deaths.

At the outset, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, mentioned the issue of fake COVID-19 certificates or fake claims and how the same can be curbed.

He suggested to the bench that there has to be a definite time limit for filing the application and availing the benefit of ex-gratia compensation by next of kin of those who have succumbed to the deadly COVID-19.

The Solicitor General submitted that a limitation period should now be prescribed as the process cannot go on indefinitely. “This court may direct that whoever applies gets the compensation, but there may be a direction that there should be a fixed date and it cannot be an endless proces,” Mehta added.

The bench also observed that the process of application cannot go on indefinitely.

“There must be some time limit, otherwise the process will go endlessly, even for 5-6 years,” said the apex court.

“Please suggest how can we curb the issue of fake certificates being issued by Doctors. It may take away someone’s real opportunity”, Justice Shah told senior Advocate R Basant who was appearing for the State of Kerala.

The bench posted the matter for hearing on March 14.

The apex court was hearing a petition filed by lawyer-cum-petitioner, Gaurav Kumar Bansal, seeking an ex-gratia compensation for those family members, who died due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier, the top court had approved the Centre’s disaster management guidelines on payment of Rs 50,000 ex-gratia compensation to the next kin of those who died of Covid-19 and said the money should be disbursed within 30 days of applying.

On the previous hearing, the top court had directed all the states governments and Union Territories to appoint dedicated nodal officer, not below the rank of Deputy Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, to coordinate with the member secretary of the State Legal Services Authority (SLSA) to facilitate payment of ex-gratia compensation to family members of COVID-19 victims.

It had said the nodal officer should ensure all eligible claimants apply for ex-gratia compensation.

New Zealand imposes sanctions on about 100 Russians, including Putin: Foreign Ministry

Posted: 06 Mar 2022 11:46 PM PST

New Zealand has introduced sanctions against the Russian leadership, including President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, with the total list amounting to some 100 Russians, the foreign ministry said on Monday.

“Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta announced the introduction of targeted travel bans against Russian Government officials and other individuals associated with the Russian invasion of Ukraine,” the ministry said in a statement.

The list also includes Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova among others.

UP Polls: 21.55% voter turnout till 11AM

Posted: 06 Mar 2022 10:43 PM PST

21.55% voters turnout was recorded till 11 am in the seventh and final phase of Uttar Pradesh elections.

Mau recorded the highest voter turn out 24.74% and Gazipur the lowest turnout at 19.35% till 11AM.

Varanasi witnessed 21.21% and Azamgarh 20.12% voter turnout till 11 AM.

8.58% voter turnout recorded till 9 am in last phase of Uttar Pradesh elections. Polling is underway in 54 Assembly seats across 9 districts.

South Korean companies suffering losses due to economic sanctions against Russia

Posted: 06 Mar 2022 10:39 PM PST

South Korean trading companies are suffering from economic sanctions on Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine.

Due to the US and European countries-led economic sanctions against Russia, lots of Korean exporting companies are facing difficulties such as payment delays or withdrawal from trading with Russia. There are also some cases that cargo ships heading Ukraine or Russia arrived in third countries. In addition, as global major shipping companies have announced to suspend shipments to Russia, shipment disruptions are also expected. As it could lead to production disruptions, Korean exporters are deeply concerned.

According to the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) on March 4, the number of problems reported to the Ukraine crisis task force is 302 cases for 8 days from February 24 to March 2. Today’s cases increased 48 cases (16 companies) from 254 cases on the previous day (188 companies).

The most frequently reported issue is export payment problems (170 cases, 56.2 per cent). It is followed by logistics (94 cases, 31.1 per cent), lack of information (25 cases, 8.3 per cent) and others (13 cases, 4.4 per cent).

Many of the Korean exporting companies did not receive export payments or expect the payments will be postponed.

A Korean cosmetic exporting company said it has not received export payments from Russian buyers. It also said that some Russian partners are refusing to receive shipped goods or pay fees due to the rise in the exchange rate of the Russian rubles. This company asked the task force to extend the repayment due dates of bank loans to stabilize and maintain its management affected by the Ukraine crisis.

In the case of another exporting company, its Russian buyer asked to stop trading and refund the down payment.

This is because the payment through banks has become difficult due to sanctions on Russian banks and the ruble’s collapse. As additional orders have been also cancelled, concerns have grown over the business in the future. Companies that have yet to receive export payments that were transferred before financial sanctions also continue to be reported.

In addition, as the international oil price has recently exceeded USD100 due to Ukraine’s geopolitical risks, the shipments and transportation fees are also expected to increase.

In this situation, some Russian local buyers are requiring issuing the ‘Surrender B/L (a legal document issued by the exporters to terminate their ownership over the sent goods) to Korean exporters. If Korean exporters issued the Surrender B/L, the importer can reduce inconveniences such as shipment delays and additional costs, but the risk increases for Korean exporters.

Another Korean exporter is reportedly having difficulties after shipping goods from its Vietnam plant due to the suspension of the Ho Chi Minh-Russia route. In this case, the company should unload goods in other countries or return the ship to Vietnam. This leads to losses in logistics costs of exporters.

In addition, the shipping industry announced its participation in international sanctions against Russia and suspended shipment reservations to Russia to minimize risks such as the capture of the ships in the Black Sea. The Korean shipping company HMM is also considering stopping shipments to Russia.

Korea is highly dependent on Russia in energy imports, including crude oil, and is importing some rare metals from Ukraine. Accordingly, concerns have grown over the supply disruptions and increase in import prices among Korean manufacturing companies. Hyundai’s St. Petersburg plant in Russia has suspended its operation from March 1 to 5 due to global supply chain disruptions and parts shortages.

Shreyas Talpade’s ‘Kaun Pravin Tambe?’ to be released on April 1

Posted: 06 Mar 2022 10:26 PM PST

Shreyas Talpade-starrer ‘Kaun Pravin Tambe?’ is scheduled to be released on Disney+Hotstar on April 1.

Helmed by Jayprad Desai, the upcoming film is based on the life of Mumbai’s leg-spinner Pravin Tambe.

Tambe became the talk of the town when he was picked up by Rahul Dravid-led Rajasthan Royals for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2013. In 2012, the then 41-year-old was named in Mumbai’s squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Happy to portray Tambe on-screen, Shreyas, whose Bollywood debut Iqbal coincidentally had a cricket-based plot said, “After 17 years of playing the lead in Iqbal, I feel very fortunate that I am portraying Pravin on screen. The role and the story provided me with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I loved & treasured every minute of filming. I am very grateful to Bootroom Sports and Fox Star Studios and our immensely talented director Jayprad who envisioned me in this role.”

He added, ” It’s an honour to represent Pravin and I will always treasure the time spent with him in preparing for this role which required a new level of dedication and effort from all of us. I hope our audiences not only enjoy the film but are touched and inspired by it.”

Written by Kiran Yadnyopavit, ‘Kaun Pravin Tambe?’ will be out in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu languages.

Juventus’ Weston McKennie ruled out for rest of season

Posted: 06 Mar 2022 10:20 PM PST

Juventus’ Weston McKennie will not feature in the ongoing 2021-2022 season for the Serie A side after the midfielder sustained a foot injury.

The 23-year-old suffered a fracture during a midweek Champions League clash against Villareal on February 22.

The team initially projected an 8-12 week recovery period, but manager Massimiliano Allegri has now revealed that he will not figure again until the 2022-23 campaign gets underway.

Discussing his recent preference for fielding a three-man defensive unit, Bianconeri boss Allegri told DAZN, as per goal.com: “Lately we have used it a little more often, especially after Danilo’s return. I hope to recover [Leonardo] Bonucci and [Giorgio] Chiellini soon, because we need physical and mental energy.”

“In midfield we are very short, I wait for [Denis] Zakaria because McKennie won’t get back until next season,” he added.

At the Allianz Stadium on Sunday, Juventus earned three important points on the back of the second 1-0 victory of the week, this time against Spezia.

After the Italian Cup semi-final success, Juve collected a 15th Serie A match win this season, which strengthened their grip on fourth place, six points ahead of Atalanta and Roma.

A poor clearance by Spezia goalkeeper Ivan Provedel was quickly fed forward by Daniele Rugani to Dusan Vlahovic, who likewise played a first-time pass to Locatelli. The midfielder rolled the ball into the path of Alvaro Morata, who side-footed his shot beyond Provedel for a deserved lead on 21 minutes.

Women’s 25m pistol team win India’s third gold in Cairo

Posted: 06 Mar 2022 10:15 PM PST

In the women’s 25m pistol team event final, India defeated Singapore 17-13 to clinch their third gold of the ISSF World Cup 2022 on Sunday.

Rahi Sarnobat, Esha Singh and Rhythm Sangwan defeated the Singaporean trio of Xiu Hong, Shun Xie and Ling Chiao Nicole Tan in the gold medal match-up.

This was Esha Singh’s second gold and third medal of the ongoing World Cup as she had won the women’s 10m air pistol team event to add to the silver she won in the women’s 10m air pistol individual event.

India further added to their medal count on the day, after Shriyanka Sadangi and Akhil Sheoran beat Austria’s Rebecca Koeck and Gernot Rumpler 16-10 in the bronze medal match of the 50m rifle 3 positions mixed team competition.

On Tuesday, Saurabh Chaudhary clinched India’s first gold medal in Cairo. The 19-year-old Indian defeated Michael Schwald of Germany 16-6 in the gold medal match of the Men’s 10m Air Pistol event.

Russia declares ceasefire to enable evacuations

Posted: 06 Mar 2022 10:06 PM PST

The Russian armed forces announced a ceasefire from 10:00 am (07:00 GMT) for the residents of Ukraine capital Kiev, Mariupol, Kharkiv, Sumy to leave the cities, local media reported citing interdepartmental coordination headquarters for humanitarian response in Ukraine on Monday.


“Given the catastrophic humanitarian situation and its sharp aggravation in the cities of Kiev, Kharkiv, Sumy and Mariupol, as well as at the personal request of French President Emmanuel Macron to Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, the Russian armed forces announce ceasefire for humanitarian purposes from 10:00 March 7, 2022, and open humanitarian corridors,” the response center said in a statement.

During the ceasefire, Russia will control the evacuation of residents from the cities of Ukraine with the help of drones, the statement read cited by the Sputnik News Agency said.


“We warn that all attempts by the Ukrainian side once again to deceive Russia and the entire civilised world in disrupting the humanitarian operation, allegedly through the fault of Russia, this time is useless and meaningless,” the headquarters said.


According to the headquarters, this information has been communicated to the relevant structures of the UN, the OSCE, the ICRC and other international organisations through all available information resources, including the media.


“We demand that the Ukrainian side strictly fulfil all the conditions for the creation of humanitarian corridors in the above-mentioned directions and ensure an organised withdrawal of civilians and foreign citizens,” the statement added, Sputnik reported.

PM Modi likely to speak to both Putin & Zelensky today

Posted: 06 Mar 2022 09:26 PM PST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the phone today: GoI sources

The call comes amid Russia vowing to press ahead with invasion unless Kyiv surrenders.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will speak with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky today, government sources have said.

The call comes amid Russia vowing to press ahead with invasion unless Kyiv surrenders.

Sensex, Nifty open in deep red

Posted: 06 Mar 2022 09:01 PM PST

The Indian equity indices staged a huge gap-down opening on Monday amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, rising Crude prices and weak global cues.

Gold hit the key level of $2,000 per ounce as investors rushed towards safe-haven assets. Oil prices surged above the $130 mark to hit their highest since 2008.

At about 9:25 am, the benchmark BSE Sensex was trading 52,906, down 1,428 points or 2.63% while the broader NSE Nifty dived 398 points or 2.45 per cent to 15,847.

Mid-and small-cap shares were trading in the negative zone as Nifty Midcap 100 index slipped 2.62 per cent up and small-cap shares shed 2.41 per cent.

Nifty Auto and Nifty Bank were underperforming the index by falling as much as 4.38 per cent and 3.69 per cent, respectively, in early trade. However, Nifty Metal moved as much as 0.47 per cent higher.

Russian forces restrict communication network at Zaporizhzhya Nuclear facility

Posted: 06 Mar 2022 08:50 PM PST

Zaporizhzhya [Ukraine]: Russian forces at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) have switched off some mobile networks and the internet so that reliable information from the site cannot be obtained through the normal channels of communication, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) informed in a press release on Sunday.


Citing Ukrainian nuclear regulator, IAEA said that they were informed that Ukrainian officials had started having major problems in communicating with staff operating the Zaporizhzhya NPP.

This comes less than 24 hours after Ukraine’s regulatory authority said it had been able to maintain communications with Ukraine’s largest nuclear power plant.

“It (Ukraine’s regulatory authority) today said the phone lines, as well as e-mails and fax, were not functioning anymore. Mobile phone communication was still possible, but with poor quality,” IAEA informed.


IAEA also informed that the plant management is now under orders from the commander of the Russian forces that took control of the site last week, adding further that any action of plant management – including measures related to the technical operation of the six reactor units requires prior approval by the Russian commander.


“I’m extremely concerned about these developments that were reported to me today. Just a few days after I presented the seven main elements of nuclear safety and security to the IAEA Board, several of them are already being compromised.

In order to be able to operate the plant safely and securely, management and staff must be allowed to carry out their vital duties in stable conditions without undue external interference or pressure,” IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said.


Despite the communication issues, the (Ukrainian) regulator was able to provide updated information about the operational status of the Zaporizhzhya NPP and to confirm that radiation levels there remained normal, the press release further said.


IAEA also said that the Ukrainian regulator was facing problems communicating with personnel at the Chornobyl NPP, which at the moment was only possible with e-mails. At the Chornobyl NPP, the staff of more than 200 technical personnel and guards have still not been able to rotate since 23 February, IAEA said citing Ukrainian regulator.


Russian forces took control of the site of the 1986 accident on 24 February.
“I call on those in effective control of the Chornobyl NPP to immediately allow staff there to rotate for the sake of safety and security,” Grossi said.


The development comes days after clashes erupted between Russian and Ukrainian troops near the Zaporizhzhia NPP facility, followed by a Russian shelling near the nuclear facility which resulted in a fire in a training facility adjacent to the reactors. The Russian troops eventually occupied the nuclear facility.


IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi in a press conference on Friday had informed that the nuclear reactors in the facility were safe, and no radiation occurred. 

Indian student shot at in Kyiv to reach Delhi this evening

Posted: 06 Mar 2022 08:45 PM PST

Kyiv [Ukraine]: Harjot Singh, the Indian student who had sustained bullet injuries in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv is set to land in New Delhi by Monday evening as part of the Centre’s evacuation programme ‘Operation Ganga’.


The student has crossed the Ukrainian border and entered neighbouring Poland and is among the stranded Indians being brought back. His flight is expected to land at the Hindon Air Base later this evening. “Harjot Singh has crossed the border and entered Poland. Indian diplomats were present with him. He has been shifted into an ambulance provided by Polish RedCross on the border,” Puneet Singh Chandhok, President of the Indian World Forum said.


Earlier in a video, Harjot is seen speaking about his journey and informed that he is en route to the Poland border.


“Now we are going to the Poland border… everything is okay… the journey till now had been very hard, but I was motivated that I have to return to India somehow,” he said in an ambulance.

Earlier, Union Minister General VK Singh, who is in Poland to oversee evacuation efforts tweeted that Harjot Singh will reach India on Monday.


“Harjot Singh, the Indian student who was shot at during the conflict in Kyiv and had lost his passport in the chaos, will be reaching India with us tomorrow. Wish him a speedy recovery with home food and care,” the minister of state for Civil Aviation tweeted.


Meanwhile, Harjot thanked the Indian officials for the assistance and support, saying, “It is due to all your support that I am here today, thank you very much to everyone”.


Speaking from his hospital bed in Kyiv on Friday, Harjot Singh urged the Indian embassy in Ukraine to evacuate him and help him with documentation.
The student had said that he sustained multiple injuries due to bullets fired at the car in which he was travelling.


“This is February 27 incident. We were three people in a cab on our way to the third checkpoint where we were told to return due to security reasons. While coming back, multiple bullets were fired at our car due to which I sustained multiple bullet injuries,” Harjot Singh said. The Indian student said he regained consciousness at 10 pm on the night of March 2.


The Indian student pursuing studies in Information Technology said that he has got a new life.


Tensions have escalated following Russia’s military action in Ukraine and the government has arranged flights from countries neighbouring Ukraine for the evacuation of Indian students.


On Sunday the government said that since February 22, it has so far evacuated nearly 16,000 Indian students from Ukraine through flights from Ukraine’s neighbouring countries.

6-year-old girl injured in blast in Afghanistan’s Tirinkot

Posted: 06 Mar 2022 08:37 PM PST

A six-year-old child was injured in a blast in the Tirinkot area of Afghanistan’s Uruzgan province, according to local media.


Citing officials, Pajhwok Afghan News reported that the explosion occurred at a scrap metal shop on Sunday. Qari Mahmood Mudassar, the spokesman for the Uruzgan governor’s office, said a six-year-old girl was injured in the incident, which took place at around 2 pm in a shop in the capital, Tirinkot, Pajhwok Afghan News reported.


Mudassar added that security forces were trying to determine the cause of the blast.


Last month, two children were killed and two others were injured after an explosion occurred in Khanabad district of Afghanistan’s Kunduz province.

Month long Holi celebration begins in Mathura

Posted: 06 Mar 2022 08:34 PM PST

Mathura (Uttar Pradesh): Mathura’s iconic celebration of the festival of Holi has begun with the devotees celebrating the festival at Guru Sharanand Ashram in Raman Reti of Gokul in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura.


The 40-day long celebrations began with the devotes celebrating the festival with Abir Gulal, flower petals and sweet laddoos.


“We come here every year from Delhi to celebrate Holi. From lath marr holi to pholo (flowers) ki holi, everything is celebrated here,” said a devotee.


As a tradition in Raman Reti, preachers and devotees celebrate Holi with a man dressed in the attire of Lord Krishna.

“Celebrating Holi with Thakurji (God) here in Raman Reti on this auspicious occasion is luck for everyone present here,” said a saint. 

New COVID cases at 4,362 in last 24 hours

Posted: 06 Mar 2022 08:30 PM PST

New Delhi [India]: Continuing with the declining trend of COVID-19 cases, India logged 4,362 new cases on Monday.


India had reported 5,476 new infections on Sunday. The country’s active caseload currently stands at 54,118. It accounts for 0.13 per cent of total cases, as per government data.


Although the fresh COVID-19 cases witnessed a dip since yesterday, the daily positivity rate slightly to 0.71 per cent from 0.60 per cent on Sunday. The weekly positivity rate is 0.73 per cent.


In the last 24 hours, 9,620 people recovered from the infection taking the cumulative recoveries to 4,23,98,095. Consequently, the recovery rate is at 98.68 per cent.
The death toll of the country is 5,15,102. Of these, 66 people succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours.


With 6,12,926 tests conducted in the last 24 hours, the total tests conducted so far rose to 77.34 crores.


Meanwhile, in the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination drive, 178.90 crore vaccine doses have been administered so far to eligible beneficiaries. Notably, India’s vaccination drive against the virus commenced on January 16, 2021.

MCD polls: Candidate expenditure limit increased to Rs 8 lakh

Posted: 06 Mar 2022 08:27 PM PST

New Delhi [India]: Delhi State Election Commission has increased the limit of expenditure that can be incurred by a candidate in the elections for the city’s three municipal corporations to Rs 8 lakh, reads the official statement.


According to the statement, SK Srivastava, State Election Commissioner, said, “In exercise of the powers conferred under rule 109 of the Delhi Municipal Corporation (Election of Councillors) Rules, 2012, I, SK Srivastava, State Election Commissioner of NCT of Delhi, hereby fix the maximum limit of expenditure to be incurred by as candidate at an election to a ward of three Municipal Corporations of Delhi viz.

North Delhi, South Delhi and East Delhi, to be hereafter as Rs 8,00,000.” Last year it was increased to Rs 7 lakh from Rs 5.75 lakh.


The local body polls in Delhi is scheduled for April this year.

The death toll in Srinagar’s grenade attack rises to 2

Posted: 06 Mar 2022 08:22 PM PST

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir): The death toll in yesterday’s grenade attack at Amira Khadal market in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, has risen to two.


A girl, identified as Rafiya Do Nazar Ahmad Tinda, was critically injured yesterday in the grenade attack and succumbed to her injuries at SMHS hospital Srinagar on Monday morning. She is a resident of Hazratbal Srinagar. Earlier on Sunday, the police informed that 24 people were injured in the grenade attack including 23 civilians and one police personnel. An old man succumbed to injuries yesterday.

The area was cordoned off after a grenade attack on Sunday. 

Quadcopter shot down; Contraband from Pakistan recovered

Posted: 06 Mar 2022 08:18 PM PST

A quadcopter was shot down by BSF troops in the Ferozpur sector in the early morning hours today. Along with the drone, 5 packets containing contraband items were recovered. The quadcopter came to India from the Pakistan side: BSF

19Kgs of Marijuana recovered in Agra; 4 arrested

Posted: 06 Mar 2022 08:15 PM PST

Agra (Uttar Pradesh): Three persons have been arrested in Uttar Pradesh’s Agra for smuggling marijuana from Nepal, police informed on Sunday.


18.980 kilograms of marijuana worth Rs 95 lakh, one mobile and four roadways tickets have been recovered from the accused, Agra SP (Protocol) Shiv Ram Yadav informed.


“The accused are under interrogation, further investigation is underway,” he added.

UP Polls-Yogi Adityanath urges voters to vote in large numbers

Posted: 06 Mar 2022 08:12 PM PST

Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged all voters to exercise their franchise in the last phase of Assembly elections on Monday to “ensure good governance”.


As the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections reach its last leg, said Adityanath, the voters are enthusiastic about voting. “I appeal to all voters to exercise their franchise in the last phase of Assembly elections today.

There is enthusiasm among the voters. Your one vote will help ensure good governance in the state,” he said.


Meanwhile, a total of 2.06 crore are eligible to cast their votes in the final phase of the polls in the state, with 613 candidates in the fray, including a few of the Ministers in the Yogi Adityanath government in the state.


The 54 constituencies going to polls today are spread across nine districts of Mau, Azamgarh, Jaunpur, Ghazipur, Varanasi, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, and Bhadohi (Sant Ravidas Nagar).


Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Parliamentary constituency, and Samajwadi Party’s stronghold Azamgarh are keenly watched electoral battlegrounds in the last phase of the elections.


Varanasi district has eight Assembly seats — Pindra, Ajagara, Shivpur, Rohaniya, Varanasi North, Varanasi South, Varanasi Cantonment, and Sevapuri. Azamgarh district on the other hand has 10 Assembly constituencies — Gopalpur, Sagri, Mubarakpur, Azamgarh, Mehnagar, Atrauliya, Nizamabad, Phoolpur Pawai, Didarganj, and Lalganj.


The counting of votes will take place on March 10. 

Angelina Jolie reaches Yemen to help refugees

Posted: 06 Mar 2022 08:08 PM PST

Amid the ongoing civil war in Yemen, Hollywood star Angelina Jolie recently visited the country in the Middle East to provide aid to the refugees there.

Taking to Instagram, Jolie, who has spent almost two decades working with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, informed her followers that she has “arrived in the capital city of Aden” and also spoke about the struggles being faced by the displaced families, People reported.

“I’ve landed in Aden, to meet displaced families and refugees for UNHCR @refugees and show my support for the people of Yemen,” Jolie wrote in the caption. “I will do my best to communicate from the ground as the days unfold,” she wrote.

She added, “As we continue to watch the horrors unfolding in Ukraine, and call for an immediate end to the conflict and humanitarian access, I’m here in Yemen to support people who also desperately need peace. The situation here is one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, with one civilian killed or injured every hour in 2022. An economy devastated by war, and over 20 million Yemenis depending on humanitarian assistance to survive.”

Jolie likened the country’s ongoing humanitarian crisis to the current devastation in Ukraine, urging compassion for those impacted by both conflicts.

“This week a million people were forced to flee the horrific war in Ukraine. If we learn anything from this shocking situation, it is that we cannot be selective about who deserves support and whose rights we defend. Everyone deserves the same compassion,” she penned. “The lives of civilian victims of conflict everywhere are of equal value. After seven years of war, the people of Yemen also need protection, support, and above all, peace,” she hoped.

For the unversed, Yemen has been convulsed by civil war since 2014. It began with Iran-backed Houthi rebels taking control of the capital Sanaa, and the northern parts of the country.

BJP workers block Delhi Health Minister’s car

Posted: 06 Mar 2022 08:05 PM PST

New Delhi [India]: Protestors in Delhi’s Chhawla area on Sunday tried to stop Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain’s car and raised slogans, said Deputy Commissioner of Police of Dwarka district Shankar Chaudhary.


“Jain had inaugurated a sewer line in Goyala Vihar, under Chhawla Police Station on Sunday. After the inauguration, he left the venue and crossed the Goyala Dairy drain, and headed towards Dwarka where some protesters raised slogans and tried to stop his car,” said Chaudhary.

He said that the police personnel from the nearby picket reached the spot immediately and cleared the way for the minister.

Further, Station House Officer (SHO) of Chhawla police station and Sector 23 Dwarka too reached the spot immediately, added the senior police official.


He further informed that no complaint has been made over the incident.


The DCP also said that there was no prior information given to the police about the programme which was attended by the minister.


The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) “goons” attacked the convoy of the minister.


“The BJP is losing the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) elections. Hence, they are down to what they know best – Violence,” AAP had tweeted, sharing a video of the incident.


Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal slammed the BJP over the incident, alleging the involvement of the party.


“This is BJP. It’s a party of hooligans and ruffians. When they are losing, they show their position. People will tell them their position,” Kejriwal said in a tweet. 

UP polls: Polling underway in SP stronghold Azamgarh

Posted: 06 Mar 2022 07:54 PM PST

Azamgarh (Uttar Pradesh): Polling for the last phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections in Azamgarh, which is the Samajwadi Party’s stronghold, began on Monday morning.


The SP chief Akhilesh Yadav had won the Azamgarh Lok Sabha seat in the 2019 general elections. The SP stronghold had also bagged five out of 10 Assembly seats in the 2017 state elections.

Even while the BJP swept the 2017 state polls, the party had won just one Assembly seat. The BJP has fielded Akhilesh Mishra against SP’s Durga Prasad Yadav from the Azamgarh Assembly seat. Durga Prasad Yadav is yet to lose an election from here since 1985.


Voting for the last phase of the seven-phased Uttar Pradesh elections began at 7 am today and will continue till 6 pm.


Meanwhile, polling is also underway in Mau, South Varanasi.


A total of 613 candidates are in the electoral fray for 54 constituencies across nine districts of Mau, Azamgarh, Jaunpur, Ghazipur, Varanasi, C

handauli, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, and Bhadohi (Sant Ravidas Nagar).
The constituencies that will be polling today are Atraulia, Gopalpur, Sagadi, Mubarakpur, Azamgarh, Nizamabad, Phulpur-Powai, Deedarganj, Lalganj (SC), Mehnagar (SC), Madhuban, Ghosi, Muhammadabad-Gohna (SC),Mau, Badlapur, Shahganj, Ghazipur, Jangipur, Zahurabad, Mohammedabad, Zamania, Mughalsarai, Sakaldiha, Saidaraja, Chakia (SC), Pindra, Ajgara (SC), Shivpur, Rohaniya, Varanasi North, Varanasi South, Varanasi Cantonment, Sevapuri, Bhadohi, Gyanpur, Aurai (SC), Chanbe (SC), Mirzapur, Majhawan, Chunar, Madihan, Ghorawal, Robertsganj, Obra (ST) and Duddhi (ST). Of these, 11 seats are reserved for scheduled castes and 2 for scheduled tribes.


As many as 2.06 crore eligible voters will seal the fate of 613 candidates who are in the electoral fray for 54 Assembly seats.


The counting of votes will take place on March 10. 

La Liga: Barcelona move to 3rd spot after comeback win against Elche, Atletico leapfrog Betis

Posted: 06 Mar 2022 07:53 PM PST

FC Barcelona move to 3rd spot in the La Liga table after their comeback win against Elche on Sunday at Manuel Martinez Valero Stadium.

Barca collected three points from a high tension encounter in Elche. The home side put up a strong fight and led at half-time, meaning Xavi Hernandez’s side needed to pull out all the stops to battle back from behind and ultimately seal a win that means they move up to third in the table.

Fidel Chaves put the home side ahead moments before half-time. At the hour-mark in the game, Ferran Torres put the visitors level. The cross was from Dembele, the setup was from Jordi Alba and the former Man City man stroked the ball over the line.

In the end, the winner came from the spot. Elche defender Antonio Barragan was unfortunate to catch the ball on his shoulder but a penalty it was and Memphis Depay blasted it into the roof of the net.

At the Benito Villamarin, Joao Felix’s brace and Lemar’s goal gave Atletico Madrid three points in a vibrant duel against Real Betis.

In the second minute of play, Joao Felix finished off an assist from Angel Correa to give visitors the lead. But in the stoppage time of the first half, Betis recovered a ball on the edge of the area as Cristian Tello beat Oblak to put home side level.

With half an hour left on the clock, De Paul found Marcos Llorente on the run who set up Joao Felix as Portuguese international restored Atleti’s lead.

Visitors could have extended the lead with chances from Joao Felix and Griezmann, but it was Thomas Lemar who sealed the victory with a goal in the 80′ minute.

With this win, defending champions overtakes Betis in the standings to move into the Champions League places. Atletico Madrid are now on equal points with Barcelona while having played one more match than the Catalan side.

UP polls: Ravindra Jaiswal alleges EVM glitch in Varanasi

Posted: 06 Mar 2022 07:51 PM PST

Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh): Amid the polling for the seventh and final phase of the Assembly elections on Monday, Uttar Pradesh Minister Ravindra Jaiswal alleged that the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) was purposely kept switched off at a booth in Maldahiya, Varanasi, delaying voting by 40 minutes.


Jaiswal is the BJP nominee from Varanasi North constituency. He along with his wife and family members had come to cast vote at the Government Girls Inter College here. “Voting was delayed by around 40 minutes at booth number 311 because of the main power switch connected to the EVM remaining off due to negligence by the polling officer here,” Jaiswal alleged.


Jaiswal further said that he has spoken to the District Magistrate (DM), asking for strict action against the polling officer.


Talking about the Bharatiya Janata Party’s chances in the elections, Jaiswal said that the party will win all the seats in the Varanasi district.


“The BJP will get over 350 seats in this Assembly elections,” he added.
Meanwhile, a total of 2.06 crore are eligible to cast their votes in the final phase of the polls in the state, with 613 candidates in the fray, including a few of the ministers in the Yogi Adityanath government in the state.


The 54 constituencies going to polls today are spread across nine districts of Mau, Azamgarh, Jaunpur, Ghazipur, Varanasi, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, and Bhadohi (Sant Ravidas Nagar).


Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Parliamentary constituency, and Samajwadi Party’s stronghold Azamgarh are keenly watched electoral battlegrounds in the last phase of the elections.


Varanasi district has eight Assembly seats — Pindra, Ajagara, Shivpur, Rohaniya, Varanasi North, Varanasi South, Varanasi Cantonment, and Sevapuri. Azamgarh district on the other hand has 10 Assembly constituencies — Gopalpur, Sagri, Mubarakpur, Azamgarh, Mehnagar, Atrauliya, Nizamabad, Phoolpur Pawai, Didarganj, and Lalganj.
The counting of votes will take place on March 10.

UK to provide extra USD 100 million in aid to Ukraine: Downing Street

Posted: 06 Mar 2022 07:38 PM PST

The United Kingdom will allocate an additional USD 100 million in support to Kyiv amid Russia’s ongoing military operation in Ukraine, Downing Street said on Monday.

“The new USD 100m funding announced today comes on top of the UK training 22,000 soldiers, supplying 2,000 anti-tank missiles, providing £100 million for economic reform and energy independence, and providing £120 million of humanitarian aid including £25 million of match funding to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal,” Downing Street said.

According to the British government, the new grant can be used to support the public sector and social safety nets. The aid will be provided through the World Bank.

Meanwhile, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Sunday that Congress was going to enact USD 10 billion in humanitarian, military and economic support for Ukraine this week.

In the early hours of February 24, Russia launched a “special military operation” in Ukraine after the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR) appealed for help in defending themselves against Kyiv forces. Russia said that the aim of its special operation is to demilitarize and “denazify” Ukraine and that only military infrastructure is being targeted. Moscow has repeatedly stressed that it has no plans to occupy Ukraine. According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the goal is to protect the people of Donbas, “who have been subjected to abuse, genocide by the Kyiv regime for eight years.”

In response to Russia’s operation, Western countries have rolled out a comprehensive sanctions campaign against Moscow which includes airspace closures and restrictive measures targeting numerous Russian officials and entities, media, and financial institutions.

Holi celebration: Month long festivity begins in Mathura

Posted: 06 Mar 2022 07:31 PM PST

Mathura’s iconic celebration of the festival of Holi has begun with the devotees celebrating the festival at Guru Sharanand Ashram in Raman Reti of Gokul in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura.

The 40-day long celebrations began with the devotes celebrating the festival with Abir Gulal, flower petals and sweet laddoos.

“We come here every year from Delhi to celebrate Holi. From lath marr holi to pholo (flowers) ki holi, everything is celebrated here,” said a devotee.

As a tradition in Raman Reti, preachers and devotees celebrate Holi with a man dressed in the attire of Lord Krishna.

“Celebrating Holi with Thakurji (God) here in Raman Reti on this auspicious occasion is luck for everyone present here,” said a saint.

#OperationGanga: Flight carrying 160 Indian students evacuated from Ukraine reaches Delhi

Posted: 06 Mar 2022 07:24 PM PST

A special flight, carrying 160 Indian evacuees from Ukraine, landed here on Monday from Budapest in Hungary.

The Air Asia flight, which evacuated the citizens, evacuated the stranded students from Hungary and landed at the airport at around 4-4.30 am.

Harishma, a student who is a Bengaluru resident, said, “It was really difficult. We travelled for three days through the metro tunnel. After we reached Ukraine border, the Indian Embassy evacuated us and brought us back. They had made all the arrangements such as food and water. I am happy that I am back in the country.”

Gowardhan, another student, said, “After we crossed Ukraine border, the Indian Embassy provided all the facilities. I am thankful to the embassy for evacuating us.”

The Indian Embassy in Kyiv on Saturday said that they will not leave any stone unturned to ensure the safe evacuation of Indian students from the Ukrainian city of Sumy and requested them to keep some more hours of strength.

Over the past week, more than 10,000 Indian students have been evacuated from Ukraine under Operation Ganga. Barring Kharkiv and Sumy, almost all Indians from the remaining regions of Ukraine have been evacuated.

The Embassy said that despite shelling, roadblocks, diversions and other major adversities, food and water continued to be delivered to Pisochyn, in whatever quantities and means available.

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

UP polls last phase: Polling underway in SP stronghold Azamgarh

Posted: 06 Mar 2022 07:18 PM PST

Polling for the last phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections in Azamgarh, which is the Samajwadi Party’s stronghold, began on Monday morning.

The SP chief Akhilesh Yadav had won the Azamgarh Lok Sabha seat in the 2019 general elections. The SP stronghold had also bagged five out of 10 Assembly seats in the 2017 state elections. Even while the BJP swept the 2017 state polls, the party had won just one Assembly seat.

The BJP has fielded Akhilesh Mishra against SP’s Durga Prasad Yadav from the Azamgarh Assembly seat. Durga Prasad Yadav is yet to lose an election from here since 1985.

Voting for the last phase of the seven-phased Uttar Pradesh elections began at 7 am today and will continue till 6 pm.

Meanwhile, polling is also underway in Mau, South Varanasi.

A total of 613 candidates are in the electoral fray for 54 constituencies across nine districts of Mau, Azamgarh, Jaunpur, Ghazipur, Varanasi, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, and Bhadohi (Sant Ravidas Nagar).

The constituencies that will be polling today are Atraulia, Gopalpur, Sagadi, Mubarakpur, Azamgarh, Nizamabad, Phulpur-Powai, Deedarganj, Lalganj (SC), Mehnagar (SC), Madhuban, Ghosi, Muhammadabad-Gohna (SC),Mau, Badlapur, Shahganj, Ghazipur, Jangipur, Zahurabad, Mohammedabad, Zamania, Mughalsarai, Sakaldiha, Saidaraja, Chakia (SC), Pindra, Ajgara (SC), Shivpur, Rohaniya, Varanasi North, Varanasi South, Varanasi Cantonment, Sevapuri, Bhadohi, Gyanpur, Aurai (SC), Chanbe (SC), Mirzapur, Majhawan, Chunar, Madihan, Ghorawal, Robertsganj, Obra (ST) and Duddhi (ST). Of these, 11 seats are reserved for scheduled castes and 2 for scheduled tribes.

As many as 2.06 crore eligible voters will seal the fate of 613 candidates who are in the electoral fray for 54 Assembly seats.

The counting of votes will take place on March 10.

Three held in Agra for smuggling 19 Kg marijuana from Nepal.

Posted: 06 Mar 2022 06:52 PM PST

Three persons have been arrested in Uttar Pradesh’s Agra for smuggling marijuana from Nepal, police informed on Sunday.

18.980 kilograms of marijuana worth Rs 95 lakh, one mobile and four roadways tickets have been recovered from the accused, Agra SP (Protocol) Shiv Ram Yadav informed.

“The accused are under interrogation, further investigation is underway,” he added.

UP elections: Polling begins in 54 constituencies for last phase.

Posted: 06 Mar 2022 06:35 PM PST

Polling began on Monday on 54 seats for the seventh and last phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

As many as 2.06 crore eligible voters will seal the fate of 613 candidates who are in the fray including some ministers in the Yogi Adityanath government.

54 constituencies going to polls today spread across nine districts of Mau, Azamgarh, Jaunpur, Ghazipur, Varanasi, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, and Bhadohi (Sant Ravidas Nagar).

Among the keenly watched contests will be in Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s parliamentary constituency and SP’s stronghold Azamgarh which elected Akhilesh Yadav to Lok Sabha in 2019.

Varanasi district has 8 Assembly seats– Pindra, Ajagara, Shivpur, Rohaniya, Varanasi North, Varanasi South, Varanasi Cantt, and Sevapuri Assembly seats while in Azamgarh, there are 10 constituencies– Gopalpur, Sagri, Mubarakpur, Azamgarh, Mehnagar, Atrauliya, Nizamabad, Phoolpur Pawai, Didarganj, and Lalganj.

The counting of votes will take place on March 10.

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