| Railway constable saves man from falling into gap between platform, train in Mumbai Posted: 13 Mar 2022 07:44 AM PDT Mumbai (Maharashtra): The timely intervention of a Railway Protection Force (RPF) constable saved the life of a man from falling into the gap between the platform and the train at Wadala station in Mumbai on Sunday.
The passenger slipped and fell while boarding a moving local train. The Central Railway shared a clip of the incident on Twitter, which shows the passenger is falling off the moving train. As soon as the passenger falls on the platform, the RPF constable drags the man safely.
“Timely act of RPF constable Netrapal Singh saved the life of a passenger who slipped and fell down while boarding the running local train at Wadala station,” the tweet reads.
The Central Railway also urged people not to board or de-board a moving train.
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| US journalist killed in Ukraine’s city of Irpin Posted: 13 Mar 2022 07:17 AM PDT Kyiv [Ukraine]: A video journalist from the US, best known for producing humanitarian stories from conflict zones, has reportedly been killed in Irpin outside the city of Kyiv in Ukraine according to Kyiv police official Andriy Nebytov.
The police official shared images of the journalist’s body, as well as his press ID and US passport. The press ID showed the reporter as an employee of the New York Times, but the prestigious US daily said that the man was not working for them at the moment of his death, reported DW.
The journalist is a Peabody and DuPont Award-winning filmmaker, best known for producing humanitarian stories from conflict zones. He has been a journalist for over two decades.
Moreover, an unverified video appeared to show his journalist colleague being treated in a hospital with wounds. He said that he was shot at while in a car.
On February 24, Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine after the Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republic requested help in ‘defending themselves.’
The Russian Defence Ministry said the special operation is targeting Ukrainian military infrastructure only and the civilian population is not in danger.
The West however denies these claims by the Russians and in response, Western nations have imposed comprehensive sanctions on Moscow. In addition, they introduced sanctions on Belarus for supporting Russia’s operation in Ukraine.
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| Ukraine latest; 35 feared dead in Russian attack on Lviv military base; US journalist shot dead in Irpin Posted: 13 Mar 2022 07:10 AM PDT 35 people were killed in air strikes on Lviv military base. The ground situation in Ukraine is specially tense after the Russian strike. Waves of Russian missiles pounded the military training base close to Ukraine’s western border with Nato member Poland, killing 35 people. The strike followed Russian threats to target foreign weapon shipments that are helping Ukrainian fighters defend their country against Russian invasion. A US journalist is also believed to have been shot dead in Ukraine. Earlier, explosions were heard on Sunday in Ukraine’s western city of Lviv at about 6 a.m. local time (0400 GMT). Air raid alerts went off in Lviv at 3:30 a.m. local time, with residents rushing to bomb shelters for security.
According to the UNN news agency, Kherson in southern Ukraine also reported sounds of explosions, and air alarms continued in most Ukrainian cities and blasts.
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| CM Yogi meets PM; Cabinet berths on the agenda Posted: 13 Mar 2022 06:54 AM PDT New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his 7, Lok Kalyan Marg residence in the national capital on Sunday. Later Prime Minister congratulated Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for a historic victory in the Uttar Pradesh elections and said that he will take the state to greater heights of development. “Today I met Yogi Adityanath. Congratulated him on the historic victory in the Uttar Pradesh elections. In the last 5 years, he has worked tirelessly to fulfil the aspirations of the people. I am sure that in the years to come, he will take the state to greater heights of development,” PM Modi tweeted.
Earlier in the day, Adityanath met Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu at the latter’s residence here. The Chief Minister is on a two-day visit to the national capital and is scheduled to meet the top brass of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, to discuss the government formation in the state.
He is also slated to meet the BJP chief JP Nadda and party’s national general secretary (organisation) BL Santhosh later this evening. Discussion on the names of probable faces in the new state Cabinet is likely to be on the top agenda during the deliberations of Adityanath with the top leaders of the BJP.
Notably, this is Adityanath’s first visit to the national capital after winning the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.
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| 403 cops return to police stations after VIPs lose security cover in Punjab Posted: 13 Mar 2022 06:44 AM PDT Amritsar (Punjab): After stripping 122 former MPs and MLAs of security cover yesterday, Punjab Chief Minister-designate Bhagwant Mann on Sunday said that as many as 403 police personnel have returned to police stations.
Addressing a roadshow in Amritsar, Mann said, “We will utilise police for what they are meant to do (work for common people); we will not bother them (with security duties of VIPs)” “We have decreased the security of 122 people and due to that 403 police personnel and 27 police vehicles have returned to the police stations,” he informed.
Notably, the Additional Director General of Police (security) had ordered the withdrawal of security cover of 122 former MPs and MLAs in Punjab. The order was issued dated March 11, soon after Bhagwant Mann met the Director-General of Police (DGP) and the Chief Secretary after the Legislator party meeting.
The list includes names of senior Congress leaders, who got security cover under the previous government along with the names of Congress MLAs who won the Assembly elections this time from their seats but would no longer be the cabinet ministers.
Apart from senior leaders of BJP, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), former AAP MLAs, former cabinet ministers and former Assembly Speakers were also on the list.
The order reads, the withdrawn police personnel will report to their parent units. It further said that the personnel deployed on specific orders of Courts will not be withdrawn.
Further, the CM-designate reiterated that no government offices will have Chief Minister’s photos, “but will have pictures of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Babasaheb Ambedkar.”
Thanking the people of the state for entrusting AAP with a sweeping majority, Mann took a dig at Congress and SAD and said, “You have defeated those who have ruled Punjab for 70 years interchangeably, by over 50,000 votes.”
“While other parties were planning with whom to form an alliance with after the results to secure the government in the state, we knew that the people of Punjab will unite to vote them out of power,” he added.
Ahead of the roadshow, Kejriwal along with Mann visited Golden Temple, Durgiana Temple and Jallianwala Bagh memorial.
The swearing-in ceremony of the new government will be held on March 16 at Khatkar Kalan, the native village of legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) registered a landslide victory in the Punjab polls with 92 seats, pushing most of its rivals to the margins. Congress won 18 seats in the 117-member Assembly.
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| Loot of Punjab will stop, promises will be fulfilled; Kejriwal Posted: 13 Mar 2022 06:38 AM PDT Amritsar (Punjab): Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said that the party’s landslide win in Punjab is a big revolution and assured that all the promises made to the people of Punjab will be fulfilled.
“The world cannot believe that such a big (inquilab) has come inside Punjab. The whole world knew that Punjabis bring revolution, but still could not believe that such an incredible ‘inqilab’ could sweep…saare haar gaye…..Sukhbir ji, Parkash Singh Badal jee, Manpreet Badal got defeated….Channi defeated on both the seats, Majithia jee…..Navjot Singh Sidhu Jee tasted defeat…..only Punjabis could bring this ‘bahot bada inqilab’ (big revolution),” he said during the roadshow in Amritsar.
“AAP’s landslide win in Punjab is a big revolution (inquilab) and I am happy that for the first time after so many years, Punjab has now got an honest Chief Minister,” he added.
He further said that now all the government money will be spent on the people of Punjab.
“My younger brother Bhagwant Mann is ‘Kattar imandaar’ (honest man). The honest government will be formed in Punjab if any of our own ministers or any MLA ever dare to do something fishy, then they will not be spared, they will be sent to jail. Loot of Punjab will stop. Government money will be spent on the people of Punjab. We will fulfill all our promises, some will take time, some will be done immediately,” said Kejriwal.
The AAP national convenor further asked the people of Punjab to join Chief Minister-designate Bhagwant Mann during the oath ceremony in Khatkar Kalan.
“Mann will take oath as Chief Minister on March 16, not only he, each and every Punjabi would be the Chief Minister. Everyone has to come to Khatkar Kalan and have to take the oath with him. Now, only development will happen in Punjab and will make “Rangla” (vibrant or prosperous) and happy Punjab,” added Kejriwal.
Kejriwal along with Punjab Chief Minister-designate Bhagwant Mann held a roadshow on Sunday in Amritsar to thank the people of the state for entrusting AAP with a sweeping majority.
Ahead of the roadshow, the two leaders visited Golden Temple, Durgiana Temple and Jallianwala Bagh memorial.
The swearing-in ceremony of the new government will be held on March 16 at Khatkar Kalan, the native village of legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) registered a landslide victory in the Punjab polls with 92 seats, pushing most of its rivals to the margins. Congress won 18 seats in the 117-member Assembly.
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| Former PM Manmohan Singh, five others skip CWC meeting Posted: 13 Mar 2022 06:30 AM PDT New Delhi [India]: Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and five other senior Congress leaders skipped the party’s Working Committee meeting on Sunday.
Former defence minister AK Antony skipped the meeting as he tested positive for COVID-19 today. The other leaders who did not attend the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting include party MP A Chella Kumar, former Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, Tariq Hameed Karra and G Sanjeeva Reddy.
A meeting of the CWC is underway to discuss the party’s crushing defeat in Assembly elections in five states.
The results of five assembly polls came as a shock to the Congress which was hoping to do well to revive its prospects for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and to fend off the emerging challenge from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Trinamool Congress to replace it as the fulcrum of anti-BJP politics in the country.
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| CWC meeting begins; All eyes on the Gandhi siblings Posted: 13 Mar 2022 04:08 AM PDT Congress Working Committee meeting has begun. The meeting is being chaired by party’s interim president Sonia Gandhi. While Congress Working Committee on Sunday is slated to discuss the drubbing in the recently concluded Assembly elections, sources said that the dissident group within the party, G23, will press for sweeping changes. According to sources, the G23 had earlier suggested Mukul Wasnik for the post of president of the party, which was not accepted. |
| Indian Embassy in Ukraine to be temporarily shifted to Poland Posted: 13 Mar 2022 03:40 AM PDT In view of the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Ukraine, Indian Embassy in Ukraine is being temporarily being shifted to Poland, tweeted Arindam Bagchi. The ground situation in Ukraine is specially tense after Russia struck the military base outside Ukraine’s Lviv earlier in the day. According to reports, nine people were feared killed and 57 others injured in Russian air strikes on the military training ground. |
| ‘It was a minor motor accident’; Paytm on CEO Vijay Shekhar’s arrest, release on bail Posted: 13 Mar 2022 03:21 AM PDT Gurugram (Haryana): Following the report of the Co-founder and CEO of Paytm Vijay Shekhar Sharma’s arrest and release on bail by Delhi Police, Paytm on Sunday clarified that there was no harm caused to any person or property in the incident that took place last month.
In an official communication, the spokesperson of Paytm said, “A complaint was filed in connection with an alleged minor motor vehicle incident. There was no harm caused to any person or property in the said incident.” “Media reports claiming the nature of the arrest are exaggerated, as even the complaint against the vehicle was for a minor offence under a bailable provision of law and requisite legal formalities were completed on the same day,” the spokesperson added.
Sharma was arrested and released on bail by Delhi Police last month for allegedly ramming his car into the official vehicle of South Delhi’s Deputy Commissioner of Police.
“On February 22, the police received a complaint of a car ramming into the official vehicle of the DCP of South Delhi near Mother International School, Aurobindo Marg. After the alleged offence, the driver fled. The case under section 279 of IPC was registered on the complaint of Deepak Kumar for rashness and negligent driving,” said the Delhi police spokesperson Suman Nalwa.
She further said that the offending vehicle after the investigation was found to have been driven by Vijay Shekhar Sharma, who was arrested and released later on bail.
The incident took place on February 22 when the DCP South Benita Mary Jaiker’s driver had taken her car towards Aurobindo Marg for refilling petrol.
Delhi Police, in its FIR copy, stated, “At that time, there was traffic jam outside Mother International School as the children of the school were crossing the road. At the same time, Sharma’s car hit the DCP’s vehicle from behind and the driver fled from the spot.”
Delhi Police informed that constable Deepak, who was driving the DCP’s car, noted down the number of that vehicle and informed the incident to Malviya Nagar Police Station.
Later, the vehicle was traced and found to have been registered in the name of a Gurgaon-based company and from there it was found that the vehicle belonged to Vijay Shekhar Sharma.
Investigations by the police revealed that Sharma was driving the car when the incident took place. He was later called to Malviya Nagar Police Station, where a case was registered under section 279 (rash and negligent driving) of IPC and was arrested. He was granted bail from the police station later the same day.
Further probe into the matter is underway.
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| Slashing of EPFO rates a ‘Black initiative’; Mamata Banerjee Posted: 13 Mar 2022 03:05 AM PDT Kolkata (West Bengal) : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday slammed the Centre’s decision to slash the interest rate on Employees’ Provident Fund deposits to a ‘four-decade low’.
In a tweet today, Banerjee wrote, “After the vote victory in UP, BJP government comes out with its gift card immediately! It at once unmasks itself by proposing to slash the interest rate on Employees’ Provident Fund deposits to a four-decade low nadir.” The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) on Saturday decided to lower the interest on provident fund deposits for 2021-22 to an over four-decade low of 8.1 per cent for its about five crore subscribers, from 8.5 per cent provided in 2020-21.
“This is amidst the pandemic-hit financial stresses of middle and lower-middle-class workers and employees of the country,” Mamata wrote further in a tweet.
Mamata called this move by the Centre as a ‘black initiative’ and said that it must be thwarted by united protests.
She said, “The anti-people, anti-worker step exposes the crudely lopsided public policies of the current central establishment which espouses interests of big capital at the expense of farmers, workers, and middle classes. The black initiative must be thwarted by united protests.”
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation’s (EPFO’s) top decision-making body the Central Board of Trustees chaired by Union Minister for Labour and Employment Bhupendra Yadav on Saturday approved 8.1 per cent interest rate on provident fund (PF) deposits for the financial year 2021-22. This is the lowest interest rate on PF deposits in more than four decades.
In the last two financial years, 2020-21 and 2019-20 the interest rates on PF deposits stood at 8.5 per cent. The interest rate for 2021-22 will be the lowest since 1977-78 when it stood at 8 per cent.
“The Central Board recommended 8.10 per cent annual rate of interest to be credited on EPF accumulations in members’ accounts for the financial year 2021-22. The interest rate would be officially notified in the government gazette following which EPFO would credit the rate of interest into its subscribers’ accounts,” the Ministry of Labour & Employment said in a statement.
The Central Board of Trustees is the apex decision making body of the EPFO. It is a tripartite body involving the government, workers and employers’ representatives.
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| Can China mediate peace between Russia, Ukraine? Posted: 13 Mar 2022 01:30 AM PST Beijing [China]: Amid persisting Ukraine crisis, some countries have called on China to play a leadership role to mediate between Russia and Ukraine.
Amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China has found itself in a precarious position with its leaders attempting to maintain the growing ties with Moscow, while minimising any further fallout in the relationship with the Western countries.
The EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell suggested that China is more suitable than other powers to play such a role. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has urged China to use its influence to stop Russia’s advances.
Moreover, China itself offered to mediate between Russia and Ukraine.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told senior European officials last month that China “firmly advocates respecting and safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries which equally applies to Ukraine”.
At the same time, Wang tempered his remarks, saying that, given five consecutive rounds of NATO’s eastward expansion, “Russia’s legitimate security demands should be taken seriously and properly addressed,” France 24 reported.
“Beijing has been balancing its stance, but never losing sight of its own interests and principles in the process,” said Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy, a postdoctoral fellow and EU-China expert.
Some analysts say that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine may give China an opportunity to increase its influence Indo Pacific and the Middle East. However, Beijing is likely to be prudent with any economic overtures.
According to a senior Chinese scholar, Russia’s ‘special military operation’ against Ukraine has caused great controversy in China, with its supporters and opponents being divided into two implacably opposing sides.
Hu Wei, who is the vice-chairman of the Public Policy Research Center of the Counselor’s Office of the State Council, said China cannot be tied to Putin and needs to be cut off as soon as possible.
“In the sense that an escalation of conflict between Russia and the West helps divert U.S. attention from China, China should rejoice with and even support Putin, but only if Russia does not fall,” he argues.
Being in the same boat with Putin will impact China should he lose power, he added. According to Hu Wei, China should avoid playing both sides in the same boat, give up being neutral, and choose the mainstream position in the world.
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| Arvind Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann hold mega roadshow in Amritsar after Punjab poll victory Posted: 13 Mar 2022 01:26 AM PST Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal along with Punjab Chief Minister-designate Bhagwant Mann hold a roadshow on Sunday in Amritsar to thank the people of the state for entrusting AAP with a sweeping majority.
Flocking the road with the tricolour and AAP flags in their hand AAP workers and supporters have come out in large numbers to get glimpses of AAP senior leadership.
Ahead of the roadshow, the two leaders visited Golden Temple, Durgiana Temple and Jallianwala Bagh memorial. “We will take the blessings of Guru Sahib to fulfil the promises we made to the people of Punjab. Our national convenor Arvind Kejriwal is coming to Amritsar (for roadshow) today to thank the people,” said Mann ahead in the day.
The swearing-in ceremony of the new government will be held on March 16 at Khatkar Kalan, the native village of legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) registered a landslide victory in the Punjab polls with 92 seats, pushing most of its rivals to the margins. Congress won 18 seats in the 117-member Assembly. |
| India must become self reliant in Defence sector; PM Modi Posted: 13 Mar 2022 01:26 AM PST Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting to review India's security preparedness and the prevailing global scenario in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar were among those attending the meeting. NSA Ajit Doval, the three chiefs of Army, Navy and the Air Force and senior government officials were present at the meeting. The Prime Minister reiterated that every effort must be made to make India self-reliant in the defence sector, so that it not only strengthens our security but also enhances economic growth, sources said. He also took a detailed overview of global tech usage in defence sector and how India matched up to global standards. He also emphasised on integrating latest technology in the country’s security apparatus. |
| Imran Khan calls on PTI leaders to garner support against no-trust motion Posted: 13 Mar 2022 01:18 AM PST Amid the looming threat of no-confidence resolution moved against him, Prime Minister Imran Khan has called the senior leadership of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to his residence on Sunday, local media reported.
In the meeting, Imran Khan, along with notable federal ministers, will chalk out a strategy to thwart the no-trust moved against him by the Opposition, Samaa TV reported. Notably, the premier is also expected to meet Chaudhry Pervaiz Ilahi, a leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), one of the government’s allies, today.
Ahead of the vote on the no-confidence motion, Imran Khan has not only issued warnings of dire consequences against the Opposition leaders once the motion fails but has also warned the dissident PTI members that legal action would be taken against those who betrayed the party.
Meanwhile, the Opposition parties, which have been indulging in negotiation with PTI allies, have predicted that the ruling coalition will collapse within days, the Dawn newspaper reported.
However, the Imran Khan government has exuded confidence to defeat the no-trust motion. |
| PM chairs high level meet on Ukraine Posted: 13 Mar 2022 12:31 AM PST Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs a high-level meeting to review India's security preparedness and the prevailing global scenario in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This is a developing story, new inputs will be added shortly. |
| Mumbai police registers case against Narayan Rane’s sons Posted: 13 Mar 2022 12:25 AM PST Mumbai (Maharashtra): A case has been registered against Union Minister Narayan Rane’s sons, Nitesh Rane and Nilesh Rane, at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan Police Station for accusing that the Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar has links with the underworld don and fugitive Dawood Ibrahim.
Police on Sunday said that the NCP leader Suraj Chavan filed a complaint against the BJP MLA Nitesh Rane and Nilesh Rane. Earlier on Saturday, Chavan in a press conference questioned the BJP’s demands for the resignation of the state minister Nawab Malik.
“In the press conference, Nilesh Rane has said that Sharad Pawar is a man of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, and so he is probably not seeking the resignation of Nawab Malik,” Chavan said.
Currently, the NCP leader Nawab Malik is in judicial custody in connection with the underworld Dawood Ibrahim money laundering case.
Earlier, searches were carried out by the Enforcement Directorate at several places linked to people associated with the underworld Dawood Ibrahim in Mumbai.
The ED had also conducted raids at the residence of Dawood Ibrahim’s sister Haseena Parkar in Mumbai in connection with the money laundering case.
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| China uses Pakistan to clandestinely supply defence hardware in Myanmar Posted: 13 Mar 2022 12:22 AM PST Pakistan’s military partnership with Myanmar is changing post-military coup in the Southeast Asian nation that poses a serious regional security threat.
According to sources, the Myanmar military is planning to purchase 60 and 81 mm mortars, M-79 grenade launchers and heavy machine guns from Pakistan. India’s eastern neighbour is also eyeing to purchase air to surface missiles from Pakistan. In 2018, Myanmar`s armed forces bought 16 JF-17 Thunder multi-role aircraft from Pakistan for USD 560 million. The aircraft is co-developed by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and the Chinese Chengdu Aerospace Corporation.
According to the sources, the deal was facilitated by Dr Naing Htut Aung, a major arms supplier representing the International Gateways Group of Companies which has strong ties with the military including current Army Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
Subsequently, in September last year, the un-announced high-level Pakistan Defence Ministry’s 10-member delegation led by a Brigadier met Myanmar Defence Minister and reportedly discussed the sale of upgraded JF-17 (Block III) aircraft and Air to Surface missiles.
Talks were also held on advanced ordinance technology, aircraft repair and naval munitions.
In the backdrop of the Pakistan-China alliance, the perception of China using Pakistan to conduct maintenance of Chinese origin equipment and also facilitating Pakistan’s Defence Industry to become an avenue for Chinese defence sales is gaining traction.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), its report indicated that during 2019-20 the total share of Chinese arms exports declined from 5.5 to 5.2 per cent.
However, there is a strong view that Chinese exports are being re-routed or underreported.
A specific example is when a Chinese ship bound for Pakistan was detained in 2020 by Indian authorities for carrying an autoclave, a dual-use technology, as an “industrial dryer”.
While Beijing has kept an active dialogue with the Myanmar junta, it has also indicated not being involved in the coup of Feb. 21 to bolster its international image.
Using Pakistan to act as an intermediary without directly implicating itself and minimizing the surge of anti-China sentiments in a post-pandemic scenario, would enable China not only to export its military hardware unnoticed but also gain access to markets that could possibly be averse to China itself. |
| Rahul Gandhi is not the president, but operates from behind the scenes: Source Posted: 13 Mar 2022 12:21 AM PST New Delhi [India]: While Congress Working Committee on Sunday evening is slated to discuss the drubbing in the recently concluded Assembly elections, sources said that the dissident group within the party, G23, had suggested Mukul Wasnik for the post of president of the party, which was not accepted.
Sources said, “G23, which consists of Anand Sharma, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Kapil Sibal, had suggested Mukul Wasnik’s name for the post of president of the party. But it was not accepted.” The source, who is a part of G23, also said that the new party president should lead the party in the manner as was done by Sonia Gandhi in early 2000.
The source added, “Though Sonia Gandhi is the (interim) president, it is virtually (being) run by KC Venugopal, Ajay Maken and Randeep Surjewala. There is no accountability fixed on them.”
“Rahul Gandhi is not the president. But he operates from behind the scene and takes decisions. He does not communicate openly. We are party’s well-wishers and not enemies,” added the source.
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| COVID-19: More than 17.42 crore vaccine doses available with states, UTs Posted: 13 Mar 2022 12:14 AM PST More than 17.42 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses are un-utilised and still available with the states and Union Territories, said the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Sunday.
“More than 182.65 crore (1,82,65,14,930) vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt. of India (free of cost channel) and through direct state procurement category. More than 17.42Cr (17,42,45,896) balance and un-utilised COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered,” said the Ministry. |
| Earthquake of 4.1 magnitude strikes Andaman & Nicobar Island Posted: 12 Mar 2022 10:37 PM PST New Delhi [India]: An earthquake of magnitude 4.1 struck Andaman and Nicobar Island on Sunday.
The Earthquake epicenter was 25km NNE of Diglipur, Andaman and Nicobar island. “Earthquake of Magnitude:4.1, Occurred on 13-03-2022, 08:58:18 IST, Lat: 15.20 & Long: 93.62, Depth: 10 Km, Location: 225km NNE of Diglipur, Andaman and Nicobar island, India,” said a tweet from National Center for Seismology.
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| Mann, Kejriwal, Sisodia visit Golden temple ahead of roadshow Posted: 12 Mar 2022 10:27 PM PST Amritsar (Punjab): Punjab CM-designate Bhagwant Mann, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and party leader Manish Sisodia visited the Golden Temple in Amritsar. AAP is holding a mega road show in Amritsar today. Preparations for the visit of Punjab Chief Minister-designate Bhagwant Mann and Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar were in full swing since Sunday morning.
“People around here are very happy from the election result and are excited to meet the new Chief Minister,” said Manish Gupta, Tourist.
Another tourist praised the beautification and cleanliness of the area. “The place is so clean and is looking so good. This place has an important history attached to it and I am happy visiting here,” said Sujata Gupta.
Another tourist Ghanshyam Goyal who looked excited at the prospect of meeting the two leaders said, “Delhi CM and Punjab CM are visiting here, I am excited to meet them.”
The Punjab Chief Ministerial face of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Bhagwant Mann on Sunday said that the party supremo Arvind Kejriwal is visiting Amritsar today to take part in a roadshow to express gratitude to the people for giving the popular mandate with two-third majority in the state in the recently concluded Assembly elections.
Speaking to the reporters before leaving for Amritsar, Mann said, “We will take the blessings of Guru Sahib to fulfil the promises we made to the people of Punjab. Our national convenor Arvind Kejriwal is coming to Amritsar (for roadshow) today to thank the people.”
The swearing-in ceremony of the new government will be held on March 16 at Khatkar Kalan, the native village of legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) registered a landslide victory in the Punjab polls with 92 seats, pushing most of its rivals to the margins. Congress won 18 seats in the 117-member Assembly.
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| Inflation & unemployment key issues to be raised by Cong. in Budget session Posted: 12 Mar 2022 10:17 PM PST New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said that Congress will raise a number of issues, including inflation, unemployment and evacuation of the students from Ukraine, in the second part of the Budget session in Parliament, beginning from tomorrow.
The working president of Congress Sonia Gandhi presided over a meeting of the party’s Parliamentary strategy group at 10.30 am at 10 Janpath today. In the meeting, the Congress leaders decided to raise issues of inflation, unemployment, MSP for farmers, and medical students returning from Ukraine in the upcoming Parliament session.
“We held a discussion on the issues to be raised in the upcoming Parliament session. We will try to raise the issues of inflation, unemployment, MSP for farmers and medical students returning from Ukraine,” Kharge told ANI.
The second half of the Budget session will conclude on April 8. The first half of the Budget session began on January 31 and concluded on February 11.
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| Strategy for 2nd half of Budget session to be discussed in today’s meeting; Cong Posted: 12 Mar 2022 10:07 PM PST New Delhi: Congress Lok Sabha MP K Suresh on Sunday informed that the party’s working President Sonia Gandhi is holding a meeting to chalk out the strategy for the second part of the Budget session of Parliament that will commence tomorrow.
“The meeting is to chalk out the strategy for the second part of the Budget session of Parliament commencing tomorrow,” Suresh said. Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Anand Sharma, K Suresh and Jairam Ramesh arrived at 10 am, Janpath, for the party’s parliamentary strategy group meeting.
The meeting is likely to deliberate on the strategy of the party in two Houses of Parliament.
The second half of the Budget session will conclude on April 8. The first half of the Budget session began on January 31 and concluded on February 11.
The meeting also holds significance in the backdrop of the poll verdict in five states, which came as a rude shock to Congress, which was hoping to do well to revive its prospects for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and also fend off the emerging challenge from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Trinamool Congress (TMC) to replace the party as the fulcrum of anti-BJP politics in the country.
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| Steady decline in cases; 3,116 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours Posted: 12 Mar 2022 09:59 PM PST New Delhi [India]: India continues to witness a steady decline in the number of COVID-19 cases as the country reported 3,116 new infections in the last 24 hours, 498 lesser than yesterday, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Sunday.
With this, the active caseload in the country stands at 38,069. The daily positivity rate in the country currently is 0.41 per cent while the weekly positivity rate is 0.50 per cent.
As many as 5,559 COVID patients recovered from the disease in the last 24 hours taking the total number of recoveries to 4,24,37,072 since the onset of the pandemic in the country.
The recovery rate remains at 98.71 per cent.
According to the Ministry, 47 patients succumbed to the virus during this period. The death toll in the country rises to 5,15,850.
As far as the vaccination drive is concerned, 180.13 crore COVID vaccine doses have been administered in the country so far under the Nationwide Vaccination Drive.
In the last 24 hours, 20,31,275 vaccine doses were administered taking the total number of vaccine doses administered to 1,80,13,23,547.
According to the ICMR, 7,61,737 samples were tested in the last 24 hours.
77,85,20,151 samples have been tested so far in the country. |
| Cutouts of Bhagwant Mann, Arvind Kejriwal seen in Amritsar ahead of roadshow Posted: 12 Mar 2022 09:52 PM PST Amritsar (Punjab): Cutouts and posters of Punjab CM-designate Bhagwant Mann and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal were seen on roads and lanes of Amritsar ahead of their roadshow on Sunday.
The Punjab Chief Ministerial face of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Bhagwant Mann on Sunday said that the party supremo Arvind Kejriwal is visiting Amritsar today to take part in a roadshow to express gratitude to the people for giving the popular mandate with two-third majority in the state in the recently concluded Assembly elections.
Speaking to the reporters before leaving for Amritsar, Mann said, “We will take the blessings of Guru Sahib to fulfil the promises we made to the people of Punjab. Our national convenor Arvind Kejriwal is coming to Amritsar (for roadshow) today to thank the people.”
The swearing-in ceremony of the new government will be held on March 16 at Khatkar Kalan, the native village of legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh.
Mann on Saturday met Governor Banwarilal Purohit at Raj Bhavan in Chandigarh to stake claims to form the government in the state.
Mann has invited Delhi Chief Minister and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal for the oath-taking ceremony.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) registered a landslide victory in the Punjab polls with 92 seats, pushing most of its rivals to the margins. Congress won 18 seats in the 117-member Assembly.
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| Yogi Adityanath departs for Delhi from Lucknow to hold consultations with party’s top leadership Posted: 12 Mar 2022 09:51 PM PST New Delhi [India]: Ahead of the government formation after the poll verdict, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is visiting the national capital today to hold consultations with the top leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The Chief Minister is likely to discuss the dates for the swearing-in ceremony of the new government in the state along with the new Cabinet with the top brass of the BJP. Yogi will leave for the Hindon airport from Lucknow at 8 am, from where he will travel to Delhi by road.
He will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP chief JP Nadda, Home Minister Amit Shah and the party’s national general secretary (organisation) BL Santhosh during his visit to the national capital.
The BJP won the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections with a clear majority for the second consecutive term.
Following the massive victory in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Adityanath on Friday held a meeting with his ministerial colleagues at the party office in Lucknow. Adityanath, a monk-turned-politician, won his first-ever Assembly election by a margin of 1,03,390 from Gorakhpur Urban constituency, defeating the Samajwadi Party candidate Subhawati Upendra Dutt Shukla, who secured 62,109 votes in the recently-concluded UP Assembly elections.
Adityanath will be the first Chief Minister in the last 37 years to return to power after completing a full term in the state.
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| Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Anand Sharma, K Suresh & Jairam Ramesh arrive at 10, Janpath Posted: 12 Mar 2022 09:51 PM PST New Delhi [India]: Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Anand Sharma, K Suresh & Jairam Ramesh arrive at 10, Janpath, for Congress parliamentary strategy group meeting. The meeting is to chalk out strategy for second part of Budget session of Parliament commencing tomorrow, says K Suresh.
The meeting will be convened by Congress chief Sonia Gandhi at 10:30 am at her residence. The CPP meeting will be held hours before a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) to discuss the poll debacle in five states and the current political situation. The CWC meeting is scheduled for 4 pm.
Congress G-23 leaders, who had in 2020 called for sweeping reforms in the party including elections at various levels, met at senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad’s residence in the national capital on Friday.
They are set to raise demand for reforms in the party during the CWC meeting, sources said.
Congress leaders Bhupender Singh Hooda, Manish Tewari, Kapil Sibal and Anand Sharma, Akhilesh Prasad Singh were among those present in the meeting.
The results of five assembly polls came as a shock to the Congress which was hoping to do well to revive its prospects for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and to fend off the emerging challenge from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Trinamool Congress to replace it as the fulcrum of anti-BJP politics in the country.
The second half of budget session will conclude on April 8. The first half of budget session began on January 31 and concluded on February 11.
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| Bhagwant Mann, Arvind Kejriwal to hold ‘victory’ roadshow in Amritsar today Posted: 12 Mar 2022 09:49 PM PST Sangrur (Punjab): The Punjab Chief Ministerial face of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Bhagwant Mann on Sunday said that the party supremo Arvind Kejriwal is visiting Amritsar today to take part in a roadshow to express gratitude to the people for giving the popular mandate with two-third majority in the state in the recently concluded Assembly elections.
Speaking to the reporters before leaving for Amritsar, Mann said, “We will take the blessings of Guru Sahib to fulfil the promises we made to the people of Punjab. Our national convenor Arvind Kejriwal is coming to Amritsar (for roadshow) today to thank the people.”
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| Terrorist who shot CRPF jawan arrested in Shopian Posted: 12 Mar 2022 09:48 PM PST Terrorists shot dead a CRPF personnel, Mukhtar Ahmad Dohi, who was on leave at Chotipora village of Shopian. He succumbed to his injuries & attained martyrdom while on way to the hospital. The security forces had cordoned off the area before the terrorists were caught. IGP Kashmir, today confirmed the nabbing of the killer of CRPF personnel Mukhtar Ahmad Dohi. The weapon used in the offence has also been recovered. Another overground worker who accompanied him during terror crime was also arrested. The terror crime was committed on direction of LeT Cmdr Abid Ramzan Sheikh. |
| Ind Vs SL, 2nd Test (D/N): Bowlers put hosts in a strong position to leave visitors tottering at 86/6 at Stumps on Day-1 Posted: 12 Mar 2022 08:20 PM PST Hosts are in a strong position as visitors are tottering at 86/6 at stumps on Day-1 trailing by 166 runs after being bowled out for 252 in the second Test being played here at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Bowlers dominated the day with 16 wickets falling in the entire day.
The Sri Lankan team came out to bat at the start of post Dinner session and just like the Indian team they got off to a terrible start losing Kusal Mendis in the third over of the innings to Jasprit Bumrah caught by Shreyas Iyer in third slip for 2. Bumrah once again struck as he dismissed Lahiru Thirirmanne for 8 caught by Shreyas Iyer who took his second catch of the match as visitors lost their second wicket for 14.In the next over skipper, Dimuth Karunaratne was cleaned up by Mohammed Shami for 4 to leave visitors tottering at 14 for 3.
Shami once again struck dismissing Dhananjaya de Silva’s leg before the wicket for 10 as Sri Lanka lost their fourth wicket for 28. Angelo Mathews along with Charith Asalanka took their team’s total to the 50-run mark.
Axar Patel came into the attack and he dismissed Asalanka as half of the Sri Lankan team was back to the pavilion with only 50 runs on the board.
Wicket-keeper batter Niroshan Dickwella walked into bat with Mathews and struck a small partnership. Mathews moved into the 40s but Bumrah struck for the third time dismissing him for 43 caught in the slips by skipper Rohit Sharma to leave Sri Lanka tottering at 85 for 6.
Sri Lanka were 86/6 at stumps on Day-1 trailing India by 166 runs as 16 wickets fell on the day dominated by bowlers. Earlier in the day Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat first in his maiden Day-Night Test as a captain but his team got off to the worst possible start as a local lad and opener Mayank Agarwal was dismissed run out by Praveen Jayawickrama for 4 in the second over of the match with a score of only 10 runs on the board.
Spinner Lasith Embuldeniya was introduced into the attack as early as the eighth over and he got the prized scalp of skipper Rohit Sharma in his second over for 15 as India were reduced to 29/2 within 10 overs.
Virat Kohli and Hanuma Vihari then stitched a 47-run partnership but Sri Lankan bowlers kept on persisting and were rewarded with the wicket of Hanuma Vihari for 31. Vihari was dismissed by Praveen Jayawickrama caught behind by Niroshan Dickwella to leave India tottering at 76/3.
Rishabh Pant walked in to bat and started playing aggressive shots but from the other end, India were dealt with another severe blow as Dhananjaya de Silva got the big wicket of Virat Kohli’s leg before wicket for 23 to leave India in deep trouble at 86 for 4.
India were 93/4 going into Tea with Pant unbeaten on 16 and Shreyas Iyer not out on 1.
Resuming the post Tea session at 93/4, Rishabh Pant batted in the same aggressive fashion and took India’s total beyond the triple-figure mark. Pant had hit seven boundaries but the southpaw was cleaned up by slow left-arm orthodox bowler Lasith Embuldeniya for 39 of 26 balls breaking the 40-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer as half of the side was back to the pavilion with only 126 runs on board.
Mohali Test’s star performer Ravindra Jadeja walked in to bat but he too could only contribute with a score of 4 as he became the third victim of Embuldeniya caught in slips by Lahiru Thirimanne to leave India in trouble for 148 for 6.
Losing partners at the other end Shreyas Iyer decided to attack and he along with Ravichandran Ashwin took the team’s total beyond the 150-run mark. Iyer kept on hitting boundaries while Ashwin kept one end tight.
The Lankans once again broke the partnership as Dhananjaya de Silva dimissed Ashwin caught behind by keeper Dickwella for 13 as India lost its seventh wicket for 183.
Shreyas continued in the same fashion and notched up his half-century in just 54 balls. The Mumbai lad along with Axar Patel took India’s total beyond the 200-run mark.
The visitors once again got the breakthrough as Suranga Lakmal cleaned up Axar for 9. Shreyas kept on hitting boundaries and sixes while Mohammed Shami became the second victim of Jayawickrama for 5 to leave India at 229/9.
Shreyas Iyer kept the scoreboard moving and took the team’s total beyond the 250-run mark and himself moved into the nineties. The Mumbai lad was finally stumped by keeper Niroshan Dickwella for 92 of Praveen Jayawickrama’s bowling as the Indian innings folded at 252 in 1st innings.
Brief Scores: India 252/10 (Shreyas Iyer 92, Rishabh Pant 39; Praveen Jayawickrama 3/81, Lasith Embuldeniya 3/94) vs SL 86/6 (Angelo Mathews 43; Jasprit Bumrah 3/15, Mohammed Shami 2/18) |
| German Open: Lakshya Sen stuns World No.1 Viktor Axelsen to enter final Posted: 12 Mar 2022 08:12 PM PST Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen made a stunning comeback in the third and final game against reigning Olympic Gold medallist and World No.1 Viktor Axelsen to win the match 21-13, 12-21, 22-20 that lasted for 70 minutes and enter the final of the German Open Super 300 here at the Westenergie Sporthalle.
‘This was World Championship bronze medallist’s first win against the Olympic Champion in five meetings. The 20-year old won the opening game by a comfortable margin of 21-13 to take a one-game lead. The top seed Danish player made a roaring comeback in the second game, winning it 21-12 to make it one game apiece.
In the third and final game Axelsen was leading 15-8 at one stage and at another stage he was ahead 19-15 but Lakshya made a fighting comeback to win it 22-20.
The World Championship bronze medallist will take on Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the final. |
| Amid looming no-confidence motion, cracks surface within Pakistan’s ruling coalition Posted: 12 Mar 2022 08:04 PM PST Islamabad [Pakistan]: Amid the looming no-confidence motion, cracks have begun surfacing in Pakistan’s ruling coalition led by Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) with ministers alleging attempts of blackmail by coalition partners, media reports said on Sunday.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Saturday alleged that the Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) was “blackmailing” the government in return for support during the Opposition’s no-trust move, The Dawn reported. “I stand like a rock with Imran Khan,” said the interior minister in a press briefing. “I am not responsible for anyone else. I am not like those people with five (seats in the National Assembly) who are blackmailing (the government),” he further said in a veiled attack on PML-Q, the report said.
The PML-Q which is an important ally of the PTI at the Centre and Punjab had reportedly asked the Prime Minister to announce Chaudhry Parvez Elahi as the replacement for the Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar of PTI.
In response to Rashid’s attack, Federal Minister for Water Resources Chaudhry Moonis Elahi of PML-Q tweeted, “I respect Sheikh Sahib @ShkhRasheed but he is forgetting that he used to take money from the elder leaders of this party (PML-Q) in his student life.”
The remarks from the Rashid came as PML-Q leaders, after holding a consultative meeting in Islamabad on Saturday, announced that they would meet again on Sunday to finalise the party’s stance and strategy.
The PML-Q had also criticised the ‘profanity-laced speech’ of Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday with party senator Kamil Ali Agha, saying, “We condemn the Prime Minister’s speech. We consider it shameful and below the status of the Prime Minister.”
The PML-Q has now acquired a central role in the ongoing political drama despite having only five Members of the National Assembly (MNAs). It seems that the three other allies — the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) — are waiting for each other to make a decision, the report further said.
Given the party position in the National Assembly, if any two of the four allies of PTI make a decision to quit the ruling coalition, Prime Minister Imran Khan will lose the majority in the 342-member House. As many as 17 MNAs belong to these four coalition parties or alliances and the ruling party has the support of 179 MNAs at present.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday held separate meetings with groups of party MNAs. Those who attended the meetings included PTI MNAs from Peshawar, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Chakwal.
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| Afghan women protest in Kabul demanding education & work Posted: 12 Mar 2022 07:56 PM PST Kabul [Afghanistan]: Calling for women’s access to education and work, several members of the Movement of Change for Afghanistan Party (MoCAP) held a protest in Kabul city, reported local media.
The gathering, held to celebrate the international week dedicated to women, witnessed participants taking to the streets, urging the Taliban to establish a commission for addressing the challenges faced by the women in the country, Tolo News reported. “We call on the Islamic Emirate to support us and let us go to work,” the media outlet quoted Zarifa Yaqobi, a member of the MoCAP, as saying.
“The Afghan women are restricted today. Without permission of the Islamic Emirate, the Afghan women are not allowed to go to universities and work,” said Sara Karimi, another member of MoCAP.
The demonstrators also issued a resolution expressing their concerns regarding arbitrary detentions by the Taliban, according to the Afghan news agency.
Notably, the Taliban regime which took over Kabul in August last year has curtailed women’s rights and freedoms, with women largely excluded from the workforce due to the economic crisis and restrictions.
Expressing concern over the situation of Afghan women, many humanitarian and women’s rights watchdogs observed that the women in Afghanistan have been facing challenges since the fall of the former government, Tolo News reported.
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| China-Australia ties hit a new low Posted: 12 Mar 2022 07:52 PM PST Washington [US]: Australia’s already strained ties with China have further hit a new low during the recent past over a slew of incidents, with Canberra taking measures to boost its national defence, experts in the Asia Pacific said.
The Australian government this week announced that it will allocate more than USD 27 billion to boost the national defence and increase the number of military employees by some 18,000 until 2040. The number of uniformed personnel will reach about 80,000 while the number of permanent defence employees will surpass 101,000 in 2040.
Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton said those who think China’s ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region are restricted to Taiwan don’t understand history.
“When you look at what’s happening in Europe at the moment, people who believe that President Putin’s only ambition is for Ukraine don’t understand the history that our military leaders understand,” Dutton told reporters as the country announced measures to boost the country’s defence forces.
This update in defence preparedness comes amid growing fissures in Australia-China.
Derek Grossman, a senior defence analyst with the US-based Rand Corporation research organisation, said China-Australian relations are maybe even worse than US-China relations.
“It just seems like the atmospherics around China (and) Australia has hit a vitriolic level.”
The strains between the two countries started when Australia in April 2020 called for a probe into the handling of COVID-19. Later in November that year, China stranded more than 50 Australian coal ships near its ports, placed tariffs on a string of agricultural imports.
China worries most about the worsening Australia-U.S. alliance, the Washington based Voice of America (VOA) reported citing analysts familiar with the region.
Against this backdrop, the US and Australia meet regularly with Japan and India for discussions about the security situation om the South China Sea – a waterway that Beijing claims as its own.
Earlier this week, Australia’s intelligence chief had said a “troubling new strategic convergence” between Beijing and Moscow has developed and the risk of “major power conflict” had grown since Russia invaded Ukraine.
Andrew Shearer, Australia’s director-general of the Office of National Intelligence, said China’s President Xi Jinping appears to be planning to dominate the Indo-Pacific region and use it as a base to overtake the US as the world’s leading power.
Some analysts believe that China and Australia have entered a spiral where one side’s actions spark a reaction from the other.
“China’s buildup is at least partially in response to … Australia’s own buildup, so with these (troop increase) announcements by the Australian Prime Minister, I believe China is definitely going to pay attention to that and all these ongoing military preparations essentially will be geared toward that as well as those by the US,” said Collin Koh, a maritime security research fellow at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.
Federal elections in Australia set for May could set a new tone for “long-term strategic competition with China,” Koh was quoted as saying by VOA.
China is especially watching any military-related developments, he added.
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| Trump says ‘we don’t have anybody to talk to’ Putin Posted: 12 Mar 2022 07:47 PM PST Washington [US]: Former US President Donald Trump says the Ukraine conflict continues and could escalate even further because, under the administration of US President Joe Biden, the US does not have “anybody to talk to” Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Despite all of Biden’s weakness, cowardice and incompetence, there is still a path for him to end this tragedy in Ukraine, without getting Americans snared in a gruesome and very bloody war. By the way, this could lead to world war three,” Trump told his supporters at a Saturday rally in Florence, South Carolina. Trump suggested that Washington should threaten Moscow with “blistering consequences,” such as permanently eliminating Western dependence on Russian energy.
“We don’t have anybody to talk to him [Putin]. You had somebody to talk to him with me,” Trump said, emphasising that “my personality is what kept us out of war.”
In the early hours of February 24, Russia launched what it called a special military operation in Ukraine after the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR) allegedly appealed for help in defending themselves against the Kyiv forces. Russia said that the aim of its special operation is to “demilitarise” 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.
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| No pre-poll alliance in Karnataka; JD (S) chief, Deve Gowda Posted: 12 Mar 2022 07:15 PM PST Bengaluru (Karnataka): Former Prime Minister and patriarch of the Janata Dal (Secular) HD Deve Gowda on Saturday ruled out the possibility of his party entering into a pre-poll alliance with any political party in Karnataka ahead of the 2023 state Assembly elections.
His remarks came amid speculations doing the rounds that the JD (S) can strike a pre-poll alliance with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state for the next year’s polls. “I would like to tell you that we are not at all thinking about alliances. We will sit in the Opposition and we will try to build the party,” said Deve Gowda.
With regards to recently concluded polls in Punjab, the former Prime Minister argued that the year-long farmers’ agitation fueled the rise of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
“The farmers’ agitation and the manner in which the protests against the three farm laws was dealt with and also the internal politics of Congress led to the rise of the AAP in Punjab,” he added.
The AAP bagged a landslide victory in the Punjab polls, winning 92 Assembly seats, pushing most of its rivals to the margins. Congress won 18 seats in the 117-member Assembly.
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| Premier League disqualifies Roman Abramovich as director of Chelsea Posted: 12 Mar 2022 07:04 PM PST London [UK]: Following the imposition of sanctions by the UK Government, the Premier League Board has disqualified Roman Abramovich as a Director of Chelsea Football Club.
The PL’s decision does not impact the club’s ability to train and play its fixtures, as set out under the terms of a licence issued by the government which expires on May 31, 2022. The United Kingdom government on March 10 imposed sanctions on the Chelsea Football Club’s owner Roman Abramovich. The sanction meant that the Chelsea owner is now banned from transactions with UK individuals and businesses.
The UK government had granted Chelsea a special license to allow fixtures to be fulfilled, staff to be paid and existing ticket holders to attend matches. It is unclear if the license covers just Chelsea’s first team or all teams, including the women’s and junior sides.
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| TIPRA chairman holds massive rally in Agartala; says Greater Tipraland is core demand, will fight polls alone if demand not met Posted: 12 Mar 2022 07:01 PM PST Agartala (Tripura): Royal scion and Chairman of TIPRA Motha Pradyot Kishore Debbarman on Saturday said that his party would like to fight the electoral battle alone in the forthcoming assembly elections if national parties do not agree to give written commitment for the party’s core demand “Greater Tipraland”.
He also clarified that his party will contest in 35 out of 60 assembly constituencies in the elections. TIPRA is the ruling party of Tripura’s only tribal district council. The royal scion was addressing a mammoth gathering of supporters at Swami Vivekananda Stadium, Agartala. The record turnout of the crowd conveyed the message of his importance in the politically charged Tripura and certainly his party may become a key component of the next government.
“After six long years, a regional party has organized such a gathering in Agartala. Our last fight will be for the constitutional solution for our people. Delhi should hear us, the size of the crowd gathered here will force the government to hear our voice.
Greater Tipraland is the only demand that we are fighting for,” said Debbarman.
The former Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee president also lamented that some leaders of Tripura’s indigenous communities do not understand what the majority of our people want.
“Lucrative offers will be made to break the unity (Thansa in the indigenous language). They will come after you offering posts, power and position. We should not break away. Our demand for Greater Tipraland is constitutional. We can’t forget it just for the sake of power and position. The next 10-12 months are very crucial. We have to be careful and stand firm in our stand,” said Debbarman.
He also appealed to the Government of India for dialogue on the issue of Greater Tipraland.
“Today the Government of India has opened channels of talks with Hurriyat that has no belief in the Indian constitution. NSCN which is a banned outfit gets invitations for talks and we the Tiprasa people of Tripura who are democratically elected do not get a chance to raise our voice. Give us a chance, we shall apprise you about the problems of our people. For the last 70 years, we have faced nothing but ignorance. And, this is the time to rise,” he added.
He also clarified that his fight was not against any particular community and after his party came to power, not a single non-tribal community person living in the ADC areas faced persecution. “On the other hand, people of Agartala fight with each other over politics. In ADC no one is harmed”, said Debbarman.
The rally assumes significance considering the present political scenario. There are altogether 60 assembly constituencies in Tripura and 20 among them are reserved for scheduled tribe candidates. Apart from that, there are 15 seats where a sizable number of voters belong to tribal communities.
Among the 20 reserved seats, the ruling BJP now has 11 indigenous MLAs while its junior ally IPFT has eight. The rise of Motha may cause serious electoral blows for the party in power.
In the rest of the 15 seats, indigenous votes play the deciding factor. It is to be seen how the political equations play out ahead of the 2023 polls.
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| Assam: Man lynched by mob, after he allegedly killed minor Posted: 12 Mar 2022 06:55 PM PST Dibrugarh (Assam): A man accused of killing a 5-year-old child was lynched and later set on fire by a mob in Dibrugarh’s Rohmoria on Saturday.
A senior police officer said, “A five-year-old child at Dhalajan tea estate under Dibrugarh’s Rohmoria police station was allegedly stabbed to death in a machete attack by Sunil Tanti (35).” The officer added, “Following the incident, the angry mob brutally thrashed Tanti with machete and sticks and later set him on fire in a paddy field.”
Dibrugarh Superintendent of Police Shwetank Mishra, Chabua Circle Inspector, Rohmoria police station officer in charge along with central reserve police force (CRPF) reached the spot to bring the situation under control.
The bodies of the 5-year-old child and Tanti have been sent for post mortem, the officer informed.
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| Naxal injured in clash with police in Gondia, Maharashtra Posted: 12 Mar 2022 06:52 PM PST Gondia (Maharashtra): A suspected Naxalite was injured in a clash between police and Naxals in the Gondia district of Maharashtra, informed police on Saturday.
Police arrested the accused and airlifted him to Nagpur for treatment. “A group of suspected Naxalites opened fire on the police team that went for patrolling in the area. We arrested them and rushed the injured to Deori hospital for first aid but his condition was critical. Now he has been admitted to Orange City Hospital in Nagpur and is undergoing treatment,” said Vishwa Pansare, SP Gondia.
Police said that the identity of the suspected Naxalite team has not been ascertained yet.
Further investigation is underway.
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| BMW car hits two persons in Delhi, one dead Posted: 12 Mar 2022 06:47 PM PST New Delhi [India]: A 36-year-old-man died and another man was injured after they were allegedly hit by a BMW car near Lal Bahadur Shastri (LBS) Hospital in Delhi’s Khichripur on Friday.
According to Delhi Police, two persons were shifted to LBS Hospital after the incident. One of them was declared brought dead and the other is undergoing treatment for his injured leg. The person who died in the accident has been identified as Rahul.
The Kalyanpuri Police Station received information about the incident at 2.46 am on Friday.
Police said the driver of the car has been booked. They said the car is registered in the name of Ashwani, a resident of Kalyanpuri.
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| Two quintals of ganja seized, 4 arrested in Ludhiana Posted: 12 Mar 2022 06:42 PM PST Ludhiana (Punjab): Ludhiana police has seized over two quintals of Ganja from four smugglers and busted an interstate drug smuggling gang on Saturday.
Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, Ludhiana police commissioner said, “We have arrested 4 smugglers and recovered over 2 quintals of ganja, 3 kg poppy husk and half kg of opium from two trucks.”
Further investigation is underway.
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| Two people stabbed in New York’s Museum of Modern art Posted: 12 Mar 2022 06:39 PM PST New York [US]: Two people were stabbed inside the New York City’s Museum of Modern art on Saturday, American broadcaster CNN reported citing police officials.
While speaking at a news conference, John Miller, Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism, said that two employees were stabbed in the back, the collar bone and in the back of the neck and were rushed to Bellevue Hospital within minutes of the attack. They received immediate medical attention and are expected to survive.
“At approximately 4:15 this afternoon, an individual entered the museum, attempted to gain entrance presenting his membership card and was denied entrance because his membership had expired. His membership had expired as a result of two incidents involving disorderly conduct here at the museum on two separate dates in recent days,” Miller was quoted as saying by CNN.
Miller further revealed that after being denied from entering the museum, the suspect became angry and then jumped over the reception desk and attacked two museum employees, stabbing them multiple times.
“The individual involved in this incident is known to us and we are endeavouring to locate this person right now,” according to CNN citing Miller.
The city’s mayor, Eric Adams was briefed about the incident and he applauded the efforts of the police. Taking to Twitter, he said, “I’ve been briefed on the incident at the @MuseumModernArt. We can report that the two victims are being taken care of at Bellevue Hospital and are expected to survive their injuries. We’re grateful for the quick work of our first responders.”
“Please continue to avoid the area while police continue their investigation and if you have any information, please contact the NYPD immediately. Public safety is our top priority. Today’s incident is a reminder that this work affects every community,” Adam tweeted.
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| Premier League: Man Utd’s Ronaldo breaks all-time FIFA record with hat-trick against Spurs Posted: 12 Mar 2022 06:35 PM PST Manchester [UK]: Cristiano Ronaldo produced a hat-trick to lift Manchester United into fourth place in the Premier League on Saturday as Tottenham Hotspur were beaten in a 3-2 thriller at Old Trafford.
With the treble against Spurs, Ronaldo has lifted himself on top of FIFA’s all-time scorers’ list. Ronaldo arrowed in a superb goal from distance to give the hosts a 12th-minute lead. Harry Kane’s penalty drew Spurs level on 35 minutes after Alex Telles had handled Dejan Kulusevski’s cross.
Ronaldo restored Man Utd’s lead three minutes later, slotting in Jadon Sancho’s pass following a sweeping move.
Spurs levelled for a second time on 72 minutes when Sergio Reguilon’s cross was turned into his own net by Harry Maguire.
But with eight minutes remaining, Ronaldo headed in a Telles centre to surpass the all-time goals record with his 807th career strike for club and country.
A first win in three lifts Man Utd to fourth with 50 points. Spurs are five points back in seventh, having played two matches fewer.
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| Pakistan: We will go after National Assembly Speaker after PM looses no-confidence motion; PPP Posted: 12 Mar 2022 06:30 PM PST Islamabad [Pakistan]: Revealing his party’s plans, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Syed Khursheed Shah said that if Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan is removed in the no-confidence motion, the PPP would go after the National Assembly Speaker, Pakistan media reported.
Shah said that once the premier is out of the way, the PPP would go after the speaker, “immediately followed by Punjab and then Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported on Saturday. The PPP leader criticised the NA speaker, saying that he had failed to play his role.
Shah’s remarks came at the time when Pakistan’s political environment is already on fire as the government and opposition parties are pointing accusations at each other and stepping up efforts to gain the support of allies and estranged leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), following the submission of a no-confidence motion against the prime minister in the National Assembly secretariat earlier this week.
In a related development, Imran asked his supporters to gather at Islamabad’s D-Chowk a day before the no-trust vote for the session, which is yet to be scheduled.
“We have made it clear […] it is the decision of the joint opposition to hold a rally at D-Chowk on the same day. And our supporters will be 10 times more than theirs,” Shah answered when he was asked about the opposition’s plan to counter Imran’s move.
PPP leader said that the government’s allies are being approached and meetings were being held to join hands with them, Dawn reported.
Meanwhile, other key opposition leaders have accused the NA speaker of not being neutral at the time of the no-confidence move. Raising questions over neutrality, a total of 100 members of the National Assembly (MNAs) of the joint opposition have signed a no-trust move against the speaker. “We are bringing a no-trust move against him as he has lost his neutrality,” they alleged.
The Opposition parties in Pakistan are jettisoning mutual hatred to oust Imran Khan as they have submitted the no-confidence motion in the National Assembly Secretariat on Tuesday.
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| Bihar; Medical students, shop owners clash, more than 10 injured Posted: 12 Mar 2022 06:22 PM PST Darbhanga (Bihar): Several chemist shops were put on fire by a group of medical students of Darbhanga Medical College in Bihar on Friday.
Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Krishna Kumar said, “On Friday night, after an argument between a student of Darbhanga Medical College and the shopkeeper at the chemist, a group of students set several chemist shops on fire.” The fire at the chemist shops was so terrible that the whole sky turned red and a gas cylinder exploded that the entire area was shaken with the explosion, added Kumar.
On receiving information, the fire brigade reached the spot and started dousing the fire and four personnel have been injured during the incident.
SDPO further added, “When the neighbouring locals opposed the act of medical students, the students started pelting stones at the people, which turned into heavy stone pelting from both the sides.”
According to the people present at the spot, during the fight, the sound of firing and bombs was also heard.
After the incident, on Saturday morning, the drug dealers’ union protested and started demanding the arrest of the accused by jamming the hospital road. One of the protesting agitators said, “It is clearly visible in the CCTV footage that a medical student came to the shop and demanded drugs. The shopkeeper denied giving the same after which an argument started between both the parties. The student then called his friends and they start beating the shopkeeper.”
Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) Principal Kripanath Mishra said, “Due to fear, the doctors had fled from the emergency services during Friday night, but the emergency service has been restored from Saturday morning. We are going to have a meeting and it will be decided whether the hostel will remain operational or closed in future.”
The SDPO further said that half a dozen police personnel have been injured in this entire incident. The DMCH complex has been converted into a cantonment and police have been stationed everywhere and full security is being provided to the doctors.
The Darbhanga drug dealers’ union has been sitting in protest since Saturday morning demanding the arrest of all the accused. |
| Fire continues to rage at godown in Kolkata Posted: 12 Mar 2022 06:10 PM PST Kolkata (West Bengal): A major fire broke out at a godown in Kolkata’s Mehr Ali Lane in the Tangra area in Kolkata on Saturday evening which has still not been completely extinguished even after 10 hours.
Debtanu Ghosh, Divisional Fire Officer said, “The fire has not been completely extinguished even after 10 hours as there are some highly inflammable materials in the godown and we are not able to enter inside. Two fire brigade personnel were injured during the dousing operation.”
A total of 15 fire engines were present at the spot to douse the flames when the fire broke out in the tannery at around 6:30 pm on Saturday.
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| Nepotism in politics similar to favouritism in sports; PM Modi takes a jibe at the opposition Posted: 12 Mar 2022 05:57 PM PST Ahmedabad (Gujarat): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that favouritism was the major issue in sports similar to nepotism in politics, adding that with the dedication of youth, India would soon be among countries winning many golds in international sports events.
Addressing the inauguration of Khel Mahakumbh 2022 at Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad, PM Modi said, “The crowd is telling us that you all are ready to touch the sky. Due to Covid, the event could not be organised for two years, but CM Bhupendra Patel has organised it in such a way that youths are filled with zeal again.” PM Modi said that in Tokyo Olympics, India for the very first time won seven medals and the same record was made by Paralympians as well. “This is just a beginning.”
“I have faith in our young players, their dedication. I have trust on Sankalp (Pledge), Samarpan (dedication)of our players. Thus, I can say with confidence that our youth power would take it much further. We would soon be among countries winning many golds,” he said while lauding the power of youths in winning medals at various international sports events.
PM Modi said that today, the youth of the nation are making everyone proud in not one or two but various sports.
“In politics, like bhai-bhatijawaad (nepotism), favouritism in sports was also a major issue. Today Indian athletes are doing well with the glitter of gold and silver. There was a time when India’s identity was placed on one or two sports. Today, the youth of our nation are making us proud in not one or two but various sports. The sky is the limit for the talent we have in our country,” he added.
He said that this is not only the Mahakumbh of sports but also the Mahakumbh of youths and their indomitable spirits.
“In the first Khel Mahakumbh, Gujarat saw the participation of 13 lakh youths in 16 sports. In 2019, it rose to 40 lakh participants. Now, in 2022, 55 lakh enthusiastic participants are ready to begin their journey today,” said PM Modi.
The Prime Minister said, “In 2010 when I was Gujarat Chief Minister, I had started Khel Mahakumbh. Today I can say that the dream that had sown it has grown to a big tree.”
He further said that the government is supporting the athletes with schemes such as Shaktidoot.
“Are you proud of the achievements of our sportspersons? Youths from Gujarat are showing their prowess in India and abroad. There was a time when India’s identity globally in the sports arena was just 1-2 sports. The attention it deserved was not given for a long time,” he said.
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| Ready for peace talks; Zelenskyy to Israel PM Naftali Posted: 12 Mar 2022 05:38 PM PST Kyiv [Ukraine]: Amid escalating war between Moscow and Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday expressed his readiness to enter into negotiations with Russia in Jerusalem.
Zelenskyy said that he requested Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to mediate peace talks. “We spoke with (Israeli Prime Minister Naftali) Bennett, and I said that today it is not right [to hold] meetings in Russia, in Belarus. I’m not talking about technical meetings – I’m talking about leaders’ meetings. Do I think that Israel can be such a land, and Jerusalem? Yes, I think so. And I told him that,” RT News quoted Zelensky as saying.
So far, Russian and Ukrainian delegations have met three times in Belarus to discuss the ongoing conflict.
Apart from reaching some understanding on establishing humanitarian corridors to evacuate civilians from the combat zones, the two sides have failed to achieve any tangible results, RT News reported.
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron have urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to call an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine.
“Scholz, Macron urge Putin to call an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron made the proposal during a call with Vladimir Putin on March 12,” The Kyiv Independent tweeted.
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| Zelenskyy seeks Israel’s help for release of Melitopol mayor Posted: 12 Mar 2022 05:32 PM PST Kyiv [Ukraine]: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the war situation in Ukraine with Israel Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and sought his help for the release of the Melitopol mayor.
Taking to Twitter, Zelenskyy wrote, “Continued dialogue with Israel PM @naftalibennett. We talked about Russian aggression and the prospects for peace talks. We must stop repressions against civilians: asked to assist in the release of the captive mayor of Melitopol and local public figures.”
Earlier, Zelenskyy also spoke with the German chancellor Olaf Scholz and the French president Emmanuel Macron for their help in the release of Melitopol mayor, Ivan Fedorov.
“I spoke with @OlafScholz, @EmmanuelMacron. We discussed countering the aggressor, RF crimes against civilians. I ask my partners to help in releasing the captive mayor of Melitopol. Prospects for peace talks were also discussed. We must stop the aggressor together,” Zelenskyy tweeted.
On Saturday, Zelenskyy said that a total of 1,300 soldiers were killed by Russia. This is the first time he President mentioned Ukraine’s estimated military casualties, The Kyiv Independent reported.
Notably, Ukraine’s armed forces estimate Russian casualties to be over 12,000.
Meanwhile, western countries have imposed comprehensive sanctions on Moscow.
On February 24, Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine after the Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republic requested help in defending themselves.
The Russian Defence Ministry said the special operation is targeting Ukrainian military infrastructure only and the civilian population is not in danger.
The West however denies these claims by the Russians and in response, Western nations have imposed comprehensive sanctions on Moscow. In addition, they introduced sanctions on Belarus for supporting Russia’s operation in Ukraine.
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| US authorises $200 million aid for arms & equipment to Ukraine Posted: 12 Mar 2022 05:28 PM PST Washington [US]: US President Joe Biden authorised USD 200 million for additional arms and equipment to Ukraine, White House said on Saturday (local time).
“Today, President Biden authorised $200 million for additional arms and equipment to Ukraine. This unprecedented fourth drawdown in less than one year brings the total U.S. security assistance to Ukraine to over $1.2 billion since January 2021,” White House said in a Tweet.
Biden’s decision brings total US security aid provided to Ukraine to USD 1.2 billion since January 2021.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Antony Blinken tweeted: “I have authorised a drawdown of up to $200 million for additional arms and equipment to Ukraine. This unprecedented fourth drawdown in less than a year will bring total US security assistance provided to Ukraine to more than $1.2 billion since January 2021.”
CNN reported that an administration official said the USD 200 million drawdown will provide “immediate military assistance to Ukraine.” Which will include “anti-armour, anti-aircraft systems, and small arms in support of Ukraine’s front line defenders facing down Russia’s unprovoked attack,” the official said.
Earlier in the day, Ukraine said that Russian forces fired at a convoy that was evacuating women and children in the Kyiv region, killing seven people including one child.
“Russians shot at a column of women and children in Kyiv region, who were trying to evacuate along a previously agreed “green” corridor. The result of this brutal act – seven dead. One of them is a child,” the Ukrainian defence ministry said in a Tweet.
Media outlet The Kyiv Independent reported that the attack took place on March 11 as a column of women and children was leaving the village Peremoha in Kyiv Oblast, using the approved corridor.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russian forces of targeting a humanitarian corridor.
Ukrainian President’s aide Mykhailo Podolyak said that the negotiations with Russian delegation are underway in a continuous video format.
Among the top priorities of the talks is expanding and setting up humanitarian corridors, especially for the city of Mariupol, according to the state-run media.
However, the delegations met in person three times, with no conclusive results. The last meeting on the Russia Ukraine war took place on March 7.
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