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3, ఏప్రిల్ 2022, ఆదివారం

8pm NEWSFEED

Chandigarh Allows Restaurants, Bars, Hotels To Remain Open Till 3 AM

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 08:48 PM PDT

Under the new excise policy in Chandigarh, restaurants, bars and hotels can remain open till 3 am.

“The facility of 2-hour extension in closure timings (i.e. up to 3 AM) given to Restaurants / Bars / Hotels on payment of additional license fees,” read the press release on Excise Policy of Chandigarh for the year 2021-22.

Governor Punjab and Administrator U.T., Chandigarh, Banwarilal Purohit, after a detailed presentation by the Adviser to the Administrator, Finance Secretary-cum-Secretary (E&T), Deputy Commissioner-cum-Excise and Taxation Commissioner and other Senior Officers of the Excise Department, has approved new Excise Policy for the year 2022-23.

The policy aims at balancing the aspirations of the consumers, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and the government.

According to the new excise policy, to curb spurious liquor, pilfer proof seals are made mandatory in the country.

Common People Have Lost Their Trust In Investigating Agencies, Says Salman Khurshid

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 08:39 PM PDT

Congress leader Salman Khurshid on Saturday came out in support of CJI NV Ramana, a day after the latter suggested the creation of an “independent institution” to bring various agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation, Serious Fraud Investigation Office and the Enforcement Directorate under one roof.

Khurshid said that these statements by the CJI highlight the far-fetched thinking of the country. “The statement of the Chief Justice should be supported,” he said.

Khurshid said, “Chief Justice has said these statements outside the court. In such a situation, the question arises as to who will take these things forward or how such a decision will be implemented”.

Khurshid further said that the difficulty is that, in the country, the Chief Justice is for a maximum of one year or one and a half years.

He said that the common people have lost their trust in the investigating agencies. “Many of the investigating agencies or the investigating officers from whom people have expectations are caught taking bribes. The matter of taking bribes of officers comes in front of the public.”

“Several politicians of India also make big claims, but how can the Chief Justice or other judges of the country do something in this direction? If they are able to give an order and implement this order, then it is necessary for the country,” he said.

Chief Justice of India NV Ramana on Friday recommends there is an immediate requirement for the creation of an “independent umbrella institution”, so as to bring various agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), Enforcement Directorate (ED), etc. under one roof.

“There is an immediate requirement for the creation of an independent umbrella institution, so as to bring various agencies like the CBI, SFIO, ED, etc. under one roof. This body is required to be created under a statute, clearly defining its powers, functions and jurisdictions. Such a law will also lead to much needed legislative oversight,” CJI Ramana said while delivering the 19th DP Kohli Memorial Lecture in Delhi today.

CJI Ramana, who was speaking on ‘Democracy: Role and Responsibilities of Investigative Agencies’, said that this umbrella organisation will end a “multiplicity of proceedings”.

India Inc Performance Improves In 2nd Half Of’22: CRISIL Ratings

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 08:03 PM PDT

Mumbai (Maharashtra): India Inc performance based on credit ratings improved sharply in the second half of the financial year 2021-22 on the back of sustained improvement in demand, secular deleveraging by debt issuers, and proactive relief measures by the government, CRISIL Ratings said.


The CRISIL Ratings credit ratio 1 (upgrades to downgrades) increased to 5.04 times in the second half (H2) of fiscal 2022, compared with 2.96 times in the first half (H1), underscoring continuing improvement in the performance of India Inc. In all, there were 569 upgrades and 113 downgrades in the second half (H2) of 2021-22.


The upgrade rate increased to 15.4 per cent in H2 from 12.5 per cent in H1, while the downgrade rate declined to 3.1 per cent from 4.2 per cent in the same period.

The downgrade rate is less than half the 6.5 per cent average seen in the past ten-and-a-half-year period, CRISIL Ratings said.


The performance comes on the back of a sustained improvement in demand (that lifted the revenues of most sectors to their pre-pandemic levels), secular deleveraging by debt issuers (seen over the past few fiscals and through the pandemic), and proactive relief measures by the government (that cushioned the pandemic blow), it said.


CRISIL Ratings’ outlook on credit quality remains ‘positive’, with upgrades expected to outnumber downgrades in fiscal 2023, too.

However, going forward, the credit ratio could moderate for two reasons: one, demand and profitability could soften if commodity prices remain high; and two, winding back of Covid-19 relief measures.

Further, with offices reopening and business travel restarting, some of the cost savings of 2020-22 would be eliminated.


Demand recovery, nimbleness in managing supply chains, and a tight leash on costs have shored up the median operating profit growth of the upgraded companies by 41 per cent in the past two fiscals — more than double the rate for the portfolio. 

US Denials To Oust Imran A Pack Of Lies: Pakistan Minister

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 07:55 PM PDT

Islamabad [Pakistan]: Pakistan’s Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari on Saturday said that the United States attempted to topple the Pakistani government by sending threatening words and is now making false denial which is nothing but a pack of lies.


“Has the US government ever spoken the truth? It has always been telling lies to the world. It even lied to the UN about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. But later the lies were exposed, showing that the US spoke blatant lies to very prestigious senior officials of the UN,” Xinhua News Agency reported quoting Mazari’s video message.

The Pakistan Minister said that Pakistan should know that all denials coming from the United States are a pack of lies.


“The US threatened regime change in Pakistan and targeted Prime Minister Imran Khan. The United States said that it will forgive Pakistan if Khan is removed as Prime Minister,” the minister added, according to Xinhua.


The minister said that the Pakistani Prime Minister was targeted because he took a stand against the United States and tried to take decisions on his own.


Earlier on Friday, Khan said while addressing an event that the United States showed displeasure when he visited Russia, adding that as a sovereign country, Pakistan has the right to have an independent foreign policy without being influenced by anyone.


The Prime Minister also mentioned that an official demarche has been made through official channels to the US embassy in Pakistan. 

Petrol, Diesel Prices Hiked Again, Delhi Rates Up By ₹ 8 In 13 days

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 07:52 PM PDT

Petrol and diesel prices were on Sunday again hiked by 80 paise a litre each, taking the total increase in rates in less then two weeks to ₹ 8 per litre.

Petrol in Delhi will now cost ₹ 103.41 per litre as against ₹ 102.61 previously, while diesel rates have gone up from ₹ 93.87 per litre to ₹ 94.67, according to a price notification of state fuel retailers.

Rates have been increased across the country and vary from state to state depending upon the incidence of local taxation.

Daniel Craig Tests Positive For COVID-19

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 07:46 PM PDT

Washington [US]: James Bond actor Daniel Craig, 54, has tested positive for COVID-19.
Craig was supposed to perform in the latest Broadway staging of Shakespeare’s Macbeth but due to his diagnosis, the Longacre Theater cancelled the show, People reported.

The update about Craig’s positive result and the subsequent cancellations of the play was shared in a statement from the production’s official Twitter account.


“Today’s matinee and evening performance of MACBETH are cancelled due to Daniel Craig just testing positive for COVID this afternoon,” the statement read.


Ticket refunds are available at the place of purchase, according to the show producers.


“We apologise for the inconvenience this causes ticket holders, but the safety of our audiences, the cast and crew remains our top priority. All tickets for the cancelled performance will be refunded at the original point of purchase,” the statement continued.


The play is directed by Sam Gold, who also directed Craig in Othello off-Broadway, and features original music by Gaelynn Lea.

Ahead Of No-Confidence Vote, Gen. Bajwa Indicates Pak Ready For Talks With India

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 07:40 PM PDT

Islamabad [Pakistan]: Ahead of the deceive no-confidence motion against Imran Khan on Sunday, Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen. Bajwa indicated that Pakistan is ready to talk with India to resolve all outstanding issues, including the Kashmir issue.


“Pakistan continues to believe in using dialogue and diplomacy to resolve all outstanding issues, including the Kashmir dispute and is ready to move forward on this front if India also agrees to do so,” Pakistan’s COAS Gen. Bajwa was quoted as saying by Dawn Newspaper. He made these remarks on Saturday during the Islamabad Security Dialogue.


Last year, Gen. Bajwa had made similar remarks at this very event when he had said it was time for India-Pakistan to “bury the past and move forward”.


The Pakistan army chief said Pakistan wanted the Sino-India border to be resolved soon through diplomacy and dialogue as well.


“I believe it is time for the political leadership of the region to rise above their emotional and perceptional biases and break the shackles of history to bring peace and prosperity to almost three billion people of the region,” Gen. Bajwa said.


Last month, Pakistan had said it wishes to have mutually beneficial relations with all its neighbours including India and resolve all outstanding disputes. Pakistan Charge d’Affaires in New Delhi, Aftab Hassan Khan had stressed that it is essential to resolve the core issue for lasting peace and stability in the region.


India on several occasions has said that it desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan.

India’s consistent position is that issues between India and Pakistan should be resolved bilaterally and peacefully, in an atmosphere free of terror and violence.

New Delhi has maintained that the onus is on Pakistan to create such a conducive environment.


Pakistan continues to sponsor cross border terrorism against India; restrict normal trade, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges; and engage in hostile and fabricated propaganda to vilify India, according to the Ministry of External Affairs annual report.


Last year, both countries had renewed ceasefire understanding between Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs).


The understanding held quite well for the first few months, but Pakistan again upped the ante in terms of cross-border infiltrations and ceasefire violations from July 2021. 

Remove Loudspeakers From Mosques, Warns Of Playing ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ In Front Of Mosques: Raj Thackeray

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 07:28 PM PDT

Mumbai (Maharashtra): Maharashtra NavnirmanSena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday asked the state government to remove the loudspeakers from mosques and warned of “putting loudspeakers in front of the mosques and play Hanuman Chalisa”.


Addressing the party workers here, Thackeray said, “I am not against prayers, you can pray at your home, but the government should take a decision on removing mosque loudspeakers. I am warning now… Remove loudspeakers or else will put loudspeakers in front of the mosque and play Hanuman Chalisa.”

The MNS chief demanded the government to revoke the pensions given to the MPs and MLAs and asked to take their farmhouse away if they have to be given houses.


“The MLA and MP pensions should be stopped. If you want to give homes, then give to the poor people who live in the slums. Why provide the MLAs houses? If you have to provide homes, then take their farmhouses away and then give them houses,” he said.


Thackeray appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to raid the mosques in the Muslim areas in Mumbai and said that the people living there are “Pakistani supporters”.


“I appeal to PM Modi to raid the Madarasas at the Muslim shanties. Pakistani supporters are residing in these shanties. Mumbai Police knows what’s happening there…Our MLAs using them for vote-bank, such people don’t even have Aadhar Card, but the MLAs get them made,” he said.


The MNS chief also hit out at NCP chief Sharad Pawar and said that he is responsible for the rise of casteist politics in Maharashtra after the formation of his party in 1999.


“NCP was formed in 1999, and since then casteism in the state rose which was done by Sharad Pawar. Pawar’s NCP has always done politics on the basis of caste and has created a divide among people. If we don’t come out of the caste politics then how will become Hindu? Which flag of Hindutva would we hold?” he said.


The leader lauded the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh and said that the state is progressing and he wants the same development in Maharashtra.


“I am happy to see that Uttar Pradesh is progressing. We want the same development in Maharashtra. I will visit Ayodhya, but today I will not tell when. I will also talk about Hindutva,” he said.


He also slammed former state minister Anil Deshmukh and said that he is behind the bars for serious allegations of corruption.


Thackeray hit out at NCP leader and minister Nawab Malik and said that he should be “ashamed for having links with underworld don”.

Covid-19: Anger Brews Over Lockdown In Shanghai As Cases Continue To Spike

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 07:24 PM PDT

As China’s daily COVID-19 cases reached a record high on Friday, the country is struggling to manage growing public displeasure over the Covid-Zero policy in Shanghai.

Residents of one of the country’s biggest cities and a global financial hub have started protesting against lockdown orders which have stretched in some instances to a month, according to media reports. Chinese experts believe that though Shanghai’s epidemic scale is bigger than the previous Wuhan outbreak, its severity is lower in comparison, state media tabloid Global Times reported.

Local health authorities from Shanghai attributed the city’s surge in infections to the expansion of the range of mass screening.

“The number of positive cases reported today has increased compared with the numbers of the previous two days because we screened more widely,” Wu Qianyu, an official from Shanghai Municipal Heath Commission, said during a press conference on Saturday.

Due to the “zero-Covid” policy, medical systems can be quickly overwhelmed by the requirements to isolate all positive cases — regardless of their severity.

These several COVID measures have had the unintended consequence of putting the health of vulnerable people at risk, as health authorities try to protect the country against a massive outbreak.

The Covid infection in a city hospital where the COVID crisis is unfolding, infection is majorly spreading among the older population and people are continuously losing their lives for the past three days.

China’s largest city has exposed the elderly, a vulnerable group in the country, the New York Times reported.

Two attendants at the Shanghai Donghai Elderly Care Hospital in interviews said that the coronavirus was spreading widely among the mostly older patients in the facility, and that people had died in each of the past three days.

The two spoke on the condition of anonymity as they feared losing their jobs. With the rise of the highly transmissible Omicron variant in China, the country is struggling to keep up with the rising covid cases.

With Surging Exports, Govt. To Push Indian Businesses Abroad Boldly

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 07:19 PM PDT

New Delhi [India]: Buoyed by the recent surge in Indian goods exports which touched USD 400 billion this year, India will give further push to economic diplomacy and will market Indian business more boldly and openly across the globe, a senior functionary of the government said.


India has recently inked crucial trade agreements with United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Australia.

Talks with Israel, European Union and Britain are also progressing well, according to a senior official.

Recently, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal indicated that several agreements will be inked by the end of 2022


Although he did not give any deadline, India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was concluded in record 88 days. India is expecting a major boost in two-way trade with Australia and UAE after the pacts.


Earlier, India had walked out of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations citing national interests.


Last year in August, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the head of missions abroad and urged them to take advantage of the post-Covid business environment and promote Indian businesses.


He also urged Indian envoys to make the world aware of India’s capabilities in developing a reliable supply chain and valuable products and promote Indian Businesses.


Senior officials feel that the COVID-19 pandemic has shown that over-dependence on supply chain on one country or source has its limitations and the world is now looking at India and other developing countries as alternatives.


Therefore, India can expect a major push from the government to promote Indian businesses abroad as various other countries do as a diplomatic practice. 

Actor Malaika Arora Injured In Car Accident, Hospitalised

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 07:10 PM PDT

Mumbai (Maharashtra): Bollywood actor Malaika Arora suffered injuries in a car accident on the Mumbai-Pune highway on Saturday and was later hospitalised.


The actress has received some minor injuries. The accident took place when Malaika was returning from Pune and some cars collided with each other near Khalapur Toll Plaza on the Mumbai-Pune highway.

She has been hospitalised at Apollo hospital in Navi Mumbai. “Malaika Arora Khan met with an accident on Mumbai Pune Highway.

She has been admitted to Apollo Hospital in Navi Mumbai for treatment She has some minor injuries,” Apollo hospital said.


The hospital said that she will be kept under observation tonight and will be discharged in the morning tomorrow.

Haryana: Wearing Face Masks In Public Places No Longer Mandatory

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 07:09 PM PDT

Amidst the prevalence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Haryana government on Saturday notified that wearing face masks in public places and workplaces was no longer mandatory.

“Wearing of face mask by each person, while being in public places and workplace, was made mandatory; is hereby withdrawn with immediate effects. No penalty or fine of Rs 500/ shall be imposed or not wearing face masks in public/work places.” The government advised the general public to adhere to the COVID appropriate behaviour and wearing face masks, frequent use of sanitisers and hand hygiene and maintaining social distance is desirable.

Meanwhile, India today reported 1,260 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of Coronavirus infections to 4,30,27,035. India also recorded 83 COVID-related deaths in the last 24 hours, according to the Health Ministry.

Today morning, India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage exceeded 184.52 crore (1,84,52,44,856) as per provisional reports till 7 am today. COVID-19 vaccination for the age group 12-14 years was started on March 16, 2022. So far, more than 1.81 crore (1,81,21,823) adolescents have been administered the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan To Face No-Confidence Vote Today

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 07:05 PM PDT

Islamabad [Pakistan]: After weeks of political mudslinging, name-calling, and claims of an international conspiracy, Imran Khan is set to face the no-confidence vote on Sunday in Pakistan’s National Assembly.


As Pakistan PM readies himself to face the “last ball”, it is clear that Imran Khan has seemingly lost support both in the lower house of the legislature and the backing of the all-powerful Pakistan army.

Imran Khan received a massive blow when the PTI “lost the majority” in the National Assembly after losing its key ally in the coalition Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P).

The MQM announced on Wednesday that it had struck a deal with the opposition Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and would support the no-confidence vote in the 342-member National Assembly.


Imran Khan, elected in July 2018 vowing to fix the economy and combat corruption, isn’t going quietly. Pakistan PM held a massive rally last Sunday in Islamabad and later gave controversial speeches to show he remains wildly popular with his supporters.


A day before the decisive no-confidence vote, Imran Khan urged the country’s youth to stage “peaceful protests” against a “foreign conspiracy” allegedly hatched against his government.


Pakistan Prime Minister even said that he has “more than one plan” for tomorrow’s vote on the no-confidence motion against him. He also urged the youth of Pakistan to agitate and raise their voice against the conspiracy by external forces.


Imran Khan further claimed that the Opposition leaders are seeking power to dispose of the corruption cases against them.


In an editorial on Saturday, Pakistan’s Dawn said Imran Khan seems willing to go to any lengths in his determination to convert his looming defeat in Sunday’s vote of no-confidence into a moment of political martyrdom.


“As if the shock value of an international conspiracy to oust him was not enough, his close aides and Mr Khan himself have since doubled down with public statements that they fear an attempt on his life,” the newspaper said.


Criticising the country’s prime minister, the Pakistani daily said one hopes that Imran Khan is not simply trying to create panic among his supporters, many of whom have already issued passionate calls for rallies and demonstrations ahead of the Sunday vote.


Tilak Devasher, an author and India’s foremost Pakistan expert said that Imran Khan is hoping for clashes and violence forcing the army to step in and wrap up the system rather than leave democratically.


“Imran Khan still doesn’t get it that his fate will be decided in the National Assembly on Sunday and not by inciting youth to come on the streets to protest. He is hoping for clashes and violence forcing the army to step in and wrap up the system rather than leave democratically,” Devasher tweeted.


“By saying that he won’t accept the results of the NCM, Imran Khan has confirmed that he doesn’t believe in democracy or the constitutional process. Someone needs to tell him that it doesn’t matter whether he accepts the results or not. If he is defeated he is ex-PM,” he added.

IPL 2022: Shubman Gill’s 84Run Knock Guides Gujarat Titans To 171/6 Against Delhi Capitals

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 07:00 PM PDT

Shubman Gill played his best ever knock in IPL scoring 84 runs off 46 balls to help Gujarat Titans set a 172-run target against Delhi Capitals. Left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman bagged three wickets for Delhi.

Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant won the toss and put Gujarat Titans to bat. Pant justified his decision to play Mustafizur Rahman as the left-arm pacer dismissed opener Matthew Wade caught behind for 1 in the very first over to give Delhi a perfect start. Shubman Gill and all-rounder Vijay Shankar then struck a partnership and the duo took the team’s total to 44 in six overs of Powerplay.

After the Powerplay Pant introduced Kuldeep Yadav into the attack and the Chinaman bowler dismissed Shankar in his very first ball.

Hardik Pandya joined Gill to take Gujarat’s total beyond the 50-run mark in the seventh over. These two notched up a 50-run partnership in just 38 balls and Gill went on to score his half-century off just 32 balls and Gujarat Titans managed to reach the triple-figure mark in 13.1 overs.

The 65-run partnership was finally broken as Khaleel Ahmed got the wicket of dangerous Pandya for 31 off 27 balls caught by Rovman Powell.
Gill kept on hitting boundaries and sixes to go past his highest individual score of 76 in IPL.

Khaleel Ahmed got his second wicket dismissing dangerous Gill for 84 off 46 balls hitting six fours and four sixes. Rahul Tewatia joined David Miller in the attack and the duo took the team’s total beyond the 150-run mark in 17.3 overs.

Mustafizur Rahman came into the bowl in the final over and first, he dismissed Tewatia for 14 and then he sent Abhinav Manohar packing for 1 and conceded only four runs to guide Gujarat Titans to 171/6 in 20 overs.

Brief Scores: Gujarat Titans 171/6 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 84, Hardik Pandya 31; Mustafizur Rahman 3/23) vs Delhi Capitals

Nationwide Social Media Blackout Imposed In Sri Lanka

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 06:58 PM PDT

Colombo [Sri Lanka]: Sri Lanka government imposed a nationwide social media blackout after midnight on Sunday, April 3, according to an internet observatory.


Some two dozen social media platforms were affected including Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram. “Confirmed: Real-time network data show Sri Lanka has imposed a nationwide social media blackout, restricting access to platforms including Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, and Instagram as emergency is declared amid widespread protests,” NetBlocks tweeted.


Ahead of the planned protest for Sunday, the island nation had declared a 36-hour curfew from Saturday to Monday as the country faced a severe power crisis and rising inflation.


The island nation of 22 million people is having a hard time dealing with blackouts for up to 13 hours a day as the government scrambles to secure foreign exchange to pay for fuel imports.


A London based rights watchdog on Saturday warned the Sri Lankan government that the declaration of emergency in the island nation, in the name of public security, should not become a pretext for human rights violations.


“Sri Lanka: The declaration of the state of emergency in the name of public security should not become a pretext for further human rights violations. The order declaring a state of emergency intends to restrict the rights to freedom of association, assembly and movement as well as due process protections,” Amnesty International said in a statement.


“In the context of growing public discontentment with the government’s handing of economics crisis, the state of emergency could have the effect of stifling dissent by creating fear, facilitating arbitrary arrests and detention,” the statement added.


On Friday, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa issued the Extraordinary Gazette declaring a state of public emergency in Sri Lanka with immediate effect.


Rajapaksa said the emergency was declared in the interests of public security, protection of public order and the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community. 

Bengaluru: Crime Branch Detains Two For Alleged Involvement In IPL Betting

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 08:04 AM PDT

The Central Crime Branch (CCB) of Bengaluru Police on Saturday detained two people for allegedly being involved in an IPL betting racket and recovered Rs 3.15 lakh in cash from them.

The Joint Commissioner of Police, Crime, Bengaluru, from its official account, tweeted, “CCB Police detained two people who were allegedly involved in a cricket betting racket on IPL matches, and seized Rs 3,15,000 in cash and two mobile phones from them.” Further details are awaited.

‘XE’ New COVID Mutant Found In UK, More Transmissible Than Omicron Sub-variant: WHO

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 08:03 AM PDT

Geneva [Switzerland]: A new COVID mutant ‘XE’ has been found in the UK, the World Health Organisation has said in its latest report and noted that it may be more transmissible than the BA.2 sub-lineage of COVID-19.


XE is recombinant of Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 sublineages of COVID-19. “The XE recombinant (BA.1-BA.2), was first detected in the United Kingdom on January 19 and sequences have been reported and confirmed since,” the WHO said.


“Early-day estimates indicate a community growth rate advantage of ~10 per cent as compared to BA.2, however this finding requires further confirmation.

XE belongs to the Omicron variant until significant differences in transmission and disease characteristics, including severity, may be reported,” it added.


The United Kingdom has reported 637 cases of XE and experts said it has shown a variable growth rate.


According to UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), its new analysis has examined three recombinants known as XF, XE, and XD.


“Of these, XD and XF are recombinants of Delta and Omicron BA.1, while XE is a recombinant of Omicron BA.1 and BA.2,” it said in an update.


A recombinant variant occurs when an individual becomes infected with two or more variants at the same time, resulting in a mixing of their genetic material within the patient’s body.


UKHSA said this is not an unusual occurrence and several recombinant SARS-CoV-2 variants have been identified over the course of the pandemic.


UKHSA said XD has not been identified in the UK to date, though 49 cases have been reported to global databases, the majority of these are in France.


“A total 637 cases of XE – a recombinant of Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 – have been confirmed in the UK so far. The earliest of these has a specimen date of January 19, 2022. There is currently insufficient evidence to draw conclusions about growth advantage or other properties of this variant,” it said.


UKHSA said it continues to monitor all recombinants closely.

Punjab’s Ration Depot Holders Demand Commission

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 07:55 AM PDT

Ration depot holders demand a commission of Rs 200 per quintal in view of the Punjab government’s new door-to-door ration scheme and threatened to High Court if the demands are not fulfilled.

“I have talked to the district and block president, requesting a guideline. We demand employment,” Surinder Shinda, President, Punjab Ration Depot Holders’ Association said.

“Eight ration depot holders have died. The Punjab government gave no compensation. We haven’t received two years’ commission under Prime Minister Rozgar Yojana. We demand to see policies. Like Delhi, we need Rs 200 per quintal commission. We will go to the High Court if our demands are not fulfilled,” added Surinder Shinda.

Earlier on Monday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann rolled out a doorstep ration delivery scheme in the state.

“The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has decided to start doorstep delivery of ration for the people of Punjab. Our officers will call you to ask the timings of the same and will deliver the ration at that time,” Mann said.

He also informed that the scheme is an optional one, and the ration-card holders can opt-out of it.

Mann also assured that the ration that’ll be delivered will be of good quality.

IPL 2022: Jos Buttler, Spinners Shine As Rajasthan Royals Beat Mumbai Indians

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 07:47 AM PDT

Century from Jos Buttler was backed by the sensational effort from Rajasthan Royals’ spinners as they defeated Mumbai Indians by 23 runs in their Indian Premier League 2022 match here at Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai on Saturday.

RR’s spin twins Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin broke the game open as the five-time champs fell way short in the end. Chasing 194, Mumbai Indians didn’t enjoy such a great start as their score read 50/2 after the powerplay. Prasidh Krishna removed Rohit Sharma in the second over. MI skipper cut straight to Riyan Parag at point, who took a really good catch as the ball flew to him off the middle of the bat.
In the 4th over, Navdeep Saini dismissed Anmolpreet Singh. The ball stopped a bit off the pitch and Anmolpreet was early to the shot which then chipped to Padikkal at extra covers.

The middle overs were better for MI batters, as they amassed 86 runs with the loss of two wickets. In the last ball of 13th over Trent Boult sent dangerous-looking Ishan Kishan back into the hut for 54 off 43. Kishan pulled the ball flat and it travelled with great speed as Saini took a stupendous catch in the deep square leg.

In the very next over, youngster Tilak Varma brought his maiden fifty in the IPL. With MI chase going on with a comfortable pace, the experienced spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin tilted the momentum back in favour of RR.

Ashwin first removed Tilak for 61 and then Chahal struck twice in the 16th over to send Tim David and Daniel Sams back to the pavilion in consecutive deliveries.
With 39 runs needed from 12 balls, Prasidh Krishna leaked only 10 runs in the penultimate over. Navdeep Saini then proceeded to win the match for RR in the last over.

Earlier, a sizzling century from Jos Buttler took Rajasthan Royals to 193/8 against Mumbai Indians.

Buttler smashed 100 while Shimron Hetmyer and Sanju Samson played inspiring knocks of 35 and 30 respectively. For Mumbai Indians, Jasprit Bumrah and Tymal Mills scalped three wickets each.

Put in to bat first, Rajasthan endured a bad start as their score read 48/2 after the powerplay. In the 3rd over, Jasprit Bumrah removed RR opener Yashasvi Jaiswal to give Mumbai their first wicket. MI bowler bowled a good length delivery and gave no room to Jaiswal as RR batter tried to flick it and the ball found the fielder.

The 4th over was massive for RR, as their other opener Buttler smashed Basil Thampi for 24 runs to shift the momentum to his side. In the last ball of the powerplay, Tymal Mills dismissed Devdutt Padikkal. Padikkal tried to finish the powerplay on a high note as he attempted to pull the short ball but ended up mistiming it. In the end, it was an easy catch for the MI skipper Rohit Sharma.

The RR batters excelled in the middle overs as they gathered 90 runs (10 rpo) with the loss of just one wicket. Sanju Samson and Buttler stitched a valuable partnership that was undone by Kieron Pollard when he removed RR skipper in the 15th over. Samson mistimed the lofted shot as the ball went high and then to the hands of Tilak Varma in deep mid-wicket.

Shimron Hetmyer then joined Buttler and the duo started clocking runs for RR. In the 17th and 18th over, Hetmyer went ballistic and gathered 38 runs for RR. In the last two overs, MI battled back and took five wickets to ensure RR don’t reach the score of 200.

Rajasthan Royals 193/8 (Jos Buttler 100, Shimron Hetmyer 35; Jasprit Bumrah 3-17) vs Mumbai Indians 170/8 (Tilak Verma 61, Ishan Kishan 54; Yuzvendra Chahal 2-26).

Foreign Agencies Auctioning Pakistan’s Opposition Leaders Like Goats: Imran

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 06:54 AM PDT

Islamabad [Pakistan]: A day ahead of the voting on the no-confidence motion in the National Assembly, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday said that the “foreign conspirators are auctioning Pakistani opposition leaders like goats” and called on the Pakistani youth to not forgive the “traitors”.


Khan, in an address, accused the US of conspiring to topple the government and stated that the Pakistani opposition leaders are sold for merely 15-20 billion.

Hinting at the West sanctions on Russia, the Pakistani PM said that the opposition leaders are afraid that they will face the same fate.


Moreover, Imran Khan added that the foreign conspirators are looking to change the leadership of the nuclear-armed nation.


This comes at a time when the PM said that he will share the ‘foreign-funded conspiracy’ letter with senior journalists and ally party members which has evidence that outside elements are trying to topple the government.


In Pakistan’s National Assembly, the no-trust vote against the Imran Khan government was deferred to April 3.


Imran Khan received a massive blow when the PTI “lost the majority” in the National Assembly after losing its key ally in the coalition Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P). The MQM announced that it had struck a deal with the opposition Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and would support the no-trust vote in the 342-member National Assembly.


The no-confidence motion was submitted by the Opposition parties on March 8. The Opposition has been confident that its motion would be carried as many PTI lawmakers have come out in the open against PM Imran Khan.


Imran Khan is the third Prime Minister to face the no-confidence motion in Pakistan.

Unable To Pay Embassy Staff; Pak In Dire Economic straits

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 06:38 AM PDT

Islamabad [Pakistan]: Pakistan is finding it difficult to pay even its embassy staff revealing the dire economic straits that the country finds itself in, a media report said.


In a major embarrassment for the country, Pakistan Embassy in Serbia through its official Twitter handle recently disclosed that the government had not paid its dues for three months. It was also claimed that the children of embassy officials had been forced out of school due to non-payment of fees, Al Arabiya Post reported.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry tried to cover it up by saying that the embassy’s social media account was hacked.

However, the firefighting by the government turned futile when similar demand for funds came from the Pakistani embassy in Argentina, the report said.


The embassy in Buenos Aires was forced to raise the alarm when the school which the Pakistan ambassador’s children were attending served final notice to clear the dues.

Similar problems of non-payment of school fees of Pakistan Mission’s officers’ children in Bangladesh have also been reported in the past, the report added.


Recently, the Pakistan Embassy in Washington too was reportedly in a dire economic straits and was unable to pay the salaries of its contractual employees for several months.

A report disclosed that local hires were paid out of the Pakistan Community Welfare (PCW) fund, which collapsed in 2020 after its funds were diverted to tackle the COVID-19 crisis. In October 2021, unpaid staffers wrote a letter to the ambassador urging him to resolve the issue, the report said.


The economic figures reveal the poor economic scenario in the country, the report said, adding that, despite the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP)’s ‘sunny side up’ approach. Pakistan’s total debts and liabilities have crossed PKR 50.5 trillion, an increase of around PKR 20 trillion under the current PM Imran Khan government.

SBP data further shows that the current account deficit has increased to 4.7 per cent of GDP, far above the target of 2-3 per cent for 2021. Moreover, the rupee has plunged to cross the mark of PKR 183 against the US dollar, indicating bleak fundamentals.


Former Chairman of Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue, Shbbar Zaidi during his speech at a university in Karachi in December 2021, noted that the country was clearly bankrupt and “not a going concern”.

He further held that it’s rather more than unusual for a country that is not at war, either with itself or anyone else, to run itself to the ground, the report said.


Recently, a staff mission of the international lender held the first round of discussions with tax officials in Pakistan and raised the issue of reforms in the personal income tax to raise maximum revenue and address the continuing economic downturn in the country, the Dawn newspaper reported.


While being startling, the revelations made by embassies do not appear to be limited to these countries only, the report said, adding further that, the misplaced economic priorities of the Pakistan government have extended the financial vulnerability of its common people to its diplomatic community throughout the world. 

Eying Gujarat Polls, AAP Holds Roadshow In Ahmedabad

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 06:18 AM PDT

Ahmedabad (Gujarat): Eying the Gujarat Assembly elections that are slated to be held this year, Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann exuded confidence in winning the polls.


Speaking to people during the roadshow, Mann said, “Delhi and Punjab are sorted, now we are preparing for Gujarat.” AAP’s official Twitter handle termed this roadshow as ‘AAP Gujarat Tiranga Yatra’. During the roadshow, a tableau of Delhi’s world-famous Mohalla Clinic was displayed in the Ahmedabad roadshow.


Earlier in the day, Kejriwal and Mann visited Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat. In a tweet in Hindi today, Kejriwal wrote, “Had the good fortune of visiting Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat today. This ashram is a spiritual place, it seems as if the revered soul of Gandhiji resides here. Coming here gives a spiritual feeling. I consider myself blessed that I was also born in the country in which Gandhiji was born.”


AAP’s Gujarat hope has been fuelled by its performance in the February 2021 Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) polls in which BJP won 93 seats, while Aam Aadmi Party bagged 27 seats in the Surat Municipal Corporation election and Congress drew a blank.

Uddhav Thackeray Flags Off Two Metro Lines In Mumbai

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 06:10 AM PDT

Mumbai (Maharashtra): On the occasion of Gudi Padwa, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray flagged off two metro lines – Metro 2A and Metro 7, in Mumbai on Saturday.


Trains on the new Mumbai Metro lines will function between Aarey and Dhanukarwadi. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, State Cabinet Ministers Aaditya Thackeray and Eknath Shinde were also present on the occasion.


However, BJP boycotted today’s metro inauguration program as the Maharashtra government did not invite BJP leader and opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis.


This step taken by the Maharashtra government holds importance as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation election is slated to be held this year. 

New Zealand’s Tom Latham Breaks Sachin’s ODI Score Record On Birthday

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 06:03 AM PDT

Hamilton [New Zealand]: Tom Latham on Saturday broke the record of the highest individual ODI score made on a birthday that earlier belonged to legendary Indian batter Sachin Tendulkar.


New Zealand on Saturday defeated Netherlands by 118 runs as the hosts took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series here in Hamilton. Tom Latham was the architect of the victory. New Zealand were in dire straits against the sprightly opponents, reduced to 89/6 within 23 overs. However, Latham played the ultimate captain’s knock, his 123-ball 140* reviving the hosts and eventually taking them to a mammoth 264/9. His knock – it was his career-best score in ODI cricket – was laced with 10 fours and five sixes. It was his birthday, and he couldn’t have rung in his thirties any better.


With the unbeaten 140 on April 2, Tom Latham broke the 24-year-old record of Sachin Tendulkar of the highest ODI score made on a birthday. Tendulkar played an innings of 134 runs on his birthday in 1998.


Another Kiwi batter Ross Taylor is at number three in the list of players who have scored a big ODI score on their birthday, he made 131 runs in the year 2011.


Sanath Jayasuriya is at number four after hitting 130 runs in the year 2008 while Vinod Kambli scored 100 runs on his birthday in 1993. 

NEET-UG’22 Exam On July 17: Registration Starts April 2

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 05:56 AM PDT

New Delhi [India]: As per the reports of the Times of India, NEET-UG will be held on July 17 and registration would start from April 2. As per the sources, NTA will release the notification soon for the final exam schedule.

According to speculations the NTA would release notice for registration on April 2nd on its official website neet.nta.nic.in.


As per the reports, the Registration window for NEET-UG 2022 is likely to open till May 7 and then the new window will open in the mid of May.

NTA & NMC have also removed the upper limit age criteria for the NEET UG 2022 aspirants to appear for the entrance exam.

Eligibility and Education Qualification for NEET-UG 2022:
-The candidates should have completed 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology & English as a core subject from any recognized board.


-Age criteria to apply for the exam is 17 years minimum and there is no maximum age required.


Steps to Apply for NEET UG 2022:
-Visit the official website: neet.nta.nic.in
-Click on the link given as registration for NEET-UG 2022 on the homepage.
-Register yourself by filling the required basic details.
-Login by using registration details.
-Fill the application form and upload all the documents.
-Complete the payment process and submit the form.
-Download the form and take out its print for future reference.

Documents required for NEET UG Registration 2022:
Scanned copies are required of the following:
-Mark-sheets of classes 10th & 12th
-Scanned copy of candidate’s signature
-Scanned copy of passport and postcard-sized photo of the candidates
-Scanned copy of left thumb impression of the students
-Valid Government ID proof

Rajkummar Rao’s PAN Card Misused In Loan Fraud

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 05:36 AM PDT

New Delhi [India]: Bollywood actor Rajkummar Rao on Saturday became a victim of financial fraud where his PAN card was misused to take out a loan in his name.


The 37-year-old actor took to his Twitter handle to call out the financial fraud.

‘#FraudAlert My pan card has been misused and a small loan of Rs.2500 has been taken on my name. Due to which my cibil score has been affected. @CIBIL_Official please rectify the same and do take precautionary steps against this,” Rao tweeted.

The official Twitter account of CIBIL has not yet replied to the ‘Badhaai Do’ actor.
Meanwhile, on the work front, Rao will soon be seen in films such as ‘Hit’, ‘Monica, O My Darling’ and ‘Bheed’ among several others. 

Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber to perform at Grammys 2022

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 05:33 AM PDT

The 64th annual Grammy Awards will be one star-studded event filled with some truly epic performances. Singers Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber have joined the lineup of performers ahead of the ceremony.

The announcement regarding the performances was made by CBS on their Twitter handle. “Make some noise, monsters… @ladygaga is performing on the #GRAMMYs stage this Sunday on CBS,” the tweet read.

Another tweet from CBS read, “The hits keep coming! @justinbieber, @DanielCaesar, and @giveon have been added to the #GRAMMYs lineup. Watch them and MORE perform at The GRAMMY Awards LIVE on Sunday at 8pm ET/5pm PT on CBS.”

Gaga is nominated for six awards alongside veteran singer Tony Bennett for their second collaborative album, ‘Love for Sale’.

Bennett’s son and manager Danny confirmed that his father will not be attending the ceremony but will cheer for Gaga from his home in New York City, reported Variety.

Danny said in a statement to Variety, “Tony is beyond thrilled, particularly at the young age of 95, to once again be recognized along with his musical collaborator and dear friend Lady Gaga by the Recording Academy for their album ‘Love for Sale.’ To have the album nominated in six categories including Album of the Year and Record of the Year is an incredible honour.”

He added, “Although the producers had invited both Tony and Gaga to perform in Sunday’s Grammys broadcast, it is unfortunate that due to his continuing struggle with Alzheimer’s, he was not able to accept. It was decided that it would be fitting for Lady Gaga to perform on her own to represent for both of them. There is no doubt, that she will offer up an impeccable performance from ‘Love for Sale,’ which is Tony’s final album. He will be cheering her on as he watches from his home in New York City.”

The announcement of Gaga and Bieber’s performances comes after the rock band Foo Fighters cancelled their performance at the Grammys 2022.

The band was scheduled to perform but a rep confirmed on Thursday that the Grammy-winning rock group won’t be performing at the ceremony. This comes after the passing of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, who died unexpectedly on March 25 at the age of 50 during the group’s tour in Bogota, Colombia.

Gaga and Bieber join a lineup that includes Olivia Rodrigo, BTS, Billie Eilish, Silk Sonic, Brandi Carlile, Lil Nas X with Jack Harlow, Jon Batiste, John Legend, Carrie Underwood, J Balvin with Maria Becerra, H.E.R., Nas, Chris Stapleton, Brothers Osborne, and a special In Memoriam performance featuring songs of Stephen Sondheim by Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr., Ben Platt and Rachel Zegler.
The show organisers are also planning a special tribute for Hawkins.

The Grammys, being hosted by Trevor Noah, will broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 3, 2022, at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT on CBS and will be available to stream live and on-demand on Paramount+. 

Netflix’s ‘You’ Season-4 Adds New Cast Members

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 05:29 AM PDT

Washington [US]: Netflix’s ‘You’ has added more cast members for its upcoming season. The streaming giant has announced 14 new additions to the fourth season of ‘You’, including Tilly Keeper, Amy Leigh Hickman and Ed Speleers as series regulars.


Joining the cast in recurring roles are Niccy Lin, Aidan Cheng, Stephen Hagan, Ben Wiggins, Eve Austin, Ozioma Whenu, Dario Coates, Sean Pertwee, Brad Alexander, Alison Pargeter and Adam James, reported People magazine. As previously announced, Charlotte Ritchie and Lukas Gage will also star in the fourth season of ‘You’ alongside returning cast members Penn Badgley and Tati Gabrielle.


The third season of ‘You’ debuted in 2021. Production on season four is currently underway in London.


‘You’, based on Caroline Kepnes’ best-selling novel of the same name, revolves around the question, “What would you do for love?”


The show features Badgely as Joe, a man with a dark past and a deep love for books and literature. The series also captures his twisted perspective on romance and how he becomes obsessed with the women who come into his life.


Netflix announced the season 4 renewal of ‘You’ in October 2021, just days ahead of the show’s highly-anticipated third season.


The hit drama’s second and third seasons starred Badgley and Victoria Pedretti in the lead roles. In the third season, Joe (Badgley) and Love Quinn (Pedretti) were married and raising their son in a Northern California suburb filled with a unique set of neighbours.


Season 4 of the thriller series will likely pick up with Joe in Paris, France, after having escaped his last devastation. He has abandoned his son, believing that’s what’s best for him, and he’ll likely search for his season 3 romantic interest, Marienne Bellamy (Gabrielle).


Netflix is yet to announce the official release date for the upcoming season of ‘You’.

Virat Kohli Can’t Keep Eyes-off Anushka In Shoot Pictures

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 05:22 AM PDT

Mumbai (Maharashtra): Power couple actor Anushka Sharma and Indian batter Virat Kohli cannot seem to take their eyes off each other in their new glamorous photoshoot.


Taking to her Instagram handle on Saturday, the ‘PK’ actor shared a string of pictures with her husband, in which the two look stunning.

Anushka went for an elegant look, wearing a nude-shade fitted gown with gold and silver embellishment. Virat looked dapper in a classic tuxedo with a tie.

“We clean up well,” Anushka captioned the post.


Virat took to the comments section and wrote, “Uffff too hot.”


Zoya Akhtar and Kiara Advani dropped heart emoticons.

Lovingly called ‘Virushka’ by their fans, the two tied the knot in 2017 and welcomed their first child, daughter Vamika, in 2021.


Meanwhile, on the work front, Anushka has started filming for ‘Chakda Xpress’, inspired by cricketer Jhulan Goswami’s life and journey. Virat is currently taking part in the Indian Premier League 2022 for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. 

Have Andrew Garfield And Girlfriend Alyssa Miller Broken Up?

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 05:13 AM PDT

Washington [US]: Just a month after making their red carpet debut as a couple, actor Andrew Garfield and his girlfriend-model Alyssa Miller have reportedly broken up.


As per Page Six, an insider told a news outlet that Garfield and Miller were a “really beautiful couple” and things were “going great at first,” but they just could not make it work in the end.

“They were together for quite some time before they went public, but work schedules mean it has been really hard to see each other,” the source shared. “On top of that, it became clear that there were some differences between them, and it was decided they are better off apart, for now at least.”


The ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ star is said to be doing well despite the circumstances and attempting to stay positive.


“He is keeping his chin up and taking some time for himself after a hectic few months,” the source told the outlet.


Garfield, 38, and Miller, 32, took their love public while attending the 2022 SAG Awards together on February 27.


Just days prior to their red carpet debut, the duo were seen hitting a tennis court in Malibu, where they showed plenty of PDA before Valentine’s Day. The couple was first spotted together in November 2021.


Miller previously dated Jake Gyllenhaal in 2014 and was rumoured to have had a brief marriage to ‘Tame Impala’ musician Cam Avery in 2018. Meanwhile, Garfield has dated several women including ‘Spider-Man’ co-star Emma Stone and singer Rita Ora. 

Imran Can Be Disqualified As MP For Life; Warns Pak Govt’s Legal Wing

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 05:05 AM PDT

Islamabad [Pakistan]: The legal wing of the Pakistan government has warned Prime Minister Imran Khan against sharing classified Foreign Office documents, saying it can lead to serious consequences like the premier’s lifetime disqualification as a member of parliament, reported local media.


According to the sources, Imran Khan had sought legal advice from the official legal wing on the Foreign Office cypher wherein he claimed that a foreign country had sent a threatening message through Pakistan’s envoy, reported The Express Tribune.

However, the legal wing has warned Imran Khan against sharing the diplomatic cypher that comes under the purview of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, according to which neither the sender could share it with anyone nor the receiver (PM) could make it public, the media outlet reported citing sources.


Further, if the premier shares the diplomatic cypher, it would be considered a violation of his oath, following which he may be disqualified for life under Article 62(1)(f) of the country’s Constitution.


This comes at a time when Imran Khan on Thursday reiterated his claims of “foreign conspiracy” in the country, saying that a foreign nation is trying to oust him over the “independent” foreign policy choices made by him. Addressing the people of Pakistan, ahead of the no-confidence motion, Imran claimed a foreign nation sent a message that Imran Khan needs to be removed else the country will suffer consequences.”


“The United States”, Imran Khan said in a slip of the tongue and then stated that “a foreign country” had sent a “threatening memo” which was against the Pakistani nation.

“On March 8 or before that on March 7, the US sent us a…not the US but a foreign country sent us a message. The reason why I am talking about this…for an independent country to receive such a message… this is against me and the country,” he said.


Notably, Imran Khan had earlier said that he will share the ‘foreign-funded conspiracy’ letter with senior journalists and ally party members which has evidence that outside elements are trying to topple the government. Following this, the Islamabad High Court had barred the premier from making public the details of a ‘threatening’ or ‘secret document’ as it would lead to a violation of his oath taken by him under the constitution.


Meanwhile, in Pakistan’s National Assembly, the no-trust vote against the Imran Khan government was deferred to April 3. The proceedings of the National Assembly were adjourned till April 3 soon after it met on Thursday to discuss the no-confidence motion.

India’s Forex Reserves Dip 3rd Straight Week; Fall By $2.03 Billion

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 05:03 AM PDT

India’s foreign exchange (forex) reserves dipped by $2.03 billion in the week ended March 25, recording a sharp drop for the third consecutive week, as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) intervened in the currency markets by way of dollar sales to prevent a slide in the value of rupee amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

According to the RBI’s weekly statistical supplement, the country’s forex reserves dipped by $2.03 billion to $617.648 billion during the week ended March 25. This is the third consecutive weekly fall in the country’s forex reserves. The forex reserves had slipped by $2.597 billion and $9.646 billion in the previous two weeks, respectively.

In the last three weeks for which the data is available the country’s forex reserves have slumped by nearly $15 billion.

For the week ended March 11, India’s forex reserves had slumped by $9.646 billion, the sharpest decline in nearly two years. The decline in the country’s forex reserves coincides with the week during which the rupee hit an all-time low. The Indian rupee plunged to a record low of 77.02 against a US dollar on March 7.

For the week ended March 18, the forex reserves had dipped by $2.59 billion.
The forex reserves have slumped mainly due to a sharp drop in foreign currency assets.

The foreign currency asset, which is the biggest component of the forex reserves, slumped by $3.202 billion to $550.454 billion during the week ended March 25. The foreign currency assets had slumped by $11.108 billion in the week ended March 11 and again by $703 million in the week ended March 18.

Expressed in US dollar terms, the foreign currency assets include the effect of appreciation or depreciation of non-dollar currencies like Euro, UK’s Pound Sterling and Japanese Yen held in the foreign exchange reserves.

The value of India’s Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) declined by $44 million to $18.821 billion. India’s reserve position in the IMF declined by $14 million to $5.132 billion during the week ended March 25, the RBI data showed.

However, the value of gold reserves rose by $1.23 billion to $43.241 billion during the week under review. 

‘Happy Gudi Padwa’: Bollywood Stars Wish Fans & Followers

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 05:03 AM PDT

New Delhi [India]: On the occasion of Gudi Padwa, several celebrities in the film industry extended heartfelt wishes to their fans and followers on social media.


Famous celebs like Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Urmila Matondkar and many others on Saturday extended wishes on the occasion of Gudi Padwa. Megastar Amitabh Bachchan took to Twitter and wished his fans and followers on the festival. He wrote, “Shubhkamnaye Sada”.

Actor-turned-Politician Urmila Matondkar shared a throwback picture of herself dancing with ladies. She wrote, “#GudiPadwa #Marathi_Navvarsh #Marathi_Navarsh_Shubeghcha #Maharashtra”.

Veteran actor Hema Malini sent good wishes to mark the new year of the Hindu calendar. “Wishing all friends a very Happy Gudi Padwa and a wonderful new year! This is also the day Ugadi is celebrated as the new year in the south. Happy Ugadi to all,” she tweeted.

South actor, Jr NTR, who has been garnering immense appreciation for his performance in the recently-released movie ‘RRR’, wished his fans on Gudi Padwa and Ugadi. He wrote, “Wishing everyone a Happy Ugadi, Gudi Padwa and Chaitra Sukhladi.”

The ‘Saaho’ actor Shraddha Kapoor shared an-all smiles photographs dressed in a traditional ‘Nauvari’ saree and sent good wishes to her fans. She wrote in Marathi,” Let’s start the new year with new ideas, Happy Gudipadva!”

Tamannaah Bhatia and Madhur Bhandarkar recently marked Gudi Padwa celebrations on the sets of their upcoming movie ‘Babli Bouncer’. Tamannaah dropped glimpses with Madhur and the team from the celebrations and captioned them by writing, “Thank you Madhur sir for always adding festivities to our workdays, Happy Gudi Padwa everyone.”

On the other hand, Madhur also took to his Instagram handle and shared a video where Tamannaah, Madhur and the team extended heartfelt greetings to mark the festival.

Adorable couple in town, Rahul Vaidya and Disha Parmar also sent their good wishes on Gudi Padwa They took to their Instagram handles and shared several clicks where they can be seen wearing traditional outfits holding a gudi in their hands.

The festival is celebrated by the people in Maharashtra and Goa in the first month of Chaitra. As per Hindu mythology, Gudi Padwa is derived from the Gudi, which means flag or symbol of Lord Brahma and Padwa is the first phase of the moon. In the South, this festival is called Ugadi, believed to be the first day of the creation of the universe.

Former Lankan Envoy To US Wickramasuriya, Pleads Guilty For Fraud

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 04:52 AM PDT

Washington [US]): Former Sri Lanka Ambassador to the US, Jaliya Chitran Wickramasuriya, on Saturday pleaded guilty to defrauding the Lankan government.


Zulfick Farzan, writing in Sri Lankan publication ‘News 1st’ said that Jaliya Chitran Wickramasuriya, 61, of Arlington, Virginia attempted to misappropriate USD 332,027 during the Sri Lankan government’s 2013 purchase of a new embassy building in Washington.

An investigation led by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Washington, field office led to a guilty plea by Wickramasuriya for diverting and attempting to embezzle funds from the government of Sri Lanka.


Wickramasuriya served as an ambassador for the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the United States and to Mexico from 2008 to 2014.


He pleaded guilty in the US District Court for the District of Columbia to a charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The charge carries a statutory maximum of five years in prison and potential financial penalties reported ‘News 1st’.


According to court documents, Wickramasuriya devised a scheme to defraud the government of Sri Lanka by inflating the price of the real estate transaction by USD 332,027 and, at closing, diverting those funds from the government to two companies that had no role in the real estate transaction.


“Wickramasuriya attempted to use the position of authority to defraud his own government and steal from the people he represented,” said Special Agent in Charge Ray Villanueva of HSI Washington. “He did not expect the American authorities to get involved and call on HSI Washington to investigate. Today he begins the process of paying for his crimes,” he added.


The HSI is a directorate of ICE and the principal investigative arm of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organisations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. 

Khattar Condemns Punjab’s Resolution On Chandigarh, Seeks Apology From Mann, Kejriwal

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 04:43 AM PDT

Condemning a resolution moved in the Assembly seeking the transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday demanded an apology from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

“Party chief Arvind Kejriwal should condemn it, or they should apologize to the people of Haryana. Punjab Chief Minister should also apologize to the people of Haryana.

What they have done is condemnable,” said Khattar. The Haryana Chief Minister further said that the Rajiv-Longowal Accord was signed 35-36 years ago and as per the Accord Chandigarh is the capital of both Haryana and Punjab.

“Condemnable. They should not have done this,” he said.
“I had said yesterday too that there are several issues related to it,” he added.

He further said that if they want to do something like this, they should first go to the Supreme Court and resolve the Sutlej-Yamuna link issue.

“The Hindi-speaking areas were not given to Haryana, which delayed the rest of the issues. They should say that they are ready to give Hindi-speaking areas to Haryana,” he added.

Khattar further asked Arvind Kejriwal to clarify his stand on the matter of the Sutlej-Yamuna link issue.

“Arvind Kejriwal demands water on one side and does not want to give water on the other. So he should clarify his stand in the matter of SYN,” he added.

Earlier on Friday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann moved a resolution in the assembly seeking the transfer of Chandigarh to the state.

The resolution has been moved against Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s decision to put Chandigarh under central service rule.

Bhagwant Mann while reading the resolution said that this decision is a direct attack on the right of Punjab on Chandigarh.

Mann read the resolution at a one-day special assembly session in Chandigarh in Punjab.

Earlier on Sunday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has announced that the service conditions of the employees of the Chandigarh administration will now be matched to that of the Central Civil Services.

This decision by the Home Minister is expected to bring big gains to the employees.

Indian Built Chabahar Port In Iran Can Used For Trade With Central Asia: President Kovind

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 04:22 AM PDT

Ashgabat [Turkmenistan]: President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday said that the Chabahar port built by India in Iran could be used to improve trade relations between India and the Central Asian countries.


President Kovind on Saturday held delegation-level talks with his Turkmenistan counterpart Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at Oguzhar palace Ashgabat. He said that the Chabahar port built by India in Iran could be used to improve trade between India and Central Asia.


The two heads of the states signed four MoUs.


They highlighted the significance of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and the Ashgabat Agreement on International Transport and Transit Corridor, he added.


“I pointed out that the Chabahar port built by India in Iran could be used to improve trade between India and Central Asia,” stated the President.


The first MoU was signed between the Financial Monitoring Service at the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan and the Financial Intelligence Unit of India.


While the second MoU was signed between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of India on Cooperation in the field of Disaster Management; the Program of Cooperation between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of India in the fields of Culture and Arts for the period 2022-2025.


Meanwhile, the third MoU was signed between the Ministry of Sports and Youth Policy of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Government of the Republic of India on Cooperation in Youth Matters.


“I am confident that the MoU between the Financial Intelligence Unit of India and Financial Monitoring Service of Turkmenistan signed today would strengthen the framework of economic cooperation between the two countries,” said President Kovind.


He further stated that connectivity is critical for any trading arrangement.
The President further stated that both the leaders also identified new areas of cooperation such as Disaster Management on which they have signed an MoU today.


“I conveyed India’s readiness to partner with Turkmenistan in its drive towards digitalisation. Space can be another area of mutually beneficial cooperation,” he stated.


He further emphasised that the countries shared centuries-old civilisational and cultural linkages.


“During the talks, I underlined the importance of holding regular cultural events in each other’s territory. I am sure the Programme of Cooperation on Culture and Arts for the period 2022-25, signed today, will give direction to our cultural cooperation,” he highlighted.


Earlier on Friday afternoon, President Ram Nath Kovind arrived at Ashgabat International Airport in Turkmenistan on Friday afternoon for a three-day official visit.


President Kovind received the guard of honour in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan soon after his arrival.


Following this visit ending on April 3, President Kovind will visit Netherlands from April 4-7.

Bhopal: Around 1000 Govt Employees Get Show-Cause Notice For Having More Than Two Children

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 03:20 AM PDT

A show-cause notice has been issued to government teachers and employees seeking an answer for having more than two children in the Bhopal district of Madhya Pradesh, said AK Modgil, DEO of Vidisha city.

“We have issued show-cause notices to them. Many are now citing reasons like the rule was not mentioned in their appointment letter, the childbirth was not deliberate or they have given their third child,” DEO AK Modgil told ANI. He said, in 2000, the Madhya Pradesh government specified that if any employee will have a third child born after January 26, 2001, then those employees will not be eligible for the job. The education department official said that the administration did not inform the employees about this rule.

“A circular issued by the Madhya Pradesh government in the year 2000 specified that if any government employee had a third child born after January 26, 2001, then they’ll be ineligible for the government job they are posted at. Every appointment letter post-January 26, 2001, specified the rule,” the DEO said.

He also informed that an MLA, recently, sought information in Vidhan Sabha on employees against whom the action was taken under this rule.

“Recently an MLA sought information in Vidhan Sabha on employees against whom the action was taken under this rule. We started collecting information and there are 1,000 teachers and employees who had three or more children,” he stated.

Reacting to the notice, a government teacher said that they are “scared and paranoid” and action should be taken against those whose appointment letter had the rule mentioned in it.

“A showcase notice was issued to us. We’ve intimated to the authorities that there’s no mention of the rule in our appointment letter. We’re scared and paranoid. Action should be taken only against those whose appointment letter had the rule mentioned in it,” said Mohan Singh Kushwaha, Teacher. 

“Standing with #Srilanka!” Indian Ship With Fuel Arrives in Lanka

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 03:06 AM PDT

Colombo [Sri Lanka]: “Standing with #Srilanka!!! @LankaIOCPLC supplied 6000 MT of fuel to the Ceylon Electricity Board today,” the High Commission of India in Colombo posted today.

Indian Oil Corporation subsidiary in Sri Lanka on Saturday has supplied 6,000 MT of fuel to the Ceylon Electricity Board, to help ease the power crisis in the island country which is witnessing acute power cuts. The consignment of fuel is part of US 500 million oil line of credit extended by India.

The island nation is reeling from the worst economic crisis since its independence.

Triggered by a lack of foreign exchange, apart from fuel shortages and power outages there is also a severe shortage of essential commodities like cooking gas, food and medicines.


Petrol and diesel have are not been available in many places since Thursday.
Moreover, trading on the Colombo Stock Exchange had to be restricted for half to two hours. Non-essential employees in the office have been asked to work from home till further notice, in a bid to save fuel.


On Friday, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declared a nationwide public emergency, after protestors angry over shortages of fuel and other essential commodities gathered outside his residence clashed with police. At least 10 people were injured including journalists.


Sri Lanka’s economy has been in a free fall since the COVID-19 pandemic due to the crash of the tourism sector.

Nation’s Security Top Priority, Committed To Ensure It: Rajnath Singh

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 02:55 AM PDT

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday asserted that the security of the nation is the top priority of the force which is fully committed to ensuring it.

Speaking at the Diamond Jubilee conclave of Chetak Helicopters in Hyderabad, Singh also mentioned that the government has emphasised on self-reliance in defence production and preparedness. “I assure the countrymen that the security of the nation is our top priority and we are fully committed to ensuring it. Looking at the events of the last few years, our government has emphasised on self-reliance in defence production, and preparedness. These days we have seen many challenges in ensuring supply lines,” he said.

The Minister further said “the burden of protecting a huge country like India cannot remain on the shoulders of other countries for long” and that “we have to strengthen our own shoulders to protect ourselves”.

“If peace is to be maintained in the world, then the security of the nations is of utmost importance, and for their security, it is very necessary to be strong militarily,” the Defence Minister marked.

Singh emphasised that the central government created such an environment in the last few years that forces, scientists, and defence makers can think “pro-actively”.

“We are getting huge positive responses from our services, research and development organisations, and public and private sector industries. Our MSMEs, start-ups, innovators, and academia together are exploring new avenues of defence production,” said the Defense Minister.

The Minister mentioned that India has shown its strength in the design, development, and operation of helicopters in the five-ton category on Saturday.

“Indigenously designed and developed, Advanced Light Helicopter -DHRUV, and its variants are examples of India’s strength in this category of helicopters,” said the Defense Minister.

“To become a global leader we need to progress in the design of our own 10 Ton Indian Multirole Helicopter. It has huge market potential on one hand, and on the other hand, it is also a significant requirement for our own forces.”

According to an estimate, Singh said there is a demand for more than one thousand civilian helicopters in India, and an equal number of helicopters in the military sector.
“This is a huge potential in the helicopter market, which we should proceed to exploit,” added the Defense Minister.

Noting that we celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Institutions, celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Organisations, the Minister said celebrating the diamond jubilee of a helicopter by our Air Force is a sign of our respect for this helicopter.

“Chetak is one of the longest-serving platforms in our defence forces. On the battlefield, it has targeted the enemies for its accurate firing. It is capable of landing its troops on the battlefield. It has also helped in delivering essential logistics. It has also saved precious lives by evacuation in case of emergency,” Singh said.

“Our country has faced many natural calamities from time to time. Even among them, our Chetak has always been ahead in humanitarian aid, and disaster relief work. Chetak has touched the hearts of people. Our country will always be grateful to this machine and the professionals who operate it,” said the Defense Minister.
Singh mentioned that India has recently celebrated the ‘Golden Jubilee’ of the ‘Mukti Struggle’ of 1971″.

“This war will be recorded in golden letters in the pages of history. Not because of its scale, but because of its character. The main objective behind this war was to protect the dignity of ‘humanity’ and ‘democracy’,” said the Defence Minister.

He said that Chetak was one of the machines and platforms that were at the forefront of helping Indian forces in this “Mukti Struggle” from day one. “Our air warriors on board have performed phenomenally in this war,” said Singh.

“Chetak is one of the leading design and development projects in our country. Its success gave us the confidence that in the future also we can be successful in such projects. So far, about 700 Chetak helicopters have been produced in our country,” said the Defense Minister.

Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann visit Sabarmati Ashram, Gear Up For Gujarat Elections

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 02:55 AM PDT

Ahmedabad (Gujarat): AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann visited the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad on Saturday ahead of the Gujarat Assembly elections to be held later this year.


“We are on two days tour of Gujarat. We came to the ashram to pay tribute to Gandhiji. This is my maiden visit to the Ashram after becoming the chief minister,” Kejriwal told media persons here.

“I come from the land of freedom fighters. The people of Gujarat are revolutionaries. I believe the people in Gujarat are ready to play a great role in the country’s prosperity and security,” said Mann.


Assembly polls in Gujarat are slated to be held later this year.


Kejriwal will be holding meetings with party leaders of the Gujarat unit on Sunday.
Charged with its landslide victory in the recently held Punjab Assembly elections, AAP is seeking to expand its footprint in other states.


AAP plans to contest all 182 assembly seats in Gujarat, Kejriwal had said last year.
The party had made its debut in Gujarat in the 2017 assembly polls, but could not open its account.


In the local bodies elections held last year in March AAP had won 42 seats.

7 Key Bills Listed In Rajya Sabha For Last Week Of Monsoon Session

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 02:46 AM PDT

New Delhi [India]: Seven key Bills, including “The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill” and “The Delhi Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill”, have been listed on the agenda of the Rajya Sabha for the last week of the ongoing Budget session.


Six of the seven key Bills listed on the agenda of the Rajya Sabha have already been passed by the Lok Sabha. “The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill, 2022”, passed by the Lok Sabha last week, proposes to authorise the police to take measurements of convicts and accused for the purposes of their identifications and investigations in criminal matters to preserve records.


Union Minister for Home Affairs Amit Shah is slated to pilot “The Delhi Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2022”, which proposes the unification of the three municipal corporations. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday by a voice vote while various amendments moved by the Opposition MPs were rejected.


The MCD amendment bill is expected to generate heat in the Upper House, with the Aam Admi Party (AAP) alleging that the legislative proposal has been brought before the Parliament to delay the municipal elections in the national capital.


The Chartered Accountants, the Cost and Works Accountants and the Company Secretaries (Amendment) Bill, 2021, which provides for disclosure of pending complaints or actionable information against members and firms, will be tabled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Upper House.


The four other Bills are “The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2022”, relating to Tripura, “The Constitution (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Orders (Amendment) Bill, 2022”, pertaining to Uttar Pradesh, “The Indian Antarctica Bill, 2022”, and “The Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities Amendment) Bill, 2022”.


“The Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities Amendment) Bill, 2022”, which hasn’t yet been passed by the Lok Sabha, will be introduced in the Rajya Sabha.


Tribal affairs Minister Arjun Munda would propose “The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2022”, relating to Tripura in Rajya Sabha in the last week of the Budget session in Parliament.


Rajya Sabha in the Budget session has clocked productivity of 101 per cent. The previous week witnessed some forced disruptions and adjournments due to which 54 minutes of the Upper House’s time was lost. However, members sat beyond the scheduled time for one hour and 48 minutes.


The Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting chaired by Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday allocated 17 hours for the passage of seven Bills. The total productive time available for Rajya Sabha is 29 hours and 30 minutes in the upcoming week.


The second half of the Budget session commenced on March 14 and will conclude on April 8. The first half of the Budget session began on January 31 and concluded on February 11. 

India-Australia Trade Pact Will Open A Big Door – Australian PM

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 02:36 AM PDT

Melbourne [Australia]: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that the signing of the India-Australia trade agreement will further deepen economic relations between Canberra and Delhi while opening a big door into the world’s fastest-growing major economy.


Speaking at India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement virtual signing ceremony on Saturday, the Australian PM said that this deal is the single largest government investment in Canberra’s relationship with Delhi.

“This agreement opens a big door into the world’s fastest-growing major economy for Australian farmers, manufacturers, producers and so many more,” he said.


India and Australia signed a massive historic trade deal aiming to boost economic ties between the two countries.


“The pace and scale of our cooperation since we announced our comprehensive, strategic partnership has been remarkable. Some US$ 282 million in new initiatives that my Government has announced, including at the Summit, will drive our expanding cooperation,” Morrison said during the virtual event.


“This is the single largest Australian government investment in our relationship with India, but it won’t be the last and now marks another milestone in that relationship.

The signing of the India Australia agreement further develops on the promise of our economic relationship,” he added.


The Australian Prime Minister further said: “By unlocking the huge market of around 1.4 billion consumers in India, we are strengthening the economy and growing jobs right here at home.”


“This agreement has been built on our strong security partnership and our joint efforts in the Quad, which has created the opportunity for our economic relationship to advance to a new level,” he added.


The deal with India removes tariffs on more than 85 per cent of Australian goods exported to India, worth USD 12.6 billion, rising to almost 91 per cent over 10 years.


Tariffs will be scrapped on sheep meat, wool, copper, coal, alumina, fresh Australian rock lobster, and some critical minerals and non-ferrous metals to India.


It will also see 96 per cent of Indian goods’ imports enter Australia duty-free. 

Piyush Goyal Terms India, Australia As Two Brothers

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 02:35 AM PDT

Terming India and Australia as two brothers, Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday said that both countries are natural partners, connected by shared values of democracy, rule of law and transparency.

Speaking at India-Australia Economic Cooperation & Trade Agreement virtual signing ceremony today, the Union Minister said that both India and Australia supported each other during the COVID-19 pandemic. “India-Australia are natural partners, connected by shared values of democracy, rule of law and transparency. Like two brothers, the two nations supported each other during the pandemic,” he said.

Piyush Goyal also said the relationship between the countries rests on the pillars of trust and reliability.

“Our relationship rests on the pillars of trust and reliability. Aptly reflected in our deepening geostrategic engagement through the Quad and the supply chain resilience initiatives” he said.

Union Minister noted that India and Australia signed the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA).

Recalling Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s words when he visited Australia in 2014, Goyal said: “I see a great future of the partnership between India and Australia and a shared commitment to realising it.”

India signed a massive historic trade deal with Australia, aiming to boost economic ties between the two countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement is a “watershed moment” for bilateral ties. The interim free trade deal aims to eliminate 85 per cent tariffs on Australian goods exported to India.

“Consensus on such an important agreement in such a short period of time shows the mutual trust between the two countries. This is truly a watershed moment for our bilateral relations,” PM Modi said at a virtual signing ceremony of the agreement.

He added that the newly signed trade deal will contribute to the increasing supply chains resilience and stability of the Indo-Pacific region.

PM Modi & PM Sher Bahadur Deuba Meet, Unveil Key Projects

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 02:24 AM PDT

New Delhi [India]: With aims to take India-Nepal relations to new heights, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepali counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba on Saturday launched multiple projects to boost connectivity between the two countries.


Both PMs first inaugurated a 35-km long cross-border rail link from Jayanagar in Bihar to Kurtha in Nepal and also a passenger train service built under India’s Grant Assistance in a joint address at Hyderabad House.

Deuba is on a three-day India visit. “PM Deuba and I also agreed to give priority to trade and cross-border connectivity initiatives in all respects. The beginning of the Jayanagar-Kurtha rail line is part of this initiative. Such schemes will make a great contribution to the smooth, hassle-free exchange of people between the two countries,” said PM Modi.


They also jointly inaugurated “Solu Corridor 132 KV Power Transmission Line and Substation” in Nepal built under the Government of India’s Line of Credit.


“We also agreed on the subject of greater participation by Indian companies in Nepal’s hydropower development plans. It is a matter of happiness that Nepal is exporting its surplus power to India. It will contribute well to the economic progress of Nepal,” added PM Modi.


Along with the above-mentioned projects, documents and MoUs were signed and exchanged between India and Nepal in the presence of PM Modi and Nepal’s PM Deuba.


“PM Deuba is an old friend of India. As the PM, this is his fifth visit to India. He has played an important role in developing India-Nepal relations. The friendship between India and Nepal, relations between our people is an example that can’t be seen anywhere else in the world. Our civilisation, culture, and the threads of our exchange have been linked since ancient times. We have been companions of each other’s happiness and sorrow since time immemorial,” said PM Modi.


Both leaders also jointly launched RuPay in Nepal.


“The introduction of RuPay card in Nepal will add a new chapter to our financial connectivity. Other projects like Nepal Police Academy, Integrated Check Post in Nepalganj, Ramayana Circuit etc. will also bring the two countries closer,” said PM Modi.


Meanwhile, Nepal also became a member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).


“I am very happy that Nepal has become a member of the International Solar Alliance. This will promote sustainable, affordable and clean energy in our region,” said PM Modi.


Talking about the “Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project (PMP)” to be developed in Mahakali River bordering Nepal and India, PM Modi said, “Our joint vision statement on power cooperation will prove to be a blueprint for future cooperation. We emphasised the importance of moving ahead at a fast pace in the Pancheshwar project. This project will prove to be a game-changer for the development of this region.”


He also stated that the two countries discussed various aspects of cooperation, besides reviewing the progress of projects and also discussed the blueprint of the future. Both of us agree that we must reap the benefits of the opportunities for cooperation in the power sector, he added.


PM Modi further reiterated India’s firm support in Nepal’s journey of peace, prosperity and development. 

Military Rebuts Pakistan PM’s ‘Establishment Gave 3 Options’ Claim

Posted: 01 Apr 2022 10:29 PM PDT

Amid the fluid political situation, the Pakistani military establishment has denied the allegation of Prime Minister Imran Khan that he was given three options ahead of the no-trust vote by the “establishment” – resignation, holding early elections or face the no-confidence motion.

The military establishment said that it did not bring the Opposition’s options, and rather it was the federal Government that telephoned the top brass while asking for a meeting to discuss the ongoing political scenario, The News International reported.

The Chief of Pakistan Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and the Directive General (DG) of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) met Pakistan PM on Wednesday at the request of the ruling government, according to The News International citing sources.

During the meeting, three “options” were mutually discussed between the government and the military side. However, Khan agreed to the third option — ‘dissolving the National Assembly’, sources said, adding that this was stated by the Prime Minister as workable.

According to sources, after meeting the Pakistan PM, the military General and DG ISI met the Opposition and conveyed the three options that were discussed between the military and Pakistan PM. But the Opposition rejected those options, including the dissolution of the Assembly, sources said.

Military leadership met the Opposition to convey the three options that were discussed with the Prime Minister and also its intention not to interfere in the political sphere. The military is staying neutral but encourages both Khan and the Opposition to sit together and discuss the economy and political stability of the country, reported The News international citing sources.

Imran Khan had made the claims of having been given options during an interview to a media outlet, saying that he was offered either to resign or dissolve the Assembly or face the no-confidence motion.

Meanwhile, the estranged leader of Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jahangir Khan Tareen, met Pakistan’s former Finance Minister and Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) leader Ishaq Dar on Friday in London and discussed the upcoming no-confidence vote on Sunday and the election of the Chief Minister of Punjab, Geo News reported citing sources.

The meeting comes two days after it was reported that Dar and Tareen spoke over the phone. The two leaders discussed possible ways of cooperation in Punjab and the Centre, Geo News reported.

COVID-19: India Reports 1,260 New Cases In Last 24 Hours

Posted: 01 Apr 2022 09:49 PM PDT

India reported 1,260 new COVID -19 cases in the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed on Friday.

With the new cases, the active caseload stands at 13,445 which accounts for 0.03 per cent of the country’s total positive cases. Meanwhile, 1,404 patients recovered from the disease in the last 24 hours taking the total recoveries to 4,24,92,326. The current recovery rate is at 98.76 per cent.

With 5,28,021 tests conducted in the last 24 hours, the positivity rate is at 0.24 per cent.

As many as 79.02 crore COVID tests have been conducted in the country so far.
India’s COVID vaccination coverage has exceeded 184.52 crore as per provisional reports till today morning.

Sri Lankan President Declares Public Emergency After Unrest

Posted: 01 Apr 2022 07:44 PM PDT

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Friday issued an extraordinary gazette declaring a public emergency in the island nation with effect, local media reported.

The Gazette has been issued considering the prevailing situation in the country and in the interests of public security, the protection of public order and the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community, Daily Mirror reported. It further reported that Sri Lankan President has issued the gazette under the powers vested in him by Section 2 of the Public Security Ordinance (Chapter 40), as amended by Act. No. 8 of 1959. Law No. 6 of 1978 and Act, No.28 of 1988.

Moreover, Sri Lanka has also imposed a police curfew in Western Province for six hours.

“Police curfew will be in effect within the Western Province from midnight until 6.00 a.m. April 2 (tomorrow),” Police Spokesperson said, according to Daily Mirror.

Several protestors gathered outside the residence of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday as the island nation faces an unprecedented economic crisis.

The protest was staged over the government’s failure to address the existing issues in the island nation. The protesters clashed with the police outside the residence of President Rajapaksa in Mirihana.

After the protest, at least ten people were injured including journalists.

Sri Lanka’s economy has been in a free fall since the COVID-19 pandemic due to the crash of the tourism sector.

Sri Lanka is presently facing a foreign exchange shortage which has led to a food, fuel, power and gas shortage and has sought the assistance of friendly countries for economic assistance.

Sri Lanka is witnessing at least 10-hour daily power cuts. Sri Lanka’s currency has been also devalued by almost SLR 90 against the US dollar since March 8.

Fuel Prices Continue To Rise, 10th Hike In 12 Days

Posted: 01 Apr 2022 07:38 PM PDT

Fuel prices continued to maintain an upward trend with petrol and diesel rates hiked by another 80 paise per litre each on Saturday, compounding an increase of about Rs 7.20 a litre in ten revisions in 12 days so far.

In the national capital, the petrol price is now 102.61 per litre while diesel is selling at Rs 93.87 per litre. In Mumbai, the petrol and diesel prices have gone up by 85 paise, to Rs 117.57 and Rs 101.79 per litre respectively. In Chennai, the petrol and diesel prices are at Rs 108.21 and Rs 108.21 per litre (increased by 76 paise). In Kolkata, the price of petrol is Rs 112.19 (increased by 84 paise) and diesel is Rs 97.02 (increased by 80 paise).

There had been a pause in the revision of fuel prices since November 4 last year, which was broken on March 22, following the prices of crude oil going upwards in the wake of the Russian military operations in Ukraine.

Notably, on November 3 last year the Centre had cut excise duty by Rs 5 per litre on petrol and Rs 10 per litre on diesel to bring down the retail prices across the country.
Following this, several state governments had reduced Value-Added Tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel to provide relief to people.

No Fine For Not Wearing Masks In Delhi

Posted: 01 Apr 2022 07:29 PM PDT

No penalty will be imposed for not wearing face masks in the national capital as the COVID-19 positivity rate has come down substantially and a majority of the population has been vaccinated, according to the Delhi government’s order on Friday.

The decision to lift the mask mandate was taken during the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) meeting on Thursday. However, Delhi’s Health and Family Welfare Department said that it is advisory for all public to wear masks in public places. However, no penalty will be imposed for such offence from immediate effect till further orders.

The order copy read, “Whereas notification dated June 13, 2020, as further amended dated November 20, 2020, in respect of The Delhi Epidemic Diseases, (management of COVID-19) Regulations, 2020 was issued. And whereas, DDMA in its meeting held on March 31, 2022, noted that the positivity rate of COVID-19 infection has come down substantially and a majority of the population has been vaccinated.”

“And therefore, the DDMA after examining all the relevant facts related to the issue of penal provisions for not adhering to the covid protocol of wearing of mask at public places, decided that, in relation to the clause 3(h) (c) whereby not wearing of face mask/cover in all public places has been made an offence,” the order read further.

Before this order, there was a fine of Rs 500 for not wearing masks in public places in Delhi.

Delhi reported 131 fresh Covid-19 cases on Friday and one death, according to data released by the city’s health department. The positivity rate in the national capital was recorded at 0.57 per cent.

Besides Delhi, Maharashtra Government on Thursday announced that all COVID-19 related restrictions including the wearing of masks in public places will be withdrawn from Saturday.

My Life Is In Danger, Says Pak PM Imran Khan Ahead Of No-Confidence Motion

Posted: 01 Apr 2022 07:23 PM PDT

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday, ahead of a no-confidence motion in the National Assembly, said he has credible information that his “life is in danger”, local media reported.

He said not only his life was in danger but the Opposition, which is playing in foreign hands, will also resort to his character assassination, Khan said in an interview with ARY News. “Let me inform my nation that my life is at risk too, they have also planned for my character assassination. Not only myself but my wife too,” Khan said.

As Khan battles to save his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, he said that the “establishment” gave him three options, including the no-confidence motion, resignation from his post, or fresh elections, ARY News reported.

Answering a question about what options the Opposition gave him, the Pakistan Prime Minister said that he does not think he should talk to people like Opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif.

“If we survive (the no-confidence vote), we cannot of course work with these turncoats (who left PTI to join opposition), early elections are the best option, I will urge my nation to give me simple majority so that I won’t have to do compromises,” he said.

Terming the Opposition’s no-confidence motion a conspiracy, Khan said he knew about it since August last year and he had reports that some Opposition leaders were visiting embassies, ARY News reported.

“People like Husain Haqqani were meeting Nawaz Sharif in London,” he said.
Khan reiterated what he said in a televised address to the nation on March 31 that a foreign country not only expressed disapproval over his premiership and demanded that he be ousted through no-confidence vote so that Pakistan be “forgiven”.

He stated that the foreign country objected upon his independent foreign policy.
Khan further said the “threat memo” did not only demand a regime change but clearly mentioned that he should be removed as the prime minister.

Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Faisal Vawda had also claimed that Imran Khan’s life is in danger as a conspiracy has been hatched to assassinate him.

IPL 2022: Russell’s 70-Run Knock Guides KKR To Victory Against Punjab

Posted: 01 Apr 2022 07:06 PM PDT

Andre Russell’s unbeaten knock of 70 from 31 balls helped KKR chase down a 138-run target in 14.3 overs against Punjab Kings to register their second consecutive win of the season here at Wankhede Stadium on Friday.

Chasing a modest 138-run target Kolkata Knight Riders got off to a decent start with Ajinkya Rahane hitting consecutive boundaries to Arshdeep Singh in the opening over to complete 4,000 runs in IPL. Punjab needed some early wickets and Kagiso Rabada gave his side the wicket of Rahane for 12 caught by Odean Smith.

In the next over KKR captain, Shreyas Iyer walked in to bat and hit consecutive boundaries to Arshdeep Singh and Punjab scored 33/1 in 4 overs. Odean Smith was introduced into the attack in the fifth over and the medium-pacer struck in his first over dismissing opener Venkatesh Iyer for 3.

Wicket-keeper batter Sam Billings joined Shreyas Iyer in the middle and the duo took their team’s total beyond the 50-run mark in the sixth over.

Punjab skipper Mayank Agarwal introduced Rahul Chahar into the attack and the leggie struck twice dismissing Shreyas for 26 and Nitish Rana for a duck to leave Punjab tottering at 51 for 4.

Andre Russell walked in to bat and the powerful hitter hammered Harpreet Brar for two sixes in the 10th over. In the 12th over Russell hammered Smith for four sixes and a four to take Kolkata’s total beyond the triple-figure mark.

Andre Russell hammered eight sixes and two boundaries en route to his unbeaten knock of 70 from 31 balls and Sam Billings gave him company at the other end to guide KKR to a six-wicket win chasing the 138-run target in 14.3 overs.

Earlier in the day KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bowl first and Umesh Yadav justified his captain’s decision by dismissing Punjab Kings captain Mayank Agarwal for 1 in the very first over.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa joined Shikhar Dhawan in the middle and the Sri Lankan hit Shivam Mavi for a boundary and three consecutive sixes in the fourth over before getting out to him for 31 off 9 balls.

Liam Livingstone then joined Dhawan and the duo took the team’s total beyond the 50-run mark in the fifth over. In the last, over of the powerplay, Tim Southee dismissed Shikhar Dhawan for 16 caught by wicketkeeper Sam Billings as Punjab scored 62 for 3 in six overs.

Umesh Yadav was once again brought into the attack and he got his second wicket dismissing Livingstone for 19. In the very next over Sunil Narine cleaned up Raj Bawa as Punjab lost half of its side for 84.

Southee was once again introduced into the attack and he struck by getting the wicket of Shahrukh Khan for a duck as Punjab were left tottering at 92 for 6.

Odean Smith and Harpreet Brar took Punjab’s total beyond the triple-figure mark in the 14th over. Umesh Yadav was once again introduced into the attack and the Nagpur lad struck twice to dismiss Harpreet Brar for 14 and Rahul Chahar for 0 to take his tally to four wickets for 23 runs.

Just when it seemed that KKR will run over Punjab’s batting line-up Kagiso Rabada showed some fight hitting Southee for consecutive boundaries and a six in the 17th over.

In the next over Rabada gave a similar sort of treatment to Shivam Mavi. Rabada’s restrain finally came to an end as Andre Russell dismissed him for 25 from 16 balls and in the next ball, Arshdeep Singh was run out as Punjab Kings folded for 137 in 18.2 overs.

Brief Scores: Punjab Kings 137/10 in 18.2 overs (Bhanuka Rajapaksa 31, Kagiso Rabada 25; Umesh Yadav 4/23) VS Kolkata Knight Riders 141/4 in 14.3 overs (Andre Russell 70*, Shreyas Iyer 26, Sam Billings 248; Rahul Chahar 2/13)

Will Smith Resigns From Academy Membership

Posted: 01 Apr 2022 06:57 PM PDT

American actor Will Smith on Friday (local time) announced that he has resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, days after he slapped comedian Chris Rock onstage at the Oscars.

“I have directly responded to the Academy’s disciplinary hearing notice, and I will fully accept any and all consequences for my conduct. My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable,” Smith’s publicist told ANI. The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home, he said.

Smith, in a statement, said he was “heartbroken” over the incident and “betrayed the trust of the Academy.”

“I betrayed the trust of the Academy. I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work,” Smith stated.

“I am heartbroken. I want to put the focus back on those who deserve attention for their achievements and allow the Academy to get back to the incredible work it does to support creativity and artistry in film. So, I am resigning from membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and will accept any further consequences the Board deems appropriate,” he added.

Smith had previously apologised to the academy and to Rock. A few minutes after the incident, Smith was announced Best Actor at the Oscars.

Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock onstage after he got miffed at the latter’s joke directed at his wife Jada Pinkett Smith.

The 94th Academy Awards took place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Imran Khan’s Comments Could Negatively Impact US-Pakistan Ties: Diplomatic Observers

Posted: 01 Apr 2022 06:48 PM PDT

Islamabad [Pakistan]: Diplomatic observers say the recent statements by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan regarding Washington’s role in an alleged “foreign conspiracy” to oust him from power could have a negative impact on bilateral relations and could make US officials more careful in interacting with Pakistan officials.


PM Imran Khan in his address to the nation on Thursday named the United States as the country that was allegedly behind the letter, but then quickly corrected himself, saying that it was another country and not America, reported Dawn.

The United States on Thursday rejected insinuations made by the Pakistani PM. “There is no truth to these allegations,” a US spokesperson said.


The commentary made by the top Pakistani leader is hinting toward the ‘growing frustration in Washington’ over the Islamabad allegations, as per the newspaper.


According to the diplomatic observers, embassies and officials of the host nation often use informal meetings to convey “thoughts and feelings” that cannot be sent through proper diplomatic channels.


“Embassies are like listening posts. They hear many things and share those with their government for them to read and analyse,” said one such observer adding, “But if you make officials of the host nation feel embarrassed, they will not talk to you and your embassy will no longer be a listening post.”


Moreover, as per a scholar of South Asian affairs Michael Kugelman, at the Wilson Center, Washington “over the history of US-Pakistan relations, it’s been quite common for officials on both sides, in private conversations, to vent and share personal and negative assessments on current developments.”


He termed these allegations made by the Pakistani Prime Minister as “a stretch (of the conversations) to liken this to a threat, much less an indication of regime change.” 

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