A dozen mortar shells fell withing a few hundred metres (yards) of Ukraine’s interior minister on Saturday as he met journalists on a tour of the frontline with Russian-backed rebels. The minister, Denys Monastyrskiy, was forced to seek cover as the shells exploded, shortly after he gave on camera interviews to international media, AFP correspondents saw. There was no sign that anyone was hurt in the volley of shells, which fell as the minister left a frontline area where he had given interviews in the trench line separating government forces from the rebels.
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‘Don’t panic’: Germany, Ukraine push back against US warnings
Germany’s foreign minister warned Saturday against trying to guess or assume Russia’s decisions on Ukraine, toning down the rhetoric after Washington’s fierce warnings of an imminent invasion.
KCR to meet Thackeray, Pawar tomorrow
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao would meet his Maharashtra counterpart Uddhav Thackeray and NCP chief Sharad Pawar in Mumbai on Sunday as part of his campaign against the BJP’s alleged anti-people policies.
Chhattisgarh sees 504 COVID-19 cases, no death; positivity rate 2.02 pc
Chhattisgarh reported 504 COVID-19 cases, taking the state’s tally to 11,49,197 on Saturday, while the death toll remained unchanged at 14,021, an official said. The positivity rate, or cases detected per 100 tests, stood at 2.02 per cent, he said.
G7 sees no sign of reduced Russian activity near Ukraine
Foreign ministers from the G7 group of rich nations said on Saturday they saw no evidence that Russia is reducing military activity near Ukraine’s borders and remain “gravely concerned” about the situation.
COVID Update
Karnataka reports 1,137 COVID-19 cases, 20 fatalities. Infection tally rises to 39,35,585, death toll 39,777. Number of active cases stands at 13,431.
France urges its citizens to leave Ukraine’s Kharkiv, Luhansk and Donetsk
France urged its citizens on Saturday to leave the Ukrainian regions of Kharkiv, Luhansk and Donetsk without delay after a rise in tensions following Russia’s military build-up near Ukraine.
Naive to think fulfilling Russian demands will bring peace, says Polish PM
Complying with Russian demands is not the way to achieve peace in Europe, the Polish prime minister said on Saturday, amid rising tension surrounding the situation in Ukraine.
Ukraine army says second soldier killed in separatist east
Ukraine’s army on Saturday reported the first death of a soldier in weeks and accused Moscow-backed rebels of sharply escalating attacks that have redoubled fears of an imminent Russian invasion
West should stop ‘appeasement’ policy toward Russia: Ukraine leader
“Ukraine has received security guarantees for abandoning the world’s third-largest nuclear arsenal. We have no weapons. And no security … But we have a right — a right to demand a shift from a policy of appeasement to one ensuring security and peace,” Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky said at the gathering in Munich.
Top Ukrainian military officials come under shelling attack during tour of conflict front, flee to bomb shelter
The officials fled to a bomb shelter before hustling from the area. A journalist from The Associated Press was on the tour. Earlier Saturday, separatist leaders in eastern Ukraine ordered a full military mobilization Saturday amid a spike of violence in the war-torn region and fears in the West that Russia might use the strife as a pretext for an invasion
Ukraine is Europe’s ‘shield’ against Russian army: Zelensky
Lufthansa cancels flights to Kyiv and Odessa from Monday: spokesman
Germany’s flag carrier Lufthansa is suspending flights to and from the Ukrainian cities of Kyiv and Odessa, a spokesperson said on Saturday amid growing fears of a possible Russian invasion.
Covid in Himachal
Himachal Pradesh reports 253 COVID-19 cases, three fatalities. Infection count rises to 2,81,971, death toll 4,075. Number of active cases stands at 1,992.
Germany urges nationals to leave Ukraine
Germany’s foreign ministry on Saturday told German nationals to leave Ukraine now, as tensions between Russia and Ukraine increased further.
Amit shah in Lucknow
There was political stability under Yogi Adityanath in the last 5years. No CM change, no major changes in cabinet. Stability there in other parties too such as Congress where there’s only one family, Gandhi family, cannot have anyone: BJP leader & Home Min Amit shah in Lucknow
Send fighter jets to the Baltics to defend their airspace, Estonia tells U.S.
Estonia has asked the United States to send fighter jets to the Baltic states to defend their skies, amid worries that Russia could be poised for an attack on Ukraine that would lead to an confrontation with the Baltic region, the country’s defence minister said on Saturday.
Covid in Delhi
Delhi reports 635 new cases, 2 deaths, and 791 recoveries. Active cases 2617. Cumulative positivity rate 5.16%
S Jaishankar on new cold war-like situation in Ukraine Crisis
It’s very different. We are far more globalized, inter-penetrable.. situation calls for a very different kind of approach…At the end of the day, diplomacy is the answer. One has to look at ways of reconciling: Jaishankar
COVAXIN will be evaluated as a COVID-19 vaccine candidate in the United States
COVAXINⓇ will be evaluated as a COVID-19 vaccine candidate in the United States. #COVID19 #COVAXIN… https://t.co/9TyNFokGAP
— BharatBiotech (@BharatBiotech) 1645273196000
Semicon India takes a step forward with Acceptance of Applications for Semiconductor and Display Fabs
5 proposals received in first round with total investment to the tune of USD 20.5 Bn (INR 153,750 crore). SCL Mohali brought under Ministry of IT: Ministry of Electronics & IT
PM expresses happiness over India being chosen the host for 2023 International Olympic Committee Session
It is gladdening to note that India has been chosen to host the 2023 International Olympic Committee Session. I am… https://t.co/alINoA1lfT
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) 1645271284000
Blast at busy restaurant kills 15, wounds 20 in Somali city
Police say at least 15 people are dead after a suicide bomber detonated an explosive vest at a crowded restaurant during lunch hour in Beledweyne, the capital of Somalia’s Hiran region.
West voices fears of Russia-China axis
Western leaders on Saturday said Russia and China were seeking to “replace the existing international rules” with their own order, as Beijing backed Moscow over its showdown with NATO.
Priyanka Gandhi in Raebareli
Yogi Ji says he will give jobs but when? There are 12 lakh vacancies lying in state govt from last 5 years, students have given exams but are sitting idle and instead of generating jobs they are decreasing: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Raebareli
Covid in Kerala
Kerala registers 6,757 new Covid19 cases, 16 deaths and 17,086 recoveries today; Active cases stand at 75,017, death toll 64,053
Ukraine ‘preparing for every scenario’ in Russia crisis: FM
Ukraine was preparing to deal with “every possible scenario”, its foreign minister said Saturday, as the US warned that a Russian invasion could come in the next days.
Russia wants to inflame tensions by ignoring planned peace talks, Kyiv says
Ukraine accused Russia of wanting to escalate tensions by not attending planned trilateral peace talks on eastern Ukraine on Saturday, adding that it was concerned by the worsening security situation in the conflict zone. Western powers have warned that Russia could be poised to launch a full scale attack on Ukraine after massing more than 100,000 troops near Ukraine’s borders. Russia denies any such plan.
13 die as Storm Eunice leaves thousands in Europe without power
Emergency crews Saturday battled to restore power to hundreds of thousands of homes in Britain after Storm Eunice carved a deadly trail across Western Europe and left transport networks in disarray. At least 13 people were killed by falling trees, flying debris and high winds in Britain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Poland, emergency services said. Train operators in Britain urged people not to travel, with trees still blocking several lines after most of the network was shut down when Eunice on Friday brought the largest wind gust ever recorded in England — 122 miles (196 kilometres) per hour.
China foreign minister say Minsk Agreement ‘only way out’ on Ukraine
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday called the Minsk Agreement the “only way out” for resolving the Ukraine situation, and said Ukraine should not be a frontline for competition among major powers. Speaking to a security conference via videolink, Wang said all parties should sit down to have in-depth discussion, and come up with a road map and timetable for implementation of the Minsk Agreement.
58 girls suspended from college in K’taka for wearing Hijab
Girl students in many parts of Karnataka were denied entry into their respective educational institutions on Saturday as they arrived in hijabs, despite a court order, as the issue showed no signs of abating after its flare-up about a fortnight ago that prompted the government to close down colleges and institutions for a couple of days. Despite a government order and the Karnataka High Court’s interim order restricting the students from wearing hijab or saffron scarves inside classrooms, the girls came to schools and colleges donning the headscarf.
Rohit named India’s test captain, Rahane and Pujara dropped
Opener Rohit Sharma was named India’s test captain on Saturday, succeeding Virat Kohli as the team’s leader in all three formats ahead of the home series against Sri Lanka. Kohli, India’s most successful test captain, resigned from the role in a shock move last month after seven years in charge. “Rohit is the number one player in the country. We spoke to him and he’s absolutely OK (to lead the team in all formats),” selection committee chairman Chetan Sharma told a virtual news conference. “Under a player as experienced as Rohit, we can also groom future leaders of the team.”
PM Modi meets Afghan Sikh-Hindu delegation
A delegation of Sikhs and Hindus from Afghanistan met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence here on Saturday and thanked him for bringing about the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) as well as standing up for them in times of distress. Welcoming the delegation, Prime Minister Modi said they are not guests, but that India is their home. The meeting comes a day after Prime Minister Modi hosted a number of prominent Sikhs at his residence, and a day before the Punjab Assembly polls. Prime Minister Modi talked about the immense difficulties faced by the Hindus and Sikhs in Afghanistan and the help provided by the government to bring them to India safely, a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said.
Ethiopia to start generating power from Nile dam
Ethiopia will start generating power from its controversial mega-dam on the Blue Nile on Sunday, government officials told AFP. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), set to be the largest hydroelectric project in Africa, has been at the centre of a regional dispute ever since Ethiopia broke ground in 2011. “Tomorrow will be the first energy generation of the dam,” an Ethiopian government official said on Saturday. A second official confirmed the information. Both spoke on condition of anonymity because the milestone has not been officially announced. Ethiopia’s downstream neighbours Egypt and Sudan view the dam as a threat because of their dependence on Nile waters, while Addis Ababa deems it essential for its electrification and development.
VP Harris warns Russia of huge financial costs if it invades Ukraine
The United States, together with its allies, will impose significant and unprecedented economic costs on Russia if it further invades Ukraine, Vice President Kamala Harris said on Saturday. National borders should not be changed by force, she said. “We have prepared economic measures that will be swift, severe, and united,” Harris said. “We will target Russia’s financial institutions and key industries.”
Putin launches nuclear drills as U.S. says Russia poised to invade Ukraine
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin launched exercises by strategic nuclear missile forces on Saturday and Washington said Russian troops massed near Ukraine’s border were “poised to strike”. As Western nations fear the start of one the worst conflicts since the Cold War, U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said Russian forces were beginning to “uncoil and move closer” to the border with its former Soviet neighbour.
NIA conduct searches in J&K, Rajasthan in terror conspiracy case
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday conducted searches at multiple locations in Jammu and Kashmir and Rajasthan in connection with a terrorism conspiracy case, its spokesperson said. Twenty-eight accused have been arrested in the case so far, the spokesperson said. The NIA said the searches were conducted at eight locations in Sopore, Kupwara, Shopian, Rajouri, Budgam and Ganderbal of Jammu and Kashmir and Jodhpur district of Rajasthan.
KL Rahul ruled out of entire Sri Lanka tour
Washington Sundar has also been ruled out, while Shardul Thakur has been rested, said Selection Committee chair Chetan Sharma
Olympics: U.S. appeal to CAS to have team medals awarded
The United States figure skating team have asked the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to rule that they can receive their team silver medals before the end of the Beijing Olympics, a source close to the proceedings told Reuters on Saturday. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) had decided no medals for the competition — won by the Russian Olympic Committee team — would be presented until the doping case of Russian 15-year-old Kamila Valieva had been resolved. That matter could take weeks or months. Russia finished top, the U.S. second and Japan third. Canada were fourth in the event on Feb. 7.
Will give befitting reply if someone casts evil eyes on India, says Rajnath
Campaigning for the BJP in Uttar Pradesh, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said India is capable of giving befitting reply to those who dare to cast evil eyes on India. Addressing a cheering crowd he said, “we are capable of killing anybody this side and can go across the border to kill anybody if someone dares to cast evil eyes on the country.” Rajnath Singh said that the government decided to launch surgical strike when terrorists struck security forces and the BJP will not let down the country whatever the consequences. BJP does not compromise on nations pride, he said.
UGC NET Result 2021 announced
The National Testing Agency on Saturday released the University Grants Commission (UGC)-NET December 2020 and June 2021 cycles results online on its official website (https://ugcnet.nta.nic.in/)
Senior Assam journalist Pratap Bordoloi dies at 72
Pratap Bordoloi, a pioneer of television journalism in Assam, has died at his Guwahati residence, his family said. He was 72, and is survived by his wife and three children. Bordoloi suddenly took ill around 10 PM on Friday and died before he could be taken to the hospital, they said.
Australia says China warship fired laser at its patrol plane
The Australian Defense Department said that a Chinese navy ship fired a laser at one of its surveillance aircraft, putting the lives of the crew in danger. The incident happened on Thursday when the P-8A Poseidon plane detected a laser illuminating the aircraft while in flight over Australia’s northern approaches, the department said. Such episodes are not uncommon as the US and its allies accuse China of asserting its military might, and have taken steps to challenge Beijing’s growing clout in the western Pacific and elsewhere. The department said in a statement Saturday that the laser came from a People’s Liberation Army Navy vessel.
Mali army says eight soldiers killed, nearly 60 ‘terrorists neutralised’
An air raid on a rebel base “neutralised” 57 “terrorists” in northern Mali where eight soldiers were also killed in fighting, the army said Saturday. Friday’s air force strike targeted a “terrorist base” and “violent clashes” led to the soldiers’ deaths, a statement said. The troops were targeted by “unidentified armed men” in the Archam region near the border with restive Burkina Faso and Niger, the statement said.
Hong Kong reports more than 6,000 new cases in virus surge
There were 6,063 confirmed cases in the previous 24 hours, raising the Chinese territory’s total to 46,763. That was down slightly from Thursday’s 6,116 but one of Hong Kong’s highest daily totals. Hong Kong has tightened travel and business curbs as it tries to contain its latest virus surge. On Friday, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said the election for her post would be postponed by six weeks to May 8 due to public health risks.
Putin to oversee nuclear drills as Ukraine crisis mounts
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin was set to oversee exercises by strategic nuclear missile forces on Saturday as Western leaders gathered in Munich, fearful that he could order troops massed on Ukraine’s border to invade at any time. Russian-backed separatist leaders in eastern Ukraine declared a full military mobilisation, a day after ordering women and children to evacuate to Russia, citing the threat of an imminent attack by Ukrainian forces. Kyiv flatly denied the accusation and Washington said it was part of Russia’s plan to create a pretext for an invasion of Ukraine.
Union Minister Anurag Thakur on 2008 Ahmedabad serial blast
“We welcome the judgment by the Court. Quantum of sentence was pronounced against 49 convicts – 38 were sentenced to capital punishment, 11 to life imprisonment. This had happened when Narendra Modi was the CM of Gujarat,” Thakur said
Explosions heard in Ukraine city
As per Reuters, multiple explosions could be heard on Saturday morning in the north of the separatist-controlled city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine. The origin of the explosions was not clear so far.
Kansai Nerolac appoints Anuj Jain as Managing Director
Incumbent Managing Director and Vice-Chairman H M Bharuka retires on March 31, 2022, on completion of his term. The board of the company in its meeting held on Friday “approved the appointment of Anuj Jain as the Managing Director, for a term of five years, with effect from April 1 2022,” KNPL said in a regulatory filing. This would be subject to the approval of the shareholders of the company, it added.
Now ‘Hijab row’ in Tamil Nadu
A verbal duel broke out on Saturday between a BJP agent in a polling station near here when he objected to a woman voter wearing a ‘Hijab’ and others and the Saffron party man was finally sent out of the booth.
Indore gets a Bio-CNG Plant
The plant has the capacity to treat 550 tonnes per day of segregated wet organic waste. It is expected to produce around 17,000 kg per day of CNG and 100 tonnes per day of organic compost. The plant is based on zero-landfill models, whereby no rejects would be generated. Additionally, the project is expected to yield multiple environmental benefits- reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, providing green energy along with organic compost as fertilizer.
No more night curfew in UP
Government of Uttar Pradesh lifts the COVID19 induced night curfew following a drop in the number of COVID cases. Earlier this month, UP relaxed curfew timings to 11 pm to 6 am.
International Olympic Committee Session is coming to India in 2023
India on Saturday won the right to host the 2023 International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) session in Mumbai in an unopposed race, during the 139th IOC Session in Beijing, China. This will be the second IOC session in India. The country last hosted an IOC session in 1983 in New Delhi.
Covid death report flawed: Govt
- While claims settled by LIC relate to Life insurance policies taken by policy holders for deaths due to all causes, but the news reports conclude that this would imply Covid deaths were underreported. A flawed interpretation like this is not based on facts and highlights the bias of the author. It also reveals lack of understanding of how the Covid-19 deaths in India are collated and published daily in public domain since the beginning of pandemic,” govt said in a press statement.
- “India has a very transparent and efficient system of reporting COVID-19 deaths. Right from the Gram Panchayat level to the District-level and the State level, the process of reporting deaths is monitored and carried out transparently. Further, with the sole objective of reporting deaths in a transparent manner, the Government of India has adopted a globally recognised categorization to classify COVID deaths. In the model so adopted, compilation of the total deaths in India is undertaken by the Centre based on the independent reporting by the States,” the press release added.
Media reports claiming LIC IPO data confirming massive death numbers in 2021 are speculative and not factual: Govt of India
“There has been a media report related to IPOs proposed to be issued by LIC, wherein mentioning the details of policies & claims settled. Speculative interpretation made that Covid related mortalities could be more than recorded officially. Reports are speculative & baseless,” said Govt of India in a press release.
Infiltration attempt at Mumbai airport foiled
News wire agency ANI has reported that the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) foiled an infiltration attempt at Mumbai airport today. CISF jawans intercepted an intruder at Crash Gate No. 27 of CSMIA (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport), the report added.
Live Updates: Shopian encounter
Two Army men killed in encounter in south Kashmir’s Shopian district, according to officials
36.28 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in India in the last 24 hour
As per the health ministry, with the administration of 36,28,578 vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 1,75,03,86,834. This has been achieved through 1,98,09,200 sessions. Of the total doses administered so far, 1,04,00,492 health care workers received the first dose, 99,49,833 received the second dose and 40,22,962 were administered with the precautionary doses.
12,000 smart classrooms installed in 240 govt schools in Delhi
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today inaugurated 12,430 new smart classrooms in 240 government schools of the national capital. With the inauguration of 12,430 new smart classrooms, the tally of new classrooms built by the Kejriwal government reached 20,000 which is synonymous with 537 new school buildings, as per a statement issued by the Delhi government.
Puducherry logs 30 new coronavirus cases
The overall caseload now stood at 1,65,564. The active cases also fell to 495 as against 586 reported on Saturday. No fresh fatality was reported from any of the four regions today and fatalities remained 1,959.
Virat Kohli to miss third and final T20I against West Indies on Sunday
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has given bio-bubble break to Virat Kohli in Kolkata and as a result, the former India skipper will be missing the third and final T20I against West Indies on Sunday, according to news wire agency ANI. Quoting sources, ANI claimed that the break given to Kohli is because of the tiring schedule.
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