LIVE: Biden says US to give Ukraine drones, anti-aircraft systems

US President Joe Biden on Wednesday said the United States was offering an additional $800 million in security assistance to Ukraine to combat Russia's invasion

12:26 PM

Covid vaccination for 12-14 age group in MP after March 22

Vaccination for children in the age group of 12-14 years, earlier scheduled from Wednesday, will now begin after March 22 in Madhya Pradesh.

According to the state health administration, the date for inoculation of the children, was extended due to Holi and also delay in training programme to the frontline workers.

12:21 PM

Russian oil deal could place New Delhi on 'wrong side of history': US

The United States on Tuesday (local time) said India would not be violating US sanctions by purchasing discounted Russian oil but added that such a move would put the world's largest democracy on the "wrong side of history".

 

Asked about the reports of India considering a Russian offer to buy crude oil and other commodities at discount prices a week after the US banned all Russian energy imports, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the Joe Biden administration's message would be for countries to abide by US sanctions.

 

 

 

11:51 AM

Russia steps up assaults in Ukraine as Kyiv appeals for more help

Russia escalated its bombardment of the Ukrainian capital and launched new assaults on the port city of Mariupol, making bloody advances on the ground as Ukraine's president prepared Wednesday to make a direct appeal for more help in a rare speech by a foreign leader to the US Congress.

 

As the invasion entered its third week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested there was still some reason to be optimistic negotiations might yet yield an agreement with the Russian government.

 

 

11:37 AM

Hijab ban in classroom; SC to hear pleas against Karnataka HC verdict after Holi vacation

The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to list for hearing after Holi vacation the pleas challenging the Karnataka High Court verdict which dismissed the petitions seeking permission to wear hijab inside the classroom saying it is not a part of the essential religious practice in Islamic faith.

A bench comprising Chief Justice N V Ramana took note of the submissions of senior advocate Sanjay Hegde, appearing for some students, that urgent hearing was needed keeping in mind the upcoming examinations.

The urgency is that there are many girls who have to appear in examinations, the senior lawyer told the bench which also comprised Justices A S Bopanna and Hima Kohli.

11:29 AM

Key ally of Pakistan PM Imran Khan says he’s ‘100% in trouble’

Pakistan PM Imran Khan’s government is on the verge of losing majority in Parliament as his three key allies are about to quit his cabinet, a top leader from a party supporting the government said.

 

This would shore up support for the opposition group in a no-confidence vote slated for later this month, Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, whose Pakistan Muslim league-Quaid party is a key government partner with five members in the lower house National Assembly, said in an interview at Hum TV on Tuesday evening.

 

“It’s up to Imran Khan now to personally reach out to his allied parties and convince them to stay in the coalition government,” Elahi said. Otherwise, “he is 100% in trouble.”

 

11:06 AM

Two Fox journalists killed in Ukraine, underscoring dangers

A veteran videographer and a 24-year-old Ukrainian journalist working for Fox News were both killed when their vehicle came under fire outside of Kyiv, the network has said.

Pierre Zakrzewski, 55, and Oleksandra Sasha Kuvshynova were travelling Monday in Horenka with Fox News reporter.

On Sunday, documentary filmmaker Brent Renaud, another veteran of covering war zones, died when Russian forces opened fire on his vehicle in Irpin, also outside of Kyiv.

The death of three journalists in a short span underscores the dangers faced by people chronicling the war in Ukraine, even those with extensive experience reporting from conflict zones.

11:02 AM

Punjab will take oath to fulfil dreams of Bhagat Singh, Babasaheb: Mann

Ahead of being sworn-in as Punjab chief minister on Wednesday, AAP leader Bhagwant Mann said the entire state will be taking oath to fulfil the dreams of Bhagat Singh and Babasaheb Ambedkar.

All arrangements are in place for the swearing-in ceremony of Mann at Khatkar Kalan, the ancestral village of legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh in Punjab's Shaheed Bhagat Singh (SBS) Nagar district.

Mann in a tweet in Punjabi said, The golden ray of sun has brought a new dawn today. To fulfil the dreams of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Babasaheb (B R Ambedkar), the whole Punjab will take oath today at Khatkar Kalan.

11:00 AM

India's Covid vaccination drive science-driven, people-powered: PM Modi

Asserting that India's Covid vaccination drive is science-driven and people-powered, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the country is in a much better position to fight this deadly pandemic but people must keep following all precautions.

 

Modi noted that today is an important day in India's efforts to vaccinate its citizens as now onwards, youngsters in the 12-14 age group were eligible for vaccines and all those above 60 were eligible for precaution doses.

 

"I urge people in these age groups to get vaccinated," he said in a series of tweets.

 

Modi asserted that India's vaccination drive, which is the largest in the world, is science-driven.

10:28 AM

Kejriwal leaves for Punjab to attend Mann's oath-taking ceremony

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday left for Punjab to attend the swearing-in ceremony of chief minister-designate Bhagwant Mann.

Elaborate arrangements have been made for Mann's oath-taking ceremony at Khatkar Kalan -- ancestral village of legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh in Shaheed Bhagat Singh (SBS) Nagar district.

10:28 AM

Navjot Sidhu resigns as Punjab Congress chief

Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu on Wednesday said he has resigned as the party's Punjab chief.

The cricketer-turned-politician shared the information about his resignation on his twitter handle.

As desired by the Congress President I have sent my resignation , his tweet read.

 

10:27 AM

Karnataka: Schools, colleges reopen in Udupi after hijab verdict

A day after the Karnataka High Court pronounced its verdict on the hijab ban, the schools and colleges reopened in Udupi on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, section 144 will remain in force in the area with restrictions on processions, celebrations and protests till March 21.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Deputy Commissioner of Udupi District announced that "all schools and colleges will be re-opened tomorrow in the Udupi district but the imposition of 144 section will continue with restrictions on processions, celebrations and protests till 21st March."

10:14 AM

India's vaccination drive, which is largest in the world, is science-driven: PM Modi.

10:14 AM

Shanghai says no lockdown for now, tells bankers to work at home

Shanghai ruled out imposing a broad lockdown for now, while urging workers in its main financial and business district to work from home as officials try to rein in a swelling Covid-19 outbreak in one of China’s biggest and most important cities. 

 

Gu Honghui, deputy secretary general of the Shanghai government, told reporters Tuesday that “there’s no need to lock down the city” at the moment, with authorities keen to minimize the impact of virus mitigation efforts on businesses and people’s lives. 

10:13 AM

PM urges youngsters in age group 12-14 yrs to get Covid vaccination, those above 60 to get precaution dose.

10:07 AM

Navjot Sidhu steps down as Punjab Congress chief, sends resignation to Sonia Gandhi: Reports

Navjot Sidhu steps down as Punjab Congress chief, sends resignation to Sonia Gandhi: Reports