LIVE: Biden says he thinks Russia should be removed from G-20

Biden also said if countries such as Indonesia and others do not agree with removing Russia, then in his view, Ukraine should be allowed to attend the meetings

9:08 AM

Yogi Adityanath to be elected leader of BJP legislature party today

Yogi Adityanath will be formally elected as the leader of the legislature party at a meeting of the newly elected MLAs of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) here on Thursday.

According to the party sources the meeting, which is scheduled to be held at Lok Bhawan, will be attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who has been nominated as an observer for Uttar Pradesh and co-observer and former Chief Minister of Jharkhand Raghubar Das.

After being elected as the leader, Yogi Adityanath will meet Governor Anandiben Patel and stake his claim to form the government in the state.

The swearing-in ceremony will be held on Friday at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium in Gomti Nagar.

9:00 AM

Russian journalist Oksana Baulina killed in Ukraine shelling as war completes one month

As Ukraine continues to face heavy bombardments, Russian journalist Oksana Baulina working for the independent news site The Insider was killed in a shelling incident in Ukraine, the media outlet said in a statement on Wednesday.

A statement by The Insider said, "Oksana Baulina had been filming the shelling destruction in the capital's Podilskyi District by Russian troops when she came under rocket fire. Another civilian died with her," reported CNN News.

Moreover, two people who were along with the killed journalist were also wounded and hospitalized.

8:59 AM

Putin discusses Ukraine crisis with Bennett, expresses condolences for terror attack in Israel

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephonic conversation with the Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and discussed the ongoing military operation in Ukraine as well as expressed his condolences for the recent terror attack in the west Asian country.

Notably, Four people were killed in a terror attack by an Arab assailant in Israel's southern city of Beersheba on Tuesday, Israeli police said.

8:58 AM

Global Covid caseload tops 475.4 mn

The global coronavirus caseload has topped 475.4 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 6.10 million and vaccinations to over 10.83 billion, according to the Johns Hopkins University.

In its latest update on Thursday morning, the University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and the death toll stood at 475,487,321 and 6,104,135, respectively, while the total number of vaccine doses administered has increased to 10,835,408,732.

The US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 79,844,364 and 974,827, according to the CSSE.

8:58 AM

G7 Health Ministers' condemn attacks on health facilities in Ukraine

As the healthcare system in Ukraine continues to remain under significant strain, G7 Health Ministers condemned the 'indiscriminate' attacks on the Ukrainian population, and health facilities and health workers who are caught in the crossfire.

"We fully support the joint statement issued by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) on 13 March to stop the devastating impact of attacks on health care facilities in Ukraine, such as the horrific shelling of the maternity hospital in Mariupol," read the joint statement.

Ministers asserted that intentionally directing attacks at civilians and civilian infrastructure, including health care facilities and workers, violates International Humanitarian Law. "Health must remain a priority, with health workers being protected so they can provide emergency care to save lives, and with health systems and facilities being protected so that they remain accessible to all who need them." The statement read.

8:57 AM

Zelenskyy calls for global protests as Ukraine-Russia war marks one month

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday urged citizens around the world to take to the streets to protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Sharing a video message by Zelenskyy, Ukraine Ministry of Foreign Affairs tweeted, "The war of #Russia is not only the war against #Ukraine. started the war against freedom as it is. That's why I ask you to stand against the war! Starting from March 24 - exactly one month after the Russian invasion All as one together who want to stop the war!"

8:51 AM

No-trust motion against Imran Khan: Pak's NA Speaker vows to run proceedings in accordance with Constitution

After opposition parties levelled allegations against Pakistan's National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser for siding with Prime Minister Imran Khan over the no-trust motion, Qaiser in his defence said that he would run the assembly's proceedings in accordance with the Constitution.

Taking to Twitter, Qaiser wrote: "I, as the custodian of the National Assembly of Pakistan, will fulfil my constitutional obligations and will proceed in accordance with Article 95 of the Constitution and rule 37 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007," reported Geo TV.

8:49 AM

Russian forces committed war crimes in Ukraine: US

Russian military forces, led by President Vladimir Putin, have committed war crimes in Ukraine by hitting civilian targets and have unleashed unrelenting violence that has caused death and destruction across the war-torn country, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said.

On February 24, Russian forces launched military operations in Ukraine, three days after Moscow recognised Ukraine's breakaway regions Donetsk and Luhansk as independent entities.

Russian troops have targeted areas where civilians are present, including apartment buildings, schools and hospitals.

8:49 AM

India abstains for 5th time on UN Ukraine resolution, but this time with US

India has abstained for the fifth time on a UN resolution on Ukraine, but this time it was on a Russia-sponsored resolution in the Security Council and New Delhi was on the side of Washington and its allies.

The resolution on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine co-sponsored by Belarus, North Korea and Syria failed on Wednesday even without a veto as it got only the votes of Russia and China, while all the other 13 Council members abstained depriving it of the minimum of nine votes needed to pass.

Unlike during the past abstentions relating to Ukraine, India kept silent on this vote, the first time it sided with the West, even if only through an abstention.

8:42 AM

Russia declares several US Diplomats persona non grata

Russia’s Foreign Ministry has declared a number of American diplomats “persona non grata,” a US State Department spokesperson said Wednesday night. The spokesperson said the US Embassy in Moscow had received a list of diplomats, but didn’t provide further details. The spokesperson said expulsions of US personnel were not justified and criticized Russia for making such a decision at a time of rising tensions between the two countries, according to Bloomberg.

 

8:21 AM

Google says app, website inaccessible in Russia

Google confirms users having difficulty accessing news app, website in Russia. Google says, 'this is not due to any technical issues on our end'

7:47 AM

Russia has committed war crimes in Ukraine: USA's Blinken

Russian military forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine by hitting civilian targets and "unleashed unrelenting violence", Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said. “We've seen numerous credible reports of indiscriminate attacks and attacks deliberately targeting civilians, as well as other atrocities," he said.

7:43 AM

Scott Morrison flags concerns over Putin's plans to attend G20 meeting

Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday said he has been raising concerns about Russian President Vladimir Putin's plans to attend the next G20 summit in Indonesia this year. "The idea of sitting around a table with Vladimir Putin, who the United States are already in the position of calling out (for) war crimes in Ukraine, for me is a step too far," Morrison said during a media briefing, according to Reuters.

6:30 AM

India to hold high-level meeting to boost wheat exports

Amid rising global demand for Indian wheat due to the Russia-Ukraine crisis, the Central government has called a high-level meeting on Thursday with top exporters, port authorities, state governments and also secretaries from the department of agriculture, shipping, commerce and Railways.

 

6:28 AM

Chinese Foreign Minister lands in Delhi today

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will arrive in Delhi on Thursday for a two-day visit, meeting Indian officials as the Russia-Ukraine war enters its fourth month. Wang will arrive directly from Pakistan after being the Chief Guest at the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) Ministerial summit.