Death toll in Jammu & Kashmir grenade attack climbs to two

A 19-year-old girl, who was injured in Sun’s grenade blast in Hari Singh High Street locality of Jammu and Kashmir’s summer capital, succumbed to injuries on Mon, taking the death toll in the incident to two, officials said. Rafiya, a resident of the Hazratbal area of the city, succumbed to the injuries at the SMHS hospital on Mon morning.

Meghalaya-Assam border dispute: ’30 out of 36 disputed villages to remain in Meghalaya,’ says CM Conrad K Sangma

Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad K Sangma, informed the Assembly on Mon that regional committees of both Assam and Meghalaya have recommended that 30 of the 36 disputed villages be retained in Meghalaya. According to him, the 36 villages cover a total area of 36.9 sq km, while the 30 villages cover 18 sq km. The CM said that both the states had agreed not to add any new areas of differences to the 12 already identified. Meghalaya-Assam border length is 884.9-km. The districts of Assam touch the Meghalaya border: West Karbi Anglong (162.10 km), Morigaon (14.50 km), Kamrup(M) (79.70 km), Kamrup (200.90 km), Goalpara (169.80 km), Dhubri (15.18 km), South Salmara Mankachar (98.32 km), Cachar (19.50 km) and Dima Hasao (124.90 km).

Indian Navy test-fires advanced version of BrahMos missile

The Indian Navy on Sat successfully test-fired a long-range version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from a stealth destroyer in the Indian Ocean. In a tweet, the Navy said the test-firing validated the long-range precision strike capability of the BrahMos missile, terming it “another shot in the arm for Aatmanirbhar Bharat“. It also said the missile hit its intended target with pinpoint accuracy after traversing an extended range trajectory and performing complex maneuvers. The missile, with 2.8 Mach, with an extended range of 350 km was test-fired from stealth destroyer INS Chennai. It said both Brahmos missile and INS Chennai are indigenously built and highlight the cutting-edge of Indian missile and ship-building prowess.

India’s representative at Ramallah Mukul Arya found dead in embassy

India’s Representative at Ramallah, Mukul Arya, was found dead inside the Indian embassy in Palestine, local media reported on Sun. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that expressed deep shock over the passing away of Mukul Arya. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said the Indian ambassador died at his workplace in Ramallah. They have established contacts with the Ministry of External Affairs to complete the arrangements for transporting the body to India. The story is still developing and more information is awaited in this regard.

The boundary should not affect the bigger picture, Wang

On India China relations, China’s FM Wang Yi says issues relating to the boundary should not affect the bigger picture, says “some forces always seek to stoke tensions” between India and China and “only by staying independent” can both “firmly grasp our destiny”. Wang Yi says India and China should be “partners for mutual success rather than adversaries for mutual attrition”, quote “an Indian proverb” saying “help your brother’s boat across, and your boat will reach the shore”. Wang Yi, in an annual press conference, says “the real goal of the US Indo-Pacific strategy is to establish an Indo-Pacific version of NATO”, says US has “54321” strategy, refers to Five Eyes, Quad, AUKUS, and relationships in the region. He calls it “sinister”. Ties between the two Asian giants deteriorated after a fatal border clash in the Galwan valley in June 2020 left at least 20 Indian and 4 Chinese soldiers dead. At an annual press briefing in Beijing, Wang acknowledged that ties with India had “met with some setbacks” in recent years. In short, accept the new altered status quo.

‘Glaciers retreat, may cause water shortage in Ganga’

In the first detailed “inventory of glaciers” at the Alaknanda river basin, which contributes the maximum water to river Ganga, scientists from IISc and IITs discovered a reduction of 59 sq km in the glacier area over almost 50 years, between 1968 and 2020. This meant that 8% of the total area of glaciers decreased. The report suggested substantial evidence of deglaciation due to global warming, especially since the winter temperature increased by 0.03 ^oC/ year in said time, though the area of the glaciers reduced, the number of glaciers increased from 98 to 116.

Indian rupee plunges to a record low of 77.02 against a dollar

The Indian rupee plunged to a record low of 77.02 against a US dollar on Mon as a sharp rise in crude oil prices amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict dampened investors’ sentiments. At the interbank foreign currency market, the rupee hit a low of 77.02 against a US dollar in the intra-day trade on Mon against its Friday’s close at 76.16 against a dollar. The Brent crude oil price surged to near $130 a barrel, the highest level since 2008. Due to high crude oil prices, India’s trade and fiscal deficits are set to rise. This will put increasing pressure on the Indian currency.

Sensex plunges 1,491 points amid elevated oil prices; Nifty ends below 15,900

Equity indices plunged for a fourth straight session on Monday as soaring crude oil prices amid escalating Russia-Ukraine conflict. The 30-share BSE index crashed 1,491 points or 2.74% to close at 52,843, while the broader NSE Nifty settled 382 points or 2.35% lower at 15,863.

Indians studying medicine in Chinese universities fear degree cancellation

Indians studying medicine in Chinese Universities, who returned home when the pandemic broke out, fear the cancellation of their degrees if they don’t go back to China before June 2022. These students have completed their course but are yet to finish an internship that is mandatory for their degree. Some have taken to social media platforms requesting the Indian government to intervene.

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UNSC urges states to help catch brains behind an attack in Peshawar

The UN Security Council said on Sun that all acts of terrorism were criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, and urged all UN member states to cooperate with Pakistan in catching those responsible for the latest attack on a Shia mosque in Peshawar.

The World Bank has taken notice of delays in the implementation of CLICK

Jasarat -The World Bank has taken notice of delays in the implementation of the multi-billion rupee approved loan project “Competitive and Liveable City of Karachi” (CLICK) and states that the delay in various works of this component will be the responsibility of the concerned authority and therefore all the works should be completed as per schedule.

Sea of red at PSX as KSE-100 plunges by almost 1,500 points in intraday trading

Bears were in firm control of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Monday as its benchmark KSE-100 index shed nearly 1,500 points in intraday trading. The bourse was under severe selling pressure right from the opening bell, with KSE-100 losing 514 points and sinking to 44,037 within the first 10 minutes. Following a brief respite, the market continued its downward trajectory again, reaching the day’s low at 43,050.88 points and representing a loss of 1,472.45 points. Meanwhile, Khurram Shehzad, a leading market analyst, saw Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent speech as a core factor for the current market situation. PSX’s troubles today were in line with what happened in global equity markets, which plunged in unison, while oil prices soared to a near 14-year high and safe-haven gold broke $2,000 as investors grew increasingly fearful about the impact of the Ukraine war on the global economy.

China trade: export growth slowdown in January-February ‘alarming’ despite beating expectations

Imports grew by 15.5% in combined figures for Jan and Feb from a year earlier. China’s export growth slowed in January and February, combined data released on Mon showed, although it was better than expected. Exports grew by 16.3% in Jan and Feb from a year earlier to US$544.7 billion, down from December’s growth of 29.9%. It was above the median result of a survey of analysts conducted by Bloomberg, which predicted 15.7% growth.

Ukraine war: China says friendship with Russia is ‘rock solid’

“No matter how sinister the international situation is, both China and Russia will maintain their strategic determination and continuously push forward the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination in the new era,” foreign minister Wang Yi said on Monday. Wang said the friendship between China and Russia was “rock solid” and prospects for cooperation bright.

Ukraine crisis –Almost all Indian National have evacuated from Ukraine

Under Operation Ganga to rescue Indian citizens, 1314 Indians have been airlifted today (Mon) by 7 special civilian flights from Ukraine’s neighboring countries. With this, more than 17,400 Indians have been brought back since the special flights began on 22^nd Feb. Number of Indians airlifted by 73 special civilian flights goes up to 15,206. One C-17 IAF flight, with 201 Indians on board, is expected to arrive in the evening today. IAF had earlier flown 10 sorties to bring back 2056 passengers. Among the special Civilian flights today, 4 have landed in New Delhi while 2 reached Mumbai. One flight is expected late in the evening. There were 5 flights from Budapest and one each from Bucharest and Suceava. Tomorrow, 2 special Civilian flights are expected to operate from Suceava, bringing in more than 400 Indians back home: Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Russia sets Monday ceasefire for Ukraine ‘humanitarian corridors’

SCMP-Russia has announced a cease-fire and the opening of humanitarian corridors in several areas of Ukraine after two failed attempts to evacuate civilians from the city of Mariupol.

Russia’s military will hold fire and open humanitarian corridors at 10 am Moscow time from the capital Kyiv as well as the cities of Kharkiv, Mariupol, and Sumy and are being set up at the personal request of French President Emmanuel Macron, the Defence Ministry said.

RIA news agency- the corridor from Kyiv will lead to Russian ally Belarus, and civilians from Kharkiv will only have a corridor leading to Russia.

• Corridors from Mariupol and Sumy will lead both to other Ukrainian cities and Russia.
• Those who want to leave Kyiv will also be able to be airlifted to Russia, the ministry said, adding it would use drones to monitor the evacuation.
• Russia calls the campaign it launched on Feb 24 a “special military operation” and repeatedly denied attacking civilian areas also says it has no plans to occupy Ukraine.
• Russia has announced the opening of the following humanitarian corridors:
  • Kyiv to Gomel (Belarus)
  • Mariupol to Zaporizhzhya (Ukraine) and Rostov-on-Don (Russia)
  • Kharkiv to Belgorod (Russia)
  • Sumy to Poltava (Ukraine) & Belgorod.

Oil prices soared to their highest levels since 2008 in Asian trade after the Biden administration said it was exploring banning imports of Russian oil, responsible for 7% of the global supply.

Kyodo News- Japan, which counts Russia as its 5^th-biggest supplier of crude oil, is also in discussion with the US and European countries about possibly banning Russian oil imports.

• Europe relies on Russia for crude oil and natural gas but has become more open to the idea of banning Russian products, a source familiar with the discussions told said.
• Most Chinese nationals have now left Ukraine, remainder urged to go
• The civilian death toll from hostilities across Ukraine since Russia launched the invasion was 364, including more than 20 children, the UN said on Sun.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US had seen credible reports of deliberate attacks on civilians and it was documenting them to support a potential war crimes investigation.

• He said the US was considering how it could backfill aircraft for Poland if it decided to supply its warplanes to Ukraine.
• Putin says he wants a “demilitarised”, “denazified” and neutral Ukraine, and on Sat likened Western sanctions “to a declaration of war”.
• On Sun, more companies cut ties with Russia: American Express, Netflix, accounting giants KPMG and PwC, and video sharing app TikTok.
• But Chinese firms are staying put.
• Blinken said on Sun that he expects China would condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine because Beijing has spent so much time in the past speaking about the “sanctity” of national sovereignty.
• The comments came a day after Blinken spoke with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, and reflect growing frustration in Washington about Beijing’s continued refusal to denounce Russia for invading its neighbor and starting a war that has already killed thousands of civilians.
• Blinken told CNN that he told Wang “that China speaks often about the sanctity of this principle of sovereignty”.
• Hua Chunying, Spokesperson and Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, said in a tweet on Mon, that the real goal of the US Indo-Pacific strategy is to establish an Indo-Pacific version of NATO.

Prime Minister Modi spoke on phone to President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine.

The phone call lasted for about 35 minutes. The two leaders discussed the evolving situation in Ukraine. PM appreciated the continuing direct dialogue between Russia & Ukraine. PM Modi thanked President Zelensky for the help extended by the Govt of Ukraine in the evacuation of Indian nationals from Ukraine. PM sought continued support from the Govt of Ukraine in ongoing efforts for the evacuation of Indian nationals from Sumy. Ukraine seeks more sanctions on Russia. ANI (sources).

“Informed Indian Prime Minister, about Ukraine countering Russian aggression. India appreciates the assistance to its citizens during the war and Ukraine’s commitment to direct peaceful dialogue at the highest level. Grateful for the support of the Ukrainian people. #StopRussia” said in a tweet by Ukraine President, Volodymyr Zelensky.

Indian Prime Minister spoke to President Putin for about 50 minutes.

The two leaders discussed the evolving situation in Ukraine. President Putin briefed PM Modi on the status of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. Prime Minister Modi urged President Putin to hold direct talks with President Zelensky of Ukraine, in addition to the ongoing negotiations between their teams. Modi appreciated the announcement of the ceasefire and establishment of humanitarian corridors in parts of Ukraine including Sumy. PM stressed the importance of the safe evacuation of Indian citizens from Sumy at the earliest. President assured PM of all possible cooperation in their safe evacuation. Indian students who were held by radicals in Kharkiv managed to leave the city only as a result of strong international pressure on the Kyiv authorities, Prez Putin tells PM Modi says Kremlin readout. PM Modi indicated his readiness to provide any possible assistance to resolve the conflict as soon as possible. At the request of the PM, Vladimir Putin outlined the assessments of the progress of the negotiations between the Russian delegation and Ukrainian representatives, says Kremlin readout of talks.

Ukraine crisis: More than 15,900 Indian citizens were brought back under Operation Ganga

More than 15,900 Indians have been brought back since the special flights under Operation Ganga began on Feb 22 to rescue the stranded Indian citizens in Ukraine. To rescue Indian citizens, 2135 Indians have been brought back on Sun by 11 special civilian flights from Ukraine’s neighboring countries. The number of Indians airlifted by 66 special civilian flights goes up to 13852, said the Ministry of Civil Aviation. To date, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has flown 10 sorties to bring back 2056 passengers, while taking 26 tonnes of relief load to these countries, as part of Operation Ganga,” it added.

4 buses on its way to Poltava to evacuate Indians stranded in Sumy, says Hardeep Singh Puri

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, who is in Hungary to oversee the evacuation process of stranded Indian nationals due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, said that four buses with a capacity of 50 each are on their way to Poltava to bring back Indian students stranded in Ukraine’s Sumy.

PM Modi chairs high-level meeting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is chairing a high-level meeting on the Ukraine crisis on Sat. The meeting is being attended by Union Minister for External Affairs S Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary of India Harsh Vardhan Shringla, and other officials. Previously, the Prime Minister has held regular high-level meetings over the Ukraine crisis.

External Affairs Ministry on Sat said that almost all Indians have left Kharkiv city in Ukraine and the main focus of the Govt is to evacuate citizens from the Sumy area as it is challenging amid ongoing violence and lack of transportation.

Ask Russia to stop ongoing conflict: Ukraine FM Kuleba urges several countries including India

• During a televised address, Kuleba accused Russia of violating the ceasefire agreements and urged it to stop shooting to allow civilians, including foreign students, to evacuate.
• He noted that over 21,000 people have left Ukraine.
• He said all countries, including India, who enjoy special relations with Russia, can appeal to the Russian President that “this war is against the interest of all.”
• Kuleba claimed that humanitarian corridors and ceasefires do not exist because Russian forces violated the agreement reached in the morning to arrange humanitarian corridors.

Most Chinese nationals have now left Ukraine, remainder urged to go

China’s embassy in Kyiv said nearly all of its 6,000 citizens in the war-torn country have been evacuated, as shelling intensifies.

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The World Bank has taken notice of delays in the implementation of CLICK

Jasarat -The World Bank has taken notice of delays in the implementation of the multi-billion rupee approved loan project “Competitive and Liveable City of Karachi” (CLICK) and states that the delay in various works of this component will be the responsibility of the concerned authority and therefore all the works should be completed as per schedule. The total value of the Click Local Government component project is USD 160 million, which will be at least Rs 28 billion in Pakistani rupees. But the responsibility of supervision of such a huge amount has not been given to the elected public representatives and not to the local leaders but the entire project has been handed over to a retired and present officer due to which there are fears of financial and administrative irregularities in the project. Official sources said that the World Bank and ranks 39;s special monitoring team met in Karachi last week. During the review meeting, the World Bank took notice of the slowdown in other basic works, including tenders for seven approved DMC and Karachi Metropolitan approved schemes, on which the World Bank representatives also expressed their concerns.