WORLD
Indian PM, French Prez in regular touch with Ukraine, Russia: Shringla
The war has entered into the third week where fighting has reached the streets of all the important cities. Addressing India-France Track 1.5 Dialogue, Shringla said the global strategic outlook appears complicated. "The post World War II security architecture that had largely preserved peace in Europe over the last several decades is now found to be wanting," he said.
'Ukrainian, Russian Presidents may hold talks in coming days'
"Obviously, the only way to end this war is direct talks between the two presidents, and this is what we are working on in the current talks," Podolyak, also a member of the Ukrainian delegation to the peace talks with Russia, was quoted as saying. Work is underway to prepare the documents that could be signed during the meeting of the two leaders, the official was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.
Iran FM says UK's debt settlement unrelated to dual nationals' release
Hossein Amir Abdollahian made the remarks in an address to foreign ambassadors and heads of missions to Iran ahead of the Nowruz, the Iranian new year which begins on March 21, 2022, Xinhua news agency reported, citing Iran's official news agency IRNA. The two British-Iranians, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anousheh Ashouri, were released on humanitarian grounds, he said, adding they had been "arrested and tried on espionage and security charges in Iran."
Global Covid-19 cases on rise again despite reduced testing: WHO
WHO said cases are especially on the rise in parts of Asia, urging for vaccination coverage to be extended and caution to be exercised in lifting pandemic response measures, Xinhua news agency reported. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press briefing that globally increasing cases despite reduced testing "means the cases we are seeing are just the tip of the iceberg."
2 killed, 92 injured after 7.4-magnitude earthquake strikes northeastern Japan
As of Thursday morning, a total of 92 people were reported injured in seven prefectures including Miyagi and Fukushima, where the quake was registered at magnitude 7.4, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. Strong shaking was felt in the country's northeastern and eastern areas, especially in Miyagi and Fukushima Prefectures where the quake was logged six upper on the Japanese seismic intensity scale which peaks at seven.
Volodymyr Zelensky makes direct appeal to Congress for no-fly zone rejected by Biden
"Russia has turned the Ukrainian sky into a source of death for thousands of people," Zelensky said over a video link from Ukraine and asked, "To create a no-fly zone over Ukraine to save people, is this too much to ask?" In an emotional speech, he invoked the powerful symbols of US crises of foreign attacks, the 1941 Pearl Harbour attack by Japan and the 9/11 terrorist attack, to reinforce his plea for help. "Our country experiences the same, every day, right now at this moment," he said.
N.Korea 'silent' about apparent missile launch 'failure'
The North fired a projectile from the Sunan area in Pyongyang that appeared to have exploded in midair at an altitude below 20 km, Yonhap news agency reported, citing informed sources. The North's tightly controlled official media, including the Korean Central News Agency and the Rodong Sinmun newspaper, did not carry any reports on the launch on Thursday morning.They usually report on such tests, if presumed successful, the next morning.
Joe Biden calls Putin 'war criminal'
Joe Biden made the remarks while responding to a reporter's question at the White House on Wednesday, the BBC reported. When the reporter asked the President is he was ready to call Putin a "war criminal", Biden responded by saying: "Did you ask me whether I would tell ....? Oh, I think he is a war criminal." Later in a tweet, the American leader said: "Putin is inflicting appalling devastation and horror on Ukraine - bombing apartment buildings and maternity wards.
Russian forces releases Ukrainian Mayor
The development was confirmed on Wednesday by Kyrylo Tymoshenko, Deputy Head of the Office of the President, reports the Ukrayinska Pravda. Tymoshenko said that a "special operation" to release Fedorov from Russian captivity had concluded. Meanwhile, Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President, said after Fedorov was released, he held talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky. But Yermak did not provide any details of the conversation.
The peace plan of Russia-Ukraine makes progress
The delegations have made significant progress on a 15-point draft deal, including a ceasefire and Russian troop withdrawal, if Kiev renounces NATO membership ambitions and accepts limits on its armed forces, the Financial Times reported, citing three unnamed officials involved in the Russia-Ukraine talks, Kyiv Independent reported.
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