News Highlights: BJP govt left cow helpless, uses it only for politics, says Baghel

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UN expert in Sudan to verify rights violations after coup

Ukraine says everyone must focus on de-escalation efforts

Ukraine's foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Monday that after Russian statements on possible recognition of breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, everyone has to focus on de-escalation efforts.

"Everyone realizes consequences. A lot of emotions out there, but it's exactly now that we all should calmly focus on de-escalation efforts. No other way," Kuleba tweeted.

NCB summons businessman in drugs case linked to Maha minister's son-in-law

The NCB has summoned British national and businessman Karan Sajnani for examining him here next week in connection with a drugs case registered against Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik's son-in-law Sameer Khan by its Mumbai office last year, officials said on Monday.

Sajnani has been asked to appear on March 2 before the special investigation team (SIT) headed by NCB Deputy Director General (operations) Sanjay Kumar Singh.

The businessman has recently moved the Bombay High Court for quashing the NCB case against him, stating that he had no links with the said case.

Sameer Wankhede moves another petition (in Bombay HC) seeking restoration of cancelled bar license by Thane Collector

ANI

RBI imposes penalty on 3 co-op banks

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Monday said it has imposed penalties on three co-operative banks totalling Rs 5 lakh for deficiencies in regulatory compliance.

A penalty of Rs 2 lakh has been imposed on Baramulla Central Co-operative Bank Limited, Jammu and Kashmir for violation of RBI directions prohibiting acceptance of fresh deposits, the central bank said in a statement.

The RBI said it has imposed a penalty of Rs 2 lakh on The Big Kancheepuram Co-operative Town Bank Limited (No.3) for non-adherence of directions issued under Exposure Norms and Statutory / Other Restrictions -- UCBs, it said in another statement.

BJP govt left cow helpless, uses it only for politics: Baghel

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Monday attacked the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh, saying those who call cow mother have rendered it helpless.

The Congress leader said this addressing a public meeting and claimed that every village in his state has a cowshed while in UP the government uses the animal only for politics.

Baghel also accused the BJP of dragging religion into politics.

For them, religion is in danger when elections approach, Baghel said.

The chief minister said his government buys cow dung at Rs 2 per kg.

Rs 13,020 crore border management plan approved by Modi govt

The Modi government has approved a Rs 13,020 crore central sector umbrella scheme for continuation of the Border Infrastructure and Management (BIM) during the 15th Finance Commission cycle from 2021-22 to 2025-26.

The decision will strengthen infrastructure for improving border management, policing and guarding, an official statement said.

The Narendra Modi government has approved the continuation of the central sector umbrella scheme of BIM over the 15th Finance Commission Cycle from 2021-22 to 2025-26, at a cost of Rs.13,020 crore, it said.

The Ministry of Home Affairs under the guidance of Home Minister Amit Shah is committed to improving border infrastructure and management, the statement said.

Putin says considering Ukraine separatists' independence request

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that Moscow was considering recognising the independence of east Ukraine's two separatist republics, a step that would further escalate the Ukraine crisis.

The rebel leaders of Donetsk and Lugansk made a coordinated appeal to Putin for Moscow to recognise them earlier on Monday.

The Russian parliament has also asked Putin to recognise the pro-Moscow separatist territories, which declared themselves independent of Kyiv's rule after Ukraine's 2014 pro-EU revolution.

"Our goal is to listen to our colleagues and determine our next steps in this direction, bearing in mind both the appeals of the leaders of the DNR and LNR to recognise their independence," Putin said, using the acronyms for the two separatist regions.

Enforcement Directorate interrogates Dawood Ibrahim's nephew Alishah Parkar, in connection with a money laundering case

ANI

Morata says Allegri persuaded him to stay at Juventus

Alvaro Morata said on Monday he stayed at Juventus in January after coach Max Allegri insisted the arrival of Dusan Vlahovic would help him.

Allegri suggested in a press conference that Morata will start up front alongside Vlahovic on Tuesday, when Juve play away at Villarreal in the first leg of the Champions League last 16.

Morata was reportedly close to joining Barcelona during the January transfer window after Juventus signed Vlahovic for 80 million euros from Fiorentina.

"It's not important," said Morata when asked about Barca's interest.

NSE co-location case: Probe shifts towards money trail, illicit gains

As a multi-agency probe into the NSE case gathers pace, the grant of preferential server and data access to select brokers and their suspected misuse are being investigated threadbare to unveil all quid pro quo arrangements in a highly-sophisticated scheme that worked like a cricket betting scandal, officials said on Monday.

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Indian economy growing at 9.2%, among fastest-growing large economies, says Niti CEO

he Indian economy is growing at 9.2 per cent and is expected to grow at similar rates in the coming years, Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said on Monday.

While referring to the government's production linked incentive (PLI) scheme for sunrise sectors, Kant said it will add USD 520 billion to India's output in the next five years and make India a part of the global supply chain.

"Today India is witnessing unprecedented levels of economic development and technological disruptions. The economy is growing at 9.2 per cent and is expected to grow at similar rates in the coming years, making us one of the fastest-growing large economies in the world," Kant said at an AIMA event.

The country has taken several measures to maximise efficiency and several reforms have been taken by the government in that direction such as GST, Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code, lowering of corporate taxes, etc, he noted.

This will help make India a global manufacturing champion and manufacturing hub, Kant added.

Ukraine warns of cyberattacks on banks and state agencies

Ukrainian authorities said they had seen online warnings that hackers were preparing to launch major attacks on government agencies, banks and the defence sector on Tuesday.

Ukraine has suffered a string of cyberattacks in recent weeks which Kyiv has blamed on Russia. Moscow, which is caught up in a mounting confrontation with the West over Ukraine, has denied any involvement.

Ukraine's government-run cybersecurity agency CERT-UA said on Monday it had found warnings on a hacking forum.

One message had "referred to the lease of servers to prepare new attacks on the websites of the public sector, the banking sector and the defence sector," it said.

Ukrainian armed vehicles destroyed in Russia's Rostov region, Russian military officials say

LIC may not sell entire stake in IDBI Bank: Chairman

State-run Life Insurance Corp Of India (LIC), which is planning the country's largest IPO next month, may not sell its entire stake in IDBI Bank and can use its large network of branches to market its insurance services, its chairman said.

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PM Modi announces Rs 2 lakh aid to kin of Kota accident victims

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced ex gratia amount of Rs 2 lakh each to the kin of those who were killed in a road accident in Rajasthan's Kota district.

Nine people of a wedding party, including the bridegroom, were killed after their car fell into the Chambal river here in the early hours of Sunday as the driver lost control of the vehicle due to drowsiness, police had said.

Expressing his condolences to the families, the prime minister tweeted, "Rs. 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in a tragic accident in Kota. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000: PM @narendramodi".

Pakistan introduces fake news law targeting criticism of military, judiciary

Pakistan's government has introduced a new cybercrime law that could see social media users jailed for up to five years for posting "fake news" about the military, judiciary or public officials.

Critics say the legislation is the latest example of creeping restrictions on freedom of expression in the nation, already ranked among the world's most dangerous for media workers.

It was approved by Prime Minister Imran Khan's cabinet and swiftly adopted into law by President Arif Alvi over the weekend, an official in the presidential office said Monday.

The legislation takes effect immediately but must be presented to parliament within 90 days for approval, though it is expected that Khan's coalition government will easily pass it.

Scholz to hold telephone talks with Putin Monday

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin by telephone later Monday in a further effort to ease tensions over Ukraine, the German government spokesman said.

Steffen Hebestreit said the planned call "this afternoon" had been "closely coordinated" with French President Emmanuel Macron, who spoke to Putin on Sunday.

He said the talks were part of "joint diplomatic efforts" by the West to "prevent a catastrophe" in Ukraine.

Germany to enter recession in Q1 before strong spring recovery: Bundesbank

Delhi HC refuses to grant more time to Centre to make stand clear on issue of criminalising marital rape, reserves judgement on pleas

Bajrang Dal activist murder triggers political war of words in Karnataka

National General Secretary of the BJP and MLA C.T. Ravi on Monday stoked a controversy by saying that "intolerance is present in the community since the birth of Islam".

Speaking to reporters on the murder of a Bajrang Dal activist in Shivamogga, he maintained that there is "no connection between tolerance and Islam".

"Islam has taken birth on the premise of expansion. They cannot agree to another opinion or be tolerant of other people. There is no room for questioning and liberty. The community has to accept the brutal ways, there is no other way. May be the scholars of Islam, if they do serious thinking, the truth in this regard will come out," Ravi said.

Investigation claims Credit Suisse handled dirty money

Credit Suisse handled billions of dollars in dirty money for decades, an international media investigation based on a massive data leak claimed on Sunday, in the latest setback for Switzerland's second-largest bank.

The bank held more than $8 billion (seven billion euros) in accounts of criminals, dictators and human rights abusers, among others, according to the investigation by a group comprising dozens of media organisations.

Credit Suisse rejected the "allegations and insinuations", saying in a statement that many of the issues raised were historical, some dating back more than 70 years.

Moscow says shell fired from Ukraine destroys Russian border facility

Tejashwi bats for Lalu Prasad Yadav after five-year jail term

Firefighters engaged in operations to douse vehicles lit on flame in Shivamogga protests

Cops fire tear gas as violence escalates in Shivamogga

Police fire tear gas to disperse the mob as stone pelting incidents were reported again during the funeral procession.

Two held in connection with murder of Bajrang Dal activist in Shivamogga

The police said that two persons were arrested for allegedly murdering 28-year-old Harsha, a Bajrang Dal activist, in Shivamogga.

Indian Air Force, Oman's Royal Air Force set for joint exercise

Indian Air Force and Royal Air Force of Oman contingents prepare for Exercise Eastern Bridge VI. This event will provide a platform for both Air Forces to learn best practices and operate together, according to theIAF.

Crackdown on Maoists at Andhra Pradesh-Odisha border

Lalu sentenced to five years in the fifth case pertaining to fodder scam

CBI court in Ranchi sentences RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav to five years' imprisonment and imposes a fine of Rs 60 lakh on him.

(ANI)

BA.2 variant of Omicron will not cause another surge, says IMA co-chair

"BA.2 is a sub-lineage of Omicron. It's not a new virus or strain. It's a sub-lineage and will be more transmissible than BA.1 but will not cause another surge. BA. 2 is not capable of infecting people who had BA.1," says Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, co-chairman of National IMA Covid-19 Task Force.

(ANI)

Kumaraswamy blames BJP, Congress for murder of Shivamogga right-wing activist

Stones pelted at funeral procession of Bajrang Dal activist's body, photojournalist injured

Amid heavy police cover, stones were pelted at the funeral procession of the murdered Bajrang Dal worker in Shivamogga.

Body of murdered Shivamogga Bajrang Dal activist taken home amid police cover

India tops T20 rankings after series win over West Indies

The Indian cricket team attained the top position in ICC T20 International rankings owing to a 3-0 series whitewash against West Indies in India.

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Airthings Masters: 16-year-old Praggnanandhaa stuns Magnus Carlsen

Praggnanandhaa beat world champion Magnus Carlsen with the black pieces at the Airthings Masters, becoming only the third Indian—after Anand and Harikrishna—to beat him.

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Bommai speaks on murder of Shivamogga youth

We need trained manpower for development of animation, gaming sector, says Modi

"This is a need for the nation as well as the youth," he said.

Education is tied to mother tongue, says Modi

On the occasion of International Mother Language Day, Modi says that technical education in native languages has started as it is "the need of the hour." He said, "There is a need to improve skilling on digital modes as well."

'We are moving towards integrated, inclusive education sector'

"We have come up with several initiatives in the Budget for educational reforms to move to the digital mode... An educational university will help immensely in this regard."

Modi addresses webinar on positives for education sector in Union Budget

Andhra Pradesh IT & Industries Minister Gautham Reddy passed away on Monday morningdue toheart attack.

Biden agrees to meet Putin if he halts Ukraine attack

President Joe Biden has agreed “in principle” to a meeting with Russia's President Vladimir Putin as long as that country holds off on what US officials believe is an imminent assault on Ukraine.

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Twitter takes down Gujarat BJP's tweet on Ahmedabad serial bomb blast verdict

Twitter has removed a controversial caricature post tweeted by Gujarat BJP depicting people sentenced to death for their roles in 2008 Ahmedabad bomb blasts for violating micro-blogging site rules. The BJP's tweet showed a caricature of men in skull caps in the noose and long beards with captions that read "Satyamev Jayate" and "no pardon to those spreading terrorism."

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CBI court to pronounce the quantum of sentence for Lalu Yadav and other convicts in the fifth fodder scam case today