 "Netanyahu says removing Hamas leaders in Qatar could end Gaza war")
 "$165bn in tariff revenue: Stopgap relief or legal mirage for America’s budget crisis?")
Ukraine Russia war LATEST Updates: MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi says, “We are deeply concerned about Indian students in Sumy, Ukraine. Have strongly pressed Russian and Ukrainian governments through multiple channels for an immediate ceasefire to create a safe corridor for our students.” Russia had blockaded the strategic city, which proudly resisted a siege by Moscow-backed rebels during a 2014 conflict only to find itself again a target, and cut off electricity, food, water and heating in the dead of winter. Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov said on Saturday that 66,224 Ukrainian men had returned from abroad to join the fight against Russia’s invasion. Mariupol, a southern city of about 450,000 people on the Azov Sea, will begin evacuations at 0900 GMT (2:30 pm IST), city hall announced on social media in a message that added, “it will be possible to leave the city by private transport.” Russia’s defence ministry announced a ceasefire Saturday to allow residents of two besieged cities, including the strategic port town of Mariupol, to evacuate. Invading Russian troops have blockaded the strategic Ukrainian port city Mariupol, its mayor announced Saturday, as Moscow and Kyiv aimed to hold new talks over the weekend. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky lashed NATO on Friday for ruling out a no-fly zone over his country saying the Western military alliance knew further Russian aggression was likely. Ukraine-returned Indian MBBS students who may not have been able to complete their mandatory 12-month internship due to the ongoing strife will be allowed to complete the remaining internship in India provided they have cleared the foreign medical graduate exam (FMGE) before applying for such internship here Bloomberg News announced Friday it was suspending the work of its journalists in Russia and CNN said it will stop broadcasting in the country. Ukraine’s strategic port city of Mariupol is under a “blockade” by Russian forces after days of “ruthless” attacks, its mayor said on Saturday, calling for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor. Located on the Sea of Azov, the city of 450,000 people has been bombarded by shellings and cut off without water or electricity in the depths of winter. “For now, we are looking for solutions to humanitarian problems and all possible ways to get Mariupol out of the blockade,” said Vadim Boychenko in a message posted to the mayor’s Telegram account. Ukraine and its allies expressed fury on Friday after Europe’s largest atomic power plant was attacked and seized by invading Russian forces, which continued to shell major cities. The six reactors at Zaporizhzhia, which can power up to four million homes, appeared undamaged by the fighting and a fire that broke out in a training facility. But Kyiv accused the Kremlin of “nuclear terror”, and US envoy to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the attack was “incredibly reckless and dangerous”. Moscow’s UN ambassador called accusations that Russian forces had shelled the plant part of “an unprecedented campaign of lies”. According to Ukraine, thousands of civilians have died since President Vladimir Putin’s military invaded on February 24, claiming to be fighting a Western-leaning “Nazi” threat on its border. In a Kyiv hospital, wounded soldiers told AFP of their grim battle against the Russian advance on the capital, and vowed to return to the frontline. “We were on reconnaissance and came across an enemy column that had made a breakthrough,” said Motyka, 29, who was hit by shrapnel on his right side. “We fought them and killed their soldiers on foot, but they showered us with mortar fire.” On Friday, missile and bomb attacks on cities continued, the Ukrainian military said on Facebook, adding that the main focus of Russian troops was to encircle Kyiv. It added that Russian artillery and multiple launch rocket systems were pounding residential buildings and infrastructure. President Volodymyr Zelensky said the attack at the nuclear plant “could have stopped the story, the history of Ukraine, the history of Europe.” “Russian tank commanders knew what they were firing at,” he said, adding: “The terrorist state now resorted to nuclear terror.” Russian president Vladimir Putin on Friday told German chancellor Olaf Scholz that dialogue on Ukraine would be possible only if Russian demands are met, the Kremlin readout on a phone call between the two leaders said. ‘These include the neutral and non-nuclear status of Ukraine, its ‘denazification’, recognition of Crimea as part of Russia and of the ‘sovereignty’ of separatist territories in eastern Ukraine," the Kremlin added. Kyiv on Friday also said that it was planning to hold the third round of talks with Moscow this weekend. The two sides held the first and second rounds of negotiations on 28 February and 3 March respectively.
Ukraine Russia war Updates: PM Modi chairs high-level meet on conflict, evacuation of students
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates: The prime minister has been holding regular high-level meetings over the Ukraine crisis. Over 13,300 people have returned to India so far under Operation Ganga from Ukraine so far
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Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
Puma suspends operations of all its stores in Russia
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
Volodymyr Zelenskyy makes ‘desperate plea’ to US for more planes
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a “desperate plea” to U.S. senators on Saturday to send more planes to help the country fight the Russian invasion.
Zelenskyy made the request on a call joined by more than 300 people, including senators, some House lawmakers and aides.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, said in a statement that Zelenskyy made a “desperate plea for Eastern European countries to provide Russian-made planes to Ukraine."
“I will do all I can to help the administration to facilitate their transfer,” Schumer said.
– AP
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Volodymyr Zelenskyy makes ‘desperate plea’ to US for more planes
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a “desperate plea” to U.S. senators on Saturday to send more planes to help the country fight the Russian invasion.
Zelenskyy made the request on a call joined by more than 300 people, including senators, some House lawmakers and aides.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, said in a statement that Zelenskyy made a “desperate plea for Eastern European countries to provide Russian-made planes to Ukraine."
“I will do all I can to help the administration to facilitate their transfer,” Schumer said.
– AP
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
After Aeroflot, Pobeda suspends international flights starting 8 March
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
Economic impact of war will be ‘all the more devastating’ should the conflict escalates, says IMF
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
Israel PM Naftali Bennett meets Russian President Vladimir Putin at Kremlin
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
Russia and Ukraine to hold third round of talks on Monday
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
‘US citizens should depart Russia immediately’: State department issues new travel advisory
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
Russia resumes ‘offensive’ after Mariupol ceasefire, according to AFP
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
Antony Blinken speaks to PRC State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
Watch | Vladimir Putin warns the West that he would regard any no-fly zone over Ukraine as an act of war against Russia
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
Watch | On Sweden’s Gotland, Ukraine war revives fears of Russia
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
In pictures | Ukrainians evacuate city near Kyiv by foot
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
Watch | PM Modi chairs high-level meeting on Ukraine crisis
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
Volodymyr Zelenskyy trying to provoke conflict between Russia and NATO, claims Sergei Lavrov
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Volodymyr Zelenskyy is trying to provoke a conflict between Russia and NATO.
“I have a question. If he (Zelenskyy) is so upset that NATO did not step up for him as he hoped, it means that he did hope for the conflict’s resolution though the involvement of NATO in this whole affair, rather than by negotiating,” Lavrov told a briefing.
“So it turns out that he doesn’t hear the constant assertions coming from Washington, Paris, Berlin and other capitals that NATO is not going to intervene in this conflict. And it turns out that he is seeking to provoke a conflict involving NATO, between NATO and Russia,” the minister added.
– ANI
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Liz Truss’s remark about possible involvement of NATO in conflict prompted Moscow to put deterrence forces on high alert, says Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday (local time) said that UK Foreign Minister Liz Truss’s remark about the possible involvement of NATO in the conflict in Ukraine has prompted Moscow to put its deterrence forces on high alert.
At a meeting with female flight crews of Russian airlines, the Russian President explained that Russia decided to bring the deterrence forces into a special combat duty regime after Truss “blurted out that NATO could be involved in the conflict” in Ukraine, reported Sputnik.
“The reaction followed — they said that nothing of the kind was meant, but no one rebuked her, no one disavowed these statements. If anyone told us something, as in, this is her personal opinion, do not pay attention. Nobody [said] anything. And what should we think about this? What should we think about this? Of course, we took it as a signal,” Putin said.
According to Sputnik, Putin said that the Russian army has nearly completed the demolition of military infrastructure in Ukraine.
– ANI
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‘Stay inside shelters’, says India after students’ SOS video from Sumy
India on Saturday said it has “strongly pressed” the Russian and Ukrainian governments through multiple channels for an immediate ceasefire to create a safe passage for the Indian students stuck in the eastern Ukrainian city of Sumy.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the students have been advised to take safety precautions such as staying inside shelters and to avoid taking unnecessary risks and that the government is “deeply concerned about them”.
On Friday, he put the number of Indian students stranded in Sumy, which is nearly 60 kilometres from the Russian border, at around 700.
The students have been sending SOS messages and posting videos on social media platforms, pleading for their urgent evacuation from the conflict zone as the city is witnessing fighting and airstrikes.
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
Civilian death toll at 351, confirms UN
The UN human rights office says it has confirmed the deaths of 351 civilians in Ukraine since the Russian invasion began.
The Geneva-based office said that another 707 civilians were injured between 24 February and midnight Friday.
The rights office uses strict methodology and only reports casualties it has confirmed. It said Saturday it believes the real figures are considerably higher, “especially in government-controlled territory and especially in recent days,” as the receipt of information from some places where there was intense fighting was delayed and many reports were still undergoing corroboration.
Ukrainian officials have presented far higher numbers.
– AP
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
Will leave no stone unturned in efforts to ensure safe evacuation of Indian students, writes Indian Embassy
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
Italy seizes 156 million dollars in oligarch wealth
European governments are moving against Russian oligarchs to put pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to back down on his war in Ukraine, seizing superyachts and other luxury properties from billionaires on sanctions lists.
Italy since Friday has seized 143 million euros ($156 million) in luxury yachts and villas in some of its most picturesque destinations, including Sardinia, the Ligurian coast and Lake Como.
“We must be able to stop Putin’s attack, bringing him to the table, and he won’t go with niceties," Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio told Italian state TV on Friday, announcing Italy’s plans to begin the seizures of property belonging to oligarchs close to Putin.
– AP
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
PM Modi to chair high-level meet on Ukraine conflict shortly
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
Protest against Russian invasion continues in Berdyansk
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
No plans to declare martial law in Russia, says Vladimir Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday he had no intention of declaring martial law, as his country’s military incursion in Ukraine enters its second week.
“Martial law should only be introduced in cases where there is external aggression … we are not experiencing that at the moment and I hope we won’t,” Putin said during a televised meeting with employees of Russia’s flagship carrier Aeroflot.
– AFP
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
Countries that impose no-fly zone over Ukraine would be parties to conflict, declares Putin
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
Watch | Special briefing on Operation Ganga by Arindam Bagchi
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
Aviation Ministry says 11 flights with over 2,200 Indians to operate on Sunday
Eleven flights with more than 2,200 Indian evacuees will operate from Ukraine’s neighbouring countries to India on Sunday, the Civil Aviation Ministry said.
About 3,000 Indians were airlifted on 15 flights to India on Saturday, the ministry’s statement noted.
“These included 12 special civilian and 3 Indian Air Force (IAF) flights,” it added.
– PTI
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
Antony Blinken pledges more aid for Ukraine refugees
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised Poland Saturday for its open embrace of hundreds of thousands of fleeing Ukrainians and said Washington was preparing to set aside another 2.75 billion dollars for the humanitarian crisis.
“The people of Poland know how important it is to defend freedom,” he said after talks with Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau in Rzeszow, near the border with Ukraine.
“Poland is doing vital work in response to this crisis.”
He said the White House was seeking 2.75 billion dollars (2.51 billion euros) to provide support for those fleeing Ukraine, and countries that accept them, after Russia began its invasion on 24 February.
– AFP
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
Spanish clothing giant Inditex to ‘temporarily suspend’ all activities in Russia
Spanish clothing giant Inditex has decided to “temporarily suspend” all its activity in Russia, including over 500 stores and its online sales.
In a statement to Spanish stock market regulator CNMV, the parent company of Zara, Massimo Dutti and other fashion chains says that “under the current circumstances it cannot guarantee the continuity of its operations and the commercial conditions in the Russian Federation.”
It added that the company will focus on developing “a special support plan” for the more than 9,000 people it employs in Russia.
Inditex said that Russia accounts for 8.5 per cent of the group’s business. It said the move doesn’t significantly impact its investment there because all its Russian shops operate on rented premises.
– AP
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
Three buses carrying Indian students reach Pisochyn, tweets Indian Embassy in Ukraine
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
Dmytro Kuleba calls Kherson an inspiration to Ukraine
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
Russian Aeroflot suspends international flights beginning 8 March
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
160 students belonging to Uttarakhand return from Ukraine under #OperationGanga
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
German broadcasters ARD, ZDF stop reporting from Russia
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
Ukraine says southeast evacuations halted
The Ukrainian president’s office says civilian evacuations have halted in an area of the country where Russian defense officials had announced a cease-fire.
Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the deputy head of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office, said the evacuation effort was stopped because the city of Mariupol remained under fire on Saturday.
“The Russian side is not holding to the ceasefire and has continued firing on Mariupol itself and on its surrounding area,” he said. “Talks with the Russian Federation are ongoing regarding setting up a ceasefire and ensuring a safe humanitarian corridor.”
– AP
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
UK dockers refuse Russian oil, accuse sanction loophole
British dockers on Saturday refused to unload Russian oil from a tanker, calling for the government to close a “loophole” in sanctions allowing foreign-flagged ships to deliver the fuel.
The Seacod is currently moored near the Stanlow refinery in northwest England, and unions say its cargo is not covered by a ban on Russian vessels because it is German flagged.
UK sanctions introduced over the invasion of Ukraine ban all ships that are Russian owned, operated, controlled, registered or flagged from entering British ports.
– AFP
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
1.3 million people have fled Ukraine since beginning of conflict
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
Germany signs agreement with Dutch gas company Gasunie to solve imminent energy crisis
The German government says the country’s state-owned development bank has signed an agreement with Dutch gas company Gasunie and German energy company RWE to build a liquid natural gas import terminal.
The Economy Ministry said Saturday that the memorandum of understanding to build the LNG terminal in Brunsbuettel, on Germany’s North Sea coast, was signed Friday. It didn’t give financial details or a timeframe.
The terminal will be run by Gasunie, which is owned by the Dutch state, and Germany’s KfW development bank will have a 50% stake. The ministry said that, in the long term, the plan is to re-equip the terminal to import green hydrogen derivatives.
– AP
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Recep Tayyip Erdogan to speak with Vladimir Putin tomorrow
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s spokesman says the Turkish leader will speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday.
“This war must be stopped immediately and there must be a return to the negotiating table,” Ibrahim Kalin told broadcaster NTV in Istanbul. He said Saturday that “our president will talk to Putin tomorrow.”
NATO member Turkey has close ties to both Russia and Ukraine and has repeatedly offered to mediate between the two. It has invited the top diplomats of both countries to Turkey for talks next week.
– AP
Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates
Evacuation postponed in Mariupol
While CNN has claimed that evacuation in Mariupol has been postponed as Russia has continued with its shelling, however, Moscow-based Gazeta.Ru has quoted Seigei Lavrov saying that Mariupol authorities are refusing to help residents go through the humanitarian corridor.
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