Russia Demands Ukraine Hand Over Head Of Security Service, Others

Russia is demanding that Ukraine hand over all persons connected with terrorist acts committed in Russia, including the head of the country's SBU Security Service, the foreign ministry said on Sunday.

"Russia has turned over to Ukrainian authorities its demands...for the immediate arrest and extradition of all those connected to the terrorist acts in question," a ministry statement said, after listing a number of violent incidents in the country.

The ministry statement said those to be handed over included SBU head Vasyl Maliuk, who has acknowledged his service was behind attacks on the bridge linking Crimea to the Russian mainland since the Kremlin's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

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'Completely unacceptable': India hits back at US over latest remarks on Arvind Kejriwal's arrest

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs, on Thursday, dubbed the second remarks by a US official on the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as "unacceptable and unwarranted". "We had already summoned a senior US diplomat. Any such external imputation to electoral and legal processes is completely unacceptable. In India, legal processes are driven only by the rule of law. Anyone who has a similar ethos, especially fellow democracies, should have no difficulty in appreciating this fact," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a weekly press briefing.

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Ukraine Foreign Minister arrives in New Delhi, discussion on peace deal with Russia on top agenda

New Delhi: Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who is on his two-day visit to India, reached New Delhi on Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed. According to the statement released by the ministry, EAM S Jaishankar invited his Ukranian counterpart Kuleba to visit India. The same was echoed by the Ukrainian minister in a social media post after landing in New Delhi. Kuleba, in an X post, said he would act as a medium of communication between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in securing a peace deal with Russia.

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China Joins Probe Into Pak Suicide Attack That Killed 5 Chinese Nationals

Chinese investigators arrived in Pakistan on Friday to join a probe into the killing of five Chinese nationals in a suicide attack, Pakistan's interior ministry said, seeking to stem assaults threatening Islamabad's drive to modernise the economy.

Tuesday's incident was the third major attack in little over a week on China's interests in the South Asian nation, where Beijing has invested more than $65 billion in infrastructure projects as part of its wider Belt and Road initiative.

Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met the Chinese team of investigators at Beijing's embassy and briefed them on the investigation so far, the statement said.

In late 2022, the two allied countries started a joint investigation into an attack that year on China's nationals and its interests, which have seen a rise in recent months.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest attack, in which a suicide bomber rammed a vehicle into a convoy of Chinese engineers working on a hydropower project at Dasu in Pakistan's northwest, killing six people.

The bombing followed a March 20 attack on a strategic port used by China in the southwestern province of Balochistan, where Beijing has poured billions of dollars into infrastructure projects, and a March 25 assault on a naval air base, also in the southwest. Both attacks was claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), the most prominent of several separatist groups in Balochistan.

Dasu, the site of a major dam, has been attacked in the past, with a bus blast in 2021 killing 13 people, nine Chinese among them, although no group claimed responsibility.

Chinese contractors suspended work on three hydropower projects in view of security concerns after Tuesday's attack, a government official said, adding that it was a routine practice after such incidents.

Pakistan is home to twin insurgencies, one mounted by Islamist militants and the other by ethnic separatists who seek secession, blaming the government's inequitable division of natural resources in southwestern Balochistan province.

Chinese interests are under attack primarily by ethnic militants seeking to push Beijing out of mineral-rich Balochistan, but that area is far from the site of Tuesday's bombing.

Pakistan has set up a dedicated force of police and military to ensure security for Chinese activities, officials say.

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A first, Saudi Arabia's Rumy Alqahtani to participate in Miss Universe pageant

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia will participate in the Miss Universe pageant for the first time, making it a historic event for the Islamic country. Rumy Alqahtani, a beauty pageant veteran and an influencer announced the same on her Instagram on Monday. Alqahtani said she will be representing the kingdom in one of the most popular pageants in the world.

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Baltimore Key Bridge collapse: Mass casualties feared as 20 people missing after several cars fall into river

Baltimore: Several cars were on the Francis Scott Key Bridge when a large cargo vessel hit it. Although there was no official release of any casualties or injuries, multiple media reported at least 20 people were missing since the bridge collapsed in the Patapsco River on Tuesday morning (local time). The media reports claimed that the incident occurred at around 1:30 am when a 300-metre Singapore-flagged ‘Dali’ ship slammed into one of the bridge's pillars.

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"Palestinians Have Been Denied Their Homeland": S Jaishankar

In a strong statement on the Israel-Palestine issue, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that whatever the rights and wrongs in the whole conflict between Israel and Palestine, the underlying fact is that the Palestinians have been denied their rights and homeland.

He stated that what transpired on October 7 was a 'terrorist attack' but also acknowledged, in reference to the Israeli counteroffensive in Gaza, that every response must take into account something called international humanitarian law.

Mr Jaishankar, who is on a visit to Malaysia, was interacting with the Indian community during an event.

"How different pulls and pressures can be. On one hand, what happened on October 7 was terrorism. On the other hand, nobody would countenance the death of innocent civilians. Countries may be justified in their own minds in responding, but you cannot have a response that...every response must take into account something called international humanitarian law," Jaishankar said.

"The fact is whatever the rights and wrongs of the issue, there is underlying issue of the rights of the Palestinians and the fact that they have been denied their homeland," he added.

Hamas launched a horrific terror attack in Israel on October 7 killing more than 1200 people and holding more than 250 people as hostages, out of which over 100 are still in captivity.

In response, Israel launched a strong counteroffensive in the Gaza Strip targeting the Hamas units. However, the operation has also resulted in civilian casualties. According to Gaza ministry, more than 32,000 people have been killed in Gaza including women and children.

Notably, PM Modi was one of the first global leaders to condemn the horrific terror attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7.

However, India has also continued with its weight behind the 'two-state solution' to the long-running Israel-Palestine conflict.

Meanwhile, Mr Jaishankar is on an official visit to Malaysia, followed by his visits to Singapore and the Philippines.

Earlier in the day, he called on Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and expressed admiration for his vision aimed at fostering stronger ties between India and Malaysia. He also emphasised that this vision will serve as a catalyst for crafting a more ambitious agenda to advance the relationship between the two nations.

He also held a round-table meeting with CEOs in Malaysia and appreciated their growing interest in partnering with Indian industries.

"A productive round-table meeting with CEOs in Malaysia. Glad to hear about growing interest in partnering with Indian industries. Encouraged them to join in India's growth story. Discussed geopolitical developments that can provide more opportunities in business interactions," the EAM posted on X.

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"Terrible Accident": Joe Biden On Baltimore Bridge Collapse

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday called the collapse of a Baltimore bridge a "terrible accident," and pledged to get the major East Coast port up and running as soon as possible after a cargo ship struck one of the span's support pylons.

Biden said he would send "all the federal resources" needed to handle the incident, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday. Six people -- all of them construction workers repairing the Francis Scott Key Bridge -- were missing, authorities said. 

"I'm directing my team to move heaven and earth to reopen the port and rebuild the bridge as soon as humanly possible," Biden said in a brief address from the White House, while acknowledging: "This is going to take some time."
 

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UK Blames China For "Malicious" Cyber-Attack On Voter Data

The UK on Monday accused China state-affiliated cyber organisations of at least two “malicious” and “reprehensible” cyber campaigns targeting Britain's voter data and parliamentarians.

In a statement in the House of Commons, the government revealed that the UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a part of its Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), concluded that the country's Electoral Commission systems were “highly likely” compromised by a Chinese entity between 2021 and 2022.

The NCSC also claims that it is “almost certain” that the China state-affiliated APT31 conducted reconnaissance activity against British parliamentarians during a separate campaign in 2021. All such attacks to interfere with UK democracy and politics are said to have been unsuccessful, but it has led to two individuals and one company linked to APT31 being sanctioned.

“The UK will not tolerate malicious cyber activity targeting our democratic institutions. It is an absolute priority for the UK government to protect our democratic system and values,” said Oliver Dowden, UK Deputy Prime Minister.

“I hope this statement helps to build wider awareness of how politicians and those involved in our democratic processes around the world are being targeted by state-sponsored cyber operations. We will continue to call out this activity, holding the Chinese government accountable for its actions,” he said.

Dowden told the Commons that the malicious cyber activity had not impacted electoral processes or affected the UK electorate's rights or access to the democratic process or electoral registration. The Electoral Commission has since taken steps to secure its systems against similar activity in the future.

“It is completely unacceptable that China state-affiliated organisations and individuals have targeted our democratic institutions and political processes. While these attempts to interfere with UK democracy have not been successful, we will remain vigilant and resilient to the threats we face,” stated Foreign Secretary David Cameron, who said he has raised the issue directly with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

“One of the reasons that it is important to make this statement is that other countries should see the detail of threats that our systems and democracies face,” he said.

The majority of the UK parliamentarians targeted include those calling out the malign activity of China, but the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said no parliamentary accounts were successfully compromised.

"It is reprehensible that China sought to target our democratic institutions. China's attempts at espionage did not give them the results they wanted and our new National Security Act has made the UK an even harder target,” said Home Secretary James Cleverly.

“Our upcoming elections, at local and national level, are robust and secure. Democracy and the rule of law is paramount to the United Kingdom. Targeting our elected representatives and electoral processes will never go unchallenged," he said.

The UK's statement is said to be supported by allies across its Five Eyes alliance, which includes Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. The British government said the international community is calling on the Chinese government to demonstrate its credibility as a responsible cyber actor and welcomed the expression of solidarity from across the Indo-Pacific and Europe.

Through the Defending Democracy Taskforce and National Security Act, the NCSC has also published guidance on its website to help high-risk individuals, including parliamentarians, to bolster their resilience to cyber threats, as well as advice to help organisations improve their security.

The UK's Elections Act 2022 also clarified the offence of undue influence, which it claims better protects voters from improper influences to vote in a particular way or to not vote at all, including activities which deceive an elector about the administration of an election or referendum. These electoral offences fall within the scope of the Online Safety Act's illegal safety duties, requiring online platforms to swiftly take down such content when they are alerted to it. 

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Russia violates Poland's airspace with cruise missiles in its attack on Ukraine, NATO nation triggers aircraft

Warsaw: Polish and allied aircraft were activated early on Sunday after Russia launched an air attack on Ukraine's west and near the Polish border, the Operational Command of the Polish armed forces said on Sunday. "Polish and allied aircraft have been activated, which may result in increased noise levels, especially in the south-eastern part of the country," the Command said on the social media service X. The southeastern part of Poland borders Ukraine.

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Indian woman dies in car accident in US's Pennsylvania, Embassy assures support to kin

Pennsylvania: An Indian national was killed in a car accident in the US's Pennsylvania on March 21, the latest incident in a series of deaths of Indians in America. The Indian mission in New York confirmed the tragic killing of a woman who has been identified as Arshia Joshi. Although the mission did not reveal much details about Joshi but asserted she was a young professional. 

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2 Russian Military Ships Hit In Overnight Strikes On Crimea, Says Ukraine

Ukraine claimed Sunday to have hit two Russian military ships stationed at the annexed peninsula of Crimea in overnight strikes, as it suffered another night of "massive" Russian aerial attacks.

Ukraine's ally and neighbour Poland said a Russian cruise missile headed for western Ukraine breached its airspace overnight, after it had put its armed forces on high alert amid intense Russian aviation activity.

"The Ukrainian Armed Forces successfully struck the amphibious landing ships Yamal and Azov, a communications centre, and a number of the Black Sea Fleet's infrastructure sites," the Ukrainian armed forces' strategic communications centre said Sunday.

Moscow-installed officials on the peninsula, which Russia seized in 2014, said their forces had repelled a major Ukrainian aerial attack late Saturday night.

"It was the most massive attack in recent times," the Russian-appointed governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev, said in a Telegram post.

He said a 65-year-old man was killed and four people injured. He did not mention any damage to Russian war ships.

Footage shared on social media showed a large blast in the city, sending a fireball and plume of black smoke into the air, as well as what appeared to be Russian air defences intercepting incoming projectiles.

Ukraine has claimed to have destroyed around a third of Russia's Black Sea Fleet since the start of the war, usually in attacks at night using sea-based drones packed with explosives.

Satellite images show Russia has moved much of the fleet further east, to the port of Novorossiysk, amid the spate of attacks.

Moscow also recently replaced its navy chief.

'Goal of destroying Kyiv'

Ukraine's capital Kyiv and the western region of Lviv also came under a "massive" Russian air attack early Sunday, officials said, though no casualties were reported.

Ukraine's air force said Russia had fired 29 cruise missiles and 28 drones at its territory overnight.

It said it had downed 18 of the missiles and 25 drones.

Russia has significantly escalated its air attacks against Ukraine in recent days, in what it says is retaliation for a wave of Ukrainian strikes on its border regions.

In the early hours of Friday, Moscow launched its largest aerial barrages against Ukraine's energy sector since the start of the war, firing almost 90 missiles and 60 drones.

Russia has also resumed targeting Kyiv, carrying out its first strikes at the city since early February.

Russia "does not give up its goal of destroying Kyiv at any cost," Sergiy Popko, head of the city's military administration, said on Telegram.

Russia's defence ministry said Sunday it had launched a "group strike" against Ukrainian military and energy targets overnight.

"All the goals of the strike have been achieved," it said, claiming to have hit weapons factories.

Polish airspace breach 

US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink also noted the increased frequency of recent attacks.

"Russia continues to indiscriminately launch drones and missiles with no regard for millions of civilians, violating international law," Brink wrote on X.

Poland's army said Sunday that one of the Russian missiles fired at western Ukraine had entered its airspace.

"Polish airspace was breached by one of the cruise missiles fired in the night by the air forces... of the Russian Federation," the army posted on X.

"The object flew through Polish airspace above the village of Oserdow (Lublin province) and stayed for 39 seconds," it said.

The country's Armed Forces Operational Command (RSZ) had said earlier that its forces were on a heightened state of readiness because of the "intensive long-range aviation activity of the Russian Federation tonight" and the missile attacks in Ukraine.

Poland, which has been a staunch ally of its neighbour Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022, said Sunday that it would demand an explanation from Moscow.

Territorial gains 

On the battlefield, Russian forces are seeking to press their advantage in manpower and ammunition as Kyiv faces delays of additional Western aid.

Moscow claimed Saturday to have seized a village on the western outskirts of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine.

Its capture last month of Adviivka, near the Russian-held stronghold of Donetsk, was the first major territorial gain made by Russia since the devastated city of Bakhmut was seized 10 months ago.

Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed that success as a sign that Russian forces were back on the offensive.

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Stop Being "Stubborn": Maldives President Told To Fix India Ties

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu must stop being "stubborn" and seek dialogue with neighbours to overcome the financial challenges, his predecessor Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said. Solih made these remarks days after Muizzu, widely seen as a pro-China leader, urged India to provide debt relief to the archipelago nation.

Muizzu, 45, defeated Solih, 62, in the presidential election held in September last year.

Speaking at an event in Male' to rally support for Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) parliamentary candidates contesting four constituencies in Maafannu, Solih said he had seen media reports that suggest Muizzu wants to talk to India for debt restructuring.

But the financial challenges are not caused by Indian loans, Solih was quoted as saying by Adhadhu.com news portal.

Maldives has a debt of MVR 18 billion owed to China compared to MVR 8 billion owed to India, Solih said, adding that the repayment period is 25 years.

"However, I am confident that our neighbours will help. We must stop being stubborn and seek dialogue. There are many parties that can help us. But he [Muizzu] doesn't want to compromise. I feel they [the government] are starting to understand the situation only now," Solih said.

The former president said the government was deceiving the public and relaunching projects initiated by the MDP government. He said ministers are now lying to cover up those lies.

Muizzu criticised India during and after the presidential election campaign and relations between the two countries have deteriorated since he assumed office in November.

He has demanded the complete withdrawal of 88 Indian military personnel manning three aviation platforms used for humanitarian and medical evacuations in the Maldives by May 10. The first batch of 26 Indian military personnel have already left the island nation and were replaced by civilians.

In his first media interview, Muizzu claimed that he has not taken any action or made any statements that may strain the relationship between the two countries.

India will continue to remain the Maldives' closest ally, he said and emphasised that there was no question about it, Maldives news portal Edition.mv said in a report on Thursday.

Muizzu's conciliatory comments towards India came ahead of Parliament elections in Maldives slated to be held on April 21.

He is yet to visit India although it has been four months since the new government took over. The first overseas trip by Maldivian presidents had always been to India, the report noted. However, Muizzu visited China in January, making his first state visit.

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Italian PM Giorgia Meloni's seeks 100,000 euros in compensation over deepfake videos

Rome: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is due to testify before a court in the Sardinian city of Sassari on July 2 after deepfake sexually explicit videos of her surfaced online. Meloni has sought 100,000 euros in damages after the videos were uploaded and said she will donate any award to a fund for women victims of domestic violence, according to Italian media reports citing her attorney.

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Canadian Tourist, 24, Dies After Falling From Moving Train In Thailand

A Canadian tourist in Thailand died on Wednesday after falling from a moving train en route to "Death Island". According to The Independent, 24-year-old Ryan Joseph Ralph was travelling with his British girlfriend Shona Morgan, 22, when he fell from the overnight locomotive from Bangkok on March 20. Ms Morgan had flown to Thailand to be with his boyfriend, who had been travelling in the country for just over a month, to celebrate his birthday. The couple were trying to reach Koh Tao island in the south of Thailand when the tragedy struck. 

A couple of hours into the journey, Mr Ralph had left his girlfriend sleeping while he went for a cigarette at the end of the carriage, many of which have no doors or barriers. As per The Independent, the tourist is believed to have been injured after falling off the train before being pulled briefly along the tracks. 

Ms Morgan said she raised the alarm when she woke up an hour later and he was missing. Nearly 200 police officers and rescuers then joined a search for the 24-year-old. Police believe that the tourist lost his footing while the train was still moving, before dragging himself underneath to escape the wheels. However, he later passed out and died from blood loss, the outlet reported. 

Also Read | UK Woman, 33, Scarred For Life And Left Wheelchair Bound After Hot Water Bottle Explodes

The couple had been planning to celebrate Mr Ralph's birthday at Koh Island, which has been dubbed "Death Island" following the 2014 murders of two British tourists. He was found dead on Thursday, under a newly built platform at a station in the Ratchaburi province. Cops said that he was found with severe injuries on both legs. 

"He had in his pocket a wallet containing various documents and Thai banknotes," Police Lieutenant Colonel Rathnont Kasemchaisit said. "From the preliminary investigation, there were no traces of assault," he added. 

Separately, a rail worker said he was shocked when he found the 24-year-old dead. 

Meanwhile, there have been a series of deaths on Thailand's trains which are often blamed for poor safety standards. In 2014, a 19-year-old died when he fell from a train on the same route, as per the outlet. In 2017, a 20-year-old British tourist was also left in intensive care after falling from a moving train on the same journey. 

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Russia unleashes largest missile attack on Kyiv in the first attack in weeks but Ukraine intercepts them all

Kyiv:  Russia fired 31 ballistic and cruise missiles at Kyiv before dawn Thursday in the first attack on the Ukrainian capital in six weeks, officials said. Air defenses shot down all the incoming missiles, though 13 people including a child were injured by falling wreckage, they said. Residents of Kyiv were woken up by loud explosions around 5 am as the missiles arrived at roughly the same time from different directions, said Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv City Administration.

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Several Injured As Blast, Shooting Reported At Concert Hall Near Moscow

Shooting broke out at a large concert hall near Moscow on Friday, Russian news agencies quoted emergency services as saying.

RIA news agency said at least three people in camouflage clothing had opened fire at the Crocus City Hall, and that some people had been wounded.

Police had arrived at the scene, RIA said.

Video footage published on Russian social media channels showed chaotic scenes, with a large crowd of concertgoers attempting to flee the hall, followed by gunshots.

Other video footage showed a number of people lying motionless in pools of blood outside the hall.

Reuters was unable immediately to verify the footage.

TASS news agency reported an explosion and a fire in the building where the shooting took place.

The Kommersant newspaper posted footage online showing smoke billowing from what it said was the concert venue building.

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Sudan on course to become world's worst hunger crisis amid devastating 11-month civil conflict

United Nations: The United Nations' humanitarian office on Wednesday warned that Sudan was on course to become the world's worst hunger crisis with soaring malnutrition and children deaths following the nearly year-long conflict between its military and paramilitary forces. The African nation plunged into chaos after the military led by Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces clashed in street battles that soon engulfed the country.

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Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif, entire cabinet to forgo salaries amid economic crisis | Does it work?

Islamabad: The entire cabinet of cash-strapped Pakistan, including newly-elected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has decided to forgo salaries amid a perilous economic situation in the country. The decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting as part of the government's austerity policies aimed at curbing unnecessary expenditures.

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India Begins Op Indravati To Evacuate Citizens From Violence-Hit Haiti

India has launched 'Operation Indravati' to evacuate its nationals from Haiti to the Dominican Republic, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated in a post on social media platform X.

As part of the ongoing operation, 12 Indians were evacuated on Thursday.

Taking to his official X handle, Mr Jaishankar posted, "12 Indians evacuated today. Fully committed to the security and well-being of our nationals abroad."

India begins Operation Indravati to evacuate its nationals from Haiti to the Dominican Republic.

12 Indians evacuated today. Fully committed to the security and well-being of our nationals abroad.

Thank the Government of the Dominican Republic for their support. pic.twitter.com/AC3VM63EmJ

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) March 21, 2024

"Thank the Government of the Dominican Republic for their support," he added.

The spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, in a weekly press briefing on March 15, said India was ready to evacuate its citizens from Haiti if need be.

"As you know, there is a crisis in Haiti. And if required, we will evacuate. We are ready to evacuate. And if required, we will do that," Jaiswal stated.

Amid violence and looting in the impoverished Caribbean nation, a control room and an emergency helpline number were opened to evacuate distressed Indian nationals from Haiti.

"We have established a control room here in the Ministry of External Affairs. We have emergency helpline numbers," Mr Jaiswal added in the press briefing.

On concerns over the safety of Indian nationals in Haiti, Jaiswal said the embassy in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, which holds accreditation for Haiti, was monitoring the situation.

"Our embassy in Santo Domingo is monitoring the situation and the ministry also is fully monitoring the situation," Mr Jaiswal added at the presser.

Haiti has been under a state of emergency after some armed groups attacked the country's largest prison in Port-au-Prince earlier this month, killing and injuring police and prison staff and enabling some 3,500 inmates to escape, according to CNN.

A leader of one of these armed groups, Jimmy 'Barbecue' Cherizier, took credit for the prison break, saying it was part of a plan to overthrow acting Prime Minister Ariel Henry's government.

The armed groups now control 80 per cent of Haiti's capital, according to United Nations estimates, while continuing to fight for the rest. While Henry was out of the country, gangs laid siege to the country's main airport to prevent his return.

The ongoing chaos has forced tens of thousands to flee their homes, adding to the more than 300,000 already displaced by gang violence.

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Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong resigns over allegations of violating party rules

Hanoi: The Vietnamese Communist Party on Wednesday (March 20) accepted the resignation of President Vo Van Thuong, the government said in a statement citing"shortcomings", in a sign of political turmoil that could hurt foreign investors' confidence in the country.

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Study Of "Twin" Stars Finds Evidence Of Planetary Ingestion

The planetary system that includes Earth and its sibling planets orbiting the sun has been remarkably stable during its roughly 4.5 billion years of existence. But not all planetary systems are so lucky, as shown in a new study involving "twin" stars.

An examination of 91 pairs of stars with matching sizes and chemical compositions showed that a surprising number exhibited signs of having ingested a planet, scientists said on Wednesday, likely after the planet was sent hurtling out of a stable orbit for any number of reasons.

The study looked at pairs of stars that formed within the same interstellar cloud of gas and dust - so-called co-natal stars - giving them the same chemical makeup, and were of roughly equal mass and age. These are the "twins." While the pairs are moving together in the same direction within our Milky Way galaxy, they are not binary systems of two stars gravitationally bound to each other.

A star's chemical composition changes when it engulfs a planet because it incorporates the elements that made up the doomed world. The researchers looked for stars that differed from their twin because they had higher amounts of tell-tale elements like iron, nickel or titanium indicating remnants of a rocky planet, relative to certain other elements.

"It's the elemental abundance differences between two stars in a co-natal system," said astronomer Fan Liu of Monash University in Australia, lead author of the study published in the journal Nature.

In seven of the pairs, one of the two stars bore evidence of planetary ingestion.

Possible reasons for a planet making a death plunge into its host star include an orbital disturbance caused by a larger planet, or another star passing uncomfortably close, destabilizing the planetary system, the researchers said.

"This really puts into perspective our fortuitous position in the universe," said astrophysicist and study co-author Yuan-Sen Ting of the Australian National University and Ohio State University. "The stability of a planetary system like the solar system is not a given."

The researchers used the European Space Agency's Gaia space observatory to identify the twins and used telescopes in Chile and Hawaii to determine their composition. The stars were as close as 70 light years from our solar system and as far as 960 light years away. A light year is the distance light travels in a year, 5.9 trillion miles (9.5 trillion km).

The researchers said while it is most likely that their observations signaled whole planets being ingested, it was possible it was planetary building blocks consumed during the system's period of planet formation.

In their death throes, our sun and other stars like it dramatically puff up, ingesting any planets with close orbits, before collapsing into a dense, burned-out cinder called a white dwarf.

"We know that all stars like the sun will eventually become giant stars. The envelope of the sun will expand and eventually swallow Earth," Ting said.

But the stars in this study all were in the prime of their life, not nearing the end.

Instability in planetary systems may be more common than previously known, considering that about 8% of the stellar pairs studied had one star that apparently devoured a planet.

Most planetary systems should be stable because, as in our solar system, the planets are under the influence mainly of their host star, not their sibling planets, Ting said.

"But for other planetary systems with different initial conditions and configurations, this might break down, leading to very chaotic dynamics," Ting added.

The study indicates that, Ting said, "a non-negligible fraction of planetary systems are indeed unstable, meaning there are always planets being ejected in or out."

Given that only a small fraction of these wayward planets might actually be gulped by their host star rather than simply wandering the cosmos, there may be more of these planetary exiles than previously suspected.

"Understanding which planetary systems are stable or not is a long-time goal of planetary dynamics theorists," said Ting.

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China: Several hospitals stop newborn delivery services amid record drop in birth rate

Beijing: In an alarming development, several hospitals in China have stopped offering newborn delivery services this year due to a record drop in new births, as industry experts warned of an "obstetric winter" due to declining demand, according to local media reports. In the last two months, hospitals in several provinces, including in eastern Zhejiang and southern Jiangxi, announced that they will close their obstetric departments.

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2023 Broke Every Single Climate Indicator: UN Weather Agency

Greenhouse gas levels, surface temperatures, ocean heat and acidification, and sea level rise all reached record highs in 2023, according to a new report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released on Tuesday.

The report, titled "State of the Global Climate 2023", confirmed that 2023 was the warmest year in the 174-year observational record, with the global average near-surface temperature at 1.45 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial baseline (1850-1900).

"Sirens are blaring across all major indicators... Some records are not just chart-topping, they are chart-busting. And changes are speeding up," said United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

"Never have we been so close - albeit on a temporary basis at the moment - to the 1.5 degrees Celsius lower limit of the Paris Agreement on climate change. The WMO community is sounding the red alert to the world... The climate crisis is the defining challenge that humanity faces," WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said.

"Climate change is about much more than temperatures. What we witnessed in 2023, especially with the unprecedented ocean warmth, glacier retreat, and Antarctic Sea ice loss, is cause for particular concern," she added.

COP28 President Sultan Al Jaber said the world has no time to spare.

To limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, countries must deliver enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), economy-wide emissions reductions, and investments in nature and adaptation, he stressed.

Concentrations of the three main greenhouse gases - carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide - reached record-high observed levels, the report said.

At 417.9 parts per million (ppm), the global average concentration of carbon dioxide in 2022 was 50 per cent higher than in the pre-industrial era, trapping heat in the atmosphere.

Real-time data showed the CO2 concentration continued to rise in 2023 while the global mean sea level reached a record high.

The rate of sea level rise in the last 10 years (2014-2023) has more than doubled since the first decade of the satellite record (1993 - 2002), the WMO said.

Antarctic sea-ice extent reached an absolute record low in February. The annual maximum extent was around 1 million square kilometres below the previous record low maximum.

The global set of reference glaciers for the hydrological year 2022-2023 experienced the largest loss of ice on record (1950-2023), driven by an extremely negative mass balance in both western North America and Europe, the WMO noted.

Extreme weather and climate events had major socio-economic impacts on all inhabited continents, including major floods, tropical cyclones, extreme heat and drought, and associated wildfires, it said.

The WMO report also cited figures showing that the number of people who are acutely food insecure worldwide has more than doubled, from 149 million people before the COVID-19 pandemic to 333 million people in 2023 (in 78 monitored countries by the World Food Programme).

WFP Global hunger levels remained unchanged from 2021 to 2022.

However, these are still far above pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels: In 2022, 9.2 per cent of the global population (735.1 million people) were undernourished.

Protracted conflicts, economic downturns, and high food prices, further exacerbated by high costs of agricultural inputs driven by ongoing and widespread conflict around the world, are at the root of high global food insecurity levels, aggravated by the effects of climate and weather extremes.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Taliban claims it hit back at Pakistan military after airstrikes, warns of 'worst consequences'

Kabul: In response to the Pakistani military's air strikes on the Afghanistan border, the Taliban claimed it has also carried out similar attacks on "Pakistani military centres with heavy weapons". It was not clear whether anyone was killed in what the extremist group called a "retaliatory" move against Pakistani forces which had killed at least eight people including children in the Barmal district of Paktika and the Spera district of Khost.

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Apple In Talks To Bring Google's Gemini AI To iPhone, Says Report

Apple is in advanced negotiations with Google to adopt its powerful Gemini AI models for the iPhone, Bloomberg reported on Monday.

The move, if confirmed and resulting in a deal, would answer one of the big questions about the iPhone-maker's AI strategy, which has been criticized as lagging its tech giant rivals.

Google's share price soared by well over six percent on the news. Apple's was up by as much as 2.5 percent.

According to Bloomberg, Apple is seeking to partner with Google for its next iOS operating system release and will likely feature on its next iPhone, expected later this year.

Apple and Google are already locked in a search engine partnership that sees Google pay Apple tens of billions of dollars every year to give the search engine a prominent place on the iPhone.

That long-running search engine deal is facing a historic lawsuit from the US Department of Justice for alleged violations of antitrust law.

Bloomberg reported that Apple had also held talks with OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, to partner on generative AI, without providing more details.

Apple CEO Tim Cook last month said there would be major updates in store on the AI front, though some observers may be disappointed that the company is teaming up with others to deliver on AI.

"For Google, any hypothetical deal with Apple could mean they essentially 'own' generative AI on mobile devices (Android + iOS)," said Colin Sebastian, an analyst at Baird.

"It also means Apple may not be in a position to catch-up to GenAI leaders, at least not in the next generation of devices," he added.

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Russia's Presidential vote starts final day with Putin expecting next term I VIDEO

Moscow: Russia started its final day of presidential voting on Sunday with Moscow accusing Ukraine of using air attacks to try to sabotage the election that is expected to keep President Vladimir Putin in power for another six years.

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Bulgarian Foreign Minister Thanks Indian Navy For Rescuing Hijacked Vessel

Bulgarian Foreign Minister, Mariya Gabriel on Sunday expressed gratitude to the Indian Navy for successfully carrying out a rescue operation to take back control of a hijacked merchant vessel and its 17 crew members including seven Bulgarian nationals in the Arabian Sea.

She thanked the Indian Navy for the support and reaffirmed cooperation to protect the lives of the crew.

Taking to X, Bulgerian Foreign Minister said, "I express my gratitude to the Indian navy for the successful operation to rescue the hijacked vessel Ruen & its crew members, including 7 BG nationals Thank you for support & great effort. We continue to work together to protect lives of the crew."

On Saturday, the C-17 aircraft of the Indian Air Force executed a precision air-born drop of two boats along with Indian Navy MARCOS in the Arabian Sea in support of ongoing anti-piracy 'Operation Sankalp'.

The operation was carried out to rescue the crew of the bulk carrier vessel MV Ruen which was hijacked by Somali pirates near the Yemeni island of Socotra recently.

In a post on X, the Indian Air Force, hailing the operation, stated, "In a remarkable display of Jointness & Integration, an IAF C-17 aircraft executed a precision Airborne Drop of two Combat Rubberised Raiding Craft (CRRC) boats, along with Indian Navy MARCOS in the Arabian Sea in support of ongoing anti-piracy Op Sankalp."

"Flying for almost 10 hrs to an area 2600 kms off the Indian Coast, the Op was carried out to rescue crew of bulk carrier vessel MV Ruen. The ship was hijacked by Somali pirates near Yemeni island of Socotra recently. Working seamlessly with @indiannavy, the mission was successful with all the 17 crew on-board recovered safely," the Indian Air Force added.

The Indian Navy thwarted the piracy attempt on MV Ruen, which was under the control of Somalian pirates since last December, by safely evacuating 17 crew members and coercing 35 pirates to surrender.

The Indian Navy informed in a statement that the mission was carried out by INS Kolkata on Saturday.

"INS Kolkata, a mission deployed in the Arabian Sea, through the sustained high tempo of operations, has thwarted the designs of the Somali pirates to hijack ships transiting through the region by intercepting the pirate ship MV Ruen, on March 16. The merchant vessel had been hijacked in December 2023 and was under the control of the Somalian Pirates till now," the statement read.

Earlier, the navy informed that the Indian warship INS Kolkata successfully cornered and coerced all 35 pirates to surrender, ensuring the safe evacuation of 17 crew members from the pirate vessel without any injury.

In the rescue operation, which lasted for the last 40 hours, INS Kolkata intercepted the under-attack pirate ship Ruen, sailing almost 2600 km from the shores of the Indian Coast, and forced the pirate ship to stop through calibrated actions.

In the action to safely rescue the crew members and take full control of the distressed vessel, the operation was supported by the Indian warship INS Subhadra, High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE RPA) drones, P8I maritime patrol aircraft, and MARCOS PRAHARs airdropped by C-17 aircraft.

Later, the vessel was also sanitised for the presence of illegal arms, ammunition, and contraband.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Pakistan: Imran Khan-backed party to move Supreme Court after being denied reserved seats

Peshawar: The Peshawar High Court on Thursday rejected a petition by Imran Khan-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) challenging the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) decision to reject the allocation of reserved and minority seats to the party. In response, the SIC has decided to move the matter to the Supreme Court to claim its share of reserved seats.

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"Maldives' Jurisdiction Not A Concern Of External Parties": President Muizzu

Asserting that Maldives is not a small nation, President Mohamed Muizzu has said that the steps taken by his government to ensure the Indian Ocean island nation's security on its own should not concern any "external parties".

The pro-China Maldivian leader's comments came days after the first batch of Indian military personnel operating a helicopter gifted by India left the island nation after Muizzu stepped up his anti-India rhetoric.

Muizzu had asked India to withdraw nearly 90 military personnel from the island nation soon after he assumed office in November last year. India has agreed to replace the military personnel with civilians and continue the operations of two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft provided to the country for humanitarian and medical evacuation services.

Muizzu's latest comments came while while speaking at a ceremony to launch the Maldives National Defence Force's (MNDF) Air Corps and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), a press release by the President's Office said on Friday.

Asserting that Maldives isn't a small nation, Muizzu said the country is capable of monitoring its jurisdiction.

"Maldives is an independent and sovereign nation and that surveillance of the Maldives' jurisdiction should not concern any external parties," he said, without naming any country.

He "affirmed the importance of the Maldives navigating its course towards self-reliance and remaining an independent and sovereign nation in every aspect," the press release said.

Muizzu said that Maldives' independence and sovereignty "must be in the common interest of the entire populace, despite varying ideologies".

He added that this would not impede the Maldives' close relations with all countries.

Muizzu, seen as a pro-China leader, has affirmed that no Indian military personnel, not even those in civilian clothing, would be present inside his country after May 10.

He rode to power last year on an anti-India stance, and within hours of taking oath, demanded India to remove its personnel from the strategically located archipelago nation in the Indian Ocean.

Muizzu announced new initiatives to strengthen the Maldives' military capabilities at the ceremony.

An initiative to mobilise resources to recondition neglected military resources and bring them up to a standard for military use and public service was launched, the press release said.

Meanwhile, Maldivian defence minister Ghassan Maumoon said that the launch of the Maldives National Defence Force Air Corps has shocked enemies and friends.

Ghassan said the role of defence forces and the strategies of war have changed in the modern world, adding that armies are now dependent on technology and tactics are used to reduce risk to lives.

"It is a sophisticated technology platform used in developed countries in the world. At the same time, it is a weapon with firepower that can take defensive manoeuvres to defend the country's sovereignty while focusing on surveillance and search and rescue," he was quoted as saying by Adhdhu.com, a news portal.

Ghassan said the tide of war has changed in the world resulting in decreasing attempts to invade or occupy another country. However, he claimed that powerful countries now try to influence the sovereignty of other countries.

"By openly saying that we have the right to live in an independent and sovereign Maldives and by openly saying that Maldivians have the right to stand on their own feet, working with courage to quickly upgrade the ranks of the Maldivian military and the goal achieved through that has shocked enemies and friends," he said.

The Chief of Defence Force Lt. Gen. Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef said that the military capabilities of the MNDF have greatly increased with the launch of the MNDF Air Corps and the use of drones.

“In the 4000 years of independent Maldives, today is a historic day as the Air Corps has been inaugurated for the first time to defend the country by air, conduct search operations and assist fishermen and vessels in maritime incidents," he said. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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These Leaders Are Up Against Vladimir Putin In Russia's Elections

Russia's presidential election kicked off on Friday with polling stations opening in the Kamchatka Peninsula region at 8 am local time. Spanning 11 time zones, the election is scheduled to end in the Kaliningrad enclave on Sunday at 8 pm. Current President Vladimir Putin has held continuous positions as either President or Prime Minister of Russia since 1999, serving as prime minister from 1999 to 2000 and from 2008 to 2012, and as president from 2000 to 2008 and since 2012.

He is expected to secure another six-year term and is facing limited opposition in the race.

Leaders up against Vladimir Putin in Russia's election

Leonid Slutsky from the LDPR

Leonid Eduardovich Slutsky, born on January 4, 1968, is a prominent Russian politician leading the ultranationalist LDPR (Liberal Democratic Party of Russia) party since 2022. He holds the position of Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs and has been serving in the State Duma since 1999. Mr Slutsky's political career has been marked by significant events, including his representation of Russia during peace negotiations with Ukraine after the Russian invasion in 2022 and announced his candidacy for the 2024 Russian presidential election the following year.

Mr Slutsky has been involved in a lot of controversies, including his involvement in a sexual assault scandal in parliament in 2018. In 2014, he was sanctioned by President Obama, following the Crimean status referendum, prohibiting him from entering the US and freezing his assets there. Mr Slutsky has also faced sanctions from Canada and Europe over his involvement in the Crimean crisis.

Vladislav Davankov from the New People's Party

Vladislav Andreyevich Davankov has served as Deputy Chair in the Russian State Duma since 2021. He represents the New People Party, which is known for its liberal stance. Mr Davankov is running as a candidate in the 2024 Russian presidential election. Mr Davankov advocates for peace in Ukraine and against unnecessary censorship. He is described as the "most liberal candidate" and a potential alternative to Mr Putin, although he has also taken conservative positions, against sex change trasnitions in people and cheap migrant labour.

Nikolai Kharitonov from the Communist Party

Nikolay Mikhailovich Kharitonov is a Russian communist politician. He has been a member of the State Duma since 1994 and currently chairs the Committee on the Development of Far Eastern and Arctic regions. Mr Kharitonov is best known for his 2004 presidential bid, where he finished second to Vladimir Putin. He is running for president again in the 2024 election, marking a significant rematch.

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US says it's 'concerned' about CAA, is closely monitoring implementation in India

Washington: The United States on Thursday (local time) said it was concerned about the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which was recently notified by the Indian government to expedite Indian citizenship for persecuted migrants from neighbouring countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The US State Department said it was closely monitoring the implementation of the legislation.

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Biden says US has lowest inflation rate of 'any country in America' in latest gaffe | WATCH

Wisconsin: In another one of his embarrassing blunders, US President Joe Biden, while addressing an event in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Wednesday, said the US has among the "lowest inflation rates of any country in America" while defending his economic policies. These remarks come at a time when Biden's bid for another presidency is beset by concerns over his old age and mental acuity.

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UK Says Air Force Plane With Minister Onboard Had Signal Jammed Near Russia

A British Royal Air Force plane carrying the UK defence minister had its signal jammed as it flew near Russian territory this week, a government spokesman confirmed on Thursday.

The electronic attack happened on Wednesday evening as Grant Shapps flew back on an RAF jet from Poland where he had watched a NATO exercise, the Times newspaper reported.

A UK government spokesman said the plane "temporarily experienced GPS jamming when they flew close to Kaliningrad" on the Baltic Sea, some 1,200 kilometres (some 750 miles) west of Moscow.

"It didn't threaten the safety of the aircraft and it is not unusual for aircraft to experience GPS jamming near Kaliningrad, which is of course Russian territory," the spokesman added.

The Times, who had journalists on the plane, said the GPS signal was interfered with for about 30 minutes.

Mobile phones could no longer connect to the internet and the aircraft was forced to use alternative methods to determine its location, the Daily added.

Shapps had earlier watched hundreds of troops taking part in the Steadfast Defender exercise -- the largest drills staged by the US-led military alliance since the Cold War.

The UK is one of Ukraine's strongest backers in its two-year-old fight against Russia's full-scale invasion of its neighbour in February 2022. 

London has committed more than £7 billion ($8.9 billion) of military support to Ukraine and has trained tens of thousands of Ukrainian troops.

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Bangladeshi-flagged cargo vessel hijacked by Somali pirates near Indian Ocean, crew taken hostage

Dubai: Somali parties have hijacked a Bangladesh-flagged cargo vessel 9MV Abdullah' and held 23 crew members hostage in the Indian Ocean, according to local media reports citing officials and maritime security agencies. The hijacking incident occurred on Tuesday when pirates boarded the MV Abdullah heading towards the United Arab Emirates. 

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Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigns amid bloody violence. Who will replace him?

Port-au-Prince: Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry has resigned amid pressure and chaos in the Caribbean nation. He became the Prime Minister in 2021 following the assassination of the country's last president, Jovenel Moise. Henry has issued his resignation as the Caribbean nation's head of government, the chair of the Caribbean Community said on Monday. "We acknowledge his resignation upon the establishment of a transitional presidential council and naming of an interim prime minister," said Caribbean Community chair Irfaan Ali, also the president of Guyana, thanking Henry for his service to Haiti.

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Andrew Tate To Face UK Extradition Over Sex Offence Charges

Influencer Andrew Tate will face extradition to Britain over sex offence accusations, but only after his separate case on human trafficking and other charges in Romania is finished, a judge ordered Tuesday.

US-born Briton Tate and his brother Tristan were released from Romanian custody following their arrest Monday on a UK warrant that came as they await trial on the Romanian charges.

The British warrant for the self-described misogynist with an online following in the millions stems from allegations made by four women who accused him of sexual assault in Britain.

The men will remain under Romanian court supervision, pending a new court decision expected on Wednesday.

During the Bucharest court hearing, Andrew Tate rejected the allegations brought against him in Britain as "sloppy" and "over 10 years old", saying he and his brother did not want to be extradited.

The appeals court ruling in Romania granted the handing over of the men on the Westminster Magistrates' Court warrant, but postponed extradition until the Romanian case's resolution, which could take years.

The brothers, who say they are innocent, are accused of having formed an organised criminal network in early 2021 in Romania, as well as in the United States and Britain.

They face charges of human trafficking, rape and forming a criminal group to sexually exploit women.

They allegedly coerced women into forced labour and pornographic acts for "substantial financial benefits".

After Tuesday's ruling, the brothers' spokesperson Mateea Petrescu said the men would "continue to comply with the judiciary measures in place in Romania, which permit them to travel around the country".

They were previously in custody on the Romanian charges, but were ordered released under court supervisions in August 2023.

Petrescu said that the charges in the British case date back to 2012-2015 and "include allegations of sexual aggression".

The charges were "dismissed by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in 2017-2019" but have now "resurfaced", Petrescu added.

Romanian authorities said in a statement they had executed "two European arrest warrants issued by the UK judicial authorities for the committing of sexual offences, of exploitation of persons on the territory of the UK".

- Potential escape plans -

Petrescu said that the 37-year-old former kickboxer and his brother Tristan, 35, "unequivocally deny all allegations and decry what they perceive as an exploitative use of the legal system".

In June 2023, lawyers for four women threatened Andrew Tate with a lawsuit in the British courts over allegations of sexual assault, serving him with legal papers by UK law firm McCue Jury and Partners.

The women, now in their late 20s and early 30s, say the offences took place in the 2010s, when Tate was based in Britain.

The British law firm representing the women said that the allegations included "violent rapes, serious physical assault, and controlling and coercive behaviour".

In a statement on Tuesday, the law firm welcomed their detention, citing recent information that they "might have been planning to flee Romania".

"We wrote to the British police to bring this to their attention and to urge them to immediately seek a warrant for Tate's detention in Romania and extradition to the UK," the firm added.

After the ruling, Petrescu dismissed the claim of such plans.

"We believe this rumour has originated from a popular online influencer who misconstrued a text message from our clients while streaming live. There is simply no truth to it," she said in a statement.

In 2016, Tate appeared on the "Big Brother" reality television show in Britain but was removed after a video emerged showing him attacking a woman.

He then turned to social media platforms to promote his divisive views.

Giving tips on how to be successful, along with misogynistic and sometimes violent maxims, Tate's videos have made him one of the world's best-known influencers.

His account "Cobratate" on X has almost nine million followers.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Pakistan President Asif Zardari's daughter Aseefa to become First Lady I KNOW WHY

Islamabad: Pakistan President Asif Zardari will announce the formal recognition of his daughter, Asifa Bhutto, as the First Lady of the country, ARY News reported, citing sources. Notably, this will be the first time that a Pakistani President has announced his daughter for the position of First Lady, as normally the title is given to the President's wife.

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President Murmu Meets Mauritian Counterpart, Gifts Him RuPay Card

President Droupadi Murmu on Monday met her Mauritian counterpart Prithvirajsing Roopun and held comprehensive discussions on ways to advance the long-standing and multi-faceted bilateral ties between India and Mauritius.

President Murmu gifted a RuPay card, which was recently launched in Mauritius, to President Roopun.

Ms Murmu arrived earlier in the day on a three-day state visit during which she would be the chief guest at the country's National Day celebrations on Tuesday.

In a post on X, the official handle of the President of India said that President Murmu had a warm and cordial meeting with President Roopun at the Presidential State House.

"The two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen the unique and multi-faceted bilateral relationship, including through capacity building, science & technology, and collaboration in various developmental projects," it said, sharing a few photographs of the meeting.

President Droupadi Murmu had a warm and cordial meeting with President Prithvirajsing Roopun of Mauritius at the Presidential State House.

The two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen the unique and multi-faceted bilateral relationship, including through capacity… pic.twitter.com/5Q7SbKIKBl

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 11, 2024

President Murmu also appreciated the Ayurvedic Garden which was set up on the grounds of the State House last year, it said.

In a series of posts on X, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Ms Murmu was warmly received by Roopun at the State House ahead of their bilateral talks.

"The two leaders held discussions on avenues to advance the long-standing and close relations between India and Mauritius, built on the solid foundation of kinship, culture and strong people-to-people linkages," it said sharing a few photographs of the meeting.

Roopun, 64, was born in an Arya Samaj family.

Murmu also visited the Ayurvedic Garden which was set up at the Presidential State House last year in collaboration with the AYUSH ministry.

"Traditional medicine is an important area of partnership between the two countries," the MEA underlined, sharing some photographs of President Murmu visit to the Ayurvedic Garden.

The President also paid respects to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam and Sir Anerood Jugnauth at the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden.

Sharing photographs on X, the MEA posted, "A solemn homage to the architects of India-Mauritius enduring ties!" "A moment of reverence & remembrance for the two towering figures in Mauritius's history, who strived to deepen the long-standing India-Mauritius friendship," it added.

President Murmu was received by Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth on her arrival here at the airport with full state honours "in a special gesture reflecting the exceptionally close ties" between India and Mauritius, the MEA earlier said.

During the National Day celebrations, a contingent of the Indian Navy will also participate in the event along with two ships -- INS Tir and CGS Sarathi.

Apart from holding bilateral meetings with President Roopun and Prime Minister Jugnauth, Murmu will also meet the Speaker of the Mauritius National Assembly, the Chief Justice of the Mauritian Supreme Court and important Mauritian leaders during the three-day visit, the MEA said.

Murmu and Jugnauth will jointly inaugurate 14 India-assisted projects, showcasing the growing expanse and multi-faceted nature of New Delhi's vibrant development partnership with Mauritius that constitutes a "key pillar" of the bilateral relationship, it said.

The MEA said the president will also witness the exchange of important bilateral agreements that seek to further strengthen the robust bilateral institutional collaboration and capacity-building cooperation between the two countries.

"As the sixth Indian president to grace the Mauritian National Day as the chief guest since 2000, President Murmu's state visit underscores the longstanding and enduring ties between India and Mauritius," the MEA said.

"It reaffirms the continued commitment of both the countries to further strengthening the bilateral relationship across all sectors and deepening our close people-to-people ties," it said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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UK ranks second worst for mental health in global survey

The United Kingdom (UK) has ranked second worst on mental health index after it scored a low of 49 on Mental Health Quotient (MHQ) scale, according to a new survey.

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Netanyahu Says Biden "Wrong" In Critique Of War Policy

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday rejected US President Joe Biden's comment that Israel's approach to the war in Gaza was "hurting Israel more than helping Israel". 

"If he meant by that that I'm pursuing private policies against the majority, the wish of the majority of Israelis, and that this is hurting the interests of Israel, then he's wrong on both counts," Netanyahu said in an interview with Politico.

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India's boycott impacted country, people of Maldives are sorry: Ex-President Mohamed Nasheed

New Delhi: Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed raised several concerns over India's boycott call on the Maldives over a diplomatic row between the two countries, saying it has impacted the island country's tourism sector and conveyed apologies on behalf of the people of Maldives. The row ensued after Maldivian ministers used derogatory language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his visit to Lakshadweep.

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18 Dead, 5 Missing After Floods, Landslide In Indonesia

At least 18 people were killed and five others were missing after flash floods and a landslide on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, a local official said Saturday in a new toll.

Torrential rains triggered the floods and landslide that hit Pesisir Selatan regency in West Sumatra province, forcing around 46,000 people to evacuate to temporary shelters.

"Eighteen people were found dead. Five were missing," Pesisir Selatan disaster mitigation agency acting head Doni Gusrizal told AFP late Saturday.

The official updated the toll from 10 he gave in an earlier statement.

Doni said debris from the disasters had hampered ongoing rescue efforts. 

"The impact from the floods (was) extraordinary. Currently we are cleaning the road... Our vehicles cannot pass through," he said.  

As of late Saturday, electricity services were still down in several parts of Pesisir Selatan after the disaster, according to an AFP reporter in the regency. 

At least 14 houses were buried in the landslide, more than 20,000 houses were flooded and eight bridges had collapsed, according to earlier statement from the national disaster mitigation agency.

In Padang Pariaman regency, also in West Sumatra, heavy downpours between Thursday and Friday caused rivers to overflow and triggered floods and a landslide, killing at least three people, according to a statement from the local disaster mitigation agency.

Indonesia is prone to landslides during the rainy season and the problem has been aggravated in some places by deforestation, with prolonged torrential rain causing flooding in some areas of the archipelago nation.

A landslide and floods swept away dozens of houses and destroyed a hotel near Lake Toba on Sumatra in December, killing at least two people.

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Netanyahu says Israel will push on with offensive in Gaza's Rafah as ceasefire talks stalled

Israel-Hamas war: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday asserted that his military will push on with its offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, including in the southern city of Rafah, despite growing international pressure to stop. The statement comes as ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas appear to be stalled, with both sides accusing each other of not making compromises.

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Maritime Corridor To Gaza Could Start This Weekend, Says EU Chief

A sea corridor to take desperately needed aid from Cyprus to besieged Palestinians in Gaza could start this weekend, the European Union said on Friday.

U.S. President Joe Biden said on Thursday that a temporary port would be built in Gaza to facilitate a flow of aid by sea, initially from Cyprus.

"We are now very close to opening this corridor, hopefully this Saturday-Sunday, and I'm very glad to see an initial pilot operation will be launched today," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in the Cypriot port town of Larnaca, alongside Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides.

A shipment of food was due to be dispatched by the charity World Central Kitchen from Cyprus on Friday, with support from the United Arab Emirates.

The quantities of aid envisaged and the distribution logistics in Gaza were not immediately clear. Gaza has been under an Israeli naval blockade since 2007, when the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas seized control.

A joint communique signed off by the EU, the U.S., Britain, the UAE and a number of European countries said: "The delivery of humanitarian assistance directly to Gaza by sea will be complex, and our nations will continue to assess and adjust our efforts to ensure we deliver aid as effectively as possible.

"This maritime corridor can - and must - be part of a sustained effort to increase the flow of humanitarian aid and commercial commodities into Gaza through all possible routes. We will continue to work with Israel to expand deliveries by land, insisting that it facilitate more routes and open additional crossings to get more aid to more people."

Cyprus is the closest EU member state to Gaza, some 370 km (230 miles) away. It has lobbied for months to launch the corridor, but faced challenges ranging from the lack of port infrastructure in Gaza to security issues.

"The maritime corridor can make a real difference ... but, in parallel, our efforts to provide assistance to Palestinians through all possible routes of course will continue," Von der Leyen said.

The United Nations has said at least 576,000 people in Gaza - one quarter of its population - are on the brink of famine.

EU member states, the UAE, the United States and other partners are working together on the project, Von der Leyen said, singling out Christodoulides and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for their commitment.

"As the EU member at the heart of the region, Cyprus bears a moral duty to do its utmost ... leveraging its role and excellent relations with all countries in the region," Christodoulides said.

Under the arrangement, cargo would undergo security inspections on Cyprus, by a team including Israeli officials.

Cyprus tested an on-island screening mechanism in January, when British and Cypriot aid for Gaza was dispatched to Egypt.

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Indian Navy conducts daring rescue operation of 21 crew after Houthi targets vessel in Gulf of Aden I WATCH

Setting another example of fearlessness, the Indian Navy on Wednesday rescued 21 crew members including an Indian national after their cargo vessel was attacked by a missile by Yemen's Houthi rebels in the Gulf of Aden. The Gulf of Aden is a deepwater gulf of the Indian Ocean between Yemen to the north, the Arabian Sea to the east, Djibouti to the west, and the Guardafui Channel, Socotra and Somalia to the south. 

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Thai Officials Discover Red Panda, Snakes In Checked-In Luggage

Thai customs officials rescued a red panda, snakes, monkeys and chameleons from checked-in luggage at the country's main airport this week after arresting six Indian nationals for attempted smuggling.

A total of 87 reptiles and mammals were found in the baggage, including chameleons, snakes, a large-beaked parrot, red-eyed squirrels, bats and monkeys.

Some animals were wrapped in paper, others in plastic containers, photos from customs at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport showed.

The six, bound for Mumbai, were arrested on Monday, authorities said in a statement.

Thailand, which borders four countries, has seen its fair share of illegal wildlife trafficking and customs officials at Suvarnabhumi often seize reptiles and small animals in luggage.

There is high demand for animal products in countries including China, Myanmar and Thailand, where they are used in traditional medicine or consumed directly.

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Nikki Haley Exits US Presidential Campaign, Has A Message For Trump

Republican former UN ambassador Nikki Haley suspended her White House campaign Wednesday, declining to endorse former president Donald Trump but calling on him to earn the support of moderates and independents who backed her in the primary.

"It is now up to Donald Trump to earn the votes of those in our party and beyond it who did not support him, and I hope he does that," Haley said in a televised address in Charleston, South Carolina.

Haley was in a two-person contest with Trump for the chance to face President Joe Biden in November's election but won just one state on "Super Tuesday" and never presented a serious obstacle in Trump's path to the nomination.

The 52-year-old was little known outside her native South Carolina before Trump tapped her as ambassador to the United Nations back in 2017 and used the high-profile UN post to cultivate an image as a plain-speaking conservative.

She prided herself on being the last challenger standing between the "chaos" of Trump and the 2024 Republican White House nomination.

"I am filled with gratitude for the outpouring of support we've received from all across our great country," Haley added.

"But the time has now come to suspend my campaign. I said I wanted Americans to have their voices heard -- I have done that. I have no regrets."

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"False Claims": Hamas On UN Report On "Sexual Violence" In October 7 Attack

Hamas on Tuesday rejected a UN report claiming Palestinian operatives committed "sexual violence" during their attack on Israel on October 7, saying the findings were simply "false claims".

The report by the UN special representative on sexual violence in conflict, Pramila Patten, "did not document any testimony from what she calls the victims of these cases," Hamas said in a statement.

"She relied on Israeli institutions, soldiers and witnesses, who were chosen by the occupation authorities to push towards an attempt to prove this false accusation, which was refuted by all investigations."

The report, released on Monday, said it had found "reasonable grounds to believe that conflict-related sexual violence occurred" on October 7.

The assaults took place in at least three separate locations, and "in most of these incidents, victims first subjected to rape were then killed, and at least two incidents relate to the rape of women's corpses", the report said.

The UN has faced criticism for reacting too slowly to Israel's accusations of rape and sexual violence committed by Hamas fighters during the October 7 attack and against the hostages it took.

The Hamas attack resulted in about 1,160 deaths in Israel, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.

Israel's retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed at least 30,631 people, mostly women and children, according to Hamas-run Gaza's health ministry.

Around 250 hostages were taken by operatives, 130 of whom remain in Gaza, including 31 who are presumed dead, according to Israel.

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Children Starving To Death In Northern Gaza Hospitals: WHO Chief

An aid mission to two hospitals in northern Gaza found horrifying scenes of children dying of starvation, amid dire shortages of food, fuel and medicines, the World Health Organization said Monday.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the agency's visits over the weekend to the Al-Awda and Kamal Adwan hospitals "were the first since early October 2023 despite our efforts to gain more regular access to the north of Gaza".

The findings were "grim", he said on X, adding that "the situation at Al-Awda was particularly appalling, as one of the buildings is destroyed".

The Kamal Adwan hospital, the only paediatrics hospital in northern Gaza, was overwhelmed with patients, he said.

"The lack of food resulted in the deaths of 10 children," Tedros said.

In all, the Gaza health ministry has said at least 16 children have died of malnutrition in aid-deprived northern Gaza.

The United Nations warned last week that famine in the Gaza Strip was "almost inevitable" because of the war that has been raging in the Palestinian territory since Hamas operatives carried out an unprecedented attack inside Israel on October 7.

That attack resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official figures.

It also saw the Hamas operatives kidnap 250 hostages, of whom 130 remain in captivity, including 31 presumed dead, according to Israel.

Israel's retaliatory offensive against the Palestinian territory has killed more than 30,500 people, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.

In addition to the dire lack of food at the two northern hospitals, Tedros also cautioned on X that "the lack of electricity poses a serious threat to patient care, especially in critical areas like the intensive care unit and the neonatal unit".

During the weekend mission, the UN health agency delivered 9,500 litres of fuel to each hospital, along with some essential medical supplies, he said.

"This is a fraction of the urgent lifesaving needs."

The WHO chief reiterated an appeal to Israel to "ensure humanitarian aid can be delivered safely, and regularly".

"Civilians, especially children, and health staff need scaled-up help immediately," he said, stressing though that "the key medicine all these patients need is peace. Ceasefire."

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US Elections 2024: Donald Trump moves closer to GOP nomination, beats Nikki Haley in three Republican caucuses

In the recent Republican caucuses held in Michigan, Idaho, and Missouri, former US President Donald Trump secured a decisive victory over his last remaining rival for the party's presidential nomination, Nikki Haley. The 77-year-old leader emerged victorious in all three states, consolidating his position within the Republican Party.

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Iceland Evacuates Blue Lagoon Ahead Of "Imminent" Volcanic Eruption

Iceland's world-famous Blue Lagoon has been evacuated due to nearby seismic activity that suggests an "imminent" volcanic eruption, reported CNN, citing the country's public broadcaster RUV.

The magma has begun flowing after "intense seismic activity" in the area around the lagoon, a popular geothermal spa known for its milky-blue, comforting warm waters, according to RUV.

According to volcanologist Thorvaldur Thordarson, the depth of the magma, around four kilometers (2.5 miles), means an eruption could take place within hours.

The nearby town of Grindavik is also being evacuated, CNN reported.

The police said that the evacuation was "going well" and there had been only a few people in the town in recent days.

Blue Lagoon, on its website, said that it had initiated an evacuation of its premises due to "increased seismic activity in a known area, a few kilometers away."

Moreover, the operations would be closed at least until the end of Saturday when the situation would be reassessed, according to CNN.

"We will continue to closely follow the guidelines and recommendations of the authorities, working collaboratively with them to monitor the progression of events," the statement added.

The iconic Blue Lagoon is located just under an hour's drive from Iceland's capital and largest city Reykjavik, and is one of the country's most popular tourist attractions.

It is also part of southwest Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula - a thick finger of land pointing west into the North Atlantic Ocean from Reykjavik.

Moreover, the Blue Lagoon, the peninsula is home to Iceland's main airport, Keflavik International.

Reportedly, Iceland is one of the most active volcanic areas on the planet, as reported by CNN.

It is pertinent to mention that in November last year, the Blue Lagoon was closed for a week after 1,400 earthquakes were measured in 24 hours.

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Biden approves US military airdropping food, supplies into Gaza

President Joe Biden on Friday said that the United States will begin airdropping humanitarian assistance into Gaza. The announcement came a day after more than 100 Palestinians were killed during a chaotic encounter with Israeli troops. The president announced the move after at least 115 Palestinians were killed and more than 750 others were injured, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, on Thursday when witnesses said Israeli troops opened fire as huge crowds raced to pull goods off an aid convoy.

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11 Palestinians Killed In Israeli Air Strike On Tent In Gaza's Rafah

At least 11 Palestinians were killed when an Israeli airstrike hit a tent in Rafah in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, the Gaza health ministry said, in an area where people are seeking sanctuary from Israel's devastating offensive.

The Gaza health ministry said another 50 people were wounded in the strike next to a hospital in the Tel Al-Sultan area of Rafah. One of the dead was a medic at the hospital. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"The strike hit one tent, where people took shelter, directly, shrapnel came inside the hospital where me and friends were sitting, we survived by a miracle," a witness told Reuters by phone from the area, declining to be identified.

The Israeli military said its forces killed eight militants in Khan Younis, around 20 militants in the central Gaza Strip and three more in Rimal, near Gaza City.

The hostilities came amid uncertainty over whether negotiations on a Gaza ceasefire would resume on Sunday.

Well over a million Palestinians have been seeking refuge in the Rafah area, fleeing the Israeli offensive which has laid waste to much of the Gaza Strip, killing more than 30,000 people, according to health authorities in Hamas-run Gaza.

Israel launched the offensive in response to the Oct. 7 attack by the Palestinian militant group, in which 1,200 people were killed in Israel and another 253 abducted, according to Israeli tallies.

U.S. President Joe Biden has said he hopes a ceasefire will be in place by the time of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which starts on March 10. Speaking to reporters on Friday, he said: "We're not there yet."

International pressure for a ceasefire has grown, with the United Nations warning that a quarter of the population of 2.3 million people are one step away from famine in the territory blockaded by Israel.

Three people searching for food in farmland in the northern Gaza Strip area of Beit Hanoun on Saturday were killed by Israeli strikes, residents and medics said. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Thirteen children have died at the Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza in the last three days from dehydration and malnutrition, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.

Doctors at the hospital said more were at risk of dying. "When a child is supposed to eat three meals a day and he only eats one, he obviously suffers from malnutrition, and all the diseases that come because of it," said Doctor Imad Dardonah.

Biden announced on Friday plans to carry out a first military airdrop of food and supplies into Gaza, a day after the deaths of Palestinians queuing for aid drew renewed attention to the humanitarian catastrophe.

Health authorities in Gaza said 115 people were killed in Thursday's incident, attributing the deaths to Israeli fire and calling it a massacre.

Israel disputed those figures and said most victims were trampled or run over.

CEASEFIRE TALKS

Israel and Hamas have been negotiating via mediators including Egypt and Qatar.

Two Egyptian security sources said Israeli and Hamas delegations were expected to arrive in Cairo on Sunday to resume indirect talks.

But an Israeli report cast doubt on this.

There was no immediate comment from Israel or Hamas.

The Egyptian sources said the parties had agreed on the duration of a Gaza truce, as well as hostage and prisoner releases, adding that the completion of the deal still requires an agreement on the withdrawal of Israeli forces from northern Gaza and a return of its residents.

However, Israel's Ynet news, citing an unnamed senior official, reported that Israel would not be sending a delegation to the Cairo talks until it received a full list of hostages held in Gaza who were alive.

According to the report, the central issue being worked on was how many hostages would be released from Gaza, and in turn how many Palestinians would be freed by Israel in exchange for each of them.

"Until clear answers are given, a delegation would not be leaving to Cairo," Ynet cited the official as saying.

A Palestinian official familiar with mediation efforts did not immediately confirm the Cairo talks. "When it comes to ending the war and pulling out forces out of Gaza, gaps remain unbridged," the official said.

During the war, Israel has also stepped up raids in the occupied West Bank, where U.N. records show that at least 358 people have been killed since Oct. 7, a quarter of them children.

The official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported on Saturday that Israeli forces shot a 16-year-old in the head near the hub city of Ramallah, killing him.

The Israeli military said its forces were conducting "routine activity" in the town of Kafr Ni'ma near Ramallah when dozens of people began hurling rocks and explosives at its forces, who responded with live fire, hitting one person.

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