<p>United States (US) First Lady Jill Biden said on Friday (Mar 1) that presidential hopeful Donald Trump was dangerous to women, and people could not simply let him win. According to a report by CNN on Saturday, First Lady Biden said at an event in Atlanta that Trump spent a life tearing women down and devaluing them. &nbsp;"He mocks women’s bodies, disrespects our accomplishments, and brags about assault. Now he’s bragging about killing Roe v. Wade (court case),” Biden said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“He took credit again for enabling states like Georgia to pass cruel abortion bans that are taking away the right of women to make their own health care decisions. How far will he go? When will he stop? You know the answer: He won’t. He won’t,” she added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-presidential-hopeful-donald-trump-wins-caucuses-in-missouri-and-idaho-696025">US presidential hopeful Trump wins caucuses in Missouri, Michigan, and Idaho</a></strong></p>

<p>The report said that the first lady embarked on a three-day four-stop battleground state campaign swing, launching the “Women for Biden-Harris” coalition. CNN reported that the campaign is looking to use a top surrogate to organise – and mobilise – female voters heading into the general election.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Much of Biden's work in the early stages of the campaign has focused on crisscrossing the US for fundraisers. However, in the months ahead, she is expected to become a more frequent presence on the trail advocating on behalf of her husband President Joe Biden, and his agenda.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-presidential-elections-2024-poll-shows-trump-more-favoured-over-biden-696087">US presidential elections 2024: Poll shows Trump more favoured over Biden</a></strong></p>

<p>The first lady's remarks came as a poll showed voters would favour Donald Trump over Joe Biden if the presidential elections were to happen today.</p>

<p>The poll by The New York Times (NYT) and Siena College said that 43 per cent of the respondents supported Biden to be the president again while 48 per cent supported Trump for the top job. Ten per cent of the respondents were not sure or refused either of the two to become president.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The poll said that only one in four voters thought that the country was moving in the right direction. More than twice as many voters believed that Biden's policies have personally hurt them, rather than yielding positive results.</p>

<p>Forty-seven per cent of the respondents strongly disapproved of Biden's handling of his job.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


United States (US) First Lady Jill Biden said on Friday (Mar 1) that presidential hopeful Donald Trump was dangerous to women, and people could not simply let him win.

United States (US) First Lady Jill Biden said on Friday (Mar 1) that presidential hopeful Donald Trump was dangerous to women, and people could not simply let him win. According to a report by CNN on Saturday, First Lady Biden said at an event in Atlanta that Trump spent a life tearing women down and devaluing them. "He mocks women’s bodies, disrespects our accomplishments, and brags about assault. Now he’s bragging about killing Roe v. Wade (court case),” Biden said. “He took credit again for enabling states like Georgia to pass cruel abortion bans that are taking away the right of women to make their own health care decisions. How far will he go? When will he stop? You know the answer: He won’t. He won’t,” she added. Also read | US presidential hopeful Trump wins caucuses in Missouri, Michigan, and Idaho The report said that the first lady embarked on a three-day four-stop battleground state campaign swing, launching the “Women for Biden-Harris” coalition. CNN reported that the campaign is looking to use a top surrogate to organise – and mobilise – female voters heading into the general election. Much of Biden's work in the early stages of the campaign has focused on crisscrossing the US for fundraisers. However, in the months ahead, she is expected to become a more frequent presence on the trail advocating on behalf of her husband President Joe Biden, and his agenda. Also read | US presidential elections 2024: Poll shows Trump more favoured over Biden The first lady's remarks came as a poll showed voters would favour Donald Trump over Joe Biden if the presidential elections were to happen today. The poll by The New York Times (NYT) and Siena College said that 43 per cent of the respondents supported Biden to be the president again while 48 per cent supported Trump for the top job. Ten per cent of the respondents were not sure or refused either of the two to become president. The poll said that only one in four voters thought that the country was moving in the right direction. More than twice as many voters believed that Biden's policies have personally hurt them, rather than yielding positive results. Forty-seven per cent of the respondents strongly disapproved of Biden's handling of his job. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump is dangerous to women, cannot let him win elections: US First Lady Jill Biden

<p>A senior Hamas official said on Sunday (Mar 3) that a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip might be secured within "24 to 48 hours" if Israel accepts the Palestinian group's demands in the ongoing talks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Speaking to&nbsp;news agency AFP, the official said, "If Israel agrees to Hamas demands, which include the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza and increasing humanitarian aid, that would pave the way for a (truce) agreement within the next 24 to 48 hours."</p>

<p>The official's remarks came as Israeli and Hamas delegations were expected to arrive in Cairo on Sunday to search for a formula acceptable to both sides for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-has-more-or-less-accepted-ceasefire-deal-says-us-official-696008">Israel has broadly accepted Gaza ceasefire deal, says US official</a></strong></p>

<p>On Saturday, a senior US official said that the framework for a six-week pause in fighting was in place, with Israel's agreement, and now depended on Hamas agreeing to release hostages it has held in Gaza since the conflict started on October 7 last year.</p>

<p>"The path to a ceasefire right now literally at this hour is straightforward. And there's a deal on the table. There's a framework deal. The Israelis have more or less accepted it," the official told reporters, adding, that the onus was on Hamas.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Mediators have been scrambling to lock in a truce before Ramadan, eyeing an end to the conflict that has been going on for nearly five months.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The above developments came as the US carried out the first of what it said would be a series of humanitarian airdrops of food into Gaza. A report by the news agency Reuters said that three C-130 US military planes delivered more than 38,000 meals into the Palestinian territory.</p>

<p>Palestinians posted videos on social media showing boxes of aid being dropped.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Thousands rally in Jerusalem after four-day march for hostages’ return</strong></p>

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<p>Earlier, Washington said that the air drops would be a sustained effort and that Israel supports them. However, critics have said airdrops are far less effective than aid deliveries by truck, and it is nearly impossible to ensure supplies do not end up with militants.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/were-dropping-some-food-and-were-dropping-bombs-protesters-in-us-dismiss-washingtons-aid-airdrop-in-gaza-696023">Protesters in US dismiss Washington's aid airdrop in Gaza</a></strong></p>

<p>In Washington DC, protesters demanding a ceasefire in Gaza dismissed the Biden administration's airdrop of humanitarian aid. The protesters, who gathered outside the Israeli embassy, said that the US should stop supplying military weapons to Israel.</p>

<p>Speaking to Reuters, protester Kathy Boylan said, "We're dropping some food, and we're dropping the bombs, and the tanks and the bullets and everything else at the same time. That's what he's Biden got to do."</p>

<p>"Stop sending the money in the weapons,” Boylan, who works with the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Movement, added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>


A senior Hamas official said on Sunday (Mar 3) that a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip might be secured within "24 to 48 hours" if Israel accepts the Palestinian group's demands in the ongoing talks.

A senior Hamas official said on Sunday (Mar 3) that a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip might be secured within "24 to 48 hours" if Israel accepts the Palestinian group's demands in the ongoing talks. Speaking to news agency AFP, the official said, "If Israel agrees to Hamas demands, which include the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza and increasing humanitarian aid, that would pave the way for a (truce) agreement within the next 24 to 48 hours." The official's remarks came as Israeli and Hamas delegations were expected to arrive in Cairo on Sunday to search for a formula acceptable to both sides for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza. Also read | Israel has broadly accepted Gaza ceasefire deal, says US official On Saturday, a senior US official said that the framework for a six-week pause in fighting was in place, with Israel's agreement, and now depended on Hamas agreeing to release hostages it has held in Gaza since the conflict started on October 7 last year. "The path to a ceasefire right now literally at this hour is straightforward. And there's a deal on the table. There's a framework deal. The Israelis have more or less accepted it," the official told reporters, adding, that the onus was on Hamas. Mediators have been scrambling to lock in a truce before Ramadan, eyeing an end to the conflict that has been going on for nearly five months. The above developments came as the US carried out the first of what it said would be a series of humanitarian airdrops of food into Gaza. A report by the news agency Reuters said that three C-130 US military planes delivered more than 38,000 meals into the Palestinian territory. Palestinians posted videos on social media showing boxes of aid being dropped. Also watch | Thousands rally in Jerusalem after four-day march for hostages’ return × Earlier, Washington said that the air drops would be a sustained effort and that Israel supports them. However, critics have said airdrops are far less effective than aid deliveries by truck, and it is nearly impossible to ensure supplies do not end up with militants. Also read | Protesters in US dismiss Washington's aid airdrop in Gaza In Washington DC, protesters demanding a ceasefire in Gaza dismissed the Biden administration's airdrop of humanitarian aid. The protesters, who gathered outside the Israeli embassy, said that the US should stop supplying military weapons to Israel. Speaking to Reuters, protester Kathy Boylan said, "We're dropping some food, and we're dropping the bombs, and the tanks and the bullets and everything else at the same time. That's what he's Biden got to do." "Stop sending the money in the weapons,” Boylan, who works with the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Movement, added. (With inputs from agencies)

Gaza ceasefire possible within 24 to 48 hours if Israel accepts our demands: Hamas

<p>The outcome of the 13th ministerial conference of the WTO was "good" and India is "completely satisfied" as the country continues to retain its full policy space to protect the interests of farmers and fishermen in every respect, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said.</p>

<p>He said that New Delhi's procurement of food grains for distribution among the poor continues uninterrupted and without any hindrance.</p>

<p>"India continues to retain full policy space for the benefit of our farmers, our fishermen, and in every respect, we have been able to take India's interests to the highest level possible," the minister told reporters here after the five-day meeting of the trade ministers of 166-member World Trade Organisation (WTO).</p>

<p>As the members were not able to reach consensus on key issues such as agriculture and fisheries subsidies, the talks that were scheduled to end on February 29 got extended for a day.</p>

<p>The talks at the WTO's ministerial conference ended with no decision on issues such as finding a permanent solution to public food stockpile and on curbing fisheries subsidies, but the members agreed to further extend the moratorium on imposing import duties on e-commerce trade for two more years.</p>

<p>The ministerial conference, the highest decision making body of the WTO, also managed to get more outcomes such as new disciplines on domestic regulation for services, formal joining of Comoros and Timor-Leste as members of the WTO, and least developing countries continuing to get the benefits of LDC even three years after graduation.</p>

<p>India successfully pushed the food security issue and the country did not yield any ground on protecting the interest of poor farmers and fishermen as well as on other issues.</p>

<p>Goyal said that "it's a good outcome and we are completely satisfied… A lot of issues continue to make progress in terms of discussions.</p>

<p>"Generally through the MC13, progress was made on several contentious issues which had not been closed for many years. Forward movement is always a sign of a possible closure going forward," he said.</p>

<p>He added that in the proposed fisheries subsidies agreement aimed to curb subsidies that lead to over capacity and over fishing, India found several ambiguities on the proposals that were on the table.</p>

<p>Some of the subsidies that certain countries give to their resource-poor fishermen were sought to be excluded.</p>

<p>Besides, definitions were not satisfactory and several areas where deeper consultations and greater degree of flexibility was required to ensure a fair and balanced agreement, were not possible in such a short period of time.</p>

<p>"By and large, the objectives with which we had come to Abu Dhabi are largely met and we go back fully satisfied," he said, adding, "our largest interest was to protect our farmers and our fishermen, both of which we are strongly doing and that is our offensive interest which we are actively pursuing." On further extension of the duty moratorium on e-commerce trade, the minister said that India was "not necessarily opposed" to it fully.</p>

<p>Since the members had not discussed the issues pertaining to the moratorium during the time between MC12 (happened at Geneva June 2022) and MC 13, such as its scope and its impact on different economies, "we believe that it's in the best interest that we continue this e-commerce moratorium", he said.</p>

<p>When asked about the effort of certain developed countries to push non-trader issues like investment facilitation agreement, environment and labour in the WTO, Goyal said India has been successful in making sure that such issues cannot become part of the WTO.</p>

<p>"Since investment is not part of the WTO and we did not allow to come in. Similarly an effort was made to bring industrial policy discussions, again an area that India believes is not a part of the original Marrakesh (Morocco) framework.</p>

<p>"So while the effort can be made to bring in non-trade issues, I think India has successfully made sure that no non-trade issue can be allowed to be brought before the WTO," he said.</p>


The outcome of the 13th ministerial conference of the WTO was "good" and India is "completely satisfied" as the country continues to retain its full policy space to protect the interests of farmers and fishermen in every respect, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said.

The outcome of the 13th ministerial conference of the WTO was "good" and India is "completely satisfied" as the country continues to retain its full policy space to protect the interests of farmers and fishermen in every respect, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said. He said that New Delhi's procurement of food grains for distribution among the poor continues uninterrupted and without any hindrance. "India continues to retain full policy space for the benefit of our farmers, our fishermen, and in every respect, we have been able to take India's interests to the highest level possible," the minister told reporters here after the five-day meeting of the trade ministers of 166-member World Trade Organisation (WTO). As the members were not able to reach consensus on key issues such as agriculture and fisheries subsidies, the talks that were scheduled to end on February 29 got extended for a day. The talks at the WTO's ministerial conference ended with no decision on issues such as finding a permanent solution to public food stockpile and on curbing fisheries subsidies, but the members agreed to further extend the moratorium on imposing import duties on e-commerce trade for two more years. The ministerial conference, the highest decision making body of the WTO, also managed to get more outcomes such as new disciplines on domestic regulation for services, formal joining of Comoros and Timor-Leste as members of the WTO, and least developing countries continuing to get the benefits of LDC even three years after graduation. India successfully pushed the food security issue and the country did not yield any ground on protecting the interest of poor farmers and fishermen as well as on other issues. Goyal said that "it's a good outcome and we are completely satisfied… A lot of issues continue to make progress in terms of discussions. "Generally through the MC13, progress was made on several contentious issues which had not been closed for many years. Forward movement is always a sign of a possible closure going forward," he said. He added that in the proposed fisheries subsidies agreement aimed to curb subsidies that lead to over capacity and over fishing, India found several ambiguities on the proposals that were on the table. Some of the subsidies that certain countries give to their resource-poor fishermen were sought to be excluded. Besides, definitions were not satisfactory and several areas where deeper consultations and greater degree of flexibility was required to ensure a fair and balanced agreement, were not possible in such a short period of time. "By and large, the objectives with which we had come to Abu Dhabi are largely met and we go back fully satisfied," he said, adding, "our largest interest was to protect our farmers and our fishermen, both of which we are strongly doing and that is our offensive interest which we are actively pursuing." On further extension of the duty moratorium on e-commerce trade, the minister said that India was "not necessarily opposed" to it fully. Since the members had not discussed the issues pertaining to the moratorium during the time between MC12 (happened at Geneva June 2022) and MC 13, such as its scope and its impact on different economies, "we believe that it's in the best interest that we continue this e-commerce moratorium", he said. When asked about the effort of certain developed countries to push non-trader issues like investment facilitation agreement, environment and labour in the WTO, Goyal said India has been successful in making sure that such issues cannot become part of the WTO. "Since investment is not part of the WTO and we did not allow to come in. Similarly an effort was made to bring industrial policy discussions, again an area that India believes is not a part of the original Marrakesh (Morocco) framework. "So while the effort can be made to bring in non-trade issues, I think India has successfully made sure that no non-trade issue can be allowed to be brought before the WTO," he said.

India retains full policy space for benefit of farmers, fishermen at WTO: Goyal

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<p>If the presidential elections in the United States (US) were held today, voters would favour&nbsp;Donald Trump over Joe Biden, a poll by The New York Times (NYT) and Siena College on Saturday (Mar 2) said. As per the poll, 43 per cent of the respondents supported Biden to be the president again while 48 per cent supported Trump for the top job. Ten per cent of the respondents were not sure or refused either of the two to become president.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The poll said that only one in four voters thought that the country was moving in the right direction. More than twice as many voters believed that Biden's policies have personally hurt them rather than helping the country.</p>

<p>Forty-seven per cent of the respondents strongly disapproved of Biden's handling of the&nbsp;job.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Trump is winning 97% of his 2020 voters</strong></h2>

<p>The poll further said that Trump was winning 97 per cent of voters who voted for him in the 2020 presidential election, while Biden was only winning 83 per cent of his 2020 voters. Ten per cent of voters who earlier voted for Biden in the previous elections said that they would back Trump this time.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-presidential-hopeful-donald-trump-wins-caucuses-in-missouri-and-idaho-696025">US presidential hopeful Trump wins caucuses in Missouri, Michigan, and Idaho</a></strong></p>

<p>Only 23 per cent of Democratic primary voters said they were enthusiastic about Biden — half the share of Republicans who said they were about Trump, the poll further revealed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>More Democrats said they were either dissatisfied or angry at Biden being the leader of the party (32 per cent) than Republicans who said the same about Trump (18 per cent).</p>

<h2><strong>Trump wins caucuses in three US states</strong></h2>

<p>The NYT, Siena College poll comes as Trump won Republican caucuses in Missouri, Michigan, and Idaho. This win made the 77-year-old former president inch closer in his quest to become the Republican Party's presidential nominee.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;US&nbsp;President Biden’s disapproval rating reaches new high, according to new poll</strong></p>

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<p>Trump has now won every state nominating contest heading into next week's "Super Tuesday," when voters in 15 US states choose their preferred candidate for each party.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


If the presidential elections in the United States (US) were held today, voters would favour Donald Trump over Joe Biden, a poll by The New York Times (NYT) and Siena College on Saturday (Mar 2) said.

If the presidential elections in the United States (US) were held today, voters would favour Donald Trump over Joe Biden, a poll by The New York Times (NYT) and Siena College on Saturday (Mar 2) said. As per the poll, 43 per cent of the respondents supported Biden to be the president again while 48 per cent supported Trump for the top job. Ten per cent of the respondents were not sure or refused either of the two to become president. The poll said that only one in four voters thought that the country was moving in the right direction. More than twice as many voters believed that Biden's policies have personally hurt them rather than helping the country. Forty-seven per cent of the respondents strongly disapproved of Biden's handling of the job. Trump is winning 97% of his 2020 voters The poll further said that Trump was winning 97 per cent of voters who voted for him in the 2020 presidential election, while Biden was only winning 83 per cent of his 2020 voters. Ten per cent of voters who earlier voted for Biden in the previous elections said that they would back Trump this time. Also read | US presidential hopeful Trump wins caucuses in Missouri, Michigan, and Idaho Only 23 per cent of Democratic primary voters said they were enthusiastic about Biden — half the share of Republicans who said they were about Trump, the poll further revealed. More Democrats said they were either dissatisfied or angry at Biden being the leader of the party (32 per cent) than Republicans who said the same about Trump (18 per cent). Trump wins caucuses in three US states The NYT, Siena College poll comes as Trump won Republican caucuses in Missouri, Michigan, and Idaho. This win made the 77-year-old former president inch closer in his quest to become the Republican Party's presidential nominee. Also watch | US President Biden’s disapproval rating reaches new high, according to new poll × Trump has now won every state nominating contest heading into next week's "Super Tuesday," when voters in 15 US states choose their preferred candidate for each party. (With inputs from agencies)

US presidential elections 2024: Poll shows Trump more favoured over Biden

Our universe is unimaginably massive. NASA says the universe is 13.7 billion years old. Till now, all the stars, planets, and galaxies that have been discovered make up just four per cent of the universe, and the rest 96 per cent is unknown.

The mysterious elements of our universe are referred to as dark energy and dark matter. Dark matter makes up most of the mass of galaxies and galaxy clusters and is responsible for the way galaxies are organised on grand scales. Dark energy, meanwhile, is the influence which drives the expansion of the universe.


In 2011, American science writer Richard Panek said, "The overwhelming majority of the universe is: who knows?" Panek pointed out that the universe would possibly be unknown forever.

As space exploration becomes more developed in the near future, it can massively help explore the unknowns in our universe. However, a complete understanding of dark matter and dark energy remains the current challenge. The day this happens, we can safely say that humans have explored everything in the universe.

How Much Do We Know About Space?

<p>United States (US) President Joe Biden on Friday (March 1) announced plans to carry out a first military airdrop of food and supplies into Gaza. Biden said the airdrop would take place in the coming days but offered no further specifics. His remarks come after over 100 Palestinians were killed during a confused incident in the Gaza Strip on Thursday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The lawyer of Donald Trump told a Georgia judge on Friday that Fulton County District Attorney (DA) Fani Willis, who charged the former US president with election interference in the state should be disqualified because she may have lied to the court about her undisclosed affair with the special prosecutor.</p>

<p>In other news from around the world, Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte signed a 10 year&nbsp;security deal with Ukraine in Kharkiv on Friday, becoming the seventh Western leader to sign a security agreement with the war-torn country.</p>

<p><strong>Click on the headlines to read more:</strong></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-start-airdrops-of-aid-into-gaza-in-days-ahead-biden-695710"><strong>US to start airdrops of aid into Gaza in days ahead: Biden</strong></a></p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/03/02/415655-wion-banners-prisha-2.jpg?imwidth=400" /></p>

<p>United States President Joe Biden on Friday (March 1) said that the country will start airdrops of humanitarian aid into Gaza in the days ahead.&nbsp;Speaking with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in an Oval Office meeting, he called the killing of more than 100 people in Gaza a "tragic and alarming event".</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/georgia-election-case-trump-lawyer-says-lead-prosecutor-should-be-disqualified-695708"><strong>Georgia election case: Trump lawyer says lead prosecutor should be disqualified</strong></a></p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/03/02/415654-untitled-design-1.png?imwidth=400" /></p>

<p>A lawyer for Donald Trump told a Georgia judge on Friday (March 1) that the lead prosecutor who charged the former United States president with election interference in the state should be disqualified because she may have lied to the court about her undisclosed affair with a special prosecutor, the news agency Reuters reported.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-war-in-rare-visit-to-kharkiv-netherlands-pm-signs-security-deal-with-kyiv-695728"><strong>Ukraine war: In rare visit to Kharkiv, Netherlands PM signs security deal with Kyiv</strong></a></p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/03/02/415664-untitled-design-3.png?imwidth=400" /></p>

<p>Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte signed a 10 year&nbsp;security deal with Ukraine in Kharkiv on Friday (March 1), becoming the seventh Western leader to sign a security agreement with the war-torn country. Canada, Italy, the United Kingdom (UK), Germany, France, and Denmark have signed bilateral security deals with Ukraine over the past two months.</p>

<p><a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/lok-sabha-elections-2024-pm-modi-to-continue-his-west-bengal-tour-launch-projects-in-bihar-695719"><strong>Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Live: PM Modi to continue his West Bengal tour, launch projects in Bihar</strong></a></p>

<p><img src="http://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/03/02/415665-untitled-design-1.jpg" /></p>

<p>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on the second day of his West Bengal tour. He will also visit Bihar's Aurangabad and Begusarai, where he will lay the foundation of several development projects.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Indonesians call for President Widodo's impeachment</strong></p>

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United States (US) President Joe Biden on Friday (March 1) announced plans to carry out a first military airdrop of food and supplies into Gaza. Biden said the airdrop would take place in the coming days but offered no further specifics.

United States (US) President Joe Biden on Friday (March 1) announced plans to carry out a first military airdrop of food and supplies into Gaza. Biden said the airdrop would take place in the coming days but offered no further specifics. His remarks come after over 100 Palestinians were killed during a confused incident in the Gaza Strip on Thursday. The lawyer of Donald Trump told a Georgia judge on Friday that Fulton County District Attorney (DA) Fani Willis, who charged the former US president with election interference in the state should be disqualified because she may have lied to the court about her undisclosed affair with the special prosecutor. In other news from around the world, Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte signed a 10 year security deal with Ukraine in Kharkiv on Friday, becoming the seventh Western leader to sign a security agreement with the war-torn country. Click on the headlines to read more: US to start airdrops of aid into Gaza in days ahead: Biden United States President Joe Biden on Friday (March 1) said that the country will start airdrops of humanitarian aid into Gaza in the days ahead. Speaking with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in an Oval Office meeting, he called the killing of more than 100 people in Gaza a "tragic and alarming event". Georgia election case: Trump lawyer says lead prosecutor should be disqualified A lawyer for Donald Trump told a Georgia judge on Friday (March 1) that the lead prosecutor who charged the former United States president with election interference in the state should be disqualified because she may have lied to the court about her undisclosed affair with a special prosecutor, the news agency Reuters reported. Ukraine war: In rare visit to Kharkiv, Netherlands PM signs security deal with Kyiv Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte signed a 10 year security deal with Ukraine in Kharkiv on Friday (March 1), becoming the seventh Western leader to sign a security agreement with the war-torn country. Canada, Italy, the United Kingdom (UK), Germany, France, and Denmark have signed bilateral security deals with Ukraine over the past two months. Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Live: PM Modi to continue his West Bengal tour, launch projects in Bihar Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on the second day of his West Bengal tour. He will also visit Bihar's Aurangabad and Begusarai, where he will lay the foundation of several development projects. Watch | Indonesians call for President Widodo's impeachment ×

Morning brief: US to airdrop aid into Gaza; Trump election case updates, and more

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<p>Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte signed a 10 year security deal with Ukraine in Kharkiv on Friday (March 1), becoming the seventh Western leader to sign a security agreement with the war-torn country. Canada, Italy, the United Kingdom (UK), Germany, France, and Denmark have signed bilateral security deals with Ukraine over the past two months.</p>

<p>According to a report by the news agency Reuters, Prime Minister Rutte told reporters that his government would contribute to the Czech Republic's initiative to purchase 800,000 artillery shells.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-ukraine-discusses-security-deals-with-allies-as-war-enters-third-year-what-are-they-693703">Explained: Ukraine discusses security deals with allies as war enters third year. What are they?</a></strong></p>

<p>In February, the Czech Republic said it had sourced 500,000 rounds of 155 mm shells and 300,000 122 mm rounds from other&nbsp;countries, which could be delivered to Ukraine in weeks if funding was secured. Rutte told reporters that the Netherlands would donate $162 million (150 million euros) to the Czech initiative, taking the total to $271 million.</p>

<h2><strong>The security deal with Ukraine</strong></h2>

<p>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that the Netherlands' security deal with Ukraine included $2.2 billion in military aid from Amsterdam this year as well as other defence assistance over the next 10 years.</p>

<p>"Today, Mark Rutte and I signed a bilateral security agreement between Ukraine and the Netherlands," Zelensky said in a post on social media.</p>

<h2><strong>A rare visit to Kharkiv</strong></h2>

<p>Rutte's visit to Kharkiv was a rare one by a senior Western leader as the city is regularly attacked by Russian air strikes and is much closer to the Russian border than Kyiv, Reuters reported.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine War: Ukrainian town of Orikhiv turns into ruins</strong></p>

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<p>Rutte and Zelensky visited an underground classroom established to allow students to attend offline classes safe from missile strikes. The Dutch prime minister praised the courage and determination of the children and teachers as "a true beacon of hope that inspires Ukrainians to keep fighting and allies to keep supporting Ukraine."</p>

<p>"The task facing Ukrainian allies is clear – do whatever you can to provide what is needed, [for] as long as it takes," he added.</p>

<p>In a statement on Telegram, Zelensky said that over 20,000 buildings including schools, churches and residential complexes had been destroyed in Kharkiv in the last two years.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte signed a 10 year security deal with Ukraine in Kharkiv on Friday (March 1), becoming the seventh Western leader to sign a security agreement with the war-torn country.

Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte signed a 10 year security deal with Ukraine in Kharkiv on Friday (March 1), becoming the seventh Western leader to sign a security agreement with the war-torn country. Canada, Italy, the United Kingdom (UK), Germany, France, and Denmark have signed bilateral security deals with Ukraine over the past two months. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, Prime Minister Rutte told reporters that his government would contribute to the Czech Republic's initiative to purchase 800,000 artillery shells. Also read | Explained: Ukraine discusses security deals with allies as war enters third year. What are they? In February, the Czech Republic said it had sourced 500,000 rounds of 155 mm shells and 300,000 122 mm rounds from other countries, which could be delivered to Ukraine in weeks if funding was secured. Rutte told reporters that the Netherlands would donate $162 million (150 million euros) to the Czech initiative, taking the total to $271 million. The security deal with Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that the Netherlands' security deal with Ukraine included $2.2 billion in military aid from Amsterdam this year as well as other defence assistance over the next 10 years. "Today, Mark Rutte and I signed a bilateral security agreement between Ukraine and the Netherlands," Zelensky said in a post on social media. A rare visit to Kharkiv Rutte's visit to Kharkiv was a rare one by a senior Western leader as the city is regularly attacked by Russian air strikes and is much closer to the Russian border than Kyiv, Reuters reported. Also watch | Russia-Ukraine War: Ukrainian town of Orikhiv turns into ruins × Rutte and Zelensky visited an underground classroom established to allow students to attend offline classes safe from missile strikes. The Dutch prime minister praised the courage and determination of the children and teachers as "a true beacon of hope that inspires Ukrainians to keep fighting and allies to keep supporting Ukraine." "The task facing Ukrainian allies is clear – do whatever you can to provide what is needed, [for] as long as it takes," he added. In a statement on Telegram, Zelensky said that over 20,000 buildings including schools, churches and residential complexes had been destroyed in Kharkiv in the last two years. (With inputs from agencies)

Ukraine war: In rare visit to Kharkiv, Netherlands PM signs security deal with Kyiv

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<p>United States President Joe Biden said on Friday (March 1) that he was hoping there would be a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas by Ramadan as the&nbsp;conflict in the Gaza Strip intensified. "I'm hoping so, we're still working real hard on it. We're not there yet," President Biden told reporters at the White House when asked if he expected a deal by Ramadan, which will start on March 10 or 11.</p>

<p>"We'll get there but we're not there yet -- we may not get there," Biden said. The war has been going on for nearly five months and international pressure is&nbsp;mounting for a ceasefire in Gaza. Hamas is weighing a proposal, agreed by Israel at talks with mediators in Paris last week, for a 40-day ceasefire, which would be the first extended truce of the conflict.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Speaking to the news agency Reuters, a source said the Paris proposal would see militants free some but not all of the hostages in return for Israel's release of hundreds of Palestinian detainees, a surge in humanitarian aid for Gaza, and Israeli troops pulling out of populated areas in the enclave.</p>

<h2><strong>US to airdrop food and supplies into Gaza: Biden</strong></h2>

<p>On Friday, President Biden announced plans to carry out a first military airdrop of food and supplies into Gaza. Biden said the airdrop would take place in the coming days but offered no further specifics. "We need to do more and the United States will do more," he told reporters, adding that aid "flowing to Gaza is nowhere nearly enough."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-says-firing-on-gazans-seeking-food-aid-to-complicate-ceasefire-talks-attack-garners-intl-criticism-695305">Biden says Israeli firing on Gazans that left dozens dead will ‘complicate’ ceasefire talks</a></strong></p>

<p>Meanwhile, White House spokesperson John Kirby said that Washington was going to redouble efforts to open up a maritime corridor into Gaza to bring "hopefully large amounts" of humanitarian aid by sea.</p>

<p>"Matter of fact, as the president just announced, the United States will carry out airdrops of aid into Gaza in coordination with our international partners, particularly Jordan, in the coming days. We're also going to redouble our efforts to open up a humanitarian maritime corridor to deliver amounts of humanitarian assistance by sea, hopefully, large amounts by sea," Kirby told reporters.</p>

<h2><strong>World leaders call for probe into Gaza aid deaths</strong></h2>

<p>World leaders on Friday called for an investigation into the deaths of Palestinians during a confused incident in the Gaza Strip on Thursday. According to Palestinian authorities, Israeli forces killed more than 100 people trying to reach a relief convoy near Gaza City early on Thursday.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Israeli prisoner cut off communication for Palestinians</strong></p>

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<p>Israel blamed most of the deaths on crowds that swarmed around aid trucks, saying victims had been trampled or run over. An Israeli official also said troops had "in a limited response" later fired on crowds they felt had posed a threat.</p>

<p>The health ministry in Gaza said that 115 people were killed and more than 750 wounded in the incident. Earlier, Biden said that Thursday's incident would complicate ceasefire talks.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


United States President Joe Biden said on Friday (March 1) that he was hoping there would be a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas by Ramadan as the conflict in the Gaza Strip intensified.

United States President Joe Biden said on Friday (March 1) that he was hoping there would be a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas by Ramadan as the conflict in the Gaza Strip intensified. "I'm hoping so, we're still working real hard on it. We're not there yet," President Biden told reporters at the White House when asked if he expected a deal by Ramadan, which will start on March 10 or 11. "We'll get there but we're not there yet -- we may not get there," Biden said. The war has been going on for nearly five months and international pressure is mounting for a ceasefire in Gaza. Hamas is weighing a proposal, agreed by Israel at talks with mediators in Paris last week, for a 40-day ceasefire, which would be the first extended truce of the conflict. Speaking to the news agency Reuters, a source said the Paris proposal would see militants free some but not all of the hostages in return for Israel's release of hundreds of Palestinian detainees, a surge in humanitarian aid for Gaza, and Israeli troops pulling out of populated areas in the enclave. US to airdrop food and supplies into Gaza: Biden On Friday, President Biden announced plans to carry out a first military airdrop of food and supplies into Gaza. Biden said the airdrop would take place in the coming days but offered no further specifics. "We need to do more and the United States will do more," he told reporters, adding that aid "flowing to Gaza is nowhere nearly enough." Also read | Biden says Israeli firing on Gazans that left dozens dead will ‘complicate’ ceasefire talks Meanwhile, White House spokesperson John Kirby said that Washington was going to redouble efforts to open up a maritime corridor into Gaza to bring "hopefully large amounts" of humanitarian aid by sea. "Matter of fact, as the president just announced, the United States will carry out airdrops of aid into Gaza in coordination with our international partners, particularly Jordan, in the coming days. We're also going to redouble our efforts to open up a humanitarian maritime corridor to deliver amounts of humanitarian assistance by sea, hopefully, large amounts by sea," Kirby told reporters. World leaders call for probe into Gaza aid deaths World leaders on Friday called for an investigation into the deaths of Palestinians during a confused incident in the Gaza Strip on Thursday. According to Palestinian authorities, Israeli forces killed more than 100 people trying to reach a relief convoy near Gaza City early on Thursday. Also watch | Israeli prisoner cut off communication for Palestinians × Israel blamed most of the deaths on crowds that swarmed around aid trucks, saying victims had been trampled or run over. An Israeli official also said troops had "in a limited response" later fired on crowds they felt had posed a threat. The health ministry in Gaza said that 115 people were killed and more than 750 wounded in the incident. Earlier, Biden said that Thursday's incident would complicate ceasefire talks. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel-Hamas war: Hoping for Gaza ceasefire deal by Ramadan, says Biden

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<p>An Indian classical dancer was shot dead in St. Louis, in the US state of Missouri. The victim was identified as Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi dancer Amarnath Ghosh. In a post on X, Ghosh's friend and an Indian television actor Devoleena Bhattacharjee said on Friday (March 1) that he was killed on Tuesday evening. Bhattacharjee said Ghosh was the only child of his parents, adding his mother passed away three years ago and his father died during his childhood.</p>

<p>"Well the reason, accused details everything are not revealed yet, or perhaps no one left in his family to fight for it except his few friends. He was from Kolkata. Excellent dancer, was pursuing a PhD, was taking an evening walk and suddenly he was shot multiple times by an unknown," she added.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">My friend <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Amarnathghosh?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Amarnathghosh</a> was shot &amp; killed in St louis academy neigbourhood, US on tuesday evening.<br />
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Only child in the family, mother died 3 years back. Father passed away during his childhood.<br />
<br />
Well the reason , accused details everything are not revealed yet or perhaps no one…</p>
— Devoleena Bhattacharjee (@Devoleena_23) <a href="https://twitter.com/Devoleena_23/status/1763471100657160355?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Bhattacharjee requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister S Jaishankar to intervene in the case.</p>

<h2><strong>Who was Amarnath Ghosh?</strong></h2>

<p>According to <strong><a href="https://amarnathendra.com/about/">Ghosh's website</a></strong>, he was an art educator from Chennai and had his upbringing in Kolkata. Ghosh was an alumnus of the Kalakshetra College of Fine Arts and Kuchupudi Art Academy Chennai and was pursuing a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) at Washington University in St. Louis.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bhattacharjee also said on Friday that some friends in the US were trying to claim his body but there was no update about this.</p>

<h2><strong>'Following up with investigation'</strong></h2>

<p>The Consulate General of India in Chicago expressed condolences to Ghosh's family and friends. In a post on X, the consulate general said that it was following up on the forensic, investigation with police and providing support.&nbsp;</p>


An Indian classical dancer was shot dead in St. Louis, in the US state of Missouri. The victim was identified as Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi dancer Amarnath Ghosh.

An Indian classical dancer was shot dead in St. Louis, in the US state of Missouri. The victim was identified as Bharatnatyam and Kuchipudi dancer Amarnath Ghosh. In a post on X, Ghosh's friend and an Indian television actor Devoleena Bhattacharjee said on Friday (March 1) that he was killed on Tuesday evening. Bhattacharjee said Ghosh was the only child of his parents, adding his mother passed away three years ago and his father died during his childhood. "Well the reason, accused details everything are not revealed yet, or perhaps no one left in his family to fight for it except his few friends. He was from Kolkata. Excellent dancer, was pursuing a PhD, was taking an evening walk and suddenly he was shot multiple times by an unknown," she added. My friend #Amarnathghosh was shot & killed in St louis academy neigbourhood, US on tuesday evening. Only child in the family, mother died 3 years back. Father passed away during his childhood. Well the reason , accused details everything are not revealed yet or perhaps no one… — Devoleena Bhattacharjee (@Devoleena_23) March 1, 2024 × Bhattacharjee requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister S Jaishankar to intervene in the case. Who was Amarnath Ghosh? According to Ghosh's website, he was an art educator from Chennai and had his upbringing in Kolkata. Ghosh was an alumnus of the Kalakshetra College of Fine Arts and Kuchupudi Art Academy Chennai and was pursuing a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) at Washington University in St. Louis. Bhattacharjee also said on Friday that some friends in the US were trying to claim his body but there was no update about this. 'Following up with investigation' The Consulate General of India in Chicago expressed condolences to Ghosh's family and friends. In a post on X, the consulate general said that it was following up on the forensic, investigation with police and providing support.

Indian classical dancer Amarnath Ghosh shot dead in US, actor friend seeks New Delhi's help

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<p>A lawyer for Donald Trump told a Georgia judge on Friday (March 1) that the lead prosecutor who charged the former United States president with election interference in the state should be disqualified because she may have lied to the court about her undisclosed affair with a special prosecutor, the news agency Reuters reported.</p>

<p>During a court hearing in Fulton County, Trump's lawyer Steve Sadow said that Fulton County District Attorney (DA) Fani Willis’ claim under oath that her relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade did not begin until after she hired him was not credible.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-fulton-county-case-explosive-moments-from-fani-willis-fiery-testimony-690811">Trump Fulton County case: Explosive moments from Fani Willis' fiery testimony</a></strong></p>

<p>“Now, do you have to find that Wade and Willis lied? No. What you need to be able to find is that there is a concern - a legitimate concern - based on the evidence, in this case, about their truthfulness. A legitimate concern about the truthfulness, which equates to an appearance of impropriety. Because once you have the appearance of impropriety under forensic misconduct, the law in Georgia is clear. That's enough, to disqualify,” Sadow told Judge Scott McAfee</p>

<p>“Once you have the appearance of impropriety ... the law in Georgia is clear: That's enough to disqualify," he added.</p>

<h2><strong>The case</strong></h2>

<p>The case is related to Trump and 18 others indicted to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential elections in Georgia. A nearly 100-page indictment detailed dozens of acts by Trump or his allies to undo his defeat, including beseeching Georgia’s Republican secretary of state to find enough votes for him to win the battleground state; harassing an election worker who faced false claims of fraud; and attempting to persuade Georgia lawmakers to ignore the will of voters and appoint a new slate of electoral college electors favourable to Trump.</p>

<p>“The indictment alleges that rather than abide by Georgia’s legal process for election challenges, the defendants engaged in a criminal racketeering enterprise to overturn Georgia’s presidential election result,” Fulton County DA Willis said in August last year.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Donald Trump's Georgia trial could drag on till 2025</strong></p>

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<p>The case's focus apart from indicting Trump and others shifted to Willis' relationship with special prosecutor Wade and its impact on the&nbsp;relationship on the case. In a 127-page filing, Trump co-defendant Michael Roman sought Willis' disqualification over her "improper, clandestine personal relationship" with Wade.</p>

<p>Roman alleged a romantic relationship between Willis and Wade and said that the Fulton DA contracted Wade without the required approval by Washington.</p>

<h2><strong>'No evidence that DA benefitted financially'</strong></h2>

<p>Countering Sadow's remarks in court, Prosecutor Adam Abbate said that three days of evidentiary hearings yielded "zero evidence" showing how Willis' relationship harmed the defendants' constitutional rights to due process.</p>

<p>“For all the reasons, obviously stated before, Your Honor, that this motion should be...not be....should be denied because the legal requirements by, that are required in order for the district attorney to be disqualified have not been satisfied, the defendants have failed to raise any issue, legally or factually, to satisfy the legal standard for, disqualification," Abbate told Judge McAfee.</p>

<p>"They must show an actual conflict. They've been unable to show that the prosecution of this case was at all a result of political bias, which has been, accused, or accusations have made, as well as demonstrated that the prosecution of this case was motivated by any means or any way because of malicious prosecution, and they haven't been able to prove that this case was one of selective prosecution for political benefit or gain," he added and requested the judge to deny defence counsel's motion to disqualify Willis.</p>

<p>Judge McAfee, meanwhile, said that several legal issues had to be sorted, and "several factual determinations that I have to make, and those aren't ones I can make at this moment."</p>

<p>"And so I will be taking, at the time to make sure that I give this case full consideration its due, I hope to have an answer for everyone within the next two weeks,” he said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A lawyer for Donald Trump told a Georgia judge on Friday (March 1) that the lead prosecutor who charged the former United States president with election interference in the state should be disqualified because she may have lied to the court about her undisclosed affair with a special prosecutor, the news agency Reuters reported.

A lawyer for Donald Trump told a Georgia judge on Friday (March 1) that the lead prosecutor who charged the former United States president with election interference in the state should be disqualified because she may have lied to the court about her undisclosed affair with a special prosecutor, the news agency Reuters reported. During a court hearing in Fulton County, Trump's lawyer Steve Sadow said that Fulton County District Attorney (DA) Fani Willis’ claim under oath that her relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade did not begin until after she hired him was not credible. Also read | Trump Fulton County case: Explosive moments from Fani Willis' fiery testimony “Now, do you have to find that Wade and Willis lied? No. What you need to be able to find is that there is a concern - a legitimate concern - based on the evidence, in this case, about their truthfulness. A legitimate concern about the truthfulness, which equates to an appearance of impropriety. Because once you have the appearance of impropriety under forensic misconduct, the law in Georgia is clear. That's enough, to disqualify,” Sadow told Judge Scott McAfee “Once you have the appearance of impropriety ... the law in Georgia is clear: That's enough to disqualify," he added. The case The case is related to Trump and 18 others indicted to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential elections in Georgia. A nearly 100-page indictment detailed dozens of acts by Trump or his allies to undo his defeat, including beseeching Georgia’s Republican secretary of state to find enough votes for him to win the battleground state; harassing an election worker who faced false claims of fraud; and attempting to persuade Georgia lawmakers to ignore the will of voters and appoint a new slate of electoral college electors favourable to Trump. “The indictment alleges that rather than abide by Georgia’s legal process for election challenges, the defendants engaged in a criminal racketeering enterprise to overturn Georgia’s presidential election result,” Fulton County DA Willis said in August last year. Also watch | Donald Trump's Georgia trial could drag on till 2025 × The case's focus apart from indicting Trump and others shifted to Willis' relationship with special prosecutor Wade and its impact on the relationship on the case. In a 127-page filing, Trump co-defendant Michael Roman sought Willis' disqualification over her "improper, clandestine personal relationship" with Wade. Roman alleged a romantic relationship between Willis and Wade and said that the Fulton DA contracted Wade without the required approval by Washington. 'No evidence that DA benefitted financially' Countering Sadow's remarks in court, Prosecutor Adam Abbate said that three days of evidentiary hearings yielded "zero evidence" showing how Willis' relationship harmed the defendants' constitutional rights to due process. “For all the reasons, obviously stated before, Your Honor, that this motion should be...not be....should be denied because the legal requirements by, that are required in order for the district attorney to be disqualified have not been satisfied, the defendants have failed to raise any issue, legally or factually, to satisfy the legal standard for, disqualification," Abbate told Judge McAfee. "They must show an actual conflict. They've been unable to show that the prosecution of this case was at all a result of political bias, which has been, accused, or accusations have made, as well as demonstrated that the prosecution of this case was motivated by any means or any way because of malicious prosecution, and they haven't been able to prove that this case was one of selective prosecution for political benefit or gain," he added and requested the judge to deny defence counsel's motion to disqualify Willis. Judge McAfee, meanwhile, said that several legal issues had to be sorted, and "several factual determinations that I have to make, and those aren't ones I can make at this moment." "And so I will be taking, at the time to make sure that I give this case full consideration its due, I hope to have an answer for everyone within the next two weeks,” he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Georgia election case: Trump lawyer says lead prosecutor should be disqualified

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<p>Three people have been arrested in connection with the fire at a shopping mall in Bangladesh's Dhaka that killed 46 people, the news agency PTI reported on Saturday (Mar 2). The fire started late Thursday in a restaurant called "Kacchi Bhai" on the first floor of the Green Cozy Cottage Shopping Mall. The fire then quickly spread to the upper floors of the building. Over a dozen firefighting units were deployed to douse the blaze.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per the report, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner Kh Mahid Uddin said on Friday that the manager of Kacchi Bhai restaurant and two owners of another eatery called Chumuk were arrested. "The police will file a case over negligence in connection with the deaths in the fire incident," Uddin said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the building had no fire exits. Speaking at an event in the capital city, Prime Minister Hasina said, "What could be more painful than this?"&nbsp;</p>

<p>“We always request our architects, at least when they design homes or buildings, (to) keep a small open balcony, a fire exit, or ventilation. But architects ... will not design that properly and also the owners do not want to leave an inch of space,” Hasina said.</p>

<p>The prime minister expressed her shock at the loss of lives and said that it was a result of negligence.</p>

<h2><strong>41 victims identified</strong></h2>

<p>Bacchu Mia, who is in charge of a police outpost at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, told the news agency Associated Press that 41 of the total victims were identified and 38 of the bodies were handed to their families.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Bangladesh mall fire: More than 45 killed, investigation launched</strong></p>

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<p>The Associated Press report said firefighters rescued survivors and pulled out bodies. Earlier, at least 43 people were confirmed dead. Health Minister Samanta Lal Sen said that three injured people died later, adding the death toll could rise as at least a dozen critically injured people were being treated in two state-run hospitals.</p>

<p>Mohammed Siam, one of the survivors, told the news agency that people escaped by heading to the building’s roof. "I knew about the fire when it was on the first floor. We moved to the roof of the building. Around 30 people were there. After the fire was under control, fire service personnel broke into one side of the roof and rescued us," Siam said.</p>

<p>The death toll included students, teachers, two journalists, and five members of a family.</p>

<h2><strong>Cause of the fire not yet determined</strong></h2>

<p>The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. However, the fire service department said the building owner was served at least three times with notice to correct the building’s fire extinguishing system.</p>

<p>According to the Capital Development Authority (the official regulator), the building was not permitted to open restaurants but it had at least eight food shops.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Three people have been arrested in connection with the fire at a shopping mall in Bangladesh's Dhaka that killed 46 people, the news agency PTI reported on Saturday (Mar 2).

Three people have been arrested in connection with the fire at a shopping mall in Bangladesh's Dhaka that killed 46 people, the news agency PTI reported on Saturday (Mar 2). The fire started late Thursday in a restaurant called "Kacchi Bhai" on the first floor of the Green Cozy Cottage Shopping Mall. The fire then quickly spread to the upper floors of the building. Over a dozen firefighting units were deployed to douse the blaze. As per the report, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner Kh Mahid Uddin said on Friday that the manager of Kacchi Bhai restaurant and two owners of another eatery called Chumuk were arrested. "The police will file a case over negligence in connection with the deaths in the fire incident," Uddin said. Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the building had no fire exits. Speaking at an event in the capital city, Prime Minister Hasina said, "What could be more painful than this?" “We always request our architects, at least when they design homes or buildings, (to) keep a small open balcony, a fire exit, or ventilation. But architects ... will not design that properly and also the owners do not want to leave an inch of space,” Hasina said. The prime minister expressed her shock at the loss of lives and said that it was a result of negligence. 41 victims identified Bacchu Mia, who is in charge of a police outpost at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, told the news agency Associated Press that 41 of the total victims were identified and 38 of the bodies were handed to their families. Also watch | Bangladesh mall fire: More than 45 killed, investigation launched × The Associated Press report said firefighters rescued survivors and pulled out bodies. Earlier, at least 43 people were confirmed dead. Health Minister Samanta Lal Sen said that three injured people died later, adding the death toll could rise as at least a dozen critically injured people were being treated in two state-run hospitals. Mohammed Siam, one of the survivors, told the news agency that people escaped by heading to the building’s roof. "I knew about the fire when it was on the first floor. We moved to the roof of the building. Around 30 people were there. After the fire was under control, fire service personnel broke into one side of the roof and rescued us," Siam said. The death toll included students, teachers, two journalists, and five members of a family. Cause of the fire not yet determined The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. However, the fire service department said the building owner was served at least three times with notice to correct the building’s fire extinguishing system. According to the Capital Development Authority (the official regulator), the building was not permitted to open restaurants but it had at least eight food shops. (With inputs from agencies)

Bangladesh mall fire: Three people arrested, PM Hasina says building had no fire exits

<p>Terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba's (LeT) intelligence chief Azam Cheema&nbsp;died of a heart attack in Pakistan's Faisalabad city, media reports said on Saturday (March 2). Cheema, 70, was a key conspirator of the 26/11 terror attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai in 2008. According to a report by the media outlet India Today, Cheema's funeral was held in Faisalabad's Malkhanwala.</p>

<p>He was also involved in the 2006 train bombings in Mumbai. Cheema was wanted by the United States for allegedly training terrorists who carried out the 26/11 attacks which killed 166 people and injured more than 300 others.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-formally-requests-2611-mumbai-attacks-mastermind-hafiz-saeeds-extradition-from-pakistan-674752">India formally requests 26/11 Mumbai attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed's extradition from Pakistan</a></strong></p>

<p>In 2010, the US Treasury Department targeted the financial networks of LeT and took action against Cheema. A statement by the department said that Cheema had been involved in LeT's training activities, specifically training operatives in bomb-making and skills needed to infiltrate into India.</p>

<p>The news of his death comes just months after a LeT commander was killed by unidentified men in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in November last year. There have been mysterious killings of several operatives of the terrorist outfit in recent months.</p>

<p>In September 2023, Muhammad Riaz, also known as Abu Qasim Kashmiri, was shot dead by an unknown person at a mosque in Rawalakot, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). A report by the news agency Reuters said that Riaz was known to be associated with the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), a charity organisation linked with the LeT.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pakistan has accused Indian agencies of being behind the killings of many operatives, a charge that has been denied by New Delhi, a report by The Times of India (TOI) said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In 2022, Pakistan accused India of orchestrating a bombing in 2021 near the residence of LeT co-founder Hafiz Saeed. This charge was also denied by New Delhi.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba's (LeT) intelligence chief Azam Cheema died of a heart attack in Pakistan's Faisalabad city, media reports said on Saturday (March 2).

Terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba's (LeT) intelligence chief Azam Cheema died of a heart attack in Pakistan's Faisalabad city, media reports said on Saturday (March 2). Cheema, 70, was a key conspirator of the 26/11 terror attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai in 2008. According to a report by the media outlet India Today, Cheema's funeral was held in Faisalabad's Malkhanwala. He was also involved in the 2006 train bombings in Mumbai. Cheema was wanted by the United States for allegedly training terrorists who carried out the 26/11 attacks which killed 166 people and injured more than 300 others. Also read | India formally requests 26/11 Mumbai attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed's extradition from Pakistan In 2010, the US Treasury Department targeted the financial networks of LeT and took action against Cheema. A statement by the department said that Cheema had been involved in LeT's training activities, specifically training operatives in bomb-making and skills needed to infiltrate into India. The news of his death comes just months after a LeT commander was killed by unidentified men in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in November last year. There have been mysterious killings of several operatives of the terrorist outfit in recent months. In September 2023, Muhammad Riaz, also known as Abu Qasim Kashmiri, was shot dead by an unknown person at a mosque in Rawalakot, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). A report by the news agency Reuters said that Riaz was known to be associated with the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), a charity organisation linked with the LeT. Pakistan has accused Indian agencies of being behind the killings of many operatives, a charge that has been denied by New Delhi, a report by The Times of India (TOI) said. In 2022, Pakistan accused India of orchestrating a bombing in 2021 near the residence of LeT co-founder Hafiz Saeed. This charge was also denied by New Delhi. (With inputs from agencies)

LeT's Azam Cheema, key conspirator of 26/11 Mumbai attacks, dies in Pakistan: Reports

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