<p>Sri Lankan workers went on strike on March 1, forcing the closure of hospitals, banks and ports. The workers went on strike to defy a government ban on protesting a rescue plan for the island nation facing severe economic crisis.&nbsp;Around 40 trade unions, including government hospital staff and bank employees, called the strikes.</p>

<p>Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe is facing a public backlash over&nbsp;tax hikes and spending cuts imposed over island nation's citizens. Most of these steps have been taken to secure an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout.</p>

<p>Doctors at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka in Colombo told AFP that they were only treating the emergency cases. Medical appointments were cancelled at private clinics and hospitals. Electricity workers and bank tellers too were also on strike while dock workers staged lunchtime protests at the capital's port.</p>

<h2><strong>Sri Lanka's decision to outlaw strikes</strong></h2>

<p>Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, while using his executive powers on Tuesday, effectively outlawed strikes&nbsp;by compelling "essential services" to remain at work. The government workers defying the order risk&nbsp;losing their jobs.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/exclusive-india-supported-us-without-conditions-says-sri-lankan-high-commissioner-milinda-moragoda-558813">Exclusive: India supported us without conditions, says Sri Lankan High Commissioner Milinda Moragoda</a></strong></p>

<p>Union leaders were quoted as saying by AFP that&nbsp;they were told by Wickremesinghe on Saturday that he cannot reduce income taxes since it was a condition of the IMF to release a bailout package.</p>

<p>Haritha Aluthge of the Government Medical Officers' Association told reporters in Colombo that his union planned to continue its industrial action.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Sri Lanka battles its worst economic crisis in 70 years</strong></p>

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<p>"A token one-day protest is not going to sway the authorities," he said. "We will have to take stronger action."</p>

<p>In April 2020, Sri Lanka sought assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after it defaulted on its $46 billion foreign debt. Colombo is waiting for financial assurances from Beijing, its largest bilateral creditor.</p>

<p>Sri Lanka's unprecedented economic crisis since late 2021 has caused severe shortages of food, fuel and medicines and led to months of protests that toppled president Gotabaya Rajapaksa in July.</p>

<p>Ranil Wickremesinghe was elected by parliament to replace Rajapaksa. The current president recently said that Sri Lanka's economy contracted by 11 per cent last year and the island will remain bankrupt until at least 2026.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Sri Lankan workers went on strike on March 1, forcing the closure of hospitals, banks and ports. The workers went on strike to defy a government ban on protesting a rescue plan for the island nation facing severe economic crisis.

Sri Lankan workers went on strike on March 1, forcing the closure of hospitals, banks and ports. The workers went on strike to defy a government ban on protesting a rescue plan for the island nation facing severe economic crisis. Around 40 trade unions, including government hospital staff and bank employees, called the strikes. Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe is facing a public backlash over tax hikes and spending cuts imposed over island nation's citizens. Most of these steps have been taken to secure an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout. Doctors at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka in Colombo told AFP that they were only treating the emergency cases. Medical appointments were cancelled at private clinics and hospitals. Electricity workers and bank tellers too were also on strike while dock workers staged lunchtime protests at the capital's port. Sri Lanka's decision to outlaw strikes Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, while using his executive powers on Tuesday, effectively outlawed strikes by compelling "essential services" to remain at work. The government workers defying the order risk losing their jobs. ALSO READ | Exclusive: India supported us without conditions, says Sri Lankan High Commissioner Milinda Moragoda Union leaders were quoted as saying by AFP that they were told by Wickremesinghe on Saturday that he cannot reduce income taxes since it was a condition of the IMF to release a bailout package. Haritha Aluthge of the Government Medical Officers' Association told reporters in Colombo that his union planned to continue its industrial action. ALSO WATCH | Sri Lanka battles its worst economic crisis in 70 years × "A token one-day protest is not going to sway the authorities," he said. "We will have to take stronger action." In April 2020, Sri Lanka sought assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after it defaulted on its $46 billion foreign debt. Colombo is waiting for financial assurances from Beijing, its largest bilateral creditor. Sri Lanka's unprecedented economic crisis since late 2021 has caused severe shortages of food, fuel and medicines and led to months of protests that toppled president Gotabaya Rajapaksa in July. Ranil Wickremesinghe was elected by parliament to replace Rajapaksa. The current president recently said that Sri Lanka's economy contracted by 11 per cent last year and the island will remain bankrupt until at least 2026. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sri Lankans protest against President Wickeremesinghe's ban on strikes

<p>A number of countries cut off public access to internet service, partially or completely, to deal with political upheaval in 2022. It reportedly caused "incalculable and persistent damage to people's lives," with 187 shutdowns in 2022.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The research by internet rights group Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition reported 187 shutdowns in 2022&nbsp;in 35 countries – the highest number in a single year since the groups began documenting internet blackouts in 2016. A majority of the shutdowns were triggered by protests, civil unrest, and human rights violations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India had at least 84 internet shutdowns in 2022, the most by any country. In India, most internet shutdowns took place in&nbsp;Jammu and Kashmir, according to the report.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;India restores high-speed 4G internet services in the entire Jammu and Kashmir</strong></p>

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<p>Other countries with a significant number of internet shutdowns included Iran (18), Myanmar (7), and Ukraine (22).</p>

<p>In Ukraine, the use of missile strikes by the Russian military and cyber attacks were cited as the reasons behind internet shutdowns.</p>

<h2><strong>Ethiopia's Tigray region had the longest internet shutdown</strong></h2>

<p>The internet shutdown in Ethiopia's Tigray region has been the longest shutdown ever, lasting over two years. This coincided with allegations of killings, rape, and ethnic cleansing. The mobile internet in Tigray was restored after a ceasefire was signed in November last year.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-and-elon-musk-in-talks-to-provide-starlink-services-in-iran-report-527554">White House and Elon Musk in talks to provide Starlink services in Iran</a></strong></p>

<p>"Governments wield internet shutdowns as weapons of control and shields of impunity," Felicia Anthonio from Access Now said in an official statement. "In 2022, under authoritarian regimes and in democracies, powermongers accelerated their use of these callous tactics, disrupting the internet to fuel their agendas of oppression – manipulating narratives, silencing voices, and ensuring cover for their own acts of violence and abuse."</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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A number of countries cut off public access to internet service, partially or completely, to deal with political upheaval in 2022. It reportedly caused "incalculable and persistent damage to people's lives," with 187 shutdowns in 2022.

A number of countries cut off public access to internet service, partially or completely, to deal with political upheaval in 2022. It reportedly caused "incalculable and persistent damage to people's lives," with 187 shutdowns in 2022. The research by internet rights group Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition reported 187 shutdowns in 2022 in 35 countries – the highest number in a single year since the groups began documenting internet blackouts in 2016. A majority of the shutdowns were triggered by protests, civil unrest, and human rights violations. India had at least 84 internet shutdowns in 2022, the most by any country. In India, most internet shutdowns took place in Jammu and Kashmir, according to the report. ALSO WATCH | India restores high-speed 4G internet services in the entire Jammu and Kashmir × Other countries with a significant number of internet shutdowns included Iran (18), Myanmar (7), and Ukraine (22). In Ukraine, the use of missile strikes by the Russian military and cyber attacks were cited as the reasons behind internet shutdowns. Ethiopia's Tigray region had the longest internet shutdown The internet shutdown in Ethiopia's Tigray region has been the longest shutdown ever, lasting over two years. This coincided with allegations of killings, rape, and ethnic cleansing. The mobile internet in Tigray was restored after a ceasefire was signed in November last year. ALSO READ | White House and Elon Musk in talks to provide Starlink services in Iran "Governments wield internet shutdowns as weapons of control and shields of impunity," Felicia Anthonio from Access Now said in an official statement. "In 2022, under authoritarian regimes and in democracies, powermongers accelerated their use of these callous tactics, disrupting the internet to fuel their agendas of oppression – manipulating narratives, silencing voices, and ensuring cover for their own acts of violence and abuse." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Ethiopia's Tigray had longest-ever period of internet shutdown

<p>Pharmaceutical major Eli Lilly said on Wednesday that it would cut the costs of the mostly commonly available insulin by 70 per cent. The company said that it will cap the price of insulin at $35 for people with private insurance. The US President Joe Biden took to Twitter and called the announcement "huge news".&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Today, Eli Lilly is heeding my call. Others should follow," the president said.</p>

<p>The Indianapolis-headquartered company also revealed the plans to expand its Insulin Value Programme. Eli Lilly's Insulin Value Programme will cap the price of insulin at $35 for uninsured individuals.</p>

<h2><strong>Eli Lilly price cuts: How much will an insulin vial cost?</strong></h2>

<p>As of May 1, a vial of Eli Lilly's non-branded insulin will cost $25, down from $82.41 at present. It will be the lowest-priced mealtime insulin available in the US market.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Humulin, widely cited as the most commonly prescribed insulin, will cost $66.40 down from $274.70 at present. For individuals with insurance, the costs will be capped at $35.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alarming-figure-as-more-than-a-million-in-us-are-rationing-insulin-because-of-its-high-cost-530328">Alarming figure: More than a million in US rationing insulin due to high cost</a></strong></p>

<p>According to the American Diabetes Association, the average price of insulin nearly tripled between 2002 and 2013. Another research by GoodRx shows that the trend has continued, with the average retail price of insulin rising 54 per cent between 2014 and 2019.</p>

<p>The demand for insulin has risen due to fast growing diabetes cases around the world.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: FDA approves life-changing therapy for Diabetes</strong></p>

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<p>According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of adults with diabetes in the United States has doubled over the past 20 years, with over 37.3 patients in the country.</p>

<p>For Eli Lilly insulin, the new price cap will automatically apply at most pharmacies with no additional action from the patient.<br />
<br />
<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Pharmaceutical major Eli Lilly said on Wednesday that it would cut the costs of the mostly commonly available insulin by 70 per cent. The company said that it will cap the price of insulin at $35 for people with private insurance.

Pharmaceutical major Eli Lilly said on Wednesday that it would cut the costs of the mostly commonly available insulin by 70 per cent. The company said that it will cap the price of insulin at $35 for people with private insurance. The US President Joe Biden took to Twitter and called the announcement "huge news". "Today, Eli Lilly is heeding my call. Others should follow," the president said. The Indianapolis-headquartered company also revealed the plans to expand its Insulin Value Programme. Eli Lilly's Insulin Value Programme will cap the price of insulin at $35 for uninsured individuals. Eli Lilly price cuts: How much will an insulin vial cost? As of May 1, a vial of Eli Lilly's non-branded insulin will cost $25, down from $82.41 at present. It will be the lowest-priced mealtime insulin available in the US market. Humulin, widely cited as the most commonly prescribed insulin, will cost $66.40 down from $274.70 at present. For individuals with insurance, the costs will be capped at $35. ALSO READ | Alarming figure: More than a million in US rationing insulin due to high cost According to the American Diabetes Association, the average price of insulin nearly tripled between 2002 and 2013. Another research by GoodRx shows that the trend has continued, with the average retail price of insulin rising 54 per cent between 2014 and 2019. The demand for insulin has risen due to fast growing diabetes cases around the world. ALSO WATCH | Gravitas: FDA approves life-changing therapy for Diabetes × According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of adults with diabetes in the United States has doubled over the past 20 years, with over 37.3 patients in the country. For Eli Lilly insulin, the new price cap will automatically apply at most pharmacies with no additional action from the patient. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Eli Lilly slashes insulin prices. Here's how much a vial will cost now

<p>A head-on train collision in Greece&nbsp;killed 36 people&nbsp;and injured around 85, the officials in Athens said&nbsp;on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Finland parliament on Wednesday (March 1) overwhelmingly approved country's bid to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).&nbsp;Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko&nbsp;met Chinese&nbsp;President Xi Jinping and lent support to Beijing's 12-point peace plan to end the war in Ukraine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Click on the headlines to read more:</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-meet-with-xi-putins-close-ally-lukashenko-fully-backs-chinas-peace-plan-567258"><strong>In meet with Xi, Putin's close ally Lukashenko 'fully' backs China's 'peace' plan</strong></a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/03/01/335812-untitled-design-2023-03-01t194947415.png?imwidth=1920" /></p>

<p>Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin met Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is on a visit to the European country, and lent his full support to Beijing’s recently proposed "peace" initiative amid the Ukraine war.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-16-killed-85-injured-after-two-trains-collide-in-greece-566978"><strong>Greece train crash: Thirty-six killed in head-on train collision, at least 85 injured</strong></a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/03/01/335802-newest-template-6.png?imwidth=1920" /></p>

<p>A head-on train collision in Greece has killed 36 people&nbsp;and injured around 85, officials said&nbsp;on Wednesday. The passenger train, that was reportedly carrying 350 people from Athens to&nbsp;the northern city of Thessaloniki, collided with a freight train just before midnight&nbsp;near the town of Tempe as it was emerging from a highway underpass. Multiple cars of the train derailed, with at least three bursting into flames.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/finlands-parliament-overwhelmingly-gives-early-greenlight-to-nato-entry-567250"><strong>Finnish parliament overwhelmingly gives early greenlight to NATO entry</strong></a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/03/01/335791-nato-logo.png?imwidth=1920" /></p>

<p>The Finland parliament on Wednesday (March 1) overwhelmingly gave a green light and acceleration to the bid of joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The move by parliament has increased the prospects that Finland will leave its neighbour Sweden behind and become a member of the pact earlier.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bbc-must-follow-law-eam-jaishankar-tells-uk-foreign-secretary-567148"><strong>BBC must follow law, India’s foreign minister Jaishankar tells UK foreign secretary</strong></a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/03/01/335734-untitled-design-2023-03-01t153231990.png?imwidth=1920" /></p>

<p>India has made it clear to the United Kingdom that compliance with Indian laws and regulations is mandatory for all entities operating in the country, including the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-everything-about-bola-tinubu-nigerias-president-elect-567275"><strong>EXPLAINED | Everything about Bola Tinubu, Nigeria's president-elect</strong></a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/03/01/335825-weekend-banner-7.png?imwidth=1920" /></p>

<p>Bola Tinubu, the incoming president of Nigeria, has largely operated from behind the scenes during his political career. He is considered a "godfather" who supports political candidates via his extensive network of patrons. With Tinubu's assistance, former president Muhammadu Buhari was successful in obtaining two terms in office, in 2015 and 2019.&nbsp;And Tinubu has chosen each succeeding victor to lead the greatest city in Africa since he stepped down as governor of Lagos in 2007.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/middle-east/turkey-elections-to-be-held-on-may-14-as-erdogan-rules-out-any-delay-following-devastating-earthquake-567142"><strong>Turkey elections to be held on May 14 as Erdogan rules out any delay following devastating earthquake</strong></a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/11/29/314264-recep-tayyip-erdogan.png?imwidth=1920" /></p>

<p>Turkey will be holding its elections as per schedule despite the devastating February 6 earthquake, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Wednesday. Erdogan said the vote will be held on May 14.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"(Turkish) people will do what is necessary on May 14," he told his ruling party lawmakers in the parliament in Ankara.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-appoints-two-prominent-indian-american-corporate-leaders-to-his-export-council-567225"><strong>Biden appoints two prominent Indian American corporate leaders to his Export Council</strong></a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/03/01/335792-untitled-design-2023-03-01t181756555.png?imwidth=1920" /></p>

<p>US President Joe Biden on Wednesday nominated two prominent Indian American corporate leaders Punit Renjen and Rajesh Subramaniam to his Export Council, the principal national advisory committee on international trade.&nbsp;</p>

<p>White House made the announcement in a statement where it listed all the individuals Biden has nominated to his Export Council. The Council serves as the principal national advisory committee on international trade.&nbsp;This comes after Biden recently nominated another Indian-American Ajay Banga&nbsp;to be the head of the World Bank.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/young-girls-poisoned-in-iran-in-a-spate-of-attacks-to-force-closure-of-schools-567266"><strong>Young girls 'poisoned' in Iran in a spate of attacks to force closure of schools</strong></a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/03/01/335818-untitled-design-8.jpg?imwidth=1920" /></p>

<p>Hundreds of Iranian schoolgirls complained of respiratory distress in what has emerged as another episode of "mysterious poisoning" in Iran. The&nbsp;mysterious poisoning, suspected to be a case of a pre-mediated poisoning, has been reported in the holy city of Qom, south of Tehran. Many schoolgirls needed hospitalisation, local media reported.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-aus-r-ashwin-overtakes-james-anderson-to-become-no-1-ranked-bowler-during-day-1-of-indore-test-567152"><strong>Ind vs Aus: R Ashwin overtakes James Anderson to become No. 1 ranked bowler during Day 1 of Indore Test</strong></a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/03/01/335729-r-ashwin-overtakes-james-anderson-to-become-no-1-ranked-bowler-during-day-1-of-indore-test.jpg?imwidth=1920" /></p>

<p>Nothing has clicked for India on Day 1 of the third and penultimate Test versus Australia, in Indore, on Wednesday (March 01). After opting to bat first, Rohit Sharma-led hosts only managed a paltry 109 in 33.2 overs and have failed to run through the Australian top-order. However, there is something to cheer for India's spin duo Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin. While Jadeja became only the second Indian to complete a double of 500 wickets and 5000 international runs, Ashwin became the No. 1 ranked bowler in the purest format after replacing James Anderson.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/naatu-naatu-will-be-performed-live-at-oscar-awards-2023-confirms-the-academy-566989"><strong>Naatu Naatu from RRR will be performed live at Oscar Awards 2023, confirms the Academy&nbsp;</strong></a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/01/12/324968-horizons-51.jpg?imwidth=1920" /></p>

<p>The '<em>Naatu Naatu'&nbsp;</em>madness will take over the Oscar stage on March 12. Nominated in the Best Original Song category at the 95th Oscar Awards,&nbsp;<em>RRR'</em>s smash hit song&nbsp;<em>Naatu Naatu</em>&nbsp;will be performed live on stage by Indian singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava. The two singers will be making their international stage debut at the Oscars. The song's composer MM Keeravaani and lyricist Chandrabose will also be present at the ceremony which will take place on March 12 in Hollywood. The Academy's Twitter handle made the announcement about the performance on Tuesday.&nbsp;</p>


A head-on train collision in Greece killed 36 people and injured around 85, the officials in Athens said on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Finland parliament on Wednesday (March 1) overwhelmingly approved country's bid to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

A head-on train collision in Greece killed 36 people and injured around 85, the officials in Athens said on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Finland parliament on Wednesday (March 1) overwhelmingly approved country's bid to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko met Chinese President Xi Jinping and lent support to Beijing's 12-point peace plan to end the war in Ukraine. Click on the headlines to read more: In meet with Xi, Putin's close ally Lukashenko 'fully' backs China's 'peace' plan Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin met Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is on a visit to the European country, and lent his full support to Beijing’s recently proposed "peace" initiative amid the Ukraine war. Greece train crash: Thirty-six killed in head-on train collision, at least 85 injured A head-on train collision in Greece has killed 36 people and injured around 85, officials said on Wednesday. The passenger train, that was reportedly carrying 350 people from Athens to the northern city of Thessaloniki, collided with a freight train just before midnight near the town of Tempe as it was emerging from a highway underpass. Multiple cars of the train derailed, with at least three bursting into flames. Finnish parliament overwhelmingly gives early greenlight to NATO entry The Finland parliament on Wednesday (March 1) overwhelmingly gave a green light and acceleration to the bid of joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The move by parliament has increased the prospects that Finland will leave its neighbour Sweden behind and become a member of the pact earlier. BBC must follow law, India’s foreign minister Jaishankar tells UK foreign secretary India has made it clear to the United Kingdom that compliance with Indian laws and regulations is mandatory for all entities operating in the country, including the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). EXPLAINED | Everything about Bola Tinubu, Nigeria's president-elect Bola Tinubu, the incoming president of Nigeria, has largely operated from behind the scenes during his political career. He is considered a "godfather" who supports political candidates via his extensive network of patrons. With Tinubu's assistance, former president Muhammadu Buhari was successful in obtaining two terms in office, in 2015 and 2019. And Tinubu has chosen each succeeding victor to lead the greatest city in Africa since he stepped down as governor of Lagos in 2007. Turkey elections to be held on May 14 as Erdogan rules out any delay following devastating earthquake Turkey will be holding its elections as per schedule despite the devastating February 6 earthquake, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Wednesday. Erdogan said the vote will be held on May 14. "(Turkish) people will do what is necessary on May 14," he told his ruling party lawmakers in the parliament in Ankara. Biden appoints two prominent Indian American corporate leaders to his Export Council US President Joe Biden on Wednesday nominated two prominent Indian American corporate leaders Punit Renjen and Rajesh Subramaniam to his Export Council, the principal national advisory committee on international trade. White House made the announcement in a statement where it listed all the individuals Biden has nominated to his Export Council. The Council serves as the principal national advisory committee on international trade. This comes after Biden recently nominated another Indian-American Ajay Banga to be the head of the World Bank. Young girls 'poisoned' in Iran in a spate of attacks to force closure of schools Hundreds of Iranian schoolgirls complained of respiratory distress in what has emerged as another episode of "mysterious poisoning" in Iran. The mysterious poisoning, suspected to be a case of a pre-mediated poisoning, has been reported in the holy city of Qom, south of Tehran. Many schoolgirls needed hospitalisation, local media reported. Ind vs Aus: R Ashwin overtakes James Anderson to become No. 1 ranked bowler during Day 1 of Indore Test Nothing has clicked for India on Day 1 of the third and penultimate Test versus Australia, in Indore, on Wednesday (March 01). After opting to bat first, Rohit Sharma-led hosts only managed a paltry 109 in 33.2 overs and have failed to run through the Australian top-order. However, there is something to cheer for India's spin duo Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin. While Jadeja became only the second Indian to complete a double of 500 wickets and 5000 international runs, Ashwin became the No. 1 ranked bowler in the purest format after replacing James Anderson. Naatu Naatu from RRR will be performed live at Oscar Awards 2023, confirms the Academy The 'Naatu Naatu' madness will take over the Oscar stage on March 12. Nominated in the Best Original Song category at the 95th Oscar Awards, RRR's smash hit song Naatu Naatu will be performed live on stage by Indian singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava. The two singers will be making their international stage debut at the Oscars. The song's composer MM Keeravaani and lyricist Chandrabose will also be present at the ceremony which will take place on March 12 in Hollywood. The Academy's Twitter handle made the announcement about the performance on Tuesday.

Top 10 world news: Putin ally backs Xi's 'peace plan' to end Ukraine war, train tragedy hits Greece, and more

<p>The dramatic collapse of Afghanistan's armed forces in 2021 which allowed the tumultuous Taliban takeover of Kabul was made possible by ethnic divisions in the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) and the lack of US airstrikes targeting Taliban leadership after 2019, the latest report by Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) revealed on February 28.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The report reviewed why Afghan security forces collapsed after the US and allies began withdrawing forces from Afghanistan. Instead of squarely attributing the Taliban's comeback to former President Ashraf Ghani's lack of control over the nation's security affairs, the report pointed out that Washington failed in its "stated goal of creating a self-sustaining Afghan military" in nearly two decades that its forces were stationed in the country in the aftermath of the 9/11 terror attacks of 2001.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Since 2002, the United States allocated nearly $90 billion in security assistance to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF), with the goal of "developing an independent, self-sustaining force capable of combating both internal and external threats." The goal fell flat shortly after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/watch-wions-ground-report-from-qatar-on-afghan-peace-deal-283435">US signed an agreement with the Taliban in Doha</a> in February 2020, while blindsiding the Afghan stakeholders. The agreement stipulated that the United States would withdraw all its military personnel and contractors from Afghanistan by May 2021.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In return, the Taliban promised not to attack the United States or allow attacks from Afghanistan on the United States or its allies, and to enter into intra-Afghan peace negotiations.</p>

<h2><strong>Abrupt, uncoordinated US withdrawal and instability in Afghanistan</strong></h2>

<p>Several former Afghan and senior United States officials told SIGAR that the Biden administration's withdrawal process was "abrupt and uncoordinated—in particular, the withdrawal of contractor support for the ANDSF."</p>

<p>"The United States perpetuated pre-existing ethnic and regional tensions rather than achieving stated mission goals of force diversity and unification," the report added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;US left $7 billion of military gear in Afghanistan</strong></p>

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<p>One former US commander in Afghanistan told SIGAR, "We built that army to run on contractor support. Without it, it can’t function. Game over…when the contractors pulled out, it was like we pulled all the sticks out of the Jenga pile and expected it to stay up."</p>

<h2><strong>When&nbsp;Ashraf Ghani failed Afghanistan&nbsp;—&nbsp;the country and its people</strong></h2>

<p>The report said that former President Ashraf Ghani frequently changed Afghan&nbsp;National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) leaders and "appointed loyalists, often on the basis of ethnicity". This, the report added, "weakened chains of command, morale, and trust in the ANDSF."</p>

<p>The leadership changes in the ANDSF often came by presidential decrees, the report revealed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The report said that following the US-Taliban agreement in Doha in February 2020, President Ghani began to suspect that the US wanted to remove him from power.&nbsp;Ghani feared a military coup and became a "paranoid president... afraid of his own countrymen" and of US-trained Afghan officers.</p>

<p>The former president had an "undeniable belief in ethnic superiority, and among the political and military elites he trusted only those who agreed with him," a former Afghan army commander, General Farid Ahmadi, was quoted as saying in the report. According to another Afghan official, Ghani believed that "in a tough time in Afghanistan, you need to really control the security forces, and&nbsp;that loyalty [from] those security forces only comes if most of the soldiers…are from your own tribe."&nbsp;</p>

<p>By the time&nbsp;Kabul collapsed, Pashtuns headed most of the Afghanistan National Army and&nbsp;Afghanistan Air Force corps, including several from Ghani’s Ahmadzai&nbsp;tribe, the report said.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><b>The US conducted 7,423 airstrikes in 2019&nbsp;</b>—&nbsp;<strong>then stopped anti-Taliban air raids abruptly</strong></h2>

<p>The report said that in 2019, the United States conducted 7,423 airstrikes in Afghanistan, "the most since at least 2009", targeting Taliban and Islamic State leadership hideouts and supply lines. But the&nbsp;US military support to the ANDSF came to an "abrupt end" after Washington signed Doha agreement with the Taliban on February 29, 2020.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In only 30 days, the Taliban captured all 34 provinces in Afghanistan—33 of the 34 within a 10-day period starting on August 6. By August 15, 2021, the Taliban did chilling&nbsp; "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chXY6sg_1K4">victory rounds</a>" in Kabul to mark their return to power. By this time, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/taliban-have-won-rise-and-fall-of-afghan-president-ashraf-ghani-405867">President Ghani fled the country</a> and the United States completed its military withdrawal, giving away the fate of over 40 million Afghan citizens to Taliban hardliners.</p>

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The dramatic collapse of Afghanistan's armed forces in 2021 which allowed the tumultuous Taliban takeover of Kabul was made possible by ethnic divisions in the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) and the lack of US airstrikes targeting Taliban leadership after 2019, the latest report by Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) revealed on February 28.

The dramatic collapse of Afghanistan's armed forces in 2021 which allowed the tumultuous Taliban takeover of Kabul was made possible by ethnic divisions in the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) and the lack of US airstrikes targeting Taliban leadership after 2019, the latest report by Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) revealed on February 28. The report reviewed why Afghan security forces collapsed after the US and allies began withdrawing forces from Afghanistan. Instead of squarely attributing the Taliban's comeback to former President Ashraf Ghani's lack of control over the nation's security affairs, the report pointed out that Washington failed in its "stated goal of creating a self-sustaining Afghan military" in nearly two decades that its forces were stationed in the country in the aftermath of the 9/11 terror attacks of 2001. Since 2002, the United States allocated nearly $90 billion in security assistance to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF), with the goal of "developing an independent, self-sustaining force capable of combating both internal and external threats." The goal fell flat shortly after the US signed an agreement with the Taliban in Doha in February 2020, while blindsiding the Afghan stakeholders. The agreement stipulated that the United States would withdraw all its military personnel and contractors from Afghanistan by May 2021. In return, the Taliban promised not to attack the United States or allow attacks from Afghanistan on the United States or its allies, and to enter into intra-Afghan peace negotiations. Abrupt, uncoordinated US withdrawal and instability in Afghanistan Several former Afghan and senior United States officials told SIGAR that the Biden administration's withdrawal process was "abrupt and uncoordinated—in particular, the withdrawal of contractor support for the ANDSF." "The United States perpetuated pre-existing ethnic and regional tensions rather than achieving stated mission goals of force diversity and unification," the report added. ALSO WATCH | US left $7 billion of military gear in Afghanistan × One former US commander in Afghanistan told SIGAR, "We built that army to run on contractor support. Without it, it can’t function. Game over…when the contractors pulled out, it was like we pulled all the sticks out of the Jenga pile and expected it to stay up." When Ashraf Ghani failed Afghanistan — the country and its people The report said that former President Ashraf Ghani frequently changed Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) leaders and "appointed loyalists, often on the basis of ethnicity". This, the report added, "weakened chains of command, morale, and trust in the ANDSF." The leadership changes in the ANDSF often came by presidential decrees, the report revealed. The report said that following the US-Taliban agreement in Doha in February 2020, President Ghani began to suspect that the US wanted to remove him from power. Ghani feared a military coup and became a "paranoid president... afraid of his own countrymen" and of US-trained Afghan officers. The former president had an "undeniable belief in ethnic superiority, and among the political and military elites he trusted only those who agreed with him," a former Afghan army commander, General Farid Ahmadi, was quoted as saying in the report. According to another Afghan official, Ghani believed that "in a tough time in Afghanistan, you need to really control the security forces, and that loyalty [from] those security forces only comes if most of the soldiers…are from your own tribe." By the time Kabul collapsed, Pashtuns headed most of the Afghanistan National Army and Afghanistan Air Force corps, including several from Ghani’s Ahmadzai tribe, the report said. The US conducted 7,423 airstrikes in 2019 — then stopped anti-Taliban air raids abruptly The report said that in 2019, the United States conducted 7,423 airstrikes in Afghanistan, "the most since at least 2009", targeting Taliban and Islamic State leadership hideouts and supply lines. But the US military support to the ANDSF came to an "abrupt end" after Washington signed Doha agreement with the Taliban on February 29, 2020. In only 30 days, the Taliban captured all 34 provinces in Afghanistan—33 of the 34 within a 10-day period starting on August 6. By August 15, 2021, the Taliban did chilling "victory rounds" in Kabul to mark their return to power. By this time, President Ghani fled the country and the United States completed its military withdrawal, giving away the fate of over 40 million Afghan citizens to Taliban hardliners. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

A 'paranoid' president, US 'abandonment'— new report on why Afghan forces collapsed after American withdrawal

<p>The state government of Andhra Pradesh in South India has sought to ensure that all 26 districts of the state house at least one major shrine of Hindu faith. The government said that the construction of shrines has been taken up in a big way in the state.</p>

<p>Under directions from&nbsp;Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, the initiative aiming to "protect and propagate the Hindu faith"&nbsp;has been rolled out in the state, Deputy Chief Minister Kottu Satyanarayana said.</p>

<p>"To protect and propagate the Hindu faith on a massive scale, construction of Hindu temples in the localities of weaker sections has been initiated," Satyanarayana, who is also the Endowments Minister, said in an official statement on Tuesday.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-tirupati-balaji-temple-worlds-richest-hindu-shrine-reports-billions-in-wealth-531667">India’s Tirupati Balaji temple, world's richest Hindu shrine, reports billions in wealth</a></strong></p>

<p>Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams' Sri Vani Trust, which was constituted&nbsp;to construct Sri Venkateswara Swamy temples at various locations all over India,&nbsp;has allocated&nbsp;₹10 lakh each for the construction of temples.</p>

<h2><strong>How many temples will be built in Andhra Pradesh?</strong></h2>

<p>The state government had earlier said that it will begin the construction of 1,330 temples. It has added another 1,465&nbsp;to this list. At the same time, depending on the requests of individual legislators, 200 more temples will be built in the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;India's richest shrine Tirupati Balaji temple fires 1,300 contract workers</strong></p>

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<p>The construction of the recently&nbsp;added temples and the ones requested by the individual legislators will be done with the cooperation of "voluntary organisations", the deputy chief minister of the state said.</p>

<p>According to the minister, construction of 978 temples is taking place in full swing under the aegis of the Endowments Department.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The state government has allocated&nbsp;₹270 crore (INR 2.7 billion) to revive temples and for the conduct of rituals in the temples. Of these allocated funds,&nbsp;₹238 crore (INR 2.38 billion) have already been released.</p>

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The state government of Andhra Pradesh in South India has sought to ensure that all 26 districts of the state house at least one major shrine of Hindu faith. The government said that the construction of shrines has been taken up in a big way in the state.

The state government of Andhra Pradesh in South India has sought to ensure that all 26 districts of the state house at least one major shrine of Hindu faith. The government said that the construction of shrines has been taken up in a big way in the state. Under directions from Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, the initiative aiming to "protect and propagate the Hindu faith" has been rolled out in the state, Deputy Chief Minister Kottu Satyanarayana said. "To protect and propagate the Hindu faith on a massive scale, construction of Hindu temples in the localities of weaker sections has been initiated," Satyanarayana, who is also the Endowments Minister, said in an official statement on Tuesday. ALSO READ | India’s Tirupati Balaji temple, world's richest Hindu shrine, reports billions in wealth Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams' Sri Vani Trust, which was constituted to construct Sri Venkateswara Swamy temples at various locations all over India, has allocated ₹10 lakh each for the construction of temples. How many temples will be built in Andhra Pradesh? The state government had earlier said that it will begin the construction of 1,330 temples. It has added another 1,465 to this list. At the same time, depending on the requests of individual legislators, 200 more temples will be built in the state. ALSO WATCH | India's richest shrine Tirupati Balaji temple fires 1,300 contract workers × The construction of the recently added temples and the ones requested by the individual legislators will be done with the cooperation of "voluntary organisations", the deputy chief minister of the state said. According to the minister, construction of 978 temples is taking place in full swing under the aegis of the Endowments Department. The state government has allocated ₹270 crore (INR 2.7 billion) to revive temples and for the conduct of rituals in the temples. Of these allocated funds, ₹238 crore (INR 2.38 billion) have already been released. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Indian state to build 3,000 temples to ‘protect and propagate Hindu faith’

<p>Hundreds of Iranian schoolgirls complained of respiratory distress in what has emerged as another episode of "mysterious poisoning" in Iran. The&nbsp;mysterious poisoning, suspected to be a case of a pre-mediated poisoning, has been reported in the holy city of Qom, south of Tehran. Many schoolgirls needed hospitalisation, local media reported.</p>

<p>Last week, a government official cited by local media, claimed that the attacks were suspected to be a deliberate attempt to force the closure of girls' schools.</p>

<p>"Today (Tuesday) at noon, a number of students were poisoned at the Khayyam Girls' School in the city of Pardis, Tehran province," Tasnim news agency reported.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Iran: Girls 'poisoned' to stop them from going to school</strong></p>

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<p>The report said that 35 girls were taken to hospital so far. It added that hundreds of cases of poisoning have been reported in at least two other Iranian cities since November last year.</p>

<p>On Sunday, students at a girls' school in Borujerd were rushed to hospital after a poisoning incident, the fourth in the western city within the past week.</p>

<h2><strong>Iran schoolgirl 'poisonings' and Mahsa al-Amini protests</strong></h2>

<p>The poisonings targeting schoolgirls came over five months into protests that rocked the Islamic Republic after custodial death of 22-year-old Mahsa al-Amini,&nbsp;following her arrest for an alleged violation of the country's strict dress code for women. Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands have been arrested in connection to the protests. Officially, the state of Iran describes the protests as "riots".&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/middle-east/iran-schoolgirls-being-deliberately-poisoned-claims-senior-minister-heres-why-566280">Iran schoolgirls being deliberately poisoned, claims senior minister. Here's why</a></strong></p>

<p>In Tehran, a parliamentary meeting on Tuesday admitted that the country was&nbsp;"dealing with student poisonings".</p>

<p>The suspected poisonings were being investigated, Iran's police chief told Tasnim news agency on Tuesday.</p>

<p>"Our priority is to find the origin of this case, and until then we will not judge whether it was intentional or not," it quoted &nbsp;Ahmad-Reza Radan as saying.</p>

<p>"We have not yet arrested anyone in this case and we are identifying possible suspects," the police chief added.</p>

<p>Earlier on Sunday, Iran's deputy health minister Younes Panahi said that some people had been poisoned at a girls' school in Qom, in a bid to shut down education for girls.</p>

<p>"After the poisoning of several students in Qom schools, it was found that some people wanted all schools, especially girls' schools, to be closed," a state news agency&nbsp;quoted him as saying at the time.</p>

<p>(<em>With inputs from agencies</em>)</p>

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Hundreds of Iranian schoolgirls complained of respiratory distress in what has emerged as another episode of "mysterious poisoning" in Iran. The mysterious poisoning, suspected to be a case of a pre-mediated poisoning, has been reported in the holy city of Qom, south of Tehran.

Hundreds of Iranian schoolgirls complained of respiratory distress in what has emerged as another episode of "mysterious poisoning" in Iran. The mysterious poisoning, suspected to be a case of a pre-mediated poisoning, has been reported in the holy city of Qom, south of Tehran. Many schoolgirls needed hospitalisation, local media reported. Last week, a government official cited by local media, claimed that the attacks were suspected to be a deliberate attempt to force the closure of girls' schools. "Today (Tuesday) at noon, a number of students were poisoned at the Khayyam Girls' School in the city of Pardis, Tehran province," Tasnim news agency reported. ALSO WATCH | Iran: Girls 'poisoned' to stop them from going to school × The report said that 35 girls were taken to hospital so far. It added that hundreds of cases of poisoning have been reported in at least two other Iranian cities since November last year. On Sunday, students at a girls' school in Borujerd were rushed to hospital after a poisoning incident, the fourth in the western city within the past week. Iran schoolgirl 'poisonings' and Mahsa al-Amini protests The poisonings targeting schoolgirls came over five months into protests that rocked the Islamic Republic after custodial death of 22-year-old Mahsa al-Amini, following her arrest for an alleged violation of the country's strict dress code for women. Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands have been arrested in connection to the protests. Officially, the state of Iran describes the protests as "riots". ALSO READ | Iran schoolgirls being deliberately poisoned, claims senior minister. Here's why In Tehran, a parliamentary meeting on Tuesday admitted that the country was "dealing with student poisonings". The suspected poisonings were being investigated, Iran's police chief told Tasnim news agency on Tuesday. "Our priority is to find the origin of this case, and until then we will not judge whether it was intentional or not," it quoted Ahmad-Reza Radan as saying. "We have not yet arrested anyone in this case and we are identifying possible suspects," the police chief added. Earlier on Sunday, Iran's deputy health minister Younes Panahi said that some people had been poisoned at a girls' school in Qom, in a bid to shut down education for girls. "After the poisoning of several students in Qom schools, it was found that some people wanted all schools, especially girls' schools, to be closed," a state news agency quoted him as saying at the time. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Young girls 'poisoned' in Iran in a spate of attacks to force closure of schools

<p>The fallout of a corruption scandal has hit Japan after the country's advertising giant Dentsu Group and five other companies were indicted over allegedly rigging the bids of contracts for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The development comes after Japan's anti-corruption regulators filed criminal complaints against the firms and seven individuals whose names have not been revealed.</p>

<p>The revelation has come after&nbsp;months of investigations into alleged corruption in the planning and sponsorship of Olympics and Paralympics events in 2021.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Tokyo-based Dentsu is Japan’s biggest advertising agency. The company said in a statement it "takes the situation seriously and offers its sincere apologies to its business partners, shareholders, and all other relevant parties for any inconvenience or concern this may cause."</p>

<p>The company added that a former employee of the group, who now works for one of its subsidiaries, had been indicted "for an alleged violation of the Antimonopoly Act in connection to the bidding for the test events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games."</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/former-tokyo-games-official-yasuo-mori-arrested-over-alleged-bid-rigging-reports-local-media-559880">Former Tokyo Games official Yasuo Mori arrested over alleged bid-rigging, reports local media</a></strong></p>

<p>One of the six indicted firms, Hakuhodo DY Holdings, said an employee of its subsidiary, Hakuhodo DY Media Partners had been "indicted by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor’s Office based on charges brought by the commission."</p>

<p>“We also take this situation very seriously. The entire Hakuhodo DY group is committed to thorough compliance and to regaining the trust of society,” it clarified.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Tokyo Olympics 2020: Less than a thousand people attend opening ceremony</strong></p>

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<p>The clarifications came after the Japan Fair Trade Commission (FTC) filed complaints against Dentsu, Hakuhodo DY Holdings and four other advertising agencies.</p>

<p>"We determined that this is a malicious and serious case that will have a broad impact on people’s lives," Goh Okumura, an investigator at the FTC, was quoted as saying by BBC.</p>

<p>Last year, Haruyuki Takahashi, an ex-member of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics organising committee and a former executive at Dentsu, was arrested on suspicion of receiving bribes from Olympic sponsors to the tones of $380,000.</p>

<p>Tokyo was awarded the Olympic Games in 2013. It beat&nbsp;Madrid and Istanbul for the quadrennial sports spectacle.&nbsp;</p>

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The fallout of a corruption scandal has hit Japan after the country's advertising giant Dentsu Group and five other companies were indicted over allegedly rigging the bids of contracts for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The fallout of a corruption scandal has hit Japan after the country's advertising giant Dentsu Group and five other companies were indicted over allegedly rigging the bids of contracts for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The development comes after Japan's anti-corruption regulators filed criminal complaints against the firms and seven individuals whose names have not been revealed. The revelation has come after months of investigations into alleged corruption in the planning and sponsorship of Olympics and Paralympics events in 2021. Tokyo-based Dentsu is Japan’s biggest advertising agency. The company said in a statement it "takes the situation seriously and offers its sincere apologies to its business partners, shareholders, and all other relevant parties for any inconvenience or concern this may cause." The company added that a former employee of the group, who now works for one of its subsidiaries, had been indicted "for an alleged violation of the Antimonopoly Act in connection to the bidding for the test events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games." ALSO READ | Former Tokyo Games official Yasuo Mori arrested over alleged bid-rigging, reports local media One of the six indicted firms, Hakuhodo DY Holdings, said an employee of its subsidiary, Hakuhodo DY Media Partners had been "indicted by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor’s Office based on charges brought by the commission." “We also take this situation very seriously. The entire Hakuhodo DY group is committed to thorough compliance and to regaining the trust of society,” it clarified. ALSO WATCH | Tokyo Olympics 2020: Less than a thousand people attend opening ceremony × The clarifications came after the Japan Fair Trade Commission (FTC) filed complaints against Dentsu, Hakuhodo DY Holdings and four other advertising agencies. "We determined that this is a malicious and serious case that will have a broad impact on people’s lives," Goh Okumura, an investigator at the FTC, was quoted as saying by BBC. Last year, Haruyuki Takahashi, an ex-member of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics organising committee and a former executive at Dentsu, was arrested on suspicion of receiving bribes from Olympic sponsors to the tones of $380,000. Tokyo was awarded the Olympic Games in 2013. It beat Madrid and Istanbul for the quadrennial sports spectacle. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Japan advertising behemoth Dentsu indicted over rigging Tokyo Olympics bids

<p>Ozempic, the anti-diabetes drug has made it to the headlines for its potential weight loss properties. The drug is riding on the wave of social media trends, with the videos under hashtag Ozempic reported to have amassed over 600 million views on TikTok so far.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But Ozempic's rising popularity has led to global shortages and doctors have warned about the potential side effects.</p>

<p><br />
"Losing 40kg in less than three months is possible" thanks to Ozempic, a French TikToker cited by the news agency AFP said in a post in December. The video has nearly 50,000 views.</p>

<h2><strong>What is Ozempic?</strong></h2>

<p>Ozempic is an injectable drug from the Danish pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk.&nbsp;It was initially developed and approved in a number of nations across the world to treat type 2 diabetes. The drug slows down how quickly food leaves a person's stomach, reducing their appetite.</p>

<h2><strong>What exactly are Ozempic's weight-loss properties?</strong></h2>

<p>In early 2021, peer-reviewed research found that almost three-quarters of people who used the drug lost more than 10 per cent of their body weight.</p>

<p>After the research was widely publicised, it led to a large number of people obtaining Ozempic's "falsified prescriptions".&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-diabetes-drug-that-helps-lose-weight-is-all-the-rage-on-social-media-since-musk-tweeted-about-it-528125">The diabetes drug that helps lose weight is all the rage on social media ever since Musk tweeted about it</a></strong></p>

<p>However, experts caution that it&nbsp;"is not a medication for people who do not have diabetes or are at risk of type 2 diabetes". France's medicines regulator has now urged doctors to only prescribe Ozempic for diabetes.</p>

<p>Novo Nordisk was quoted as saying by the AFP that "stronger than anticipated demand" for Ozempic had resulted in "intermittent availability and period stock-outs" around the world.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: FDA approves life-changing therapy for Diabetes</strong></p>

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<p>The company's global manufacturing facilities "are now operating 24 hours, seven days a week" to bridge the gap, it added.</p>

<h2><strong>Fear of side effect</strong></h2>

<p>Nausea is one the most common side-effects of the drug, experts say.</p>

<p>There are also rarer and more serious risks such as acute pancreatitis, which can occur even at lower doses, billiary disorders, and rare cases of severe constipation which can lead to bowel obstruction, they add.</p>

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Ozempic, the anti-diabetes drug has made it to the headlines for its potential weight loss properties. The drug is riding on the wave of social media trends, with the videos under hashtag Ozempic reported to have amassed over 600 million views on TikTok so far.

Ozempic, the anti-diabetes drug has made it to the headlines for its potential weight loss properties. The drug is riding on the wave of social media trends, with the videos under hashtag Ozempic reported to have amassed over 600 million views on TikTok so far. But Ozempic's rising popularity has led to global shortages and doctors have warned about the potential side effects. "Losing 40kg in less than three months is possible" thanks to Ozempic, a French TikToker cited by the news agency AFP said in a post in December. The video has nearly 50,000 views. What is Ozempic? Ozempic is an injectable drug from the Danish pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk. It was initially developed and approved in a number of nations across the world to treat type 2 diabetes. The drug slows down how quickly food leaves a person's stomach, reducing their appetite. What exactly are Ozempic's weight-loss properties? In early 2021, peer-reviewed research found that almost three-quarters of people who used the drug lost more than 10 per cent of their body weight. After the research was widely publicised, it led to a large number of people obtaining Ozempic's "falsified prescriptions". ALSO READ | The diabetes drug that helps lose weight is all the rage on social media ever since Musk tweeted about it However, experts caution that it "is not a medication for people who do not have diabetes or are at risk of type 2 diabetes". France's medicines regulator has now urged doctors to only prescribe Ozempic for diabetes. Novo Nordisk was quoted as saying by the AFP that "stronger than anticipated demand" for Ozempic had resulted in "intermittent availability and period stock-outs" around the world. ALSO WATCH | Gravitas: FDA approves life-changing therapy for Diabetes × The company's global manufacturing facilities "are now operating 24 hours, seven days a week" to bridge the gap, it added. Fear of side effect Nausea is one the most common side-effects of the drug, experts say. There are also rarer and more serious risks such as acute pancreatitis, which can occur even at lower doses, billiary disorders, and rare cases of severe constipation which can lead to bowel obstruction, they add. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

How anti-diabetic Ozempic became a social media rage for weight-loss

<p>Germany's chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Sunday that his administration will make it easier for Information Technology experts from India to obtain work visas. The plan, according to initial inputs, would entail making it easier for the skilled IT workers to work and live in Germany with their families.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We want to simplify the issuing of visas," Scholz said in Bengaluru on Sunday. "We intend to modernize the whole bureaucratic process in addition to legal modernisation."</p>

<p>"We will need many skilled workers to meet the demand for software development in Germany."</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/german-chancellor-olaf-scholz-enjoys-true-taste-of-india-during-his-india-visit-see-pics-566101">German Chancellor Olaf Scholz enjoys 'true taste of India' during his India visit</a></strong></p>

<p>Germany faces a shortfall in skilled workers. The country is seeking at least 400,000 skilled workers from abroad each year, DW News reported in December last year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The German chancellor added that it should be possible, initially, for people to arrive in Germany without having learnt the German language.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH -&nbsp;German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's India visit; Russia-Ukraine war, G20 summit on agenda</strong></p>

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<p>"It is clear that anyone who comes to Germany as an IT specialist can first easily converse with all his or her colleagues in English, because many in Germany can speak English," Scholz said, adding that German could be learned later.</p>

<p>"A lot of reform proposals have already been collected and we are continuing to work on them," Scholz added.</p>

<p>In Bengaluru, Scholz met officials and players from the Indian Premier League cricket team Royal Challengers Bangalore.</p>

<h2><strong>Olaf Scholz's India visit</strong></h2>

<p>The roads leading to Rashtrapati Bhawan (the President's House) as well as the buildings housing key ministries in New Delhi, remain studded with Indian and German flags fluttering side by side. Upon reaching New Delhi, Scholz received a welcome with military honours, given the significance of his visit and his keenness to increase economic and strategic cooperation with India. By bolstering its partnership with India, Germany intends to reduce its dependence on China.</p>

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Germany's chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Sunday that his administration will make it easier for Information Technology experts from India to obtain work visas. The plan, according to initial inputs, would entail making it easier for the skilled IT workers to work and live in Germany with their families.

Germany's chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Sunday that his administration will make it easier for Information Technology experts from India to obtain work visas. The plan, according to initial inputs, would entail making it easier for the skilled IT workers to work and live in Germany with their families. "We want to simplify the issuing of visas," Scholz said in Bengaluru on Sunday. "We intend to modernize the whole bureaucratic process in addition to legal modernisation." "We will need many skilled workers to meet the demand for software development in Germany." ALSO READ - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz enjoys 'true taste of India' during his India visit Germany faces a shortfall in skilled workers. The country is seeking at least 400,000 skilled workers from abroad each year, DW News reported in December last year. The German chancellor added that it should be possible, initially, for people to arrive in Germany without having learnt the German language. ALSO WATCH - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's India visit; Russia-Ukraine war, G20 summit on agenda × "It is clear that anyone who comes to Germany as an IT specialist can first easily converse with all his or her colleagues in English, because many in Germany can speak English," Scholz said, adding that German could be learned later. "A lot of reform proposals have already been collected and we are continuing to work on them," Scholz added. In Bengaluru, Scholz met officials and players from the Indian Premier League cricket team Royal Challengers Bangalore. Olaf Scholz's India visit The roads leading to Rashtrapati Bhawan (the President's House) as well as the buildings housing key ministries in New Delhi, remain studded with Indian and German flags fluttering side by side. Upon reaching New Delhi, Scholz received a welcome with military honours, given the significance of his visit and his keenness to increase economic and strategic cooperation with India. By bolstering its partnership with India, Germany intends to reduce its dependence on China. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

German Chancellor Scholz says will simplify issuing of visas for Indian IT workers

<p>India's bid to come to a consensus within the Group of 20 (G20) nations to ban cryptocurrency hit a roadblock as the nations stopped short of going for an outright ban. They instead agreed to continue an international debate on cryptocurrency regulation, with the final outcome document citing a consideration towards "coordinated and comprehensive policy approach to crypto assets" from &nbsp;"macroeconomic and regulatory perspectives, including the full range of risks posed by crypto assets."</p>

<p>The growing uproar against cryptocurrency is significant following the collapse of cryptocurrency exchange FTX in November shook crypto assets such as bitcoin worldwide.</p>

<h2><strong>India and cryptocurrency regulation</strong></h2>

<p>India's finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman has been tough against cryptocurrencies in her last two annual budgets for the world's fifth largest economy. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led administration has asserted its willingness to regulate the cryptocurrency sector. However, in 2020, India's Supreme Court struck down the country's central bank's ban on providing services to cryptocurrency traders.</p>

<p>The Reserve Bank of India has expressed that virtual economic assets pose risk to the stability of the country's overall financial system, a stance that has found support with some constituents of the G-20.</p>

<h2><strong>On crypto regulation, India finds support in Canada, France</strong></h2>

<p>India's finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Saturday that Canada's central bank governor "cautioned that crypto assets should not be given the regulatory seal of approval... without a well thought out approach and framework for implementation."</p>

<p>Earlier, the French Minister of Economy and Finance Bruno Le Maire told reporters on Friday that "France has been advocating for a regulation of cryptocurrencies for many years, explaining that there is a need to protect consumers and to protect financial stability."</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: Cryptocurrency: New tool for money laundering</strong></p>

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<p>An Asia Nikkei report cited a central banking source as saying that India is trying to make use of the international debate to make a case for tougher cryptocurrency regulations at home.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-push-to-regulate-crypto-get-support-from-imf-us-at-g20-565847">India’s push to regulate cryptocurrencies gets support from IMF, US at G20</a></strong></p>

<p>The Reserve Bank of India governor Shaktikanta Das said at a news conference on Saturday that "there is now a wide recognition and acceptance of the fact that (crypto assets or products) involve several major risks to financial stability, to monetary systems, to cybersecurity issues ... and they need to be looked at."</p>

<p>"Going forward, the effort is to develop an international framework... to deal with this problem," he said.</p>

<p>The United States has not "suggested outright banning of crypto activities, but it is critical to put in place a strong regulatory framework," U.S. Treasury Secretary Yellen told Reuters on the sidelines of the G-20 meeting. "We are working with other governments."</p>

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India's bid to come to a consensus within the Group of 20 (G20) nations to ban cryptocurrency hit a roadblock as the nations stopped short of going for an outright ban.

India's bid to come to a consensus within the Group of 20 (G20) nations to ban cryptocurrency hit a roadblock as the nations stopped short of going for an outright ban. They instead agreed to continue an international debate on cryptocurrency regulation, with the final outcome document citing a consideration towards "coordinated and comprehensive policy approach to crypto assets" from "macroeconomic and regulatory perspectives, including the full range of risks posed by crypto assets." The growing uproar against cryptocurrency is significant following the collapse of cryptocurrency exchange FTX in November shook crypto assets such as bitcoin worldwide. India and cryptocurrency regulation India's finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman has been tough against cryptocurrencies in her last two annual budgets for the world's fifth largest economy. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led administration has asserted its willingness to regulate the cryptocurrency sector. However, in 2020, India's Supreme Court struck down the country's central bank's ban on providing services to cryptocurrency traders. The Reserve Bank of India has expressed that virtual economic assets pose risk to the stability of the country's overall financial system, a stance that has found support with some constituents of the G-20. On crypto regulation, India finds support in Canada, France India's finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Saturday that Canada's central bank governor "cautioned that crypto assets should not be given the regulatory seal of approval... without a well thought out approach and framework for implementation." Earlier, the French Minister of Economy and Finance Bruno Le Maire told reporters on Friday that "France has been advocating for a regulation of cryptocurrencies for many years, explaining that there is a need to protect consumers and to protect financial stability." ALSO WATCH | Gravitas: Cryptocurrency: New tool for money laundering × An Asia Nikkei report cited a central banking source as saying that India is trying to make use of the international debate to make a case for tougher cryptocurrency regulations at home. ALSO READ | India’s push to regulate cryptocurrencies gets support from IMF, US at G20 The Reserve Bank of India governor Shaktikanta Das said at a news conference on Saturday that "there is now a wide recognition and acceptance of the fact that (crypto assets or products) involve several major risks to financial stability, to monetary systems, to cybersecurity issues ... and they need to be looked at." "Going forward, the effort is to develop an international framework... to deal with this problem," he said. The United States has not "suggested outright banning of crypto activities, but it is critical to put in place a strong regulatory framework," U.S. Treasury Secretary Yellen told Reuters on the sidelines of the G-20 meeting. "We are working with other governments." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

G20 finance chiefs meet: India's bid to ban cryptocurrency stopped at consensus for regulation

<p>Russian President Vladimir Putin&nbsp;accused NATO members of taking part in the&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;conflict by donating arms to the country and said the West planned to break up Russia. In Italy, fifty eight&nbsp;migrants died and 80 others survived after their boat sank off the Italian coastal city of Crotone in the southern region of Calabria.&nbsp;A helicopter operated by the African Union (AU) peace mission crashed in Somalia's Lower Shabelle region on Saturday (February 25), killing three people and injuring eight others.</p>

<p><strong>Click on the headlines to read more:</strong></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/live-ukraine-war-putin-says-war-a-battle-for-russias-survival-566074"><strong>Putin accuses NATO of taking part in conflict with arms supplies</strong></a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/02/26/335024-russias-attack-on-ukraine.png?imwidth=1920" /></p>

<p>Putin has accused NATO members of taking part in the&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;conflict by donating arms to the country and said the West planned to break up Russia.</p>

<p>"They are sending tens of billions of dollars in weapons to&nbsp;Ukraine. This really is participation," Putin said in an interview with the Rossiya-1 channel.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/italy-over-30-dead-after-migrant-boat-sinks-off-coastal-city-of-crotone-566077"><strong>Italy: 58 dead as overloaded boat ferrying migrants breaks apart, sinks off coastal city of Crotone</strong></a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/02/26/335012-2023-02-26t102411z1lynxmpej1p035rtroptp4europe-migrants-italy.JPG?imwidth=1920" /></p>

<p>Fifty-eight migrants died and 80 others survived after their boat sank off the Italian coastal city of Crotone in the southern region of Calabria on Sunday (February 26). Speaking to the news agency Reuters, Danilo Maida, a spokesperson for the firefighters' service in Calabria, said that firefighters and other emergency workers were looking for more survivors at sea using jet skis, but conditions were harsh, making the search difficult.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/africa/somalia-helicopter-crashes-in-lower-shabelle-region-killing-3-injuring-8-566138"><strong>Somalia: Helicopter crashes in Lower Shabelle region, killing 3, injuring 8</strong></a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/02/26/335051-somalia-helicopter.jpg?imwidth=1920" /></p>

<p>A helicopter operated by the African Union (AU) peace mission crashed in Somalia's Lower Shabelle region on Saturday (February 25), killing three people and injuring eight others. A statement by the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) on Sunday said 11 passengers, including officers from Somalia's army, were aboard the helicopter. The helicopter was on a joint familiarisation training mission for Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) drills.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-politician-manish-sisodia-arrested-by-indias-top-investigation-body-in-liquor-policy-row-566115"><strong>India: Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia arrested by CBI in liquor policy graft case</strong></a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/02/26/335036-manish-sisodia.png?imwidth=1920" /></p>

<p>India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday arrested New Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in a case linked to alleged corruption in excise policy, which has now been scrapped.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-cut-every-cent-sent-to-enemies-nikki-haley-pledges-to-stop-aid-to-pak-china-566034"><strong>'Will cut every cent sent to enemies': Nikki Haley pledges to stop all aid for Pak, China</strong></a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/02/26/334992-the-battle-for-kyiv-14.png?imwidth=1920" /></p>

<p>Nikki Haley, who has announced to run for the presidential candidate of&nbsp;the Republican Party, has declared that if elected, she will stop all foreign aid to nations that hate the US. This entails&nbsp;China, Pakistan, and other adversaries as "a strong America doesn't pay off the bad guys."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-israelis-shot-dead-by-palestinian-gunman-in-west-bank-in-suspected-terror-attack-566121"><strong>Two Israelis shot dead in West Bank in 'Palestinian terror attack', says government</strong></a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/02/26/335039-wion-images-2.png?imwidth=1920" />Two Israeli civilians were killed in a suspected terror attack, on Sunday (February 26) in the northern West Bank town of Huwara, near Nablus, as per local media reports citing officials. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), a Palestinian gunman opened fire at an Israeli-owned car and fled the scene. Subsequently, the two victims were taken to the hospital where they later passed away.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-sunak-to-confront-the-hard-choices-on-brexit-with-new-deal-566133"><strong>British PM Sunak to 'confront the hard choices' on Brexit with new deal</strong></a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/02/26/335048-untitled-design-2023-02-26t203227077.png?imwidth=1920" /></p>

<p>Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of Britain on February 26 vowed to fix the Brexit challenges, saying that his administration will pursue a new deal with the European Union to resolve the Northern Ireland Protocol. This protocol is a trading arrangement, negotiated during Brexit talks by previous Prime Ministers Theresa May and Boris Johnson, that allows goods to be transported across the Irish land border without the need for checks.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/german-chancellor-olaf-scholz-enjoys-true-taste-of-india-during-his-india-visit-see-pics-566101"><strong>German Chancellor Olaf Scholz enjoys 'true taste of India' during his India visit</strong></a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/02/26/335020-olaf-scholz.png?imwidth=1920" /></p>

<p>German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was spotted enjoying a cup of tea in the streets of India during his visit to the South Asian nation. In a Twitter post on Sunday by the German Embassy in India, Scholz was seen in front of a tea stall.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/indias-balakot-redemption-when-pakistani-propaganda-failed-to-pierce-through-indias-anti-terror-feat-566111"><strong>India's Balakot redemption: When Pakistani propaganda failed to pierce through India's anti-terror feat</strong></a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/02/26/335033-untitled-design-2023-02-26t191218658.png?imwidth=1920" /></p>

<p>In February 2019, less than two weeks after a terrorist attack on Indian troops in Jammu and Kashmir took the lives of 40 Indian men in uniform, New Delhi launched air raids at secretive Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camps in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province's Balakot.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/womens-t20-world-cup-historic-australia-win-sixth-t20-wc-trophy-beating-south-africa-by-19-runs-566150"><strong>Women's T20 World Cup: HISTORIC! Australia win sixth T20 WC trophy beating South Africa by 19 runs</strong></a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/02/26/335058-copy-of-untitled-7.png?imwidth=1920" /></p>

<p>History was created in Cape Town on Sunday when Australia&nbsp;won their sixth ICC Women's T20 World Cup title,&nbsp;beating South Africa by 19 runs.&nbsp;Playing their seventh successive T20 WC final, this was Southern Stars' third trophy win on the trot.</p>


Russian President Vladimir Putin accused NATO members of taking part in the Ukraine conflict by donating arms to the country and said the West planned to break up Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused NATO members of taking part in the Ukraine conflict by donating arms to the country and said the West planned to break up Russia. In Italy, fifty eight migrants died and 80 others survived after their boat sank off the Italian coastal city of Crotone in the southern region of Calabria. A helicopter operated by the African Union (AU) peace mission crashed in Somalia's Lower Shabelle region on Saturday (February 25), killing three people and injuring eight others. Click on the headlines to read more: Putin accuses NATO of taking part in conflict with arms supplies Putin has accused NATO members of taking part in the Ukraine conflict by donating arms to the country and said the West planned to break up Russia. "They are sending tens of billions of dollars in weapons to Ukraine. This really is participation," Putin said in an interview with the Rossiya-1 channel. Italy: 58 dead as overloaded boat ferrying migrants breaks apart, sinks off coastal city of Crotone Fifty-eight migrants died and 80 others survived after their boat sank off the Italian coastal city of Crotone in the southern region of Calabria on Sunday (February 26). Speaking to the news agency Reuters, Danilo Maida, a spokesperson for the firefighters' service in Calabria, said that firefighters and other emergency workers were looking for more survivors at sea using jet skis, but conditions were harsh, making the search difficult. Somalia: Helicopter crashes in Lower Shabelle region, killing 3, injuring 8 A helicopter operated by the African Union (AU) peace mission crashed in Somalia's Lower Shabelle region on Saturday (February 25), killing three people and injuring eight others. A statement by the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) on Sunday said 11 passengers, including officers from Somalia's army, were aboard the helicopter. The helicopter was on a joint familiarisation training mission for Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) drills. India: Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia arrested by CBI in liquor policy graft case India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday arrested New Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in a case linked to alleged corruption in excise policy, which has now been scrapped. 'Will cut every cent sent to enemies': Nikki Haley pledges to stop all aid for Pak, China Nikki Haley, who has announced to run for the presidential candidate of the Republican Party, has declared that if elected, she will stop all foreign aid to nations that hate the US. This entails China, Pakistan, and other adversaries as "a strong America doesn't pay off the bad guys." Two Israelis shot dead in West Bank in 'Palestinian terror attack', says government Two Israeli civilians were killed in a suspected terror attack, on Sunday (February 26) in the northern West Bank town of Huwara, near Nablus, as per local media reports citing officials. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), a Palestinian gunman opened fire at an Israeli-owned car and fled the scene. Subsequently, the two victims were taken to the hospital where they later passed away. British PM Sunak to 'confront the hard choices' on Brexit with new deal Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of Britain on February 26 vowed to fix the Brexit challenges, saying that his administration will pursue a new deal with the European Union to resolve the Northern Ireland Protocol. This protocol is a trading arrangement, negotiated during Brexit talks by previous Prime Ministers Theresa May and Boris Johnson, that allows goods to be transported across the Irish land border without the need for checks. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz enjoys 'true taste of India' during his India visit German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was spotted enjoying a cup of tea in the streets of India during his visit to the South Asian nation. In a Twitter post on Sunday by the German Embassy in India, Scholz was seen in front of a tea stall. India's Balakot redemption: When Pakistani propaganda failed to pierce through India's anti-terror feat In February 2019, less than two weeks after a terrorist attack on Indian troops in Jammu and Kashmir took the lives of 40 Indian men in uniform, New Delhi launched air raids at secretive Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camps in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province's Balakot. Women's T20 World Cup: HISTORIC! Australia win sixth T20 WC trophy beating South Africa by 19 runs History was created in Cape Town on Sunday when Australia won their sixth ICC Women's T20 World Cup title, beating South Africa by 19 runs. Playing their seventh successive T20 WC final, this was Southern Stars' third trophy win on the trot.

Top 10 world news: Putin says NATO fighting Ukraine war, 58 dead in Italy boat accident, and more

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