<p>Ukraine's state-owned grid operator, Ukrenergo informed on Monday (March 14) that the Chernobyl nuclear power station has once again lost its electricity supply after external power supplies to the plant were damaged again.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It has been further revealed that the power station, the site of the world's worst nuclear disaster in 1986, was relying on electricity from diesel generators.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ukrenergo chief Volodymyr Kudrytskiy on national television said that the nearby town of Slavutych was without power for the same reason.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ukrenergo said on Facebook, "The power line that supplies the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station and the town of Slavutych was damaged by the occupying forces."&nbsp;</p>

<p>On February 24, Russian forces seized the defunct Chernobyl plant. After that, the Russian forces had attacked and seized Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia NPP, which is Europe's largest nuclear power plant, on March 4.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The retired Chernobyl nuclear reactors lost power early last week but supply was restored Sunday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The electricity supply to the power station is extremely vital as it is needed to power security systems including the cooling systems for the spent nuclear fuel storage facility.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ukrenergo said the power line had been damaged again "before the power supply had been fully restored" and that one of its repair crews will be going into "occupied territory" again for more repairs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The operator added that Chernobyl "cannot be left without a reliable energy supply" and the residents of the nearby town of Slavutych "depend" on it for electricity.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;'China to face consequences if it helps Russia,' US issues stern warning</strong></p>

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Ukraine's state-owned grid operator, Ukrenergo informed on Monday (March 14) that the Chernobyl nuclear power station has once again lost its electricity supply after external power supplies to the plant were damaged again.

Ukraine's state-owned grid operator, Ukrenergo informed on Monday (March 14) that the Chernobyl nuclear power station has once again lost its electricity supply after external power supplies to the plant were damaged again. It has been further revealed that the power station, the site of the world's worst nuclear disaster in 1986, was relying on electricity from diesel generators. Ukrenergo chief Volodymyr Kudrytskiy on national television said that the nearby town of Slavutych was without power for the same reason. Ukrenergo said on Facebook, "The power line that supplies the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station and the town of Slavutych was damaged by the occupying forces." On February 24, Russian forces seized the defunct Chernobyl plant. After that, the Russian forces had attacked and seized Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia NPP, which is Europe's largest nuclear power plant, on March 4. The retired Chernobyl nuclear reactors lost power early last week but supply was restored Sunday. The electricity supply to the power station is extremely vital as it is needed to power security systems including the cooling systems for the spent nuclear fuel storage facility. Ukrenergo said the power line had been damaged again "before the power supply had been fully restored" and that one of its repair crews will be going into "occupied territory" again for more repairs. The operator added that Chernobyl "cannot be left without a reliable energy supply" and the residents of the nearby town of Slavutych "depend" on it for electricity. WATCH | 'China to face consequences if it helps Russia,' US issues stern warning ×

Russia-Ukraine conflict: Chernobyl nuclear plant loses power again

<p>A tree planted for every T-shirt purchased. For every bottle of wine. For every swipe of a credit card. Trees planted by countries to meet global pledges and by companies to bolster their sustainability records.</p>

<p>As the climate crisis deepens, businesses and consumers are joining nonprofit groups and governments in a global tree planting boom. Last year saw billions of trees planted in scores of countries around the world. These efforts can be a triple win, providing livelihoods, absorbing and locking away planet-warming carbon dioxide, and improving the health of ecosystems.</p>

<p>But when done poorly, the projects can worsen the very problems they were meant to solve. Planting the wrong trees in the wrong place can actually reduce biodiversity, speeding extinctions and making ecosystems far less resilient.</p>

<p>Addressing biodiversity loss, already a global crisis akin to climate change, is becoming more and more urgent. Extinction rates are surging. An estimated million species are at risk of disappearing, many within decades. And ecosystem collapse doesn’t just threaten animals and plants; it imperils the food and water supplies that humans rely on.</p>

<p>Amid that worsening crisis, companies and countries are increasingly investing in tree planting that carpets large areas with commercial, nonnative species in the name of fighting climate change. These trees sock away carbon but provide little support to the webs of life that once thrived in those areas.</p>

<p>“You’re creating basically a sterile landscape,” said Paul Smith, who runs Botanic Gardens Conservation International, an umbrella group that works to prevent plant extinctions. “If people want to plant trees, let’s also make it a positive for biodiversity.”</p>

<p>There’s a rule of thumb in the tree planting world: One should plant “the right tree in the right place.” Some add, “for the right reason.”</p>

<p>But, according to interviews with a range of players — scientists, policy experts, forestry companies and tree planting organizations — people often disagree on what “right” means. For some, it’s big tree farms for carbon storage and timber. For others, it’s providing fruit trees to small-scale farmers. For others still, it’s allowing native species to regenerate.</p>

<p>The best efforts try to address a range of needs, according to restoration experts, but it can be hard to reconcile competing interests.</p>

<p>“It’s kind of the Wild West,” said Forrest Fleischman, a professor of environmental policy at the University of Minnesota.</p>

<p><b>‘Harm in the Name of Doing Good’</b></p>

<p>There is not enough land on Earth to tackle climate change with trees alone, but if paired with drastic cuts in fossil fuels, trees can be an important natural solution. They absorb carbon dioxide through pores in their leaves and stash it away in their branches and trunks (though trees also release carbon when they burn or rot). That ability to collect CO2 is why forests are often called carbon sinks.</p>

<p>In Central Africa, TotalEnergies, the French oil and gas giant, has announced plans to plant trees on 40,000 hectares in the Republic of Congo. The project — on the Batéké Plateau, a rolling mosaic of grasses and wooded savanna with patches of denser forests — would sequester more than 10 million tons of carbon dioxide over 20 years, according to the company.</p>

<p>“Total is committing to the development of natural carbon sinks in Africa,” said Nicolas Terraz, who was then Total’s senior vice president for Africa, exploration and production, in a company news release on the project in 2021. “These activities build on the priority initiatives taken by the group to avoid and reduce emissions, in line with its ambition to get to net zero by 2050.”</p>

<p>To achieve net zero, companies must remove at least as much carbon from the air as they release. Many, like TotalEnergies, are turning to trees for help with that. On the Batéké Plateau, an acacia species from Australia, intended for selective logging, will cover a large area.</p>

<p>The project, part of a Congolese government program to expand forest cover and increase carbon storage, would create jobs, the company said, and ultimately broaden the ecosystem’s biodiversity as local species are allowed to grow in over decades.</p>

<p>But scientists warn that the plan may be an example of one of the worst kinds of forestation efforts: planting trees where they would not naturally occur. These projects can devastate biodiversity, threaten water supplies and even increase temperatures because, in some cases, trees absorb heat that grasslands — or, in other parts of the world, snow — would have reflected.</p>

<p>“We don’t want to cause harm in the name of doing good,” said Bethanie Walder, executive director of the Society for Ecological Restoration, a global nonprofit.</p>

<p>The Batéké Plateau is one of the least-studied ecosystems in Africa, according to Paula Nieto Quintano, an environmental scientist who has focused on the region. “Its importance for local livelihoods, its ecology and ecosystem functions are poorly understood,” Nieto said.</p>

<p>Those who study forest restoration emphasize that trees are not a cure-all.</p>

<p>“I fear that many corporations and governments are seeing this as an easy way out,” said Robin Chazdon, a professor of tropical forest restoration at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia. “They don’t necessarily have to work as hard to reduce their emissions because they can just say, ‘Oh, we’re offsetting that by planting trees’.”</p>

<p><b>‘There Have Been Bad Actors’</b></p>

<p>All trees store carbon, but their other benefits vary widely depending on the species and where it’s planted.</p>

<p>Eucalyptus, for instance, grows fast and straight, making it a lucrative lumber product. Native to Australia and a few islands to the north, its leaves feed koalas, which evolved to tolerate a potent poison they contain. But in Africa and South America — where the trees are widely grown for timber, fuel and, increasingly, carbon storage — they provide far less value to wildlife. They are also blamed for depleting water and worsening wildfires.</p>

<p>Experts acknowledge that forest restoration and carbon sequestration are complex, and that commercial species have a role to play. People need timber, a renewable product with a lower carbon footprint than concrete or steel. They need paper and fuel for cooking.</p>

<p>Planting fast-growing species for harvest can sometimes help preserve surrounding native forests. And, by strategically adding native species, tree farms can help biodiversity by creating wildlife corridors to link disconnected habitat areas.</p>

<p>“This restoration movement can’t happen without the private sector,” said Michael Becker, head of communications at 1t.org, a group created by the World Economic Forum to push for the conservation and growth of 1 trillion trees with help from private investment. “Historically, there have been bad actors, but we need to bring them into the fold and doing the right thing.”</p>

<p>A challenge is that helping biodiversity doesn’t offer the financial return of carbon storage or timber markets.</p>

<p>Many governments have set standards for reforestation efforts, but they often provide broad leeway.</p>

<p>In Wales, one of the most deforested countries in Europe, the government is offering incentives for tree planting. But growers need only include 25% native species to qualify for government subsidies. In Kenya and Brazil, rows of eucalyptus grow on land that was once ecologically rich forest and savanna. In Peru, a company called Reforesta Perú is planting trees on degraded Amazonian land, but it’s increasingly using cloned eucalyptus and teak, intended for export.</p>

<p>Investors prefer them because they bring better prices, said Enrique Toledo, general manager of Reforesta Perú. “They are well-known species internationally and there is an unsatisfied demand for wood.”</p>

<p>When researchers from University College London and the University of Edinburgh evaluated national commitments toward reforestation and restoration, they found that 45% involved “planting vast monocultures of trees as profitable enterprises.”</p>

<p><b>‘The Same Species All Over the World’</b></p>

<p>When businesses promise to plant a tree for every purchase of a given product, they typically do so via nonprofit groups that work with communities around the world. The support may reforest after wildfires or provide fruit and nut trees to farmers. But even these projects can compromise biodiversity.</p>

<p>The planet is home to nearly 60,000 tree species. A third are threatened with extinction, mainly from agriculture, grazing and exploitation. But globally, only a tiny fraction of species are widely planted, according to tree planting groups and scientists.</p>

<p>“They’re planting the same species all over the world,” said Meredith Martin, an assistant professor of forestry at North Carolina State University who found that nonprofit tree planting efforts in the tropics tend to prioritize the livelihood needs of people over biodiversity or carbon storage. Over time, she said, these efforts risk reducing biodiversity in forests.</p>

<p>Nonprofit tree planting groups often say they plant nonnative species because local communities ask for them. But deeper engagement can yield a different story, said Susan Chomba, who oversees forest restoration and conservation in Africa for the World Resources Institute, a global research nonprofit group. When given the chance to consider what they want to accomplish on their land, farmers will recall, for instance, that when they had more trees, they also had streams, she said. They want the water back.</p>

<p>“Then you say, ‘In your traditional, local knowledge, what kind of tree species are suitable for returning water into the ecosystem?’” Chomba continued. “They will give you a whole range of indigenous tree species.”</p>

<p>A major hurdle is lack of supply at local seed banks, which tend to be dominated by popular commercial species. Some groups overcome this problem by paying people to collect seeds from nearby forests.</p>

<p>Another solution, experts say, is to let forests come back on their own. If the area is only lightly degraded or sits near existing forest, a method called natural regeneration can be cheaper and more effective. Simply fencing off certain areas from grazing will often allow trees to return, with both carbon sequestration and biodiversity built in.</p>

<p>“Nature knows much more than we do,” Chazdon said.</p>


A tree planted for every T-shirt purchased. For every bottle of wine. For every swipe of a credit card. Trees planted by countries to meet global pledges and by companies to bolster their sustainability records.

A tree planted for every T-shirt purchased. For every bottle of wine. For every swipe of a credit card. Trees planted by countries to meet global pledges and by companies to bolster their sustainability records. As the climate crisis deepens, businesses and consumers are joining nonprofit groups and governments in a global tree planting boom. Last year saw billions of trees planted in scores of countries around the world. These efforts can be a triple win, providing livelihoods, absorbing and locking away planet-warming carbon dioxide, and improving the health of ecosystems. But when done poorly, the projects can worsen the very problems they were meant to solve. Planting the wrong trees in the wrong place can actually reduce biodiversity, speeding extinctions and making ecosystems far less resilient. Addressing biodiversity loss, already a global crisis akin to climate change, is becoming more and more urgent. Extinction rates are surging. An estimated million species are at risk of disappearing, many within decades. And ecosystem collapse doesn’t just threaten animals and plants; it imperils the food and water supplies that humans rely on. Amid that worsening crisis, companies and countries are increasingly investing in tree planting that carpets large areas with commercial, nonnative species in the name of fighting climate change. These trees sock away carbon but provide little support to the webs of life that once thrived in those areas. “You’re creating basically a sterile landscape,” said Paul Smith, who runs Botanic Gardens Conservation International, an umbrella group that works to prevent plant extinctions. “If people want to plant trees, let’s also make it a positive for biodiversity.” There’s a rule of thumb in the tree planting world: One should plant “the right tree in the right place.” Some add, “for the right reason.” But, according to interviews with a range of players — scientists, policy experts, forestry companies and tree planting organizations — people often disagree on what “right” means. For some, it’s big tree farms for carbon storage and timber. For others, it’s providing fruit trees to small-scale farmers. For others still, it’s allowing native species to regenerate. The best efforts try to address a range of needs, according to restoration experts, but it can be hard to reconcile competing interests. “It’s kind of the Wild West,” said Forrest Fleischman, a professor of environmental policy at the University of Minnesota. ‘Harm in the Name of Doing Good’ There is not enough land on Earth to tackle climate change with trees alone, but if paired with drastic cuts in fossil fuels, trees can be an important natural solution. They absorb carbon dioxide through pores in their leaves and stash it away in their branches and trunks (though trees also release carbon when they burn or rot). That ability to collect CO2 is why forests are often called carbon sinks. In Central Africa, TotalEnergies, the French oil and gas giant, has announced plans to plant trees on 40,000 hectares in the Republic of Congo. The project — on the Batéké Plateau, a rolling mosaic of grasses and wooded savanna with patches of denser forests — would sequester more than 10 million tons of carbon dioxide over 20 years, according to the company. “Total is committing to the development of natural carbon sinks in Africa,” said Nicolas Terraz, who was then Total’s senior vice president for Africa, exploration and production, in a company news release on the project in 2021. “These activities build on the priority initiatives taken by the group to avoid and reduce emissions, in line with its ambition to get to net zero by 2050.” To achieve net zero, companies must remove at least as much carbon from the air as they release. Many, like TotalEnergies, are turning to trees for help with that. On the Batéké Plateau, an acacia species from Australia, intended for selective logging, will cover a large area. The project, part of a Congolese government program to expand forest cover and increase carbon storage, would create jobs, the company said, and ultimately broaden the ecosystem’s biodiversity as local species are allowed to grow in over decades. But scientists warn that the plan may be an example of one of the worst kinds of forestation efforts: planting trees where they would not naturally occur. These projects can devastate biodiversity, threaten water supplies and even increase temperatures because, in some cases, trees absorb heat that grasslands — or, in other parts of the world, snow — would have reflected. “We don’t want to cause harm in the name of doing good,” said Bethanie Walder, executive director of the Society for Ecological Restoration, a global nonprofit. The Batéké Plateau is one of the least-studied ecosystems in Africa, according to Paula Nieto Quintano, an environmental scientist who has focused on the region. “Its importance for local livelihoods, its ecology and ecosystem functions are poorly understood,” Nieto said. Those who study forest restoration emphasize that trees are not a cure-all. “I fear that many corporations and governments are seeing this as an easy way out,” said Robin Chazdon, a professor of tropical forest restoration at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia. “They don’t necessarily have to work as hard to reduce their emissions because they can just say, ‘Oh, we’re offsetting that by planting trees’.” ‘There Have Been Bad Actors’ All trees store carbon, but their other benefits vary widely depending on the species and where it’s planted. Eucalyptus, for instance, grows fast and straight, making it a lucrative lumber product. Native to Australia and a few islands to the north, its leaves feed koalas, which evolved to tolerate a potent poison they contain. But in Africa and South America — where the trees are widely grown for timber, fuel and, increasingly, carbon storage — they provide far less value to wildlife. They are also blamed for depleting water and worsening wildfires. Experts acknowledge that forest restoration and carbon sequestration are complex, and that commercial species have a role to play. People need timber, a renewable product with a lower carbon footprint than concrete or steel. They need paper and fuel for cooking. Planting fast-growing species for harvest can sometimes help preserve surrounding native forests. And, by strategically adding native species, tree farms can help biodiversity by creating wildlife corridors to link disconnected habitat areas. “This restoration movement can’t happen without the private sector,” said Michael Becker, head of communications at 1t.org, a group created by the World Economic Forum to push for the conservation and growth of 1 trillion trees with help from private investment. “Historically, there have been bad actors, but we need to bring them into the fold and doing the right thing.” A challenge is that helping biodiversity doesn’t offer the financial return of carbon storage or timber markets. Many governments have set standards for reforestation efforts, but they often provide broad leeway. In Wales, one of the most deforested countries in Europe, the government is offering incentives for tree planting. But growers need only include 25% native species to qualify for government subsidies. In Kenya and Brazil, rows of eucalyptus grow on land that was once ecologically rich forest and savanna. In Peru, a company called Reforesta Perú is planting trees on degraded Amazonian land, but it’s increasingly using cloned eucalyptus and teak, intended for export. Investors prefer them because they bring better prices, said Enrique Toledo, general manager of Reforesta Perú. “They are well-known species internationally and there is an unsatisfied demand for wood.” When researchers from University College London and the University of Edinburgh evaluated national commitments toward reforestation and restoration, they found that 45% involved “planting vast monocultures of trees as profitable enterprises.” ‘The Same Species All Over the World’ When businesses promise to plant a tree for every purchase of a given product, they typically do so via nonprofit groups that work with communities around the world. The support may reforest after wildfires or provide fruit and nut trees to farmers. But even these projects can compromise biodiversity. The planet is home to nearly 60,000 tree species. A third are threatened with extinction, mainly from agriculture, grazing and exploitation. But globally, only a tiny fraction of species are widely planted, according to tree planting groups and scientists. “They’re planting the same species all over the world,” said Meredith Martin, an assistant professor of forestry at North Carolina State University who found that nonprofit tree planting efforts in the tropics tend to prioritize the livelihood needs of people over biodiversity or carbon storage. Over time, she said, these efforts risk reducing biodiversity in forests. Nonprofit tree planting groups often say they plant nonnative species because local communities ask for them. But deeper engagement can yield a different story, said Susan Chomba, who oversees forest restoration and conservation in Africa for the World Resources Institute, a global research nonprofit group. When given the chance to consider what they want to accomplish on their land, farmers will recall, for instance, that when they had more trees, they also had streams, she said. They want the water back. “Then you say, ‘In your traditional, local knowledge, what kind of tree species are suitable for returning water into the ecosystem?’” Chomba continued. “They will give you a whole range of indigenous tree species.” A major hurdle is lack of supply at local seed banks, which tend to be dominated by popular commercial species. Some groups overcome this problem by paying people to collect seeds from nearby forests. Another solution, experts say, is to let forests come back on their own. If the area is only lightly degraded or sits near existing forest, a method called natural regeneration can be cheaper and more effective. Simply fencing off certain areas from grazing will often allow trees to return, with both carbon sequestration and biodiversity built in. “Nature knows much more than we do,” Chazdon said.

Tree planting is booming. Here's how that could help, or harm, the planet.

<p>Wikileaks founder&nbsp;Julian&nbsp;Assange&nbsp;has been denied permission to appeal at the Supreme Court against a decision to extradite him to the United States, the court said on Monday.</p>

<p>US&nbsp;authorities want Australian-born&nbsp;Assange, 50 to face trial on 18 counts relating to WikiLeaks' release of vast troves of confidential US&nbsp;military records and diplomatic cables which they said had put lives in danger.</p>

<p>In December, the High Court in London overturned a lower court's ruling that he should not be extradited because his mental health problems meant he would be at risk of suicide.</p>

<p>High Court judges then refused him permission for a direct appeal to the Supreme Court on their decision, leaving the decision with the Supreme Court itself over whether to hear his challenge.</p>

<p>"The application has been refused by the Supreme Court and the reason given is that application did not raise an arguable point of law" a supreme court spokesperson said.</p>

<p>The extradition decision will now need to be ratified by interior minister Priti Patel, after which&nbsp;Assange&nbsp;can try to challenge the decision by judicial review. A judicial review involves a judge examining the legitimacy of a public body's decision.</p>


Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has been denied permission to appeal at the Supreme Court against a decision to extradite him to the United States, the court said on Monday.

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has been denied permission to appeal at the Supreme Court against a decision to extradite him to the United States, the court said on Monday. US authorities want Australian-born Assange, 50 to face trial on 18 counts relating to WikiLeaks' release of vast troves of confidential US military records and diplomatic cables which they said had put lives in danger. In December, the High Court in London overturned a lower court's ruling that he should not be extradited because his mental health problems meant he would be at risk of suicide. High Court judges then refused him permission for a direct appeal to the Supreme Court on their decision, leaving the decision with the Supreme Court itself over whether to hear his challenge. "The application has been refused by the Supreme Court and the reason given is that application did not raise an arguable point of law" a supreme court spokesperson said. The extradition decision will now need to be ratified by interior minister Priti Patel, after which Assange can try to challenge the decision by judicial review. A judicial review involves a judge examining the legitimacy of a public body's decision.

WikiLeaks' Julian Assange denied permission to appeal extradition decision at Supreme Court

<p>In a video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday (March 14) said that he had asked the government to ease tax pressure on small and medium-sized businesses because of the ongoing conflict between Russia and his country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said that he had asked the officials to work out details on how to restore small and medium businesses so that the system works and the people know how and where they can work.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The economic suppression of Ukraine is one of the war's aims," in a video address, Zelensky said adding that he had told the government "to relax taxes as much as possible, to remove all difficulties, absolutely everything".&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-challenges-vladimir-putin-to-a-fight-for-ukraine-and-he-is-absolutely-serious-462250">Elon Musk challenges Vladimir Putin to a fight for Ukraine and he is 'absolutely serious'</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Talking about the prospects after the conflict ends, the Ukrainian President said that the country needs a new tax system and new financial regulations to keep the economy going during wartime and to rebuild it after the war.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The weather is beautiful alas we hardly ever notice it anymore. The skies are clear but not above Kyiv. Not above Kyiv and other cities of our country," Zelensky said at the start of his address as he spoke from the outside presidential palace in Kyiv while referring to the morning bombardment of targets in the capital by the Russian forces.&nbsp;</p>

<p>News agencies have reported quoting authorities that at least one person was killed when a Russian shell smashed into an apartment block in Kyiv on Monday (March 14).&nbsp;</p>

<p>A second person was killed by falling debris after a missile strike on another part of the Ukrainian capital.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-under-attack-kremlin-doesnt-rule-out-taking-full-control-of-major-ukraine-cities-462229">Ukraine under attack: Kremlin doesn't rule out taking 'full control' of major Ukraine cities</a></strong></p>

<p>Three Russian rockets also hit the Antonov aircraft factory in Kyiv. There were no immediate reports of any deaths at the factory.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Zelensky is set to a virtual address to US Congress on Wednesday (March 16) as the western ally comes under intense shelling from Russia.&nbsp;</p>

<p>House leader Nancy Pelosi and her Senate counterpart Chuck Schumer said in a joint letter to lawmakers said, "We look forward to the privilege of welcoming President Zelensky's address to the House and Senate and to convey our support to the people of Ukraine as they bravely defend democracy."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Russian troops inch closer to Ukrainian capital, Kyiv braces for more Russian strikes</strong></p>

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In a video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday (March 14) said that he had asked the government to ease tax pressure on small and medium-sized businesses because of the ongoing conflict between Russia and his country.

In a video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday (March 14) said that he had asked the government to ease tax pressure on small and medium-sized businesses because of the ongoing conflict between Russia and his country. He said that he had asked the officials to work out details on how to restore small and medium businesses so that the system works and the people know how and where they can work. "The economic suppression of Ukraine is one of the war's aims," in a video address, Zelensky said adding that he had told the government "to relax taxes as much as possible, to remove all difficulties, absolutely everything". ALSO READ | Elon Musk challenges Vladimir Putin to a fight for Ukraine and he is 'absolutely serious' Talking about the prospects after the conflict ends, the Ukrainian President said that the country needs a new tax system and new financial regulations to keep the economy going during wartime and to rebuild it after the war. "The weather is beautiful alas we hardly ever notice it anymore. The skies are clear but not above Kyiv. Not above Kyiv and other cities of our country," Zelensky said at the start of his address as he spoke from the outside presidential palace in Kyiv while referring to the morning bombardment of targets in the capital by the Russian forces. News agencies have reported quoting authorities that at least one person was killed when a Russian shell smashed into an apartment block in Kyiv on Monday (March 14). A second person was killed by falling debris after a missile strike on another part of the Ukrainian capital. ALSO READ | Ukraine under attack: Kremlin doesn't rule out taking 'full control' of major Ukraine cities Three Russian rockets also hit the Antonov aircraft factory in Kyiv. There were no immediate reports of any deaths at the factory. Meanwhile, Zelensky is set to a virtual address to US Congress on Wednesday (March 16) as the western ally comes under intense shelling from Russia. House leader Nancy Pelosi and her Senate counterpart Chuck Schumer said in a joint letter to lawmakers said, "We look forward to the privilege of welcoming President Zelensky's address to the House and Senate and to convey our support to the people of Ukraine as they bravely defend democracy." WATCH | Russian troops inch closer to Ukrainian capital, Kyiv braces for more Russian strikes ×

'Economic suppression of Ukraine is one of the war's goals': Zelensky orders to restore businesses

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<p><strong><em>Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.</em></strong></p>

<p>The official Twitter handle of the Russian defence ministry released a video of a fighter jet claiming that the pilot of the Sukhoi Su-25 (NATO reporting name: Frogfoot) attack aircraft managed to land the plane after being hit by a Ukrainian MANPADS missile.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The video posted by Russian MOD shows the aircraft with damages apparently caused by a MANPADS (Man-Portable Air Defense System).&nbsp;</p>

<p>The aircraft can be seen hit on the rear right-hand side of the fuselage and the video shows the jet being towed.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-challenges-vladimir-putin-to-a-fight-for-ukraine-and-he-is-absolutely-serious-462250">Elon Musk challenges Vladimir Putin to a fight for Ukraine and he is 'absolutely serious'</a></strong></p>

<p>Russian state-owned Zvezda posted on Telegram, "While performing a combat mission in Ukraine, the Su-25 was hit by a missile fired from the ground by their military."&nbsp;</p>

<p>DefenseWorld.net reported that the Su-25 was flying with another jet. Meanwhile, reports have stated that at least six Su-25s have been confirmed lost in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion on February 24.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The report shows two crucial sides; one is the threat caused by MANPADS operated by the Ukrainian forces to all Russian aircraft operating at medium and low altitudes, and the second is the damage tolerance of the Su-25.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/economic-suppression-of-ukraine-is-one-of-the-wars-goals-zelensky-orders-taxes-eased-to-restore-businesses-462280">'Economic suppression of Ukraine is one of the war's goals': Zelensky orders taxes eased to restore businesses</a></strong></p>

<p><em><strong>Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos and videos shared on social media.&nbsp;</strong></em></p>

<p><strong>Watch the video here:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="ru">Летчик штурмовика Су-25 сумел посадить самолет после попадания в него ракеты ПЗРК ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/8MweSkywcn">https://t.co/8MweSkywcn</a> <a href="https://t.co/jL0E7HCqud">pic.twitter.com/jL0E7HCqud</a></p>
— Минобороны России (@mod_russia) <a href="https://twitter.com/mod_russia/status/1503304316114948101?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>While uploading the video on YouTube, the defence ministry detailed the incident in Russian, which can be loosely translated in English as:&nbsp;</p>

<blockquote>
<p>"While performing a combat mission in the zone of a special military operation, the Su-25 attack aircraft, which is second in the pair, was hit by a missile from a man-portable air defense system fired from the ground by a serviceman of the armed forces of Ukraine. The pilot of the damaged aircraft, assessing the situation, decided to turn off the damaged engine and not leave the aircraft. The pilot of the leading (first) plane, Lt. Col. Denis Litvinov, realizing that the comrade's plane could not withstand a second missile hit, covered it with his own plane."</p>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
<p>"The pilot of the second aircraft visually detected the launch of the second missile and, firing off flares, managed to divert the missile to the side."</p>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
<p>"During the landing approach, the pilot of the damaged Su-25 reported an avionics and control systems failure, but managed to land thanks to the assitance provided by the pilot covering him. The landing was uneventful. Thanks to the cold-blooded and skillful actions of the pilot Denis Litvinov, he managed to save the life of his friend and the combat aircraft."</p>
</blockquote>


Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. The official Twitter handle of the Russian defence ministry released a video of a fighter jet claiming that the pilot of the Sukhoi Su-25 (NATO reporting name: Frogfoot) attack aircraft managed to land the plane after being hit by a Ukrainian MANPADS missile. The video posted by Russian MOD shows the aircraft with damages apparently caused by a MANPADS (Man-Portable Air Defense System). The aircraft can be seen hit on the rear right-hand side of the fuselage and the video shows the jet being towed. ALSO READ | Elon Musk challenges Vladimir Putin to a fight for Ukraine and he is 'absolutely serious' Russian state-owned Zvezda posted on Telegram, "While performing a combat mission in Ukraine, the Su-25 was hit by a missile fired from the ground by their military." DefenseWorld.net reported that the Su-25 was flying with another jet. Meanwhile, reports have stated that at least six Su-25s have been confirmed lost in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion on February 24. The report shows two crucial sides; one is the threat caused by MANPADS operated by the Ukrainian forces to all Russian aircraft operating at medium and low altitudes, and the second is the damage tolerance of the Su-25. ALSO READ | 'Economic suppression of Ukraine is one of the war's goals': Zelensky orders taxes eased to restore businesses Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos and videos shared on social media. Watch the video here: Летчик штурмовика Су-25 сумел посадить самолет после попадания в него ракеты ПЗРК ➡️ https://t.co/8MweSkywcn pic.twitter.com/jL0E7HCqud — Минобороны России (@mod_russia) March 14, 2022 × While uploading the video on YouTube, the defence ministry detailed the incident in Russian, which can be loosely translated in English as: "While performing a combat mission in the zone of a special military operation, the Su-25 attack aircraft, which is second in the pair, was hit by a missile from a man-portable air defense system fired from the ground by a serviceman of the armed forces of Ukraine. The pilot of the damaged aircraft, assessing the situation, decided to turn off the damaged engine and not leave the aircraft. The pilot of the leading (first) plane, Lt. Col. Denis Litvinov, realizing that the comrade's plane could not withstand a second missile hit, covered it with his own plane." "The pilot of the second aircraft visually detected the launch of the second missile and, firing off flares, managed to divert the missile to the side." "During the landing approach, the pilot of the damaged Su-25 reported an avionics and control systems failure, but managed to land thanks to the assitance provided by the pilot covering him. The landing was uneventful. Thanks to the cold-blooded and skillful actions of the pilot Denis Litvinov, he managed to save the life of his friend and the combat aircraft."

Watch: Russian Sukhoi Su-25 aircraft safely lands after being hit by Ukrainian MANPADS

<p>Amid escalating Russia and Ukraine conflict, SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Monday (March 14) has apparently challenged Russian President Vladimir Putin for single combat for Ukraine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Using the Russian alphabets to write Putin's name, Musk on his official Twitter handle wrote: "I hereby challenge Vladimir Putin to single combat. "Stakes are Ukraine," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the same trail, Musk then wrote in Russian: "Do you agree to this fight?" and tagged the official Twitter account of the Kremlin.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-under-attack-kremlin-doesnt-rule-out-taking-full-control-of-major-ukraine-cities-462229">Ukraine under attack: Kremlin doesn't rule out taking 'full control' of major Ukraine cities</a></strong></p>

<p>The tweet has gone viral in no time with people reacting and retweeting it. In the comment section, one of the Twitter users highlighted the point that the Russian president would easily win any fight.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Musk responded, "If Putin could so easily humiliate the west, then he would accept the challenge. But he will not."&nbsp;</p>

<p>When another user asked whether Musk thought it through before challenging Putin for single combat, Musk replied, "I am absolutely serious."</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-85-children-killed-100-wounded-so-far-in-ukraine-says-attorney-general-462201">At least 85 children killed, 100 wounded so far in Ukraine, says attorney general</a></strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="ru">Вы согласны на этот бой? <a href="https://twitter.com/KremlinRussia_E?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KremlinRussia_E</a></p>
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1503338552016482308?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Russia and Ukraine conflict has impacted the world and so as Musk, who said that the US electric carmaker and his rocket company SpaceX are facing significant inflationary pressure in raw materials and logistics.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Musk in a tweet on Sunday also asked about the inflation rate outlook and said his companies "are not alone", retweeting an article saying the Ukraine-Russia conflict sent commodity prices to their highest levels since 2008.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Russia's invasion of Ukraine has led to a surge in prices of metals used in cars - from aluminium in the bodywork to palladium in catalytic converters to the high-grade nickel in electric vehicle batteries - and customers are likely to foot the bill.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;'China to face consequences if it helps Russia,' US issues stern warning</strong></p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Amid escalating Russia and Ukraine conflict, SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Monday (March 14) has apparently challenged Russian President Vladimir Putin for single combat for Ukraine.

Amid escalating Russia and Ukraine conflict, SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Monday (March 14) has apparently challenged Russian President Vladimir Putin for single combat for Ukraine. Using the Russian alphabets to write Putin's name, Musk on his official Twitter handle wrote: "I hereby challenge Vladimir Putin to single combat. "Stakes are Ukraine," he added. In the same trail, Musk then wrote in Russian: "Do you agree to this fight?" and tagged the official Twitter account of the Kremlin. ALSO READ | Ukraine under attack: Kremlin doesn't rule out taking 'full control' of major Ukraine cities The tweet has gone viral in no time with people reacting and retweeting it. In the comment section, one of the Twitter users highlighted the point that the Russian president would easily win any fight. Musk responded, "If Putin could so easily humiliate the west, then he would accept the challenge. But he will not." When another user asked whether Musk thought it through before challenging Putin for single combat, Musk replied, "I am absolutely serious." ALSO READ | At least 85 children killed, 100 wounded so far in Ukraine, says attorney general Вы согласны на этот бой? @KremlinRussia_E — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 14, 2022 × The Russia and Ukraine conflict has impacted the world and so as Musk, who said that the US electric carmaker and his rocket company SpaceX are facing significant inflationary pressure in raw materials and logistics. Musk in a tweet on Sunday also asked about the inflation rate outlook and said his companies "are not alone", retweeting an article saying the Ukraine-Russia conflict sent commodity prices to their highest levels since 2008. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has led to a surge in prices of metals used in cars - from aluminium in the bodywork to palladium in catalytic converters to the high-grade nickel in electric vehicle batteries - and customers are likely to foot the bill. WATCH | 'China to face consequences if it helps Russia,' US issues stern warning ×

Elon Musk challenges Vladimir Putin to a fight for Ukraine and he is 'absolutely serious'

<p>As Russia and Ukraine conflict continues to escalate, the Kremlin said on Monday (March 14) that it may still opt to take control of large cities in Ukraine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>News agencies have reported that the Russian military is advancing steadily towards several major urban hubs in its pro-Western neighbour.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, "Putin gave orders to hold back on any immediate assault on large cities because the civilian losses would be large."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-85-children-killed-100-wounded-so-far-in-ukraine-says-attorney-general-462201">At least 85 children killed, 100 wounded so far in Ukraine, says attorney general</a></strong></p>

<p>Peskov added that the defence ministry, however, "does not rule out the possibility of putting large cities, which are already almost fully encircled, under its full control".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Peskov said that exceptions would be made for areas "used for humanitarian evacuations. "US and EU leaders it seems are forcing Russia towards an assault of large Ukrainian cities to hold our country responsible for civilian deaths," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Peskov further denied reports that Russia has asked China for military aid. He said that Russia has the potential to conduct an operation in Ukraine, and has not asked for assistance from other countries.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-orthodox-church-announces-split-with-moscow-over-ukraine-invasion-462186">Russian Orthodox church announces split with Moscow over Ukraine invasion</a></strong></p>

<p>Financial Times newspaper cited US officials on Monday and claimed that Russia had asked China for military ​equipment to ​support its operation in Ukraine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Peskov told reporters, "Newspapers are now writing a lot, you should not take it as a primary source. Russia has an independent potential to continue the operation, as we said, it is developing according to the plan and will be completed on time and in full."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Two killed in Kyiv suburbs after being hit by artillery shelling</strong></p>

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<p><em>(With inputs from agnencies)</em></p>


As Russia and Ukraine conflict continues to escalate, the Kremlin said on Monday (March 14) that it may still opt to take control of large cities in Ukraine. News agencies have reported that the Russian military is advancing steadily towards several major urban hubs in its pro-Western neighbour.

As Russia and Ukraine conflict continues to escalate, the Kremlin said on Monday (March 14) that it may still opt to take control of large cities in Ukraine. News agencies have reported that the Russian military is advancing steadily towards several major urban hubs in its pro-Western neighbour. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, "Putin gave orders to hold back on any immediate assault on large cities because the civilian losses would be large." ALSO READ | At least 85 children killed, 100 wounded so far in Ukraine, says attorney general Peskov added that the defence ministry, however, "does not rule out the possibility of putting large cities, which are already almost fully encircled, under its full control". Peskov said that exceptions would be made for areas "used for humanitarian evacuations. "US and EU leaders it seems are forcing Russia towards an assault of large Ukrainian cities to hold our country responsible for civilian deaths," he added. Meanwhile, Peskov further denied reports that Russia has asked China for military aid. He said that Russia has the potential to conduct an operation in Ukraine, and has not asked for assistance from other countries. ALSO READ | Russian Orthodox church announces split with Moscow over Ukraine invasion Financial Times newspaper cited US officials on Monday and claimed that Russia had asked China for military equipment to support its operation in Ukraine. Peskov told reporters, "Newspapers are now writing a lot, you should not take it as a primary source. Russia has an independent potential to continue the operation, as we said, it is developing according to the plan and will be completed on time and in full." WATCH | Two killed in Kyiv suburbs after being hit by artillery shelling × (With inputs from agnencies)

Ukraine under attack: Kremlin doesn't rule out taking 'full control' of major Ukraine cities

<p>In China, the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak was first reported in 2019 and subsequently spread worldwide. The country is again witnessing a surge in cases as the nation has reported more local symptomatic Covid cases so far this year than it recorded in all of 2021.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The rise in cases triggered by the outbreaks in Shanghai to Shenzhen could be due to the fast-spreading variant commonly known as "stealth omicron".&nbsp;</p>

<p>The country's National Health Commission (NHC) said on Monday that Mainland China reported 1,337 new domestically transmitted Covid cases with confirmed symptoms on March 13.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/shenzhen-city-begins-lockdown-amid-virus-surge-in-china-462106">Shenzhen city begins lockdown amid virus surge in China</a></strong></p>

<p>As per the Reuters report, the total this year so far is more than 9,000 and in 2021, the total number of cases was 8,378.&nbsp;</p>

<p>New cases have been reported in the past few weeks in Beijing and Shanghai, as well as in the provinces of Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shandong and Zhejiang along the coast.&nbsp;</p>

<p>An increase in cases in one country leads to a rise in the number of Covid infections in other parts of the world. But the question here is, should the world be wary?&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is important to note that the number of infections is small compared with caseloads elsewhere in the world. However, the surge has activated China's dynamic zero Covid policy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per the nation's zero Covid policy, infections are supposed to be quickly identified and eventually contained. It appears that the country is looking forward to taking some strict measures.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the latest development, Shanghai has closed schools, parks, cinemas and suspended some long-distance travel amid a resurgence of cases across the financial hub.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Friday (March 11), the Shanghai authorities announced the closure of all schools except some university-level classes from Monday. Long-distance intercity bus services were also suspended on Monday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As quoted by Reuters, a 34-year-old Shanghai resident Loyd Ge said residents&nbsp;weren't panicking but were preparing for a complete lockdown.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ge said, "The long-distance bus station has been closed. A (COVID-19) nucleic acid test is required when travelling to other provinces."</p>

<p>"With these counter-measures, we’ve still run into a new outbreak in Shanghai, which shows that the control measures will be further strengthened. So we should be prepared for a city-wide lockdown as well," the resident added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-deltacron-variant-is-rare-and-similar-to-omicron-experts-say-462149">New ‘Deltacron’ variant is rare and similar to Omicron, experts say</a></strong></p>

<p>As quoted by news agency AP, Zhang Wenhong, who is a&nbsp;prominent infectious disease expert at a hospital affiliated with Shanghai's Fudan University noted in an essay for China's business outlet Caixin&nbsp;on Monday (March 14) that&nbsp;the numbers for the mainland were still in the beginning stages of an "exponential rise".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Shanghai confirmed 41 new cases on Monday and Zhang noted that much of the current outbreak is being driven by the variant commonly known as "stealth omicron," or the B.A.2 lineage of the omicron variant.</p>

<p>Early research suggests it spreads faster than the original omicron, which itself spread faster than the original virus and other variants.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Zhang wrote on Monday, "But if our country opens up quickly now, it will cause a large number of infections in people in a short period of time."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"No matter how low the death rate is, it will still cause a run on medical resources and a short term shock to social life, causing irreparable harm to families and society,"&nbsp;Zhang added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;China locks down tech hub Shenzen; Curbs imposed in Shanghai,other major cities</strong></p>

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<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In China, the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak was first reported in 2019 and subsequently spread worldwide. The country is again witnessing a surge in cases as the nation has reported more local symptomatic Covid cases so far this year than it recorded in all of 2021.

In China, the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak was first reported in 2019 and subsequently spread worldwide. The country is again witnessing a surge in cases as the nation has reported more local symptomatic Covid cases so far this year than it recorded in all of 2021. The rise in cases triggered by the outbreaks in Shanghai to Shenzhen could be due to the fast-spreading variant commonly known as "stealth omicron". The country's National Health Commission (NHC) said on Monday that Mainland China reported 1,337 new domestically transmitted Covid cases with confirmed symptoms on March 13. ALSO READ | Shenzhen city begins lockdown amid virus surge in China As per the Reuters report, the total this year so far is more than 9,000 and in 2021, the total number of cases was 8,378. New cases have been reported in the past few weeks in Beijing and Shanghai, as well as in the provinces of Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shandong and Zhejiang along the coast. An increase in cases in one country leads to a rise in the number of Covid infections in other parts of the world. But the question here is, should the world be wary? It is important to note that the number of infections is small compared with caseloads elsewhere in the world. However, the surge has activated China's dynamic zero Covid policy. As per the nation's zero Covid policy, infections are supposed to be quickly identified and eventually contained. It appears that the country is looking forward to taking some strict measures. In the latest development, Shanghai has closed schools, parks, cinemas and suspended some long-distance travel amid a resurgence of cases across the financial hub. On Friday (March 11), the Shanghai authorities announced the closure of all schools except some university-level classes from Monday. Long-distance intercity bus services were also suspended on Monday. As quoted by Reuters, a 34-year-old Shanghai resident Loyd Ge said residents weren't panicking but were preparing for a complete lockdown. Ge said, "The long-distance bus station has been closed. A (COVID-19) nucleic acid test is required when travelling to other provinces." "With these counter-measures, we’ve still run into a new outbreak in Shanghai, which shows that the control measures will be further strengthened. So we should be prepared for a city-wide lockdown as well," the resident added. ALSO READ | New ‘Deltacron’ variant is rare and similar to Omicron, experts say As quoted by news agency AP, Zhang Wenhong, who is a prominent infectious disease expert at a hospital affiliated with Shanghai's Fudan University noted in an essay for China's business outlet Caixin on Monday (March 14) that the numbers for the mainland were still in the beginning stages of an "exponential rise". Shanghai confirmed 41 new cases on Monday and Zhang noted that much of the current outbreak is being driven by the variant commonly known as "stealth omicron," or the B.A.2 lineage of the omicron variant. Early research suggests it spreads faster than the original omicron, which itself spread faster than the original virus and other variants. Zhang wrote on Monday, "But if our country opens up quickly now, it will cause a large number of infections in people in a short period of time." "No matter how low the death rate is, it will still cause a run on medical resources and a short term shock to social life, causing irreparable harm to families and society," Zhang added. WATCH | China locks down tech hub Shenzen; Curbs imposed in Shanghai,other major cities × (With inputs from agencies)

China sees multiple COVID-19 outbreaks driven by 'stealth omicron'. Should the world be wary?

<p>India will start administering coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations for children aged 12 to 14 years from March 16, the government decided after deliberations with scientific bodies on Monday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The announcement by the health ministry is vital as schools reopen across the country with standard restrictions amid a significant fall in Covid cases.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a statement, the health ministry said, "Union Government after due deliberations with scientific bodies has decided to start COVID19 vaccination for 12-13 yr and 13-14 yr age groups (those born in 2008, 2009 and 2010. i.e those who are already above 12 years of age) of the population from 16th March 2022."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/shenzhen-city-begins-lockdown-amid-virus-surge-in-china-462106">Shenzhen city begins lockdown amid virus surge in China</a></strong></p>

<p>The ministry also added that it has been decided to remove the condition of co-morbidity for people above 60 years to receive a booster shot.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India's Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya took to his official Twitter&nbsp;account and announced it in Hindi. His comments can be loosely translated in English as: "If the children are safe then the country is safe! I am happy to inform you that the COVID-19 vaccination of children in the age group of 12 to 13 and 13 to 14 is starting from March 16. Also, everyone aged 60+ will now be able to get precaution doses."&nbsp;</p>

<p>So far, India has been vaccinating children aged 15 and above and according to government figures, more than 90 million children aged between 15 and 17 have been inoculated.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-deltacron-variant-is-rare-and-similar-to-omicron-experts-say-462149">New ‘Deltacron’ variant is rare and similar to Omicron, experts say</a></strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">बच्चे सुरक्षित तो देश सुरक्षित!<br />
<br />
मुझे बताते हुए खुशी है की 16 मार्च से 12 से 13 व 13 से 14 आयुवर्ग के बच्चों का कोविड टीकाकरण शुरू हो रहा है।<br />
<br />
साथ ही 60+ आयु के सभी लोग अब प्रिकॉशन डोज लगवा पाएँगे।<br />
<br />
मेरा बच्चों के परिजनों व 60+ आयुवर्ग के लोगों से आग्रह है की वैक्सीन जरूर लगवाएँ।</p>
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) <a href="https://twitter.com/mansukhmandviya/status/1503284436284100610?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>India's third wave of COVID-19 cases driven by the Omicron variant has receded, with the country reporting 2,503 infections on Monday (March 14) compared to more than 300,000 in late January.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per the health ministry, children in the age group of 12 to 14 years would be inoculated using vaccine maker Biological E. Ltd's Corbevax, which received an emergency use approval in February for 12- to 18-year-olds.&nbsp;</p>

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India will start administering coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations for children aged 12 to 14 years from March 16, the government decided after deliberations with scientific bodies on Monday.

India will start administering coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations for children aged 12 to 14 years from March 16, the government decided after deliberations with scientific bodies on Monday. The announcement by the health ministry is vital as schools reopen across the country with standard restrictions amid a significant fall in Covid cases. In a statement, the health ministry said, "Union Government after due deliberations with scientific bodies has decided to start COVID19 vaccination for 12-13 yr and 13-14 yr age groups (those born in 2008, 2009 and 2010. i.e those who are already above 12 years of age) of the population from 16th March 2022." ALSO READ | Shenzhen city begins lockdown amid virus surge in China The ministry also added that it has been decided to remove the condition of co-morbidity for people above 60 years to receive a booster shot. India's Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya took to his official Twitter account and announced it in Hindi. His comments can be loosely translated in English as: "If the children are safe then the country is safe! I am happy to inform you that the COVID-19 vaccination of children in the age group of 12 to 13 and 13 to 14 is starting from March 16. Also, everyone aged 60+ will now be able to get precaution doses." So far, India has been vaccinating children aged 15 and above and according to government figures, more than 90 million children aged between 15 and 17 have been inoculated. ALSO READ | New ‘Deltacron’ variant is rare and similar to Omicron, experts say बच्चे सुरक्षित तो देश सुरक्षित! मुझे बताते हुए खुशी है की 16 मार्च से 12 से 13 व 13 से 14 आयुवर्ग के बच्चों का कोविड टीकाकरण शुरू हो रहा है। साथ ही 60+ आयु के सभी लोग अब प्रिकॉशन डोज लगवा पाएँगे। मेरा बच्चों के परिजनों व 60+ आयुवर्ग के लोगों से आग्रह है की वैक्सीन जरूर लगवाएँ। — Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) March 14, 2022 × India's third wave of COVID-19 cases driven by the Omicron variant has receded, with the country reporting 2,503 infections on Monday (March 14) compared to more than 300,000 in late January. As per the health ministry, children in the age group of 12 to 14 years would be inoculated using vaccine maker Biological E. Ltd's Corbevax, which received an emergency use approval in February for 12- to 18-year-olds. ×

COVID-19: India to start vaccinating children aged 12 to 14 years from March 16, boosters for all above 60

<p>Western intelligence agencies are investigating a cyberattack by unidentified hackers that disrupted broadband&nbsp;satellite&nbsp;internet&nbsp;access in Ukraine coinciding with Russia's invasion, according to three people with direct knowledge of the incident.</p>

<p>Analysts for the US&nbsp;National Security Agency, French government cybersecurity organization ANSSI, and Ukrainian intelligence are assessing whether the remote sabotage of a&nbsp;satellite&nbsp;internet&nbsp;provider's service was the work of Russian-state backed hackers preparing the battlefield by attempting to sever communications.</p>

<p>The digital blitz on the&nbsp;satellite&nbsp;service began on Feb. 24 between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m., just as Russian forces started going in and firing missiles, striking major Ukrainian cities including the capital, Kyiv.</p>

<p>The consequences are still being investigated but&nbsp;satellite&nbsp;modems belonging to tens of thousands of customers in Europe were knocked offline, according to an official of US&nbsp;telecommunications firm Viasat, which owns the affected network.</p>

<p>The hackers disabled modems that communicate with Viasat Inc's KA-SAT&nbsp;satellite, which supplies internet access to some customers in Europe, including Ukraine. More than two weeks later some remain offline, resellers told Reuters.</p>

<p>What appears to be one of the most significant wartime cyberattacks publicly disclosed so far has piqued the interest of Western intelligence because Viasat acts as a defense contractor for both the United States and multiple allies.</p>

<p>Government contracts reviewed by Reuters show that KA-SAT has provided&nbsp;internet&nbsp;connectivity to Ukrainian military and police units.</p>

<p>Pablo Breuer, a former technologist for US&nbsp;special operations command, or SOCOM, said knocking out&nbsp;satellite&nbsp;internet&nbsp;connectivity could handicap Ukraine’s ability to combat Russian forces.</p>

<p>"Traditional land-based radios only reach so far. If you’re using modern smart systems, smart weapons, trying to do combined arms maneuvers, then you must rely on these&nbsp;satellites," said Breuer.</p>

<p>The Russian Embassy in Washington did not immediately return a message seeking comment. Moscow has repeatedly rejected allegations that it participates in cyberattacks.</p>

<p>Russian soldiers have besieged Ukrainian cities in what the Kremlin describes as a "de-Nazification" operation that has been denounced by the West as an unprovoked assault and led to severe sanctions against Moscow as punishment.</p>

<p><strong>MODEMS INOPERATIVE</strong></p>

<p>Viasat said in a statement that the disruption for customers in Ukraine and elsewhere was triggered by a "deliberate, isolated and external cyber event" but has yet to provide a detailed, public explanation of what happened.</p>

<p>"The network is stabilized and we are restoring service and activating terminals as quickly as possible," spokesperson Chris Phillips said in an email, adding that the company was prioritizing "critical infrastructure and humanitarian assistance."</p>

<p>The affected modems appeared to be completely inoperative, according to Jaroslav Stritecky, who runs Czech telecommunications company INTV. Normally, he said, the four status lights on the curved, SurfBeam 2 modems would indicate whether they were connected to the&nbsp;internet. After the attack, the lights on the Viasat-made devices would not turn on at all.</p>

<p>The Viasat official said a misconfiguration in the "management section" of the&nbsp;satellite&nbsp;network had allowed the hackers remote access into the modems, knocking them offline. He said most of the affected devices would need to be reprogrammed either by a technician on site or at a repair depot and that some would have to be swapped out.</p>

<p>The Viasat official wasn’t explicit about what the "management section" of the network referred to and declined to provide further details. KA-SAT and its associated ground stations, which Viasat purchased last year from European company Eutelsat, are still operated by a Eutelsat subsidiary.</p>

<p>Eutelsat referred questions back to Viasat.</p>

<p>Viasat has hired US&nbsp;cybersecurity firm Mandiant, which specializes in tracking state-sponsored hackers, to investigate the intrusion, according to two people familiar with the matter.</p>

<p>Spokespeople for the NSA, ANSSI, and Mandiant declined to comment.</p>

<p>Viasat said government clients who procured services directly from the company were unaffected by the disruption. The KA-SAT network is operated, however, by a third party, which in turn farms out service through various distributors.</p>

<p>Over the past several years Ukraine's military and security services have purchased several different communications systems that run over Viasat’s network, according to contracts posted on ProZorro, a Ukrainian transparency platform.</p>

<p>A message seeking comment from the Ukrainian military was not immediately returned.</p>

<p>Some&nbsp;internet&nbsp;distributors are still waiting to replace their devices.</p>

<p>Stritecky, the Czech telecom executive, said he did not blame Viasat.</p>

<p>He recalled coming into work on the morning of the invasion and seeing a monitor showing regional satellite coverage in the Czech Republic, neighbouring Slovakia, and Ukraine all in red.</p>

<p>"It was immediately clear what happened," he said.</p>


Western intelligence agencies are investigating a cyberattack by unidentified hackers that disrupted broadband satellite internet access in Ukraine coinciding with Russia's invasion, according to three people with direct knowledge of the incident.

Western intelligence agencies are investigating a cyberattack by unidentified hackers that disrupted broadband satellite internet access in Ukraine coinciding with Russia's invasion, according to three people with direct knowledge of the incident. Analysts for the US National Security Agency, French government cybersecurity organization ANSSI, and Ukrainian intelligence are assessing whether the remote sabotage of a satellite internet provider's service was the work of Russian-state backed hackers preparing the battlefield by attempting to sever communications. The digital blitz on the satellite service began on Feb. 24 between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m., just as Russian forces started going in and firing missiles, striking major Ukrainian cities including the capital, Kyiv. The consequences are still being investigated but satellite modems belonging to tens of thousands of customers in Europe were knocked offline, according to an official of US telecommunications firm Viasat, which owns the affected network. The hackers disabled modems that communicate with Viasat Inc's KA-SAT satellite, which supplies internet access to some customers in Europe, including Ukraine. More than two weeks later some remain offline, resellers told Reuters. What appears to be one of the most significant wartime cyberattacks publicly disclosed so far has piqued the interest of Western intelligence because Viasat acts as a defense contractor for both the United States and multiple allies. Government contracts reviewed by Reuters show that KA-SAT has provided internet connectivity to Ukrainian military and police units. Pablo Breuer, a former technologist for US special operations command, or SOCOM, said knocking out satellite internet connectivity could handicap Ukraine’s ability to combat Russian forces. "Traditional land-based radios only reach so far. If you’re using modern smart systems, smart weapons, trying to do combined arms maneuvers, then you must rely on these satellites," said Breuer. The Russian Embassy in Washington did not immediately return a message seeking comment. Moscow has repeatedly rejected allegations that it participates in cyberattacks. Russian soldiers have besieged Ukrainian cities in what the Kremlin describes as a "de-Nazification" operation that has been denounced by the West as an unprovoked assault and led to severe sanctions against Moscow as punishment. MODEMS INOPERATIVE Viasat said in a statement that the disruption for customers in Ukraine and elsewhere was triggered by a "deliberate, isolated and external cyber event" but has yet to provide a detailed, public explanation of what happened. "The network is stabilized and we are restoring service and activating terminals as quickly as possible," spokesperson Chris Phillips said in an email, adding that the company was prioritizing "critical infrastructure and humanitarian assistance." The affected modems appeared to be completely inoperative, according to Jaroslav Stritecky, who runs Czech telecommunications company INTV. Normally, he said, the four status lights on the curved, SurfBeam 2 modems would indicate whether they were connected to the internet. After the attack, the lights on the Viasat-made devices would not turn on at all. The Viasat official said a misconfiguration in the "management section" of the satellite network had allowed the hackers remote access into the modems, knocking them offline. He said most of the affected devices would need to be reprogrammed either by a technician on site or at a repair depot and that some would have to be swapped out. The Viasat official wasn’t explicit about what the "management section" of the network referred to and declined to provide further details. KA-SAT and its associated ground stations, which Viasat purchased last year from European company Eutelsat, are still operated by a Eutelsat subsidiary. Eutelsat referred questions back to Viasat. Viasat has hired US cybersecurity firm Mandiant, which specializes in tracking state-sponsored hackers, to investigate the intrusion, according to two people familiar with the matter. Spokespeople for the NSA, ANSSI, and Mandiant declined to comment. Viasat said government clients who procured services directly from the company were unaffected by the disruption. The KA-SAT network is operated, however, by a third party, which in turn farms out service through various distributors. Over the past several years Ukraine's military and security services have purchased several different communications systems that run over Viasat’s network, according to contracts posted on ProZorro, a Ukrainian transparency platform. A message seeking comment from the Ukrainian military was not immediately returned. Some internet distributors are still waiting to replace their devices. Stritecky, the Czech telecom executive, said he did not blame Viasat. He recalled coming into work on the morning of the invasion and seeing a monitor showing regional satellite coverage in the Czech Republic, neighbouring Slovakia, and Ukraine all in red. "It was immediately clear what happened," he said.

US spy agency probes sabotage of satellite internet during Russian invasion: Sources

<p>India's One-Day International skipper Mithali Raj on Saturday (March 12) surpassed former Australian counterpart, Belinda Clark, to break the record for most matches captained in the ICC Women's World Cup.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The 39-year-old cricketer led the Indian cricket team in a total of 24 World Cup games. During her captaincy in World Cup matches, India emerged as a winner on 14 occasions, lost eight times and one match ended with no result.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On the other hand, Australia's Clark had captained her side in 23 matches. Interestingly, Mithali and Clark are the only two cricketers to have led their country at more than two World Cups.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/head-coach-ramesh-powar-surprised-by-indias-batting-performance-in-first-20-overs-against-nz-461401">Head coach Ramesh Powar 'surprised' by India's batting performance in first 20 overs against NZ</a></strong></p>

<p>Last Sunday, Mithali became only the third cricketer and the first woman to appear in six World Cups, joining the iconic Sachin Tendulkar and Pakistan's&nbsp;great Javed Miandad.</p>

<p>Mithali Raj reached the milestone during the 2022 Women's Cricket World Cup match against West Indies at Seddon Park, Hamilton in New Zealand.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India won the toss and opted to bat first in the crucial match in the ongoing showpiece event. Batting first, India put up a total of 317-8 with opener Smriti Mandhana (123) and Harmanpreet Kaur (109) slamming magnificent tons.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/womens-world-cup-south-africa-hold-nerve-to-win-last-over-thriller-against-pakistan-461278">Women's World Cup: South Africa hold nerves to win last-over thriller against Pakistan</a></strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mithali Raj breaks the record for most matches captained in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 👏<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CWC22?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CWC22</a> <a href="https://t.co/CiTHmbC72X">pic.twitter.com/CiTHmbC72X</a></p>
— ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1502445921136783362?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamIndia</a> win the toss and elect to bat first against <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamWestIndies?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamWestIndies</a> in Hamilton.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CWC22?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CWC22</a></p>
— ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1502445183807406081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">India finish their 50 overs at 317/8, helped by two exquisite centuries by Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur 🙌<br />
<br />
Can West Indies chase this mammoth total?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CWC22?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CWC22</a> <a href="https://t.co/A0ao1wvpbS">pic.twitter.com/A0ao1wvpbS</a></p>
— ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1502505077101285378?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


India's One-Day International skipper Mithali Raj on Saturday (March 12) surpassed former Australian counterpart, Belinda Clark, to break the record for most matches captained in the ICC Women's World Cup.

India's One-Day International skipper Mithali Raj on Saturday (March 12) surpassed former Australian counterpart, Belinda Clark, to break the record for most matches captained in the ICC Women's World Cup. The 39-year-old cricketer led the Indian cricket team in a total of 24 World Cup games. During her captaincy in World Cup matches, India emerged as a winner on 14 occasions, lost eight times and one match ended with no result. On the other hand, Australia's Clark had captained her side in 23 matches. Interestingly, Mithali and Clark are the only two cricketers to have led their country at more than two World Cups. ALSO READ | Head coach Ramesh Powar 'surprised' by India's batting performance in first 20 overs against NZ Last Sunday, Mithali became only the third cricketer and the first woman to appear in six World Cups, joining the iconic Sachin Tendulkar and Pakistan's great Javed Miandad. Mithali Raj reached the milestone during the 2022 Women's Cricket World Cup match against West Indies at Seddon Park, Hamilton in New Zealand. India won the toss and opted to bat first in the crucial match in the ongoing showpiece event. Batting first, India put up a total of 317-8 with opener Smriti Mandhana (123) and Harmanpreet Kaur (109) slamming magnificent tons. ALSO READ | Women's World Cup: South Africa hold nerves to win last-over thriller against Pakistan Mithali Raj breaks the record for most matches captained in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 👏#CWC22 pic.twitter.com/CiTHmbC72X — ICC (@ICC) March 12, 2022 × #TeamIndia win the toss and elect to bat first against #TeamWestIndies in Hamilton.#CWC22 — ICC (@ICC) March 12, 2022 × India finish their 50 overs at 317/8, helped by two exquisite centuries by Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur 🙌 Can West Indies chase this mammoth total?#CWC22 pic.twitter.com/A0ao1wvpbS — ICC (@ICC) March 12, 2022 × (With inputs from agencies)

Milestone for Mithali Raj! India's ODI skipper breaks World Cup captaincy record

<p>India's star batter Smriti Mandhana scored her fifth One-Day International century during the ongoing 2022 Women's World Cup while playing against West Indies on Saturday (March 12) at the Seddon Park in Hamilton.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During her stunning innings, Mandhana scored 123 runs off 119 balls. Her sensational knock included 13 fours and two sixes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Apart from Mandhana, vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur also scored a century to power India to post a competitive total of 317-8. It was Kaur's fourth ton and the first since hitting 171 not out against Australia in the 2017 World Cup.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/milestone-for-mithali-raj-indias-odi-skipper-breaks-world-cup-captaincy-record-461485">Milestone for Mithali Raj! India's ODI skipper breaks World Cup captaincy record</a></strong></p>

<p>During the match, West Indies' Anisa Mohammed emerged as the most successful bowler, taking two for 59, while Hayley Matthews (1/65), Shakera Selman (1/41), Deandra Dottin (1/32) and Aaliyah Alleyne (1/26) also accounted for one wicket each.</p>

<p>Yastika Bhatia scored a quick 31 off 21 balls as India were off to a good start, putting on 49 runs for the opening stand in 6.3 overs but once she departed, Mithali Raj (5) and Deepti Sharma (15) also followed suit, leaving India tottering at 78 for three.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/haramanpreet-kaur-pips-smriti-mithali-to-achieve-elusive-milestone-with-stunning-ton-against-west-indies-461487">Haramanpreet Kaur pips Smriti, Mithali to achieve elusive milestone with stunning ton against West Indies</a></strong></p>

<p>During crucial the match, India won the toss and opted to bat first.&nbsp;Batting first, India put up a total of 317-8 with opener Smriti Mandhana (123) and Harmanpreet Kaur (109) slamming magnificent tons.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, skipper Mithali Raj surpassed former Australian counterpart, Belinda Clark, to break the record for most matches captained in the ICC Women's World Cup.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She led India in total of 24 World Cup games and during her captaincy, India emerged as a winner on 14 occasions, lost eight times and one match ended with no result.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch glimpses of her stunning knock:</strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Can watch this shot all day long !! What a shot by <a href="https://twitter.com/mandhana_smriti?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mandhana_smriti</a> .. superb batting 🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CWC22?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CWC22</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ICCWomensWorldCup2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ICCWomensWorldCup2022</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SmritiMandhana?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SmritiMandhana</a> <a href="https://t.co/QhdyE3ftJK">pic.twitter.com/QhdyE3ftJK</a></p>
— Sandeep_Mufc (@Chote_Sardarji) <a href="https://twitter.com/Chote_Sardarji/status/1502503819825283075?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Top knock champ ☺️💯🇮🇳 <a href="https://twitter.com/mandhana_smriti?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mandhana_smriti</a> many more to come 👊☺️ <a href="https://t.co/un3ya239Bq">pic.twitter.com/un3ya239Bq</a></p>
— Rahul Sharma (@ImRahulSharma3) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImRahulSharma3/status/1502493912090361857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">.<a href="https://twitter.com/mandhana_smriti?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mandhana_smriti</a> turning back the clock ⏲️🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CWC22?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CWC22</a> <a href="https://t.co/b1IzS5KG15">pic.twitter.com/b1IzS5KG15</a></p>
— Women’s CricZone @ #CWC22 (@WomensCricZone) <a href="https://twitter.com/WomensCricZone/status/1502521015372554243?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


India's star batter Smriti Mandhana scored her fifth One-Day International century during the ongoing 2022 Women's World Cup while playing against West Indies on Saturday (March 12) at the Seddon Park in Hamilton.

India's star batter Smriti Mandhana scored her fifth One-Day International century during the ongoing 2022 Women's World Cup while playing against West Indies on Saturday (March 12) at the Seddon Park in Hamilton. During her stunning innings, Mandhana scored 123 runs off 119 balls. Her sensational knock included 13 fours and two sixes. Apart from Mandhana, vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur also scored a century to power India to post a competitive total of 317-8. It was Kaur's fourth ton and the first since hitting 171 not out against Australia in the 2017 World Cup. ALSO READ | Milestone for Mithali Raj! India's ODI skipper breaks World Cup captaincy record During the match, West Indies' Anisa Mohammed emerged as the most successful bowler, taking two for 59, while Hayley Matthews (1/65), Shakera Selman (1/41), Deandra Dottin (1/32) and Aaliyah Alleyne (1/26) also accounted for one wicket each. Yastika Bhatia scored a quick 31 off 21 balls as India were off to a good start, putting on 49 runs for the opening stand in 6.3 overs but once she departed, Mithali Raj (5) and Deepti Sharma (15) also followed suit, leaving India tottering at 78 for three. ALSO READ | Haramanpreet Kaur pips Smriti, Mithali to achieve elusive milestone with stunning ton against West Indies During crucial the match, India won the toss and opted to bat first. Batting first, India put up a total of 317-8 with opener Smriti Mandhana (123) and Harmanpreet Kaur (109) slamming magnificent tons. Meanwhile, skipper Mithali Raj surpassed former Australian counterpart, Belinda Clark, to break the record for most matches captained in the ICC Women's World Cup. She led India in total of 24 World Cup games and during her captaincy, India emerged as a winner on 14 occasions, lost eight times and one match ended with no result. Watch glimpses of her stunning knock: Can watch this shot all day long !! What a shot by @mandhana_smriti .. superb batting 🔥#CWC22 #ICCWomensWorldCup2022 #SmritiMandhana pic.twitter.com/QhdyE3ftJK — Sandeep_Mufc (@Chote_Sardarji) March 12, 2022 × Top knock champ ☺️💯🇮🇳 @mandhana_smriti many more to come 👊☺️ pic.twitter.com/un3ya239Bq — Rahul Sharma (@ImRahulSharma3) March 12, 2022 × .@mandhana_smriti turning back the clock ⏲️🔥#CWC22 pic.twitter.com/b1IzS5KG15 — Women’s CricZone @ #CWC22 (@WomensCricZone) March 12, 2022 ×

Women's World Cup, India vs West Indies: Stunning Smriti Mandhana scores her 5th ODI ton - Video

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