<p>Australia's legendary cricketer Shane Warne passed away on Friday (March 4) of a suspected heart attack aged 52, as per a statement from his management company.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A prolific spinner, Warne was widely regarded as one of the greatest Test players of all time with some outstanding performances throughout his career.&nbsp;</p>

<p>His demise has left the entire sports world in shock. Present, former cricketers, fans have paid rich tributes after the tragic news was confirmed.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;'<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/a-huge-loss-for-cricket-world-reacts-to-shocking-demise-of-legendary-cricketer-shane-warne-459005">A huge loss for cricket': World reacts to shocking demise of legendary cricketer Shane Warne</a></strong></p>

<p>"Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived. The family requests privacy at this time and will provide further details in due course," his management company's statement read.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Despite the confirmation, the news is still difficult to believe that one of the most popular players in the history of cricket is no more.</p>

<p>Warne had recently revealed his plans that he wished to accomplish by July.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A few days ago, Warne had posted: Operation shred has started (10 days in) &amp; the goal by July is to get back to this shape from a few years ago ! Let’s go 💪🏻👏🏻 #heathy #fitness #feelgood."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>See the post here:</strong></p>

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<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CagedhrvOIz/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Shane Warne (@shanewarne23)</a></p>
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<p>Warne&nbsp;is one of the finest leg-spin bowlers of all time. He took 708 wickets in his illustrious&nbsp;Test career which span from 1992 to 2007.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>He later played in the Indian Premier League and other Twenty20 competitions before retiring from all international cricket in 2013 but continued to be involved in the game as a broadcaster.&nbsp;</p>


Australia's legendary cricketer Shane Warne passed away on Friday (March 4) of a suspected heart attack aged 52, as per a statement from his management company. A prolific spinner, Warne was widely regarded as one of the greatest Test players of all time with some outstanding performances throughout his career.

Australia's legendary cricketer Shane Warne passed away on Friday (March 4) of a suspected heart attack aged 52, as per a statement from his management company. A prolific spinner, Warne was widely regarded as one of the greatest Test players of all time with some outstanding performances throughout his career. His demise has left the entire sports world in shock. Present, former cricketers, fans have paid rich tributes after the tragic news was confirmed. ALSO READ | 'A huge loss for cricket': World reacts to shocking demise of legendary cricketer Shane Warne "Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived. The family requests privacy at this time and will provide further details in due course," his management company's statement read. Despite the confirmation, the news is still difficult to believe that one of the most popular players in the history of cricket is no more. Warne had recently revealed his plans that he wished to accomplish by July. A few days ago, Warne had posted: Operation shred has started (10 days in) & the goal by July is to get back to this shape from a few years ago ! Let’s go 💪🏻👏🏻 #heathy #fitness #feelgood." See the post here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shane Warne (@shanewarne23) × Warne is one of the finest leg-spin bowlers of all time. He took 708 wickets in his illustrious Test career which span from 1992 to 2007. He later played in the Indian Premier League and other Twenty20 competitions before retiring from all international cricket in 2013 but continued to be involved in the game as a broadcaster.

Shane Warne Death: Just days ahead of death, legendary Australian cricketer was on a fitness journey

<p>A shocking moment for the world of sports as legendary Australian cricketer Shane Warne has passed away on Friday (March 4) aged 52.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Warne's management had released a brief statement that he passed away in Thailand of a suspected heart attack.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived," the statement said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The statement further read: "The family requests privacy at this time and will provide further details in due course."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-cricket-legend-shane-warne-passes-away-aged-52-due-to-suspected-heart-attack-458992">Australian cricket legend Shane Warne passes away aged 52 due to suspected heart attack</a></strong></p>

<p>From Kumar Sangakkara to Vivian Richards, tributes poured in from across the world.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Absolutely shocked and gutted to hear about&nbsp;@ShaneWarne legend and friend. Just Can’t believe it," former Sri Lankan cricketer wrote.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Unbelievable. I am shocked to the core. This can't be true... Rest In Peace,&nbsp;@ShaneWarne. There are no words to describe what I feel right now. A huge loss for cricket," former West Indies cricketer Viv&nbsp;Richards said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Absolutely shocked and gutted to hear about <a href="https://twitter.com/ShaneWarne?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShaneWarne</a> legend and friend. Just Can’t believe it.</p>
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) <a href="https://twitter.com/KumarSanga2/status/1499755627857739776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Unbelievable. I am shocked to the core. This can't be true...<br />
<br />
Rest In Peace, <a href="https://twitter.com/ShaneWarne?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShaneWarne</a>. There are no words to describe what I feel right now. A huge loss for cricket. <a href="https://t.co/uZdEdNz0x9">pic.twitter.com/uZdEdNz0x9</a></p>
— Sir Vivian Richards (@ivivianrichards) <a href="https://twitter.com/ivivianrichards/status/1499755858246639616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Shane Warne no more..<br />
I’m Shocked and Shattered.Simply can't believe I’m hearing this.Very very sad day for our cricket community.The biggest superstar of my generation gone.Goodbye Legend <a href="https://twitter.com/ShaneWarne?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShaneWarne</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RIP</a> Condolences to the family and friends. <a href="https://t.co/TRWstn6knq">pic.twitter.com/TRWstn6knq</a></p>
— Waqar Younis (@waqyounis99) <a href="https://twitter.com/waqyounis99/status/1499755762012278787?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Find it hard to believe. Such a devastating loss for the cricket world. He literally inspired generations with his magical leg spin. You'll forever be missed <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ShaneWarne?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ShaneWarne</a>. My heart and prayers goes to his family, friends, and fans. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/legend?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#legend</a> <a href="https://t.co/pigrD785gC">pic.twitter.com/pigrD785gC</a></p>
— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) <a href="https://twitter.com/babarazam258/status/1499755733054861321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>Warne&nbsp;is regarded as one of the finest leg-spin bowlers of all time after a career in which he took 708 test wickets in a test career which span from 1992 to 2007.</p>

<p>He later played in the Indian Premier League and other Twenty20 competitions before retiring from all international cricket in 2013 but continued to be involved in the game as a broadcaster.</p>

<p>Former Pakistani pacer Shoaib Shoaib also paid rich tributes. He also shared a video: Watch</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It’s going to take a long time to get over this loss. Legendary <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ShaneWarne?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ShaneWarne</a> is not with us anymore. <a href="https://t.co/r3GGYVvuG2">pic.twitter.com/r3GGYVvuG2</a></p>
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) <a href="https://twitter.com/shoaib100mph/status/1499754217514356740?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The game of cricket has lost what I consider a university of leg-spin bowling today. I was inspired by his bowling from the start of my career and it was always a privilege to play against him. My deepest condolences are with Warne's family and loved ones. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ShaneWarne?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ShaneWarne</a> <a href="https://t.co/Uht87qDcJ5">pic.twitter.com/Uht87qDcJ5</a></p>
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1499756145371668485?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"Whenever he came to the wicket, change came over the game of Cricket"<br />
<br />
My mind just cannot accept that Shane Warne is no more. Gone too soon.. Thoughts and prayers with his family and friends..RIP Warnie 🙏🏻 <a href="https://t.co/YgfvY1WaS0">pic.twitter.com/YgfvY1WaS0</a></p>
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) <a href="https://twitter.com/WasimJaffer14/status/1499754360682659840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">One of the greatest of all-time.<br />
<br />
A legend. A genius.<br />
<br />
You changed Cricket.<br />
<br />
RIP Shane Warne ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/YX91zmssoT">pic.twitter.com/YX91zmssoT</a></p>
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/englandcricket/status/1499759670550044677?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sharing in the sadness of the cricket world on the demise of legend Shane Warne. Truly the end of an era. I pray his family, friends and fans find peace and comfort in this time of grief. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/respect?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#respect</a> <a href="https://t.co/CNuvNehEqs">pic.twitter.com/CNuvNehEqs</a></p>
— Muhammad Rizwan (@iMRizwanPak) <a href="https://twitter.com/iMRizwanPak/status/1499755534953721859?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Extremely sad news 💔 RIP <a href="https://twitter.com/ShaneWarne?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShaneWarne</a> absolute legend of the game 🏏. Sad day for all cricket fraternity <a href="https://t.co/c32FcGbxzz">pic.twitter.com/c32FcGbxzz</a></p>
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) <a href="https://twitter.com/MHafeez22/status/1499751352087502850?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Terribly saddened and shocked to hear the news that Shane Warne has died. The greatest spin bowler of all time. Can’t quite believe it. RIP Shane</p>
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) <a href="https://twitter.com/GaryLineker/status/1499751062877704195?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Simply can't believe we are writing this.<br />
<br />
RIP Shane Warne, one of the game's best characters and finest bowlers.<br />
<br />
Forever etched in Ashes history ✍️ <a href="https://t.co/A2jOWPt6L5">pic.twitter.com/A2jOWPt6L5</a></p>
— England’s Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheBarmyArmy/status/1499748396919365637?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


A shocking moment for the world of sports as legendary Australian cricketer Shane Warne has passed away on Friday (March 4) aged 52. Warne's management had released a brief statement that he passed away in Thailand of a suspected heart attack.

A shocking moment for the world of sports as legendary Australian cricketer Shane Warne has passed away on Friday (March 4) aged 52. Warne's management had released a brief statement that he passed away in Thailand of a suspected heart attack. "Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived," the statement said. The statement further read: "The family requests privacy at this time and will provide further details in due course." ALSO READ | Australian cricket legend Shane Warne passes away aged 52 due to suspected heart attack From Kumar Sangakkara to Vivian Richards, tributes poured in from across the world. "Absolutely shocked and gutted to hear about @ShaneWarne legend and friend. Just Can’t believe it," former Sri Lankan cricketer wrote. "Unbelievable. I am shocked to the core. This can't be true... Rest In Peace, @ShaneWarne. There are no words to describe what I feel right now. A huge loss for cricket," former West Indies cricketer Viv Richards said. Absolutely shocked and gutted to hear about @ShaneWarne legend and friend. Just Can’t believe it. — Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) March 4, 2022 × Unbelievable. I am shocked to the core. This can't be true... Rest In Peace, @ShaneWarne. There are no words to describe what I feel right now. A huge loss for cricket. pic.twitter.com/uZdEdNz0x9 — Sir Vivian Richards (@ivivianrichards) March 4, 2022 × Shane Warne no more.. I’m Shocked and Shattered.Simply can't believe I’m hearing this.Very very sad day for our cricket community.The biggest superstar of my generation gone.Goodbye Legend @ShaneWarne #RIP Condolences to the family and friends. pic.twitter.com/TRWstn6knq — Waqar Younis (@waqyounis99) March 4, 2022 × Find it hard to believe. Such a devastating loss for the cricket world. He literally inspired generations with his magical leg spin. You'll forever be missed #ShaneWarne. My heart and prayers goes to his family, friends, and fans. #legend pic.twitter.com/pigrD785gC — Babar Azam (@babarazam258) March 4, 2022 × Warne is regarded as one of the finest leg-spin bowlers of all time after a career in which he took 708 test wickets in a test career which span from 1992 to 2007. He later played in the Indian Premier League and other Twenty20 competitions before retiring from all international cricket in 2013 but continued to be involved in the game as a broadcaster. Former Pakistani pacer Shoaib Shoaib also paid rich tributes. He also shared a video: Watch It’s going to take a long time to get over this loss. Legendary #ShaneWarne is not with us anymore. pic.twitter.com/r3GGYVvuG2 — Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) March 4, 2022 × The game of cricket has lost what I consider a university of leg-spin bowling today. I was inspired by his bowling from the start of my career and it was always a privilege to play against him. My deepest condolences are with Warne's family and loved ones. #ShaneWarne pic.twitter.com/Uht87qDcJ5 — Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) March 4, 2022 × "Whenever he came to the wicket, change came over the game of Cricket" My mind just cannot accept that Shane Warne is no more. Gone too soon.. Thoughts and prayers with his family and friends..RIP Warnie 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/YgfvY1WaS0 — Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) March 4, 2022 × One of the greatest of all-time. A legend. A genius. You changed Cricket. RIP Shane Warne ❤️ pic.twitter.com/YX91zmssoT — England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 4, 2022 × Sharing in the sadness of the cricket world on the demise of legend Shane Warne. Truly the end of an era. I pray his family, friends and fans find peace and comfort in this time of grief. #respect pic.twitter.com/CNuvNehEqs — Muhammad Rizwan (@iMRizwanPak) March 4, 2022 × Extremely sad news 💔 RIP @ShaneWarne absolute legend of the game 🏏. Sad day for all cricket fraternity pic.twitter.com/c32FcGbxzz — Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) March 4, 2022 × Terribly saddened and shocked to hear the news that Shane Warne has died. The greatest spin bowler of all time. Can’t quite believe it. RIP Shane — Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) March 4, 2022 × Simply can't believe we are writing this. RIP Shane Warne, one of the game's best characters and finest bowlers. Forever etched in Ashes history ✍️ pic.twitter.com/A2jOWPt6L5 — England’s Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) March 4, 2022 ×

'A huge loss for cricket': World reacts to shocking demise of legendary cricketer Shane Warne

<p>The death toll from a huge blast on Friday (March 4) at a mosque in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar has climbed to 56 with 194 wounded, a hospital official said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We have declared an emergency at the hospitals," said Muhammad Asim Khan, a spokesman for Peshawar's Lady Reading Hospital.&nbsp;</p>

<p>News agencies reported that the casualties occurred during Friday prayers at a mosque in Qissa Khwani bazaar in the Kocha Risaldar area of Peshawar.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/baloch-students-at-islamabad-university-stage-protests-against-harassment-458890">Baloch students at Islamabad university stage protests against harassment</a></strong></p>

<p>Senior police official Ijaz Khan confirmed that it was a suicide bombing. He told Reuters that two armed men arrived near the mosque on a motorcycle and were stopped for a search by police on duty outside.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"They opened fire on the police...and entered the mosque," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said two police officers were shot at the entrance of the mosque. "One policeman died on the spot while the other was critically injured," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I saw a man firing at two policemen before he entered the mosque. Seconds later I heard a big bang," said Zahid Khan, a resident told AFP.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lankan-central-bank-hikes-interest-rates-by-1-as-economy-risks-collapse-458836">Sri Lankan central bank hikes interest rates by 1% as economy risks collapse</a></strong></p>

<p>The explosion blew out the windows of nearby buildings.</p>

<p>After the blast, rescuers were seen ferrying the dead and wounded from the scene.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The death toll is expected to rise substantially as many of the injured are in critical condition.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As quoted by the media outlet, Pakistan's Prime Minister condemned the deadly attack and ordered efforts to provide immediate medical aid for the wounded.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Peshawar is just 50 kilometres from the porous border with Afghanistan. It was a frequent target of militants in the early 2010s but security has greatly improved in recent years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sunni majority&nbsp;Pakistan&nbsp;has recently been battling a resurgence of its domestic chapter of the Taliban, Tehreek-e-Taliban&nbsp;Pakistan&nbsp;(TTP).&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The death toll from a huge blast on Friday (March 4) at a mosque in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar has climbed to 56 with 194 wounded, a hospital official said.

The death toll from a huge blast on Friday (March 4) at a mosque in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar has climbed to 56 with 194 wounded, a hospital official said. "We have declared an emergency at the hospitals," said Muhammad Asim Khan, a spokesman for Peshawar's Lady Reading Hospital. News agencies reported that the casualties occurred during Friday prayers at a mosque in Qissa Khwani bazaar in the Kocha Risaldar area of Peshawar. ALSO READ | Baloch students at Islamabad university stage protests against harassment Senior police official Ijaz Khan confirmed that it was a suicide bombing. He told Reuters that two armed men arrived near the mosque on a motorcycle and were stopped for a search by police on duty outside. "They opened fire on the police...and entered the mosque," he said. He said two police officers were shot at the entrance of the mosque. "One policeman died on the spot while the other was critically injured," he said. "I saw a man firing at two policemen before he entered the mosque. Seconds later I heard a big bang," said Zahid Khan, a resident told AFP. ALSO READ | Sri Lankan central bank hikes interest rates by 1% as economy risks collapse The explosion blew out the windows of nearby buildings. After the blast, rescuers were seen ferrying the dead and wounded from the scene. The death toll is expected to rise substantially as many of the injured are in critical condition. As quoted by the media outlet, Pakistan's Prime Minister condemned the deadly attack and ordered efforts to provide immediate medical aid for the wounded. Peshawar is just 50 kilometres from the porous border with Afghanistan. It was a frequent target of militants in the early 2010s but security has greatly improved in recent years. Sunni majority Pakistan has recently been battling a resurgence of its domestic chapter of the Taliban, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). (With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan mosque blast: Death toll rises to 56, dozens injured

<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>Amid the ongoing Russia and Ukraine conflict, an Indian student has been hospitalised after he was shot in the capital city of Ukraine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The student has been identified as&nbsp;Harjot Singh, who said as quoted by ANI: "No support from the Indian embassy yet. I have been trying to get in touch with them, every day they say we will do something but no help yet."&nbsp;</p>

<p>While responding to his video, India's ministry of external affairs noted that the government of India "will be bearing expenses for Harjot Singh's medical treatment" (in Kyiv, Ukraine).</p>

<p>"We are trying to ascertain his medical status... Our embassy is trying to get an update on his health status...trying to reach out but facing trouble as it's a conflict zone," the ministry added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A few days ago, an Indian student lost his life as the&nbsp;situation continues to escalate after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered "military operations" in Ukraine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the Indian government has been evacuating its citizen from war-torn Ukraine.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-discusses-ukraine-situation-with-quad-leaders-458707">PM Modi discusses Ukraine situation with Quad leaders</a></strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> "No support from the Indian embassy yet. I have been trying to get in touch with them, every day they say we will do something but no help yet," says Harjot Singh, an Indian who sustained multiple bullet injuries in war-torn Ukraine, receiving treatment at a Kyiv hospital <a href="https://t.co/8oc9urO74s">pic.twitter.com/8oc9urO74s</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1499705696925122561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>Minister of State (MoS) for Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) General VK Singh revealed the information to ANI at Poland's Rzeszow airport on Thursday (March 3).&nbsp;</p>

<p>"A student from Kyiv was reported to have been shot and was immediately admitted to the hospital in Kyiv," General (retd) Singh said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The Indian embassy had earlier cleared on the priority that everyone should leave Kyiv. In the event of war, the gun bullet does not look at anyone's religion and nationality," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/polish-varsities-to-help-indian-students-from-ukraine-complete-their-studies-minister-vk-singh-458678">Polish varsities to help Indian students from Ukraine complete their studies: Minister VK Singh</a></strong></p>

<p>The students are currently fleeing Ukraine and trying to reach the border of Poland for their safe return to India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Four Union Ministers, Hardeep Singh Puri, Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Kiren Rijiju and Gen (Retd) VK Singh - are overseeing the evacuation efforts in the countries adjoining Ukraine.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Zelensky asks Putin for direct talks as invasion enters day 9</strong></p>

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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. Amid the ongoing Russia and Ukraine conflict, an Indian student has been hospitalised after he was shot in the capital city of Ukraine. The student has been identified as Harjot Singh, who said as quoted by ANI: "No support from the Indian embassy yet. I have been trying to get in touch with them, every day they say we will do something but no help yet." While responding to his video, India's ministry of external affairs noted that the government of India "will be bearing expenses for Harjot Singh's medical treatment" (in Kyiv, Ukraine). "We are trying to ascertain his medical status... Our embassy is trying to get an update on his health status...trying to reach out but facing trouble as it's a conflict zone," the ministry added. A few days ago, an Indian student lost his life as the situation continues to escalate after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered "military operations" in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Indian government has been evacuating its citizen from war-torn Ukraine. ALSO READ | PM Modi discusses Ukraine situation with Quad leaders #WATCH "No support from the Indian embassy yet. I have been trying to get in touch with them, every day they say we will do something but no help yet," says Harjot Singh, an Indian who sustained multiple bullet injuries in war-torn Ukraine, receiving treatment at a Kyiv hospital pic.twitter.com/8oc9urO74s — ANI (@ANI) March 4, 2022 × Minister of State (MoS) for Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) General VK Singh revealed the information to ANI at Poland's Rzeszow airport on Thursday (March 3). "A student from Kyiv was reported to have been shot and was immediately admitted to the hospital in Kyiv," General (retd) Singh said. "The Indian embassy had earlier cleared on the priority that everyone should leave Kyiv. In the event of war, the gun bullet does not look at anyone's religion and nationality," he added. ALSO READ | Polish varsities to help Indian students from Ukraine complete their studies: Minister VK Singh The students are currently fleeing Ukraine and trying to reach the border of Poland for their safe return to India. Four Union Ministers, Hardeep Singh Puri, Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Kiren Rijiju and Gen (Retd) VK Singh - are overseeing the evacuation efforts in the countries adjoining Ukraine. WATCH | Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Zelensky asks Putin for direct talks as invasion enters day 9 ×

Russia-Ukraine conflict: Indian student shot in Kyiv, hospitalised - Video

<p>Australia has been battered by record-setting floods in the past week and the authorities on Friday (March 4) issued a warning over more rains over the weekend in several flooded regions in the country's east.&nbsp;</p>

<p>More rains mean the relief efforts will get hampered as rescuers and defence personnel try to reach the worst-hit towns cut off by days of downpours.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Flood evacuation warnings were revised down for some parts in Sydney, Australia's largest city, but the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said a new weather system could bring another round of heavy rains from Sunday (March 6).</p>

<p>As per the latest reports, 13 people have been killed since the deluge began and several are still missing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One of the locals was quoted by Reuters as saying: "The last three months we've just reached absorption point on the water, on the land. So it can't take anymore water. That's one of the biggest problems we have at the moment. Just a very wet summer."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Australia's emergency services Thursday ordered 200,000 people to flee from the path of a wild storm that dumped more than a year's worth of rainfall over a week.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The rainfall in several places in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales brought widespread destruction, leaving thousands of people displaced and sweeping away property, livestock and roads.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Australia has been battered by record-setting floods in the past week and the authorities on Friday (March 4) issued a warning over more rains over the weekend in several flooded regions in the country's east.

Australia has been battered by record-setting floods in the past week and the authorities on Friday (March 4) issued a warning over more rains over the weekend in several flooded regions in the country's east. More rains mean the relief efforts will get hampered as rescuers and defence personnel try to reach the worst-hit towns cut off by days of downpours. Flood evacuation warnings were revised down for some parts in Sydney, Australia's largest city, but the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said a new weather system could bring another round of heavy rains from Sunday (March 6). As per the latest reports, 13 people have been killed since the deluge began and several are still missing. One of the locals was quoted by Reuters as saying: "The last three months we've just reached absorption point on the water, on the land. So it can't take anymore water. That's one of the biggest problems we have at the moment. Just a very wet summer." Australia's emergency services Thursday ordered 200,000 people to flee from the path of a wild storm that dumped more than a year's worth of rainfall over a week. The rainfall in several places in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales brought widespread destruction, leaving thousands of people displaced and sweeping away property, livestock and roads. (With inputs from agencies)

After record-setting floods, Australian towns brace for more rains

<p>Senior White House officials designing the strategy to confront Russia have begun quietly debating a new concern: that the avalanche of sanctions directed at Moscow, which has gained speed faster than they imagined, is cornering President Vladimir Putin and may prompt him to lash out, perhaps expanding the conflict beyond Ukraine.</p>

<p>In Situation Room meetings in recent days, the issue has come up repeatedly, according to three officials. Putin’s tendency, U.S. intelligence officials have told the White House and Congress, is to double down when he feels trapped by his own overreach. So they have described a series of possible reactions, ranging from indiscriminate shelling of Ukrainian cities to compensate for the early mistakes made by his invading force, to cyberattacks directed at the U.S. financial system, to more nuclear threats and perhaps moves to take the war beyond Ukraine’s borders.</p>

<p>The debate over Putin’s next moves is linked to an urgent reexamination by intelligence agencies of the Russian leader’s mental state, and whether his ambitions and appetite for risk have been altered by two years of COVID-19 isolation.</p>

<p>Those concerns accelerated after Putin’s order Sunday to place the country’s strategic nuclear weapons on a “combat ready” alert to respond to the West’s “aggressive comments.” (In the ensuing days, however, national security officials say they have seen little evidence on the ground that Russia’s nuclear forces have actually moved to a different state of readiness.)</p>

<p>It was a sign of the depth of U.S. concern that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Wednesday that he was canceling a previously scheduled Minuteman nuclear missile test to avoid escalating direct challenges to Moscow or giving Putin an excuse to once again invoke the power of the country’s nuclear arsenal.</p>

<p>“We did not take this decision lightly, but instead, to demonstrate that we are a responsible nuclear power,” Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said Wednesday. “We recognize at this moment of tension how critical it is that both the United States and Russia bear in mind the risk of miscalculation, and take steps to reduce those risks.”</p>

<p>Nonetheless, Putin’s reaction to the initial wave of sanctions has provoked a range of concerns that one senior official called the “Cornered Putin Problem.” Those concerns center on a series of recent announcements: the pullout of oil companies like Exxon and Shell from developing Russia’s oil fields, the moves against Russia’s central bank that sent the ruble plunging, and Germany’s surprise announcement that it would drop its ban on sending lethal weapons to Ukrainian forces and ramp up its military spending.</p>

<p>But beyond canceling the missile test, there is no evidence that the United States is considering steps to reduce tensions, and a senior official said there was no interest in backing off sanctions.</p>

<p>“Quite the contrary,’’ said the official, who, like other U.S. officials interviewed for this story, asked for anonymity to discuss the internal debates among Biden’s advisers.</p>

<p>In fact, President Joe Biden announced expanded sanctions Thursday, aimed at Russia’s oligarch class. Many of those named — including Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s spokesperson and one of his close advisers — rank among his most influential defenders and the beneficiaries of the system he has created.</p>

<p>Biden, reading a statement and taking no questions, said the sanctions have had “a profound impact already.”</p>

<p>A few hours after he spoke, S&amp;P dropped Russia’s credit rating to CCC-, the credit rating agency said in a statement. That is far below the junk bond levels Russia was ranked at a few days after the invasion and just two notches above a warning that the country was going into default.</p>

<p>It suggested that Putin’s effort to “sanctions-proof” his economy had largely failed. And at least for now, there is no discernible off-ramp for the Russian leader short of declaring a cease-fire or pulling back his forces — steps he has so far shown no interest in taking.</p>

<p>At a news briefing at the White House on Thursday afternoon, press secretary Jen Psaki said that she knew of no efforts to show Putin a way out. “I think right in this moment, they are marching toward Kyiv with a convoy and continuing to take reportedly barbaric steps against the people of Ukraine. So now is not the moment where we are offering options for reducing sanctions.”</p>

<p>Yet a senior State Department official, asked about the debates inside the administration on the risks ahead, said there were nuances in the administration’s approach that point to possible outs for the Russian leader.</p>

<p>Biden’s policy, the official said, was not one of seeking regime change in Russia. The idea, he said, was to influence Putin’s actions, not his grip on power. And the sanctions, the official noted, were designed not as a punishment, but as leverage to end the war. They will escalate if Putin escalates, the official said. But the administration would calibrate its sanctions, and perhaps reduce them, if Putin begins to de-escalate.</p>

<p>And the official said that because Putin has now exerted such control over Russian media, closing down the last vestiges of independent news organizations, he could spin some kind of de-escalation into a victory.</p>

<p>Yet that hope collides with the assessments of Putin’s instincts, many of which are based on open, unclassified observations.</p>

<p>CIA Director William Burns was an early advocate of the view that the Russian leader planned to invade and was not massing troops around Ukraine simply to gain leverage in some kind of bargaining game.</p>

<p>“I would never underestimate President Putin’s risk appetite on Ukraine,” Burns, a former U.S. ambassador to Moscow, who has dealt with Putin for more than two decades, said in December.</p>

<p>Putin’s views on Ukraine are fiercely held. He seems unlikely to accept any result that does not achieve his goal of bringing Ukraine closer to the Russian fold. And, especially after the Russian military’s poor performance in the first week of the war, he may be concerned that any whiff of failure could weaken his hold on power.</p>

<p>Putin’s strategy in coming weeks, some other U.S. officials have warned in closed meetings since the crisis accelerated, could be to redirect the conflict toward Washington, hoping to distract from the Russian forces’ attacks on civilians in Ukraine and rouse a nationalistic response to the actions of a longtime adversary.</p>

<p>If Putin wants to strike at the U.S. financial system, as Biden has struck at his, he has only one significant pathway in: his well-trained army of hackers and an adjacent group of criminal ransomware operators, some of whom have publicly pledged to help him in his battle.</p>

<p>Tatyana Bolton, the policy director for cybersecurity and emerging threats at the R Street Institute, expressed confidence Thursday that the financial industry was ready.</p>

<p>“The JPMorgans of the world spend more on cybersecurity than many government agencies,’’ said Bolton, a former senior official in the Department of Homeland Security whose family emigrated from Russia.</p>

<p>But she was concerned about the possibility that Putin would finally activate “pre-positioned malware in the energy sector as a means of getting back at the United States.”</p>

<p>Members of Congress have also raised concerns that Putin could unleash Moscow’s network of criminal hackers, who have conducted ransomware attacks that have shut down hospitals, meat processing plants and the Colonial Pipeline network that carried nearly half of the gasoline, diesel and jet fuel on the East Coast.</p>

<p>“If the situation escalates further, I think we are going to see Russian cyberattacks against our critical infrastructure,” said Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., a member of the House Intelligence Committee who was co-chair of an influential cyberspace commission.</p>

<p>Another possibility is that Putin will threaten to push farther into Moldova or Georgia, which, like Ukraine, are not members of NATO — and thus territory that the U.S. and NATO forces would not enter. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is making Moldova one of his stops on a reassurance tour that began Thursday.</p>

<p>There are larger worries, involving potential nuclear threats. On Sunday, as the fighting accelerated, Belarus passed a referendum that amended its constitution to allow for nuclear weapons to be based, once again, on its territory. U.S. officials are expecting that President Alexander Lukashenko may well ask Putin to place tactical weapons in his country, where they would be closer to European capitals. And Putin has shown, twice this week, that he is ready to remind the world of the powers of his arsenal.</p>

<p>But the next move for Putin is likely to further intensify his operations in Ukraine, which would almost certainly result in more civilian casualties and destruction.</p>

<p>“It wasn’t a cakewalk for Putin, and now he has no choice but to double down,” said Beth Sanner, a former top intelligence official. “This is what autocrats do. You cannot walk away or you look weak.”</p>


Senior White House officials designing the strategy to confront Russia have begun quietly debating a new concern: that the avalanche of sanctions directed at Moscow, which has gained speed faster than they imagined, is cornering President Vladimir Putin and may prompt him to lash out, perhaps expanding the conflict beyond Ukraine.

Senior White House officials designing the strategy to confront Russia have begun quietly debating a new concern: that the avalanche of sanctions directed at Moscow, which has gained speed faster than they imagined, is cornering President Vladimir Putin and may prompt him to lash out, perhaps expanding the conflict beyond Ukraine. In Situation Room meetings in recent days, the issue has come up repeatedly, according to three officials. Putin’s tendency, U.S. intelligence officials have told the White House and Congress, is to double down when he feels trapped by his own overreach. So they have described a series of possible reactions, ranging from indiscriminate shelling of Ukrainian cities to compensate for the early mistakes made by his invading force, to cyberattacks directed at the U.S. financial system, to more nuclear threats and perhaps moves to take the war beyond Ukraine’s borders. The debate over Putin’s next moves is linked to an urgent reexamination by intelligence agencies of the Russian leader’s mental state, and whether his ambitions and appetite for risk have been altered by two years of COVID-19 isolation. Those concerns accelerated after Putin’s order Sunday to place the country’s strategic nuclear weapons on a “combat ready” alert to respond to the West’s “aggressive comments.” (In the ensuing days, however, national security officials say they have seen little evidence on the ground that Russia’s nuclear forces have actually moved to a different state of readiness.) It was a sign of the depth of U.S. concern that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Wednesday that he was canceling a previously scheduled Minuteman nuclear missile test to avoid escalating direct challenges to Moscow or giving Putin an excuse to once again invoke the power of the country’s nuclear arsenal. “We did not take this decision lightly, but instead, to demonstrate that we are a responsible nuclear power,” Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said Wednesday. “We recognize at this moment of tension how critical it is that both the United States and Russia bear in mind the risk of miscalculation, and take steps to reduce those risks.” Nonetheless, Putin’s reaction to the initial wave of sanctions has provoked a range of concerns that one senior official called the “Cornered Putin Problem.” Those concerns center on a series of recent announcements: the pullout of oil companies like Exxon and Shell from developing Russia’s oil fields, the moves against Russia’s central bank that sent the ruble plunging, and Germany’s surprise announcement that it would drop its ban on sending lethal weapons to Ukrainian forces and ramp up its military spending. But beyond canceling the missile test, there is no evidence that the United States is considering steps to reduce tensions, and a senior official said there was no interest in backing off sanctions. “Quite the contrary,’’ said the official, who, like other U.S. officials interviewed for this story, asked for anonymity to discuss the internal debates among Biden’s advisers. In fact, President Joe Biden announced expanded sanctions Thursday, aimed at Russia’s oligarch class. Many of those named — including Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s spokesperson and one of his close advisers — rank among his most influential defenders and the beneficiaries of the system he has created. Biden, reading a statement and taking no questions, said the sanctions have had “a profound impact already.” A few hours after he spoke, S&P dropped Russia’s credit rating to CCC-, the credit rating agency said in a statement. That is far below the junk bond levels Russia was ranked at a few days after the invasion and just two notches above a warning that the country was going into default. It suggested that Putin’s effort to “sanctions-proof” his economy had largely failed. And at least for now, there is no discernible off-ramp for the Russian leader short of declaring a cease-fire or pulling back his forces — steps he has so far shown no interest in taking. At a news briefing at the White House on Thursday afternoon, press secretary Jen Psaki said that she knew of no efforts to show Putin a way out. “I think right in this moment, they are marching toward Kyiv with a convoy and continuing to take reportedly barbaric steps against the people of Ukraine. So now is not the moment where we are offering options for reducing sanctions.” Yet a senior State Department official, asked about the debates inside the administration on the risks ahead, said there were nuances in the administration’s approach that point to possible outs for the Russian leader. Biden’s policy, the official said, was not one of seeking regime change in Russia. The idea, he said, was to influence Putin’s actions, not his grip on power. And the sanctions, the official noted, were designed not as a punishment, but as leverage to end the war. They will escalate if Putin escalates, the official said. But the administration would calibrate its sanctions, and perhaps reduce them, if Putin begins to de-escalate. And the official said that because Putin has now exerted such control over Russian media, closing down the last vestiges of independent news organizations, he could spin some kind of de-escalation into a victory. Yet that hope collides with the assessments of Putin’s instincts, many of which are based on open, unclassified observations. CIA Director William Burns was an early advocate of the view that the Russian leader planned to invade and was not massing troops around Ukraine simply to gain leverage in some kind of bargaining game. “I would never underestimate President Putin’s risk appetite on Ukraine,” Burns, a former U.S. ambassador to Moscow, who has dealt with Putin for more than two decades, said in December. Putin’s views on Ukraine are fiercely held. He seems unlikely to accept any result that does not achieve his goal of bringing Ukraine closer to the Russian fold. And, especially after the Russian military’s poor performance in the first week of the war, he may be concerned that any whiff of failure could weaken his hold on power. Putin’s strategy in coming weeks, some other U.S. officials have warned in closed meetings since the crisis accelerated, could be to redirect the conflict toward Washington, hoping to distract from the Russian forces’ attacks on civilians in Ukraine and rouse a nationalistic response to the actions of a longtime adversary. If Putin wants to strike at the U.S. financial system, as Biden has struck at his, he has only one significant pathway in: his well-trained army of hackers and an adjacent group of criminal ransomware operators, some of whom have publicly pledged to help him in his battle. Tatyana Bolton, the policy director for cybersecurity and emerging threats at the R Street Institute, expressed confidence Thursday that the financial industry was ready. “The JPMorgans of the world spend more on cybersecurity than many government agencies,’’ said Bolton, a former senior official in the Department of Homeland Security whose family emigrated from Russia. But she was concerned about the possibility that Putin would finally activate “pre-positioned malware in the energy sector as a means of getting back at the United States.” Members of Congress have also raised concerns that Putin could unleash Moscow’s network of criminal hackers, who have conducted ransomware attacks that have shut down hospitals, meat processing plants and the Colonial Pipeline network that carried nearly half of the gasoline, diesel and jet fuel on the East Coast. “If the situation escalates further, I think we are going to see Russian cyberattacks against our critical infrastructure,” said Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., a member of the House Intelligence Committee who was co-chair of an influential cyberspace commission. Another possibility is that Putin will threaten to push farther into Moldova or Georgia, which, like Ukraine, are not members of NATO — and thus territory that the U.S. and NATO forces would not enter. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is making Moldova one of his stops on a reassurance tour that began Thursday. There are larger worries, involving potential nuclear threats. On Sunday, as the fighting accelerated, Belarus passed a referendum that amended its constitution to allow for nuclear weapons to be based, once again, on its territory. U.S. officials are expecting that President Alexander Lukashenko may well ask Putin to place tactical weapons in his country, where they would be closer to European capitals. And Putin has shown, twice this week, that he is ready to remind the world of the powers of his arsenal. But the next move for Putin is likely to further intensify his operations in Ukraine, which would almost certainly result in more civilian casualties and destruction. “It wasn’t a cakewalk for Putin, and now he has no choice but to double down,” said Beth Sanner, a former top intelligence official. “This is what autocrats do. You cannot walk away or you look weak.”

Washington’s newest worry: The dangers of cornering Putin

Significance of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia NPP, the largest nuke power plant in Europe targetted by Russia

<p>Western Australia on Thursday (March 3) became the last state in the country to lift border restrictions as the nation is now fully open to vaccinated travellers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Western Australia had one of the world's longest border closures due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as it was closed for almost 700 days and was cut off from the rest of the country and the world.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Perth's airport was the scene of emotional reunions as the first of a scheduled 22 domestic flights and five international flights began arriving on Thursday.</p>

<p>The president of the Australian Medical Association (Western Australia) Dr Mark Duncan-Smith told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that such a tough border strategy might have worked.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said, "What is happening here in WA [Western Australia] right now, with omicron at 1,000 cases a day, is a social experiment that has never been done in the world, and so what we are hoping for is that we will get a very, very soft landing and hopefully our hospitalization numbers will stay very low and that will be testimony to the effectiveness of those borders over the last two years, buying us that time."&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Wednesday, 61 deaths from COVID-19 were reported across Australia. None was reported that day in Western Australia, Tasmania or the Australian Capital Territory.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Western Australia on Thursday (March 3) became the last state in the country to lift border restrictions as the nation is now fully open to vaccinated travellers.

Western Australia on Thursday (March 3) became the last state in the country to lift border restrictions as the nation is now fully open to vaccinated travellers. Western Australia had one of the world's longest border closures due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as it was closed for almost 700 days and was cut off from the rest of the country and the world. Perth's airport was the scene of emotional reunions as the first of a scheduled 22 domestic flights and five international flights began arriving on Thursday. The president of the Australian Medical Association (Western Australia) Dr Mark Duncan-Smith told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that such a tough border strategy might have worked. He said, "What is happening here in WA [Western Australia] right now, with omicron at 1,000 cases a day, is a social experiment that has never been done in the world, and so what we are hoping for is that we will get a very, very soft landing and hopefully our hospitalization numbers will stay very low and that will be testimony to the effectiveness of those borders over the last two years, buying us that time." On Wednesday, 61 deaths from COVID-19 were reported across Australia. None was reported that day in Western Australia, Tasmania or the Australian Capital Territory. (With inputs from agencies)

COVID-19: Western Australia ends closures as the country fully opens to travel

<p>In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Federation Internationale Feline (FIFe), which is an international cat fancier society, has imposed restrictions on cats bred in Russia.&nbsp;</p>

<p>These restrictions imposed by FIFe are valid until May 31 and will be reviewed as and when necessary. In a statement, the NGO noted that it is "shocked and horrified" that the Russian army invaded Ukraine and "started a war". &nbsp;</p>

<p>It added, "Many innocent people died, many more are wounded and hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians are forced to flee their homes to save their lives. We can all witness the destruction and chaos caused by this unprecedented act of aggression."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/iafs-evacuation-flights-with-798-indians-land-at-hindon-airbase-pm-modi-monitoring-developments-458411">IAF's evacuation flights with 798 Indians land at Hindon airbase, PM Modi monitoring developments</a></strong></p>

<p>As per the organisation, no cat bred in Russia may be imported and registered in any FIFe pedigree book outside Russia, regardless of, which organization issued its pedigree.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The statement added, "No cat belonging to exhibitors living in Russia may be entered at any FIFe show outside Russia, regardless of, which organization these exhibitors hold their membership in."&nbsp;</p>

<p>FIFe also stated that it will dedicate a part of its budget to support cat breeders and fanciers in Ukraine who are suffering because of the current situation, the statement added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-conflict-ukraine-attempts-to-embarrass-moscow-invites-russian-mums-to-collect-captured-sons-458383">Ukraine attempts to embarrass Moscow, invites Russian mums to collect captured sons</a></strong></p>

<p>Meanwhile, the war-like situation continues to escalate as the latest development suggested that Russian troops were in the centre of the Ukrainian port of Kherson on Thursday (March 3). &nbsp;</p>

<p>When Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the "military operations" on February 24, several countries including the UK, the US, Canada, along with the European Union have imposed sanctions on Moscow.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;US interest rate hike likely in March: Powell testified before US Congress</strong></p>

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In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Federation Internationale Feline (FIFe), which is an international cat fancier society, has imposed restrictions on cats bred in Russia.

In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Federation Internationale Feline (FIFe), which is an international cat fancier society, has imposed restrictions on cats bred in Russia. These restrictions imposed by FIFe are valid until May 31 and will be reviewed as and when necessary. In a statement, the NGO noted that it is "shocked and horrified" that the Russian army invaded Ukraine and "started a war". It added, "Many innocent people died, many more are wounded and hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians are forced to flee their homes to save their lives. We can all witness the destruction and chaos caused by this unprecedented act of aggression." ALSO READ | IAF's evacuation flights with 798 Indians land at Hindon airbase, PM Modi monitoring developments As per the organisation, no cat bred in Russia may be imported and registered in any FIFe pedigree book outside Russia, regardless of, which organization issued its pedigree. The statement added, "No cat belonging to exhibitors living in Russia may be entered at any FIFe show outside Russia, regardless of, which organization these exhibitors hold their membership in." FIFe also stated that it will dedicate a part of its budget to support cat breeders and fanciers in Ukraine who are suffering because of the current situation, the statement added. ALSO READ | Ukraine attempts to embarrass Moscow, invites Russian mums to collect captured sons Meanwhile, the war-like situation continues to escalate as the latest development suggested that Russian troops were in the centre of the Ukrainian port of Kherson on Thursday (March 3). When Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the "military operations" on February 24, several countries including the UK, the US, Canada, along with the European Union have imposed sanctions on Moscow. WATCH | US interest rate hike likely in March: Powell testified before US Congress ×

Ukraine crisis: Here's how Russian cats are caught in the crossfire

<p>India's ministry of external affairs said that the embassy in Ukraine is in "continuous touch" with Indian nationals in Ukraine and also noted that the authorities cooperated while evacuating students from war-torn Ukraine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Thursday (March 3), PTI reported quoting sources said the Indian Air Force's four evacuation flights with 798 Indians from the Romanian capital Bucharest, Hungary's Budapest and Polish city Rzeszow landed at the Hindon airbase in India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sources also noted that the Union Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt welcomed the students after the IAF's first flight carrying 200 people from Bucharest landed at 1.30am (local time).&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-conflict-ukraine-attempts-to-embarrass-moscow-invites-russian-mums-to-collect-captured-sons-458383">Ukraine attempts to embarrass Moscow, invites Russian mums to collect captured sons</a></strong></p>

<p>As quoted by India-based news agency ANI, Bhatt said, "We are taking care of every student returning from Ukraine. Our four Union ministers are taking care of every aspect of evacuation operations in different neighbouring countries of Ukraine. Operation Ganga is progressing successfully".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bhatt interacted with the evacuees and said that the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself is monitoring all developments.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Fourth IAF aircraft carrying Indians rescued from Ukraine arrives at Hindan airbase near Delhi; MoS Defence Ajay Bhatt interacts with the evacuees<br />
<br />
I welcome you all on your safe return to our motherland... PM Modi himself is monitoring all developments, he says. <a href="https://t.co/nxQ2X4z9m0">pic.twitter.com/nxQ2X4z9m0</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1499222736987889664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>ALSO READ |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-casus-belli-amid-ukraine-crisis-russia-space-agency-head-says-satellite-hacking-would-justify-war-458357">&nbsp;'A casus belli': Amid Ukraine crisis, Russia space agency head says satellite hacking would justify war</a></strong></p>

<p>Important to note that India has been evacuating its citizens through special flights from Ukraine's western neighbours such as Romania, Hungary and Poland as the Ukrainian airspace has been shut since February 24.&nbsp;</p>

<p>To facilitate the evacuation of Indian nationals, four Indian ministers have gone to Ukraine's western neighbours. Hardeep Singh Puri is in Hungary, Jyotiraditya Scindia is in Romania, Kiren Rijiju is in Slovakia and V K Singh is in Poland.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Indian PM Modi speaks to President Putin, Russians volunteer to evacuate Indians from Ukraine</strong></p>

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India's ministry of external affairs said that the embassy in Ukraine is in "continuous touch" with Indian nationals in Ukraine and also noted that the authorities cooperated while evacuating students from war-torn Ukraine.

India's ministry of external affairs said that the embassy in Ukraine is in "continuous touch" with Indian nationals in Ukraine and also noted that the authorities cooperated while evacuating students from war-torn Ukraine. On Thursday (March 3), PTI reported quoting sources said the Indian Air Force's four evacuation flights with 798 Indians from the Romanian capital Bucharest, Hungary's Budapest and Polish city Rzeszow landed at the Hindon airbase in India. Sources also noted that the Union Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt welcomed the students after the IAF's first flight carrying 200 people from Bucharest landed at 1.30am (local time). ALSO READ | Ukraine attempts to embarrass Moscow, invites Russian mums to collect captured sons As quoted by India-based news agency ANI, Bhatt said, "We are taking care of every student returning from Ukraine. Our four Union ministers are taking care of every aspect of evacuation operations in different neighbouring countries of Ukraine. Operation Ganga is progressing successfully". Bhatt interacted with the evacuees and said that the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself is monitoring all developments. #WATCH Fourth IAF aircraft carrying Indians rescued from Ukraine arrives at Hindan airbase near Delhi; MoS Defence Ajay Bhatt interacts with the evacuees I welcome you all on your safe return to our motherland... PM Modi himself is monitoring all developments, he says. pic.twitter.com/nxQ2X4z9m0 — ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2022 × ALSO READ | 'A casus belli': Amid Ukraine crisis, Russia space agency head says satellite hacking would justify war Important to note that India has been evacuating its citizens through special flights from Ukraine's western neighbours such as Romania, Hungary and Poland as the Ukrainian airspace has been shut since February 24. To facilitate the evacuation of Indian nationals, four Indian ministers have gone to Ukraine's western neighbours. Hardeep Singh Puri is in Hungary, Jyotiraditya Scindia is in Romania, Kiren Rijiju is in Slovakia and V K Singh is in Poland. WATCH | Indian PM Modi speaks to President Putin, Russians volunteer to evacuate Indians from Ukraine ×

IAF's evacuation flights with 798 Indians land at Hindon airbase, PM Modi monitoring developments

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<p>Thomas Tuchel admitted he cannot imagine life without Roman&nbsp;Abramovich&nbsp;after the Russian billionaire's stunning decision to put Chelsea up for sale.</p>

<p>Abramovich&nbsp;has come to the "incredibly difficult" conclusion that he must sell Chelsea amid the political fall-out from Russia's invasion of Ukraine.</p>

<p>The 55-year-old revealed the shock news less than an hour before Chelsea kicked off in their 3-2 FA Cup fifth-round win at Luton on Wednesday.</p>

<p>Abramovich&nbsp;bought Chelsea in 2003 and his vast investment helped the west London club win 19 major trophies, including five Premier League titles and two Champions League crowns.</p>

<p>He hired Tuchel in January 2021 and was in Abu Dhabi recently to watch as Chelsea won the Club World Cup for the first time, having already lifted the Champions League and UEFA Super Cup in the German's reign.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-conflict-ukraine-attempts-to-embarrass-moscow-invites-russian-mums-to-collect-captured-sons-458383">Ukraine attempts to embarrass Moscow, invites Russian mums to collect captured sons</a></strong></p>

<p>But the&nbsp;Abramovich&nbsp;era at Stamford Bridge is coming to an abrupt end due to the war in Ukraine.</p>

<p>Abramovich&nbsp;reportedly opted to sell Chelsea amid fears he could come under British government sanctions given his alleged links to Russian President Vladimir Putin.</p>

<p>With a consortium of billionaires already making their interest in a deal public,&nbsp;Abramovich&nbsp;set his asking price for Chelsea at a reported £3 billion ($4 billion) and pledged to give the net proceeds to victims of the Ukraine conflict.</p>

<p>Swiss tycoon Hansjorg Wyss and American investor Todd Boehly, a co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, are understood to be two of the parties joining forces to bid for the Blues.</p>

<p>Tuchel and his players only learned of the oligarch's decision to sell up shortly before the Luton match.</p>

<p><strong>'Massive change'</strong></p>

<p>And he conceded he needed time to get to grips with the seismic changes on the horizon in the post-Abramovich&nbsp;world.</p>

<p>"It's a bit too early to speak, because I can only think about Chelsea with Roman&nbsp;Abramovich. So it's very hard for me. It hasn't sunk in yet that this is going to stop. It's a massive change of course," Tuchel said.</p>

<p>Asked if the bombshell announcement had rocked his players given their creaky display for long periods against second tier Luton, Tuchel said: "They have internet connections, they watch TV so of course they knew, they get messages. But still we focused in the preparation only on sports.</p>

<p>"And maybe some players are more affected, some less, but in the end we managed to focus, grow into this game and find the key to win it."</p>

<p><strong>IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/ukraine-unleashes-turkeys-bayraktar-tb2-drones-on-russia-is-it-a-gamechanger-458271">Ukraine unleashes Turkey's Bayraktar TB2 drones on Russia: Is it a gamechanger?</a></strong></p>

<p>Tuchel is well aware the impending regime change could lead to all manner of issues in the future.</p>

<p>At present, he mostly deals directly with Chelsea technical advisor Petr Cech and Marina Granovskaia, a club director and long-time&nbsp;Abramovich&nbsp;aide.</p>

<p>Publicly at least, he remains calm and insisted the sale will not be a problem as his main focus remains on the players and his staff.</p>

<p>"I don't think I need to talk about it, I don't know as much as maybe you think. I'm not a CEO or member of the board. So, I'm very sure the club will speak to us and the players," he said.</p>

<p>"I'm not so much worried because I still feel privileged and in a good place. And I still hope and trust for the best. I'm not so much the person who worries about things I cannot influence.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Russia rejects International Criminal Court's jurisdiction over probe into war crimes in Ukraine</strong></p>

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Thomas Tuchel admitted he cannot imagine life without Roman Abramovich after the Russian billionaire's stunning decision to put Chelsea up for sale. Abramovich has come to the "incredibly difficult" conclusion that he must sell Chelsea amid the political fall-out from Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Thomas Tuchel admitted he cannot imagine life without Roman Abramovich after the Russian billionaire's stunning decision to put Chelsea up for sale. Abramovich has come to the "incredibly difficult" conclusion that he must sell Chelsea amid the political fall-out from Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The 55-year-old revealed the shock news less than an hour before Chelsea kicked off in their 3-2 FA Cup fifth-round win at Luton on Wednesday. Abramovich bought Chelsea in 2003 and his vast investment helped the west London club win 19 major trophies, including five Premier League titles and two Champions League crowns. He hired Tuchel in January 2021 and was in Abu Dhabi recently to watch as Chelsea won the Club World Cup for the first time, having already lifted the Champions League and UEFA Super Cup in the German's reign. ALSO READ | Ukraine attempts to embarrass Moscow, invites Russian mums to collect captured sons But the Abramovich era at Stamford Bridge is coming to an abrupt end due to the war in Ukraine. Abramovich reportedly opted to sell Chelsea amid fears he could come under British government sanctions given his alleged links to Russian President Vladimir Putin. With a consortium of billionaires already making their interest in a deal public, Abramovich set his asking price for Chelsea at a reported £3 billion ($4 billion) and pledged to give the net proceeds to victims of the Ukraine conflict. Swiss tycoon Hansjorg Wyss and American investor Todd Boehly, a co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, are understood to be two of the parties joining forces to bid for the Blues. Tuchel and his players only learned of the oligarch's decision to sell up shortly before the Luton match. 'Massive change' And he conceded he needed time to get to grips with the seismic changes on the horizon in the post-Abramovich world. "It's a bit too early to speak, because I can only think about Chelsea with Roman Abramovich. So it's very hard for me. It hasn't sunk in yet that this is going to stop. It's a massive change of course," Tuchel said. Asked if the bombshell announcement had rocked his players given their creaky display for long periods against second tier Luton, Tuchel said: "They have internet connections, they watch TV so of course they knew, they get messages. But still we focused in the preparation only on sports. "And maybe some players are more affected, some less, but in the end we managed to focus, grow into this game and find the key to win it." IN PICS | Ukraine unleashes Turkey's Bayraktar TB2 drones on Russia: Is it a gamechanger? Tuchel is well aware the impending regime change could lead to all manner of issues in the future. At present, he mostly deals directly with Chelsea technical advisor Petr Cech and Marina Granovskaia, a club director and long-time Abramovich aide. Publicly at least, he remains calm and insisted the sale will not be a problem as his main focus remains on the players and his staff. "I don't think I need to talk about it, I don't know as much as maybe you think. I'm not a CEO or member of the board. So, I'm very sure the club will speak to us and the players," he said. "I'm not so much worried because I still feel privileged and in a good place. And I still hope and trust for the best. I'm not so much the person who worries about things I cannot influence. WATCH | Russia rejects International Criminal Court's jurisdiction over probe into war crimes in Ukraine ×

Thomas Tuchel 'can't imagine' Chelsea without Roman Abramovich after club put up for sale

<p>The Ukraine crisis continues to escalate as the latest reports confirmed that Russia has captured the Ukrainian city of Kherson on Thursday (March 3). However, the Russian forces are facing stiffer-than-expected resistance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Wednesday (March 2), Ukraine invited the mothers to come and collect their sons - Russian troops - who were captured while fighting on the battlefield in an apparent attempt to embarrass Moscow.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ukraine's defence ministry said in a statement: "A decision has been made to hand over captured Russian troops to their mothers if they come to collect them in Ukraine, in Kyiv."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-casus-belli-amid-ukraine-crisis-russia-space-agency-head-says-satellite-hacking-would-justify-war-458357">&nbsp;'A casus belli': Amid Ukraine crisis, Russia space agency head says satellite hacking would justify war</a></strong></p>

<p>Since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered "military operations" in Ukraine on February 24, Ukraine claimed that it has captured dozens of Russian servicemen.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Apart from that, multiple videos and photos have been circulating on social media forums of disarmed young men in Russian military uniforms.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Reports have also claimed that locals in Ukraine are providing tea, food and some other necessities to captured Russians. The civilians are also claimed to have let them call their mothers.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/ukraine-unleashes-turkeys-bayraktar-tb2-drones-on-russia-is-it-a-gamechanger-458271">Ukraine unleashes Turkey's Bayraktar TB2 drones on Russia: Is it a gamechanger?</a></strong></p>

<p>Previously, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk had asked the International Red Cross to help repatriate the dead bodies of Russian soldiers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"There are thousands of invaders' bodies. This is a humanitarian need. We ask for the bodies of the invaders to leave Ukrainian territory and go to Russia," she had said last week.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We call upon Russians again to make it so that there are fewer bodies of your sons, of your men, otherwise there will be thousands of them. I say it again, victory will be ours," she added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;UNGA adopts resolution on Ukraine in a historic vote</strong></p>

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The Ukraine crisis continues to escalate as the latest reports confirmed that Russia has captured the Ukrainian city of Kherson on Thursday (March 3). However, the Russian forces are facing stiffer-than-expected resistance.

The Ukraine crisis continues to escalate as the latest reports confirmed that Russia has captured the Ukrainian city of Kherson on Thursday (March 3). However, the Russian forces are facing stiffer-than-expected resistance. On Wednesday (March 2), Ukraine invited the mothers to come and collect their sons - Russian troops - who were captured while fighting on the battlefield in an apparent attempt to embarrass Moscow. Ukraine's defence ministry said in a statement: "A decision has been made to hand over captured Russian troops to their mothers if they come to collect them in Ukraine, in Kyiv." ALSO READ | 'A casus belli': Amid Ukraine crisis, Russia space agency head says satellite hacking would justify war Since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered "military operations" in Ukraine on February 24, Ukraine claimed that it has captured dozens of Russian servicemen. Apart from that, multiple videos and photos have been circulating on social media forums of disarmed young men in Russian military uniforms. Reports have also claimed that locals in Ukraine are providing tea, food and some other necessities to captured Russians. The civilians are also claimed to have let them call their mothers. IN PICS | Ukraine unleashes Turkey's Bayraktar TB2 drones on Russia: Is it a gamechanger? Previously, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk had asked the International Red Cross to help repatriate the dead bodies of Russian soldiers. "There are thousands of invaders' bodies. This is a humanitarian need. We ask for the bodies of the invaders to leave Ukrainian territory and go to Russia," she had said last week. "We call upon Russians again to make it so that there are fewer bodies of your sons, of your men, otherwise there will be thousands of them. I say it again, victory will be ours," she added. WATCH | UNGA adopts resolution on Ukraine in a historic vote ×

Russia Ukraine Conflict: Ukraine attempts to embarrass Moscow, invites Russian mums to collect captured sons

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Zee News Rajasthan

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Srishti Sisodia

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