Amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, global crude oil prices are soaring owing to economic sanctions on Russia. However, Russia is offering crude oil at discounted prices which India has decided to buy.

Indian government defends itself for buying Russian oil at discounted price amid war in Ukraine

After 2 long years of the pandemic, India celebrated Holi with full fervour. WION attended the celebrations in the Holy city of Vrindavan. Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: Inside a grand Holi celebration in Vrindavan

India is celebrating the festival of colours, Holi which marks the triumph of good over evil. Watch ground report from the holy place of Vrindavan.

Holi celebration in Vrindavan: India celebrates the festival of colours

India celebrates the festival of colours: Festival marks triumph of good over evil

Italian musician Matteo Bocelli speaks to WION ahead of his first trip to India. Bocelli gets candid about music. Watch this report to know all the details.

Hitting the right notes: Matteo Bocelli speaks to WION ahead of his first trip to India

Holi, the festival of colours, It's one of the most exuberant festivals in the world. What are the legends and rituals of Holi? We look at different ways Holi is celebrated across India. Watch WION Wideangle with Ashwin Sanghi & Suhag A Shukla.

Holi: Legends & Rituals | WION Wideangle

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ordered Russia to immediately suspend its military action in Ukraine, saying it is profoundly concerned by Moscow’s use of force.

Indian judge at ICJ votes against Russia

The ongoing financial crisis in Sri Lanka has forced the Gotabaya Rajapaksa govt to seek an IMF bailout. India has also extended a $1 billion line of credit to Sri Lanka to ensure a steady supply of essential commodities. Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: India extends $1 billion line of credit to Sri Lanka

More than 11 million Covid-19 cases were reported in the second week of March along with 43,000 deaths. Germany and South Korea reported their highest daily caseload since the beginning of the pandemic. Is India next on this list of outbreaks? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: India's fourth Covid-19 wave in June?

Two days after taking oath as Punjab Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann is set to get his first Council of Ministers, all first-timers, on Saturday. 
 
Former Leader of the Opposition and a prominent Dalit face Harpal Singh Cheema may be inducted as the deputy chief minister. Cheema retained his Dirba seat. 
 
The other probables in the Cabinet are Aman Arora, Kultar Sandhwan, Harjot Bains, Sarvjit Kaur Manuke, Baljinder Kaur, Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Neena Mittal and Kunwar Vijay Pratap.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-state-elections-2022-bhagwant-mann-is-aaps-cm-candidate-for-punjab-445647">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-assembly-polls-even-before-eci-formal-announcement-aap-celebrates-a-revolutionary-win-in-punjab-460914">Punjab Election Results 2022: Even before ECI formal announcement, AAP celebrates a 'revolutionary' win</a> 
 
It is learnt the party leadership is keen to induct six to seven ministers in the Council of Ministers that has space for 17 ministerial posts, excluding the Chief Minister's. 
 
The remaining ministers will be inducted after a few months, a senior party leader told IANS. 
 
Sunam MLA Aman Arora is a prominent Hindu face of the party and is known for his proximity with Mann. In 2018, when Mann had resigned from the post of the state president after Arvind Kejriwal apologised to Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia on allegations of drug trade, Arora too had quit AAP. Both of them later rejoined the party. 
 
Arora defeated Congress'&nbsp;Jaswinder Singh Dhiman by a record margin of 75,277 votes, state's highest. 
 
First-timer Jivan Jyot Kaur, who emerged as the 'giant slayer'&nbsp;by showing the door to two political heavyweights -- Navjot Singh Sidhu of the Congress and Majithia, who were busy in mudslinging against each other, is likely to inducted a minister.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/2022-punjab-election-results-who-is-ajit-pal-singh-kohli-the-man-who-trumped-maharaja-of-patiala-460972">&nbsp;2022 Punjab election results: Who is Ajit Pal Singh Kohli, the man who trumped ex-CM?</a> 
 
Another first-time Kunwar Vijay Prartap, who once served as the Amritsar SSP, is AAP's big face who registered a victory in Amritsar North by defeating his closest rival and SAD`s Anil Joshi by a margin of 28,313 votes. 
 
Party's state co-in-charge Raghav Chadha has already clarified that the induction of the Council of Ministers in government is the prerogative of Bhagwant Mann, seting aside speculations that Arvind Kejriwal will be taking the final call from Delhi. 
 
The party is trying to maintain a balance in the Cabinet from the state's Malwa, Majha and Doaba regions. 
 
The Malwa belt can get more ministers as the party owns 66 out of the 69 seats in the region. In Doaba, AAP won 10 out of 23 seats, while in Majha, it won 16 out of 25. 
 
Also, this time AAP sent eight women legislators, five doctors, the richest legislator -- Kulwant Singh with assets of Rs 238 crore and won from Mohali -- and the youngest -- Narinder Kaur Bharaj, 27, to the Assembly. 
 
The AAP recorded a thumping win by claiming 92 of the Assembly's 117 seats. The ruling Congress won 18, down from 77 in 2017.

Watch | Gravitas: Big takeaways from India's state election results

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Two days after taking oath as Punjab Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann is set to get his first Council of Ministers, all first-timers, on Saturday. Former Leader of the Opposition and a prominent Dalit face Harpal Singh Cheema may be inducted as the deputy chief minister.

Two days after taking oath as Punjab Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann is set to get his first Council of Ministers, all first-timers, on Saturday. Former Leader of the Opposition and a prominent Dalit face Harpal Singh Cheema may be inducted as the deputy chief minister. Cheema retained his Dirba seat. The other probables in the Cabinet are Aman Arora, Kultar Sandhwan, Harjot Bains, Sarvjit Kaur Manuke, Baljinder Kaur, Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Neena Mittal and Kunwar Vijay Pratap. Also read | Punjab Election Results 2022: Even before ECI formal announcement, AAP celebrates a 'revolutionary' win It is learnt the party leadership is keen to induct six to seven ministers in the Council of Ministers that has space for 17 ministerial posts, excluding the Chief Minister's. The remaining ministers will be inducted after a few months, a senior party leader told IANS. Sunam MLA Aman Arora is a prominent Hindu face of the party and is known for his proximity with Mann. In 2018, when Mann had resigned from the post of the state president after Arvind Kejriwal apologised to Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia on allegations of drug trade, Arora too had quit AAP. Both of them later rejoined the party. Arora defeated Congress' Jaswinder Singh Dhiman by a record margin of 75,277 votes, state's highest. First-timer Jivan Jyot Kaur, who emerged as the 'giant slayer' by showing the door to two political heavyweights -- Navjot Singh Sidhu of the Congress and Majithia, who were busy in mudslinging against each other, is likely to inducted a minister. Also read | 2022 Punjab election results: Who is Ajit Pal Singh Kohli, the man who trumped ex-CM? Another first-time Kunwar Vijay Prartap, who once served as the Amritsar SSP, is AAP's big face who registered a victory in Amritsar North by defeating his closest rival and SAD`s Anil Joshi by a margin of 28,313 votes. Party's state co-in-charge Raghav Chadha has already clarified that the induction of the Council of Ministers in government is the prerogative of Bhagwant Mann, seting aside speculations that Arvind Kejriwal will be taking the final call from Delhi. The party is trying to maintain a balance in the Cabinet from the state's Malwa, Majha and Doaba regions. The Malwa belt can get more ministers as the party owns 66 out of the 69 seats in the region. In Doaba, AAP won 10 out of 23 seats, while in Majha, it won 16 out of 25. Also, this time AAP sent eight women legislators, five doctors, the richest legislator -- Kulwant Singh with assets of Rs 238 crore and won from Mohali -- and the youngest -- Narinder Kaur Bharaj, 27, to the Assembly. The AAP recorded a thumping win by claiming 92 of the Assembly's 117 seats. The ruling Congress won 18, down from 77 in 2017. Watch | Gravitas: Big takeaways from India's state election results

Bhagwant Mann to get first Council of Ministers on March 19

India celebrating the festival of colours Holi which marks the triumph of good over evil

In an anti-poaching operation, Indian Coast Guard ship Vajra apprehended a Sri Lankan fishing boat with six crew members for fishing in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).&nbsp;

According to the Indian coast guard, during a patrol ICGS Vajra detected a boat 117 nautical miles southeast of India's southern most district Kanyakumari. The coast guard patrolling vessel then closed in on the fishing vessel, which was seen with nets laid in the water.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SriLankan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SriLankan</a> fishing boat with 6 crew held by <a href="https://twitter.com/IndiaCoastGuard?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IndiaCoastGuard</a> for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fishing?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#fishing</a> in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Indian?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Indian</a> Waters SE of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kanyakumari?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kanyakumari</a> 
 
They had switched off ID equipment, despite knowing they wer in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Indian?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Indian</a> EEZ, tried to evade ICG, had 350kg catch 
 
Boat, crew taken to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tuticorin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#tuticorin</a> and FIR registered <a href="https://t.co/b3kaHqbkqb">pic.twitter.com/b3kaHqbkqb</a>
— Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) <a href="https://twitter.com/sdhrthmp/status/1504459097017819142?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The Coast guard intercepted the vessel, while it attempted to flee and also conducted a&nbsp;search operation.

It&nbsp;revealed that the vessel has electronic chart displays and the crew were well aware of fishing in Indian waters. The crew members were also understood to have deliberately switched off the onboard automatic identification system. Besides a Tina like that was laid in the water, there was nearly 350kg of catch onboard.&nbsp;

The Lankan vessel 'Dinuka Putha-6' and its crew members were taken to Tuticorin port in southern Tamil Nadu following which an FIR was registered and the boat, the crew were handed over to Marine police. The foreign fishing vessel had violated the Maritime Zones of India Act 1981.&nbsp;

In an anti-poaching operation, Indian Coast Guard ship Vajra apprehended a Sri Lankan fishing boat with six crew members for fishing in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

In an anti-poaching operation, Indian Coast Guard ship Vajra apprehended a Sri Lankan fishing boat with six crew members for fishing in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). According to the Indian coast guard, during a patrol ICGS Vajra detected a boat 117 nautical miles southeast of India's southern most district Kanyakumari. The coast guard patrolling vessel then closed in on the fishing vessel, which was seen with nets laid in the water. #SriLankan fishing boat with 6 crew held by @IndiaCoastGuard for #fishing in #Indian Waters SE of #kanyakumari They had switched off ID equipment, despite knowing they wer in #Indian EEZ, tried to evade ICG, had 350kg catch Boat, crew taken to #tuticorin and FIR registered pic.twitter.com/b3kaHqbkqb — Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) March 17, 2022 × The Coast guard intercepted the vessel, while it attempted to flee and also conducted a search operation. It revealed that the vessel has electronic chart displays and the crew were well aware of fishing in Indian waters. The crew members were also understood to have deliberately switched off the onboard automatic identification system. Besides a Tina like that was laid in the water, there was nearly 350kg of catch onboard. The Lankan vessel 'Dinuka Putha-6' and its crew members were taken to Tuticorin port in southern Tamil Nadu following which an FIR was registered and the boat, the crew were handed over to Marine police. The foreign fishing vessel had violated the Maritime Zones of India Act 1981.

Sri Lankan boat with six crew held for fishing in Indian waters

The US is hoping that China will help the west isolate Russia. Moscow is hoping that China will help them evade western sanctions. Has India's neutrality backfired? Will the US and Russia now help India contain China? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Is India's neutrality on Ukraine backfiring?

India is number two worldwide in-app downloads. India accounts for over 11% of all app downloads worldwide. India's app downloads reached 27 billion in 2021. Indians spent a staggering 690 billion hours on their apps. But are they paying for these apps?

How many hours do Indians spend surfing apps? 690 billion!

Worst sufferers of the climate change are the poor nations of the world and on the contrary the biggest contributors are the developed nations of the word. Can India play pivotal role in breaking this menace and hypocrisy, Nitin Gadkari answers.

WION Climate summit: Can India play a pivotal role in breaking rich-poor gap? Nitin Gadkari answers

Chinese foreign minister will visit India later this month and he will be the first Chinese government official to visit India since the aggression in Galwan valley.

Chinese FM Wang Yi to visit India, first visit since Galwan standoff

Chinese foreign minister will visit India later this month and he will be the first Chinese government official to visit India since the aggression in Galwan valley. Watch this report.

India-China border standoff: Top Chinese minister to visit India

Amid Russia-Ukraine conflict, Russia has offered crude oil to India at discounted price. This offer came after US banned all Russian energy imports.

India mulls over oil deal with Russia, US says India not violating sanctions

India has expanded its covid-19 vaccination coverage and started inoculating children between the age of 12 and 14 years. The vaccine to be administered to this age group would be Corbevax.

India begins vaccination for 12-14 age group, Booster shots for all above 60

All India Chess Federation (FAIC) has announced that India will be hosting the upcoming 44th World Chess Olympiad 2022 at Chennai.

Taking to their Twitter, AICF wrote, "It's official now....India will host the 44th World Chess Olympiad 2022 at Chennai!!"

India had bid to host the tournament after the International Chess Federation (FIDE) took the Chess Olympiad and all other official competitions away from Russia because of their military operations on Ukraine.

The Chess Olympiad 2022 was supposed to take place from July 26 July to August 8.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/players-should-not-be-banned-over-ukraine-crisis-says-wta-head-steve-simon-462865">Players should not be banned over Ukraine crisis, says WTA head Steve Simon</a>

The other events that have been moved away from Russia are the first chess Olympiad for people with disabilities and the 93rd FIDE Congress.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also expressed happiness over the achievement and called it a 'proud moment'.

"Delighted that the Chess Capital of India is set to host the 44th Chess Olympiad! A proud moment for Tamil Nadu! Chennai warmly welcomes all the Kings and Queens from around the world!" tweeted MK Stalin.

The 44th Chess Olympiad 2022 will be the second major world event to be held in the country after the World Championship match in 2013 between Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen in Chennai.

All India Chess Federation (FAIC) has announced that India will be hosting the upcoming 44th World Chess Olympiad 2022 at Chennai. Taking to their Twitter, AICF wrote, "It's official now.

All India Chess Federation (FAIC) has announced that India will be hosting the upcoming 44th World Chess Olympiad 2022 at Chennai. Taking to their Twitter, AICF wrote, "It's official now....India will host the 44th World Chess Olympiad 2022 at Chennai!!" India had bid to host the tournament after the International Chess Federation (FIDE) took the Chess Olympiad and all other official competitions away from Russia because of their military operations on Ukraine. The Chess Olympiad 2022 was supposed to take place from July 26 July to August 8. ALSO READ: Players should not be banned over Ukraine crisis, says WTA head Steve Simon The other events that have been moved away from Russia are the first chess Olympiad for people with disabilities and the 93rd FIDE Congress. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also expressed happiness over the achievement and called it a 'proud moment'. "Delighted that the Chess Capital of India is set to host the 44th Chess Olympiad! A proud moment for Tamil Nadu! Chennai warmly welcomes all the Kings and Queens from around the world!" tweeted MK Stalin. The 44th Chess Olympiad 2022 will be the second major world event to be held in the country after the World Championship match in 2013 between Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen in Chennai.

India to host 44th World Chess Olympiad 2022 at Chennai

Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war which has led to energy crisis and as India leads the world in green transition, how is this instability going to impact our journey? India's minister of road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari answers questions on WION's climate summit.

How is Russia-Ukraine crisis affecting India's journey? Nitin Gadkari answers

Amazon.com Inc has gone on the attack in its bitter dispute with two Indian retailers, accusing them of fraud in Indian newspaper ads on Tuesday after Reliance Industries suddenly took over many of Future Retail stores.

Amazon&nbsp;has been contesting the planned $3.4 billion sales of Future Group's retail assets to Reliance, first announced in 2020, and the case is currently before the Indian Supreme Court.

Reliance, India's biggest conglomerate and retailer run by the country's richest man, began taking over the prized real estate with utmost stealth on Feb.25 when its staff showed up at many of Future biggest stores to assume control, sources have told Reuters.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amazons-suppliers-involved-in-forced-labour-in-xinjiang-report-460546">Amazon's suppliers involved in forced labour in Xinjiang: Report</a>

In ads headlined "PUBLIC NOTICE" in leading Indian newspapers on Tuesday,&nbsp;Amazon&nbsp;said: "these actions have been done in a clandestine manner by playing a fraud on the constitutional courts in India."

Future and Reliance did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

<img alt="amazon, reliance" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1292bd3e-3110-4f39-abef-ba6570c7dc34" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/stories%20%2821%29.jpg" />

Image source: Twitter

Amazon's public outcry comes even though on March 3 it offered to hold talks. The ongoing talks have raised hopes the dispute could be resolved.

Future has said in filings this month that it could not pay rent at many outlets given its distressed financial situation and that Reliance, which had taken over many of its leases, had issued it with termination notices.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amazon-is-less-able-to-recover-from-droughts-and-logging-study-finds-460047">Amazon is less able to recover from droughts and logging, study finds</a>

Amazon&nbsp;is concerned that Reliance is continuing to take over Future stores even as the talks continue, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter who was not authorised to speak to media and declined to be identified.

The newspaper ads were aimed at alerting all stakeholders, including Future’s lenders, that the transfer of assets to Reliance is legally prohibited, the source added.

Amazon.com Inc has gone on the attack in its bitter dispute with two Indian retailers, accusing them of fraud in Indian newspaper ads on Tuesday after Reliance Industries suddenly took over many of Future Retail stores.

Amazon.com Inc has gone on the attack in its bitter dispute with two Indian retailers, accusing them of fraud in Indian newspaper ads on Tuesday after Reliance Industries suddenly took over many of Future Retail stores. Amazon has been contesting the planned $3.4 billion sales of Future Group's retail assets to Reliance, first announced in 2020, and the case is currently before the Indian Supreme Court. Reliance, India's biggest conglomerate and retailer run by the country's richest man, began taking over the prized real estate with utmost stealth on Feb.25 when its staff showed up at many of Future biggest stores to assume control, sources have told Reuters. Also read | Amazon's suppliers involved in forced labour in Xinjiang: Report In ads headlined "PUBLIC NOTICE" in leading Indian newspapers on Tuesday, Amazon said: "these actions have been done in a clandestine manner by playing a fraud on the constitutional courts in India." Future and Reliance did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Image source: Twitter Amazon's public outcry comes even though on March 3 it offered to hold talks. The ongoing talks have raised hopes the dispute could be resolved. Future has said in filings this month that it could not pay rent at many outlets given its distressed financial situation and that Reliance, which had taken over many of its leases, had issued it with termination notices. Also read | Amazon is less able to recover from droughts and logging, study finds Amazon is concerned that Reliance is continuing to take over Future stores even as the talks continue, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter who was not authorised to speak to media and declined to be identified. The newspaper ads were aimed at alerting all stakeholders, including Future’s lenders, that the transfer of assets to Reliance is legally prohibited, the source added.

Amazon slams Reliance takeover of Future stores as 'fraud' in India newspaper ads

India will start vaccinating children in the 12 to 14 age group from Wednesday. Along with this age group of children, all Indian citizens above the age of 60 are also eligible for a booster shot against Covid-19.

All above 60 to get booster shot in India

Indian government has announced that the country will start its covid-19 vaccination for 12 to 14 years old from March 16. The health ministry said that the Corbevax will be administered to the new age group as it is India's first indigenously developed covid-19 vaccine.

India to vaccinate 12-14 year old against covid-19

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