US To Airdrop Supplies In Gaza: Risks, Past Examples, Other Options

The US military will start carrying out airdrops of food and supplies into Gaza in the coming days, joining other countries like France, Jordan and Egypt that have done the same.The United States will use military aircraft to drop supplies over Gaza. While it is unclear which type of aircraft will be used, the C-17 and C-130 are best suited for the job. According to the U.S. Air Force, a C-130 can hold 16 pallets while a C-17 can carry 40. Military personnel on the ground load supplies onto the pallets, which are then loaded onto planes, and locked in place. Once the aircraft is over the area where the supplies are needed, the lock holding them in place is released and they sail to the ground with the help of a parachute attached to the pallet.While the military can look at weather patterns ahead of time, the wind plays a large role in ensuring that they land where they should. Social media videos have shown some aid delivered by other countries ending up in the sea. Gaza is densely populated and officials say it will be difficult to ensure that the aid reaches the people who need it and doesn't end up in some place that is unreachable."It is extremely difficult to do an airdrop in such a crowded environment as is Gaza," John Kirby, President Joe Biden's top national security spokesperson, said. Officials also say that without a US military presence on the ground, there is no guarantee that the aid will not end up in the hands of Hamas.Each year over Christmas, it drops humanitarian aid to remote islands in the Pacific Ocean in an effort known as "Operation Christmas Drop."  

US Woman Born On Leap Day Gives Birth To Baby On Leap Day

A North Carolina doctor, Dr Kai Sun, welcomed a very special delivery on Thursday-her daughter, Chloe, who arrived on the same rare day Dr Sun herself was born: Leap Day.Dr Sun, an assistant professor and rheumatologist at Duke Health, and her husband, Michael Paik, celebrated the birth of their third child at 5:12 am on February 29th. Though Chloe was three days past her due date of February 26th, she made a grand entrance on a truly unique day. Baby Chloe weighed in at 6 pounds and 13 ounces. "My husband and I were just saying how cool it would be if she were born on the same day as my birthday. And somehow, it happened," Sun told "Good Morning America" Thursday morning from her hospital bed at Duke University Hospital, where she also works. "She was breathing fast initially when she was born, so they took her to the nursery for a little bit to see the paediatrician, but everything checked out, and she's peacefully sleeping," Dr Sun said. This Leap Day birth holds even more significance for the family as Chloe is also a rainbow baby, a term used for a child born after a miscarriage or infant loss."There were some little things along the way," the doctor added of her pregnancy. "There was some abnormal finding on the initial ultrasound that we were nervous about. And then I had COVID. And I fell on my belly in my third trimester. There are just some small things that happened that made us a little nervous, but everything turned out well in the end.""We had a miscarriage almost exactly a year ago, and so that makes her more special," Dr Sun said.  

Damaged Cables In Red Sea Disrupting Global Internet Traffic: Report

The damage caused to undersea cables in the Red Sea, following the Houthi strikes in the region, is disrupting global telecommunications networks and forcing internet providers to reroute as much as a quarter of traffic between Asia, Europe and the Middle East, reported CNN.Hong Kong telecoms company HGC Global Communications, release a report as the Houthis continue to launch indiscriminate attacks targeting the commercial ships in the Red Sea. According to the HGC, cables belonging to four major telecoms networks have been "cut" causing "significant" disruption to communications networks in the Middle East.The telecom company estimated that 25 per cent of traffic between Asia and Europe as well the Middle East has been impacted, the report stated on Monday, according to CNN. Further, the company said that it is rerouting traffic to minimize disruption for customers and also "extending assistance to affected businesses." However, the HGC did not mention the reason behind the cables damage or who was responsible. This comes weeks after the official Yemeni government warned of the possibility of an attack on the cables by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, who have already disrupted global supply chains by attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea, CNN reported. Israel news outlet Globes, in a report last week, suggested that the Houthis had been behind the damage to the cables.However, Yemeni rebel leader Abdel Malek al-Houthi denied the allegations and said, "We have no intention of targeting sea cables providing internet to countries in the region." Among the networks affected is the Europe India Gateway, spanning 15,000 kilometers (9,320 miles) between Europe, the Middle East and India. Moreover, Asia-Africa-Europe, a 25,000-kilometer cable system connecting South East Asia to Europe via Egypt, has also been damaged, as reported by CNN. The Houthis have been carrying out attacks on commercial and military shipping since November.The Houthis initially said that they would target Israel-linked ships in a show of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, but later expanded their targets to include vessels linked to the United Kingdom and the US, Al Jazeera reported.  

Air India-Vistara Merger Gets Singapores Conditional Approval

Singapore's flagship carrier announced its plan to merge Vistara and Air India in November 2022, in a bid to create a dominant full-service airline in the domestic and international markets.Singapore's competition watchdog said on Tuesday it has approved the merger between Tata Group-owned Air India and sister airline Vistara, a joint venture between Tata and Singapore Airlines, subject to certain conditions. While India's antitrust body approved the deal in September last year, the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) had identified certain competition concerns regarding the merger. The watchdog said the parties possessed the majority of the market share among airlines operating direct flights on four routes of concern - between Singapore and Indian cities of New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Tiruchirapalli. To address the concerns raised by the watchdog, the parties have proposed to maintain capacity on the said flights at pre-COVID levels, appoint independent auditors to monitor compliance with capacity commitments and submit annual as well as interim reports. "CCCS considers the proposed commitments sufficient to address the competition concerns arising from the transactions," the watchdog said on Tuesday.The proposed merger awaits other regulatory and foreign direct investment approvals. "Singapore Airlines continues to work with our partner Tata Sons to secure the remaining approvals from the relevant authorities to complete the merger," a spokesperson for Singapore Airlines said.Air India did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Listen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.com According to the terms of the deal, autos-to-steel conglomerate Tata would hold 74.9% of the combined entity, while Singapore Airlines will own the remaining 25.1%.  

"Truly Important Partners": S Jaishankar Describes India, South Korea Ties

On a two-day visit to South Korea, Mr Jaishankar said that India is interested in now expanding the partnership to new areas like critical and emerging technologies, semiconductors, green hydrogen and nuclear cooperation among others.External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today said that India and South Korea have become "truly important partners" for each other and stressed that bilateral exchanges have witnessed steady growth. On a two-day visit to South Korea, Mr Jaishankar said that India is interested in now expanding the partnership to new areas like critical and emerging technologies, semiconductors, green hydrogen and nuclear cooperation among others. Mr Jaishankar recalled that the ties between the two counties were elevated to a special strategic partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to South Korea in 2015. He noted that the two counties celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2023.'Truly Important Partners': S Jaishankar Describes India, South Korea TiesS Jaishankar exchanges greetings with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul. Seoul: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today said that India and South Korea have become "truly important partners" for each other and stressed that bilateral exchanges have witnessed steady growth.On a two-day visit to South Korea, Mr Jaishankar said that India is interested in now expanding the partnership to new areas like critical and emerging technologies, semiconductors, green hydrogen and nuclear cooperation among others. Mr Jaishankar recalled that the ties between the two counties were elevated to a special strategic partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to South Korea in 2015. He noted that the two counties celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2023. In his opening remarks at the 10th India - South Korea Joint Commission Meeting in Seoul, Mr Jaishankar said, "Last year, as you noted, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic ties. During our Prime Minister's visit in 2015, our relations were elevated to a special strategic partnership. It is important that we live up to that." "We have grown from strength to strength in the years that have passed. We have become truly important partners for each other. And our bilateral exchanges - trade, investments, defence, and S&T cooperation, have all seen a steady growth," he added.Mr Jaishankar and his South Korean counterpart, Cho Tae-yul, chaired the 10th India-South Korea Joint Commission Meeting in Seoul on Wednesday. The External Affairs Minister congratulated Cho Tae-yul on his appointment as South Korea's Minister of Foreign Affairs.Stressing expanding cooperation between India and South Korea to new sectors, Mr Jaishankar said, "While keeping up the momentum in the traditional areas of cooperation, we would be very much interested now in expanding it to new areas, such as critical and emerging technologies, semiconductors, green hydrogen, human resource mobility, nuclear cooperation, supply chain resilience, etc, to make our ties more contemporary." He recalled the meetings between PM Modi and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Hiroshima and New Delhi in 2023. He further said, "I think their discussions have provided us the guidance to go forward."  

Iran subjecting women to ‘draconian’ surveillance on hijab rule, says Amnesty

Iranian authorities are subjecting women to widespread surveillance to enforce the obligatory headscarf, even inside cars, and then imposing punishments including the confiscation of vehicles, Amnesty International said on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.The Islamic republic’s leadership was shaken in 2022 by mass protests that saw women denounce the dress code but has made clear it has no plan to abandon the obligatory hijab imposed after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Amnesty said in a report, based on testimony from over 40 women inside Iran published ahead of the March 8 International Women’s Day, that women were being targeted with “widespread surveillance” in public spaces and “mass police checks” targeting women drivers. “In a sinister attempt to wear down resistance to compulsory veiling... Iran’s authorities are terrorising women and girls by subjecting them to constant surveillance and policing,” said Diana Eltahawy, Amnesty’s deputy director for the West Asia and North Africa, denouncing “draconian tactics”. Access to transport, airports and banking services is regularly denied and made conditional upon women wearing a headscarf, Amnesty said. Those defying the rule face prosecution and in January 2024 a flogging sentence of 74 lashes was implemented against a young woman, Roya Heshmati, for appearing unveiled in public.  

Bengaluru Rameshwaram Cafe blast: Moments when explosion rocked food joint | Watch video

Bengaluru Rameshwaram Cafe Blast: The explosion that took place at the popular eatery in Karnataka's capital city Bengaluru's The Rameswaram cafe was caught on CCTV. The CCTV footage was released by the Karnataka Police. In the CCTV video, people are seen peacefully going about their chores inside the restaurant, until the camera shook indicating a loud blast. Dense smoke can be seen covering The Rameswaram Cafe as customers, staff run away from the establishment to safety. At least nine persons have sustained injuries in the Rameshwaram Cafe blast.Police teams and fire brigade teams rushed to the blast site and were seen analysing the aftereffects of the explosion. Shattered glass and furniture were seen strewn on the floor of the cafe, which drew attention among residents. Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddramaiah said that the blast occurred from a bag that was left behind by a customer at 12pm. Although the immediate cause has not been determined, Karnataka DGP has confirmed the explosion to be a bomb blast, supposedly an IED blast. "I have spoken to the police, they told me about the ongoing investigation. There was a small bag carried by a person. The identity of the person is not known. The cashier at the eatery is being questioned, as the person had gone to the cashier to take the token and ate the food...the same person had placed the bag," said Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah . A team of forensic experts also collected evidence from the site of the explosion in The Rameswaram Cafe. A dog squad also arrived at the site of the explosion. The area around The Rameswaram Cafe was secured by the police and Fire Brigade teams and the injured were hospitalised. Divya Raghavendra Rao, co-founder and managing director of the cafe chain, said she was told there were two explosions within 10 seconds of each other, injuring one customer and three employees. The Rameshwaram Cafe is one of the popular hangouts and is usually extremely crowded during lunch hours. Further details are awaited.       

"Fit Is Not Healthy": Entrepreneur Dilip Kumar After Zerodha CEO Suffers Mild Stroke

Entrepreneur Dilip Kumar recently addressed the "crazy theories" that surfaced online after Zerodha co-founder and Chief Executive officer (CEO) revealed that he suffered a mild stroke six weeks ago. Taking to X, Mr Kumar, who claims to have worked with Mr Kamath "closely", debunked a popular myth by explaining that "being fit is not equal to being healthy". He also clarified that fitness is about the ability to perform physical activities such as endurance, stamina, flexibility, power and speed. "Okay, about the recent post by Nithin and all the crazy theories being spread around - there are a few things people should know. First, I work with Nithin closely. We have done workouts and races together. I know him a little more than others making opinions and commentary on social media. So, what should be the takeaway from his post?" Mr Kumar tweeted. In the following post, the entrepreneur explained how one's health encompasses a broader spectrum, including physical, mental and social well-being, where the body's systems operate in harmony. "Being fit is not equal to being healthy. Most people believe being healthy and being fit are one and the same. It's not. They are not synonymous and are distinct states of physical well-being," Mr Kumar wrote. "Being fit means your ability to perform physical activities such as endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power & speed. These are a set of attributes that people have or develop to perform a physical activity," he continued. Further, Mr Kumar went on to debunk more misconceptions. "We often look at athletes or movie stars as fit and healthy. But often they are not," he wrote. "You may be a runner, go to gym regularly or get your ten thousand daily steps. Fitness doesn't guarantee health. While being fit can contribute to overall health, it's possible for someone to be physically fit but still experience health issues due to poor nutrition, stress, lack of sleep, or underlying medical conditions,' he explained. Mr Kumar emphasised the importance of a balanced approach to fitness and health in his post as well. "The gap between being healthy and looking fit is a modern-day confusion caused by social media. Fitness is important and can be achieved through specific physical activities. Health considers various dimensions of well-being and is achieved by sustainable long-term practices," he tweeted. "Striking a balance between fitness and health is essential," he added. Notably, Mr Kamath revealed that he suffered a mild stroke six weeks ago. He said although he does not know what exactly caused it, he thinks that a combination of factors including his father's death, poor sleep, exhaustion and overworking could be the reasons.    

"Assured Us, But...": Tunnel Rescue Heros SOS After House Demolished

One of the houses that was razed in the Delhi Development Authority's (DDA) recent demolition drive belonged to Vakeel Hasan, a rat-hole miner who played a key role in the Uttarakhand tunnel rescue operation last year. The DDA said that the demolition on Wednesday was part of a broader effort to clear illegal encroachments in the Khajuri Khas area of northeast Delhi.However, Hasan and other residents argue that they were not given any prior notice. Hasan expressed his dismay, stating, "I am Vakeel Hasan. The reward we got for saving 41 from Uttarakhand's Silkyara tunnel was that our house had been demolished. I need help. They have caught me, and my children, and are keeping us in a police station. They have also beaten some of us." Munna Qureshi, another miner involved in the rescue operation, echoed Hasan's sentiments, saying, "The government had assured us that they would give us the privilege of sitting at home, but they have snatched our team member's home." The DDA countered these claims, asserting that prior information had been given to all the residents. Officials also said that the land was designated for planned development. The Silkyara-Barkot tunnel rescue operation gained widespread recognition for its use of rat-hole mining, a practice banned for safety reasons. The miners, including Vakeel Khan and Munna Qureshi, stepped in when high-tech, imported machines failed during the operation in November 2023. Mr Khan, a rat-hole miner employed by a Delhi engineering services company, vividly described the moment of the successful rescue. "They hugged me, cheered in applause, and thanked me profusely," he had said after the trapped workers who spent 17 days in the tunnel were successfully brought out.    

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"Assured Us, But...": Tunnel Rescue Heros SOS After House Demolished

One of the houses that was razed in the Delhi Development Authority's (DDA) recent demolition drive belonged to Vakeel Hasan, a rat-hole miner who played a key role in the Uttarakhand tunnel rescue operation last year. The DDA said that the demolition on Wednesday was part of a broader effort to clear illegal encroachments in the Khajuri Khas area of northeast Delhi. However, Hasan and other residents argue that they were not given any prior notice. Hasan expressed his dismay, stating, "I am Vakeel Hasan. The reward we got for saving 41 from Uttarakhand's Silkyara tunnel was that our house had been demolished. I need help. They have caught me, and my children, and are keeping us in a police station. They have also beaten some of us." Munna Qureshi, another miner involved in the rescue operation, echoed Hasan's sentiments, saying, "The government had assured us that they would give us the privilege of sitting at home, but they have snatched our team member's home." The DDA countered these claims, asserting that prior information had been given to all the residents. Officials also said that the land was designated for planned development. The Silkyara-Barkot tunnel rescue operation gained widespread recognition for its use of rat-hole mining, a practice banned for safety reasons. The miners, including Vakeel Khan and Munna Qureshi, stepped in when high-tech, imported machines failed during the operation in November 2023. Mr Khan, a rat-hole miner employed by a Delhi engineering services company, vividly described the moment of the successful rescue. "They hugged me, cheered in applause, and thanked me profusely," he had said after the trapped workers who spent 17 days in the tunnel were successfully brought out.    

Can Reassess Red Sea Attacks If "Israel Stops Gaza Aggression": Houthis

Yemen's Houthis said on Tuesday they could only reconsider their missile and drone attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea once Israel ends its "aggression" in the Gaza Strip.Asked if they would halt the attacks if a ceasefire deal is reached, Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam told Reuters the situation would be reassessed if the siege of Gaza ended and humanitarian aid was free to enter. "There will be no halt to any operations that help Palestinian people except when the Israeli aggression on Gaza and the siege stop," he said.Shipping risks have escalated due to repeated Houthi strikes in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait since November in what they describe as acts of solidarity with Palestinians against Israel in the Gaza war. U.S. and British forces have responded with several strikes on Houthi facilities but have so far failed to halt the attacks.Top global container line Maersk on Tuesday told its clients in a statement that they should prepare for disruptions in the Red Sea to last into the second half of the year and to build longer transit times into their supply chain planning. Seafarers remain in the firing line and have signed agreements to receive double pay when entering the high-risk zones and have the right to refuse to sail on ships passing through the Red Sea. Galaxy Maritime Ltd, the UK-registered owner of car carrier Galaxy Leader which was hijacked by the Houthis on Nov. 19 with its 25 crew members, said on Tuesday that the mariners from Bulgaria, Ukraine, Mexico, Romania and the Philippines had "nothing whatsoever to do with the conflict in the Middle East". "From the few permitted phone calls they are allowed, crew members are becoming increasingly concerned about their loved ones at home," Galaxy Maritime said in an update. "Families of those being detained are now calling on the international community to take action to secure the immediate release of the crew."Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the U.N.'s International Maritime Organization (IMO), called for "collective action to fortify the safety of those at sea" and for the release of the Galaxy Leader.    

Video: When PM Modi Stepped Into Gujarat Legislature As MLA For 1st Time

Rajkot will always have a very special place in my heart, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, sharing a throwback video of him campaigning for his first electoral battle in the city.The throwback video was shared by Modi Archive, a Twitter handle that narrates the life journey of the Prime Minister through archival photos, videos, and newspaper clips. On this day in 2002, PM Modi became a member of the Gujarat assembly for the first time, winning his first election from Rajkot. He was already sworn in as the Chief Minister of Gujarat the previous October and was required to become a member of the legislative assembly within six months to continue in the post. This Rajkot by-election gave him his opportunity. Sharing it, PM Modi said, "Rajkot will always have a very special place in my heart. It was the people of this city who put their faith in me, giving me my first-ever electoral win. Since then, I have always worked to do justice to the aspirations of the Janta Janardan." He also pointed out the "happy coincidence" that he is in Gujarat for two days, during which one of his programmes will be held in Rajkot. From here, five AIIMS will be dedicated to the nation, added the Prime Minister. The video is a montage of clips and images of him filing nomination, campaigning, and giving speeches in Rajkot.    

Germany Votes To Legalise Cannabis But Theres A Catch

The German parliament voted Friday in favour of legalising the possession and controlled cultivation of cannabis starting in April, despite fierce objections from the opposition and campaign groups.Under the new law, it will be possible to obtain up to 25 grams of the drug per day for personal use through regulated cannabis cultivation associations, as well as to have up to three plants at home. However, possession and use of the drug would remain prohibited for anyone under 18.Ahead of the vote, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach called on members of parliament to back the controversial law, arguing that "the situation we are in now is in no way acceptable". Germany has seen a sharp rise in the number of young people using cannabis obtained on the black market, with no guarantees over the drug's composition, said Lauterbach, a member of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats. But Simone Borchardt of the opposition CDU said the new law would only increase health risks for young people, calling Lauterbach's assurances "no more than mere lip service".In their coalition agreement, the three parties had pledged to go further and allow cannabis to be sold in shops, only to be slapped down by the European Union. Borchardt accused the three parties in Scholz's coalition government of "making policy for their ideology and not for the country".The cannabis law has also been the subject of bitter wrangling within the coalition of Scholz's Social Democrats, the Greens and the liberal FDP. The new law has also been widely criticised by medical associations and health groups. The German public is divided on the issue: According to a YouGov poll published on Friday, 47 percent are in favour of the plan and 42 percent are against.    

Meet Shazza, the Singaporean singer who went viral after a Crash Adams TikTok

It was 1.30pm when the 23-year-old, whose real name is Shareefa Aminah, saw her phone blowing up with messages from her friends and social media pages. I got a bit worried for a moment because sometimes, social media is not the nicest space and I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was very happy to see that it was all positive stuff about the video,” said the singer. The video in question, posted by Canadian pop duo Crash Adams, featured Shazza singing a freestyle verse for their latest single Good Side. Since its release on Feb 6, it has garnered over 17 million views on TikTok and another 6.8 million on YouTube at the time of writing. Thanks to the viral video, Shazza's Instagram followers shot up from about 2,000 to over 90,000 in just one week. As for how the collaboration came about, she said: “It was a right place, right time kind of thing that really worked out in my favour.” Crash Adams came to Singapore to perform at Mediacorp’s Let’s Celebrate 2024 at The Promontory at Marina Bay on Dec 31 last year. While Shazza sang at the same event, she didn’t get to talk to them as it was too hectic backstage. Having seen some of their previous videos, she thought it would be a fun opportunity. So, she took it and sang Good Side live at Marina Bay Sands.   

China tightens grip on stocks with net sale ban at open, close: Report

China has banned major institutional investors from reducing equity holdings at the open and close of each trading day, part of the government’s most forceful attempt yet to prop up the nation’s $8.6 trillion stock market. The order from China’s securities watchdog was recently delivered to major asset managers and the proprietary trading desks of brokerages, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be named because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly. The China Securities Regulatory Commission, led by newly appointed Chairman Wu Qing, has also created a task force with the nation’s stock exchanges to monitor short selling and issue warnings to firms that profit from the wagers, the people said. While authorities have been ratcheting up curbs on bearish bets for months, the ban on net selling at the open and close represents a notable tightening of the government’s grip on market activity that risks upending popular strategies used by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Firms affected by the ban are unable to sell more shares than they buy during the first and last 30 minutes of trading, the people said. It’s unclear how widely the ban is being applied across the financial industry, and there’s no indication it will affect individual investors who account for a large portion of volume in Chinese stocks. Still, the sidelining of major institutions during two of the most closely watched parts of the trading day may make it easier for government-backed funds to influence the market — especially the closing levels for benchmark indexes. The CSRC didn’t immediately respond to a faxed request for comment.  Known for his tough clampdowns on brokerages as a CSRC official in the mid-2000s, Wu is resorting to more drastic measures to prevent the stock-market slump from extending into a fourth year. The selloff, which pushed China’s benchmark CSI 300 Index to a five-year low earlier this month, has become one of the most visible symbols of waning confidence in President Xi Jinping’s ability to revive an economy struggling with deflation and a persistent property crisis.The CSI 300 rose 1.4 per cent on Wednesday, extending its rebound from this year’s closing low to 8.7 per cent. It’s still down about 17 per cent over the past year.  

Mamata Banerjee Hits Out After BJP Workers "Khalistani" Jibe At Cop

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee slammed the BJP today after a video surfaced that showed a confrontation between BJP protesters and the state police, after a Sikh officer was called "Khalistani".. Accusing the BJP of practicing "divisive politics", the Chief Minister said she condemns it."I VEHEMENTLY CONDEMN this audacious attempt to undermine the reputation of our SIKH BROTHERS & SISTERS, revered for their SACRIFICES and UNWAVERING DETERMINATION  to our nation," read her post on X, formerly Twitter. "We stand firm in protecting Bengal's social harmony and will take stern lawful measures to prevent any attempts to disrupt it," she added.Led by Leader of the Opposition in Bengal Assembly, Subhendu Adhikari, the protesters were on way to Sandeshkhali, when they were stopped by the police. In the confrontation that followed, one of the protesters apparently called a senior police officer on duty at the spot a "Khalistani".The BJP workers remained unfazed. "You do your job... you just butter them up. you are sycophants," a woman is heard shouting. The BJP workers were on way to south Bengal's Sandeshkhali after a court order allowed the visit, setting aside the roadblocks imposed by the administration.The island in Sundarbans, close to Bangladesh border, has been in the eye of a political storm since the locals  accused a Trinamool Congress strongman of sexual exploitation and land grabbing.    

Anupamaa Actor Rituraj Singh Dies Of Cardiac Arrest At 59

Noted actor Rituraj Singh, who appeared on television shows such as Anupamaa as well as several films, including Badrinath Ki Dulhania, passed away at his home early Tuesday following a cardiac arrest, a close friend said. He was 59.“He had been hospitalised due to some stomach issues and was discharged a few days ago. He passed away around 12.30 am at his home due to a cardiac arrest,” Amit Behl told PTI. Singh is survived by his wife and two children. Singh was a familiar face TV serials, films as well as OTT shows.His television roles include Banegi Apni Baat, Hitler Didi, Shapath, Adaalat and Diya Aur Baati Hum. Besides, he appeared in supporting roles in Hindi films and in OTT shows such as Bandish Bandits, Made in Heaven, and Indian Police Force. Amit Behl said he learnt of the death from actor Pallavi Joshi. Details of the funeral are not known yet.    

"Historic Step": Zelensky Signs Security Pact With Germany

Volodymyr Zelensky will also seal a similar deal with France later on Friday as he seeks to shore up help for his forces, who are struggling to hold off Russian attacks on the frontline city of Avdiivka.Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a security deal with Germany on Friday in Berlin, hailed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz as a "historic step" anchoring support for Kyiv in its raging battle against Russia.Zelensky will also seal a similar deal with France later on Friday as he seeks to shore up help for his forces, who are struggling to hold off Russian attacks on the frontline city of Avdiivka. With the Ukraine war about to enter a third year, the president was set to make a new plea for sustained help with financing and armaments at the Munich Security Conference, where leaders like US Vice President Kamala Harris have gathered.Zelensky's European tour comes at a critical time with Ukraine facing mounting pressure on the eastern front lines because of ammunition shortages and fresh Russian attacks. Fierce fighting raged around beleaguered Avdiivka, on the eastern front line, which has become a main Russian target ahead of the February 24 invasion anniversary.The long-term future of billions of dollars of Western aid is meanwhile in doubt, with the biggest contributor, the United States, in the throes of an election year.