NAMASKAR! A warm welcome to 'World News: an Indian perspective on All India Radio. I am RESHMA TIWARI and with me is DIMPLE BHARATI bringing glimpses of the major developments of the day from across the globe. Over the next half an hour, we shall bring to you the latest from the world of politics, economy, sports, entertainment and more.

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THE HEADLINES:

⦁ India and Germany call for consensus on reform of multi-lateral institutions for better reflection of global realities.

⦁ G-20 members welcome India’s proposal to set up expert panel for financial mandate on global challenges.

⦁ European Union agrees for new sanctions against Russia on first anniversary of Russia-Ukraine conflict.

⦁ Financial Action Task Force suspends Russia's membership.

⦁ Nigerians go to polls for presidential election.

⦁ Death toll in Turkey and Syria earthquake crosses 50,000.

⦁ And in Cricket, Australia and hosts South Africa to lock horns in T-20 Women's World Cup final at Cape To on Sunday.

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GERMAN CHANCELLOR VISIT

India and Germany on Saturday reiterated the consensus that reform of multi-lateral institutions is necessary to better reflect global realities. In his press statement after holding talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in New Delhi, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi said this is evident from both nations' active participation within the G4 to reform the UN Security Council. He also highlighted that there is active cooperation between India and Germany in the fight against terrorism and separatism. He stressed that both countries agree that concrete action is necessary to end cross-border terrorism.

Prime Minister Modi said, security and defence are an active pillar of the strategic cooperation between India and Germany. He added that both nations are expanding cooperation in the areas of Climate Action and Sustainable Development Goals through this.

The Prime Minister said India and Germany have strong ties, based on shared democratic values, and a deep understanding of each other's interests.

In his statement, Chancellor Scholz said India has a lot of talent and Germany wants to recruit and attract that talent. He said about one thousand 800 German companies are active in India and have given thousands of jobs.

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HOTSPOT

In today's Hotspot Section, we bring you a Discussion on Strengthening India-Germany Bilateral Relations. In conversation are  Strategic Analyst Prof. Harsh V. Pant and Moderator is AIR Correspondent

Rajesh Laikh.]

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PREZ-GERMAN CHANCELLOR

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called on the President of India Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi on Saturday. Welcoming Mr Scholz on his first visit to India as German Chancellor, the President said that India and Germany have a long standing relationship, which is underpinned by common values and shared goals.

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G20-ROUND-UP

First G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting concluded in Bengaluru on Saturday. During the meeting, G-20 members welcomed India’s proposal to set up expert panel for financial mandate on global challenges.

Here is a round-up of all G20-related meetings, discussions and deliberations held under India's presidency across the country during the past week.

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DENMARK PRINCE-INDIA VISIT

The Cro Prince of Denmark Frederik André Henrik Christian and Cro Princess, Mary Elizabeth will be on a five-day visit to India from Sunday. India's External Affairs Ministry said, the visit of the Royal Couple will be the first visit from the Danish Royal family in two decades. They are visiting India on the invitation of the Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.

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RUSSIA-SANCTIONS

The European Union agreed to a new round of sanctions against Russia on Friday, on the first anniversary of Russia-Ukraine conflict. The package is the tenth to be adopted by the EU member states since the conflict began. The sanctions include, targeted restricted measures against individuals and entities supporting the war, spreading propaganda or delivering drones used by Russia in the war.

The EU diplomats agreed on nearly all points of the new proposed sanctions.

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FATF-RUSSIA

Global anti-money laundering watchdog the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has suspended Russia's membership over its conflict with Ukraine. In a statement, Financial Action Task Force said that the Russian Federation's actions unacceptably run counter to the FATF core principles aiming to promote security, safety, and the integrity of the global financial system. FATF deals with money laundering and terrorism financing prevention.

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NIGERIA-VOTING

In Nigeria, voting is taking place for the presidential election in a tight race to choose a successor to President Muhammadu Buhari. People in the country are hoping that the next leader will steer Africa's most populous nation and biggest economy on a new course after years of worsening violence and hardship.

The main contenders in the race are 70 year old former Lagos governor Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress, 76 year old former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, and 61-year old former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, of the smaller Labour Party.

President Muhammadu Buhari, a retired army general, is stepping do after serving the maximum eight years allowed by the constitution but failing to deliver on his pledge to bring back order and security across Nigeria, Africa's top oil-producing nation.

Counting of votes will begin as soon as polls close and results will be posted outside polling stations.

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TURKIYE-SYRIA-DEATH TOLL

The death toll across Türkiye and Syria following catastrophic earthquake has mounted over 50,000. According to the latest figures from both countries, in Turkey 44,218 people have been killed, while the death toll in Syria has risen to 5,914. The first earthquake that hit southeastern Turkey and northern Syria on 6th of February was measured as the magnitude of 7.7 on richter scale and a second, a little later, was measured at 7.6. The region has been rocked by several aftershocks since.

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AIR FORCE-EXERCISE

An Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent comprising of 110 Air Warriors reached at Al Dahfra airbase of United Arab Emirates for participating in Exercise Desert Flag VIII. The IAF would be participating with five Light Combat Aircraft, LCA Tejas and two C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. This is the first occasion when the LCA Tejas will participate in an international flying exercise outside India. Exercise Desert Flag is a multilateral air exercise in which Air Forces from UAE, France, Kuwait, Australia, UK, Bahrain, Morocco, Spain, Republic of Korea, and USA would also be participating. The exercise is scheduled from 27th of this month to to 17th of next month.

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RUSSIA-ASTRONAUTS

The Russian space agency, Roscosmos, has successfully launched a Soyuz spacecraft o bring back three astronauts stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) after their Soyuz capsule sprang a coolant leak. The two Russian and an American astronaut will board the empty Soyuz spacecraft to return to Earth. The Soyuz MS-23 vessel, loaded with supplies, was launched from the Russian-operated Baikonur Cosmodrome.

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WORLD BOOK FAIR

The 31st edition of New Delhi World Book Fair has commenced at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi on Saturday. Several literary and cultural activities focusing on the theme 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav', will be the part of the  9-day mega fair. More than two thousand stalls have been set up and more than one thousand book publishers are participating in the fair. France has been designated as the Guest of Honour Country.

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WOMEN'S T20-FINAL

In ICC Women's T20 World Cup, the final between South Africa and Australia will be played on Sunday at Newlands, Cricket Ground in Cape To, South Africa. The match will begin at 6:30 PM Indian Standard Time.

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FPR

Now let us take a look at the major developments around the world, as reported in the Foreign Press.

⦁ The Financial Times reports, Dutch gasfield that caused earthquakes earned oil majors billions.

⦁ The Straits Times reports, PM Anwar’s Robin Hood Budget is populist but no game changer for Malaysia’s economy.

⦁ The Globe and Mail reports, IMF flags debt restructuring hurdles, says banning crypto should be an option.

⦁ The Japan Times reports, Some Japanese utilities may see price hikes delayed until after April.

⦁ The New York Times writes,  After 8 Lost Years, a Wide-Open Election in the Giant of Africa.

⦁ South China Morning Post says, After 28 years mostly renting in Hong Kong, this Englishman wanted his ‘castle’, but buying a village home in the UK wasn’t easy.

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REPEAT HEADLINES

⦁ India and Germany call for consensus on reform of multi-lateral institutions for better reflection of global realities.

⦁ G-20 members welcome India’s proposal to set up expert panel for financial mandate on global challenges.

⦁ European Union agrees for new sanctions against Russia on first anniversary of Russia-Ukraine conflict.

⦁ Financial Action Task Force suspends Russia's membership.

⦁ Nigerians go to polls for presidential election.

⦁ Death toll in Turkey and Syria earthquake crosses 50,000.

⦁ And in Cricket, Australia and hosts South Africa to lock horns in T-20 Women's World Cup final at Cape To on Sunday.

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And now, before we end, let us listen to Mahatma Gandhi's favourite bhajanVaishnav Jan, by artists from KUWAIT.

AND WITH THAT, WE END THIS BULLETIN. WE'LL BE BACK AT THE SAME TIME TOMORROW WITH THE NEXT EDITION OF WORLD NEWS.

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