NAMASKAR! Awarm welcome to 'World News: an Indian perspective on All India Radio. This isRENUKA R.S bringing glimpses of the major developments of the day from acrossthe globe. Over the next half an hour, we shall bring to you the latest fromthe world of politics, economy, sports, entertainment and more.

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THEHEADLINES:

• Prime Minister of Australia AnthonyAlbanese arrives in Ahmedabad on a four-day visit to India; to holdIndia-Australia Annual Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi onFriday.

• India slams Pakistan ForeignMinister for raising Kashmir issue at UNSC.

• India to send 20,000 metric tonnesof wheat through Chabahar port in Afghanistan.

• International Womens' day celebratedglobally on the theme of 'DigitALL: Innovation and technology for genderequality and Festival of Colours - Holi celebrated with gaiety and enthusiasmacross India.

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HOLIFESTIVAL

Holi, thefestival of colours, is being celebrated across the country today. It signifiesthe victory of good over evil, and also marks the onset of spring season. ThePresident, Vice-President and Prime Minister greeted the nation on theoccasion. In her message, President Droupadi Murmu described Holi as a festivalof affection and brotherhood. President Murmu wished that the festival wouldbring happiness, prosperity and new energy in everyone's life. Extending hiswishes on the occasion, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar said the vibrantcolours of Holi remind the richness of the country's culture and the diversityof its people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished that the colours of joy andenthusiasm would always shower in everyone's life.

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HOLI-USSECRETARY OF COMMERCE

UnitedStates Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo on wednesday joined Holicelebrations at Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's official residence in NewDelhi. Taking to twitter, Rajnath Singh said he is delighted to host the USCommerce Secretary on the auspicious occasion of Holi. Ms Raimondo savoured thespirit of the festival to the tunes of Holi songs as she participated in thecelebrations at the Defence Minister's residence. She applied colours andexchanged greetings on the occasion. Ms Raimondo is on an official visit toIndia.

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INTERNATIONALWOMEN'S DAY

InternationalWomen's Day is being celebrated today. The day is celebrated on the 8th ofMarch every year to help forge a gender equal world, celebrate women'sachievements and their increasing visibility in every sphere of life. This daycelebrates the cultural, political, economic and social achievements of women.It also highlights the extraordinary roles played by women in almost every walkof life and celebrates acts of courage and determination by ordinary women. Thetheme for this year’s celebration is “DigitALL: Innovation and technology forgender equality.”

PresidentDroupadi Murmu, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Prime Minister NarendraModi  have greeted the people on theoccasion.

In hermessage, the President said the women are playing leading and significant rolesin all spheres and they are setting unprecedented records. She  said that the women are awakened and areholding leadership positions in many areas.

PresidentMurmu said that the nation is committed to empowering our daughters throughquality education so that they can realize their full potential. She furtheradded that daughters are the pride not only for families but of the entirecountry. The President said their ideas, thoughts and values can lead to the creationof a happy family, ideal society and a prosperous nation.

In a videomessage, the Prime Minister paid his tribute to the achievements of thecountry's Nari Shakti. Mr Modi emphasised on Nari Shakti for New India and saidthat the country greatly cherishes the role of women in its progress. Hereiterated that the government will keep working to further women empowerment.

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HOTSPOT

In today'sHotspot Section, on the occasion of International Women's day we bring you aninterview of a young women entrepreneur of nepal Suman Joshi. With her is ourNepal correspondent Sweta Singh.

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W20 G20

As the worldcelebrates International Women's Day today, India's Presidency at G20 isactively engaged in women empowerment and women led development under the aegisof W20.

A two-dayInception meeting of Women20, an official engagement group under India's G20Presidency was held during February 26-28 in Chatrapati Sambhajinagar,, Maharashtra. Around 150 women dignitariesfrom member countries, guest countries and special invitees took part in thismeeting.

W-20 Indiahas adopted the 4C strategy of Collaboration, Cooperation, Communication tobuild consensus and Call to Action to achieve its mission and goals. Fivepriority areas for the W20 meeting were - Women in Entrepreneurship, WomenLeadership at Grassroots, Bridging the Gender Digital Divide, Education &Skill Development and Women & Girls as change makers Climate ResilienceAction.

As a followup , the W20 will hold a conclave with Academicians on March 25.  An International Meet is scheduled in Jaipur on April 13-14.

Inbetween,  the W20 task force willcontinue its public outreach programmes to bring more awareness andparticipation from all the women stakeholders. The culmination will be at theW20 Summit in Mahabalipuram on 15th and 16th June.

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US INDIANSDNY JUDGE

Indian-originArun Subramanian has become the first Indian American to be the Judge of theManhattan Federal District of New York. The US Senate Judiciary Committeeconfirmed this development through its official Twitter handle. Mr Subramanianis also the first person of South Asian origin to serve the bench.

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India-Pak

India todaytermed as frivolous, baseless and politically motivated remarks made byPakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutoo Zardari on Union Territory of Jammuand Kashmir during a debate ‘Women, Peace and Security’ at the UN SecurityCouncil. India's Permanent Representative to the UN  Ruchira Kamboj said, it is unworthy to evenrespond to such malicious and false propaganda. Kamboj said, rather, our focushas been and will always be positive and forward looking. She said, thediscussion is critically important to strengthen the collective efforts toaccelerate the full implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda.India respects the topic and recognises the importance of time and it’s focusshall remain to topic.

Kamboj said,the cultural ethos of India has taught her people to regard the planet earth asa mother. As a nation with a strong civilisational character rooted in women’sempowerment and equal participation in social and economic life, India stronglybelieves that the progress of women is the very basis for the empowerment of anation.

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SPECIAL

Now we bringyou an interview  with Sri Lanka ForeignMinister Ali Sabry  with him in ourcolombo correspondent Dr. Ahmed Muyeen Farooqi.

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Middle eastenergy 2023

Middle EastEnergy 2023, the region’s leading energy event, in its 48th edition showcasesover 800 exhibitors from 170 countries as well as 20,000 energy professionalsand utilities decision-makers.

Indiapavilion with thirty seven exhibitions as coordinated by Engineering exportpromotion council of India, Ministry of commerce and several other exhibitorspresented various innovative ideas including how to reduce carbon footprint andenhance the power utilization efficiency of renewables.

Indiapavilion was Inaugurated by Dr Aman Puri, Consul General of India at Dubai, onMarch 7th in the presence of  KKalimuthu, Consul (Economic, Trade & Commerce) Debasis Chakraborty, DyDirector & Mr Kamal Chakraborty, Sr Asst Director EEPC.

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PM ANTHONYALBANESE

AustralianPrime Minister Anthony Albanese reached Ahmedabad on wednesday. During histrip, Mr Albanese is scheduled to visit Mumbai and Delhi as well. PrimeMinister Narendra Modi and Mr Albanese will watch the first day's play of thefourth test match between India and Australia at Narendra Modi stadium inAhmedabad on thursday. The visiting dignitary will be accorded a ceremonialwelcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan on Friday. He will also call onPresident Droupadi Murmu. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australiancounterpart will hold the Annual Summit to discuss areas of cooperation underthe India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, besides regional andglobal issues of mutual interest.

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INDIA- AFGHANISTANWHEAT

India willsend 20 thousand metric tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan through the ChabaharPort in Iran. The External Affairs Ministry said that the decision was made inorder to address the current humanitarian situation. Holding the first India-CentralAsia Joint Working Group on Afghanistan in New Delhi yesterday, India alsodiscussed the current political, security and humanitarian situation inAfghanistan with the participants. They emphasized the importance of formationof a truly inclusive and representative political structure that respects therights of all Afghans and ensures equal rights of women, girls and members ofminority groups, including access to education.

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PED LAGAOBETI KE NAAM

Jammu andKashmir government celebrated International Women's Day in a unique way. Itorganised a plantation programme  underthe theme “Ped Lagao Beti Ke Naam”. The initiative  involved women and girls in afforestation,environmental conservation and creating awareness. Over one thousand   saplings of various species were plantedalong the National Highway Ring Road NH-44, at Chak Avtara Panchayat of BishnahTehsil of Jammu district today by over 300 participants. Women planted saplingsin the name of their daughters and pledged to protect them and carry forwardthis initiative in other villages also. The plantations along newly constructedHighways including Jammu- Udhampur, Qazigund - Srinagar and Jammu Ring roadstretches will help in developing green highways. During the current year, 1.35crore saplings are being planted across all the districts of J&K.

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CRICKETTARGET

In cricket,Women's Premier League (WPL) the match between Gujarat Giants and RoyalChallengers  Bangalore  is underway at Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.  Chasing a target of  202 runs set by Gujarat Giants , RoyalChallengers  Bangalore  were 178 for 5 in 19 overs, when reports lastcame in.  Earlier, put into bat, GujaratGiants posted 201 runs in stipulated 20 overs with loss of seven wickets.  Sophia Dunkley scored 65 runs  followed by Harleen Deol  67 runs. Shreyanka patil and Heather Knighttook two wickets each.

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Now let ustake a look at the major developments around the world, as reported in theForeign Press.

⦁ The Guardian writes  International Women’s Day 2023: women defyprotest ban with march in Pakistan.

⦁ The Washington Post reports Covidbacklash hobbles public health and future pandemic response.

⦁ The New York Times writes  Biden Is Set to Detail at Least $2 Trillionin Measures to Reduce Deficits.

⦁ The Globe and Mail reports  France hit by second day of strikedisruption.

⦁ The Financial Times writes Germanysearched ship suspected of transporting Nord Stream saboteurs.

⦁ South China Morning Post saysGoldman: China’s new financial watchdog to prevent ‘regulatory arbitrage’ bygiant firms like Citic, Ant Group.

BANGLADESH-EXPLOSION

The deathtoll in the explosion that took place at Gulistan area in Dhaka onyesterday  morning has gone up to 18.Seven people are admitted to the nearby hospital in a critical condition. Morethan a 100 people are reportedly injured in the massive explosion.Several ofthem are admitted to Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and PlasticSurgery  in a critical condition.  Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) CommissionerKhandker Golam Faruq  said that thereason behind the deadly explosion in a building in Gulistan area was caused bythe accumulated gas,

PresidentAbdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed profound shock at theloss of lives in the explosion.

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REPEATHEADLINES

• Prime Minister of Australia AnthonyAlbanese arrives in Ahmedabad on a four-day visit to India; to holdIndia-Australia Annual Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi onFriday.

• India slams Pakistan ForeignMinister for raising Kashmir issue at UNSC.

• India to send 20,000 metric tonnesof wheat through Chabahar port in Afghanistan.

• International Womens' day celebratedglobally on the theme of 'DigitALL: Innovation and technology for genderequality and Festival of Colours - Holi celebrated with gaiety and enthusiasmacross India.

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

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

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