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Afternoon briefing: Punjab asked to act against ‘disruptions’; Sharad Pawar's jibe at PM, all the latest news

A shortlist of the biggest headlines, recommended stories, and a special collection of news items you should check out.

Published on: Feb 21, 2024, 13:09:59 IST
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The Union home ministry has asked Punjab to take "stringent action" to suppress "disruptive activities under the guise of farmers' protest," while also criticising the state government for permitting gatherings near its borders with Haryana. In a late advisory issued on Tuesday, the ministry expressed concern over the "deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab," citing inputs from central agencies. This advisory comes as protesting farmers, equipped with cranes and excavators, planned to resume their march towards Delhi on Wednesday following unsuccessful talks with the Union government regarding guaranteed prices for their produce. Meanwhile, authorities in Haryana have set up barricades on the border with Punjab and blocked a highway to prevent farmers from advancing towards the Capital, located approximately 200 km away. Dig deeper

Farmers at the Shambhu border dividing Punjab and Haryana on Wednesday. (HT Photo/Ravi Kumar)
Farmers at the Shambhu border dividing Punjab and Haryana on Wednesday. (HT Photo/Ravi Kumar)

More news on this: Farmers' protest | Barricades and tear gas vs bulldozers, earthmovers at Shambhu border

Gas masks, modified bulldozers: How farmers are gearing up to breach Shambhu border

Senior politician Sharad Pawar claimed on Tuesday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's presence in the Rajya Sabha is limited to a mere 20 minutes during discussions on issues concerning the common people and formulation of policies in the Parliament. Pawar also criticised PM Modi's act of bowing down at the Parliament door, labeling it as "theatrical." Addressing an event to inaugurate the memorial of slain Leftist leader Govind Pansare in Kolhapur, Pawar emphasized the importance of presenting a unified front against "regressive" forces. While not directly naming the Prime Minister, he said that power is being misused in India. Pawar leads the NCP-Sharadchandra Pawar faction, formed following the Election Commission's decision to grant the Ajit Pawar faction permission to utilize the 'NCP' name. Dig deeper

21.22% Maratha population in Maharashtra below poverty line: Maratha quota report Dig deeper

India News

No tangible breakthrough in fresh Indian, Chinese military commanders talks Dig deeper

Sandeshkhali row: BJP's Suvendu Adhikari dares Bengal Police over ‘Khalistani’ slur Dig deeper

Global Matters

A man, previously arrested in Arizona, Florida, and Texas, has been taken into custody for allegedly killing a woman in a SoHo hotel room in Lower Manhattan. Police suspect that Raad Almansoori may be a serial attacker who targeted women across different states. The victim, 38-year-old Denisse Oleas-Arancibia, a mother from Queens, was found dead in the hotel room on February 8. Her body, showing signs of being beaten and strangled, was discovered by a hotel maid under a blanket. According to a spokesperson from the NYC Office of Chief Medical Examiner, her death has been officially ruled as a homicide caused by neck compression and blunt force trauma. Dig deeper

Entertainment Focus

Actor Shah Rukh Khan won the award in the Best Actor category at Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards (DPIFF) 2024. He was honoured for his performance in Atlee's directorial Jawan. In a video shared by a fan account, Shah Rukh said in his acceptance speech that he hadn't received the Best Actor Award in a long time. He added that it seemed as if he "would not get it again". Dig deeper

Lifestyle and Health

In an era defined by fast-paced living, our skin often bears the brunt of dehydration, pollution, stress and the inevitable march of time hence, the quest for youthful radiant skin has led to the rise of skincare solutions, with hyaluronic acid emerging as a transformative ingredient. Present in our bodies, hyaluronic acid plays a pivotal role in collagen and elastin production, the building blocks of youthful skin. Dig deeper

Sports Goings

Congratulatory messages started pouring in the moment Virat Kohli, on Tuesday, took to Instagram to announce the birth of his second child. Kohli said his wife, the Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma, delivered a baby boy last Thursday. They named the boy Akaay. The couple already have a daughter named Vamika. Kohli's Instagram post garnered 8.2 million likes and 377 thousand likes by Wednesday morning. Among those who commented on Kohli's post were former India cricketer Virender Sehwag, former England batter Kevin Pietersen, and former Australia pacer Brett Lee. Dig deeper

That’s all we have at this hour in our Afternoon briefing. Catch you in the evening.

  • HT News Desk
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    HT News Desk

    Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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