Author: Hasit Patankar

Brussels/London (16/6 – 33.33) The defeat of the Russian Federation is a foregone conclusion. It is a reality. It is a must. Victory for Ukraine is non-negotiable. It is an absolute necessity. As ironclad as Brussels, London, Berlin or Washington. As ironclad as the Normandy battlefield, Waterloo, Verdun, or many other spots on the planet. We, the ones living in this generation that saw the war erupted right in front of our eyes, owe it to the young men and women in the Ukraine who gave their lives for this conviction. An excessive number of sceptics advocate for surrender. We…

Russia has reportedly lost a staggering amount of troops over the past 24 hours along with dozens of tanks and armoured vehicles as bloody fighting takes its toll on Vladimir Putin’s men. Russia lost a staggering 1,740 troops in a single day, the highest tally of casualties for Moscow since the start of the invasion in 2022, according to Ukraine. In the previous 24 hours, Ukraine also claimed Russia had lost 30 tanks and 42 armoured vehicles. Death toll and military hardware statistics are difficult to assess with both sides giving different or little information. However, Ukraine’s armed forces have claimed Russia has so far lost an eye-watering…

The ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has proved to be an incredible outing for Jasprit Bumrah so far. The ace Mumbai Indians pacer is currently the joint-third-highest leading wicket-taker in the competition with 13 dismissals under his belt. In his next appearance, Bumrah is expected to face Delhi Capitals in an IPL 2024 fixture scheduled to be played on Saturday, April 27. Ahead of the game against Delhi Capitals, India’s premier fast bowler made a big announcement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Uploading a post on X, Bumrah shared the news of the launch of…

Moscow (28/2). Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that non-governmental organizations in Central Asia have stepped up their anti-Russian activities amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by the Russian army. Shoigu said this at the board of the Russian Ministry of Defense on February 27. According to him, there are more than 100 “large pro-Western non-governmental organisations” operating in Central Asia, which have more than 16,000 representative offices and branches. “Against the backdrop of the special military operation, these NGOs have significantly increased their anti-Russian activities in order to reduce military-technical, economic and cultural cooperation between the Central Asian states and Russia.…

All men in Russia are required to do a year-long military service, or equivalent training during higher education, from the age of 18. Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree setting out the routine spring conscription campaign, calling up 150,000 citizens for statutory military service, a document posted on the Kremlin’s website showed on Sunday (31 March). All men in Russia are required to do a year-long military service, or equivalent training during higher education, from the age of 18. In July Russia’s lower house of parliament voted to raise the maximum age at which men can be conscripted to 30…

SINGAPORE – The Chinese embassy in Singapore on March 18 asked its citizens in the Republic to “stay away” from gambling, adding that cross-border gambling violates Chinese laws. The embassy, in a statement on its official WeChat account, “solemnly reminded” Chinese citizens in Singapore to steer clear of gambling, which is strictly prohibited by law in China. “Even if overseas casinos are opened legally, cross-border gambling by Chinese citizens is suspected of violating the laws of our country and face the risk of punitive actions,” said the embassy, warning that embassies may not be able to provide consular protection for…

Georgia Ports Authority bullish on the country’s prospects after dramatic increases in container volumes As uncertain geopolitics continue to shift manufacturing patterns in Asia, Georgia’s trade numbers are starting to reflect India’s rise as an alternative to China. In the last fiscal year, total trade with India through the Port of Savannah grew by 43,333 twenty-foot equivalent units, or TEUs, to 279,149 containers, an 18 percent increase. Savannah’s trade with India grew by 14,000 containers more than the next closest port in the U.S., the Georgia Ports Authority said in a news release, citing PIERS data. That underscored a sustained upward trajectory that is also evident when measuring…

Winter mood is upon us. From relishing wontons dipped in steaming soups to sipping on some soul-satisfying coffees, the month of November is all about welcoming the cool climate with winter foods. If you are a foodie looking for some comforting food in the city, here are some Mumbai restaurants to check out. Cafe Noir, Lower ParelCafe Noir, located in the heart of Mumbai at One Lodha World Centre, has introduced the ‘Lazy Breakfast Club.’ At Cafe Noir, breakfast isn’t just for mornings; it’s an experience that extends throughout the day. With a cosy enchanting ambiance and French-inspired cuisine, the cafe…

A recently released album created for an ongoing musical in Japan tells the tale of being a dreamer in Mumbai It is said that nearly 200 people migrate to Mumbai from all parts of India every day. This commonly shared aspiration to make it big in the city of dreams comes to life as the fictional character of a small-town boy reaches here in music composer Dhruv Ghanekar’s recently released album, Mumbai Star. It consists of 19 original tracks composed for the eponymous ongoing musical in Japan. Produced by Devika Shahani Punjabi and directed by Nadir Khan for a Japanese…

Frankfurt (3/12 – 12) The relatively rapid cohesion of disparate nations, historically competitive or even at war with one another, into the European Union came about in part because of the ongoing threat from the Soviet Union. The specter of a tank invasion from Warsaw Pact nations, today forgotten, was such a reality that the German government kept a major portion of its gold bullion across the Atlantic. The USSR, an ally in World War II after being double-crossed by Hitler – remember the “Non-Aggression Pact signed in Moscow by von Ribbentrop and Molotov – was soon appraised as a…