India

New Delhi, March 7 (IANS) SpiceJet on Thursday announced the successful resolution of Rs 413 crore dispute with Echelon Ireland Madison One Ltd.

The airline said that the settlement with Echelon Ireland Madison One Ltd will result in savings of Rs 398 crore for SpiceJet.

As part of the agreement, SpiceJet will acquire two airframes, enhancing the airline's fleet and operational capabilities.

"This settlement marks the third major resolution for SpiceJet following its recent fundraising. These successful settlements have resulted in total savings of INR 685 crore for the airline, further solidifying SpiceJet's financial stability and balance sheet," said the spokesperson.

Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet said: “We are pleased to announce the successful resolution of our dispute with Echelon Ireland Madison One Ltd, marking another significant milestone for SpiceJet."

He said that this settlement not only underscores our commitment to financial prudence but also enables us to further fortify our fleet with the acquisition of two airframes.

--IANS

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Mumbai, March 7 (IANS) Veteran Bollywood superstar Shatrughan Sinha, who was last seen on the big screen in ‘Yamla Pagla Deewana: Phir Se’, is making his webseries debut with ‘Gangs of Ghaziabad’, and he has completed shooting for the same.

The series is set against the backdrop of small towns and rural landscapes and explores themes of power, loyalty, and redemption from the underworld of 1990s Western Uttar Pradesh.

The series also stars Ashutosh Rana, Pradeep Nagar, Jatin Sarna, Abhimanyu Singh, Mukesh Tiwari, Mahira Sharma, Sunny Leone, Durgesh Kumar, Srikant Verma, Muneesh Tanwar, Lokesh Tilakdhari, Rajesh Bhati and Pragati Sharma.

The series is written and directed by Nagender Choudhary, who has previously worked as assistant director on projects like ‘LOC Kargil’ and also co-directed ‘Paltan’.

The makers have also roped in Julius Packiam for background score, who has worked on big hits like ‘Pathaan’ and ‘Tiger 3’.

The project is put together by Vinay Kumar who has teamed up with ‘Highway’ actor Pradeep Nagar who doubles up as producer under their banner of Suman Talkies.

Vinay and Pradeep, in a joint statement, said: “We aim to delve into the gritty realities of the 1990s, exploring themes of friendship, betrayal, and redemption against the backdrop of an India of a different time. Our goal is to give audiences a peek into that world with authentic storytelling that reflects the complexities of human nature and the harsh realities of life in the heartland.”

“It was a joy working together with this bunch of talented actors especially Shatrughan Saab for whom this will be a much awaited comeback. He is such an icon who is an acting institution in himself. We’ve all emerged richer from this experience of sharing a set with him.”

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 7 (IANS) India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik is set to end his IPL career at the end of the upcoming edition, when he appears for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) over the next two months, says report.

According to an ESPNcricinfo report, Karthik will also make a final decision soon on his international future.

The wicketkeeper-batter, who commenced his IPL journey with Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), stands among a distinguished list of seven players who have participated in every IPL season since its inception in 2008. This group includes renowned names such as MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Wriddhiman Saha and Manish Pandey.

Remarkably, Karthik has only been absent for two matches out of all 16 IPL seasons. The first instance occurred in his debut season, against Kolkata Knight Riders, and the second was in 2023 when he sat out of the league match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Karthik's current stint with RCB is his second with the Bengaluru based franchise, having played with them in 2015, when he was acquired for a whopping Rs 10.5 crore.

Ahead of the 2022 edition of the league, he was released by KKR and was available for the IPL Mega Auction. He was bought by RCB for INR 5.5 crore.

Karthik has assumed leadership roles in the IPL in 43 matches. On six occasions as a stand-in captain at Daredevils and for 37 matches between 2018 and 2020 at Knight Riders before relinquishing the position. His overall captaincy record stands at 21 wins, 21 losses, and one tied match.

Overall, he has represented six teams over the course of his IPL career. He started off with Delhi Daredevils in 2008 before moving to Kings XI Punjab in 2011. He spent the following two seasons with Mumbai Indians before going back to Delhi in 2014. RCB bagged him in 2015 and he played for Gujarat Lions in 2016 and 2017 before spending four seasons with KKR.

RCB will play the tournament opener against defending champions Chennai Super Kings on March 23 at his home ground in M A Chidambaram Stadium.

--IANS

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Agartala, March 7 (IANS) Tripura Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu on Thursday administered the oath of office and secrecy to the two new ministers -- Animesh Debbarma and Brishaketu Debbarma, both from Tipra Motha Party (TMP), at a simple ceremony at the Raj Bhavan.

Chief Minister Manik Saha, his council of ministers, and senior civil and security officials were present at the swearing-in ceremony, held at the Durbar Hall of Raj Bhavan.

After year-long hectic parlays and six days after signing of a tripartite agreement with the Centre and the Tripura government, the opposition and the tribal-based TMP decided to join the BJP-led coalition government in Tripura adding a new twist to Tripura politics.

TMP legislator Animesh Debbarma, who was the opposition leader before becoming a cabinet minister, and lawyer turned politician Brishaketu Debbarma, took oath as minister of state and both are the new entrants in the council of ministers in Tripura.

Both the tribal leaders, who took the oath in tribal ‘Kokborok’ language, were elected to the state assembly twice.

Before taking the oath, Animesh Debbarma resigned from the post of Opposition Leader in the state assembly.

Since the BJP-led alliance assumed charge for the second consecutive term on March 8 last year, three ministerial berths are lying vacant as the total strength of the cabinet is 12.

After Wednesday’s expansion of the cabinet, one ministerial berth will remain vacant.

Another tribal-based party, the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT), is also an ally of the BJP-led government, and its lone MLA Sukla Charan Noatia is a Cabinet minister in charge of Cooperation, Tribal Welfare (TRP and PTG) and Welfare of Minorities Departments.

The TMP, in its maiden electoral battle in the February 16 Assembly polls held last year, had fielded 42 candidates, including 20 on the tribal reserved seats. The party had won 13 seats with a vote share of 19.69 per cent, as it highlighted its demand for 'Greater Tipraland' or a separate state for the tribals under Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution.

After the Assembly polls, the TMP with overwhelming dominance among the tribals, became the second-largest party in the state to secure the main opposition party status.

After wresting power in the politically important Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) in April 2021, the TMP intensified its agitation in support of its ‘Greater Tipraland’ demand, which has been strongly opposed by the ruling BJP, Left Front, Congress, Trinamool Congress and other parties.

The TTAADC, which has jurisdiction over two-thirds of Tripura's 10,491 sq km area, and is home to over 12,16,000 people, of which around 84 per cent are tribals, is, in terms of its political significance, the second most important constitutional body in the state after the Tripura Assembly.

On March 2, the TMP signed a tripartite agreement with the Center and the Tripura government 2 in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and others.

According to the agreement, a Joint Working Group/Committee would be formed to work out and implement the mutually agreed issues in a time-bound manner to ensure an 'honourable' solution to tribals' demands.

“The agreement was signed amicably to resolve all the issues of the indigenous people of Tripura relating to their history, land rights, political rights, economic development, identity, culture, language etc.,” the agreement said.

--IANS

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Guwahati, March 7 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said the BJP-led NDA will win at least 22 out of total 25 seats in the northeast.

He said, “We will win at least 22 seats. It may go up to 23 as well. In Assam, we will win 11 or 12 seats.”

According to the Chief Minister, there is no contest left in the election. The BJP is set to get 370 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

“When I visit the rural areas, nobody is talking about the elections. Everybody is talking about the development. I am also busy with developmental works and everyday new projects are being launched at different corners of Assam,” he said.

CM Sarma argued that the winning margin for BJP candidates in Assam will be huge this time.

He said, “Earlier, candidates used to win MP seats by 25,000 votes but this time it will go past two or three lakh votes.”

The Assam Chief Minister also said that he has been looking at the election as an opportunity for the people of Assam to shower their blessings on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the development work of the state to continue at a more rapid pace in the coming years.

He also mentioned that PM Modi will launch several projects in his upcoming schedule to the state. The Prime Minister will unveil the 84-feet long statue of 16th century Ahom general Lachit Borphukan.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 7 (IANS) A Delhi court on Thursday issued fresh summons to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on ED's complaint.

This is ED's second complaint over non-compliance with the agency's summons issued to him in connection with a money laundering case related to the now-scrapped excise policy case.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Divya Malhotra of Rouse Avenue Court put up the matter for hearing on March 16, when she is set to hear the ED's first complaint over the same matter as well.

The ACMM on February 17 granted a day's exemption from physical appearance to CM Kejriwal in connection with the first complaint filed by the ED over the same issue.

The fresh complaint pertains to "Kejriwal not abiding by the summons number 4 to 8", a source said.

The AAP convenor had requested the financial probe agency for a date after March 12 for questioning on the excise policy matter.

His response came after the ED issued summons to CM Kejriwal for the eighth time on February 27 and asked him to appear before it on March 4.

ACMM Malhotra had taken cognisance of the first complaint on February 7." The judge had then said, ".. summons are being issued to him to appear on February 17".

The ED, on January 31, issued summons to CM Kejriwal for the fifth time, and he was told to appear before it on February 2. The financial probe agency's complaint alleged that the CM intentionally did not want to obey the summons and kept on giving "lame excuses".

"If a high-ranking public functionary like him disobeyed the law, it would set a wrong example for the common man," the agency had said.

The ED had issued summons for the fourth time to CM Kejriwal on January 13, asking him to appear before it on January 18. On February 2, AAP said that CM Kejriwal did not appear before the ED for questioning, and also targeted the Central government. "Delhi CM and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal will not appear before ED today either. The party calls the summons 'unlawful'. We will comply with the lawful summons," AAP had said.

--IANS

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Manchester, March 7 (IANS) Defending champions Manchester City eased into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League for a seventh successive season after comfortably beating FC Copenhagen 3-1 at Etihad Stadium.

Wednesday night's victory saw Pep Guardiola’s defending European champions complete a 6-2 aggregate success after a 3-1 win in the Danish capital last month.

City have won their last 10 matches in the Champions League, becoming the first English side to achieve that figure.

It didn't take long for City to extend the aggregate lead they earned in Denmark three weeks ago, with centre-back Manuel Akanji meeting Julian Alvarez's corner with an accurate volley into the top corner after just five minutes.

Alvarez was then among the goals himself, with a curling strike from outside the box squirming beyond Copenhagen goalkeeper Kamil Grabara's grasp and into the net.

The visitors did have something to cheer close to the half-hour mark, when Mohamed Elyounoussi ran onto a wonderful Orri Oskarsson back-heel and steered home to offer his team a glimmer of hope.

Copenhagen had done well to shackle the ever-dangerous Erling Haaland in the first period, but just before the break the Norwegian forward pounced with a powerful low finish to record his sixth goal of this season's tournament.

The second half was something of a procession for City, although goalkeeper Ederson had to be alert to make a sharp save to deny substitute Magnus Mattsson.

In other action, Real Madrid drew against Leipzig with a goal from Vini Jr. and progress courtesy of their first leg win and capitalised on a 0-1 first leg scoreline to book their place in the quarter-finals.

The 14-time winners Real Madrid were pushed all the way by Leipzig in a nerve-wracking round of 16 second-leg draw.

The game got off to a pulsating and hard-fought start. The first chance fell to Ancelotti's men when Tchouameni 's cross was flicked over by Vini Jr. with his shoulder (12 mins).

Leipzig responded immediately with a couple of lightning-quick counter-attacks, but Openda was unable to find the target on either occasion.

Madrid patiently built-up play, but the Germans left no gaps in defense and tried to punish the hosts with their speedy transitions. Marco Rose's side came close to opening the scoring on two occasions before the break.

The game picked up in the second half and Madrid began to penetrate the opposition's box more often. In the 63rd minute, Carvajal played a neat through ball to Rodrygo , whose shot was blocked by Gulácsi.

But with the next move, Real Madrid made no mistake. Kroos broke up play as Leipzig were on the attack and the German fed Bellingham, who drove the length of the pitch before slipping in Vini. Jr. and the Brazilian scored with an emphatic first-time finish (65').

--IANS

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Kanpur (UP), March 7 (IANS) A team of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday began conducting raids at the residence of jailed Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Irfan Solanki in Kanpur district.

According to reports, the probe agency team is currently present at Solanki's Jajmau residence.

The residence of his brother, Arshad, is also being raided under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

The ED is conducting search operations at builder Haji Wasi's residence. Wasi, closely associated with Irfan Solanki, is accused in the arson attack in Kanpur in 2022, along with several other individuals of Bangladeshi origin.

Irfan Solanki has been lodged in Maharajganj jail for the past one year after being accused of land encroachment by a woman. More than a dozen cases have been filed against him.

--IANS

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Chandigarh, March 7 (IANS) In an intelligence-based operation, Punjab Police on Thursday said they averted possible target killings with the arrest of two members of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI)-backed terror module.

The module was operated by US-based Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Passian, a close aide of Pakistan-based terrorist Harwinder Singh Rinda, along with his associate identified as Shamsher Singh, alias Shera, presently based in Armenia.

As per preliminary investigations Happy Passian was working in connivance with Rinda and Shamsher to radicalise the youth by motivating them to carry out anti-national activities in the state, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said.

The police have recovered two pistols along with four magazines and 30 cartridges.

An FIR has been registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Arms Act at state Special Operation Cell in Amritsar.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 7 (IANS) Indian Air Force (IAF) transport aircraft C-17 has airdropped an indigenously developed heavy platform that can carry a maximum load of over 22 tonnes.

An IAF official said that it was a major milestone on its path towards Atmanirbhar Bharat.

"The extra long and heavy platform, indigenously developed by ADRDE and capable of carrying approximately 45,000 Lbs of load, was successfully air-dropped during trials from an IAF C-17 aircraft," the official said.

Capable of carrying multiple such platforms, combat capabilities of C-17 aircraft will be further enhanced in its varied missions to air-deliver critical loads to troops on ground.

ADRDE is the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment which is a premier defence research laboratory.

The Defence Ministry is stressing on indigenous techniques and indigenously developed modern equipment for the armed forces. It also launched 'Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI)' scheme on March 4. It is to promote innovations in critical and strategic defence technologies.

Under the scheme, startups are eligible to receive grant-in-aid of up to Rs 25 crore for their research, development, and innovation endeavours in defence technology.

--IANS

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