Author: LokMarg

The United States has shot down a Chinese spy balloon over the Atlantic Ocean, CNN reported citing a US official. US President Joe Biden had approved shooting down the balloon and was supported by military officials, as per the news report.

Recovery efforts were being made off the coast of the Carolinas where the suspected Chinese spy balloon was shot down by the US military, according to a US official. The balloon was first spotted in the sky over Montana earlier this week, travelling across the middle of the country, before it exited the continental United States on Saturday.
Before the balloon was shot down, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop for airports in Wilmington in North Carolina, Charleston in South Carolina and Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. The Federal Aviation Administration extended the ground stop until 5:15 p.m. (local time) for three airports in the Carolinas after the US shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon, CNN reported citing an official.

Earlier, the FAA had issued a ground stop for airports from 12:45 pm to 2:45 pm (local time) to support the US Department of Defence in “national security efforts.” However, it later extended the ground stop till 3:30 pm (local time). Top military officials had warned against shooting down the balloon as the debris could pose a threat to people and property on the ground.

Earlier, US President Joe Biden said that his administration will “take care” of the suspected Chinese spy balloon, as per the news report. He made the remarks at an airfield in Syracuse in New York, where he is visiting a family. When questioned whether he would shoot down the balloon, Biden said, “We’re gonna take care of it,” according to CNN.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has said that the balloon entered US airspace by accident. However, the US State Department called the presence of the balloon in US territory a “clear violation” of their sovereignty and international law. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also postponed his visit to China after the balloon was spotted in the United States. (ANI)

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Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, on Saturday, gave a witty reply to a social media user who asked out the actor for Valentine’s Day date.

On Saturday, the actor conducted an #AskSRK session on Twitter where he responded to fans’ tweets with honesty, wit and sarcasm.
During the session a fan asked the actor, “Not a marriage proposal but can I ask you out on Valentine’s date.”

To which the actor replied, “I am boring as a date….take some cool guy and watch #Pathaan in a theatre.”

Shah Rukh Khan is currently basking in the success of his recently released action thriller film ‘Pathaan’ which collected approx. Rs 700 crore, gross, worldwide.

Helmed by Siddharth Anand, the film also starred John Abraham and Deepika Padukone in the lead roles.

The film marks SRK’s return to the silver screen after four years. It’s an action-spy film. Salman Khan appears in an extended cameo as his character from the ‘Tiger’ movies, which are also a part of the new shared universe that YRF has set up.

He will be next seen in director Atlee’s upcoming action thriller film ‘Jawan’ which is all set to hit the theatres on June 2, 2023, in five languages – Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada.

The film is billed as an event film with high-octane action sequences. Shah Rukh’s production company Red Chillies Entertainment has produced it.

In June 2022, SRK unveiled the film’s teaser which opened with a glimpse of the Northern Lights over mountain tops. We then saw Shah Rukh with his face in the dark, wrapping bandages on his face as the film’s theme played in the background.

Apart from Jawan, SRK also has Rajkumar Hirani’s ‘Dunki’. The film marks SRK’s first collaboration with Taapsee Pannu. (ANI)

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Actress-turned-politician Urmila Matondkar on Saturday reciprocated the love and wishes received on her birthday by sharing a heart-warming message.

Taking to Twitter, Urmila wrote, “My heart is filled only with great gratitude as I grow a year wiser. Grateful to God,my parents and each n every one of you as you all have been a part of my growth. You all have held my hand since the #Masoom days to never let it go. Thank you all for ur love n support .”

Alongside the tweet, she dropped a picture of herself from her cake-cutting ceremony.

She looked gorgeous as she flashes her million-dollar smile.

Urmila Matondkar’s husband Mohsin Akhtar also shared a scene from her birthday party. He uploaded a photo of himself kissing Urmila on her forehead and accompanied it with a mushy wish for her.

“Some experience true love through books, prose and poetry. And some experience through stories, plays and movies. I have experienced true love looking into your eyes.I love you because I like everything about you. Be yourself, do not change ever. Your every act inspires me. Happy birthday my Love,” he captioned the post.

Urmila entered the film industry as a child artist. She first appeared in BR Chopra’s ‘Karm’, Marathi film ‘Zaakol’ and Shekhar Kapur’s ‘Masoom’. And years later, as an adult, she established her name as Rangeela actress in Bollywood. Judaai, Satya and Jungle are some of her memorable films.

In 2019, she made foray into politics by joining the Indian National Congress. (ANI)

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi would carry out a 15-day intensive drive to remove temporary and permanent encroachment from footpaths in the national capital to ease traffic and pedestrian movement and clear all kinds of waste from roads ahead of the G20 Summit, an official statement said.

The statement highlighted that MCD is taking all necessary measures to give the best face-lift to Delhi in view of the upcoming G-20 Summit.
Commissioner, MCD Gyanesh Bharti has instructed all concerned officers to put their best foot forward towards making Delhi a shining chapter in the success story of the G-20 Summit.

According to officials, in coordination with other agencies, during the drive Temporary /Permanent encroachment would be removed from footpaths to ease traffic and pedestrian movement.

As the roads define the character of any city, it has been decided to endeavour a facelift for the city roads in a big way, so that the capital city gives a spick and span look to the foreign dignitaries coming to attend the G-20 Summit in Delhi. The drive being undertaken in pursuance to the direction of the Chief Secretary of Delhi shall exclusively start from February 6 for a period of 15 days and all field functionaries shall actively participate in the drive. The main objective will be to give a facelift to the city roads, a statement said.

“All unauthorized Posters/ Hoardings would be removed from the roads including all kinds of Waste/ Malba. The overhead cables also pose an ugly/unkept look on the roads, these cables would be removed/managed, wherever possible by the agencies concerned,” the statement added.

It informed that MCD has recently got overhead cables removed in the Mehrauli area. “MCD would also pay special attention to the cleanliness of the roads. All water logging vulnerable points would be tackled. The stormwater drains will be cleaned on priority and wherever manhole covers are missing, these will be replaced on priority. Dark spots (insufficiently lit road spaces) as identified by Delhi Police will be redressed,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia has approved a project worth Rs 17.5 crores for the decoration and strengthening of Mathura Road, Bhairon Marg and Ring Road around the ITPO Complex. The project is also part of preparations for the G-20 conventions to be held in the state this year.

Under this project, the beautification and strengthening of 5.8 km road from W-Point to Delhi Public School on Mathura Road, from IP flyover to Bhairon Marg T-Point on Bhairon Marg and Ring Road will be done. The project includes resurfacing these roads, decorating of footpath and central verge and improvement of the existing drainage system. Along with this, the greenery on either side of the road will also be ensured.”

The Deputy Chief Minister has instructed the PWD officials to complete all the work related to the project by March. He also instructed them to ensure that the common people should not face any problems during the construction work and that the standards of safety-security and quality should be followed with commitment.

“It is a matter of great pride and honour that G20 conventions are being hosted in Delhi. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, we are working in mission mode to improve the roads of Delhi to provide a better commuting experience to the people of Delhi and in view of the preparations for G-20,” Manish Sisodia said earlier in the week. (ANI)

Sri Lanka High Commissioner to India, Milinda Moragoda on Saturday said that the island nation is expanding its trade with India using Indian Rupee as part of Colombo’s economic recovery strategy with New Delhi.

The envoy highlighted that India acted quickly during the Sri Lanka crisis and assisted the country with USD3.9 Billion.
“We might not have got financial aid this quickly if India hadn’t helped. India also played a key part in getting support for Sri Lanka,” the High Commissioner said.

Speaking on the occasion of the 75th independence of Sri Lanka, the High Commissioner said that the island nation is mulling the possibility of using the RuPay mechanism for Indian tourists coming to Colombo.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, the Sri Lankan envoy said that the country is also looking forward to using the RuPay mechanism.

“Expanding the trade through Indian Rupee is part of our recovery strategy with India. We’re also looking at the possibility of using the RuPay mechanism so it will be easy for Indian tourists coming to Sri Lanka,” he told ANI.

He said that the ties between the island nation and India goes back to 1,000 years and the first representative was sent to India 80 years back.

Speaking on the Sri Lankan and Indian fishermen issue, the High Commissioner said that the two countries must have a dialogue, adding that there are legal, environmental and ecological issues that are crucial and needed to be discussed.

Time and again, there have been periodic instances of Indian fishermen being apprehended by Sri Lankan authorities for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line and fishing in Sri Lankan waters.

He also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe to visit India.

“PM Modi has extended a formal invitation to Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe to visit India. We hope that he will be able to come to India soon,” he told ANI.

On the security concerns, the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, Milinda Moragoda said that Colombo’s security is New Delhi’s too and vice versa and both nations should look after each other.

“India’s security is our security and our security is India’s. We have to look after our neighbourhood. We have a large number of ships coming in from India. Irrespective of what the threat is, we need to protect each other,” he added.

He also highlighted the importance of the Jaffna Cultural Centre opening and called it a ‘symbolic’ act by India.

“I am happy, it is one of the beautiful buildings and it stands out, the High Commissioner said.

The island country, which is under an economic crisis witnessed widespread protests in March last year that forced Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign as President and brought Ranil Wickremesinghe to power.

Milinda Moragoda has repeatedly emphasized that India could play a significant role in Sri Lanka’s economic revival through multifaceted economic integration between the two countries by enhancing investments, tourism, and trade. (ANI)

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