Taliban take districts in northern Afghanistan from fleeing troops

Taliban take districts in northern Afghanistan from fleeing troops

Kabul: The Taliban’s march through northern Afghanistan gained momentum overnight with the capture of several districts from fleeing Afghan forces, several hundred of whom fled across the border into Tajikistan, officials said Sunday. More than 300 Afghan military personnel crossed from Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province as Taliban fighters advanced toward the border, Tajikistan’s State Committee for […]

Reports of leadership change in LS unfounded: Cong

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Sunday said reports of the party’s leadership change in the Lok Sabha are “premature and unfounded”. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury is the leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha and there are reports about his replacement, days before Parliament is set to meet. The Monsoon session of Parliament is scheduled […]

Face masks to become personal choice as UK lifts lockdown

Face masks to become personal choice as UK lifts lockdown

London: The use of face masks as protection against coronavirus will become a matter of “personal choice” as the UK lifts legal lockdown measures in place later this month, a Cabinet minister said on Sunday. Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said there will be a move towards greater “personal responsibility” as the UK prepares to end […]

Macro data, TCS earnings, global trends to guide mkts this week: Analysts

New Delhi: Equity investors will focus on macroeconomic data, upcoming first quarter earnings season and global trends for direction this week, analysts said. “The domestic market will continue to track cues from the global markets in order to gain direction in movement. Reducing Covid cases and progress in vaccination will continue to pump optimism in […]

Airtel Payments Bank hopeful of break-even in FY22; logs surge in biz volumes amid pandemic

New Delhi: Airtel Payments Bank has seen a surge in business volumes in FY21 as lockdown curbs and migrants heading back to villages spurred new accounts as well as transactions, and the company is eyeing a break-even this fiscal, a top official said. Factors like growth in revenues, expanded scale of operations, and higher realisation […]

India have even-money chance of beating England on their home turf: Ian Chappell

MELBOURNE: The legendary Ian Chappell feels India has an “even-money chance” of beating England in their own backyard in the upcoming fivematch Test series owing to a formidable pace-bowling unit. He says India, notwithstanding, their loss in the final of the World Test Championship final to New Zealand, has become a “pace-bowling proficient” team in […]

Steve Smith looking forward to ‘great tours’, eight Tests in sub-continent

Melbourne: Star Australian batsman Steve Smith is looking forward to a “physical, mental and emotional” battle when his team tours the sub-continent for eight Tests, including four against India, as part of the World Test Championship. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia’s only away Tests in the inaugural WTC cycle came during the Ashes in […]