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Three resolutions on the refugee crisis in Ukraine
Following Russia’s decision to push for a vote on a Security Council resolution that makes no mention of its attack on its smaller neighbor, the United Nations will face three resolutions on the increasing humanitarian situation in Ukraine on Wednesday.
The United Nations General Assembly is set to begin debating two competing resolutions on Wednesday morning: one backed by Ukraine and Western nations that explicitly blames Russia for the increasing humanitarian situation, and the other sponsored by South Africa that does not.
The third resolution, sponsored by Russia and severely criticized for failing to mention its invasion of Ukraine, will be voted on by the Security Council. . Last Friday, Russia called off a council vote on the measure because diplomats expected it would be massively defeated, with many abstentions and few “yes” votes, while at least nine votes are required for approval and no vetoes.
Dmitry Polyansky, Russia’s deputy UN ambassador, informed reporters on Tuesday that Russia has requested a vote on Wednesday. It was set to take place following the Security Council’s planned discussion on cooperation with the Arab League on Wednesday morning.
Polyansky stated that if Western countries do not support the Russian resolution, it will be a “reflection of their dishonesty” and refusal to support a purely humanitarian action “without any politicization,” as prior humanitarian resolutions issued by the 15-member council have been.
Russia canceled Friday’s vote on its resolution “because they recognized they didn’t have support for that resolution,” according to US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield. She stated that there is still no support.
After Russia made it obvious after two weeks of deliberations in the Security Council that it would veto their text, France and Mexico decided to take their humanitarian resolution to the 193-member General Assembly. The humanitarian situation is linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The two nations, along with 20 others, including Ukraine and the United States, wrote to the assembly president on Monday, requesting that the extraordinary session of the General Assembly be reconvened on Wednesday to vote on the resolution.
South Africa circulated a competing draught resolution on Monday that is identical to the Russian language before the Security Council but does not name Russian aggression. On Tuesday, it was transmitted to the United Nations General Assembly.
As a first step toward improving the deteriorating humanitarian situation, the South African draught calls for “immediate suspension of hostilities” and urges “political engagement, talks, mediation, and other peaceful means aimed at attaining sustainable peace.”
According to a list of speakers acquired by The Associated Press on Tuesday night, 61 countries intended to address the assembly on the topic. As a result, the vote could take place either Wednesday evening or Thursday morning.
Ukraine and South Africa were the first two speakers, each presenting the Western-backed resolution they support and helped design. Although Security Council resolutions, General Assembly resolutions are not legally enforceable, they do have strength in terms of representing international opinion because they lack veto power.
Supporters of the French-Mexican resolution hoped to garner the same vote for the draught as they did for a resolution passed by the assembly on March 2 that demanded an immediate end to Russia’s military operations in Ukraine and the departure of all Russian forces. Supporters welcomed the resolution as proof of Russia’s global isolation as it passed 141-5 with 35 abstentions.
“Russia is the offender here, and it is outrageous for Russia to believe it can bring up a humanitarian settlement,” Thomas-Greenfield said. “Russia needs to stop fighting.” It must halt the slaughter of Ukrainians. It must cease targeting civilians and evicting people from their homes, resulting in a humanitarian disaster.”
The French-Mexican draught resolution reiterates the March 2 demand that Russia ceases its military offensive in Ukraine and evacuate all soldiers, as well as protection for all people and critical infrastructure.
The proposal condemns Russia’s action against Ukraine, claiming that the “dire humanitarian repercussions” are “on a magnitude that the world community has not seen in Europe in decades.” It also condemns Russia’s shelling, bombing, and “besiegement” of highly populated cities, especially Mariupol in the south.
The draught resolution expresses strong opposition to assaults on people and “civilian objects,” such as evacuation convoys, and calls on all parties to “protect civilians escaping armed conflict and violence.”It also necessitates that assistance workers have unrestricted access to their transportation, supplies, and equipment.
Russia’s suggested humanistic resolution, which was distributed a day after France and Mexico announced that their text will be presented to the UN General Assembly, makes no mention of the war. It simply asks for the protection of civilians “in vulnerable situations” as well as safe passage for humanitarian aid and individuals fleeing Ukraine.
It supports UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ appeal for engagement and negotiations, as well as a negotiated cease-fire that allows “all civilians” to be evacuated quickly.
Russia’s plan goes on to declare that “the parties concerned must agree on humanitarian pauses to this aim,” but never names the parties involved. Russian authorities assert that they did not initiate the conflict, and they have wrongly dismissed reports of Russian military defeats or civilian deaths in Ukraine. Russian forces, according to state media and government authorities, are only targeting military targets.
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Legacy of Learning: Education Pioneer Padma Shri Dr. D. Y. Patil Passes Away at 90
From establishing premier universities to serving as Governor, the visionary founder leaves behind an indelible mark on Indian education.
The Demise
Dr. Dnyandeo Yashwantrao (D. Y.) Patil, a pioneering force in India’s higher education landscape and former Governor, passed away in Kolhapur at the age of 90.
Affectionately honored as “Shikshanmaharshi” (Grand Teacher), Dr. Patil transformed access to professional education over a career spanning several decades. Through the D Y Patil Group, he established over 150 institutions including top medical colleges, engineering institutes, and deemed universities across Navi Mumbai, Pune, Kolhapur, and Mumbai.
His immense contributions to education and healthcare earned him the prestigious Padma Shri in 1991. Beyond academia, Dr. Patil was an influential figure in public administration, serving as a Maharashtra MLA and later as Governor of Tripura, Bihar, and West Bengal. His vision also brought world-class sports infrastructure to Navi Mumbai with the iconic D Y Patil Stadium.
Tributes have poured in from political leaders, academics, and citizens nationwide, honoring a leader whose legacy endures through the millions of students educated across his institutions.
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Commuters Left Stranded as NMMT Bus Breakdowns Surge During Peak Hours
Frequent mechanical failures and poor fleet maintenance trigger severe delays across Navi Mumbai, leaving daily passengers frustrated.
Breakdown
Daily travel has turned into a chaotic trial for thousands of residents as a wave of municipal bus breakdowns continues to disrupt peak-hour commutes across the region.
Passengers relying on the Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) network which ferries over 2.5 lakh commuters daily across Navi Mumbai, Thane, Mumbai, and Kalyan-Dombivli face persistent delays, missed connections, and dangerously overcrowded buses.
The frequency of breakdowns has sparked sharp concerns regarding passenger safety. Civic activists and groups like the Airoli Citizens’ Forum have formally escalated the crisis to senior NMMC officials, citing unaddressed maintenance lapses like faulty braking systems, worn tires, and sudden engine failures mid-route. Transit officials attributed the breakdown surge to technical snags worsened by rain and severe negligence by the private maintenance contractor.
In response to public outcry, authorities have blacklisted the failing contractor and handed maintenance back to original vehicle manufacturers, promising fleet reliability will improve in the coming days.
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Citizens Lose ₹68 Crore Across 178 Reported Cases
Spike in investment schemes and fake “digital arrests” leaves residents reeling as police push for faster reporting.
Cyber Crime Surge
A sharp surge in digital scams has siphoned off a staggering Rs 68 crore across 178 reported cases, highlighting the aggressive tactics used by cybercriminals.
Fraudsters are relying on high-yield online investment traps, fake job promises, and high-pressure “digital arrest” schemes where impostors pose as law enforcement officers over video calls to extort money. Senior citizens have been hit especially hard, often losing life savings in minutes.
A primary challenge for police is the speed at which funds are funneled through networks of secondary accounts and converted into cryptocurrency, leaving law enforcement able to recover only a fraction of the stolen money. Police urge the public to remember that no government agency conducts online arrests or demands money over video calls.
If targeted, report the crime immediately to the national helpline 1930 or at cybercrime.gov.in. Calling within the “golden hour” remains the single best chance to freeze funds before they disappear.
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