LONDON, March 17 (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Thursday that many people in Russia were showing themselves to be "traitors" and pointed to those who were resigning from their jobs and leaving the country.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov made the comments a day after President Vladimir Putin delivered a stark warning to Russian "traitors" who he said the West wanted to use as a "fifth column" to destroy the country. 

BEIJING (AP) — Asian stock prices surged for a second day Thursday after the Federal Reserve announced its first interest rate hike since 2008 and China promised support for its real estate and internet industries.

Hong Kong’s benchmark jumped more than 6% and Tokyo gained more than 3%. Shanghai, Seoul and Sydney also advanced.

Oil prices gained nearly $2 per barrel but stayed below $100.

NEW YORK, Mar 17 (APP): Despite women being disproportionately affected by climate change, they play a crucial role in climate change adaptation and mitigation, distinguished speakers told an event organized by the Pakistan Mission to the UN on the sidelines of the 66th Session of Commission on Status of Women (CSW).

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/: Roscosmos CEO Dmitry Rogozin presented cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev with the TASS special International Space Station reporter card Thursday. Artemtyev is the second TASS reported to work in the orbit.

The identity card was presented during the state commission on approval of the Expedition 67 crew.

Artemyev will go to the orbit together with young cosmonauts Denis Matveyev and Sergey Korsakov. They were presented with cosmonaut identity cards by Rogozin.

GENEVA, March 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Trade Organization chief hailed a breakthrough between the EU, the United States, India and South Africa on waiving intellectual property rights on Covid-19 vaccines.

   Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said the compromise was a big step forward in a bid to end the logjam at the global trade body.

   However, she cautioned that some of the details on waiving WTO rules on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) still needed to be fleshed out — and it would need the backing of all WTO members to come
into force.

17 March 2022; MEMO: An anonymous Telegram social media channel published a video on Wednesday containing the personal archive of the head of Israel's Mossad spy agency, David Barnea, local media have reported. The video included personal photographs and documents belonging to Barnea.

"We have got a small gift for the Mossad; 'With LOVE for David'. Happy Purim," wrote Open Hands, the tag on the otherwise anonymous channel. The Jewish holiday of Purim started last night.

Kolkata, Mar 16 (PTI) A BJP MLA from Kurseong in Darjeeling hills on Wednesday demanded the creation of a new state by separating the North Bengal region from West Bengal.

BJP MLA Bishnu Prasad Sharma, while speaking during the discussion on the Home and Hills Affairs department's budget, claimed that there has been no development in North Bengal and creation of a new state is the only way to resolve the woes of the people.

17 March 2022; MEMO: An Egyptian court yesterday sentenced a merchant to five years in prison for "storing food commodities and exploiting the recent increase in prices."

Legal sources told the media that the merchant was arrested during a campaign carried out by local authorities against those monopolising food commodities amid an increase in prices.

Munich, Mar 17 (AP) Athletes from Russia and Belarus were formally banned from the multi-sport European Championships in August.

Organizers of the Aug. 11-21 championships in Munich, Germany, said they supported decisions by officials from the nine individual sports not to invite Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials. They have followed guidance from the International Olympic Committee.

We are united in our condemnation of Russia's war on Ukraine, organizing committee chairman Libor Varhan k said.

Kanpur: The agents of the Sahara India Family have imprisoned themselves along with the employees and officers of the company here on Tuesday night.

They alleged that the depositors' dues were not paid.

The agents said that until the dues of the depositors are not paid, they will neither go home nor will they allow any employees and officers of Sahara Finance to go home.

One Agent reportedly said, that the depositors have not been able to get the payment even after months and years after the date of payment has elapsed. 

Kanpur: In view of the festivals and Board exams the district administration has imposed Section 144 in the district.

According to the information, this will remain effective up to April 12.

Maintaining law and order remain the priority of the administration which aims to complete festivities amid a peaceful atmosphere.

Dharna, rallies and demonstrations will remain restricted till the date. Strict orders have been issued to maintain vigil.

Though the festival of Holi is just round the corner the Board examinations will proceed till the next month.

New Delhi, Mar 16 (PTI) Former Union minister Sharad Yadav announced on Wednesday that his party Loktantarik Janata Dal will merge with Rashtriya Janata Dal on March 20 as part of his efforts to unite various offshoots of the erstwhile Janata Dal.