In Brief

Russia open for talks as US loses patience

London: As Trump said he was losing patience and would walk away from efforts to make peace, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded by calling for a halt to attacks on civilian targets for 30 days, and Putin said he would consider it, floating the idea on Monday of holding bilateral talks for the first time in three years. US, European and Ukrainian officials are due to meet on Wednesday in London. Zelenskyy said their primary task would be to push for an unconditional truce.

Indian to be charged for groping hostess

Singapore: A 20-year-old Indian national will be charged in Singapore on Tuesday for allegedly outraging the modesty of a cabin crew member aboard an aircraft bound for the city-state. The police were alerted to the incident at 12.05 pm on February 28, after a 28-year-old female cabin crew member was allegedly molested during the flight. The accused, allegedly, grabbed her, and pushed her into the lavatory with him, according to The Straits Times newspaper.

5, including Christian, held for ‘blasphemy’

Lahore: Five persons, including a Christian, have been arrested on the charges of blasphemy in Pakistan’s Punjab, the police said on Tuesday. A law-and-order situation was created after a large number of people surrounded the Sajid Shaheed Police Station, Sargodha city on Sunday, forcing the police to arrest the five suspects for insulting a companion of the Prophet, police said. The complainant alleged the accused printed blasphemous stickers.