• Crimea with over 96 per cent votes moves to join Russia, as the West readies for sanctions against it.

• US President Obama today meets Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to push stalled peace process in West Asia.

• Security forces arrest one terrorist at LoC in Poonch district.

• In the T-20 World Cup, India take on Srilanka in a warm up match this evening.

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Crimea will formally apply to join Russia today, after voting to split from Ukraine as Europe prepared to hit Moscow with a wave of sanctions in the worst East-West stand-off since the Cold War. According to Crimea Election Chief, an overwhelming 96.6 per cent of voters on the mostly Russian-speaking peninsula chose to secede from Ukraine in yesterday's referendum. There was sharp international condemnation of the vote. The European Union said, the referendum was illegal and illegitimate and its outcome would not be recognised. Foreign Ministers of the European Union 28 member-states are to hold an emergency meeting in Brussels. Aftermaths of yesterday's referendum on the future of Crimea and the possible sanctions against Russia will become the dominant issue at a conference. The EU followed the US, Britain, France, Italy, and NATO in declaring its refusal to honor the results of the referendum.

US President Barack Obama phoned his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin yesterday and told him the vote under duress of Russian military intervention, would never be recognised by the United States and the international community.

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Following hints of fresh sanction against Moscow, oil prices rose in Asia today. New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate for April delivery, was up 23 cents to 99.12 dollar in mid-morning Asian trade, and Brent North Sea crude for May gained 11 cents to over 108 dollar.

Investors are worried that potential sanctions against Russia could disrupt gas and oil supplies from the country. More than 70 per cent of Russia's gas and oil exports to Europe pass through Ukraine.

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Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will meet US President Obama at the White house today. Ahead of the talks Israeli and Palestinian sides are engaged in a war of words over Israel’s demands to recognize it as a Jewish state before any peace deal is signed.

"Barack Obama and Mahmoud Abbas meeting comes at a time when US is trying to give a push to revive the stalled peace process in West Asia. A deadline of 29th of April has been set for the Israeli and Palestinian sides to agree upon on a framework to restart the stalled direct peace talks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ruled out any deal with the Palestinians unless they recognise Israel as the Jewish state and give up their refugees' right of return. The Palestinians have rejected the demand saying it would deny their historical narrative and put breaks on the right of their refugees to return to homes they fled from or were forced out of during the 1948 war which led to the creation of Israel. Atul Tiwary, AIR News."

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A Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist was arrested by the security forces when he was trying to infiltrate along the Line of Control in Poonch district. Police said, his arrest is a major breakthrough in exposing a major link between terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen and its Over Ground Workers in Poonch district. Police sources said the operation was successfully carried out in a surgical manner while avoiding any collateral damage.

The arrested ultra has been identified as Muhammad Ishaq alias Munna, a resident of Village Digwar Terwan in Poonch district. An AK-47 Rifle, two magazines, over 55 rounds of ammunition and an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) were recovered from his possession. He had crossed over to PoK for arms training in 2011.

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Rain lashed many parts of the Kashmir Valley today while authorities in Bandipora district of north Kashmir have issued an avalanche warning. The Meteorological department in Srinagar has warned of heavy rainfall or snowfall along with hailstorm and thunder squall at few places over the next 24 hours. He said there would be an increase in rainfall activity in the state over the next few days.

Meanwhile, authorities in Baramulla district of north Kashmir have evacuated 21 families to safer places in view of the land slides in the area.

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In Kochi, sitting MP and Union Minister of State for Food and Public Distributions Prof. K. V. Thomas filed his nomination papers for the Ernakulam Lok Sabha Constituency today. BJP State General Secretary AN Radhakrishnan has also filed his nomination from Ernakulam.

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In Puducherry, the Election Commission has started using all modes of communication to educate people for voting. Rallies and Door-to-Door Campaigns are being carried out to ensure 100 per cent voting in the forth coming Lok Sabha Elections. Besides modern technologies, the Election Commission has started using the century old method of street plays to educate the voters. These street theatre performers will be travelling from village to village and popularise the importance of voting. These plays form a part of Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation campaign and this will go on upto 6th April.

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In Assam, Election Commission appointed Excise Observer Santosh Mishra will arrive in Guwahati today to take stock of the steps being undertaken to prevent use of liquor to lure voters. Our correspondent reports that he will take stock of the situation through video conferencing with all district heads and senior excise officials.

"190 Flying Squads and 175 Static Surveillance teams have already been pressed into service to keep an eye on distribution of all kinds of liquor in Assam. Over 12 thousand 500 liquor seized cases have been registered in the state. The first phase of polling will be held on 7th of next month in five seats. Political activities are on to woo the voters. MANAS PRATIM SARMA, AIR NEWS, GUWAHATI."

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Three Congress supporters sustained bullet injuries in a clash with ruling TMC supporters in West Bengal's Malda district today. The clash took place when the Congress supporters were engaged in wall painting for their candidates for the ensuing Lok Sabha poll. The rival supporters clashed on the site for wall painting and they hurled bombs and fired bullets in which three Congress members were hurt and admitted to the Malda medical college hospital. Malda district superintendent of police Rajesh Yadav said, a strong contingent of police force is stationed in the area and the situation has been brought under control.

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In Odisha, a joint operation by the Special Operation Group District Voluntary Force and BSF has busted at least six Maoist camps in Navrangpur district. Stating this in a press conference Inspector General of Police Yaswant Jethwa said that police have also recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition from the jungle bordering Odisha and Chhattisgarh. He said due to the combing operation, a big untoward incident planned by the Maoists of Chhattisgarh has been averted.

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Holi, the festival of colours is being celebrated across the country today with great enthusiasm. Our correspondent reports, it is time for music, fun and madness as Holi is reaching its crescendo in every nook and corner of the National Capital.

"People have plunged into the battle of gulaals and water balloons with frolic and fight with colours occurring in open streets and parks, outside temples and buildings. They are distributing sweets and chocolates and visiting community places and malls to celebrate the festival. Doctors have a piece of advice for the citizens to celebrate the festival with natural colours made from fruits and flowers. With Pratyush Ghosh, Zakir Malik, AIR News, Delhi."

In Mathura, the whole stretch from Holi Gate to the Dwarkadheesh temple is witnessing the Holi fervour. From Goverdhan to Barsana, Nand Gaon and Gokul-Mahavan across the river Yamuna, the mood is festive and Holi celebrations are in full flow.

"With bright sunshine, the mustard fields also look in full bloom, adding to the mood of Holi today. The Holi festivities have gripped Mathura, the land of Kanha with colours and devotional prayers in temples dotting the region. Vrindavan temples are enveloped in colourful clouds of gulal. Saffron colour made from fragrant flowers were sprinkled on the devotees. While in Lucknow, the colours of joy galore and the mood is set to just one thing; the celebration with ecstatic feelings and to share the heartfelt sentiments with each other without any inhibition. Merajuddin, AIR NEWS, Lucknow."

In Dubai also, Holi is being celebrated among the large expatriate Indian community. People from different walks of life are meeting and greeting each other in Dubai and different parts of the West Asia region.

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The News Services Division of All India Radio in its weekly Live Phone-in programme "PUBLIC SPEAK" today will bring you a discussion on "Holi - A symbol of communal harmony." This can be heard on FM Gold Channel and additional frequencies from 9.30 to 10.05 p.m. Listeners can ask questions to the experts sitting in our Studio on telephone number: 011: 2331-4444. This programme is also available on Doordarshan DTH.

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In Uttar Pradesh, the construction of world's tallest temple in Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna started today. It will be a 700 feet high skyscraper spread over an area of 5.5 acres and also have 70 floors. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness ISKCON, which is carrying out the project, hopes to complete the work in the next 5 years.

Our correspondent reports that the project will cost more than 300 crore rupees and ISKCON is hoping to raise the money from the devotees.

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Sri Lankan Navy and Coast Guard today assisted in the repatriation of 140 Indian fishermen and 31 fishing boats after they were freed by the local courts last week. According to a press release by the Sri Lankan Navy, 116 fishermen and 26 boats were handed over to the Indian Coast Guard Ships 'Abheek' and 'Rajtharang' at the International Maritime Boundary Line off the coast of Kankasanthurei. 24 Indian fishermen and 5 boats were handed over to the Indian Coast Guard Ship 'Rajkamal' in the seas near Mannar.

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In Pakistan, at least 12 people were injured in clashes with police during rallies and demonstrations held in Dera Allahyar and other towns of Nasirabad and Jaffarabad districts in Balochistan yesterday in protest against alleged desecration of Holy Quran in Larkana. The angry mob set on fire a number of shops in Usta Mohammad town of Jaffarabad. Protests were also held in Dera Murad Jamali and other towns and cities of Balochistan. A large number of people led by local religious leaders tried to attack Hindu temples and Gurdwaras. They also tried to enter Hindu localities, but police foiled their attempts. Police fired in the air to stop the protesters from attacking a temple in Dera Allahyar.

Security has been beefed up in and around temples and Gurdwaras and police started patrolling Hindu and Sikh localities.

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In Pakistan, unknown militants fired rockets at a NATO container in the Khyber tribal region’s Shagai area yesterday. No casualties were reported in the incident. Meanwhile, a van of a cement factory in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Nowshera district was blown up in a remote control bomb attack and a police mobile passing nearby was also damaged.

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"Italy's Flavia Pennetta today captured the biggest title of her career, as she stunned second seed Agnieszka Radwanska to win the Indian Wells Open Tennis tournament at California. In the Women's Singles finals this morning, ailing Radwanska lost to twentieth seed Pennetta, in straight sets, 2-6, 1-6. Radwanska went into the match as a favourite, but was unable to give her 100 per cent, because of a knee injury that severely restricted her movement. World Number Two Novak Djokovic has lifted the Men's Singles trophy, beating Swiss Roger Federer, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6. Federer still leads 17-16 to Djokovic, having beaten the Serb in the semifinals at Dubai two weeks ago. With today's result, Djokovic will remain No. 2 in the world, while Federer will rise three spots to No. 5 in the upcoming ATP Tour rankings.

And in the ICC Twenty-20 Cricket World Cup, Ireland will meet Zimbabwe, and Netherlands will clash with UAE in the Group-B qualifier matches today. Team India will take on Sri Lanka in their first warm-up game at Mirpur this evening. In the day's other warm-up game, New Zealand will play Pakistan. In the tournament, India has been placed in Group-II alongside Pakistan, Australia, and the West Indies, while Group-I comprises England, New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka. India will take on Pakistan on Friday in its first Group match at Mirpur. SAVVY HASAN KHAN, FOR AIR NEWS."

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Sri Lankan batting stalwart Mahela Jayawardene will retire from Twenty-20 Internationals after the conclusion of the ongoing T-20 World Cup in Bangladesh. International Cricket Council announced the news of Jaywardene's decision on Twitter. The decision came a day after another Sri Lankan veteran Kumar Sangakkara announced quitting the shortest format in the international circuit after the Twenty-20 World Cup.