Myanmar's junta will "annihilate" coup opponents, army chief Min Aung Hlaing said Sunday as the military staged a show of force on the anniversary of its bloodiest crackdown so far on democracy protests.

The Southeast Asian country has been in chaos since a putsch in February 2021, with more than 1,700 people killed in crackdowns on dissent, according to a local monitoring group.

Anti-coup "People's Defence Force" fighters clash regularly with junta troops, while fighting has also flared in border areas with more established ethnic rebel groups.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/asean-envoy-says-urged-restraint-from-myanmar-military-discussed-aung-san-suu-kyi-access-465104">ASEAN envoy says urged restraint from Myanmar military, discussed Aung San Suu Kyi access</a>

Presiding over the annual parade that showcased tanks, truck-mounted missiles, artillery and troops on horseback, Min Aung Hlaing told some 8,000 assembled security personnel that the army would not let up.

The military will "no longer negotiate... and annihilate until the end" groups fighting to overturn its rule, he said ahead of the Armed Forces Day procession in army-built capital Naypyidaw.

Jets flew overhead trailing the yellow, red and green of the national flag, while state media showed women lining the streets leading to the parade ground to give flowers and place garlands on the marching soldiers.

Meanwhile, anti-coup protesters called on social media for a national "power strike" demonstration on Sunday evening.

Bloodiest Day&nbsp;

Armed Forces Day commemorates the start of local resistance to the Japanese occupation during World War II, and usually features a military parade attended by foreign officers and diplomats.

Last year, as new junta chief Min Aung Hlaing inspected the parade, troops brutalised those protesting the coup that had ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's government.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/rohingya-in-bangladesh-cheer-us-decision-on-myanmar-genocide-465074">Rohingya in Bangladesh cheer US decision on Myanmar 'genocide'</a>

The violence was the bloodiest day so far in the military's crackdown on democracy rallies and left 163 protesters dead, according to a local monitoring group, and sparked widespread international condemnation.

The junta has become increasingly isolated, with Cambodian strongman Hun Sen the only foreign leader to visit since the putsch.

The vice defence minister of Russia -- a major arms supplier and ally -- had been due to attend this year's parade but was unable to because of his "country's affairs", junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun said.

In February a UN expert on Myanmar said Russia -- along with other major ally China -- was continuing to supply the military with weapons, including fighter jets and armoured vehicles.

The United States and Britain on Friday announced new sanctions against Myanmar's army.

The new measures came days after Washington said it has concluded that the country's military committed genocide against the mostly Muslim Rohingya minority.&nbsp;

Since the putsch more than 1,700 people have been killed in a military crackdown on dissent, according to a local monitoring group.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Myanmar committed genocide against Rohingya, says US. But what is genocide?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/myanmar-committed-genocide-against-rohingya-says-us-but-what-is-genocide-464662/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Myanmar's junta will "annihilate" coup opponents, army chief Min Aung Hlaing said Sunday as the military staged a show of force on the anniversary of its bloodiest crackdown so far on democracy protests.

Myanmar's junta will "annihilate" coup opponents, army chief Min Aung Hlaing said Sunday as the military staged a show of force on the anniversary of its bloodiest crackdown so far on democracy protests. The Southeast Asian country has been in chaos since a putsch in February 2021, with more than 1,700 people killed in crackdowns on dissent, according to a local monitoring group. Anti-coup "People's Defence Force" fighters clash regularly with junta troops, while fighting has also flared in border areas with more established ethnic rebel groups. Also read | ASEAN envoy says urged restraint from Myanmar military, discussed Aung San Suu Kyi access Presiding over the annual parade that showcased tanks, truck-mounted missiles, artillery and troops on horseback, Min Aung Hlaing told some 8,000 assembled security personnel that the army would not let up. The military will "no longer negotiate... and annihilate until the end" groups fighting to overturn its rule, he said ahead of the Armed Forces Day procession in army-built capital Naypyidaw. Jets flew overhead trailing the yellow, red and green of the national flag, while state media showed women lining the streets leading to the parade ground to give flowers and place garlands on the marching soldiers. Meanwhile, anti-coup protesters called on social media for a national "power strike" demonstration on Sunday evening. Bloodiest Day Armed Forces Day commemorates the start of local resistance to the Japanese occupation during World War II, and usually features a military parade attended by foreign officers and diplomats. Last year, as new junta chief Min Aung Hlaing inspected the parade, troops brutalised those protesting the coup that had ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's government. Also read | Rohingya in Bangladesh cheer US decision on Myanmar 'genocide' The violence was the bloodiest day so far in the military's crackdown on democracy rallies and left 163 protesters dead, according to a local monitoring group, and sparked widespread international condemnation. The junta has become increasingly isolated, with Cambodian strongman Hun Sen the only foreign leader to visit since the putsch. The vice defence minister of Russia -- a major arms supplier and ally -- had been due to attend this year's parade but was unable to because of his "country's affairs", junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun said. In February a UN expert on Myanmar said Russia -- along with other major ally China -- was continuing to supply the military with weapons, including fighter jets and armoured vehicles. The United States and Britain on Friday announced new sanctions against Myanmar's army. The new measures came days after Washington said it has concluded that the country's military committed genocide against the mostly Muslim Rohingya minority. Since the putsch more than 1,700 people have been killed in a military crackdown on dissent, according to a local monitoring group. Watch | Myanmar committed genocide against Rohingya, says US. But what is genocide?

Myanmar army says will 'annihilate' coup opponents on crackdown anniversary

Regular international flights resumed from Sunday (March 27) with airports and airlines getting ready for normal overseas operations, after a coronavirus pandemic-induced hiatus of over two years.&nbsp;

The airline industry has been making a comeback after it was impacted immensely due to the Covid.&nbsp;

The government has revised the COVID-19 guidelines for international flight operations.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-two-years-india-to-resume-regular-international-flights-from-march-27-465832">After two years, India to resume regular international flights from March 27</a>

Here are the rules: &nbsp;

Cabin crew members will no longer be needed to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) kits.&nbsp;

Authorities have said that airlines will no longer be needed to keep three seats vacant for medical emergencies.&nbsp;

Wherever needed, security personnel at airports are allowed to resume pat-down searches of passengers.&nbsp;

They also said that Airlines may carry a few additional PPE protective gears, sanitiser and N-95 masks, to handle any respiratory infections related to cases on air.&nbsp;

Wearing face masks and following basic restrictions for coronavirus (COVID-19) such as wearing of maks, using sanitiser, etc still mandatory at airports and on flights.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/airport-operators-join-forces-to-study-sustainable-fuel-in-india-465746">Airport operators join forces to study sustainable fuel in India</a>

<hr />
<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The pat-down search conducted by the security personnel at the airport is re-introduced. Though wearing masks at the airport or aircraft should still be continued. (3/3)
— Airports Authority of India (@AAI_Official) <a href="https://twitter.com/AAI_Official/status/1507568637422411787?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), the operator of IGIA, expects to connect to over 60 international destinations after the resumption of regular overseas flights.&nbsp;

While mentioning the resumption of regular international flights, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, on March 8, had said that with this step, I am confident the sector will reach new heights".&nbsp;

On November 26 last year, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had announced the resumption of scheduled international passenger flights from December 15, 2021.&nbsp;

However, a few days later, the decision was revoked following a surge in coronavirus cases due to the Omicron variant.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Regular international flights resumed from Sunday (March 27) with airports and airlines getting ready for normal overseas operations, after a coronavirus pandemic-induced hiatus of over two years.

Regular international flights resumed from Sunday (March 27) with airports and airlines getting ready for normal overseas operations, after a coronavirus pandemic-induced hiatus of over two years. The airline industry has been making a comeback after it was impacted immensely due to the Covid. The government has revised the COVID-19 guidelines for international flight operations. ALSO READ | After two years, India to resume regular international flights from March 27 Here are the rules: Cabin crew members will no longer be needed to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) kits. Authorities have said that airlines will no longer be needed to keep three seats vacant for medical emergencies. Wherever needed, security personnel at airports are allowed to resume pat-down searches of passengers. They also said that Airlines may carry a few additional PPE protective gears, sanitiser and N-95 masks, to handle any respiratory infections related to cases on air. Wearing face masks and following basic restrictions for coronavirus (COVID-19) such as wearing of maks, using sanitiser, etc still mandatory at airports and on flights. ALSO READ | Airport operators join forces to study sustainable fuel in India The pat-down search conducted by the security personnel at the airport is re-introduced. Though wearing masks at the airport or aircraft should still be continued. (3/3) — Airports Authority of India (@AAI_Official) March 26, 2022 × Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), the operator of IGIA, expects to connect to over 60 international destinations after the resumption of regular overseas flights. While mentioning the resumption of regular international flights, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, on March 8, had said that with this step, I am confident the sector will reach new heights". On November 26 last year, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had announced the resumption of scheduled international passenger flights from December 15, 2021. However, a few days later, the decision was revoked following a surge in coronavirus cases due to the Omicron variant. (With inputs from agencies)

India resumes regular international flights: Here are new guidelines

India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued an order which stated that the country is all set to resume regular international flights from Sunday (March 26) after almost a gap of two years.&nbsp;

The country had suspended international flights since March 2020, due to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. But all international flights will now operate at 100 per cent capacity, the aviation ministry has said.&nbsp;

In a tweet, the Airports Authority of India noted: "In consideration of the decreasing cases of the #Covid19 virus &amp; successful vaccination drive @MoCA_GoI has decided to resume the International Scheduled Air Operations from 27th March 2022."&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/airport-operators-join-forces-to-study-sustainable-fuel-in-india-465746">Airport operators join forces to study sustainable fuel in India</a>

The order said that Scheduled Foreign Carriers have applied for approval of their international schedule. The Summer Schedule 2022 is effective from March 27&nbsp;till October 29 this year.&nbsp;

Important to note that a total of 60 foreign airlines of 40 countries including Mauritius, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, the United States, Iraq and others have been given the approval to operate 1783 frequencies to/from India during Summer Schedule 2022.&nbsp;

A few new airlines which include India Salam Air, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, Qantas and American airline, are to begin airline operations with India.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-army-trains-specially-abled-kashmiri-youths-in-skiing-465732">Indian Army trains specially-abled Kashmiri youths in skiing</a>

Just like other countries, India had suspended regular international flights because of the Covid situation, which caused massive losses to the airline industry globally.&nbsp;

Although, Covid cases have seen a rising trend in some countries like China. India has widened its vaccination programme and has witnessed a drop in cases after the third wave in January, which was driven by Omicron.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
In consideration of the decreasing cases of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Covid19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Covid19</a> virus &amp; successful vaccination drive <a href="https://twitter.com/MoCA_GoI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MoCA_GoI</a> has decided to resume the International Scheduled Air Operations from 27th March 2022. It has revised its existing COVID guidelines concerned with international operations(1/3)
— Airports Authority of India (@AAI_Official) <a href="https://twitter.com/AAI_Official/status/1507568632066314240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued an order which stated that the country is all set to resume regular international flights from Sunday (March 26) after almost a gap of two years.

India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued an order which stated that the country is all set to resume regular international flights from Sunday (March 26) after almost a gap of two years. The country had suspended international flights since March 2020, due to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. But all international flights will now operate at 100 per cent capacity, the aviation ministry has said. In a tweet, the Airports Authority of India noted: "In consideration of the decreasing cases of the #Covid19 virus & successful vaccination drive @MoCA_GoI has decided to resume the International Scheduled Air Operations from 27th March 2022." ALSO READ | Airport operators join forces to study sustainable fuel in India The order said that Scheduled Foreign Carriers have applied for approval of their international schedule. The Summer Schedule 2022 is effective from March 27 till October 29 this year. Important to note that a total of 60 foreign airlines of 40 countries including Mauritius, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, the United States, Iraq and others have been given the approval to operate 1783 frequencies to/from India during Summer Schedule 2022. A few new airlines which include India Salam Air, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, Qantas and American airline, are to begin airline operations with India. ALSO READ | Indian Army trains specially-abled Kashmiri youths in skiing Just like other countries, India had suspended regular international flights because of the Covid situation, which caused massive losses to the airline industry globally. Although, Covid cases have seen a rising trend in some countries like China. India has widened its vaccination programme and has witnessed a drop in cases after the third wave in January, which was driven by Omicron. In consideration of the decreasing cases of the #Covid19 virus & successful vaccination drive @MoCA_GoI has decided to resume the International Scheduled Air Operations from 27th March 2022. It has revised its existing COVID guidelines concerned with international operations(1/3) — Airports Authority of India (@AAI_Official) March 26, 2022 ×

After two years, India to resume regular international flights from March 27

Mick Schumacher, son of Formula1 legend Michael Schumacher, suffered a horrific crash during qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Saturday (March 26).&nbsp;

Schumacher crashed heavily into a concrete barrier at high speed and was airlifted to the hospital for precautionary checks.&nbsp;

The son of a seven-time world champion lost control of his Haas car after appearing to clip a kerb at Turn Nine and then went straight into the wall.&nbsp;

A sigh of relief, as the 23-year-old German driver insisted that he is 'OK' but he will not take part in Sunday's Saudi Arabian GP. Haas confirmed Mick has been released from the hospital and has returned to his hotel.&nbsp;

The driver himself tweeted later: "Hi everyone, I just wanted to say that I'm ok. Thank you for the kind messages. The car felt great @HaasF1Team, we'll come back stronger."&nbsp;

The crash was so impactful, two wheels were torn away from the car during the Q2 session. A medical crew arrived to take him from his badly damaged car to the medical centre at the Jeddah Street Circuit.&nbsp;

As per reports, he was conscious and speaking. He was reported to have been able to remove his own gloves as he departed in an ambulance.&nbsp;

"We've heard that Mick is conscious, out of the car and currently on his way to the medical centre," tweeted the Haas team.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The session was red-flagged after the estimated 240kh accident in which the rear of the Haas car was split away from the main body.&nbsp;

Watch the video here:&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Mick Schumacher will miss the Saudi Arabian GP after a huge accident in qualifying. 
 
That Mick is physically well after the crash is another reminder of the strength and safety of modern F1 cars for which we are incredibly thankful<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SaudiArabianGP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SaudiArabianGP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/F1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#F1</a> <a href="https://t.co/qhLcw0elb7">pic.twitter.com/qhLcw0elb7</a>
— Formula 1 (@F1) <a href="https://twitter.com/F1/status/1507821363158990848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Haas said they will run just one car in Sunday's race with Kevin Magnussen carrying their hopes. "Schumacher was taken to the trackside medical centre following a significant accident at Turn 12," said Haas in a statement.&nbsp;

"After his assessment revealed no injuries, he was transferred to King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital in Jeddah for precautionary checks. The team has subsequently taken the decision to contest the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix with the sole entry of Kevin Magnussen," the statement added.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Hi everyone, I just wanted to say that I’m ok🙏 
Thank you for the kind messages. 
The car felt great <a href="https://twitter.com/HaasF1Team?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@haasf1team</a>, we’ll come back stronger❤️ <a href="https://t.co/Mwpy0767kN">pic.twitter.com/Mwpy0767kN</a>
— Mick Schumacher (@SchumacherMick) <a href="https://twitter.com/SchumacherMick/status/1507830580339253249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Hi everyone, I just wanted to say that I’m ok🙏 
Thank you for the kind messages. 
The car felt great <a href="https://twitter.com/HaasF1Team?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@haasf1team</a>, we’ll come back stronger❤️ <a href="https://t.co/Mwpy0767kN">pic.twitter.com/Mwpy0767kN</a>
— Mick Schumacher (@SchumacherMick) <a href="https://twitter.com/SchumacherMick/status/1507830580339253249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
We can confirm that Mick has been released from hospital and has returned to his hotel.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HaasF1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HaasF1</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SaudiArabianGP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SaudiArabianGP</a>
— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) <a href="https://twitter.com/HaasF1Team/status/1507836219689951241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Mick Schumacher, son of Formula1 legend Michael Schumacher, suffered a horrific crash during qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Saturday (March 26). Schumacher crashed heavily into a concrete barrier at high speed and was airlifted to the hospital for precautionary checks.

Mick Schumacher, son of Formula1 legend Michael Schumacher, suffered a horrific crash during qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Saturday (March 26). Schumacher crashed heavily into a concrete barrier at high speed and was airlifted to the hospital for precautionary checks. The son of a seven-time world champion lost control of his Haas car after appearing to clip a kerb at Turn Nine and then went straight into the wall. A sigh of relief, as the 23-year-old German driver insisted that he is 'OK' but he will not take part in Sunday's Saudi Arabian GP. Haas confirmed Mick has been released from the hospital and has returned to his hotel. The driver himself tweeted later: "Hi everyone, I just wanted to say that I'm ok. Thank you for the kind messages. The car felt great @HaasF1Team, we'll come back stronger." The crash was so impactful, two wheels were torn away from the car during the Q2 session. A medical crew arrived to take him from his badly damaged car to the medical centre at the Jeddah Street Circuit. As per reports, he was conscious and speaking. He was reported to have been able to remove his own gloves as he departed in an ambulance. "We've heard that Mick is conscious, out of the car and currently on his way to the medical centre," tweeted the Haas team. The session was red-flagged after the estimated 240kh accident in which the rear of the Haas car was split away from the main body. Watch the video here: Mick Schumacher will miss the Saudi Arabian GP after a huge accident in qualifying. That Mick is physically well after the crash is another reminder of the strength and safety of modern F1 cars for which we are incredibly thankful#SaudiArabianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/qhLcw0elb7 — Formula 1 (@F1) March 26, 2022 × Haas said they will run just one car in Sunday's race with Kevin Magnussen carrying their hopes. "Schumacher was taken to the trackside medical centre following a significant accident at Turn 12," said Haas in a statement. "After his assessment revealed no injuries, he was transferred to King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital in Jeddah for precautionary checks. The team has subsequently taken the decision to contest the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix with the sole entry of Kevin Magnussen," the statement added. Hi everyone, I just wanted to say that I’m ok🙏 Thank you for the kind messages. The car felt great @haasf1team, we’ll come back stronger❤️ pic.twitter.com/Mwpy0767kN — Mick Schumacher (@SchumacherMick) March 26, 2022 × Hi everyone, I just wanted to say that I’m ok🙏 Thank you for the kind messages. The car felt great @haasf1team, we’ll come back stronger❤️ pic.twitter.com/Mwpy0767kN — Mick Schumacher (@SchumacherMick) March 26, 2022 × We can confirm that Mick has been released from hospital and has returned to his hotel.#HaasF1 #SaudiArabianGP — Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) March 26, 2022 × (With inputs from agencies)

Mick Schumacher accident: Son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher suffers horrific crash, airlifted to hospital

From Niki Lauda to Jules Bianchi: Horrific crashes in the history of Formula 1

India's steel minister Ramchandra Prasad Singh on Sunday (March 27) said that the country is leaning toward continuing to import coking coal from Russia amid the Ukraine crisis.&nbsp;

In a press conference in New Delhi, Singh as quoted by Reuters said, "We are moving in the direction of importing coking coal from Russia."&nbsp;

The minister further said that India plans to double imports of Russian coking coal, which is a key ingredient in making steel. He also said that the country had imported 4.5 million tonnes, although he did not tell the exact time and period of import. &nbsp;&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-diamond-city-gets-the-countrys-first-steel-roaddetails-here-465937">India's diamond city gets the country's first 'steel road'. Details here</a>

In an apparent reference to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the minister said that "smooth supplies" from Russia of coking coal have been affected. Although, he neither gave any specifics nor revealed details.&nbsp;

Soon after Russia ordered special "military operations" in Ukraine on February 24, Western countries slapped Russia with multiple sanctions, leaving the country's economy reeling and in global isolation.&nbsp;

The conflict, which is escalating with the passing of each day, has impacted the world economies immensely. , India, a major buyer of Russian goods from commodities to weapons, has abstained from several key United Nations votes condemning the invasion.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-german-states-outlaw-the-display-of-russias-z-war-symbol-465969">Two German states outlaw the display of Russia's 'Z' war symbol</a>

It has been understood that Russia, typically India's sixth-largest supplier of coking and thermal coal, could start offering more competitive prices to Chinese and Indian buyers as European and other customers spurn Russia because of sanctions.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Ukraine: Poland must send warplanes amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ukraine-poland-must-send-warplanes-amid-the-ongoing-russian-invasion-of-ukraine-465886/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

(With inputs from agencies)

India's steel minister Ramchandra Prasad Singh on Sunday (March 27) said that the country is leaning toward continuing to import coking coal from Russia amid the Ukraine crisis.

India's steel minister Ramchandra Prasad Singh on Sunday (March 27) said that the country is leaning toward continuing to import coking coal from Russia amid the Ukraine crisis. In a press conference in New Delhi, Singh as quoted by Reuters said, "We are moving in the direction of importing coking coal from Russia." The minister further said that India plans to double imports of Russian coking coal, which is a key ingredient in making steel. He also said that the country had imported 4.5 million tonnes, although he did not tell the exact time and period of import. ALSO READ | India's diamond city gets the country's first 'steel road'. Details here In an apparent reference to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the minister said that "smooth supplies" from Russia of coking coal have been affected. Although, he neither gave any specifics nor revealed details. Soon after Russia ordered special "military operations" in Ukraine on February 24, Western countries slapped Russia with multiple sanctions, leaving the country's economy reeling and in global isolation. The conflict, which is escalating with the passing of each day, has impacted the world economies immensely. , India, a major buyer of Russian goods from commodities to weapons, has abstained from several key United Nations votes condemning the invasion. ALSO READ | Two German states outlaw the display of Russia's 'Z' war symbol It has been understood that Russia, typically India's sixth-largest supplier of coking and thermal coal, could start offering more competitive prices to Chinese and Indian buyers as European and other customers spurn Russia because of sanctions. WATCH | Ukraine: Poland must send warplanes amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine × (With inputs from agencies)

Is India leaning toward continued import of Russian coking coal?

On the second floor of an upscale golf resort near Jacksonville, Florida, this past week, House Republicans gathered for drinks as they kicked off a three-day retreat to plot their path to winning the majority in this year’s midterm elections.

Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, dressed down in a fleece vest, stood in one corner while Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia hustled in and out of the reception area. But it was Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, the No. 3 Republican and an architect of the party’s message, who was running the show, working the room with her 7-month-old son on her hip.

A year ago, the same House Republican retreat was fraught with drama as Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, who then held the third-ranking leadership post, publicly denounced former President Donald Trump’s election lies. That prompted a backlash from other Republican leaders, who swiftly moved to oust her and install Stefanik in her place.

This year, with Stefanik acting as the event’s organizer and emcee, there was little dissent on display. Inflation, immigration and President Joe Biden’s failures were played up, while Trump’s false claims of fraud in the 2020 election and his denial of any responsibility for the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol did not even merit a mention — a mark of how thoroughly the party has rallied around the former president.

That Stefanik, 37, would be hosting this particular party seemed fitting. A once-moderate Republican who worked in President George W. Bush’s White House and was a protégé of former Speaker Paul Ryan, she is the embodiment of the rapid shift in the Republican Party. In just a few short years, she has morphed from the conservative mainstream into an unlikely star of the MAGA universe and a die-hard Trump loyalist.

In an interview on the sidelines of the party retreat, her reinvention was on vivid display. Stefanik repeated Trump’s lies about the 2020 election being stolen and refused to acknowledge Biden as the legitimately elected president.

“Joe Biden is in the White House right now — the American people understand that — but they do have questions,” she said in between a lunch with former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and a dinner with the author of a book called “Woke, Inc.”

“In my district, I still get questions about it,” Stefanik said, adding, “I think there are constitutional questions on the unconstitutional overreach of unelected individuals in states like Pennsylvania.”

And as her party veers toward extremism, Stefanik has refused to condemn the Republicans who speak most loudly to the fringe. Asked about Greene, who recently spoke at a white nationalist event, and Rep. Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina, who has called President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine a “thug,” she said the two were merely reflecting the views of the voters in their districts.

“They represent their constituents, and they are held accountable for the statements they make,” Stefanik said, noting the House Republican conference as a whole did not share their views.

It has been a rapid transformation. Stefanik, who graduated from Harvard, was once seen by Democrats as a bright spot in the Republican Party, someone who was going to dig into policy issues on the House Intelligence Committee, which she joined in 2017.

In private conversations, Stefanik sometimes conceded to former colleagues and confidants that Trump was a disaster for the party, although she said she did not see an upside to publicly criticizing him. She vented to confidants that the administration made “dumb” decisions that left Republicans in Congress shouldering the blame — frustrated, for example, at Trump’s on-again, off-again backing of sweeping immigration legislation to grant legal status to unauthorized immigrants brought to the United States as children, often known as Dreamers.

(A senior adviser to Stefanik, Alex deGrasse, said she never made those comments about Trump and his administration.)

But these days, Stefanik is a loud and unapologetic Trump acolyte, even defending his praise of President Vladimir Putin of Russia. (“I think that President Trump was saying that Vladimir Putin assessed the weakness of Joe Biden, and unfortunately took advantage of it,” she said, noting that Putin was a war criminal.)

While some Republicans have tried to walk a careful tightrope, supporting Trump’s policies while distancing themselves from his false claims about the stolen election, Stefanik makes no such qualifications.

“I speak to President Trump frequently,” she said. “He’s an incredibly important voice in terms of growing the party among the working class.” Asked whether Trump’s influence on the GOP was on the wane, she flatly rejected the notion.

“No, it’s on the rise,” she said. “Especially now that voters have regrets about voting for Joe Biden.”

Stefanik, who previously said she would serve only one term in leadership, is also on the rise within her party’s ranks. She could lead a powerful House committee or throw her hat in the ring in what is expected to be a competitive race for whip. Part of her success in leadership, aides said, is based on her effort to help elect more Republican women to Congress through her political action committee, which has also helped her build a network of support in her conference.

She has worked hard to win over detractors who question her conservative bona fides and is now broadly popular among Republicans, including right-wing members who were once suspicious of her mainstream background. The biggest help in that effort has been the support of Trump, who does not care about her more centrist past when she has shown him total fealty.

Trump, people close to him said, would be more than happy to see Stefanik make history as the Republicans’ first female speaker, although he does not plan to get involved in the race for the post and would be unlikely to stand in the way of Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the minority leader, if Republicans succeed in winning back the House majority. But his constant praise of Stefanik serves as a reminder that she has passed a loyalty test with Trump that McCarthy has not.

Trump speaks with Stefanik multiple times a week and describes her as “one of my killers,” thanks to her key role as his chief defender on the House Intelligence Committee during his first impeachment trial.

Her opportunism is criticized by her detractors, but celebrated by some on the hard right, who think she has revealed herself as someone willing to go to any length to rise.

At a recent fundraiser in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump even floated her name as a potential presidential candidate in 2028.

“I’m not going to even engage in that,” she said when asked about her future in House leadership. “I’m supporting Kevin McCarthy for speaker. I don’t measure the drapes. It’s a long time between now and the November election.”

(Seeking to downplay any hint of rivalry, Stefanik’s aides noted that McCarthy not only attended her wedding in 2017, but also campaigned for her at a biker bar in upstate New York during her first race.)

Her political metamorphosis has come with heady rewards for an ambitious politician: a prime-time speaking slot at the Republican National Convention in 2020 and a jet-fueled rise in the ranks of her party.

“Congress has gotten tougher and rougher,” said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla. “She didn’t start that. She’s proven she knows how to mix it up, and that’s one of the qualities we look for in a conference.”

But Stefanik’s political calculation stunned the networks she had spent her life cultivating. She lost many of her college friends from Harvard and was asked to step aside from her role on the senior advisory committee of the university’s Institute of Politics because of her false assertions of voter fraud in the 2020 election.

Her onetime mentor Ryan declined to comment about her for this article, although aides to both said they are still in touch regularly.

Many friends and former colleagues think she made a cynical, short-term political gamble in her full-bore turn to Trumpism. Some have tried to warn her at various points along the road, but received a stony response.

Melissa DeRosa, a childhood friend of Stefanik’s who served as a secretary to former Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York, said she had reached out in 2019 after seeing Stefanik’s performance during the impeachment hearings.

“I’m really concerned you’re doing these things that will damage your credibility in the long term,” she recalled texting Stefanik.

DeRosa said the reply was polite but curt. “She wrote back saying, basically: ‘You should always feel like you can tell me what you think. I appreciate your input.’” It was the end of the conversation.

Other former friends and mentors said they found her shape-shifting depressing. Bill Kristol, a prominent Never Trump conservative, said he once viewed her as a rising star in the party.

“I introduced her to donors and contributed to her campaign in 2014,” Kristol said, noting that at a meeting in her office in 2018 she privately agreed with him that Trump was a liability. “She seemed like a responsible elected official. Wrong.”

To explain her transformation, Stefanik points to the rightward lurch of her onetime swing district, which voted for Barack Obama and was represented by a Democrat before she flipped the seat in 2014 and the district became Trump country.

“I believe that my record and my time in Congress is reflective of my constituents,” she said.

Privately, she has told people she was “radicalized by Adam Schiff,” the Democratic chair of the Intelligence Committee who led the first impeachment effort against Trump.

Other members of the panel say that as Stefanik grew more partisan about the impeachment, her attendance at committee events and briefings dropped to almost zero.

Back home, in a district that has become redder in the redistricting process, Stefanik has only grown safer politically. “When you live in an area like this, it’s a little bit of a quiet area,” said Jeff Graham, a conservative radio host and the former mayor of Watertown. “If you see your member of Congress on the news, you feel good about it.”

Still, there are awkward moments.

Last fall, when Stefanik was at an apple orchard in Saratoga County with her husband and her newborn son, a woman who grew up in the North Country region approached her and told her bluntly how she thought the congresswoman had compromised her values for power.

Stefanik bristled, telling the constituent that she was considered one of the most bipartisan congresswomen in the country, a record that she was proud of. (A report by the Lugar Center, which seeks to enhance bipartisanship, ranked her as one of the most bipartisan members of the previous Congress, according to its index.)

In an interview, Stefanik said she recalled the incident but refused to believe the woman was from her district.

“Not a voter,” she said firmly. “Not a constituent.”

On the second floor of an upscale golf resort near Jacksonville, Florida, this past week, House Republicans gathered for drinks as they kicked off a three-day retreat to plot their path to winning the majority in this year’s midterm elections.

On the second floor of an upscale golf resort near Jacksonville, Florida, this past week, House Republicans gathered for drinks as they kicked off a three-day retreat to plot their path to winning the majority in this year’s midterm elections. Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, dressed down in a fleece vest, stood in one corner while Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia hustled in and out of the reception area. But it was Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, the No. 3 Republican and an architect of the party’s message, who was running the show, working the room with her 7-month-old son on her hip. A year ago, the same House Republican retreat was fraught with drama as Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, who then held the third-ranking leadership post, publicly denounced former President Donald Trump’s election lies. That prompted a backlash from other Republican leaders, who swiftly moved to oust her and install Stefanik in her place. This year, with Stefanik acting as the event’s organizer and emcee, there was little dissent on display. Inflation, immigration and President Joe Biden’s failures were played up, while Trump’s false claims of fraud in the 2020 election and his denial of any responsibility for the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol did not even merit a mention — a mark of how thoroughly the party has rallied around the former president. That Stefanik, 37, would be hosting this particular party seemed fitting. A once-moderate Republican who worked in President George W. Bush’s White House and was a protégé of former Speaker Paul Ryan, she is the embodiment of the rapid shift in the Republican Party. In just a few short years, she has morphed from the conservative mainstream into an unlikely star of the MAGA universe and a die-hard Trump loyalist. In an interview on the sidelines of the party retreat, her reinvention was on vivid display. Stefanik repeated Trump’s lies about the 2020 election being stolen and refused to acknowledge Biden as the legitimately elected president. “Joe Biden is in the White House right now — the American people understand that — but they do have questions,” she said in between a lunch with former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and a dinner with the author of a book called “Woke, Inc.” “In my district, I still get questions about it,” Stefanik said, adding, “I think there are constitutional questions on the unconstitutional overreach of unelected individuals in states like Pennsylvania.” And as her party veers toward extremism, Stefanik has refused to condemn the Republicans who speak most loudly to the fringe. Asked about Greene, who recently spoke at a white nationalist event, and Rep. Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina, who has called President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine a “thug,” she said the two were merely reflecting the views of the voters in their districts. “They represent their constituents, and they are held accountable for the statements they make,” Stefanik said, noting the House Republican conference as a whole did not share their views. It has been a rapid transformation. Stefanik, who graduated from Harvard, was once seen by Democrats as a bright spot in the Republican Party, someone who was going to dig into policy issues on the House Intelligence Committee, which she joined in 2017. In private conversations, Stefanik sometimes conceded to former colleagues and confidants that Trump was a disaster for the party, although she said she did not see an upside to publicly criticizing him. She vented to confidants that the administration made “dumb” decisions that left Republicans in Congress shouldering the blame — frustrated, for example, at Trump’s on-again, off-again backing of sweeping immigration legislation to grant legal status to unauthorized immigrants brought to the United States as children, often known as Dreamers. (A senior adviser to Stefanik, Alex deGrasse, said she never made those comments about Trump and his administration.) But these days, Stefanik is a loud and unapologetic Trump acolyte, even defending his praise of President Vladimir Putin of Russia. (“I think that President Trump was saying that Vladimir Putin assessed the weakness of Joe Biden, and unfortunately took advantage of it,” she said, noting that Putin was a war criminal.) While some Republicans have tried to walk a careful tightrope, supporting Trump’s policies while distancing themselves from his false claims about the stolen election, Stefanik makes no such qualifications. “I speak to President Trump frequently,” she said. “He’s an incredibly important voice in terms of growing the party among the working class.” Asked whether Trump’s influence on the GOP was on the wane, she flatly rejected the notion. “No, it’s on the rise,” she said. “Especially now that voters have regrets about voting for Joe Biden.” Stefanik, who previously said she would serve only one term in leadership, is also on the rise within her party’s ranks. She could lead a powerful House committee or throw her hat in the ring in what is expected to be a competitive race for whip. Part of her success in leadership, aides said, is based on her effort to help elect more Republican women to Congress through her political action committee, which has also helped her build a network of support in her conference. She has worked hard to win over detractors who question her conservative bona fides and is now broadly popular among Republicans, including right-wing members who were once suspicious of her mainstream background. The biggest help in that effort has been the support of Trump, who does not care about her more centrist past when she has shown him total fealty. Trump, people close to him said, would be more than happy to see Stefanik make history as the Republicans’ first female speaker, although he does not plan to get involved in the race for the post and would be unlikely to stand in the way of Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the minority leader, if Republicans succeed in winning back the House majority. But his constant praise of Stefanik serves as a reminder that she has passed a loyalty test with Trump that McCarthy has not. Trump speaks with Stefanik multiple times a week and describes her as “one of my killers,” thanks to her key role as his chief defender on the House Intelligence Committee during his first impeachment trial. Her opportunism is criticized by her detractors, but celebrated by some on the hard right, who think she has revealed herself as someone willing to go to any length to rise. At a recent fundraiser in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump even floated her name as a potential presidential candidate in 2028. “I’m not going to even engage in that,” she said when asked about her future in House leadership. “I’m supporting Kevin McCarthy for speaker. I don’t measure the drapes. It’s a long time between now and the November election.” (Seeking to downplay any hint of rivalry, Stefanik’s aides noted that McCarthy not only attended her wedding in 2017, but also campaigned for her at a biker bar in upstate New York during her first race.) Her political metamorphosis has come with heady rewards for an ambitious politician: a prime-time speaking slot at the Republican National Convention in 2020 and a jet-fueled rise in the ranks of her party. “Congress has gotten tougher and rougher,” said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla. “She didn’t start that. She’s proven she knows how to mix it up, and that’s one of the qualities we look for in a conference.” But Stefanik’s political calculation stunned the networks she had spent her life cultivating. She lost many of her college friends from Harvard and was asked to step aside from her role on the senior advisory committee of the university’s Institute of Politics because of her false assertions of voter fraud in the 2020 election. Her onetime mentor Ryan declined to comment about her for this article, although aides to both said they are still in touch regularly. Many friends and former colleagues think she made a cynical, short-term political gamble in her full-bore turn to Trumpism. Some have tried to warn her at various points along the road, but received a stony response. Melissa DeRosa, a childhood friend of Stefanik’s who served as a secretary to former Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York, said she had reached out in 2019 after seeing Stefanik’s performance during the impeachment hearings. “I’m really concerned you’re doing these things that will damage your credibility in the long term,” she recalled texting Stefanik. DeRosa said the reply was polite but curt. “She wrote back saying, basically: ‘You should always feel like you can tell me what you think. I appreciate your input.’” It was the end of the conversation. Other former friends and mentors said they found her shape-shifting depressing. Bill Kristol, a prominent Never Trump conservative, said he once viewed her as a rising star in the party. “I introduced her to donors and contributed to her campaign in 2014,” Kristol said, noting that at a meeting in her office in 2018 she privately agreed with him that Trump was a liability. “She seemed like a responsible elected official. Wrong.” To explain her transformation, Stefanik points to the rightward lurch of her onetime swing district, which voted for Barack Obama and was represented by a Democrat before she flipped the seat in 2014 and the district became Trump country. “I believe that my record and my time in Congress is reflective of my constituents,” she said. Privately, she has told people she was “radicalized by Adam Schiff,” the Democratic chair of the Intelligence Committee who led the first impeachment effort against Trump. Other members of the panel say that as Stefanik grew more partisan about the impeachment, her attendance at committee events and briefings dropped to almost zero. Back home, in a district that has become redder in the redistricting process, Stefanik has only grown safer politically. “When you live in an area like this, it’s a little bit of a quiet area,” said Jeff Graham, a conservative radio host and the former mayor of Watertown. “If you see your member of Congress on the news, you feel good about it.” Still, there are awkward moments. Last fall, when Stefanik was at an apple orchard in Saratoga County with her husband and her newborn son, a woman who grew up in the North Country region approached her and told her bluntly how she thought the congresswoman had compromised her values for power. Stefanik bristled, telling the constituent that she was considered one of the most bipartisan congresswomen in the country, a record that she was proud of. (A report by the Lugar Center, which seeks to enhance bipartisanship, ranked her as one of the most bipartisan members of the previous Congress, according to its index.) In an interview, Stefanik said she recalled the incident but refused to believe the woman was from her district. “Not a voter,” she said firmly. “Not a constituent.”

Elise Stefanik, reinvented in Trump’s image, embodies a changed GOP

The&nbsp;French&nbsp;government&nbsp;plans to&nbsp;file&nbsp;a&nbsp;criminal&nbsp;complaint&nbsp;against&nbsp;home&nbsp;care&nbsp;group&nbsp;Orpea&nbsp;over allegations of mistreatment of elderly patients,&nbsp;government&nbsp;minister Brigitte Bourguignon said in a statement Saturday.

Following a month and a half-long investigation into the&nbsp;group's management and financial practices, the&nbsp;government&nbsp;found "significant dysfunctioning in the&nbsp;group's management, to the detriment of the&nbsp;care&nbsp;of its residents," according to the health ministry.

The&nbsp;government&nbsp;said it would send its conclusions to state prosecutors and seek to recover public funds provided to the company after uncovering possible irregularities in how they were used.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-summons-russian-envoy-over-unacceptable-tweets-that-mocked-europe-465545">France summons Russian envoy over 'unacceptable' tweets that mocked Europe</a>

The&nbsp;government&nbsp;is seeking to recover as much as several tens of millions of euros, corresponding to the period 2017 to 2020, Bourguignon said in an interview published in the&nbsp;French&nbsp;weekly newspaper Journal du Dimanche early Sunday.

Orpea&nbsp;responded later on Saturday that while the&nbsp;government&nbsp;report "does shed light on certain dysfunctions," it also "allows us to conclude that there is no organised 'system' that would lead to widespread abuse."

"We have taken the full measure of the legitimate emotion aroused by these dysfunctions, many of which stem from the shortage of&nbsp;care&nbsp;and support professionals that affects us as it does the entire nursing home sector," said Philippe Charrier,&nbsp;Orpea&nbsp;chairman and chief executive officer.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-to-ease-covid-curbs-just-before-aprils-presidential-vote-462183">France to ease Covid curbs just before April’s presidential vote</a>

A book by independent journalist Victor Castanet in January made public claims of severe failings in hygiene&nbsp;care&nbsp;in an&nbsp;Orpea&nbsp;home for elderly people in a wealthy Paris suburb. The&nbsp;French&nbsp;group&nbsp;has repeatedly denied systemic shortcomings and said in its statement on Saturday that it denies "several particularly serious allegations" in the book.

The&nbsp;government&nbsp;is inspecting the country's 7,500 elderly&nbsp;care&nbsp;homes over the next two years and plans to reinforce legal and accounting rules to better regulate&nbsp;groups managing elderly&nbsp;care, with a view to better transparency over the use of public funds, it said.

Watch |&nbsp;French Presidential election: Emmanuel Macron all set for re-election

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/french-presidential-election-emmanuel-macron-all-set-for-re-election-465782/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The French government plans to file a criminal complaint against home care group Orpea over allegations of mistreatment of elderly patients, government minister Brigitte Bourguignon said in a statement Saturday.

The French government plans to file a criminal complaint against home care group Orpea over allegations of mistreatment of elderly patients, government minister Brigitte Bourguignon said in a statement Saturday. Following a month and a half-long investigation into the group's management and financial practices, the government found "significant dysfunctioning in the group's management, to the detriment of the care of its residents," according to the health ministry. The government said it would send its conclusions to state prosecutors and seek to recover public funds provided to the company after uncovering possible irregularities in how they were used. Also read | France summons Russian envoy over 'unacceptable' tweets that mocked Europe The government is seeking to recover as much as several tens of millions of euros, corresponding to the period 2017 to 2020, Bourguignon said in an interview published in the French weekly newspaper Journal du Dimanche early Sunday. Orpea responded later on Saturday that while the government report "does shed light on certain dysfunctions," it also "allows us to conclude that there is no organised 'system' that would lead to widespread abuse." "We have taken the full measure of the legitimate emotion aroused by these dysfunctions, many of which stem from the shortage of care and support professionals that affects us as it does the entire nursing home sector," said Philippe Charrier, Orpea chairman and chief executive officer. Also read | France to ease Covid curbs just before April’s presidential vote A book by independent journalist Victor Castanet in January made public claims of severe failings in hygiene care in an Orpea home for elderly people in a wealthy Paris suburb. The French group has repeatedly denied systemic shortcomings and said in its statement on Saturday that it denies "several particularly serious allegations" in the book. The government is inspecting the country's 7,500 elderly care homes over the next two years and plans to reinforce legal and accounting rules to better regulate groups managing elderly care, with a view to better transparency over the use of public funds, it said. Watch | French Presidential election: Emmanuel Macron all set for re-election

French government to file criminal complaint against care group Orpea

Russian&nbsp;oligarchs&nbsp;are&nbsp;welcome&nbsp;in&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;but must abide by international law in order to do any business, Turkish&nbsp;Foreign&nbsp;Minister&nbsp;Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Saturday.

Turkey&nbsp;has strongly criticized Russia's invasion of Ukraine but opposes sanctions imposed by its NATO allies on principle.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-army-fired-again-at-a-nuclear-research-facility-in-kharkiv-says-ukraine-465843">&nbsp;Russian army fired again at a nuclear research facility in Kharkiv, says Ukraine</a>

"If&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;oligarchs&nbsp;... or any&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;citizens want to visit&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;of course they can," Cavusoglu said in response to a question at the Doha Forum international conference.

"If you mean whether these&nbsp;oligarchs&nbsp;can do any business in&nbsp;Turkey, then of course if it is legal and not against international law, I will consider it," he said, adding: "If it is against international law then that is another story."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/erdogan-turkeys-position-on-russian-s-400-missile-acquisition-remains-the-same-465488">Erdogan: Turkey's position on Russian S-400 missile acquisition remains the same</a>

Two superyachts linked to&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;billionaire Roman Abramovich have docked in Turkish resorts.

Western governments have targeted Abramovich and several other&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;oligarchs&nbsp;with sanctions as they seek to isolate President Vladimir Putin and his allies over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Turkey taking advantage of war in Ukraine?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-turkey-taking-advantage-of-war-in-ukraine-461453/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Russian oligarchs are welcome in Turkey but must abide by international law in order to do any business, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Saturday.

Russian oligarchs are welcome in Turkey but must abide by international law in order to do any business, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Saturday. Turkey has strongly criticized Russia's invasion of Ukraine but opposes sanctions imposed by its NATO allies on principle. Also read | Russian army fired again at a nuclear research facility in Kharkiv, says Ukraine "If Russian oligarchs ... or any Russian citizens want to visit Turkey of course they can," Cavusoglu said in response to a question at the Doha Forum international conference. "If you mean whether these oligarchs can do any business in Turkey, then of course if it is legal and not against international law, I will consider it," he said, adding: "If it is against international law then that is another story." Also read | Erdogan: Turkey's position on Russian S-400 missile acquisition remains the same Two superyachts linked to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich have docked in Turkish resorts. Western governments have targeted Abramovich and several other Russian oligarchs with sanctions as they seek to isolate President Vladimir Putin and his allies over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Watch | Gravitas: Turkey taking advantage of war in Ukraine?

Russian oligarchs welcome in Turkey, says Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Sunday reported a recent incident of "close&nbsp;distance&nbsp;maneuvering" by a&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;Coast Guard (CCG) vessel in the disputed South China Sea that "constrained" the movement of a Philippine ship sailing nearby.

The March 2 incident took place during the PCG's maritime patrol operations around the&nbsp;Scarborough&nbsp;Shoal, locally known as Bajo de Masinloc, the PCG said in a news release.

It was yet unclear whether the&nbsp;Philippines&nbsp;had lodged a diplomatic protest for the incident. The PCG said it had to wait for the go-signal from the country's National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea before making the incident public.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-flee-after-philippine-volcano-erupts-465693">Thousands flee after Philippine volcano erupts</a>

The incident involved a CCG vessel with bow number 3305 that conducted close&nbsp;distance&nbsp;maneuvering over an area of approximately 21 yards (19.2 m) in the direction of Philippine vessel BRP Malabrigo, the PCG said.

"This constrained the maneuvering space of BRP Malabrigo - a clear violation of the 1972 International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS)," the PCG said.

The PCG had asked the country's Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to help address the issue through "rules-based and peaceful approaches," according to the PCG commandant, Admiral Artemio Abu.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/to-prevent-rape-and-abuse-philippines-raises-age-of-sexual-consent-to-16-459948">To prevent rape and abuse, Philippines raises age of sexual consent to 16</a>

The DFA and the&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

China lays claim to most of the waters within a so-called Nine Dash Line in the South China Sea, which is also contested by Brunei, Malaysia, the&nbsp;Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Abu said it was the fourth reported incident of close&nbsp;distance&nbsp;maneuvering involving CCG and Philippine vessels in the&nbsp;Scarborough&nbsp;Shoal&nbsp;since May last year.

Despite the risks, Abu said the deployment of Philippine assets and personnel to waters within the country's exclusive economic zones would continue.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: The Philippines delays RCEP nod

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-the-philippines-delays-rcep-nod-453334/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Sunday reported a recent incident of "close distance maneuvering" by a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel in the disputed South China Sea that "constrained" the movement of a Philippine ship sailing nearby.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Sunday reported a recent incident of "close distance maneuvering" by a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel in the disputed South China Sea that "constrained" the movement of a Philippine ship sailing nearby. The March 2 incident took place during the PCG's maritime patrol operations around the Scarborough Shoal, locally known as Bajo de Masinloc, the PCG said in a news release. It was yet unclear whether the Philippines had lodged a diplomatic protest for the incident. The PCG said it had to wait for the go-signal from the country's National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea before making the incident public. Also read | Thousands flee after Philippine volcano erupts The incident involved a CCG vessel with bow number 3305 that conducted close distance maneuvering over an area of approximately 21 yards (19.2 m) in the direction of Philippine vessel BRP Malabrigo, the PCG said. "This constrained the maneuvering space of BRP Malabrigo - a clear violation of the 1972 International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS)," the PCG said. The PCG had asked the country's Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to help address the issue through "rules-based and peaceful approaches," according to the PCG commandant, Admiral Artemio Abu. Also read | To prevent rape and abuse, Philippines raises age of sexual consent to 16 The DFA and the Chinese embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to requests for comment. China lays claim to most of the waters within a so-called Nine Dash Line in the South China Sea, which is also contested by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. Abu said it was the fourth reported incident of close distance maneuvering involving CCG and Philippine vessels in the Scarborough Shoal since May last year. Despite the risks, Abu said the deployment of Philippine assets and personnel to waters within the country's exclusive economic zones would continue. Watch | Gravitas: The Philippines delays RCEP nod

Philippines slams Chinese ship's 'close distance maneuvering' at Scarborough Shoal

El&nbsp;Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has urged lawmakers to declare a state of emergency after authorities arrested top gang leaders over a wave of bloodshed that has left dozens dead in just two days.

Gang violence has soared in&nbsp;El&nbsp;Salvador, with police reporting that 62 people were killed on Saturday alone.

"We will not back down in this war against gangs, we will not rest until the criminals responsible for these acts are captured and brought to justice," the country's National Civil Police posted on Twitter.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/el-salvador-orders-arrest-of-former-president-over-killing-of-six-jesuits-in-civil-war-461506">&nbsp;El Salvador orders arrest of former president over killing of six Jesuits in civil war</a>

According to the official figures, 12 of the killings took place in the central department of La Libertad, with the capital San&nbsp;Salvador&nbsp;and the western department of Ahuachapan recording nine each. The rest were distributed across the country's remaining departments.

Hours earlier, police and the military arrested several leaders of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang over the spate of killings.&nbsp;

In response to the surge in violence, Bukele asked the legislature -- controlled by his ruling party -- to meet to declare a state of emergency, under which certain freedoms are curtailed.

The Salvadoran constitution says that a state of emergency can be put into place "in cases of war, invasion of territory, rebellion, sedition, catastrophe, epidemic or other general calamity, or serious disturbances of public order."

In its plenary session Sunday morning, lawmakers will also pay tribute to those killed by gangs.

Bukele urgently gathered top security officials, along with the attorney general, to address the issue, the National Civil Police reported Saturday afternoon.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/el-salvadors-bukele-tells-bitcoin-wary-us-senators-to-stay-out-of-internal-affairs-453960">Bukele warns bitcoin-wary 'boomer' US senators to stay out of El Salvador's internal affairs</a>

'Let the agents do their job'&nbsp;

"Since yesterday, we have had a new spike in homicides, something that we had worked so hard to reduce," Bukele said in a statement posted on Twitter by Congress president Ernesto Castro.

"While we fight criminals in the streets, we must try to figure out what is happening and who is financing this."

Bukele said the country "must let the agents and soldiers do their job and must defend them from the accusations of those who protect the gang members."

He also asked the prosecutor's office "to be effective with all" gang member cases it processes, warning he would keep an eye on "judges who favor criminals."

Top government human rights lawyer Ricardo Martinez asked the population to "remain calm" and contribute to the promotion of "a culture of peace" in the country.

Last November,&nbsp;El&nbsp;Salvador&nbsp;suffered another spike in homicides that claimed the lives of some 45 people in three days.

The Mara Salvatrucha and Barrio-18 gangs, among others, have about 70,000 members in&nbsp;El&nbsp;Salvador, according to authorities, and their operations involve homicides, extortion and drug trafficking.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-women-convicted-of-abortion-finally-freed-in-el-salvador-440011">Three women convicted of abortion finally freed in El Salvador</a>

The country registered 1,140 murders in 2021 -- an average of 18 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants -- less than the 1,341 registered the previous year and the lowest figure since the end of the civil war in 1992, according to official data.&nbsp;

Elected in 2019, Bukele enjoys broad support in&nbsp;El&nbsp;Salvador&nbsp;over his promises to fight organized crime and improve security in the violence-wracked country.&nbsp;&nbsp;

His allies also hold a large majority in the country's Congress -- a situation not seen since a peace deal in 1992 put an end to 12 years of bloody civil war.&nbsp;

But he has also long been accused of authoritarian tendencies.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;El Salvador's president Nayib Bukele Plans World's First Bitcoin City

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/el-salvadors-president-nayib-bukele-plans-worlds-first-bitcoin-city-431120/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has urged lawmakers to declare a state of emergency after authorities arrested top gang leaders over a wave of bloodshed that has left dozens dead in just two days.

El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has urged lawmakers to declare a state of emergency after authorities arrested top gang leaders over a wave of bloodshed that has left dozens dead in just two days. Gang violence has soared in El Salvador, with police reporting that 62 people were killed on Saturday alone. "We will not back down in this war against gangs, we will not rest until the criminals responsible for these acts are captured and brought to justice," the country's National Civil Police posted on Twitter. Also read | El Salvador orders arrest of former president over killing of six Jesuits in civil war According to the official figures, 12 of the killings took place in the central department of La Libertad, with the capital San Salvador and the western department of Ahuachapan recording nine each. The rest were distributed across the country's remaining departments. Hours earlier, police and the military arrested several leaders of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang over the spate of killings. In response to the surge in violence, Bukele asked the legislature -- controlled by his ruling party -- to meet to declare a state of emergency, under which certain freedoms are curtailed. The Salvadoran constitution says that a state of emergency can be put into place "in cases of war, invasion of territory, rebellion, sedition, catastrophe, epidemic or other general calamity, or serious disturbances of public order." In its plenary session Sunday morning, lawmakers will also pay tribute to those killed by gangs. Bukele urgently gathered top security officials, along with the attorney general, to address the issue, the National Civil Police reported Saturday afternoon. Also read | Bukele warns bitcoin-wary 'boomer' US senators to stay out of El Salvador's internal affairs 'Let the agents do their job' "Since yesterday, we have had a new spike in homicides, something that we had worked so hard to reduce," Bukele said in a statement posted on Twitter by Congress president Ernesto Castro. "While we fight criminals in the streets, we must try to figure out what is happening and who is financing this." Bukele said the country "must let the agents and soldiers do their job and must defend them from the accusations of those who protect the gang members." He also asked the prosecutor's office "to be effective with all" gang member cases it processes, warning he would keep an eye on "judges who favor criminals." Top government human rights lawyer Ricardo Martinez asked the population to "remain calm" and contribute to the promotion of "a culture of peace" in the country. Last November, El Salvador suffered another spike in homicides that claimed the lives of some 45 people in three days. The Mara Salvatrucha and Barrio-18 gangs, among others, have about 70,000 members in El Salvador, according to authorities, and their operations involve homicides, extortion and drug trafficking. Also read | Three women convicted of abortion finally freed in El Salvador The country registered 1,140 murders in 2021 -- an average of 18 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants -- less than the 1,341 registered the previous year and the lowest figure since the end of the civil war in 1992, according to official data. Elected in 2019, Bukele enjoys broad support in El Salvador over his promises to fight organized crime and improve security in the violence-wracked country. His allies also hold a large majority in the country's Congress -- a situation not seen since a peace deal in 1992 put an end to 12 years of bloody civil war. But he has also long been accused of authoritarian tendencies. Watch | El Salvador's president Nayib Bukele Plans World's First Bitcoin City

El Salvador's Bukele seeks emergency powers over spike in gang killings

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) informed that on Sunday (March 27), the country has successfully carried out the test firing of the Medium Range Surface to Air Missile air defence system.&nbsp;

The test-fire was carried out off the coast of Odisha's Balasore, which is an eastern Indian state.&nbsp;

DRDO said that the missile was test-fired at 10.30 am (local time) validating long-range parameters.&nbsp;

DRDO said in a tweet: "MRSAM-Army missile system flight tested from ITR Balasore, Odisha at around 1030 hours intercepting a high-speed aerial target at long range."&nbsp;

"The system is part of the Indian Army. In the test, the missile secured a direct hit at the target at a very far off distance,"&nbsp;DRDO officials said.&nbsp;

The MRSAM system provides point and area air defence for ground assets against a wide range of threats including fighter aircraft, UAVs, helicopters, guided and unguided munitions, sub-sonic &amp; supersonic cruise missiles etc.&nbsp;

It is capable of engaging multiple targets at ranges up to 70 kilometres in severe saturation scenarios. The missile is powered by an indigenously developed rocket motor and control system for achieving high manoeuvrability during the terminal phase.&nbsp;

The firing unit comprises of Missiles, Combat Management System (CMS), Mobile Launcher Systems (MLS), Advanced Long Range Radar, Mobile Power System (MPS), Radar Power System (RPS), Reloader Vehicle (RV) and Field Service Vehicle (FSV).&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
MRSAM-Army missile system flight tested from ITR Balasore at around 1030 Hrs intercepting a high speed aerial target at long range. The target was destroyed by the missile in a direct hit.<a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PMOIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DefenceMinIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DefenceMinIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SpokespersonMoD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpokespersonMoD</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/adgpi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@adgpi</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ra5yfHaHo1">pic.twitter.com/Ra5yfHaHo1</a>
— DRDO (@DRDO_India) <a href="https://twitter.com/DRDO_India/status/1507976736813637637?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) informed that on Sunday (March 27), the country has successfully carried out the test firing of the Medium Range Surface to Air Missile air defence system.

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) informed that on Sunday (March 27), the country has successfully carried out the test firing of the Medium Range Surface to Air Missile air defence system. The test-fire was carried out off the coast of Odisha's Balasore, which is an eastern Indian state. DRDO said that the missile was test-fired at 10.30 am (local time) validating long-range parameters. DRDO said in a tweet: "MRSAM-Army missile system flight tested from ITR Balasore, Odisha at around 1030 hours intercepting a high-speed aerial target at long range." "The system is part of the Indian Army. In the test, the missile secured a direct hit at the target at a very far off distance," DRDO officials said. The MRSAM system provides point and area air defence for ground assets against a wide range of threats including fighter aircraft, UAVs, helicopters, guided and unguided munitions, sub-sonic & supersonic cruise missiles etc. It is capable of engaging multiple targets at ranges up to 70 kilometres in severe saturation scenarios. The missile is powered by an indigenously developed rocket motor and control system for achieving high manoeuvrability during the terminal phase. The firing unit comprises of Missiles, Combat Management System (CMS), Mobile Launcher Systems (MLS), Advanced Long Range Radar, Mobile Power System (MPS), Radar Power System (RPS), Reloader Vehicle (RV) and Field Service Vehicle (FSV). MRSAM-Army missile system flight tested from ITR Balasore at around 1030 Hrs intercepting a high speed aerial target at long range. The target was destroyed by the missile in a direct hit.@PMOIndia @DefenceMinIndia @SpokespersonMoD @adgpi pic.twitter.com/Ra5yfHaHo1 — DRDO (@DRDO_India) March 27, 2022 ×

India successfully test-fires advanced version of Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM)

Author

Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Srishti Sisodia

Home

Live Tv

Latest

World

India

Business

Entertainment

Sports

Opinions

Videos

Photos

Gravitas

Lifestyle

Science

Tech

Rajasthan News in Hindi: In-depth coverage of Rajasthan Crime, Political News, Education, Rajasthan Weather Update and Latest Rajasthan News on Zee News Rajasthan.