Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. A senior Pentagon official said on Wednesday (March 23) claimed that the Ukrainian forces have pushed back Russian forces on the frontlines east of Kyiv. The official further told that the Russian army started to establish defensive positions on several fronts in the country as it has retreated more than 30 kilometres east of Kyiv in the past 24 hours. "The Ukrainians have managed to push the Russians back 55 kilometres east and northeast of Kyiv. That is a change from yesterday, the senior official, who requested anonymity, told reporters. ALSO READ | Ukraine uses facial recognition to identify dead Russian soldiers and tell families Pentagon on Tuesday (March 22) had estimated that Russian forces were around 20 kilometres from the centre of the capital. As per the official, to the northwest, "they're [Russian forces] basically digging in and they are establishing defensive positions. So it's not that they're not advancing. They're actually not trying to advance right now." Meanwhile, CNN reported quoting the official that Russian forces are becoming more active in the eastern part of Ukraine in the Donbas area. The report quoted the official as saying that Russian forces have "applied a lot more energy" in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, the two areas the Kremlin declared as independent republics ahead of last month's invasion. ALSO READ | Zelensky to address Swedish and Danish parliaments in coming days "We're starting to see them sort of dig in around Kyiv, but really trying to go more on the offence than they have been, more energy apply to that eastern part," the official said. "So that's a little bit of a change from what we've been talking about before," the official added. The claims were made a day after Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said that the Ukrainians are "in places and at times going on an offensive." He added they are "going after Russians and pushing them out of places." WATCH | Gravitas: Will Putin launch a nuclear strike? ×

Pentagon says Russian army 'taking defensive positions' in Ukraine

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, an assessment done by the United States claims that the Russian military committed war crimes in Ukraine after President Vladimir Putin ordered special "military operations" in the neighbouring country.&nbsp;

On Wednesday (March 23), the US said that public information and intelligence it has collected amounts to strong evidence that the war crimes have been committed in Ukraine.&nbsp;

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement, "Today, I can announce that, based on information currently available, the US government assesses that members of Russia's forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine."&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-to-provide-6000-missiles-to-ukraine-germany-says-further-strela-missiles-on-way-to-kyiv-465032">UK to provide 6,000 missiles to Ukraine; Germany says further Strela missiles on way to Kyiv</a>

"We've seen numerous credible reports of indiscriminate attacks and attacks deliberately targeting civilians, as well as other atrocities," Blinken said.&nbsp;

The US assessment that tells that war crimes were committed "is based on a careful review of available information from public and intelligence sources," he said.&nbsp;

"We are committed to pursuing accountability using every tool available, including criminal prosecutions," he added.&nbsp;

As per United Nations, the concept of war crimes developed particularly at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century.&nbsp;

During that time, the international humanitarian law, which is also known as the law of armed conflict, was codified. &nbsp;

The Hague Conventions was adopted in 1899 and 1907 focus on the prohibition of warring parties to use certain means and methods of warfare.&nbsp;

War crimes mean grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949. Violation includes wilful killing, torture or inhuman treatment, wilfully causing great suffering, extensive destruction and appropriation of property, etc.&nbsp;

ALSO&nbsp; READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pentagon-says-russian-army-taking-defensive-positions-in-ukraine-465022">Pentagon says Russian army 'taking defensive positions' in Ukraine</a>

<hr />
Outrage over Mariupol theatre bombing

The announcement of assessment came as Russian forces continued to bombard the southern Ukraine city of Mariupol.&nbsp;

Some days ago, Russian forces bombed&nbsp;a maternity hospital and a theatre where hundreds of civilians had taken refuge. The incident had sparked global outrage.&nbsp;

However, Blinken did not specify cases that the United States had concluded amounted to war crimes. But he talked about the devastation of Mariupol in his announcement.&nbsp;

"As of March 22, officials in besieged Mariupol said that more than 2,400 civilians had been killed in that city alone," he said.&nbsp;

US President Joe Biden last week labelled Putin as "a war criminal" for attacking Ukraine.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, NATO leaders prepare for an emergency summit

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(With inputs from agencies)

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. Amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, an assessment done by the United States claims that the Russian military committed war crimes in Ukraine after President Vladimir Putin ordered special "military operations" in the neighbouring country. On Wednesday (March 23), the US said that public information and intelligence it has collected amounts to strong evidence that the war crimes have been committed in Ukraine. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement, "Today, I can announce that, based on information currently available, the US government assesses that members of Russia's forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine." ALSO READ | UK to provide 6,000 missiles to Ukraine; Germany says further Strela missiles on way to Kyiv "We've seen numerous credible reports of indiscriminate attacks and attacks deliberately targeting civilians, as well as other atrocities," Blinken said. The US assessment that tells that war crimes were committed "is based on a careful review of available information from public and intelligence sources," he said. "We are committed to pursuing accountability using every tool available, including criminal prosecutions," he added. As per United Nations, the concept of war crimes developed particularly at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. During that time, the international humanitarian law, which is also known as the law of armed conflict, was codified. The Hague Conventions was adopted in 1899 and 1907 focus on the prohibition of warring parties to use certain means and methods of warfare. War crimes mean grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949. Violation includes wilful killing, torture or inhuman treatment, wilfully causing great suffering, extensive destruction and appropriation of property, etc. ALSO READ | Pentagon says Russian army 'taking defensive positions' in Ukraine Outrage over Mariupol theatre bombing The announcement of assessment came as Russian forces continued to bombard the southern Ukraine city of Mariupol. Some days ago, Russian forces bombed a maternity hospital and a theatre where hundreds of civilians had taken refuge. The incident had sparked global outrage. However, Blinken did not specify cases that the United States had concluded amounted to war crimes. But he talked about the devastation of Mariupol in his announcement. "As of March 22, officials in besieged Mariupol said that more than 2,400 civilians had been killed in that city alone," he said. US President Joe Biden last week labelled Putin as "a war criminal" for attacking Ukraine. WATCH | Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, NATO leaders prepare for an emergency summit × (With inputs from agencies)

US government assesses Russian forces committed war crimes in Ukraine

One month since Russia invaded Ukraine: Hundreds dead, millions displaced - When will it end?

Amid escalating Ukraine crisis, another nuclear warning has been issued. A top Russian diplomat warned the NATO countries Wednesday (March 23), as he said that they are dealing with nuclear power and should not threaten Moscow.&nbsp;

During an interview with Sky News, Dmitry Polyanskiy, who is a Russian Deputy Ambassador to the UN, said, "If Russia is provoked by NATO, if Russia is attacked by NATO I don't know ... we are a nuclear power, why not?"&nbsp;

He was then asked, whether it was a "legitimate thing" to say, Polyanskiy replied: "I don't think it's the right thing to be saying but it's not a right thing to threaten Russia and to try to interfere."

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oksana-baulina-russian-journalist-killed-during-bombardment-in-kyiv-465090">Oksana Baulina: Russian journalist killed during bombardment in Kyiv</a>

"So when you're dealing with a nuclear power of course you have to calculate all the possible outcomes of your behaviour," he further added.&nbsp;

On being asked about the allegations of war crimes,&nbsp;Polyanskiy said, "I don't think we're committing war crimes in Ukraine. Of course, it's not up to me to assess. I'm not there. You're not there. You're looking at the videos, you're looking at the many of videos which are considered to be fake news. You believe one thing, I believe another thing."

During an interaction with CNN International on Tuesday (March 22), Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia would only use nuclear weapons in the context of the Ukraine conflict if it were facing an "existential threat".&nbsp;

Peskov said as quoted by the media outlet, "We have a concept of domestic security, and it's public. You can read all the reasons for nuclear arms to be used. So if it is an existential threat for our country, then it can be used in accordance with our concept."&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Russian reformer Anatoly Chubais quits as Putin's special envoy

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&nbsp;

Amid escalating Ukraine crisis, another nuclear warning has been issued. A top Russian diplomat warned the NATO countries Wednesday (March 23), as he said that they are dealing with nuclear power and should not threaten Moscow.

Amid escalating Ukraine crisis, another nuclear warning has been issued. A top Russian diplomat warned the NATO countries Wednesday (March 23), as he said that they are dealing with nuclear power and should not threaten Moscow. During an interview with Sky News, Dmitry Polyanskiy, who is a Russian Deputy Ambassador to the UN, said, "If Russia is provoked by NATO, if Russia is attacked by NATO I don't know ... we are a nuclear power, why not?" He was then asked, whether it was a "legitimate thing" to say, Polyanskiy replied: "I don't think it's the right thing to be saying but it's not a right thing to threaten Russia and to try to interfere." ALSO READ | Oksana Baulina: Russian journalist killed during bombardment in Kyiv "So when you're dealing with a nuclear power of course you have to calculate all the possible outcomes of your behaviour," he further added. On being asked about the allegations of war crimes, Polyanskiy said, "I don't think we're committing war crimes in Ukraine. Of course, it's not up to me to assess. I'm not there. You're not there. You're looking at the videos, you're looking at the many of videos which are considered to be fake news. You believe one thing, I believe another thing." During an interaction with CNN International on Tuesday (March 22), Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia would only use nuclear weapons in the context of the Ukraine conflict if it were facing an "existential threat". Peskov said as quoted by the media outlet, "We have a concept of domestic security, and it's public. You can read all the reasons for nuclear arms to be used. So if it is an existential threat for our country, then it can be used in accordance with our concept." WATCH | Russian reformer Anatoly Chubais quits as Putin's special envoy ×

'We are a nuclear power, why not?': Top Russian diplomat over Ukraine invasion

Britain's Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge, expressed "profound sorrow" to Jamaicans over the "appalling atrocity of slavery" while speaking in Kingston, Jamaica. William called the transatlantic slave trade an atrocity that "forever stains our history".

William and his wife Kate are on an eight-day tour to the region. He addressed an audience hosted by the governor-general of Jamaica Patrick Allen on Wednesday (March 23).&nbsp;

During the landmark speech, William echoed a statement made by his father, Prince Charles, who last year in Barbados said slavery "forever stains our history".&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wikileaks-founder-julian-assange-gets-married-in-british-high-security-prison-465040">WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange gets married in British high-security prison</a>

As William addressed dignitaries in Jamaica, he said as quoted by news agencies:&nbsp;"Slavery was abhorrent. And it should never have happened. While the pain runs deep, Jamaica continues to forge its future with determination, courage and fortitude."&nbsp;

"The strength and shared sense of purpose of the Jamaican people, represented in your flag and motto, celebrate an invincible spirit," he added.&nbsp;

"It is this same spirit that spurred on the Windrush generation, who came to the United Kingdom to help rebuild after the Second World War."

"We are forever grateful for the immense contribution that this generation and their descendants have made to British life, which continues to enrich and improve our society," he further added.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spring-statement-2022-uk-confronts-cost-of-living-crisis-with-inflation-fighting-budget-465026">Spring Statement 2022: UK confronts cost of living crisis with inflation-fighting budget</a>

While speaking at a press briefing, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said William's three-day visit to the island offered a chance to address "unresolved" issues.&nbsp;

He said Jamaica is "moving on" and embracing its destiny as an independent country later calling the Caribbean nation's switch to a republican model "inevitable".&nbsp;

William and Kate's arrival in the former British colony sparked protests over Britain's colonial-era role in the slave trade. The Protesters&nbsp;called&nbsp;for reparations and demand the monarchy apologise for its role in the slave trade.&nbsp;

William expressed sorrow but didn't offer an apology.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;UK to send 6,000 missiles and $33 million financial aid to Ukraine

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(With inputs from agencies)

Britain's Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge, expressed "profound sorrow" to Jamaicans over the "appalling atrocity of slavery" while speaking in Kingston, Jamaica.

Britain's Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge, expressed "profound sorrow" to Jamaicans over the "appalling atrocity of slavery" while speaking in Kingston, Jamaica. William called the transatlantic slave trade an atrocity that "forever stains our history". William and his wife Kate are on an eight-day tour to the region. He addressed an audience hosted by the governor-general of Jamaica Patrick Allen on Wednesday (March 23). During the landmark speech, William echoed a statement made by his father, Prince Charles, who last year in Barbados said slavery "forever stains our history". ALSO READ | WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange gets married in British high-security prison As William addressed dignitaries in Jamaica, he said as quoted by news agencies: "Slavery was abhorrent. And it should never have happened. While the pain runs deep, Jamaica continues to forge its future with determination, courage and fortitude." "The strength and shared sense of purpose of the Jamaican people, represented in your flag and motto, celebrate an invincible spirit," he added. "It is this same spirit that spurred on the Windrush generation, who came to the United Kingdom to help rebuild after the Second World War." "We are forever grateful for the immense contribution that this generation and their descendants have made to British life, which continues to enrich and improve our society," he further added. ALSO READ | Spring Statement 2022: UK confronts cost of living crisis with inflation-fighting budget While speaking at a press briefing, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said William's three-day visit to the island offered a chance to address "unresolved" issues. He said Jamaica is "moving on" and embracing its destiny as an independent country later calling the Caribbean nation's switch to a republican model "inevitable". William and Kate's arrival in the former British colony sparked protests over Britain's colonial-era role in the slave trade. The Protesters called for reparations and demand the monarchy apologise for its role in the slave trade. William expressed sorrow but didn't offer an apology. WATCH | UK to send 6,000 missiles and $33 million financial aid to Ukraine × (With inputs from agencies)

UK's Prince William expresses 'profound sorrow' for slavery in Jamaica speech, but no apology

When the signal came over the radio that the NATO border was under attack, German tanks fanned out into the forest to stall the enemy’s advance. In short succession, men in camouflage tumbled out of the back of the tanks and took cover between the trees, assault rifles at the ready.

The battle that ensued one recent afternoon near the town of Rukla in Lithuania, 60 miles from the Russian border, was only an exercise. But since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the mission of NATO’s battlegroup in Lithuania to defend the alliance’s external border no longer feels abstract to the soldiers and the country most of them come from.

“The threat perception in Germany changed overnight,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Andrä, the commander of the 1,600-strong battlegroup in Lithuania. “We felt safe, in the middle of the continent, surrounded by friends. Now we have a full-spectrum war in Europe, and we are concerned, especially since we don’t know how far the escalation spiral will turn.”

Three days after Russia attacked Ukraine last month, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany stood in Parliament and announced the biggest rearmament program for his country since the end of the Cold War, vowing not only to increase the defense budget beyond the NATO target that Germany had failed to hit for years but to invest an immediate 100 billion euros — two full years of military spending — to turn around years of underfunding of the German military.

It was a revolution in a country whose Nazi past had long made it reluctant to invest in military power. By the end of his 30-minute speech, Scholz had overturned a ban on shipments of arms to Ukraine, backed armed drones and committed to buying new fighter jets that can drop nuclear bombs, sealing Germany’s continued role in NATO’s system of nuclear sharing.

“It is clear that we must invest much more in the security of our country, in order to protect our freedom and our democracy,” Scholz said.

When Andrä saw the news of Scholz’s pivot from his office in Rukla, he was stunned. “I didn’t believe what I was hearing,” he recalled. “All of this would have been unthinkable only four weeks ago. It was historic.”

History is never far in Europe. The last time German soldiers set up base in Lithuania was during the country’s occupation in World War II. They drove out the Soviets, rounded up and killed more than 90% of the Jewish population before, in turn, being driven out by Soviet forces.

The Soviets stayed, making Lithuania a Soviet Republic until the Soviet Union collapsed, a humiliation that Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, seeks to vindicate with his invasion of Ukraine.

So now it is the Germans who are back — this time at the Lithuanians’ invitation — to help protect against Russian aggression.

The German soldiers in Rukla were deployed in the aftermath of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, the first part of Ukraine that the Kremlin grabbed in 2014. Along with soldiers from seven other NATO nations, they have kept watch over their section of the alliance’s border for the past five years, welcomed by the local population and officials alike. “We want a strong Germany,” said Gen. Mindaugas Steponavicius, Lithuania’s chief of the defense staff.

For decades, Germany hung back on security matters, content to lead economically as it clung to a pacifist leaning that was forged in the wake of World War II and the Holocaust. German politicians were reluctant to talk about the military; German citizens were reluctant to hear about it. Before his pivot, Scholz himself came under fierce criticism for his seeming reluctance to get tough on Russia over Ukraine.

But Russia’s attack on Ukraine has jolted not just the German government into action — public opinion has dramatically shifted, too. Two in three Germans now support arms shipments to Ukraine and back increased military spending. In mid-February, a majority was still opposed to both.

“There is a realization that military power matters,” said Claudia Major, head of the international security division at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs.

But if the war in Ukraine was a wake-up call, it has also exposed how weak a link the Germans still are in the NATO structure. On the morning of the Russian invasion, Gen. Alfons Mais, Germany’s chief of defense, posted a brutally honest assessment of where German capabilities were.

“In my 41st year of service in peace, I would not have thought I would have had to experience another war,” Mais wrote. “And the Bundeswehr, the army that I am allowed to lead, is more or less broke. The options we can offer policymakers to support the alliance are extremely limited.”

At the end of the Cold War, when West Germany was still a NATO front-line state on the border to the Soviet empire, it had more than 500,000 soldiers and spent 2.7% of its gross domestic product on defense. Today, the reunified Germany has 184,000 soldiers and spends just 1.5% of GDP on defense.

“The German military was starved of money for years because we had a strategic partnership with Russia, and we didn’t believe we had to defend our territory anymore,” said Major. “Our soldiers were deployed to help others, whether in Afghanistan or Mali. We were fighting wars of choice. But this is about us, and if we are returning to a paradigm of wars of necessity, you need the whole military to be operational.”

As the chancellor put it in his speech last month, “We need planes that fly, ships that sail and soldiers that are optimally equipped.”

There is a shortage of everything from protective vests to thermal underwear. Radio equipment is 30 years out of date. Only 1 in 3 warships is ready to deploy — so few that the navy worries it cannot meet all its international commitments.

Even in Rukla, the flagship German NATO mission which has relatively few complaints when it comes to resources, the general scarcity has been felt.

Some of the armored vehicles are five decades old. The radios are more than 30 years old. During international exercises in Lithuania, their equipment routinely made the German units “the weakest link in the chain,” soldiers reported to the parliamentary commissioner for the armed forces on their return from tours in Rukla.

Some in Lithuania joke that they would like some “real soldiers” protecting them. In neighboring Poland, Latvia and Estonia, the NATO battlegroups are led by Americans, Canadians and Britons, respectively.

“The German military is great; we’re so grateful to have them here,” said Laurynas Kasciunas, chair of the national security and defense Committee in Lithuania. “But we’d also like some American troops, please, combat-ready and ideally permanently.”

Short of that, the challenge, security experts say, is how to ensure that the 100 billion euros in special funds for the German military are spent fast — and wisely.

The government has already announced an order of as many as 35 F-35 fighter jets to replace Germany’s aging fleet of Tornado bombers. On Monday, the chancellor met with Germany’s top-ranking general to discuss what else should get priority on the government’s shopping list.

But it will take more than money to modernize the German military, experts and officials say. Procurement procedures are cumbersome and slow. Purchases above 25 million euros need to be approved individually by the parliamentary budget committee. Tenders cannot just be made in Germany but have to go out to the entire European Union.

“We need to reform the entire procurement bureaucracy,” Major said. “We now have a lot of money; if we don’t spend it wisely, we gain nothing.”

In Rukla, the revolution announced in Berlin last month is already being felt, Andrä said: “The few things that we didn’t have or don’t have, we are getting very fast right now.”

Hundreds of containers of ammunition have arrived. To get a reinforcement of 350 men to Rukla quickly, the defense minister had reduced their deployment time from 30 days to five.

“When we want to, we can move fast,” Andrä said. “We have shown that we are willing to do more.”

When the signal came over the radio that the NATO border was under attack, German tanks fanned out into the forest to stall the enemy’s advance. In short succession, men in camouflage tumbled out of the back of the tanks and took cover between the trees, assault rifles at the ready.

When the signal came over the radio that the NATO border was under attack, German tanks fanned out into the forest to stall the enemy’s advance. In short succession, men in camouflage tumbled out of the back of the tanks and took cover between the trees, assault rifles at the ready. The battle that ensued one recent afternoon near the town of Rukla in Lithuania, 60 miles from the Russian border, was only an exercise. But since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the mission of NATO’s battlegroup in Lithuania to defend the alliance’s external border no longer feels abstract to the soldiers and the country most of them come from. “The threat perception in Germany changed overnight,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Andrä, the commander of the 1,600-strong battlegroup in Lithuania. “We felt safe, in the middle of the continent, surrounded by friends. Now we have a full-spectrum war in Europe, and we are concerned, especially since we don’t know how far the escalation spiral will turn.” Three days after Russia attacked Ukraine last month, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany stood in Parliament and announced the biggest rearmament program for his country since the end of the Cold War, vowing not only to increase the defense budget beyond the NATO target that Germany had failed to hit for years but to invest an immediate 100 billion euros — two full years of military spending — to turn around years of underfunding of the German military. It was a revolution in a country whose Nazi past had long made it reluctant to invest in military power. By the end of his 30-minute speech, Scholz had overturned a ban on shipments of arms to Ukraine, backed armed drones and committed to buying new fighter jets that can drop nuclear bombs, sealing Germany’s continued role in NATO’s system of nuclear sharing. “It is clear that we must invest much more in the security of our country, in order to protect our freedom and our democracy,” Scholz said. When Andrä saw the news of Scholz’s pivot from his office in Rukla, he was stunned. “I didn’t believe what I was hearing,” he recalled. “All of this would have been unthinkable only four weeks ago. It was historic.” History is never far in Europe. The last time German soldiers set up base in Lithuania was during the country’s occupation in World War II. They drove out the Soviets, rounded up and killed more than 90% of the Jewish population before, in turn, being driven out by Soviet forces. The Soviets stayed, making Lithuania a Soviet Republic until the Soviet Union collapsed, a humiliation that Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, seeks to vindicate with his invasion of Ukraine. So now it is the Germans who are back — this time at the Lithuanians’ invitation — to help protect against Russian aggression. The German soldiers in Rukla were deployed in the aftermath of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, the first part of Ukraine that the Kremlin grabbed in 2014. Along with soldiers from seven other NATO nations, they have kept watch over their section of the alliance’s border for the past five years, welcomed by the local population and officials alike. “We want a strong Germany,” said Gen. Mindaugas Steponavicius, Lithuania’s chief of the defense staff. For decades, Germany hung back on security matters, content to lead economically as it clung to a pacifist leaning that was forged in the wake of World War II and the Holocaust. German politicians were reluctant to talk about the military; German citizens were reluctant to hear about it. Before his pivot, Scholz himself came under fierce criticism for his seeming reluctance to get tough on Russia over Ukraine. But Russia’s attack on Ukraine has jolted not just the German government into action — public opinion has dramatically shifted, too. Two in three Germans now support arms shipments to Ukraine and back increased military spending. In mid-February, a majority was still opposed to both. “There is a realization that military power matters,” said Claudia Major, head of the international security division at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs. But if the war in Ukraine was a wake-up call, it has also exposed how weak a link the Germans still are in the NATO structure. On the morning of the Russian invasion, Gen. Alfons Mais, Germany’s chief of defense, posted a brutally honest assessment of where German capabilities were. “In my 41st year of service in peace, I would not have thought I would have had to experience another war,” Mais wrote. “And the Bundeswehr, the army that I am allowed to lead, is more or less broke. The options we can offer policymakers to support the alliance are extremely limited.” At the end of the Cold War, when West Germany was still a NATO front-line state on the border to the Soviet empire, it had more than 500,000 soldiers and spent 2.7% of its gross domestic product on defense. Today, the reunified Germany has 184,000 soldiers and spends just 1.5% of GDP on defense. “The German military was starved of money for years because we had a strategic partnership with Russia, and we didn’t believe we had to defend our territory anymore,” said Major. “Our soldiers were deployed to help others, whether in Afghanistan or Mali. We were fighting wars of choice. But this is about us, and if we are returning to a paradigm of wars of necessity, you need the whole military to be operational.” As the chancellor put it in his speech last month, “We need planes that fly, ships that sail and soldiers that are optimally equipped.” There is a shortage of everything from protective vests to thermal underwear. Radio equipment is 30 years out of date. Only 1 in 3 warships is ready to deploy — so few that the navy worries it cannot meet all its international commitments. Even in Rukla, the flagship German NATO mission which has relatively few complaints when it comes to resources, the general scarcity has been felt. Some of the armored vehicles are five decades old. The radios are more than 30 years old. During international exercises in Lithuania, their equipment routinely made the German units “the weakest link in the chain,” soldiers reported to the parliamentary commissioner for the armed forces on their return from tours in Rukla. Some in Lithuania joke that they would like some “real soldiers” protecting them. In neighboring Poland, Latvia and Estonia, the NATO battlegroups are led by Americans, Canadians and Britons, respectively. “The German military is great; we’re so grateful to have them here,” said Laurynas Kasciunas, chair of the national security and defense Committee in Lithuania. “But we’d also like some American troops, please, combat-ready and ideally permanently.” Short of that, the challenge, security experts say, is how to ensure that the 100 billion euros in special funds for the German military are spent fast — and wisely. The government has already announced an order of as many as 35 F-35 fighter jets to replace Germany’s aging fleet of Tornado bombers. On Monday, the chancellor met with Germany’s top-ranking general to discuss what else should get priority on the government’s shopping list. But it will take more than money to modernize the German military, experts and officials say. Procurement procedures are cumbersome and slow. Purchases above 25 million euros need to be approved individually by the parliamentary budget committee. Tenders cannot just be made in Germany but have to go out to the entire European Union. “We need to reform the entire procurement bureaucracy,” Major said. “We now have a lot of money; if we don’t spend it wisely, we gain nothing.” In Rukla, the revolution announced in Berlin last month is already being felt, Andrä said: “The few things that we didn’t have or don’t have, we are getting very fast right now.” Hundreds of containers of ammunition have arrived. To get a reinforcement of 350 men to Rukla quickly, the defense minister had reduced their deployment time from 30 days to five. “When we want to, we can move fast,” Andrä said. “We have shown that we are willing to do more.”

Germany is ready to lead militarily. Its military is not.

Iron Man of India, Sardar Patel's stature is far more taller in the hearts of the people than the 182 metres tall Statue of Unity at Kevadiya, said President Ram Nath Kovind while addressing the Gujarat state assembly on Thursday, where a function was organised as a part of 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav'. 
 
"Iron Man Sardar Patel gave a new vision to Independent India and strengthened the pillars of the country. The 182 metres tall statue of Sardar Patel at Kevadiya in Gujarat, is the tallest statue in the world. But in the eyes of the nation, Sardar Patel's stature is far more taller than the statue. This image of his, is a small gift in remembrance of that great son of India," said Ram Nath Kovind.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-starting-march-31-india-to-end-all-covid-restrictions-except-masks-464894">COVID-19: Starting March 31, India to end all virus related restrictions, except masks</a> 
 
"Gujarat's contribution to India's freedom struggle is immense. Among the top leaders who were dreaming of an independent Bharat, were from this land. People like Dadabhai Naoroji and Pherozeshah Mehta raised their voices for the rights of the people. The state of Gujarat constantly increased its presence in voicing people's concern, culminating that fight into achieving the freedom, under the guidance of Mahatma Gandhi. Not only did Mahatma Gandhi extraordinarily led the freedom struggle, but gave a new direction, a new thought and a new vision to the entire world," added Kovind. 
 
"Today, wherever the world is witnessing violence, Mahatma Gandhi's original 'Mantra' of non violence is remembered. Gujarat`s history is unparallel. The land of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel is also called as the land of Satyagraha -- seen as a mighty weapon against empirical rule," added Kovind. 
 
The President appreciated economic development Gujarat has achieved over the years. "Right from its inception in 1960, Gujarat has carved out a niche in economic development. I appreciate all the former Chief Ministers, deputy Chief Ministers in achieving this. Gujarat has also been leading the chart in milk revolution, which has made India one of the top milk producers in the world," added Kovind.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/thousand-throng-srinagars-tulip-garden-on-its-opening-day-government-hopes-it-will-revive-the-tourism-464875">Thousands throng Srinagar's tulip garden on its opening day. Government hopes it will revive the tourism</a> 
 
"In democracy, the responsibilities of public representatives are of great importance. You all are public representatives of your region and the people in your area look towards you as their 'Bhagya Vidhata'. The people are expecting a lot from you and that should be your top priority," said Kovind. After saying that in the moment of silence, he asked, "Won't you clap on that? 
 
"This is a moment of pride and honour for all of us and I thank and welcome the President for sparing his valuable time to remain present and address the house. In the entire history of the state assembly, there have been 6 special seatings and this is one of those. This function is a part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, when the 75th year of the freedom of India is being celebrated," said speaker Nimaben Acharya.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: New Delhi ranked world's most polluted capital

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-new-delhi-ranked-worlds-most-polluted-capital-464725/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Iron Man of India, Sardar Patel's stature is far more taller in the hearts of the people than the 182 metres tall Statue of Unity at Kevadiya, said President Ram Nath Kovind while addressing the Gujarat state assembly on Thursday, where a function was organised as a part of 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav'.

Iron Man of India, Sardar Patel's stature is far more taller in the hearts of the people than the 182 metres tall Statue of Unity at Kevadiya, said President Ram Nath Kovind while addressing the Gujarat state assembly on Thursday, where a function was organised as a part of 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav'. "Iron Man Sardar Patel gave a new vision to Independent India and strengthened the pillars of the country. The 182 metres tall statue of Sardar Patel at Kevadiya in Gujarat, is the tallest statue in the world. But in the eyes of the nation, Sardar Patel's stature is far more taller than the statue. This image of his, is a small gift in remembrance of that great son of India," said Ram Nath Kovind. Also read | COVID-19: Starting March 31, India to end all virus related restrictions, except masks "Gujarat's contribution to India's freedom struggle is immense. Among the top leaders who were dreaming of an independent Bharat, were from this land. People like Dadabhai Naoroji and Pherozeshah Mehta raised their voices for the rights of the people. The state of Gujarat constantly increased its presence in voicing people's concern, culminating that fight into achieving the freedom, under the guidance of Mahatma Gandhi. Not only did Mahatma Gandhi extraordinarily led the freedom struggle, but gave a new direction, a new thought and a new vision to the entire world," added Kovind. "Today, wherever the world is witnessing violence, Mahatma Gandhi's original 'Mantra' of non violence is remembered. Gujarat`s history is unparallel. The land of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel is also called as the land of Satyagraha -- seen as a mighty weapon against empirical rule," added Kovind. The President appreciated economic development Gujarat has achieved over the years. "Right from its inception in 1960, Gujarat has carved out a niche in economic development. I appreciate all the former Chief Ministers, deputy Chief Ministers in achieving this. Gujarat has also been leading the chart in milk revolution, which has made India one of the top milk producers in the world," added Kovind. Also read | Thousands throng Srinagar's tulip garden on its opening day. Government hopes it will revive the tourism "In democracy, the responsibilities of public representatives are of great importance. You all are public representatives of your region and the people in your area look towards you as their 'Bhagya Vidhata'. The people are expecting a lot from you and that should be your top priority," said Kovind. After saying that in the moment of silence, he asked, "Won't you clap on that? "This is a moment of pride and honour for all of us and I thank and welcome the President for sparing his valuable time to remain present and address the house. In the entire history of the state assembly, there have been 6 special seatings and this is one of those. This function is a part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, when the 75th year of the freedom of India is being celebrated," said speaker Nimaben Acharya. Watch | Gravitas: New Delhi ranked world's most polluted capital

Sardar Patel's stature far more taller than Statue of Unity: Indian President

As oceans continue to warm and corals continue to bleach, fish communities in Australia's Great Barrier Reef are losing their colour, a new study tells.&nbsp;

The study, which is published in Global Change Biology, monitored changes in the fish community colouration and the environment they live in.&nbsp;

The relationship between the colouration of the fish communities and the environment is likely to be impacted by global environmental change. The researchers have found potential links between corals and fish that are losing their natural colour.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/i-love-my-cool-son-brain-implant-helps-fully-paralysed-man-to-spell-out-thoughts-464964">'I love my cool son': Brain implant helps fully paralysed man to spell out thoughts</a>

The research found that the diversity of colours found within a fish community is directly related to the composition of the local environment.&nbsp;

Areas with a higher cover of structurally complex corals contained fish species with more diverse and brighter colourations, the study revealed.&nbsp;

Important to note that the abundance of yellow and green fish has dropped steadily by about three quarters over the past 27 years as fish community colouration contracted significantly in the years following the 1998 global coral bleaching event.&nbsp;

ALSI READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/what-do-those-meowing-and-neighing-mean-will-artificial-intelligence-tell-us-how-animals-communicate-464900">What do those meowing and neighing mean? Will artificial intelligence tell us how animals communicate?</a>

"We found that as the cover of structurally complex corals increases on a reef, so does the diversity and range of colours present on fishes living in and around them," Dr Christopher Hemingson said as quoted by Daily Mail.&nbsp;

The new study was led by Dr Hemingson at James Cook University in Townsville, Queensland, Australia.&nbsp;

Dr Hemingson said, "But, as the cover of turf algae and dead coral rubble increases, the diversity of colours declines to a more generalised, uniform appearance."&nbsp;

"Fish communities on future reefs may very well be a duller version of their previous configurations, even if coral cover remains high," he added.&nbsp;

Recently, reports revealed that the Great Barrier Reef has again been hit with "widespread" bleaching as higher-than-average ocean temperatures off Australia's northeast threaten the already struggling World Heritage site.&nbsp;

Surveillance flights over the reef revealed damage due to heat stress ranging from minor to severe bleaching across the 2,300-kilometre (1,243-mile) network of corals, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority said.&nbsp;

As oceans continue to warm and corals continue to bleach, fish communities in Australia's Great Barrier Reef are losing their colour, a new study tells. The study, which is published in Global Change Biology, monitored changes in the fish community colouration and the environment they live in.

As oceans continue to warm and corals continue to bleach, fish communities in Australia's Great Barrier Reef are losing their colour, a new study tells. The study, which is published in Global Change Biology, monitored changes in the fish community colouration and the environment they live in. The relationship between the colouration of the fish communities and the environment is likely to be impacted by global environmental change. The researchers have found potential links between corals and fish that are losing their natural colour. ALSO READ | 'I love my cool son': Brain implant helps fully paralysed man to spell out thoughts The research found that the diversity of colours found within a fish community is directly related to the composition of the local environment. Areas with a higher cover of structurally complex corals contained fish species with more diverse and brighter colourations, the study revealed. Important to note that the abundance of yellow and green fish has dropped steadily by about three quarters over the past 27 years as fish community colouration contracted significantly in the years following the 1998 global coral bleaching event. ALSI READ | What do those meowing and neighing mean? Will artificial intelligence tell us how animals communicate? "We found that as the cover of structurally complex corals increases on a reef, so does the diversity and range of colours present on fishes living in and around them," Dr Christopher Hemingson said as quoted by Daily Mail. The new study was led by Dr Hemingson at James Cook University in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. Dr Hemingson said, "But, as the cover of turf algae and dead coral rubble increases, the diversity of colours declines to a more generalised, uniform appearance." "Fish communities on future reefs may very well be a duller version of their previous configurations, even if coral cover remains high," he added. Recently, reports revealed that the Great Barrier Reef has again been hit with "widespread" bleaching as higher-than-average ocean temperatures off Australia's northeast threaten the already struggling World Heritage site. Surveillance flights over the reef revealed damage due to heat stress ranging from minor to severe bleaching across the 2,300-kilometre (1,243-mile) network of corals, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority said.

Fish in Australia's Great Barrier Reef are 'fading' in colour

As Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is set to face a no-confidence motion in the National Assembly on Friday, several reports say that this motion is expected to be proven as the 'last ball'&nbsp;to decide former cricketer turned politician's fate.

The Opposition parties in Pakistan are jettisoning mutual hatred to oust Imran Khan as they submitted the no-trust motion in the National Assembly secretariat on March 8.

About two dozen members of his own Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have closed ranks with the Opposition parties and said they will vote for the motion against him.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-prime-minister-imran-khan-says-he-wont-resign-ahead-of-no-confidence-move-465114">Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan says he won't resign ahead of no-confidence move</a>

The trust vote indicates very clearly that Khan does not have the majority support in the 342-member Parliament.

That seems unlikely, given his wide unpopularity amongst the lawmakers, and the country as a whole. And to his dismay, the all-powerful Army, the final arbiter of many things in Pakistan, has decided to stay "neutral" in the tussle between cricketer turned politician, Imran Khan and his detractors.

All the escape routes for Pakistan PM are closing as the voting date or the no-confidence motion inches closer and if Imran Khan denies to put in his papers and "fight it out" then the situation in Islamabad could turn ugly, forcing General Bajwa to stomp hard on his protege.

The Pakistan Army's top brass has reportedly asked Imran Khan to resign after the conference of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Pakistan media reports stated that the decision to oust Imran Khan was taken by General Bajwa and three other senior Lt. Generals. It was reported that all four military leaders decided not to give any escape route to Imran Khan.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-calls-for-ukraine-ceasefire-offers-mediation-by-china-and-islamic-nations-465100">Pakistan calls for Ukraine ceasefire, offers mediation by China and Islamic nations</a>

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister apologised to the Pakistan army as he praised India for its independent foreign policy. He will have to face a crucial no-confidence motion in the National Assembly of Pakistan where his ouster seems all but certain.

Imran Khan was referring to the Indian decision to buy oil from Russia despite the sanction and despite India being a member of the Quadrilateral Alliance. "Their policy is for the betterment of people," he said while addressing a public rally at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on March 20. He seems to have realized his own folly of trying to preside over the government of a failed state.

The possible ouster of Imran Khan would once again establish that democracy cannot survive in Pakistan, a country where the army and its powerful wing the Inter-Service Intelligence control everything. Imran Khan has committed the cardinal sin of offending the army. In Pakistan, the support of the politically powerful military is critical for any political party to retain power.

He has used the ISI to stay in power, and now the same ISI is trying to remove him from power. Imran Khan had stood in the way of what was being seen as a routine transfer in the army, with Pak army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa planning to shift Director General of ISI Lt Gen Faiz Hamid as the commander of Peshawar-based XI Corps and replacing him with Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum as the DG ISI. The Prime Minister had refused to issue the formal notification.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/ahead-of-no-confidence-vote-3-allies-of-khan-join-opposition-pak-pm-says-wont-resign-464991">Ahead of no-confidence vote, 3 allies of Khan join opposition; Pak PM says ‘won’t resign'</a>

The fact, possibly, is that Imran Khan himself had become too dependent on Lt Gen Faiz Hamid and was using the ISI for his political survival. Finally, Imran Khan had to eat the humble pie in October 2021 and accept the face-saver of choosing the same Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum as the DG ISI from a panel of three names presented to him by Gen Bajwa. It is reported that Imran Khan had been warned against any attempt by him to replace the army chief.

While domestic issues like rapid inflation have been highlighted by opposition parties in seeking Imran Khan's ouster, the former cricket captain of Pakistan must also share a part of the blame himself for having made a mess of Pakistan's foreign relations.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: End of the road for Imran Khan?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-end-of-the-road-for-imran-khan-464994/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

As Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is set to face a no-confidence motion in the National Assembly on Friday, several reports say that this motion is expected to be proven as the 'last ball' to decide former cricketer turned politician's fate.

As Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is set to face a no-confidence motion in the National Assembly on Friday, several reports say that this motion is expected to be proven as the 'last ball' to decide former cricketer turned politician's fate. The Opposition parties in Pakistan are jettisoning mutual hatred to oust Imran Khan as they submitted the no-trust motion in the National Assembly secretariat on March 8. About two dozen members of his own Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have closed ranks with the Opposition parties and said they will vote for the motion against him. Also read| Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan says he won't resign ahead of no-confidence move The trust vote indicates very clearly that Khan does not have the majority support in the 342-member Parliament. That seems unlikely, given his wide unpopularity amongst the lawmakers, and the country as a whole. And to his dismay, the all-powerful Army, the final arbiter of many things in Pakistan, has decided to stay "neutral" in the tussle between cricketer turned politician, Imran Khan and his detractors. All the escape routes for Pakistan PM are closing as the voting date or the no-confidence motion inches closer and if Imran Khan denies to put in his papers and "fight it out" then the situation in Islamabad could turn ugly, forcing General Bajwa to stomp hard on his protege. The Pakistan Army's top brass has reportedly asked Imran Khan to resign after the conference of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Pakistan media reports stated that the decision to oust Imran Khan was taken by General Bajwa and three other senior Lt. Generals. It was reported that all four military leaders decided not to give any escape route to Imran Khan. Also read | Pakistan calls for Ukraine ceasefire, offers mediation by China and Islamic nations Meanwhile, the Prime Minister apologised to the Pakistan army as he praised India for its independent foreign policy. He will have to face a crucial no-confidence motion in the National Assembly of Pakistan where his ouster seems all but certain. Imran Khan was referring to the Indian decision to buy oil from Russia despite the sanction and despite India being a member of the Quadrilateral Alliance. "Their policy is for the betterment of people," he said while addressing a public rally at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on March 20. He seems to have realized his own folly of trying to preside over the government of a failed state. The possible ouster of Imran Khan would once again establish that democracy cannot survive in Pakistan, a country where the army and its powerful wing the Inter-Service Intelligence control everything. Imran Khan has committed the cardinal sin of offending the army. In Pakistan, the support of the politically powerful military is critical for any political party to retain power. He has used the ISI to stay in power, and now the same ISI is trying to remove him from power. Imran Khan had stood in the way of what was being seen as a routine transfer in the army, with Pak army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa planning to shift Director General of ISI Lt Gen Faiz Hamid as the commander of Peshawar-based XI Corps and replacing him with Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum as the DG ISI. The Prime Minister had refused to issue the formal notification. Also read | Ahead of no-confidence vote, 3 allies of Khan join opposition; Pak PM says ‘won’t resign' The fact, possibly, is that Imran Khan himself had become too dependent on Lt Gen Faiz Hamid and was using the ISI for his political survival. Finally, Imran Khan had to eat the humble pie in October 2021 and accept the face-saver of choosing the same Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum as the DG ISI from a panel of three names presented to him by Gen Bajwa. It is reported that Imran Khan had been warned against any attempt by him to replace the army chief. While domestic issues like rapid inflation have been highlighted by opposition parties in seeking Imran Khan's ouster, the former cricket captain of Pakistan must also share a part of the blame himself for having made a mess of Pakistan's foreign relations. Watch | Gravitas: End of the road for Imran Khan?

Pakistan Opposition's no-trust motion a 'last ball' for Imran Khan's political fate

Pakistan&nbsp;Prime Minister Imran&nbsp;Khan&nbsp;said&nbsp;he&nbsp;wouldn't&nbsp;resign, rejecting opposition calls to step down ahead of a no confidence move&nbsp;against him in his toughest challenge since coming to power in 2018.

Pakistan's parliament will convene on Friday to start proceedings into the&nbsp;no-confidence&nbsp;motion, that could take seven days to actually go for voting to decide whether&nbsp;Khan&nbsp;will be removed.

The&nbsp;no&nbsp;confidence&nbsp;move&nbsp;has risked constitutional, administrative and economic crises amid a pending International Monetary Fund review to issue next tranche&nbsp;of a $6 billion rescue package, which was scheduled this week but has yet to happen.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-calls-for-ukraine-ceasefire-offers-mediation-by-china-and-islamic-nations-465100">Pakistan calls for Ukraine ceasefire, offers mediation by China and Islamic nations</a>

Opposition parties filed the&nbsp;motion earlier this month, saying&nbsp;Khan&nbsp;has lost his parliamentary majority after some 20 of his party lawmakers defected, calling on the&nbsp;prime minister to step down.

"I will not&nbsp;resign&nbsp;come what may,"&nbsp;Khan&nbsp;said in a statement from his office issued late Wednesday night.&nbsp;Khan&nbsp;said&nbsp;he&nbsp;would not surrender without a fight and questioned why should&nbsp;he&nbsp;quit under pressure from "crooks".

Along with the&nbsp;defection of nearly 20 of his party lawmakers, some of his coalition partners have also suggested they may join the&nbsp;opposition.

Some political analysts and opposition lawmakers say&nbsp;Khan&nbsp;has fallen out with&nbsp;Pakistan's powerful military, which was seen as instrumental in the&nbsp;success of the&nbsp;former cricket star's upstart party four years ago.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/ahead-of-no-confidence-vote-3-allies-of-khan-join-opposition-pak-pm-says-wont-resign-464991">Ahead of no-confidence vote, 3 allies of Khan join opposition; Pak PM says ‘won’t resign'</a>

Khan&nbsp;denies the&nbsp;military&nbsp;helped him into office. The&nbsp;military&nbsp;says&nbsp;it does not interfere in politics.

The&nbsp;opposition accuses&nbsp;Khan&nbsp;of mismanaging the&nbsp;economy and foreign policy.&nbsp;He&nbsp;denies this. No&nbsp;Pakistani prime minister has ever completed his full five year term in office.

The&nbsp;loss of dissident lawmakers has left&nbsp;Khan&nbsp;short of the&nbsp;minimum - 172 - needed for a simple majority in the&nbsp;parliament.

The&nbsp;joint opposition commands 163 seats in the&nbsp;lower house, but could build a majority if most of the&nbsp;defectors effectively join its ranks via a no-confidence&nbsp;vote.

Khan&nbsp;has filed a court petition seeking a lifetime ban on the&nbsp;defectors, and appealed them to return to the&nbsp;ruling party.&nbsp;He&nbsp;has also called on the&nbsp;public to show support for his premiership by holding a "million-man" rally in Islamabad on Sunday.

Watch |&nbsp;Pakistan hosts OIC meeting: Conference ahead of PM Imran Khan's no-confidence vote

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-hosts-oic-meeting-conference-ahead-of-pm-imran-khans-no-confidence-vote-464511/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said he wouldn't resign, rejecting opposition calls to step down ahead of a no confidence move against him in his toughest challenge since coming to power in 2018.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said he wouldn't resign, rejecting opposition calls to step down ahead of a no confidence move against him in his toughest challenge since coming to power in 2018. Pakistan's parliament will convene on Friday to start proceedings into the no-confidence motion, that could take seven days to actually go for voting to decide whether Khan will be removed. The no confidence move has risked constitutional, administrative and economic crises amid a pending International Monetary Fund review to issue next tranche of a $6 billion rescue package, which was scheduled this week but has yet to happen. Also read | Pakistan calls for Ukraine ceasefire, offers mediation by China and Islamic nations Opposition parties filed the motion earlier this month, saying Khan has lost his parliamentary majority after some 20 of his party lawmakers defected, calling on the prime minister to step down. "I will not resign come what may," Khan said in a statement from his office issued late Wednesday night. Khan said he would not surrender without a fight and questioned why should he quit under pressure from "crooks". Along with the defection of nearly 20 of his party lawmakers, some of his coalition partners have also suggested they may join the opposition. Some political analysts and opposition lawmakers say Khan has fallen out with Pakistan's powerful military, which was seen as instrumental in the success of the former cricket star's upstart party four years ago. Also read | Ahead of no-confidence vote, 3 allies of Khan join opposition; Pak PM says ‘won’t resign' Khan denies the military helped him into office. The military says it does not interfere in politics. The opposition accuses Khan of mismanaging the economy and foreign policy. He denies this. No Pakistani prime minister has ever completed his full five year term in office. The loss of dissident lawmakers has left Khan short of the minimum - 172 - needed for a simple majority in the parliament. The joint opposition commands 163 seats in the lower house, but could build a majority if most of the defectors effectively join its ranks via a no-confidence vote. Khan has filed a court petition seeking a lifetime ban on the defectors, and appealed them to return to the ruling party. He has also called on the public to show support for his premiership by holding a "million-man" rally in Islamabad on Sunday. Watch | Pakistan hosts OIC meeting: Conference ahead of PM Imran Khan's no-confidence vote

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan says he won't resign ahead of no-confidence move

A Southeast Asian&nbsp;envoy&nbsp;said on Wednesday he had&nbsp;urged&nbsp;Myanmar's ruling&nbsp;military&nbsp;to show restraint during offensives and was told by the junta leader there would be no&nbsp;access&nbsp;to ousted leader Aung San&nbsp;Suu&nbsp;Kyi&nbsp;while her trial was ongoing.

Prak Sokhonn, special&nbsp;envoy&nbsp;for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said he sought the release of prisoners including Australian economist Sean Turnell, and junta boss Min Aung Hlaing told him he would consider a request to see&nbsp;Suu&nbsp;Kyi&nbsp;and other detainees in future.

Suu&nbsp;Kyi&nbsp;was overthrown by the&nbsp;military&nbsp;in a coup last year that sparked chaos and bloodshed in the country after a decade of tentative democratic reform.

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 Nobel laureate is on trial for more than a dozen offences including violating a state secrets act and multiple counts of corruption. She has been found guilty of several crimes already, but has rejected all charges.

Prak Sokhonn said he understood that critics viewed his trip to&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;this week as legitimising the junta. But he added he sees the two-day visit as a positive step towards resolving the crisis, which he said could not be done during Cambodia's ASEAN chairmanship this year.

"The&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;issue is complicated, it needs a long time to solve, we can't solve it during one chairmanship or the current chairmanship," he told reporters on his return to Cambodia.

"I know of various levels of expectations on the visit, I also know of people who want to see a ceasefire and me meeting all involved parties, and the return to normalcy of democracy," he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-military-junta-categorically-rejects-us-allegation-of-rohingya-genocide-464692">Myanmar military junta 'categorically rejects' US allegation of Rohingya genocide</a>

"I understand reasons behind criticism, they don't want me being giving legitimacy to the state councilors," he said, referring to the junta.

Prak Sokhonn's trip has frustrated opponents to&nbsp;Myanmar's junta because it was centred largely on the generals, with most meetings with other parties cancelled.

ASEAN&nbsp;has barred the generals&nbsp;from&nbsp;attending its summits until they see progress in a five-point "consensus" agreed last year to end the violence.

The United Nations last week said the army had committed war crimes and crimes against humanity and was deliberately targeting civilians. The&nbsp;military&nbsp;has yet to respond.

Watch |&nbsp;Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi faces new charge amid fresh violence

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A Southeast Asian envoy said on Wednesday he had urged Myanmar's ruling military to show restraint during offensives and was told by the junta leader there would be no access to ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi while her trial was ongoing.

A Southeast Asian envoy said on Wednesday he had urged Myanmar's ruling military to show restraint during offensives and was told by the junta leader there would be no access to ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi while her trial was ongoing. Prak Sokhonn, special envoy for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said he sought the release of prisoners including Australian economist Sean Turnell, and junta boss Min Aung Hlaing told him he would consider a request to see Suu Kyi and other detainees in future. Suu Kyi was overthrown by the military in a coup last year that sparked chaos and bloodshed in the country after a decade of tentative democratic reform. Also read | Rohingya in Bangladesh cheer US decision on Myanmar 'genocide' The Nobel laureate is on trial for more than a dozen offences including violating a state secrets act and multiple counts of corruption. She has been found guilty of several crimes already, but has rejected all charges. Prak Sokhonn said he understood that critics viewed his trip to Myanmar this week as legitimising the junta. But he added he sees the two-day visit as a positive step towards resolving the crisis, which he said could not be done during Cambodia's ASEAN chairmanship this year. "The Myanmar issue is complicated, it needs a long time to solve, we can't solve it during one chairmanship or the current chairmanship," he told reporters on his return to Cambodia. "I know of various levels of expectations on the visit, I also know of people who want to see a ceasefire and me meeting all involved parties, and the return to normalcy of democracy," he said. Also read | Myanmar military junta 'categorically rejects' US allegation of Rohingya genocide "I understand reasons behind criticism, they don't want me being giving legitimacy to the state councilors," he said, referring to the junta. Prak Sokhonn's trip has frustrated opponents to Myanmar's junta because it was centred largely on the generals, with most meetings with other parties cancelled. ASEAN has barred the generals from attending its summits until they see progress in a five-point "consensus" agreed last year to end the violence. The United Nations last week said the army had committed war crimes and crimes against humanity and was deliberately targeting civilians. The military has yet to respond. Watch | Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi faces new charge amid fresh violence

ASEAN envoy says urged restraint from Myanmar military, discussed Aung San Suu Kyi access

Pakistan&nbsp;on Wednesday (March 23) called for a&nbsp;ceasefire&nbsp;in&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;and&nbsp;suggested that Islamic countries and their close ally&nbsp;China&nbsp;mediate in the Russia-Ukraine&nbsp;conflict.

Speaking during a news conference after the closing session of the Organization of&nbsp;Islamic&nbsp;Cooperation foreign ministers’ conference in the&nbsp;Pakistani capital Islamabad, the country’s foreign minister said the meeting had concluded it was necessary to prevent deaths in the conflict.

“This session… has stressed the need for the establishment of humanitarian corridors to ensure safe movements of civilians&nbsp;and&nbsp;humanitarian supplies,” Shah Mehmood Qureshi told reporters.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hacker-group-anonymous-hacks-into-printers-all-across-russia-to-print-anti-war-sentiment-465081">Hacker group Anonymous&nbsp;hacks into printers ‘all across Russia’ to print anti-war sentiment</a>

He said OIC member states were ready to “support&nbsp;and&nbsp;facilitate” dialogue between Russia&nbsp;and&nbsp;Ukraine.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was a special guest at the conference.

“(China&nbsp;and&nbsp;IOC members) are willing to work collectively&nbsp;and&nbsp;after deliberations, we are willing to play a role to mediate,&nbsp;and&nbsp;see that this conflict comes to an end,” said Qureshi.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/ahead-of-no-confidence-vote-3-allies-of-khan-join-opposition-pak-pm-says-wont-resign-464991">Ahead of no-confidence vote, 3 allies of Khan join opposition; Pak PM says ‘won’t resign'</a>

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday (March 22) made the same suggestion while speaking at the OIC meeting.

Khan's comments came hours after&nbsp;China&nbsp;and&nbsp;Pakistan&nbsp;echoed concerns about "spill-over effects of unilateral sanctions" on Russia, according to a statement by the Chinese foreign ministry.

China&nbsp;has not condemned Russia's invasion, though it has expressed concern about the war.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng said on Saturday (March 19) that Western sanctions against Russia were getting "more&nbsp;and&nbsp;more outrageous.

Watch |&nbsp;Pakistan hosts OIC meeting: Conference ahead of PM Imran Khan's no-confidence vote

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Pakistan on Wednesday (March 23) called for a ceasefire in Ukraine and suggested that Islamic countries and their close ally China mediate in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Pakistan on Wednesday (March 23) called for a ceasefire in Ukraine and suggested that Islamic countries and their close ally China mediate in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Speaking during a news conference after the closing session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation foreign ministers’ conference in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, the country’s foreign minister said the meeting had concluded it was necessary to prevent deaths in the conflict. “This session… has stressed the need for the establishment of humanitarian corridors to ensure safe movements of civilians and humanitarian supplies,” Shah Mehmood Qureshi told reporters. Also read | Hacker group Anonymous hacks into printers ‘all across Russia’ to print anti-war sentiment He said OIC member states were ready to “support and facilitate” dialogue between Russia and Ukraine. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was a special guest at the conference. “(China and IOC members) are willing to work collectively and after deliberations, we are willing to play a role to mediate, and see that this conflict comes to an end,” said Qureshi. Also read | Ahead of no-confidence vote, 3 allies of Khan join opposition; Pak PM says ‘won’t resign' Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday (March 22) made the same suggestion while speaking at the OIC meeting. Khan's comments came hours after China and Pakistan echoed concerns about "spill-over effects of unilateral sanctions" on Russia, according to a statement by the Chinese foreign ministry. China has not condemned Russia's invasion, though it has expressed concern about the war. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng said on Saturday (March 19) that Western sanctions against Russia were getting "more and more outrageous. Watch | Pakistan hosts OIC meeting: Conference ahead of PM Imran Khan's no-confidence vote

Pakistan calls for Ukraine ceasefire, offers mediation by China and Islamic nations

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