'Veer Helmet': Special ballistic helmets for Sikh soldiers

Here are some of the top stories to start your day: US President Joe Biden imposed fresh sanctions on Russia while claiming that the invasion of Ukraine had begun.

Here are some of the top stories to start your day: US President Joe Biden imposed fresh sanctions on Russia while claiming that the invasion of Ukraine had begun. US Supreme Court on Tuesday (February 22) formally rejected former President Donald Trump's request. Click on headlines to read the full report: 'Beginning an invasion': US imposes fresh sanctions against US President Joe Biden imposed fresh sanctions on Russia while declaring that invasion of Ukraine had begun as Russian lawmakers gave Putin approval to deploy "peacekeepers" in two Ukrainian regions. Click Here to get live updates on Russia-Ukraine crisis. Latest satellite pictures show Russian troop deployment near Ukraine Amid tensions with Russia, the US will move twenty AH-64 attack helicopters from Germany to the Baltic area and 12 more would be relocated from Greece to Poland. US Capitol attack probe: Top US court formally rejects Donald Trump's fight over January 6 attack records The United States Supreme Court on Tuesday (February 22) formally rejected former President Donald Trump's request to block the release of White House records asked by the panel probing last year's deadly attack on the Capitol. Hostage situation at Amsterdam Apple store ends, police arrest gunman Dutch police have ended a hostage situation after a man with a firearm held several people in Amsterdam's Apple flagship store on Tuesday (February 22). WATCH | Italy: Europe's most active volcano, Mount Etna's new eruption shuts airport ×

Morning news brief: Russia-Ukraine updates, top US court formally rejects Trump's request, and more

Dutch police have ended a hostage situation after a man with a firearm held several people in Amsterdam's Apple flagship store on Tuesday (February 22).&nbsp;

Police have said that the hostage taker was overpowered after a siege lasting several hours and all the hostages had been freed.&nbsp;

Around 10:30 pm local time (2130 GMT), the gunman was arrested after he ran out of the building at the central Leidseplein square, which is in the heart of the Dutch city.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-capitol-attack-probe-top-us-court-formally-rejects-donald-trumps-fight-over-january-6-attack-records-455537">US Capitol attack probe: Top US court formally rejects Donald Trump's fight over January 6 attack records</a>

Previously, police had deployed several special units after they were alerted of an armed robbery at 5:40 pm local time (1640 GMT). It looks like the robbery had rapidly transformed into a hostage situation.&nbsp;

As per the police, the gunman was "lying on the street and a robot was examining him for explosives" in front of the Apple store.&nbsp;

Scary images and videos were circulated on social media forums where two people can be seen running out of the Apple store.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/in-an-attempt-to-regulate-his-childs-online-behavior-father-accidentally-jams-out-entire-towns-internet-455479">In an attempt to regulate his child's online behavior, father accidentally jams out entire town's internet</a>

One of them being hit by an unmarked car, flying over the hood from the impact. However, there's no official verification of the images.&nbsp;

Tim Wagemakers, who is an independent journalist claimed that he was in a nearby building.

He had tweeted that there were heavily armed police at the site, adding that locals had been asked to remain inside and stay away from their windows.&nbsp;

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There is an ongoing hostage situation in an Apple Store at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Leidseplein?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Leidseplein</a>, Amsterdam (🇳🇱). 
 
This comes shortly after reports of an armed robbery. There is a heavy police presence in the area. 
 
Will update on the thread below: <a href="https://t.co/3ZJuQEh5dd">pic.twitter.com/3ZJuQEh5dd</a>
— Aerospace Intelligence (@space_osint) <a href="https://twitter.com/space_osint/status/1496184303662903296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2022</a></blockquote>
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NOW - Hostage situation at an Apple Store in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Amsterdam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Amsterdam</a>.<a href="https://t.co/JZDXEvPjVx">pic.twitter.com/JZDXEvPjVx</a>
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) <a href="https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1496173874106486787?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Dutch police have ended a hostage situation after a man with a firearm held several people in Amsterdam's Apple flagship store on Tuesday (February 22). Police have said that the hostage taker was overpowered after a siege lasting several hours and all the hostages had been freed.

Dutch police have ended a hostage situation after a man with a firearm held several people in Amsterdam's Apple flagship store on Tuesday (February 22). Police have said that the hostage taker was overpowered after a siege lasting several hours and all the hostages had been freed. Around 10:30 pm local time (2130 GMT), the gunman was arrested after he ran out of the building at the central Leidseplein square, which is in the heart of the Dutch city. ALSO READ | US Capitol attack probe: Top US court formally rejects Donald Trump's fight over January 6 attack records Previously, police had deployed several special units after they were alerted of an armed robbery at 5:40 pm local time (1640 GMT). It looks like the robbery had rapidly transformed into a hostage situation. As per the police, the gunman was "lying on the street and a robot was examining him for explosives" in front of the Apple store. Scary images and videos were circulated on social media forums where two people can be seen running out of the Apple store. ALSO READ | In an attempt to regulate his child's online behavior, father accidentally jams out entire town's internet One of them being hit by an unmarked car, flying over the hood from the impact. However, there's no official verification of the images. Tim Wagemakers, who is an independent journalist claimed that he was in a nearby building. He had tweeted that there were heavily armed police at the site, adding that locals had been asked to remain inside and stay away from their windows. There is an ongoing hostage situation in an Apple Store at #Leidseplein, Amsterdam (🇳🇱). This comes shortly after reports of an armed robbery. There is a heavy police presence in the area. Will update on the thread below: pic.twitter.com/3ZJuQEh5dd — Aerospace Intelligence (@space_osint) February 22, 2022 × NOW - Hostage situation at an Apple Store in #Amsterdam.pic.twitter.com/JZDXEvPjVx — Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) February 22, 2022 ×

Hostage situation at Amsterdam Apple store ends, police arrest gunman

The United States Supreme Court on Tuesday (February 22) formally rejected former President Donald Trump's request to block the release of White House records asked by the panel probing last year's deadly attack on the Capitol. The top US court had previously rejected Trump's emergency request to block the National Archives from turning over the documents.&nbsp;

The former President has been accused of involvement in the Capitol riot and he is also facing lawsuits. His role on that day is also being examined by a House of Representatives select committee.&nbsp;

The committee has hundreds of pages of documents, text messages and testimonies in its possession. The head of the panel said that Trump had sought to keep some of the documents hidden.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beginning-an-invasion-us-imposes-fresh-sanctions-against-russia-455521">'Beginning an invasion': US imposes fresh sanctions against Russia</a>

The House Select Committee was created last year to investigate the January 6 violence, when thousands of Trump supporters descended on the US Capitol in Washington DC to stop the process of confirmation of President Joe Biden's victory.&nbsp;

At the same time, Trump took to Twitter to criticize his vice president Mike Pence for not blocking certification of Joe Biden's election victory, an act the judge said constituted "tacit agreement" with those who stormed the Capitol.&nbsp;

During the investigation, it has been understood that the panel has interviewed hundreds of witnesses and has received over 50,000 documents.&nbsp;

During the deadly attack on US Capitol, seven people were killed and dozens were injured. An investigation is underway and more than 700 people have been charged so far.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Capitol Riots: Biden rejects Trump's attempt to shield White House visitor logs

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(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The United States Supreme Court on Tuesday (February 22) formally rejected former President Donald Trump's request to block the release of White House records asked by the panel probing last year's deadly attack on the Capitol.

The United States Supreme Court on Tuesday (February 22) formally rejected former President Donald Trump's request to block the release of White House records asked by the panel probing last year's deadly attack on the Capitol. The top US court had previously rejected Trump's emergency request to block the National Archives from turning over the documents. The former President has been accused of involvement in the Capitol riot and he is also facing lawsuits. His role on that day is also being examined by a House of Representatives select committee. The committee has hundreds of pages of documents, text messages and testimonies in its possession. The head of the panel said that Trump had sought to keep some of the documents hidden. ALSO READ | 'Beginning an invasion': US imposes fresh sanctions against Russia The House Select Committee was created last year to investigate the January 6 violence, when thousands of Trump supporters descended on the US Capitol in Washington DC to stop the process of confirmation of President Joe Biden's victory. At the same time, Trump took to Twitter to criticize his vice president Mike Pence for not blocking certification of Joe Biden's election victory, an act the judge said constituted "tacit agreement" with those who stormed the Capitol. During the investigation, it has been understood that the panel has interviewed hundreds of witnesses and has received over 50,000 documents. During the deadly attack on US Capitol, seven people were killed and dozens were injured. An investigation is underway and more than 700 people have been charged so far. WATCH | Capitol Riots: Biden rejects Trump's attempt to shield White House visitor logs × (With inputs from agencies)

US Capitol attack probe: Top US court formally rejects Donald Trump's fight over January 6 attack records

British health minister Sajid Javid on Tuesday (February 22) claimed that the "invasion of Ukraine has begun" as he said, Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent actions towards Ukraine show he has chosen confrontation with the West over diplomatic dialogue.&nbsp;

While speaking to Sky News, Javid said, "We have seen that he has recognised these breakaway eastern regions in Ukraine and from the reports we can already tell that he has sent in tanks and troops. From that, you can conclude that the invasion of Ukraine has begun."&nbsp;

In a televised address on Monday (February 21), Putin ordered the deployment of troops to two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine - - the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and the Lugansk People's Republic. The Russian leader recognised the two regions as independent.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/these-commodities-could-become-super-expensive-amid-escalating-russia-ukraine-crisis-455247">These commodities could become super expensive amid escalating Russia-Ukraine crisis</a>

Western countries are planning to impose strict sanctions on Russia but during his televised address, Putin said, "We are being blackmailed, they are threatening us with sanctions. But I think they will impose those sanctions."&nbsp;

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday said that Britain will immediately impose hard economic sanctions on Russia.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vladimir-putin-orders-troops-into-eastern-ukraine-key-points-from-his-crucial-address-455210">Vladimir Putin orders troops into eastern Ukraine: Key points from his crucial address</a>

Johnson said that the sanctions would be "targeted not just at entities in Donbass and Luhansk and Donetsk, but in Russia itself - targeting Russian economic interests as hard as we can."&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Javid told BBC TV, "We've always preferred dialogue and still continue to do so but it's clear from President Putin's actions that he has chosen confrontation over dialogue."&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Russia recognises independence of Ukraine separatist regions, US condemns move&nbsp;

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(With inputs from agencies)

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British health minister Sajid Javid on Tuesday (February 22) claimed that the "invasion of Ukraine has begun" as he said, Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent actions towards Ukraine show he has chosen confrontation with the West over diplomatic dialogue.

British health minister Sajid Javid on Tuesday (February 22) claimed that the "invasion of Ukraine has begun" as he said, Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent actions towards Ukraine show he has chosen confrontation with the West over diplomatic dialogue. While speaking to Sky News, Javid said, "We have seen that he has recognised these breakaway eastern regions in Ukraine and from the reports we can already tell that he has sent in tanks and troops. From that, you can conclude that the invasion of Ukraine has begun." In a televised address on Monday (February 21), Putin ordered the deployment of troops to two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine - - the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and the Lugansk People's Republic. The Russian leader recognised the two regions as independent. ALSO READ | These commodities could become super expensive amid escalating Russia-Ukraine crisis Western countries are planning to impose strict sanctions on Russia but during his televised address, Putin said, "We are being blackmailed, they are threatening us with sanctions. But I think they will impose those sanctions." UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday said that Britain will immediately impose hard economic sanctions on Russia. ALSO READ | Vladimir Putin orders troops into eastern Ukraine: Key points from his crucial address Johnson said that the sanctions would be "targeted not just at entities in Donbass and Luhansk and Donetsk, but in Russia itself - targeting Russian economic interests as hard as we can." Meanwhile, Javid told BBC TV, "We've always preferred dialogue and still continue to do so but it's clear from President Putin's actions that he has chosen confrontation over dialogue." WATCH | Russia recognises independence of Ukraine separatist regions, US condemns move × (With inputs from agencies)

Russia-Ukraine crisis: UK minister claims that 'invasion' of Ukraine has begun

A landmark United Nations report has concluded that the risk of devastating wildfires around the world will surge in coming decades as climate change further intensifies what the report described as a “global wildfire crisis.”

The scientific assessment is the first by the organization’s environmental authority to evaluate wildfire risks worldwide. It was inspired by a string of deadly blazes around the globe in recent years, burning the American West, vast stretches of Australia and even the Arctic.

The images from those fires — cities glowing under orange skies, smoke billowing around tourist havens and heritage sites, woodland animals badly injured and killed — have become grim icons of this era of unsettled relations between humankind and nature.

“The heating of the planet is turning landscapes into tinderboxes,” said the report, which was published Wednesday by the U.N. Environment Program.

The report, produced by more than 50 researchers from six continents, estimated that the risk worldwide of highly devastating fires could increase by up to 57% by the end of the century, primarily because of climate change. The risks will not be distributed equally: Some regions are likely to see more fire activity, while others may experience less.

It is a stark warning about the increased heat and dryness that human-caused global warming is bringing about. Nations and localities need to prepare better for the dangers, the report’s authors said.

“There isn’t the right attention to fire from governments,” said Glynis Humphrey, a fire expert at the University of Cape Town and an author of the new report. More societies worldwide are learning the value of prescribed burns and other methods of preventing wildfires from raging out of control, she said. Yet public spending in developed nations is still heavily skewed toward firefighting instead of forest management.

In some regions with long histories of brush fires, such as eastern Australia and the western United States and Canada, they have become more intense over the past decade and are ravaging larger areas, the report found. But uncontrolled burning is also starting to occur in places where it had not been common before, such as Russia, northern India and Tibet. In parts of the savannas of sub-Saharan Africa, by contrast, fire activity has declined over the past two decades, partly because drought has killed off more grass.

While climate change is giving rise to more of the record warmth and dryness that have contributed to recent episodes of severe burning, the overall effect on fire risks is complex and can vary from place to place.

Researchers have determined that the extreme heat wave in the Pacific Northwest last year almost certainly would not have occurred without planetary warming caused by greenhouse-gas emissions. Scientists have also found the fingerprints of climate change on brush fires in Australia and extreme heat and burning in Siberia.

But hot weather and weak rainfall can also decrease the amount of vegetation that is available to feed fires. In other places, the decreased humidity can make vegetation more flammable, helping fires spread more easily.

After taking all these factors into account, the report still forecasts a significant increase in the global risk of extraordinary wildfires, even if nations manage to limit emissions of heat-trapping gases.

In a moderate scenario for global warming, the likelihood of extreme, catastrophic fires could increase by up to one-third by 2050 and up to 52% by 2100, the report estimates. If emissions are not curbed and the planet heats up more, wildfire risks could rise by up to 57% by the end of the century.

The increase in burning is projected to be especially large in places including the Arctic, said Douglas I. Kelley, a researcher at the UK Centre for Ecology &amp; Hydrology who conducted the data analysis for the report. The northern reaches of Russia and North America are already warming much more quickly than the rest of the globe. The intense Arctic fires of 2020 released more polluting gases into the atmosphere that June than in any other month in 18 years of data collection.

In more temperate regions of the United States and Asia, Kelley said, wildfires could increase as emissions rise because the higher amount of carbon dioxide in the air helps plants grow, resulting in more vegetation to fuel blazes.

The prolonged drought in the American West — the region’s worst, scientists say, in at least 1,200 years — has helped to spark wildfires earlier in the year. Forecasters are expecting the warmth and dryness to continue into this spring and beyond.

The U.N. report urges governments to become more proactive about fire hazards. Of every dollar spent in the United States on managing wildfires, almost 60 cents goes toward immediate firefighting responses, according to research cited in the report. Much less is spent on reducing fire risks in advance and helping communities recover in ways that could make them more resilient.

Peter Moore, a fire management consultant with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and an author of the report, said more countries could learn from Portugal, which drew up an ambitious national fire plan after two blazes killed more than 100 people in 2017. Decades of economic development there had caused a decrease in farmland and an expansion of poorly managed forests, making the landscape highly flammable.

“So when the wrong weather turned up, and then a series of ignitions happened, they had a series of dramatic and catastrophic fire events,” Moore said. In eastern Australia, western North America, Chile and elsewhere, he said, “those same conditions are starting to occur.”

Not all human development adds to fire risks. In the tropical grasslands of Africa, population density has increased, and farmers have converted more of the area into cropland and pasture. That has fragmented the savannas, making it harder for wildfires to spread. Researchers have used satellite data to estimate that, despite global warming, large decreases in Africa helped the total amount of burned land worldwide fall by a quarter between 1998 and 2015.

Many fires in Africa are set deliberately to clear away vegetation and avert wildfires that would be more severe and less controllable, said Humphrey of the University of Cape Town. Communities in many places have managed the land this way for centuries, and the U.N. report calls for such traditional knowledge to be better integrated into fire policies.

Humphrey said more governments needed to discover, or rediscover, what fire actually is: “something really critical for our planet, but that also needs to be managed.”

A landmark United Nations report has concluded that the risk of devastating wildfires around the world will surge in coming decades as climate change further intensifies what the report described as a “global wildfire crisis.

A landmark United Nations report has concluded that the risk of devastating wildfires around the world will surge in coming decades as climate change further intensifies what the report described as a “global wildfire crisis.” The scientific assessment is the first by the organization’s environmental authority to evaluate wildfire risks worldwide. It was inspired by a string of deadly blazes around the globe in recent years, burning the American West, vast stretches of Australia and even the Arctic. The images from those fires — cities glowing under orange skies, smoke billowing around tourist havens and heritage sites, woodland animals badly injured and killed — have become grim icons of this era of unsettled relations between humankind and nature. “The heating of the planet is turning landscapes into tinderboxes,” said the report, which was published Wednesday by the U.N. Environment Program. The report, produced by more than 50 researchers from six continents, estimated that the risk worldwide of highly devastating fires could increase by up to 57% by the end of the century, primarily because of climate change. The risks will not be distributed equally: Some regions are likely to see more fire activity, while others may experience less. It is a stark warning about the increased heat and dryness that human-caused global warming is bringing about. Nations and localities need to prepare better for the dangers, the report’s authors said. “There isn’t the right attention to fire from governments,” said Glynis Humphrey, a fire expert at the University of Cape Town and an author of the new report. More societies worldwide are learning the value of prescribed burns and other methods of preventing wildfires from raging out of control, she said. Yet public spending in developed nations is still heavily skewed toward firefighting instead of forest management. In some regions with long histories of brush fires, such as eastern Australia and the western United States and Canada, they have become more intense over the past decade and are ravaging larger areas, the report found. But uncontrolled burning is also starting to occur in places where it had not been common before, such as Russia, northern India and Tibet. In parts of the savannas of sub-Saharan Africa, by contrast, fire activity has declined over the past two decades, partly because drought has killed off more grass. While climate change is giving rise to more of the record warmth and dryness that have contributed to recent episodes of severe burning, the overall effect on fire risks is complex and can vary from place to place. Researchers have determined that the extreme heat wave in the Pacific Northwest last year almost certainly would not have occurred without planetary warming caused by greenhouse-gas emissions. Scientists have also found the fingerprints of climate change on brush fires in Australia and extreme heat and burning in Siberia. But hot weather and weak rainfall can also decrease the amount of vegetation that is available to feed fires. In other places, the decreased humidity can make vegetation more flammable, helping fires spread more easily. After taking all these factors into account, the report still forecasts a significant increase in the global risk of extraordinary wildfires, even if nations manage to limit emissions of heat-trapping gases. In a moderate scenario for global warming, the likelihood of extreme, catastrophic fires could increase by up to one-third by 2050 and up to 52% by 2100, the report estimates. If emissions are not curbed and the planet heats up more, wildfire risks could rise by up to 57% by the end of the century. The increase in burning is projected to be especially large in places including the Arctic, said Douglas I. Kelley, a researcher at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology who conducted the data analysis for the report. The northern reaches of Russia and North America are already warming much more quickly than the rest of the globe. The intense Arctic fires of 2020 released more polluting gases into the atmosphere that June than in any other month in 18 years of data collection. In more temperate regions of the United States and Asia, Kelley said, wildfires could increase as emissions rise because the higher amount of carbon dioxide in the air helps plants grow, resulting in more vegetation to fuel blazes. The prolonged drought in the American West — the region’s worst, scientists say, in at least 1,200 years — has helped to spark wildfires earlier in the year. Forecasters are expecting the warmth and dryness to continue into this spring and beyond. The U.N. report urges governments to become more proactive about fire hazards. Of every dollar spent in the United States on managing wildfires, almost 60 cents goes toward immediate firefighting responses, according to research cited in the report. Much less is spent on reducing fire risks in advance and helping communities recover in ways that could make them more resilient. Peter Moore, a fire management consultant with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and an author of the report, said more countries could learn from Portugal, which drew up an ambitious national fire plan after two blazes killed more than 100 people in 2017. Decades of economic development there had caused a decrease in farmland and an expansion of poorly managed forests, making the landscape highly flammable. “So when the wrong weather turned up, and then a series of ignitions happened, they had a series of dramatic and catastrophic fire events,” Moore said. In eastern Australia, western North America, Chile and elsewhere, he said, “those same conditions are starting to occur.” Not all human development adds to fire risks. In the tropical grasslands of Africa, population density has increased, and farmers have converted more of the area into cropland and pasture. That has fragmented the savannas, making it harder for wildfires to spread. Researchers have used satellite data to estimate that, despite global warming, large decreases in Africa helped the total amount of burned land worldwide fall by a quarter between 1998 and 2015. Many fires in Africa are set deliberately to clear away vegetation and avert wildfires that would be more severe and less controllable, said Humphrey of the University of Cape Town. Communities in many places have managed the land this way for centuries, and the U.N. report calls for such traditional knowledge to be better integrated into fire policies. Humphrey said more governments needed to discover, or rediscover, what fire actually is: “something really critical for our planet, but that also needs to be managed.”

Climate forecasters warn of a 'global wildfire crisis'

What happened to Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 and where did it go? There are hundreds of conspiracy theories that attempt to answer what might have happened to the Malaysia Airlines flight that was carrying 239 people and went missing above the Indian ocean in 2014.&nbsp;

The bombshell theory suggests that the MH370 was lost in a "murder-suicide plot". During the Sky News documentary "MH370: The Final Search", two air crash investigators made the claims, mentioning the suicide plot.&nbsp;

The loss of MH370 was no accident said John Cox, who is a top aviation safety investigator and retired pilot. The documentary was aired on Wednesday night.&nbsp;

WATCH | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-russian-president-vladimir-putins-tense-exchange-with-his-spy-chief-over-eastern-ukraine-455611">Russian President Vladimir Putin's tense exchange with his spy chief over eastern Ukraine</a>

The international passenger flight MH370 took off from Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia on 8 March 2014 and was flying toward its planned destination, Beijing Capital International Airport in China.&nbsp;

The crew last communicated with air traffic control (ATC) around 38 minutes after takeoff when the flight was over the South China Sea.&nbsp;

After that, the aircraft was lost from ATC radar screens, however, it was tracked by military radar for another hour. The aircraft was found deviating westwards from its planned flight path.&nbsp;

Commenting on the deviated path, Cox told Sky that the plane's twisting route indicated that the flight had been commandeered by one of the captains.&nbsp;

He told News Corp Australia as quoted by Daily Mail: "I think the evidence is pretty overwhelming that the aeroplane could not have flown the route it did with all the respective turns without that being a commandeered manoeuvre."&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beginning-an-invasion-us-imposes-fresh-sanctions-against-russia-455521">'Beginning an invasion': US imposes fresh sanctions against Russia</a>

While pointing out the suspicious over the responsibility of First Officer and pilot for the flight's path, Cox said that the route had to have been flown by someone with expert knowledge.&nbsp;

MH370 captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah was flying the plane alongside First Officer Fariq Abdul Hamid.&nbsp;

Cox said that the aircraft's datalink system could have been disabled by Shah as he was the only one aboard with the knowledge and experience to do it.&nbsp;

However, he believed that his theory is unlikely to be proven because the Malay air crash probe requires certainty.&nbsp;

The theory is not entirely new as previously also, claims were made that the pilot&nbsp;tried to hijack the plane.&nbsp;

The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 is one of the greatest aviation mysteries.

Malaysia, China, and Australia called off a two-year, A$200 million underwater search in the southern Indian Ocean in January 2017 after finding no trace of the aircraft.&nbsp;

A second three-month search, led by US firm Ocean Infinity, ended similarly in May 2018.&nbsp;

What happened to Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 and where did it go? There are hundreds of conspiracy theories that attempt to answer what might have happened to the Malaysia Airlines flight that was carrying 239 people and went missing above the Indian ocean in 2014.

What happened to Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 and where did it go? There are hundreds of conspiracy theories that attempt to answer what might have happened to the Malaysia Airlines flight that was carrying 239 people and went missing above the Indian ocean in 2014. The bombshell theory suggests that the MH370 was lost in a "murder-suicide plot". During the Sky News documentary "MH370: The Final Search", two air crash investigators made the claims, mentioning the suicide plot. The loss of MH370 was no accident said John Cox, who is a top aviation safety investigator and retired pilot. The documentary was aired on Wednesday night. WATCH | Russian President Vladimir Putin's tense exchange with his spy chief over eastern Ukraine The international passenger flight MH370 took off from Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia on 8 March 2014 and was flying toward its planned destination, Beijing Capital International Airport in China. The crew last communicated with air traffic control (ATC) around 38 minutes after takeoff when the flight was over the South China Sea. After that, the aircraft was lost from ATC radar screens, however, it was tracked by military radar for another hour. The aircraft was found deviating westwards from its planned flight path. Commenting on the deviated path, Cox told Sky that the plane's twisting route indicated that the flight had been commandeered by one of the captains. He told News Corp Australia as quoted by Daily Mail: "I think the evidence is pretty overwhelming that the aeroplane could not have flown the route it did with all the respective turns without that being a commandeered manoeuvre." ALSO READ | 'Beginning an invasion': US imposes fresh sanctions against Russia While pointing out the suspicious over the responsibility of First Officer and pilot for the flight's path, Cox said that the route had to have been flown by someone with expert knowledge. MH370 captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah was flying the plane alongside First Officer Fariq Abdul Hamid. Cox said that the aircraft's datalink system could have been disabled by Shah as he was the only one aboard with the knowledge and experience to do it. However, he believed that his theory is unlikely to be proven because the Malay air crash probe requires certainty. The theory is not entirely new as previously also, claims were made that the pilot tried to hijack the plane. The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 is one of the greatest aviation mysteries. Malaysia, China, and Australia called off a two-year, A$200 million underwater search in the southern Indian Ocean in January 2017 after finding no trace of the aircraft. A second three-month search, led by US firm Ocean Infinity, ended similarly in May 2018.

Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 was lost in 'murder-suicide' plot, expert claims

Former United States President Donald Trump weighed in on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis and noted how it could have been handled if he was in power.&nbsp;

Talking about his close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump on Tuesday (February 22) argued that the Ukraine crisis would not have happened under his administration.&nbsp;

In a statement, Trump said, "If properly handled, there was absolutely no reason that the situation currently happening in Ukraine should have happened at all."&nbsp;

He added, "I know Vladimir Putin very well, and he would have never done during the Trump administration what he is doing now, no way!"&nbsp;

"Now it has begun, oil prices are going higher and higher, and Putin is not only getting what he always wanted, but getting, because of the oil and gas surge, richer and richer," Trump added.&nbsp;

Russia has been slapped with multiple sanctions and facing massive backlash after Putin recognised two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent and ordered the deployment there.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-calls-up-military-reservists-urges-citizens-to-leave-russia-immediately-455628">Ukraine calls up military reservists, urges citizens to leave Russia 'immediately'</a>

The US imposed sanctions on Russia, and Biden stressed that the penalties were only a "first tranche" and more sanctions would come if Putin extended his country's military grip beyond the two territories in the eastern Donbas region.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, Biden said Washington would continue to supply "defensive" weapons to Ukraine against a Russian "invasion", and deploy US troops to reinforce NATO allies in Eastern Europe.&nbsp;

In a televised speech at the White House, Biden said: "Let me be clear, these are totally defensive moves on our part." &nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-russian-president-vladimir-putins-tense-exchange-with-his-spy-chief-over-eastern-ukraine-455611">Russian President Vladimir Putin's tense exchange with his spy chief over eastern Ukraine</a>

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(With inputs from agencies)

Former United States President Donald Trump weighed in on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis and noted how it could have been handled if he was in power. Talking about his close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump on Tuesday (February 22) argued that the Ukraine crisis would not have happened under his administration.

Former United States President Donald Trump weighed in on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis and noted how it could have been handled if he was in power. Talking about his close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump on Tuesday (February 22) argued that the Ukraine crisis would not have happened under his administration. In a statement, Trump said, "If properly handled, there was absolutely no reason that the situation currently happening in Ukraine should have happened at all." He added, "I know Vladimir Putin very well, and he would have never done during the Trump administration what he is doing now, no way!" "Now it has begun, oil prices are going higher and higher, and Putin is not only getting what he always wanted, but getting, because of the oil and gas surge, richer and richer," Trump added. Russia has been slapped with multiple sanctions and facing massive backlash after Putin recognised two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent and ordered the deployment there. ALSO READ | Ukraine calls up military reservists, urges citizens to leave Russia 'immediately' The US imposed sanctions on Russia, and Biden stressed that the penalties were only a "first tranche" and more sanctions would come if Putin extended his country's military grip beyond the two territories in the eastern Donbas region. On Tuesday, Biden said Washington would continue to supply "defensive" weapons to Ukraine against a Russian "invasion", and deploy US troops to reinforce NATO allies in Eastern Europe. In a televised speech at the White House, Biden said: "Let me be clear, these are totally defensive moves on our part." WATCH | Russian President Vladimir Putin's tense exchange with his spy chief over eastern Ukraine × (With inputs from agencies)

Donald Trump tells how Russia-Ukraine crisis could have been handled differently if he was in power

Ukrainian armed forces on Wednesday (February 23) said that the country has started conscripting reservists aged 18-60 following a decree by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The maximum service period is one year.&nbsp;

In a Facebook message, Ukrainian Ground Forces said: "Reservists aged 18 to 60 will be called up... The call will start today. The maximum service life is one year."&nbsp;

On Tuesday, Zelenskiy said he was introducing the conscription of reservists. He, however, ruled out a general mobilisation after Russia announced it was moving troops into eastern Ukraine.&nbsp;

WATCH | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-russian-president-vladimir-putins-tense-exchange-with-his-spy-chief-over-eastern-ukraine-455611">Russian President Vladimir Putin's tense exchange with his spy chief over eastern Ukraine</a>

Amid escalating situation, Ukraine on Wednesday urged its citizens to leave Russia immediately. "Because of the escalating Russian aggression against Ukraine, which can lead to a substantial reduction in possible consular assistance in Russia, the foreign ministry urges the citizens of Ukraine to refrain from travel to Russia, and for those in that country to leave its territory immediately," the ministry said.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Wednesday that the word "invasion" used by the United States President Joe Biden is not appropriate for what is happening now in Ukraine.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Biden said on Tuesday that the recognition of the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics as independent is the beginning of a Russian "invasion" of Ukraine.&nbsp;

IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/latest-satellite-pictures-show-russian-troop-deployment-near-ukraine-455540">Latest satellite pictures show Russian troop deployment near Ukraine</a>

"You need to weigh your words. An invasion is an invasion. And I think that this is not the right word for this situation [in Ukraine]. We will see what steps [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin will take next in the next hours, days or weeks," Le Maire told the BFM TV broadcaster.&nbsp;

"But what is happening now is an attempt to encroach on the territorial integrity of Ukraine and cast doubt on international agreements," he added.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Russian President Vladimir Putin: Best if Ukraine adopts neutrality and drops NATO bid

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(With inputs from agencies)

Ukrainian armed forces on Wednesday (February 23) said that the country has started conscripting reservists aged 18-60 following a decree by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Ukrainian armed forces on Wednesday (February 23) said that the country has started conscripting reservists aged 18-60 following a decree by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The maximum service period is one year. In a Facebook message, Ukrainian Ground Forces said: "Reservists aged 18 to 60 will be called up... The call will start today. The maximum service life is one year." On Tuesday, Zelenskiy said he was introducing the conscription of reservists. He, however, ruled out a general mobilisation after Russia announced it was moving troops into eastern Ukraine. WATCH | Russian President Vladimir Putin's tense exchange with his spy chief over eastern Ukraine Amid escalating situation, Ukraine on Wednesday urged its citizens to leave Russia immediately. "Because of the escalating Russian aggression against Ukraine, which can lead to a substantial reduction in possible consular assistance in Russia, the foreign ministry urges the citizens of Ukraine to refrain from travel to Russia, and for those in that country to leave its territory immediately," the ministry said. Meanwhile, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Wednesday that the word "invasion" used by the United States President Joe Biden is not appropriate for what is happening now in Ukraine. Biden said on Tuesday that the recognition of the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics as independent is the beginning of a Russian "invasion" of Ukraine. IN PICS | Latest satellite pictures show Russian troop deployment near Ukraine "You need to weigh your words. An invasion is an invasion. And I think that this is not the right word for this situation [in Ukraine]. We will see what steps [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin will take next in the next hours, days or weeks," Le Maire told the BFM TV broadcaster. "But what is happening now is an attempt to encroach on the territorial integrity of Ukraine and cast doubt on international agreements," he added. WATCH | Russian President Vladimir Putin: Best if Ukraine adopts neutrality and drops NATO bid × (With inputs from agencies)

Ukraine calls up military reservists, urges citizens to leave Russia 'immediately'

Russian President Vladimir Putin had a tense exchange with his spy chief Sergei Naryshkin during a crucial meeting of the Russian Security Council on Monday (February 21). The meeting was about the Russia-backed territories in east Ukraine.&nbsp;

The meeting happened before Putin ordered the deployment of troops to two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine - the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and the Lugansk People's Republic. The Russian leader recognised the two regions as independent.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beginning-an-invasion-us-imposes-fresh-sanctions-against-russia-455521">'Beginning an invasion': US imposes fresh sanctions against Russia</a>

A clip from the Russian Security Council meeting has gone viral where the chief of the foreign intelligence service is interrupted repeatedly by Putin, who even asked Naryshkin to&nbsp;'speak plainly!'&nbsp;

In the video, Naryshkin hesitated&nbsp;as he was interrupted by Putin while he was speaking about the recognition of Luhansk and Donetsk as independent regions and incorporating them into Russia.&nbsp;

Watch the video here:&nbsp;

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In case you wonder whether the Russian intelligence community is afraid of speaking their mind in front of Putin. 
 
Sergei Naryshkin, chief of the Foreign Intelligence Service, tried to say there could be ways to avoid war at the security council meeting. <a href="https://t.co/2k96uJyHU7">pic.twitter.com/2k96uJyHU7</a>
— Visegrád 24 🇨🇿🇭🇺🇵🇱🇸🇰 (@visegrad24) <a href="https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1496254648776335361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2022</a></blockquote>
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IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/latest-satellite-pictures-show-russian-troop-deployment-near-ukraine-455540">Latest satellite pictures show Russian troop deployment near Ukraine</a>

After imposing sanctions on Russia, the United States President Joe Biden earlier stressed that the penalties were only a "first tranche" and more sanctions would come if Putin extended his country's military grip beyond the two territories in the eastern Donbas region.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, Biden said Washington would continue to supply "defensive" weapons to Ukraine against a Russian invasion, and deploy US troops to reinforce NATO allies in Eastern Europe.&nbsp;

"Let me be clear, these are totally defensive moves on our part," Biden said in a televised speech at the White House.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Russian President Vladimir Putin: Best if Ukraine adopts neutrality and drops NATO bid

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&nbsp;

Russian President Vladimir Putin had a tense exchange with his spy chief Sergei Naryshkin during a crucial meeting of the Russian Security Council on Monday (February 21).

Russian President Vladimir Putin had a tense exchange with his spy chief Sergei Naryshkin during a crucial meeting of the Russian Security Council on Monday (February 21). The meeting was about the Russia-backed territories in east Ukraine. The meeting happened before Putin ordered the deployment of troops to two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine - the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and the Lugansk People's Republic. The Russian leader recognised the two regions as independent. ALSO READ | 'Beginning an invasion': US imposes fresh sanctions against Russia A clip from the Russian Security Council meeting has gone viral where the chief of the foreign intelligence service is interrupted repeatedly by Putin, who even asked Naryshkin to 'speak plainly!' In the video, Naryshkin hesitated as he was interrupted by Putin while he was speaking about the recognition of Luhansk and Donetsk as independent regions and incorporating them into Russia. Watch the video here: In case you wonder whether the Russian intelligence community is afraid of speaking their mind in front of Putin. Sergei Naryshkin, chief of the Foreign Intelligence Service, tried to say there could be ways to avoid war at the security council meeting. pic.twitter.com/2k96uJyHU7 — Visegrád 24 🇨🇿🇭🇺🇵🇱🇸🇰 (@visegrad24) February 22, 2022 × IN PICS | Latest satellite pictures show Russian troop deployment near Ukraine After imposing sanctions on Russia, the United States President Joe Biden earlier stressed that the penalties were only a "first tranche" and more sanctions would come if Putin extended his country's military grip beyond the two territories in the eastern Donbas region. On Tuesday, Biden said Washington would continue to supply "defensive" weapons to Ukraine against a Russian invasion, and deploy US troops to reinforce NATO allies in Eastern Europe. "Let me be clear, these are totally defensive moves on our part," Biden said in a televised speech at the White House. WATCH | Russian President Vladimir Putin: Best if Ukraine adopts neutrality and drops NATO bid ×

Watch: Russian President Vladimir Putin's tense exchange with his spy chief over eastern Ukraine

France has removed Australia from its list of close "strategic partners" as the European nation plans a new Indo-Pacific strategy.&nbsp;

This comes in the aftermath of a diplomatic row that erupted when the United States, United Kingdom and Australia announced a new defence deal last year in September.&nbsp;

As per the agreement (Aukus), the US and UK will help Australia deploy nuclear-powered submarines in the Pacific region, however, France had said that it has been "stabbed in the back" by Australia.&nbsp;

The agreement was signed at a cost of angering France as UK Prime Minister Scott Morrison revealed plans to scrap a $90 billion deal to buy submarines from France.&nbsp;

In the latest development, a document issued by French President Emmanuel Macron's government revealed the country's new Indo-Pacific Strategy, which saw a significant change.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In the updated version of the strategy, the European nation&nbsp;said it would now cooperate with Australia on a "case-by-case basis".

The French government explains, "Australia’s decision in September 2021, without prior consultation or warning, to break off the partnership of trust with France that included the Future Submarine Programme (FSP), has led to a re‐evaluation of the past strategic partnership [between] the two countries."

"France will pursue bilateral cooperation with Australia on a case‐by‐case basis, according to its national interests and those of regional partners," it said.&nbsp;

"France intends to maintain close relations with the United States, an ally and major player in the Indo‐Pacific, and to strengthen coordination, including on issues raised by the announcement of the Aukus agreement," it added.&nbsp;

France has removed Australia from its list of close "strategic partners" as the European nation plans a new Indo-Pacific strategy. This comes in the aftermath of a diplomatic row that erupted when the United States, United Kingdom and Australia announced a new defence deal last year in September.

France has removed Australia from its list of close "strategic partners" as the European nation plans a new Indo-Pacific strategy. This comes in the aftermath of a diplomatic row that erupted when the United States, United Kingdom and Australia announced a new defence deal last year in September. As per the agreement (Aukus), the US and UK will help Australia deploy nuclear-powered submarines in the Pacific region, however, France had said that it has been "stabbed in the back" by Australia. The agreement was signed at a cost of angering France as UK Prime Minister Scott Morrison revealed plans to scrap a $90 billion deal to buy submarines from France. In the latest development, a document issued by French President Emmanuel Macron's government revealed the country's new Indo-Pacific Strategy, which saw a significant change. In the updated version of the strategy, the European nation said it would now cooperate with Australia on a "case-by-case basis". The French government explains, "Australia’s decision in September 2021, without prior consultation or warning, to break off the partnership of trust with France that included the Future Submarine Programme (FSP), has led to a re‐evaluation of the past strategic partnership [between] the two countries." "France will pursue bilateral cooperation with Australia on a case‐by‐case basis, according to its national interests and those of regional partners," it said. "France intends to maintain close relations with the United States, an ally and major player in the Indo‐Pacific, and to strengthen coordination, including on issues raised by the announcement of the Aukus agreement," it added.

France removes Australia as 'strategic partner' in a new Indo-Pacific strategy

Lawyers for&nbsp;Honduran&nbsp;ex-president&nbsp;Juan Orlando Hernandez, wanted on drug trafficking charges in the United States, asked Monday that he be granted&nbsp;house&nbsp;arrest&nbsp;while the&nbsp;extradition&nbsp;case against him proceeds, a spokesperson said.

The 53-year-old is accused of having facilitated the smuggling of some 500 tons of drugs -- mainly from Colombia and Venezuela -- to the United States via Honduras since 2004.

In turn, he allegedly received "millions of dollars in bribes... from multiple narcotrafficking organizations in Honduras, Mexico and other places," according to a document from the US embassy in Tegucigalpa.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-meet-hondurass-first-woman-president-xiomara-castro-448320">In Pics: Meet Honduras's first woman president Xiomara Castro</a>

Washington requested on February 14 he be extradited to the United States to face charges.

He was arrested and placed in prison at the Special Forces headquarters, in the east of the capital Tegucigalpa.

A judge ruled Hernandez would stay there in preventative detention until a second hearing next month.

But on Monday, Hernandez's defence team requested "the change of detention measure... to his home, under&nbsp;house&nbsp;arrest," Supreme Court spokesman Melvin Duarte said.

The court had said on Twitter the judge had agreed to hear an appeal from the defense team to revoke Hernandez's preventative detention.

The appeal has to be approved by all 15 justices of the Supreme Court.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/honduran-ex-president-to-remain-in-custody-as-us-seeks-extradition-454131">Honduran ex-president to remain in custody as US seeks extradition</a>

In power for eight years until January 27, when leftist Xiomara Castro was sworn in as Honduras's first woman president, Hernandez was taken from his home in Tegucigalpa by&nbsp;Honduran&nbsp;police acting in coordination with US agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration.

While the right-wing politician had portrayed himself as an ally of the US war on drugs during his tenure, traffickers caught in the United States claimed to have paid bribes to the president's inner circle.

Hernandez's brother, former&nbsp;Honduran&nbsp;congressman Tony Hernandez, was given a life sentence in the United States in March 2021 for drug trafficking.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on February 7 that "according to multiple, credible media reports," Hernandez "has engaged in significant corruption by committing or facilitating acts of corruption and narco-trafficking and using the proceeds of illicit activity to facilitate political campaigns."

Hernandez denies the claims, which he said were part of a revenge plot by traffickers that his government had captured or extradited to the United States.&nbsp;

His wife, Ana Garcia, appeared Monday before the National Commission on Human Rights to protest against the way her husband was arrested.

"You transmitted all the images of the humiliating and degrading way in which my husband was treated," she told reporters. "The authorities who allowed the use of shackles and chains... exhibited him publicly as a trophy."

But deputy security minister Julissa Villanueva said she had checked Hernandez's prison conditions Monday and did not find "any violation of human rights, cruel or degrading treatment."

Lawyers for Honduran ex-president Juan Orlando Hernandez, wanted on drug trafficking charges in the United States, asked Monday that he be granted house arrest while the extradition case against him proceeds, a spokesperson said.

Lawyers for Honduran ex-president Juan Orlando Hernandez, wanted on drug trafficking charges in the United States, asked Monday that he be granted house arrest while the extradition case against him proceeds, a spokesperson said. The 53-year-old is accused of having facilitated the smuggling of some 500 tons of drugs -- mainly from Colombia and Venezuela -- to the United States via Honduras since 2004. In turn, he allegedly received "millions of dollars in bribes... from multiple narcotrafficking organizations in Honduras, Mexico and other places," according to a document from the US embassy in Tegucigalpa. Also read | In Pics: Meet Honduras's first woman president Xiomara Castro Washington requested on February 14 he be extradited to the United States to face charges. He was arrested and placed in prison at the Special Forces headquarters, in the east of the capital Tegucigalpa. A judge ruled Hernandez would stay there in preventative detention until a second hearing next month. But on Monday, Hernandez's defence team requested "the change of detention measure... to his home, under house arrest," Supreme Court spokesman Melvin Duarte said. The court had said on Twitter the judge had agreed to hear an appeal from the defense team to revoke Hernandez's preventative detention. The appeal has to be approved by all 15 justices of the Supreme Court. Also read | Honduran ex-president to remain in custody as US seeks extradition In power for eight years until January 27, when leftist Xiomara Castro was sworn in as Honduras's first woman president, Hernandez was taken from his home in Tegucigalpa by Honduran police acting in coordination with US agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration. While the right-wing politician had portrayed himself as an ally of the US war on drugs during his tenure, traffickers caught in the United States claimed to have paid bribes to the president's inner circle. Hernandez's brother, former Honduran congressman Tony Hernandez, was given a life sentence in the United States in March 2021 for drug trafficking. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on February 7 that "according to multiple, credible media reports," Hernandez "has engaged in significant corruption by committing or facilitating acts of corruption and narco-trafficking and using the proceeds of illicit activity to facilitate political campaigns." Hernandez denies the claims, which he said were part of a revenge plot by traffickers that his government had captured or extradited to the United States. His wife, Ana Garcia, appeared Monday before the National Commission on Human Rights to protest against the way her husband was arrested. "You transmitted all the images of the humiliating and degrading way in which my husband was treated," she told reporters. "The authorities who allowed the use of shackles and chains... exhibited him publicly as a trophy." But deputy security minister Julissa Villanueva said she had checked Hernandez's prison conditions Monday and did not find "any violation of human rights, cruel or degrading treatment."

Former Honduran president asks for house arrest while extradition case against him proceeds

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