Russia’s airstrikes have destroyed the world largest Ukraine’s Antonov-225 cargo plane outside Kyiv on the fourth day of Moscow’s invasion, Ukraine’s state-owned Ukroboronprom group reported on Sunday. The group in a statement said: “Russian invaders destroyed the flagship of the Ukrainian aviation, the AN-225” at the Antonov airport in Gostomel near Kyiv. The aircraft was unique to the world, at 84 meters long (276 feet) it could transport up to 250 tonnes (551,000 pounds) of cargo at a speed of up to 850 kilometres per hour (528 mph). It had been named “Mriya”, which means “dream” in Ukrainian. “This was…
Author: Newsdesk
A Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja, on Monday, refused to grant the bail application of suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari. Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling, said the application had been overtaken by events following an order of a sister court, granting the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)’s prayers to detain Kyari for another 14 days to enable it conclude its investigation. Justice Ekwo held that the sister court, which gave the order in favour of NDLEA on Feb. 22, was a court of coordinate jurisdiction. The judge, however, said he was inclined to hear Kyari’s…
South Korea to join international sanctions and ban the export of strategic materials to Russia amid the situation around Ukraine, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday. “As a form of sanctions against Russia, our government has prohibited the export of strategic materials to Russia, strengthening the export verification procedure,” the ministry said in a statement. The statement said the relevant South Korean departments will consider possible restrictions on non-strategic materials and extension of sanctions against Russia, including 57 items that are subject to the U.S. sanctions, such as computers, sensors, aviation, space industries, and others. Western…
Major Canadian cable operators have said they would drop Russian state-owned broadcaster RT from their channel line-up in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Shaw Communications (SJRb.TO) on Monday removed RT, saying users who subscribed to RT as a pick and pay service would receive a credit in the next billing cycle. Rogers Communications and BCE Inc’s (BCE.TO) Bell said RT would no longer be available on their systems. TELUS also tweeted that Telus Optik TV was joining the move. Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission did not immediately respond to request for a comment. Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez praised…
The United Nations Human Rights Council decided on Monday to hold an emergency debate on the situation in Ukraine, according to the results of the vote. A total of 29 countries voted in favour of holding the debate, 13 states, including Kazakhstan, Namibia, Pakistan, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, the UAE and Uzbekistan, abstained. Five countries, including Russia, Cuba and Venezuela, opposed the proposal. The council held emergency debates only six times. As a result of the debate, a resolution can be adopted, the draft of which must be supported by at least 24 countries. Sputnik
The Attah and Paramount Ruler of Aiyede Kingdom in Ekiti state, Oba, AbdulMumini Orishagbemi was Sunday night at about 9.30pm attacked by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers. This is contained in a statement by the Media and Publicity Consultant to the Attah of Aiyede Kingdom, Bashir Adefaka made available to ASHENEWS on Monday. “Kabiyesi, whose security guards provided by Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were withdrawn recently for no given reason, was returning Ijero Ekiti when he got accosted by the criminal elements, on a spot at between Isan and Iludun, in Ilejemeje local government area of the…
European Union (EU) foreign policy Chief Josep Borrell on Monday said European Union defence ministers would meet virtually to coordinate their assistance for Ukraine. Borrell in his twitter account said this came after the bloc decided for the first time to jointly fund weapons and send them to Kyiv. “We will discuss further urgent needs and coordinate our assistance, with help of the clearinghouse managed by the EU military staff,” Borrell said. On Sunday, the EU announced it would tighten sanctions on Russia, ban Russian state-owned television network Russia Today and news agency Sputnik. It added that it would fund…
North Korea says its most recent launch test was for the development of a reconnaissance satellite system, state news agency KCNA reports. “The DPRK National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA) and the Academy of Defence Science conducted an important test on Sunday under the plan of developing a reconnaissance satellite,” KCNA reported. The test helped the two bodies “confirm the characteristics and working accuracy of high definition photographing system, data transmission system and attitude control devices,” according to the agency. Reconnaissance satellites are primarily used for military purposes. North Korea did not provide any details about the projectile used to transport…
European Union (EU) sanctions against Russia’s central bank came into force after being published in the EU’s Official Journal in the early hours of Monday. They include a ban on transactions with the Russian financial institution, according to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. All of the bank’s assets in the EU will also be frozen in a bid to block financing for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine. The measure is considered just as hefty as the planned exclusion of Russian financial institutions from the SWIFT banking network. The EU sanctions combined with those of its G7 partner’s mean around…
Indian government has announced indefinite suspension of commercial international flights into and out of the country, officials said Monday. According to a circular issued by the country’s civil aviation Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday, the restriction shall not be applicable for international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by DGCA. “The competent authority has decided to extend the suspension of scheduled international commercial passenger services to and from India till further orders. “However, flights under air bubble arrangement will not be affected.” Commercial flights were suspended when the country imposed a complete nationwide lockdown late in March…