WORLD

Britain’s broadcasting regulator on Friday revoked the licence of Russia’s state-funded television channel RT, in the latest international repercussion for Moscow after its invasion of Ukraine. “Ofcom has today revoked RT’s licence to broadcast in the UK, with immediate effect,” it said in a statement, adding that the channel was not “fit and proper” to operate in the country.

Britain Revokes UK Licence of Russia's State-funded TV Channel© Provided by News18 Britain Revokes UK Licence of Russia's State-funded TV Channel

The move follows a similar ban issued by the European Union earlier this month as Western nations seek to punish Russia for its war in Ukraine.

The European Space Agency said on Thursday it's suspending an upcoming Mars mission with Russia due to the nation's ongoing assault against Ukraine.

After meeting in Paris on Wednesday and Thursday to discuss the impact of Russia's war on Ukraine, the ESA said it would be unable to cooperate with Russian space agency Roscosmos in the upcoming ExoMars rover mission. The mission aims to search for signs of ancient Mars life and drill into the planet to collect samples up to 6 feet below the surface.

The rover was designed to launch on a Russian Proton rocket and land on Mars atop a Russian science platform — both integral elements of a Mars mission.

For the supply of airplane parts, Russia now plans to seek assistance from India, Turkey and other countries, as China refused to supply Russia with aircraft parts, reported Global Defense Corp. 

After the Russian aviation sector was hit by crippling Western sanctions for war against Ukraine, China took this decision. Russia's air transport agency Rosaviatsiya was considering various alternatives for aircraft parts supply after China refused to supply aircraft parts amid sanctions. 

Rosaviatsia official Valery Kudinov was quoted by Interfax as saying, "We have tasked airlines with looking for a possible supplier of parts on their own. As far as I know, there is information that a request has been made to China, but China has refused to do it."

ndiGo, on Tuesday, recommenced flights to Thailand after two year long absence. IndiGo said that its flights from Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, and Bengaluru will fly to Bangkok and another set of flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Phuket.

Its flights from Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai to Bangkok and from Delhi and Mumbai to Phuket will begin on April 1.

The airline will operate these flights under air bubble agreement till March 26, and thereafter as part of its scheduled commercial international operations. William Boulter, chief commercial officer, IndiGo said, “We are pleased to resume operations between India and Thailand with flights to Bangkok and Phuket as per the guidelines issued by the ministry of civil aviation.

The attack on Yavoriv International Centre for Peacekeeping and Security early Monday led to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky renewing his call to NATO to impose a no-flying zone.

Zelensky Warns NATO Will Be Drawn Into Conflict After Russia Bombs Yavoriv Army Base© Provided by News18 Zelensky Warns NATO Will Be Drawn Into Conflict After Russia Bombs Yavoriv Army Base

“If you do not close our sky, it is only a matter of time before Russian missiles fall on your territory, on NATO territory, on the homes of NATO citizens,” Zelensky said in a video address, according to news agency AFP. “Last year, I clearly warned NATO leaders that if there were no harsh preventive sanctions against the Russian Federation, it would go to war.  We were right,” he further added.