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<p>Israel, which recently said&nbsp;it was ready for new truce talks&nbsp;in the ongoing Gaza conflict with terrorist organisation Hamas, launched fresh deadly strikes in the Palestinian territory on Thursday (May 23). Two pre-dawn air strikes had killed 26 people, including 15 children, in&nbsp;Gaza City.&nbsp;Fierce fighting&nbsp;was also seen&nbsp;in&nbsp;Jabalia and&nbsp;Rafah between the Israeli military and Hamas militants.</p>

<p>While Iran released the first report on the helicopter crash that killed President Ebrahim Raisi.&nbsp;The report said that&nbsp;the helicopter&nbsp;throughout&nbsp;its&nbsp;journey&nbsp;flew on its predetermined course and did not deviate from the flight route.&nbsp;The report also&nbsp;said&nbsp;that there&nbsp;were no suspicious issues in the conversations between the flight crew and the watchtower.</p>

<p>In other news from around the world,&nbsp;South Korea and Japan on Friday announced a series of sanctions on&nbsp;people, organisations, and vessels related to Russia's alleged&nbsp;procurement of weapons from North&nbsp;Korea.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Click on the headlines to read more:</strong></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-launches-fresh-strikes-on-gaza-while-saying-its-ready-for-new-truce-talks-724760"><strong>Israel launches fresh strikes on Gaza while saying it's ready for new truce talks</strong></a></p>

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<p>Israel on Thursday (May 23) launched fresh deadly strikes on the Gaza Strip while saying it was ready for new truce talks in&nbsp;war against terrorist organisation Hamas. Citing the Gaza Strip's&nbsp;civil defence agency, the news agency AFP reported&nbsp;two pre-dawn air strikes had killed 26 people, including 15 children, in&nbsp;Gaza City.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-releases-first-report-on-president-raisis-death-reveals-minutes-before-crash-pilot-contacted-724766"><strong>Iran releases first report on President Raisi's death, reveals pilot 'contacted...'</strong></a></p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/05/24/433457-untitled-design-2024-05-24t082324984.png?imwidth=400" /></p>

<p>The first investigative report on the fatal helicopter crash which led to the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the officials who had accompanied him&nbsp;was released&nbsp;by the General Staff of Iran's Armed Forces.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alleged-russia-north-korea-arms-trade-south-korea-japan-impose-sanctions-724787"><strong>Alleged Russia-North Korea arms trade: South Korea, Japan impose sanctions</strong></a></p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/05/24/433472-untitled-design-96.png?imwidth=400" /></p>

<p>South Korea and Japan on Friday (May 24) announced a series of sanctions on&nbsp;people, organisations, and vessels related to Russia's alleged&nbsp;procurement of weapons from North&nbsp;Korea.&nbsp;The sanctions came as&nbsp;South Korea and the United States (US)&nbsp;accused North Korea&nbsp;of transferring weapons to Russia for use in its war against Ukraine.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-says-he-would-have-taken-kartarpur-sahib-from-pakistan-if-he-was-pm-in-1971-724769"><strong>Modi says he would have taken Kartarpur Sahib from Pakistan if he was PM in 1971</strong></a></p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/05/24/433460-modipunjab.png?imwidth=400" /></p>

<p>In his first election rally in northern India's Punjab state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the past spectre of 1971 war with Pakistan and added that had he been the prime minister, he would have taken Kartarpur Sahib in return for the release of over 90,000 Pakistani soldiers who surrendered to Indian forces then.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Intense heatwave sweeps across northern India</strong></p>

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Israel, which recently said it was ready for new truce talks in the ongoing Gaza conflict with terrorist organisation Hamas, launched fresh deadly strikes in the Palestinian territory on Thursday (May 23).

Israel, which recently said it was ready for new truce talks in the ongoing Gaza conflict with terrorist organisation Hamas, launched fresh deadly strikes in the Palestinian territory on Thursday (May 23). Two pre-dawn air strikes had killed 26 people, including 15 children, in Gaza City. Fierce fighting was also seen in Jabalia and Rafah between the Israeli military and Hamas militants. While Iran released the first report on the helicopter crash that killed President Ebrahim Raisi. The report said that the helicopter throughout its journey flew on its predetermined course and did not deviate from the flight route. The report also said that there were no suspicious issues in the conversations between the flight crew and the watchtower. In other news from around the world, South Korea and Japan on Friday announced a series of sanctions on people, organisations, and vessels related to Russia's alleged procurement of weapons from North Korea. Click on the headlines to read more: Israel launches fresh strikes on Gaza while saying it's ready for new truce talks Israel on Thursday (May 23) launched fresh deadly strikes on the Gaza Strip while saying it was ready for new truce talks in war against terrorist organisation Hamas. Citing the Gaza Strip's civil defence agency, the news agency AFP reported two pre-dawn air strikes had killed 26 people, including 15 children, in Gaza City. Iran releases first report on President Raisi's death, reveals pilot 'contacted...' The first investigative report on the fatal helicopter crash which led to the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the officials who had accompanied him was released by the General Staff of Iran's Armed Forces. Alleged Russia-North Korea arms trade: South Korea, Japan impose sanctions South Korea and Japan on Friday (May 24) announced a series of sanctions on people, organisations, and vessels related to Russia's alleged procurement of weapons from North Korea. The sanctions came as South Korea and the United States (US) accused North Korea of transferring weapons to Russia for use in its war against Ukraine. Modi says he would have taken Kartarpur Sahib from Pakistan if he was PM in 1971 In his first election rally in northern India's Punjab state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the past spectre of 1971 war with Pakistan and added that had he been the prime minister, he would have taken Kartarpur Sahib in return for the release of over 90,000 Pakistani soldiers who surrendered to Indian forces then. Watch | Intense heatwave sweeps across northern India ×

Morning brief: Israel launches fresh strikes on Gaza; Iran releases first report on Raisi's death, and more

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<p>United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday (May 23) that Washington was introducing new visa restrictions on Georgia over a&nbsp;&nbsp;"foreign agent"&nbsp;bill passed by the Georgian parliament earlier this month. In a <strong><a href="https://www.state.gov/announcement-of-a-visa-restriction-policy-for-undermining-democracy-in-georgia-and-comprehensive-review-of-all-u-s-georgia-cooperation/">statement, Secretary of State Blinken</a></strong> said that the visa restriction would&nbsp;"apply to&nbsp;individuals who are responsible for or complicit in undermining&nbsp;democracy in Georgia, as well as their family members."</p>

<p>"This includes individuals responsible for suppressing civil society and freedom of peaceful assembly in Georgia through a campaign of violence or intimidation,"&nbsp;he said,&nbsp;adding,&nbsp;that US&nbsp;support for Georgia was&nbsp;"longstanding and foundational to our bilateral relationship."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/georgia-president-says-vetoed-controversial-foreign-influence-law-722880">Georgian president vetoes controversial law after weeks of protests</a></strong></p>

<p>Blinken also announced that he has launched&nbsp;a comprehensive review of bilateral cooperation between the US and Georgia.&nbsp;"It remains our hope that&nbsp;Georgia’s&nbsp;leaders will reconsider the draft law and take steps to move forward with their&nbsp;nation’s&nbsp;democratic and Euro-Atlantic aspirations,"&nbsp;the secretary of state added.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What is the foreign agent bill?</strong></h2>

<p>The foreign agent bill&nbsp;requires NGOs&nbsp;and media outlets that receive more than 20 per cent of their funding from abroad to&nbsp;register as bodies&nbsp;"pursuing the interests of a foreign power."</p>

<p>Georgian lawmakers passed the bill despite&nbsp;major&nbsp;protests. Critics have decried the bill as&nbsp;authoritarian and Russian-inspired. However, the ruling&nbsp;Georgian Dream party has said that the legislation is needed&nbsp;to ensure transparency in foreign funding of NGOs and protect the&nbsp;country's&nbsp;sovereignty.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Georgian president vetoes foreign agent law, says 'it stalls our pathway to EU membership'</strong></p>

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<p>On Thursday, Blinken said&nbsp;that the&nbsp;bill would&nbsp;"stifle the exercise of freedoms of association and expression,&nbsp;stigmatise&nbsp;organisations&nbsp;that serve the citizens of Georgia, and impede independent media&nbsp;organizations&nbsp;working to provide Georgians with access to high-quality information."</p>

<h2><strong>US blackmailing Georgia over bill: Russia</strong></h2>

<p>Also on Thursday, Russia hit out at the US over the foreign agent bill, saying the world was watching another&nbsp;fact of the cynical and inconsiderate American intervention into affairs of sovereign countries.</p>

<p>"For now,&nbsp;Washington does not like a&nbsp;Georgian law on foreign influence transparency.&nbsp;And what will be next? What law would Washington not like?&nbsp;You know,&nbsp;they are just testing the waters,"&nbsp;Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said, as reported by&nbsp;news agency Reuters.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"If Tbilisi and&nbsp;Georgia, people of&nbsp;Georgia&nbsp;subject&nbsp;to this blackmailing now, they would just demonstrate that it is possible to do anything with them. It is a fact,"&nbsp;she added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday (May 23) that Washington was introducing new visa restrictions on Georgia over a "foreign agent" bill passed by the Georgian parliament earlier this month.

United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday (May 23) that Washington was introducing new visa restrictions on Georgia over a "foreign agent" bill passed by the Georgian parliament earlier this month. In a statement, Secretary of State Blinken said that the visa restriction would "apply to individuals who are responsible for or complicit in undermining democracy in Georgia, as well as their family members." "This includes individuals responsible for suppressing civil society and freedom of peaceful assembly in Georgia through a campaign of violence or intimidation," he said, adding, that US support for Georgia was "longstanding and foundational to our bilateral relationship." Also read | Georgian president vetoes controversial law after weeks of protests Blinken also announced that he has launched a comprehensive review of bilateral cooperation between the US and Georgia. "It remains our hope that Georgia’s leaders will reconsider the draft law and take steps to move forward with their nation’s democratic and Euro-Atlantic aspirations," the secretary of state added. What is the foreign agent bill? The foreign agent bill requires NGOs and media outlets that receive more than 20 per cent of their funding from abroad to register as bodies "pursuing the interests of a foreign power." Georgian lawmakers passed the bill despite major protests. Critics have decried the bill as authoritarian and Russian-inspired. However, the ruling Georgian Dream party has said that the legislation is needed to ensure transparency in foreign funding of NGOs and protect the country's sovereignty. Also watch | Georgian president vetoes foreign agent law, says 'it stalls our pathway to EU membership' × On Thursday, Blinken said that the bill would "stifle the exercise of freedoms of association and expression, stigmatise organisations that serve the citizens of Georgia, and impede independent media organizations working to provide Georgians with access to high-quality information." US blackmailing Georgia over bill: Russia Also on Thursday, Russia hit out at the US over the foreign agent bill, saying the world was watching another fact of the cynical and inconsiderate American intervention into affairs of sovereign countries. "For now, Washington does not like a Georgian law on foreign influence transparency. And what will be next? What law would Washington not like? You know, they are just testing the waters," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said, as reported by news agency Reuters. "If Tbilisi and Georgia, people of Georgia subject to this blackmailing now, they would just demonstrate that it is possible to do anything with them. It is a fact," she added. (With inputs from agencies)

US introduces new visa restrictions on Georgia over 'foreign agent' bill

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<p>Israel on Thursday (May 23) launched fresh deadly strikes on the Gaza Strip while saying it was ready for new truce talks in&nbsp;war against terrorist organisation Hamas. Citing the Gaza Strip's&nbsp;civil defence agency, the news agency AFP reported&nbsp;two pre-dawn air strikes had killed 26 people, including 15 children, in&nbsp;Gaza City.</p>

<p>A civil defence agency spokesperson told AFP that one Israeli strike&nbsp;hit a family house, killing 16&nbsp;people,&nbsp;in the Al-Daraj area, and another killed&nbsp;10&nbsp;people inside a mosque compound.</p>

<p>Fierce fighting&nbsp;was also seen&nbsp;in&nbsp;Jabalia and&nbsp;Rafah&nbsp;where the armed wings of Hamas and its ally Islamic Jihad said they had fired mortar barrages at Israeli troops.</p>

<h2><strong>International pressure for ceasefire mounting</strong></h2>

<p>International pressure for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip&nbsp;has been mounting on Israel as the previous rounds of truce talks failed to produce any positive results. Earlier this week, the&nbsp;International Criminal Court's (ICC) prosecutor sought&nbsp;arrest warrants on war crimes charges against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister&nbsp;Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-slams-countries-recognising-palestinian-state-says-it-does-not-promote-peace-724671">Israel slams countries recognising Palestinian state, says move 'does not promote peace'</a></strong></p>

<p>Also,&nbsp;Ireland, Norway and Spain said they would recognise a Palestinian state on May 28 and urged other European states to follow their lead. The three countries&nbsp;recognised a Palestinian state with its borders to&nbsp;be&nbsp;demarcated&nbsp;as they were prior to 1967, with Jerusalem as the capital of both Israel and Palestine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, they also recognised that those borders may change in any eventual talks to reach a final settlement.</p>

<p>Israel hit back at the arrest warrants,&nbsp;voicing "disgust" over the ICC request and labelling any recognition of Palestinian statehood a "reward for terrorism".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Senior foreign ministry official Jacob Blitstein told the envoys of Ireland, Norway and Spain on Thursday that there will be "serious consequences" for their relations with Israel after they recognise the state of Palestine.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>ICJ to rule on South Africa's Gaza ceasefire bid today</strong></h2>

<p>Meanwhile, on Friday,&nbsp;the International Court of Justice&nbsp;(ICJ) will rule on a request&nbsp;by South Africa to order Israel to implement a ceasefire in the&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;Strip. South Africa has petitioned the ICJ for emergency measures to order Israel to cease its military operations in Gaza&nbsp;including&nbsp;in Rafah, where it is pressing an offensive.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Israel's war cabinet approves new guidelines for hostage talks with Hamas</strong></p>

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<p>The&nbsp;rulings of the ICJ, which judges on&nbsp;disputes between states, are binding, but it has no power to enforce them.</p>

<p>However, a ruling&nbsp;against Israel would increase international legal pressure.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Israel on Thursday (May 23) launched fresh deadly strikes on the Gaza Strip while saying it was ready for new truce talks in war against terrorist organisation Hamas.

Israel on Thursday (May 23) launched fresh deadly strikes on the Gaza Strip while saying it was ready for new truce talks in war against terrorist organisation Hamas. Citing the Gaza Strip's civil defence agency, the news agency AFP reported two pre-dawn air strikes had killed 26 people, including 15 children, in Gaza City. A civil defence agency spokesperson told AFP that one Israeli strike hit a family house, killing 16 people, in the Al-Daraj area, and another killed 10 people inside a mosque compound. Fierce fighting was also seen in Jabalia and Rafah where the armed wings of Hamas and its ally Islamic Jihad said they had fired mortar barrages at Israeli troops. International pressure for ceasefire mounting International pressure for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip has been mounting on Israel as the previous rounds of truce talks failed to produce any positive results. Earlier this week, the International Criminal Court's (ICC) prosecutor sought arrest warrants on war crimes charges against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders. Also read | Israel slams countries recognising Palestinian state, says move 'does not promote peace' Also, Ireland, Norway and Spain said they would recognise a Palestinian state on May 28 and urged other European states to follow their lead. The three countries recognised a Palestinian state with its borders to be demarcated as they were prior to 1967, with Jerusalem as the capital of both Israel and Palestine. However, they also recognised that those borders may change in any eventual talks to reach a final settlement. Israel hit back at the arrest warrants, voicing "disgust" over the ICC request and labelling any recognition of Palestinian statehood a "reward for terrorism". Senior foreign ministry official Jacob Blitstein told the envoys of Ireland, Norway and Spain on Thursday that there will be "serious consequences" for their relations with Israel after they recognise the state of Palestine. ICJ to rule on South Africa's Gaza ceasefire bid today Meanwhile, on Friday, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will rule on a request by South Africa to order Israel to implement a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. South Africa has petitioned the ICJ for emergency measures to order Israel to cease its military operations in Gaza including in Rafah, where it is pressing an offensive. Also watch | Israel's war cabinet approves new guidelines for hostage talks with Hamas × The rulings of the ICJ, which judges on disputes between states, are binding, but it has no power to enforce them. However, a ruling against Israel would increase international legal pressure. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel launches fresh strikes on Gaza while saying it's ready for new truce talks

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<p>Israel announced on Friday (May 24)&nbsp;that it will stop work of the Spanish consulate for Palestinians. In a post on X, Israel's Foreign Minister&nbsp;Israel Katz said, "I have decided to cut the connection between the diplomatic representation of Spain in Israel and the Palestinians and prohibit the Spanish consulate in Jerusalem from providing services to Palestinians in Judea and Samaria."</p>

<p>Katz said the step&nbsp;was taken&nbsp;following&nbsp;Spain's plan&nbsp;to formally recognise a Palestinian state. Apart from Spain, Ireland and Norway also announced their plans to recognise a Palestinian state.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bidens-clean-chit-to-israel-us-president-says-war-in-gaza-not-genocide-723694">Biden's clean chit to Israel? US president says war in Gaza 'not genocide'</a></strong></p>

<p>The three European countries said they wanted to&nbsp;help secure a halt to Israel's devastating Gaza offensive and revive peace talks that stalled a decade ago.</p>

<h2><strong>Israel reprimands Irish, Spanish, and Norwegian&nbsp;envoys</strong></h2>

<p>On Thursday, the Israeli government&nbsp;reprimanded the ambassadors of Ireland, Norway and Spain over their plans to recognise the Palestinian state. Addressing a press conference,&nbsp;government spokesperson Avi Hyman said that recognising a&nbsp;Palestinian&nbsp;state&nbsp;does not promote&nbsp;peace,&nbsp;but "perpetuates war."</p>

<p>"Any&nbsp;kind of&nbsp;so-called solution for the Israeli-Palestinian&nbsp;conflict that compromises Israel's security does not mean peace. There will be zero compromise on our security," Hyman told reporters.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="es">Tras el reconocimiento por parte de España de un Estado palestino y el llamado antisemita de la Vicepresidenta del Gobierno español a no conformarse con reconocer un Estado palestino "y liberar Palestina desde el río hasta el mar", he decidido cortar la conexión entre la…</p>
— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) <a href="https://twitter.com/Israel_katz/status/1793899604880056695?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>"Other than the October 7th massacre, what exactly has changed in the&nbsp;Palestinian&nbsp;Authority to warrant this prize? They continue with their policy of pay for slaying, they continue to educate their children to hate, they still haven't held an election in 19 years," Hyman added.</p>

<p>The Israeli government spokesperson pointed out that the Palestinian Authority had still not condemned Hamas' October 7 attack. "So what is this&nbsp;Palestinian&nbsp;state&nbsp;that you recognised? It is simply a public declaration that spits in the face of the Israeli&nbsp;people,&nbsp;while we fight a war for our very&nbsp;survival,&nbsp;against the genocidal forces that surround us," he further said.</p>

<h2><strong>ICJ to rule on South Africa's Gaza ceasefire bid today</strong></h2>

<p>Meanwhile, on Friday,&nbsp;the International Court of Justice&nbsp;(ICJ) will rule on a request&nbsp;by South Africa to order Israel to implement a ceasefire in the&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;Strip.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Future of war: Will private military contractors take over? | WION Decodes</strong></p>

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<p>South Africa has petitioned the ICJ for emergency measures to order Israel to cease its military operations in Gaza&nbsp;including&nbsp;in Rafah, where it is pressing an offensive.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Israel announced on Friday (May 24) that it will stop work of the Spanish consulate for Palestinians. In a post on X, Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz said, "I have decided to cut the connection between the diplomatic representation of Spain in Israel and the Palestinians and prohibit the Spanish consulate in Jerusalem from providing services to Palestinians in Judea and Samaria.

Israel announced on Friday (May 24) that it will stop work of the Spanish consulate for Palestinians. In a post on X, Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz said, "I have decided to cut the connection between the diplomatic representation of Spain in Israel and the Palestinians and prohibit the Spanish consulate in Jerusalem from providing services to Palestinians in Judea and Samaria." Katz said the step was taken following Spain's plan to formally recognise a Palestinian state. Apart from Spain, Ireland and Norway also announced their plans to recognise a Palestinian state. Also read | Biden's clean chit to Israel? US president says war in Gaza 'not genocide' The three European countries said they wanted to help secure a halt to Israel's devastating Gaza offensive and revive peace talks that stalled a decade ago. Israel reprimands Irish, Spanish, and Norwegian envoys On Thursday, the Israeli government reprimanded the ambassadors of Ireland, Norway and Spain over their plans to recognise the Palestinian state. Addressing a press conference, government spokesperson Avi Hyman said that recognising a Palestinian state does not promote peace, but "perpetuates war." "Any kind of so-called solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that compromises Israel's security does not mean peace. There will be zero compromise on our security," Hyman told reporters. Tras el reconocimiento por parte de España de un Estado palestino y el llamado antisemita de la Vicepresidenta del Gobierno español a no conformarse con reconocer un Estado palestino "y liberar Palestina desde el río hasta el mar", he decidido cortar la conexión entre la… — ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) May 24, 2024 × "Other than the October 7th massacre, what exactly has changed in the Palestinian Authority to warrant this prize? They continue with their policy of pay for slaying, they continue to educate their children to hate, they still haven't held an election in 19 years," Hyman added. The Israeli government spokesperson pointed out that the Palestinian Authority had still not condemned Hamas' October 7 attack. "So what is this Palestinian state that you recognised? It is simply a public declaration that spits in the face of the Israeli people, while we fight a war for our very survival, against the genocidal forces that surround us," he further said. ICJ to rule on South Africa's Gaza ceasefire bid today Meanwhile, on Friday, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will rule on a request by South Africa to order Israel to implement a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Also watch | Future of war: Will private military contractors take over? | WION Decodes × South Africa has petitioned the ICJ for emergency measures to order Israel to cease its military operations in Gaza including in Rafah, where it is pressing an offensive. (With inputs from agencies)

Gaza war: Israel will stop work of Spanish consulate for Palestinians

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<p>A helicopter carrying seven people, including pilgrims, made an emergency landing in Uttarakhand's Kedarnath early Friday (May 24) after it developed a technical snag. Speaking to the news agency PTI, an official said that the helicopter landed a few metres from the helipad at the Himalayan temple. The official said&nbsp;that seven&nbsp;people- one pilot and six pilgrims- were onboard.</p>

<p>A video of the emergency landing showed the helicopter tail spinning just before it touched the&nbsp;ground,&nbsp;as people near the helipad&nbsp;scrambled for cover. Everyone onboard the helicopter was safe.</p>

<h3><strong>Here's a look at the video:</strong></h3>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">STORY | Helicopter carrying pilgrims develops snag, makes emergency landing in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kedarnath?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kedarnath</a><br />
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READ: <a href="https://t.co/Mz85s5VsIp">https://t.co/Mz85s5VsIp</a><br />
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VIDEO:<br />
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(Source: Third Party) <a href="https://t.co/aeFavSaodA">pic.twitter.com/aeFavSaodA</a></p>
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/1793897061642916225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<h2><strong>The technical snag</strong></h2>

<p>According to&nbsp;Rudraprayag District Magistrate Saurabh Gaharwar, the helicopter&nbsp;took off from the Sirsi helipad for Kedarnath early Friday. However, the&nbsp;helicopter&nbsp;developed a technical snag&nbsp;in its rear motor, prompting the pilot to make an emergency landing a few metres from the helipad, as per&nbsp;preliminary reports.</p>

<p>Gaharwar added that the pilot kept his cool and took a quick decision, averting a major mishap.</p>

<p>The DM also said that further investigation into the matter was underway.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A helicopter carrying seven people, including pilgrims, made an emergency landing in Uttarakhand's Kedarnath early Friday (May 24) after it developed a technical snag.

A helicopter carrying seven people, including pilgrims, made an emergency landing in Uttarakhand's Kedarnath early Friday (May 24) after it developed a technical snag. Speaking to the news agency PTI, an official said that the helicopter landed a few metres from the helipad at the Himalayan temple. The official said that seven people- one pilot and six pilgrims- were onboard. A video of the emergency landing showed the helicopter tail spinning just before it touched the ground, as people near the helipad scrambled for cover. Everyone onboard the helicopter was safe. Here's a look at the video: STORY | Helicopter carrying pilgrims develops snag, makes emergency landing in #Kedarnath READ: https://t.co/Mz85s5VsIp VIDEO: (Source: Third Party) pic.twitter.com/aeFavSaodA — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 24, 2024 × The technical snag According to Rudraprayag District Magistrate Saurabh Gaharwar, the helicopter took off from the Sirsi helipad for Kedarnath early Friday. However, the helicopter developed a technical snag in its rear motor, prompting the pilot to make an emergency landing a few metres from the helipad, as per preliminary reports. Gaharwar added that the pilot kept his cool and took a quick decision, averting a major mishap. The DM also said that further investigation into the matter was underway. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Helicopter with pilgrims onboard makes emergency landing in Kedarnath

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<p>Politically motivated crimes in Germany,&nbsp;which have&nbsp;been&nbsp;tracked&nbsp;for more than 20 years, reached their highest-ever level in 2023, the news agency Associated Press reported on Tuesday (May 21)&nbsp;citing&nbsp;the Federal Criminal Police Office. In total, Germany recorded&nbsp;60,028 politically motivated crimes in 2023.</p>

<p>The report said that right-wing politically motivated crimes increased by 23 per cent in 2023 to 28,945 cases, of which 1,270 were violent. Left-wing crimes increased by 11 per cent&nbsp;to 7,777, of which 916 were violent.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-ponders-mandatory-military-service-for-18-year-olds-amid-looming-russia-nuclear-threat-720790">Germany ponders mandatory military service for 18-year-olds amid looming Russia nuclear threat</a></strong></p>

<p>On Tuesday,&nbsp;Federal Criminal Police&nbsp;Office's&nbsp;President&nbsp;Holger Münch said&nbsp;that politically&nbsp;motivated criminality almost doubled within the last decade and continued to rise.&nbsp;"Parts of the population are tending towards radicalization. These tendencies include attempts to delegitimise the state and its monopoly on violence,”&nbsp;Münch added.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>'Our democracy is under pressure'</strong></h2>

<p>On May 4, Matthias Ecke, a candidate from Chancellor&nbsp;Olaf&nbsp;Scholz's&nbsp;centre-left Social&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;was attacked&nbsp;while campaigning for a seat in the European Parliament.&nbsp;Authorities believe that the four men arrested in connection with the attack&nbsp;were motivated by right-wing beliefs. Ecke suffered severe injuries.</p>

<p>A few days after this attack,&nbsp;a 74-year-old man with a history of mental illness assaulted&nbsp;Berlin's&nbsp;top economic official, who sustained minor injuries.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch | Race to Power | Germany: 'Reichsbuerger' coup plotters go on trial</strong></p>

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<p>Addressing a press conference,&nbsp;German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said that Germany was a strong democracy, but its&nbsp;"democracy was under pressure.&nbsp;"</p>

<h2><strong>Drastic rise in antisemitic crimes</strong></h2>

<p>There has also been a drastic rise in&nbsp;crimes designated as antisemitic to the highest level since tracking began. According to&nbsp;Holger Münch, such crimes doubled last year to&nbsp;5,164. This increase is related to the Israel-Hamas war&nbsp;which&nbsp;started in October last year, the top security official added.</p>

<p>Hate crimes in the&nbsp;country,&nbsp;increased by about 48% last year to 17,000, and crimes against asylum seekers increased by 75 per cent, both&nbsp;Münch and Faeser said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Politically motivated crimes in Germany, which have been tracked for more than 20 years, reached their highest-ever level in 2023, the news agency Associated Press reported on Tuesday (May 21) citing the Federal Criminal Police Office.

Politically motivated crimes in Germany, which have been tracked for more than 20 years, reached their highest-ever level in 2023, the news agency Associated Press reported on Tuesday (May 21) citing the Federal Criminal Police Office. In total, Germany recorded 60,028 politically motivated crimes in 2023. The report said that right-wing politically motivated crimes increased by 23 per cent in 2023 to 28,945 cases, of which 1,270 were violent. Left-wing crimes increased by 11 per cent to 7,777, of which 916 were violent. Also read | Germany ponders mandatory military service for 18-year-olds amid looming Russia nuclear threat On Tuesday, Federal Criminal Police Office's President Holger Münch said that politically motivated criminality almost doubled within the last decade and continued to rise. "Parts of the population are tending towards radicalization. These tendencies include attempts to delegitimise the state and its monopoly on violence,” Münch added. 'Our democracy is under pressure' On May 4, Matthias Ecke, a candidate from Chancellor Olaf Scholz's centre-left Social Democrats was attacked while campaigning for a seat in the European Parliament. Authorities believe that the four men arrested in connection with the attack were motivated by right-wing beliefs. Ecke suffered severe injuries. A few days after this attack, a 74-year-old man with a history of mental illness assaulted Berlin's top economic official, who sustained minor injuries. Also watch | Race to Power | Germany: 'Reichsbuerger' coup plotters go on trial × Addressing a press conference, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said that Germany was a strong democracy, but its "democracy was under pressure. " Drastic rise in antisemitic crimes There has also been a drastic rise in crimes designated as antisemitic to the highest level since tracking began. According to Holger Münch, such crimes doubled last year to 5,164. This increase is related to the Israel-Hamas war which started in October last year, the top security official added. Hate crimes in the country, increased by about 48% last year to 17,000, and crimes against asylum seekers increased by 75 per cent, both Münch and Faeser said. (With inputs from agencies)

Politically motivated crimes in Germany reached highest-ever level in 2023

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<p>A US-based airline will cater to dogs and their owners. On Thursday (May 23),&nbsp;BARK&nbsp;Air&nbsp;was set&nbsp;for its maiden dogs-fly-first flight from New York to Los Angeles. According to BARK Air's Chief Executive Officer (CEO)&nbsp;Matt Meeker, the airline would transport dogs of all sizes and their owners in comfort and style.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We cater everything to the dog, trying to lower their anxiety and their stress," Meeker said during a press conference on Tuesday,&nbsp;adding the airline is a first-class experience for dogs and a business-class experience for their owners.</p>

<h2><strong>'No crates, no stressful lines'</strong></h2>

<p>According to BARK Air, on the day of travel, dogs and their humans would arrive at the airport one hour before the flight for a simple, efficient check-in process and security screening – no crates, no stressful lines.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/turkey-therapy-dogs-take-over-istanbul-airport-with-pomp-and-galore-719642">Turkey therapy dogs take over Istanbul airport with pomp and galore</a></strong></p>

<p>"A highly skilled BARK Air concierge will welcome all pups and help them settle into their experience through socialisation at the gate and dog-centric cabin preparation," the <strong><a href="https://air.bark.co/pages/how-it-works">airline's website</a></strong> states.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Planes will never&nbsp;be booked&nbsp;to&nbsp;full&nbsp;capacity</strong></h2>

<p>The planes would be&nbsp;Gulfstream G5s&nbsp;and&nbsp;they&nbsp;will never be booked&nbsp;to their&nbsp;full&nbsp;capacity.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This&nbsp;is&nbsp;being&nbsp;done&nbsp;to ensure that dogs and their owners have&nbsp;enough room to spread out comfortably.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;China shows off robot 'dogs of war' in Cambodia drills</strong></p>

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<p>"The cabin will be prepped with calming aids such as pheromone, music, warm lavender scented refreshment towels, and other comforts to help each dog feel settled," the website further states.</p>

<p>"Our concierge will also have a 'just in case'&nbsp;bag filled with calming treats, leashes, poop bags, and more will be provided&nbsp;at the gate. Once onboard, dogs will be served their beverage of choice (water, bone broth, you name it),&nbsp;during ascent and descent to ensure they do not experience any ear discomfort commonly caused by the change in cabin pressure," it adds.&nbsp;</p>


A US-based airline will cater to dogs and their owners. On Thursday (May 23), BARK Air was set for its maiden dogs-fly-first flight from New York to Los Angeles.

A US-based airline will cater to dogs and their owners. On Thursday (May 23), BARK Air was set for its maiden dogs-fly-first flight from New York to Los Angeles. According to BARK Air's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Matt Meeker, the airline would transport dogs of all sizes and their owners in comfort and style. "We cater everything to the dog, trying to lower their anxiety and their stress," Meeker said during a press conference on Tuesday, adding the airline is a first-class experience for dogs and a business-class experience for their owners. 'No crates, no stressful lines' According to BARK Air, on the day of travel, dogs and their humans would arrive at the airport one hour before the flight for a simple, efficient check-in process and security screening – no crates, no stressful lines. Also read | Turkey therapy dogs take over Istanbul airport with pomp and galore "A highly skilled BARK Air concierge will welcome all pups and help them settle into their experience through socialisation at the gate and dog-centric cabin preparation," the airline's website states. Planes will never be booked to full capacity The planes would be Gulfstream G5s and they will never be booked to their full capacity. This is being done to ensure that dogs and their owners have enough room to spread out comfortably. Also watch | China shows off robot 'dogs of war' in Cambodia drills × "The cabin will be prepped with calming aids such as pheromone, music, warm lavender scented refreshment towels, and other comforts to help each dog feel settled," the website further states. "Our concierge will also have a 'just in case' bag filled with calming treats, leashes, poop bags, and more will be provided at the gate. Once onboard, dogs will be served their beverage of choice (water, bone broth, you name it), during ascent and descent to ensure they do not experience any ear discomfort commonly caused by the change in cabin pressure," it adds.

A first class experience: US-based airline launches dog-friendly flights

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<p>Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa on Wednesday (May 22) declared a fresh state of emergency in seven provinces out of the total 24, citing an increase&nbsp;in violent deaths and other crimes in those jurisdictions. As per a decree signed by President Noboa, the state of emergency, which will last for 60 days,&nbsp;has been imposed&nbsp;in Guayas, El Oro, Santa Elena, Manabi, Sucumbios, Orellana and Los Rios provinces, as well as one area of the Azuay province.</p>

<p>The government said that&nbsp;the decree would be submitted&nbsp;to the Constitutional Court. Under this state of emergency, security forces&nbsp;will be able to&nbsp;enter&nbsp;homes and intercept correspondence in the targeted provinces without prior authorisation, Noboa said on Wednesday.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>The second state of emergency this year</strong></h2>

<p>The president had earlier imposed a similar measure in January, after notorious gangster&nbsp;Jose Adolfo Macias, alias "Fito" --&nbsp;escaped from maximum security detention. This state of emergency ended in April.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ecuadorian-beauty-queen-fatally-shot-instagram-post-leads-killers-to-location-718055">Ecuadorian beauty queen fatally shot after her Instagram post leads killers to her location</a></strong></p>

<p>Noboa has blamed the violence&nbsp;on drug gangs which move cocaine from Colombia and Peru through&nbsp;Ecuador.&nbsp;He has previously used state of emergency declarations to increase police and military operations meant to fight thousands of murders and other crimes.</p>

<h2><strong>An appeal to Noboa by Human Rights Watch</strong></h2>

<p>As Noboa declared the state of emergency on Wednesday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) urged the Ecuadorian president to reverse his declaration of a state of "internal armed conflict" in the gang-violence-torn country, saying it had opened the door to rights abuses.</p>

<p>In a letter addressed to Noboa, the HRW said that the president's efforts&nbsp;&nbsp;to reduce violence blamed on an escalating war between rival gangs, the security situation "continues to be dire."</p>

<p>Not only that but there have been "multiple instances of serious human rights violations committed by security forces," the HRW added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The letter further added that&nbsp;"many people" detained since January "were apparently never taken before a prosecutor or judge," some of them beaten by soldiers and police.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa on Wednesday (May 22) declared a fresh state of emergency in seven provinces out of the total 24, citing an increase in violent deaths and other crimes in those jurisdictions.

Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa on Wednesday (May 22) declared a fresh state of emergency in seven provinces out of the total 24, citing an increase in violent deaths and other crimes in those jurisdictions. As per a decree signed by President Noboa, the state of emergency, which will last for 60 days, has been imposed in Guayas, El Oro, Santa Elena, Manabi, Sucumbios, Orellana and Los Rios provinces, as well as one area of the Azuay province. The government said that the decree would be submitted to the Constitutional Court. Under this state of emergency, security forces will be able to enter homes and intercept correspondence in the targeted provinces without prior authorisation, Noboa said on Wednesday. The second state of emergency this year The president had earlier imposed a similar measure in January, after notorious gangster Jose Adolfo Macias, alias "Fito" -- escaped from maximum security detention. This state of emergency ended in April. Also read | Ecuadorian beauty queen fatally shot after her Instagram post leads killers to her location Noboa has blamed the violence on drug gangs which move cocaine from Colombia and Peru through Ecuador. He has previously used state of emergency declarations to increase police and military operations meant to fight thousands of murders and other crimes. An appeal to Noboa by Human Rights Watch As Noboa declared the state of emergency on Wednesday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) urged the Ecuadorian president to reverse his declaration of a state of "internal armed conflict" in the gang-violence-torn country, saying it had opened the door to rights abuses. In a letter addressed to Noboa, the HRW said that the president's efforts to reduce violence blamed on an escalating war between rival gangs, the security situation "continues to be dire." Not only that but there have been "multiple instances of serious human rights violations committed by security forces," the HRW added. The letter further added that "many people" detained since January "were apparently never taken before a prosecutor or judge," some of them beaten by soldiers and police. (With inputs from agencies)

Ecuador declares new state of emergency for 60 days following rise in violent deaths

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<p>Four people died in Kerala as torrential rain lashed several parts of the Indian state. Citing the Kerala&nbsp;State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), the news agency PTI reported on Wednesday (May 22) the deaths were reported from across the state&nbsp;in various&nbsp;rain-related&nbsp;incidents. The KSDMA warned&nbsp;fishermen against venturing into the sea until further warning.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the India&nbsp;Meteorological Department (IMD) has&nbsp;issued a red alert for five districts-&nbsp;Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, and Idukki.</p>

<p>According to PTI, Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam were earlier placed under an orange alert and the warning was later upgraded as the IMD predicted&nbsp;heavy rainfall in isolated places in these districts.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/imd-weather-update-monsoon-approaching-andaman-heat-wave-to-continue-in-northwest-india-723381">IMD weather update: Monsoon approaching Andaman; heat wave to continue in northwest India</a></strong></p>

<p>Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad have been placed on an orange alert. While,&nbsp;Kannur and Kasaragod remain on yellow alert.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A red alert indicates heavy to extremely heavy rain of more than 20 centimetres (cm) in 24 hours. On the other hand, an orange alert indicates&nbsp;very heavy rain of 11 cm to 20 cm.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A yellow alert means heavy rainfall between 6 cm and 11 cm.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch | WION Fineprint:&nbsp;Brain-eating amoeba kills Kerala girl</strong></p>

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<p>PTI further reported that houses and&nbsp;major roads in parts of Kochi were flooded in the sudden rain, while low-lying areas of Thrissur city were also inundated.</p>

<p>Kerala Health Minister&nbsp;Veena George said, in the wake of the worsening weather conditions, a state control room has been opened in the health department directorate in the city&nbsp;as part of efforts to strengthen epidemic prevention activities</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Four people died in Kerala as torrential rain lashed several parts of the Indian state. Citing the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), the news agency PTI reported on Wednesday (May 22) the deaths were reported from across the state in various rain-related incidents.

Four people died in Kerala as torrential rain lashed several parts of the Indian state. Citing the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), the news agency PTI reported on Wednesday (May 22) the deaths were reported from across the state in various rain-related incidents. The KSDMA warned fishermen against venturing into the sea until further warning. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for five districts- Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, and Idukki. According to PTI, Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam were earlier placed under an orange alert and the warning was later upgraded as the IMD predicted heavy rainfall in isolated places in these districts. Also read | IMD weather update: Monsoon approaching Andaman; heat wave to continue in northwest India Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad have been placed on an orange alert. While, Kannur and Kasaragod remain on yellow alert. A red alert indicates heavy to extremely heavy rain of more than 20 centimetres (cm) in 24 hours. On the other hand, an orange alert indicates very heavy rain of 11 cm to 20 cm. A yellow alert means heavy rainfall between 6 cm and 11 cm. Also watch | WION Fineprint: Brain-eating amoeba kills Kerala girl × PTI further reported that houses and major roads in parts of Kochi were flooded in the sudden rain, while low-lying areas of Thrissur city were also inundated. Kerala Health Minister Veena George said, in the wake of the worsening weather conditions, a state control room has been opened in the health department directorate in the city as part of efforts to strengthen epidemic prevention activities (With inputs from agencies)

Kerala rainfall: 4 people killed as torrential rains hit state, IMD issues red alert for 5 districts

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<p>A&nbsp;survey conducted in Russia recently has&nbsp;revealed that nearly 70 per cent of the citizens consider themselves religious.&nbsp;Citing the&nbsp;survey, local media reported on Tuesday (May 21) that most of those who said they have religious beliefs identified themselves as&nbsp;Orthodox Christians.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The survey said that the proportion of followers of other branches of Christianity or Islam was&nbsp;at&nbsp;seven per cent in Russia. Another one per cent of respondents said they were Buddhists&nbsp;and&nbsp;a further one per cent said they were followers of Judaism.</p>

<h2><strong>28% of respondents non-religious: Survey</strong></h2>

<p>The survey also revealed that 28 per cent of the respondents described themselves as non-religious. Of these, more than one-third of the people were between&nbsp;the ages of&nbsp;18 and 24.</p>

<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-denies-us-claim-that-moscow-deployed-anti-satellite-weapon-in-space-724258">Russia denies US claim that Moscow deployed anti-satellite weapon in space</a></strong></p>

<p>The survey highlighted that&nbsp;religious believers were more likely to participate in various volunteer activities compared to people who were not religious by a margin of 34 per cent&nbsp;to 17 per cent.</p>

<p>Earlier this month, a similar survey&nbsp;was conducted&nbsp;by the&nbsp;Russian Public Opinion Research Center&nbsp;which&nbsp;showed that 78 per cent of the respondents considered themselves religious. Of these,&nbsp;two-thirds were Orthodox Christians.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>'Orthodoxy deeply rooted in Russians'&nbsp;consciousness'</strong></h2>

<p>In February, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that&nbsp;Orthodoxy, Eastern Christianity, was deeply rooted&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;consciousness of&nbsp;the&nbsp;Russian people.</p>

<p>"When Russia expanded and&nbsp;absorbed other nations who profess Islam, Buddhism and&nbsp;Judaism, Russia has always been very loyal to&nbsp;those people who profess other religions.&nbsp;This&nbsp;is its strength.&nbsp;This&nbsp;is absolutely clear," President Putin told Tucker Carlson.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Is it the West versus Xi and Putin as both leaders pledge a new era and condemn the US?</strong></p>

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<p>"By&nbsp;the&nbsp;way, Russian authorities were always&nbsp;very careful&nbsp;about the&nbsp;culture and&nbsp;religion of&nbsp;those peoples who came to&nbsp;join the&nbsp;Russian Empire.&nbsp;This,&nbsp;in&nbsp;my&nbsp;opinion, forms the&nbsp;basis of&nbsp;both security and&nbsp;stability of&nbsp;the&nbsp;Russian statehood&nbsp;– all the&nbsp;peoples inhabiting Russia&nbsp;basically&nbsp;consider it their Motherland," Putin added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A survey conducted in Russia recently has revealed that nearly 70 per cent of the citizens consider themselves religious. Citing the survey, local media reported on Tuesday (May 21) that most of those who said they have religious beliefs identified themselves as Orthodox Christians.

A survey conducted in Russia recently has revealed that nearly 70 per cent of the citizens consider themselves religious. Citing the survey, local media reported on Tuesday (May 21) that most of those who said they have religious beliefs identified themselves as Orthodox Christians. The survey said that the proportion of followers of other branches of Christianity or Islam was at seven per cent in Russia. Another one per cent of respondents said they were Buddhists and a further one per cent said they were followers of Judaism. 28% of respondents non-religious: Survey The survey also revealed that 28 per cent of the respondents described themselves as non-religious. Of these, more than one-third of the people were between the ages of 18 and 24. Also read | Russia denies US claim that Moscow deployed anti-satellite weapon in space The survey highlighted that religious believers were more likely to participate in various volunteer activities compared to people who were not religious by a margin of 34 per cent to 17 per cent. Earlier this month, a similar survey was conducted by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center which showed that 78 per cent of the respondents considered themselves religious. Of these, two-thirds were Orthodox Christians. 'Orthodoxy deeply rooted in Russians' consciousness' In February, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Orthodoxy, Eastern Christianity, was deeply rooted in the consciousness of the Russian people. "When Russia expanded and absorbed other nations who profess Islam, Buddhism and Judaism, Russia has always been very loyal to those people who profess other religions. This is its strength. This is absolutely clear," President Putin told Tucker Carlson. Also watch | Is it the West versus Xi and Putin as both leaders pledge a new era and condemn the US? × "By the way, Russian authorities were always very careful about the culture and religion of those peoples who came to join the Russian Empire. This, in my opinion, forms the basis of both security and stability of the Russian statehood – all the peoples inhabiting Russia basically consider it their Motherland," Putin added. (With inputs from agencies)

Nearly 70% of Russians consider themselves religious, most of these identify as Orthodox Christians: Survey

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<p>On Wednesday (May 22), British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called for the <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-general-elections-to-be-held-in-july-reports-724367">national election in the country on July 4</a></strong>. This announcement ended months of speculation&nbsp;as to&nbsp;when Prime Minister Sunak would call for a new vote.&nbsp;"Now is the moment for Britain to choose its future and decide whether it wants to build on the progress we have made or risk going back to square one and no certainty," Sunak said.</p>

<p>"Over the next few weeks, I will fight for every vote,&nbsp;I will&nbsp;earn your trust&nbsp;and&nbsp;I will&nbsp;prove to you that only a Conservative government led by me will not put our hard-earned economic stability at risk," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sunak called the election earlier than expected as he had&nbsp;until December to call an election that could have happened as late as January&nbsp;28, 2025.</p>

<h3><strong>Here's a look at the top contenders, the&nbsp;biggest&nbsp;issues, and the opinion polls so far:</strong></h3>

<p><strong>1)</strong>&nbsp;The&nbsp;date of the national election&nbsp;has been set for July 4.&nbsp;The timing of the election&nbsp;is determined&nbsp;by the prime minister's calculation of the date most advantageous to the ruling Conservatives (colloquially known as Tories), a&nbsp;report by the&nbsp;news agency Associated Press said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/major-blow-to-rishi-sunak-as-former-health-minister-switches-over-to-labour-party-715800">Major blow to Rishi Sunak as former health minister switches over to Labour Party</a></strong></p>

<p><strong>2)</strong>&nbsp;People throughout the United Kingdom (UK)&nbsp;will choose all 650 members of the House of Commons for a term of up to five years. The party that commands a majority in the Commons, either alone or in coalition, will form the government&nbsp;and&nbsp;its leader will become the PM.</p>

<p><strong>3)</strong>&nbsp;The top contenders in this election are the Conservative Party and&nbsp;the Labour Party. The Scottish National Party,&nbsp;the Liberal Democrats, and the Democratic Unionist Party are the other big parties in parliament&nbsp;after the Conservatives and Labour.</p>

<p><strong>4)</strong>&nbsp;Sunak, who became prime minister in October 2022, is expected to lead the Conservatives into the election. He will be facing competition from Labour Party's Keir Starmer.&nbsp;The Conservatives have been in power for the last 14 years but are trailing far behind Labour in opinion polls.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>5)</strong>&nbsp;On Wednesday, Sunak accused Steimer&nbsp;of always taking the "easy way out" and&nbsp;of&nbsp;having no plan. "As a result, the future can only be uncertain with them," he said.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Rishi Sunak faces leadership challenge as Tory MPs submit letters of no confidence</strong></p>

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<p><strong>6)&nbsp;</strong>Responding to the prime minister, Steimer said, "On July&nbsp;4&nbsp;you (voters) have the choice&nbsp;and&nbsp;together&nbsp;we can stop the chaos, we can turn the page, we can start to rebuild Britain and change our country."</p>

<p><strong>7)&nbsp;</strong>The core issues in this election&nbsp;are the state of the country's economy, the immigration problem, healthcare, the&nbsp;environment, and climate change.</p>

<p><strong>8)&nbsp;</strong>A report by the news agency Reuters said Sunak is heading to the election not only trailing far behind Labour but also seemingly facing isolation from his party.</p>

<p><strong>9)</strong>&nbsp;Conservative lawmakers, who chose to remain anonymous, told Reuters that economic conditions might worsen.&nbsp;The Labour, meanwhile,&nbsp;accused&nbsp;the government of 14 years of&nbsp;economic&nbsp;mismanagement, leaving people worse off, with a series of chaotic administrations that have failed to give the stability businesses&nbsp;have craved&nbsp;to spur economic growth.</p>

<p><strong>10)</strong>&nbsp;If the Labour Party wins the election, Britain will have had&nbsp;six prime ministers in eight years for the first time since the 1830s.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


On Wednesday (May 22), British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called for the national election in the country on July 4. This announcement ended months of speculation as to when Prime Minister Sunak would call for a new vote.

On Wednesday (May 22), British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called for the national election in the country on July 4. This announcement ended months of speculation as to when Prime Minister Sunak would call for a new vote. "Now is the moment for Britain to choose its future and decide whether it wants to build on the progress we have made or risk going back to square one and no certainty," Sunak said. "Over the next few weeks, I will fight for every vote, I will earn your trust and I will prove to you that only a Conservative government led by me will not put our hard-earned economic stability at risk," he added. Sunak called the election earlier than expected as he had until December to call an election that could have happened as late as January 28, 2025. Here's a look at the top contenders, the biggest issues, and the opinion polls so far: 1) The date of the national election has been set for July 4. The timing of the election is determined by the prime minister's calculation of the date most advantageous to the ruling Conservatives (colloquially known as Tories), a report by the news agency Associated Press said. Also read | Major blow to Rishi Sunak as former health minister switches over to Labour Party 2) People throughout the United Kingdom (UK) will choose all 650 members of the House of Commons for a term of up to five years. The party that commands a majority in the Commons, either alone or in coalition, will form the government and its leader will become the PM. 3) The top contenders in this election are the Conservative Party and the Labour Party. The Scottish National Party, the Liberal Democrats, and the Democratic Unionist Party are the other big parties in parliament after the Conservatives and Labour. 4) Sunak, who became prime minister in October 2022, is expected to lead the Conservatives into the election. He will be facing competition from Labour Party's Keir Starmer. The Conservatives have been in power for the last 14 years but are trailing far behind Labour in opinion polls. 5) On Wednesday, Sunak accused Steimer of always taking the "easy way out" and of having no plan. "As a result, the future can only be uncertain with them," he said. Also watch | Rishi Sunak faces leadership challenge as Tory MPs submit letters of no confidence × 6) Responding to the prime minister, Steimer said, "On July 4 you (voters) have the choice and together we can stop the chaos, we can turn the page, we can start to rebuild Britain and change our country." 7) The core issues in this election are the state of the country's economy, the immigration problem, healthcare, the environment, and climate change. 8) A report by the news agency Reuters said Sunak is heading to the election not only trailing far behind Labour but also seemingly facing isolation from his party. 9) Conservative lawmakers, who chose to remain anonymous, told Reuters that economic conditions might worsen. The Labour, meanwhile, accused the government of 14 years of economic mismanagement, leaving people worse off, with a series of chaotic administrations that have failed to give the stability businesses have craved to spur economic growth. 10) If the Labour Party wins the election, Britain will have had six prime ministers in eight years for the first time since the 1830s. (With inputs from agencies)

National election in UK set for July 4. Here's what we know so far

Will the Universe Stop Growing One Day?: A Look at the Big Crunch Theory

Big Bang: The Event that Caused Creation of Universe

Our universe is approximately 13.8 billion years old. We all know that the universe was created with an explosion of space itself - the Big Bang. Over these billions of years, gravity caused gas and dust to form stars, planets, galaxies and other celestial objects.

Our universe has been expanding since its creation. Estimates by scientists say that the universe expands around 68 kilometres per megaparsec. However, there is a theory that states that one day, the universe will stop expanding.

The Big Crunch Theory says that as the universe stops expanding one day, gravity will pull on matter, and the universe will begin to contract. Everything within the universe will crush following the contraction.

Some scientists believe that the Big Crunch would lead to the universe forming all over again. There is a hot debate among the scientific community about how realistic this theory is.

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Zee News Rajasthan

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