After Winning UFC Featherweight Title, Topuria calls out McGregor

Ilia Topuria of Georgia is the new Featherweight champion of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) after he defeated Alexander Volkanovski (Australia) by a knockout (KO) in the second round of the main event at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

With this victory, Topuria stays undefeated in the UFC with all his seven fights ending in a win.

A Call Out to Ex-Featherweight Champ McGregor

In his post-fight interview, Topuria called out former UFC Featherweight and Lightweight champion Conor McGregor (Ireland). “Conor McGregor, If you still have some balls, I will be waiting for you in Spain,” he said.

Responding to Topuria’s call out, McGregor said on Instagram, “I have huge balls, I’ve four kids.” The Irishman last fought in 2021. McGregor claimed that he would fight Michael Chandler (United States) in June but UFC President Dana White said that this is not happening.


What If the Largest-Known Asteroid Hits Earth?

Vesta is the largest known Asteroid. It is almost spherical, and so is nearly classified as a dwarf planet, according to NASA.

How Big is Vesta from Chicxulub Asteroid?

Vesta asteroid has a diameter of over 500 kilometres. The Chicxulub asteroid that killed dinosaurs was somewhere between 10 and 15 kilometres in diameter.


How is Vesta Different from Other Asteroids?

Unlike most known asteroids, Vesta has separated into crust, mantle and core. Vesta has one of the largest brightness ranges observed on any rocky body in our solar system.

According to popular astronomy YouTuber AstroKobi, Vesta would enter the atmosphere at 20 kilometres per second. Upon impact, the destruction would be equivalent to billions of atomic bombs, AstroKobi says. He adds that material from the impact would be thrown up into the atmosphere before raining down fire onto most parts of the Earth.

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<p>Putin critic Alexei Navalny's mother Lyudmila Navalnaya and his lawyer travelled over the weekend to the notorious “Polar Wolf” IK-3 penal colony in Russia to track down his body. Navalny had been held in the colony since 2023. According to a report by The Guardian on Sunday (Feb 18), Navalnaya received contradicting information from various institutions about her son's body and left the prison complex without recovering it.</p>

<p>The whereabouts of his body remain uncertain.</p>

<p>Navalnaya was first told that her son's body had been taken to a morgue at a hospital in Salekhard, a town near the complex. However, when she arrived at a morgue on Saturday, it was closed.</p>

<p>Ivan Zhdanov, director of&nbsp;Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation, said that the Navalny's&nbsp;mother and lawyer were also told that the cause of his death was “sudden death syndrome.”</p>

<h2><strong>Navalny's body found with bruises</strong></h2>

<p>According to an independent news outlet, a paramedic at the Salekhard ambulance service said that colleagues who treated Navalny's body found signs of bruises&nbsp;consistent with seizure as well as traces of heart massage attempts. However, a morgue employee denied this claim.&nbsp; Meanwhile, Navalny's team said that his relatives were refused access to the body for a third day.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alexei-navalnys-body-found-with-bruises-as-west-holds-putin-responsible-691438">Alexei Navalny’s body found with ‘bruises’ as West holds Putin responsible</a></strong></p>

<p>Navalny, a 47-year-old former lawyer, rose to prominence campaigning against corruption in Putin's Russia. He was known for his fiery rhetoric at public protests and in courtrooms, vocal presence on social media, and his team's elaborate video investigations into state graft.</p>

<p>According to the prison service, Navalny fell unconscious and died last Friday after he went for a walk at the prison complex. He was serving a 19-year sentence at the prison. The cause of his death is disputed.</p>

<h2><strong>Russia: Over 400 detained at events in memory of Navalny</strong></h2>

<p>More than 400 people have been detained at events across 32 Russian cities since Navalny's death. According to rights group OVD-Info, the largest number of arrests occurred in St Petersburg and Moscow, where Navalny's support had traditionally been strong.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Navalny's team confirms death, family demands body 'immediately'</strong></p>

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<p>This has been the largest wave of arrests at political events in Russia since Sept 2022, when over 1,300 people were arrested at demonstrations against a "partial mobilisation" of reservists for Vladimir Putin's war on Ukraine.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Putin critic Alexei Navalny's mother Lyudmila Navalnaya and his lawyer travelled over the weekend to the notorious “Polar Wolf” IK-3 penal colony in Russia to track down his body.

Putin critic Alexei Navalny's mother Lyudmila Navalnaya and his lawyer travelled over the weekend to the notorious “Polar Wolf” IK-3 penal colony in Russia to track down his body. Navalny had been held in the colony since 2023. According to a report by The Guardian on Sunday (Feb 18), Navalnaya received contradicting information from various institutions about her son's body and left the prison complex without recovering it. The whereabouts of his body remain uncertain. Navalnaya was first told that her son's body had been taken to a morgue at a hospital in Salekhard, a town near the complex. However, when she arrived at a morgue on Saturday, it was closed. Ivan Zhdanov, director of Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation, said that the Navalny's mother and lawyer were also told that the cause of his death was “sudden death syndrome.” Navalny's body found with bruises According to an independent news outlet, a paramedic at the Salekhard ambulance service said that colleagues who treated Navalny's body found signs of bruises consistent with seizure as well as traces of heart massage attempts. However, a morgue employee denied this claim. Meanwhile, Navalny's team said that his relatives were refused access to the body for a third day. Also read | Alexei Navalny’s body found with ‘bruises’ as West holds Putin responsible Navalny, a 47-year-old former lawyer, rose to prominence campaigning against corruption in Putin's Russia. He was known for his fiery rhetoric at public protests and in courtrooms, vocal presence on social media, and his team's elaborate video investigations into state graft. According to the prison service, Navalny fell unconscious and died last Friday after he went for a walk at the prison complex. He was serving a 19-year sentence at the prison. The cause of his death is disputed. Russia: Over 400 detained at events in memory of Navalny More than 400 people have been detained at events across 32 Russian cities since Navalny's death. According to rights group OVD-Info, the largest number of arrests occurred in St Petersburg and Moscow, where Navalny's support had traditionally been strong. Also watch | Navalny's team confirms death, family demands body 'immediately' × This has been the largest wave of arrests at political events in Russia since Sept 2022, when over 1,300 people were arrested at demonstrations against a "partial mobilisation" of reservists for Vladimir Putin's war on Ukraine. (With inputs from agencies)

Where's Navalny's body? Contrasting accounts as mother leaves from penal colony after failing to locate it

<p>The "Dilli Chalo" (let's go to Delhi) march, which is a&nbsp;farmers' protest against the Indian government, has been put on hold till February 21 after&nbsp;fourth round of talks&nbsp;between farmer unions and central ministers on Sunday (Feb 18). The talks in Chandigarh started at around 8.15 pm on Sunday and ended at around 1 am on Monday.</p>

<p>In the United States, a man in Minnesota shot dead two police officers and one paramedic. The man barricaded himself inside a house in Burnsville with multiple children early on Sunday morning. Three first responders were killed and one other was injured when the confrontation turned into a gunfight.</p>

<p>In other news from around the world, the crisis in the Red Sea escalated with the United States saying that its forces in the Red Sea region conducted five "self-defence strikes" against three anti-ship cruise missiles as well as one unmanned underwater vessel (UUV) and an unmanned surface vessel (USV) in the Yemeni territories.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Click on the headlines to read more:</strong></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/farmers-protest-government-puts-forward-5-year-plan-to-buy-pulses-maize-at-msp-after-fourth-round-of-talks-691521"><strong>Farmers' protest: 5-year plan to buy pulses, maize at MSP proposed; march into Delhi put on hold till Feb 21</strong></a></p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/02/19/412924-succession-2024-02-19t062906208.jpg?imwidth=500" /></p>

<p>A fourth round of talks was held between the Union ministers and farmer leaders on Sunday (Feb 18). Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Arjun Munda, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai arrived at Mahatma Gandhi Institute in Sector 26 in Chandigarh for the meeting which started at 8.15 pm and ended at around 1 am on Monday (Feb 19).</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-officers-one-medic-shot-dead-during-us-domestic-dispute-call-691525"><strong>Two officers, one medic shot dead during US domestic dispute call</strong></a></p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/02/19/412926-succession-2024-02-19t065430225.jpg?imwidth=500" /></p>

<p>A domestic abuse incident escalated into a deadly armed encounter in the US state of Minnesota on Sunday (Feb 18) after a man shot dead two Burnsville police officers and one paramedic.&nbsp;The shooter, who has not yet been publicly identified, barricaded himself inside a house in Burnsville with multiple children early on Sunday morning.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/red-sea-crisis-houthis-use-unmanned-underwater-vessels-for-first-time-us-says-691537"><strong>Red Sea crisis: Houthis use unmanned underwater vessels for first time, US says</strong></a></p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/01/05/403760-new-wion-2024-01-05t103321938.jpg?imwidth=500" /></p>

<p>The United States said that its forces in the Red Sea region conducted five "self defense strikes" against three anti-ship cruise missiles as well as one unmanned underwater vessel (UUV) and an unmanned surface vessel (USV) in the Yemeni territories controlled by the country's Houthi rebels.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazilian-president-lula-accuses-israel-of-genocide-in-gaza-netanyahu-responds-691529"><strong>Brazilian President Lula accuses Israel of 'genocide' in Gaza, Netanyahu responds</strong></a></p>

<p><img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/02/19/412927-succession-2024-02-19t083622204.jpg?imwidth=500" /></p>

<p>Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Sunday (Feb 18) accused Israel of committing "genocide" against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.&nbsp;He further drew a comparison between Israeli military actions and Adolf Hitler's campaign to exterminate the Jewish people.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Afghan province orders officials not to photograph living things</strong></p>

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The "Dilli Chalo" (let's go to Delhi) march, which is a farmers' protest against the Indian government, has been put on hold till February 21 after fourth round of talks between farmer unions and central ministers on Sunday (Feb 18).

The "Dilli Chalo" (let's go to Delhi) march, which is a farmers' protest against the Indian government, has been put on hold till February 21 after fourth round of talks between farmer unions and central ministers on Sunday (Feb 18). The talks in Chandigarh started at around 8.15 pm on Sunday and ended at around 1 am on Monday. In the United States, a man in Minnesota shot dead two police officers and one paramedic. The man barricaded himself inside a house in Burnsville with multiple children early on Sunday morning. Three first responders were killed and one other was injured when the confrontation turned into a gunfight. In other news from around the world, the crisis in the Red Sea escalated with the United States saying that its forces in the Red Sea region conducted five "self-defence strikes" against three anti-ship cruise missiles as well as one unmanned underwater vessel (UUV) and an unmanned surface vessel (USV) in the Yemeni territories. Click on the headlines to read more: Farmers' protest: 5-year plan to buy pulses, maize at MSP proposed; march into Delhi put on hold till Feb 21 A fourth round of talks was held between the Union ministers and farmer leaders on Sunday (Feb 18). Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Arjun Munda, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai arrived at Mahatma Gandhi Institute in Sector 26 in Chandigarh for the meeting which started at 8.15 pm and ended at around 1 am on Monday (Feb 19). Two officers, one medic shot dead during US domestic dispute call A domestic abuse incident escalated into a deadly armed encounter in the US state of Minnesota on Sunday (Feb 18) after a man shot dead two Burnsville police officers and one paramedic. The shooter, who has not yet been publicly identified, barricaded himself inside a house in Burnsville with multiple children early on Sunday morning. Red Sea crisis: Houthis use unmanned underwater vessels for first time, US says The United States said that its forces in the Red Sea region conducted five "self defense strikes" against three anti-ship cruise missiles as well as one unmanned underwater vessel (UUV) and an unmanned surface vessel (USV) in the Yemeni territories controlled by the country's Houthi rebels. Brazilian President Lula accuses Israel of 'genocide' in Gaza, Netanyahu responds Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Sunday (Feb 18) accused Israel of committing "genocide" against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. He further drew a comparison between Israeli military actions and Adolf Hitler's campaign to exterminate the Jewish people. Watch | Afghan province orders officials not to photograph living things ×

Morning brief: India farmers' protest paused; three shot dead in Minnesota, and more

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<p>Israel's war cabinet warned on Sunday (Feb 18) that the Israeli military would launch its ground offensive in the Gaza Strip's Rafah by March 10 if hostages held by Hamas in the besieged Palestinian territory are not freed within the next few weeks.</p>

<p>According to a report by The Times of Israel, war cabinet member Benny Gantz said, "The world must know, and Hamas leaders must know — if by Ramadan our hostages are not home, the fighting will continue everywhere, including the Rafah area."</p>

<p>Ramadan, the holy month of fasting for Muslims, begins this year on March 10.</p>

<p>Addressing a conference in Jerusalem, Gantz spoke further about the offensive, saying that Israel would do so (carry out the offensive) in a coordinated manner, facilitating the evacuation of civilians in dialogue with the United States and Egypt to minimise civilian casualties.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazilian-president-lula-accuses-israel-of-genocide-in-gaza-netanyahu-responds-691529">Brazilian President Lula compares Gaza action to 'Holocaust', leaving Israel furious</a></strong></p>

<p>Amid international concerns about the ground assault in Rafah, Gantz, the former defence minister, said, "Hamas has a choice — they can surrender, release the hostages, and the citizens of Gaza will be able to celebrate the holy holiday of Ramadan."</p>

<h2><strong>Palestinians hope int'l community can pressure Israel against entering Rafah</strong></h2>

<p>Rafah is the last remaining stronghold of Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. Since the conflict started in Oct last year, more than a million Palestinians have fled to the city to seek shelter from the fighting.</p>

<p>Palestinians&nbsp;in the Rafah tent camps on Sunday voiced concerns about the nearing Israeli offensive.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“We hope that the international community pressures (Israel) not to enter Rafah, because the number of people that are in Rafah, is big. Even if you want to displace them, how will you do it for such a number? 1.3 million or 1.4 million people need to be displaced. Where will they go?” Hassan Al-Yakobi, retired teacher from Gaza City, told the news agency Reuters.</p>

<p>Al-Yakobi is currently in Rafah after fleeing from the Gaza City.</p>

<p>"We have young children and our stuff, these are the things every displaced anywhere is suffering. Other than this, what can we say? We are suffering. We walked from Khan Younis to Kaf Miraj (area between Khan Younis and Rafah) while holding our things, it’s all very tiring,” the retired teacher added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Prospects dim for truce in Israel-Hamas war</strong></p>

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<p>Another displaced Palestinian, Mohammed Farookh, told the news agency that the Rafah offensive would exacerbate the problem and add pressure on all the displaced people in the Gaza Strip.</p>

<p>"Today it hosts more than a million people, in a small area, crowded with people. There are no appropriate living conditions, no food, drinks or housing in this extreme cold," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Israel's war cabinet warned on Sunday (Feb 18) that the Israeli military would launch its ground offensive in the Gaza Strip's Rafah by March 10 if hostages held by Hamas in the besieged Palestinian territory are not freed within the next few weeks.

Israel's war cabinet warned on Sunday (Feb 18) that the Israeli military would launch its ground offensive in the Gaza Strip's Rafah by March 10 if hostages held by Hamas in the besieged Palestinian territory are not freed within the next few weeks. According to a report by The Times of Israel, war cabinet member Benny Gantz said, "The world must know, and Hamas leaders must know — if by Ramadan our hostages are not home, the fighting will continue everywhere, including the Rafah area." Ramadan, the holy month of fasting for Muslims, begins this year on March 10. Addressing a conference in Jerusalem, Gantz spoke further about the offensive, saying that Israel would do so (carry out the offensive) in a coordinated manner, facilitating the evacuation of civilians in dialogue with the United States and Egypt to minimise civilian casualties. Also read | Brazilian President Lula compares Gaza action to 'Holocaust', leaving Israel furious Amid international concerns about the ground assault in Rafah, Gantz, the former defence minister, said, "Hamas has a choice — they can surrender, release the hostages, and the citizens of Gaza will be able to celebrate the holy holiday of Ramadan." Palestinians hope int'l community can pressure Israel against entering Rafah Rafah is the last remaining stronghold of Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. Since the conflict started in Oct last year, more than a million Palestinians have fled to the city to seek shelter from the fighting. Palestinians in the Rafah tent camps on Sunday voiced concerns about the nearing Israeli offensive. “We hope that the international community pressures (Israel) not to enter Rafah, because the number of people that are in Rafah, is big. Even if you want to displace them, how will you do it for such a number? 1.3 million or 1.4 million people need to be displaced. Where will they go?” Hassan Al-Yakobi, retired teacher from Gaza City, told the news agency Reuters. Al-Yakobi is currently in Rafah after fleeing from the Gaza City. "We have young children and our stuff, these are the things every displaced anywhere is suffering. Other than this, what can we say? We are suffering. We walked from Khan Younis to Kaf Miraj (area between Khan Younis and Rafah) while holding our things, it’s all very tiring,” the retired teacher added. Also watch | Prospects dim for truce in Israel-Hamas war × Another displaced Palestinian, Mohammed Farookh, told the news agency that the Rafah offensive would exacerbate the problem and add pressure on all the displaced people in the Gaza Strip. "Today it hosts more than a million people, in a small area, crowded with people. There are no appropriate living conditions, no food, drinks or housing in this extreme cold," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel-Hamas war: Return hostages by Ramadan or face Rafah ground offensive from Mar 10, Israel warns

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<p>A missile attack by Houthi rebels on Sunday (Feb 18) severely damaged a Belize-flagged ship travelling through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait that connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. According to a report by the news agency Associated Press on Monday, the damage to the ship forced the crew to abandon the vessel. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre reported that the ship sustained damage after “an explosion in close proximity to the vessel.”</p>

<p>“Military authorities report crew have abandoned the vessel,” the UKMTO said, adding, the crew were safe.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/red-sea-crisis-houthis-use-unmanned-underwater-vessels-for-first-time-us-says-691537">Red Sea crisis: Houthis use unmanned underwater vessels for first time, says US</a></strong></p>

<p>Private security firm Ambrey reported that the vessel, which is British-registered and Lebanese-operated, had been on its way to Bulgaria after leaving Khorfakkan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Shipping data from&nbsp;MarineTraffic.com identified the vessel&nbsp;as the Rubymar.</p>

<h2><strong>'Made sure crew exited safely'</strong></h2>

<p>In a statement issued following the missile attack, Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree said the ship was at risk of potentially sinking. "The ship suffered catastrophic damages and came to a complete halt. During the operation, we made sure that the ship’s crew exited safely," Saree said.</p>

<p>This missile attack comes as the Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed that they shot down a US drone in the port city of Hodeidah. However, they did not offer any evidence for this claim.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas | Behshad: Iran's mysterious 'spy ship' in the Red Sea</strong></p>

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<p>Since the Israel-Hamas war started on Oct 7 last year, the Houthis have made repeated drone and missile attacks against international commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait in what they say is support for the Palestinians.</p>

<p>The attacks have prompted several companies to halt Red Sea voyages and take a longer and more expensive route around Africa.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, US forces said that they were carrying new airstrikes targeting the Iran-backed rebels, including the one that targeted the first Houthi underwater drone seen since they began launching attacks in Nov 2023.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A missile attack by Houthi rebels on Sunday (Feb 18) severely damaged a Belize-flagged ship travelling through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait that connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

A missile attack by Houthi rebels on Sunday (Feb 18) severely damaged a Belize-flagged ship travelling through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait that connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. According to a report by the news agency Associated Press on Monday, the damage to the ship forced the crew to abandon the vessel. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre reported that the ship sustained damage after “an explosion in close proximity to the vessel.” “Military authorities report crew have abandoned the vessel,” the UKMTO said, adding, the crew were safe. Also read | Red Sea crisis: Houthis use unmanned underwater vessels for first time, says US Private security firm Ambrey reported that the vessel, which is British-registered and Lebanese-operated, had been on its way to Bulgaria after leaving Khorfakkan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Shipping data from MarineTraffic.com identified the vessel as the Rubymar. 'Made sure crew exited safely' In a statement issued following the missile attack, Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree said the ship was at risk of potentially sinking. "The ship suffered catastrophic damages and came to a complete halt. During the operation, we made sure that the ship’s crew exited safely," Saree said. This missile attack comes as the Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed that they shot down a US drone in the port city of Hodeidah. However, they did not offer any evidence for this claim. Also watch | Gravitas | Behshad: Iran's mysterious 'spy ship' in the Red Sea × Since the Israel-Hamas war started on Oct 7 last year, the Houthis have made repeated drone and missile attacks against international commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait in what they say is support for the Palestinians. The attacks have prompted several companies to halt Red Sea voyages and take a longer and more expensive route around Africa. Meanwhile, US forces said that they were carrying new airstrikes targeting the Iran-backed rebels, including the one that targeted the first Houthi underwater drone seen since they began launching attacks in Nov 2023. (With inputs from agencies)

Middle East crisis: Houthi missile attack damages Belize-flagged ship, crew forced to abandon vessel

<p>An exceptionally dry weather in Australia has caused a historic two-month delay in the annual migration of the country's Christmas Island red crabs, the news agency Reuters reported on Monday (Feb 19). The crabs begin their annual journey from the island's interior to the sea where they mate. However, climate change has put a dampener on this season's migration.</p>

<p>Speaking to Reuters, Brendan Tiernan, the coordinator for the Parks Australia Threatened Species Field Program, said this year is the first time in history that the crabs have migrated as late as February.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/hermit-crabs-begin-to-use-human-discarded-plastic-waste-as-form-of-armour-684330">Hermit crabs found using discarded plastic waste as form of armour</a></strong></p>

<p>“The last six to nine months of 2023 was exceptionally dry, so dry that when the crabs would normally migrate in October and November, we had no rainfall, and they didn’t migrate and that dry period continued into January this year. So for the first time that we have recorded, the crabs have spawned in February, albeit in lower numbers,” Tiernan said.</p>

<p>“The false start that we had in December, they got going with a couple of millimetres (of rain) and the ones that started to migrate in December, quickly realised that they made a mistake and turned back,” he added.</p>

<p>The island red crabs have a population of more than 100 million. The annual migration sees the crabs' journey from the island off the coast of Western Australia to the ocean, where they mate.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Hermit crabs are wearing our plastic waste</strong></p>

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<p>The females stay behind in burrows near the ocean to hatch their eggs and the males return inland.</p>

<p>Tiernan also told Reuters if rain doesn't come or it isn't sustained and the crabs start migrating, they will "either hunker down, so they’ll just sort of wait it out to see if the rains will return, or if they haven’t gone too far, they will actually return to the forest.”</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>


An exceptionally dry weather in Australia has caused a historic two-month delay in the annual migration of the country's Christmas Island red crabs, the news agency Reuters reported on Monday (Feb 19).

An exceptionally dry weather in Australia has caused a historic two-month delay in the annual migration of the country's Christmas Island red crabs, the news agency Reuters reported on Monday (Feb 19). The crabs begin their annual journey from the island's interior to the sea where they mate. However, climate change has put a dampener on this season's migration. Speaking to Reuters, Brendan Tiernan, the coordinator for the Parks Australia Threatened Species Field Program, said this year is the first time in history that the crabs have migrated as late as February. Also read | Hermit crabs found using discarded plastic waste as form of armour “The last six to nine months of 2023 was exceptionally dry, so dry that when the crabs would normally migrate in October and November, we had no rainfall, and they didn’t migrate and that dry period continued into January this year. So for the first time that we have recorded, the crabs have spawned in February, albeit in lower numbers,” Tiernan said. “The false start that we had in December, they got going with a couple of millimetres (of rain) and the ones that started to migrate in December, quickly realised that they made a mistake and turned back,” he added. The island red crabs have a population of more than 100 million. The annual migration sees the crabs' journey from the island off the coast of Western Australia to the ocean, where they mate. Also watch | Gravitas: Hermit crabs are wearing our plastic waste × The females stay behind in burrows near the ocean to hatch their eggs and the males return inland. Tiernan also told Reuters if rain doesn't come or it isn't sustained and the crabs start migrating, they will "either hunker down, so they’ll just sort of wait it out to see if the rains will return, or if they haven’t gone too far, they will actually return to the forest.” (With inputs from agencies)

Australia: Exceptionally dry weather causes historic delay of red crab migration

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<p>The junta in Myanmar has sentenced to death three brigadier generals who surrendered with hundreds of troops and handed over a strategic town on the Chinese border to rebel groups&nbsp;in Jan.&nbsp;A&nbsp;military source said that three top military officials, including the commander of Laukkai town, were given the death sentence, reported&nbsp;news agency AFP on Monday (Feb 19).</p>

<p>It is not yet known when this verdict was given. Earlier, a military spokesperson told the news agency that the brigadier generals were in military custody.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, three other brigadier generals were sentenced to life imprisonment for their role in the surrender.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>A big loss for military in decades</strong></h2>

<p>In Jan, hundreds of troops surrendered in Laukkai in northern Shan state to the Three Brotherhood Alliance following months of fighting. The surrender was one of the biggest losses for the military in decades. It sparked rare criticism of the junta by its supporters.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/myanmar-people-consider-leaving-nation-to-evade-juntas-compulsory-military-service-690411">Myanmar: People consider leaving nation to evade junta's compulsory military service</a></strong></p>

<p>After the surrender, the officers and their troops were allowed to leave the area. Leaving a post without permission is&nbsp;punishable&nbsp;by&nbsp;death penalty, according to Myanmar's military law.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Laukkai is the largest town seized by alliance -- made up of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Arakan Army (AA) and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA).</p>

<p>In late Oct last year, the alliance launched a surprise offensive across a swathe of northern Myanmar. Since then, it has seized several towns and lucrative trade hubs along the border with China.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>A dark past</strong></h2>

<p>Laukkai has a dark past. Current junta chief Min Aung Hlaing made headlines when in 2009, as a regional commander, he expelled the MNDAA from the town, according to the AFP report.&nbsp;The army then installed a militia that enriched itself producing drugs and selling gambling and sex to visitors from across the Chinese border.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Myanmar civil war: Conscription shows Junta's weakening grip?</strong></p>

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<p>Later, the town became notorious for online scam where thousands of Chinese and foreign nationals defrauded their compatriots over the internet.</p>

<p>With the military now surrendering, a source close to the MNDAA told AFP that the group was working to install a new administration in the town.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The junta in Myanmar has sentenced to death three brigadier generals who surrendered with hundreds of troops and handed over a strategic town on the Chinese border to rebel groups in Jan.

The junta in Myanmar has sentenced to death three brigadier generals who surrendered with hundreds of troops and handed over a strategic town on the Chinese border to rebel groups in Jan. A military source said that three top military officials, including the commander of Laukkai town, were given the death sentence, reported news agency AFP on Monday (Feb 19). It is not yet known when this verdict was given. Earlier, a military spokesperson told the news agency that the brigadier generals were in military custody. Meanwhile, three other brigadier generals were sentenced to life imprisonment for their role in the surrender. A big loss for military in decades In Jan, hundreds of troops surrendered in Laukkai in northern Shan state to the Three Brotherhood Alliance following months of fighting. The surrender was one of the biggest losses for the military in decades. It sparked rare criticism of the junta by its supporters. Also read | Myanmar: People consider leaving nation to evade junta's compulsory military service After the surrender, the officers and their troops were allowed to leave the area. Leaving a post without permission is punishable by death penalty, according to Myanmar's military law. Laukkai is the largest town seized by alliance -- made up of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Arakan Army (AA) and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA). In late Oct last year, the alliance launched a surprise offensive across a swathe of northern Myanmar. Since then, it has seized several towns and lucrative trade hubs along the border with China. A dark past Laukkai has a dark past. Current junta chief Min Aung Hlaing made headlines when in 2009, as a regional commander, he expelled the MNDAA from the town, according to the AFP report. The army then installed a militia that enriched itself producing drugs and selling gambling and sex to visitors from across the Chinese border. Also watch | Myanmar civil war: Conscription shows Junta's weakening grip? × Later, the town became notorious for online scam where thousands of Chinese and foreign nationals defrauded their compatriots over the internet. With the military now surrendering, a source close to the MNDAA told AFP that the group was working to install a new administration in the town. (With inputs from agencies)

Myanmar junta sentences three brigadier generals to death for surrendering strategic town

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<p>Three-time Olympic equestrian medalist from Australia Shane Rose will be allowed to compete in the upcoming Olympics in Paris after he was stood down from competition for wearing an orange mankini at a closed event in Wallaby Hill in Robertson earlier in Feb. In a statement, Equestrian Australia said on Monday (Feb 19) that it concluded its review after public concerns were raised about Rose, 50.</p>

<p>"The Equestrian Australia Review Panel met on Monday and found that Mr Rose did not breach the code of conduct at Wallaby Hill on 11 February," the statement said, adding that Rose apologised for his conduct.</p>

<p>Rose was a silver medalist in the team taking part in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, a bronze medalist at the 2016 Summer Olympics, and a silver medalist at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.</p>

<h2><strong>The incident</strong></h2>

<p>On Feb 11,<strong>&nbsp;</strong>Rose took part in a fancy dress competition at the Wallaby Hill Extravaganza. According to Australian media, he wore three costumes that day- a gorilla suit, a Duffman beer suit and the G-string swimsuit made famous in the film Borat.</p>

<p>A complaint was registered with the EA over the Olympian's attire. On Sunday, the EA said that Rose was stood down from competition for several days while the review was being carried out.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"This does not affect his ability to train or otherwise participate in the sport," the governing body said.</p>

<p>Following the review, the EA said on Monday, "Having now thoroughly reviewed the incident and spoken to relevant parties, Equestrian Australia has confirmed that there was no breach of the code of conduct by Shane Rose."</p>

<p>“We take the recommendations on board and will move quickly to ensure the relevant actions are taken," it added.</p>

<h2><strong>'We can all move on'</strong></h2>

<p>Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Rose said, "With a bit of luck this will all be a bit of a laugh in a few days and we can all move on."</p>

<p>"For my sake, I am hoping I have done nothing too bad because I have an important competition in the next few weeks," he added.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Three-time Olympic equestrian medalist from Australia Shane Rose will be allowed to compete in the upcoming Olympics in Paris after he was stood down from competition for wearing an orange mankini at a closed event in Wallaby Hill in Robertson earlier in Feb.

Three-time Olympic equestrian medalist from Australia Shane Rose will be allowed to compete in the upcoming Olympics in Paris after he was stood down from competition for wearing an orange mankini at a closed event in Wallaby Hill in Robertson earlier in Feb. In a statement, Equestrian Australia said on Monday (Feb 19) that it concluded its review after public concerns were raised about Rose, 50. "The Equestrian Australia Review Panel met on Monday and found that Mr Rose did not breach the code of conduct at Wallaby Hill on 11 February," the statement said, adding that Rose apologised for his conduct. Rose was a silver medalist in the team taking part in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, a bronze medalist at the 2016 Summer Olympics, and a silver medalist at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The incident On Feb 11, Rose took part in a fancy dress competition at the Wallaby Hill Extravaganza. According to Australian media, he wore three costumes that day- a gorilla suit, a Duffman beer suit and the G-string swimsuit made famous in the film Borat. A complaint was registered with the EA over the Olympian's attire. On Sunday, the EA said that Rose was stood down from competition for several days while the review was being carried out. "This does not affect his ability to train or otherwise participate in the sport," the governing body said. Following the review, the EA said on Monday, "Having now thoroughly reviewed the incident and spoken to relevant parties, Equestrian Australia has confirmed that there was no breach of the code of conduct by Shane Rose." “We take the recommendations on board and will move quickly to ensure the relevant actions are taken," it added. 'We can all move on' Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Rose said, "With a bit of luck this will all be a bit of a laugh in a few days and we can all move on." "For my sake, I am hoping I have done nothing too bad because I have an important competition in the next few weeks," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Australian equestrian criticised for wearing mankini costume will be allowed to compete in Paris Olympics

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<p>Qatar said on Saturday (Feb 17) that prospects for a new pause in the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip were "not really promising." At the Munich Security Conference, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said efforts for a ceasefire had been complicated by the insistence of "a lot of countries" that any new truce involve further releases of hostages.</p>

<p>"The pattern in the last few days is not really very promising," Prime Minister Al-Thani added. His remarks came as Hamas threatened to suspend its involvement in talks unless relief supplies were brought into the north of Gaza. Speaking to the news agency AFP, a senior source from Hamas said, "Negotiations cannot be held while hunger is ravaging the Palestinian people."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/truce-talks-halted-over-delusional-hamas-demands-netanyahu-691327">Truce talks halted over 'delusional' Hamas demands: Netanyahu</a></strong></p>

<p>The Palestinian militant group's demands include a complete pause in fighting, the release of Hamas prisoners and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called the demands "ludicrous."</p>

<h2><strong>'We got nothing except for delusional demands'</strong></h2>

<p>On Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel had sent negotiators for truce talks in Cairo as requested by the United States but they did not go back for further talks because Hamas' demands were "delusional."</p>

<p>"We got nothing except for delusional demands from Hamas," Netanyahu told reporters, adding, that Israel would not give in to "international dictates" regarding a statehood agreement with the Palestinians.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Why are children paying the price of Netanyahu's war</strong></p>

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<p>He also said that Israeli representatives in Cairo sat and listened and there was no change. "I wanted to say not a millimetre - but there was not a nanometer of change."</p>

<p>Hamas' unprecedented attack on Israel on Oct 7 last year killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians. The militant group also took 253 people hostage, though more than 100 of them were freed in a short-lived November truce.</p>

<p>Responding to the Hamas attack, Israel launched an air and ground offensive in Gaza that has killed more than 28,000 people.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>UN likely to vote on ceasefire soon</strong></h2>

<p>In other latest news from the war, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is likely to vote on Tuesday on an Algerian push for the 15-member body to demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the conflict.</p>

<p>Algeria put forward an initial draft resolution more than two weeks ago. However, the US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield quickly said the text could jeopardize "sensitive negotiations" aimed at brokering a pause in the war.</p>

<p>To be adopted, the UNSC resolution needs at least nine votes in favour and no vetoes by the US, the United Kingdom (UK), France, China, or Russia.</p>


Qatar said on Saturday (Feb 17) that prospects for a new pause in the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip were "not really promising." At the Munich Security Conference, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said efforts for a ceasefire had been complicated by the insistence of "a lot of countries" that any new truce involve further releases of hostages.

Qatar said on Saturday (Feb 17) that prospects for a new pause in the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip were "not really promising." At the Munich Security Conference, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said efforts for a ceasefire had been complicated by the insistence of "a lot of countries" that any new truce involve further releases of hostages. "The pattern in the last few days is not really very promising," Prime Minister Al-Thani added. His remarks came as Hamas threatened to suspend its involvement in talks unless relief supplies were brought into the north of Gaza. Speaking to the news agency AFP, a senior source from Hamas said, "Negotiations cannot be held while hunger is ravaging the Palestinian people." Also read | Truce talks halted over 'delusional' Hamas demands: Netanyahu The Palestinian militant group's demands include a complete pause in fighting, the release of Hamas prisoners and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called the demands "ludicrous." 'We got nothing except for delusional demands' On Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel had sent negotiators for truce talks in Cairo as requested by the United States but they did not go back for further talks because Hamas' demands were "delusional." "We got nothing except for delusional demands from Hamas," Netanyahu told reporters, adding, that Israel would not give in to "international dictates" regarding a statehood agreement with the Palestinians. Also watch | Why are children paying the price of Netanyahu's war × He also said that Israeli representatives in Cairo sat and listened and there was no change. "I wanted to say not a millimetre - but there was not a nanometer of change." Hamas' unprecedented attack on Israel on Oct 7 last year killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians. The militant group also took 253 people hostage, though more than 100 of them were freed in a short-lived November truce. Responding to the Hamas attack, Israel launched an air and ground offensive in Gaza that has killed more than 28,000 people. UN likely to vote on ceasefire soon In other latest news from the war, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is likely to vote on Tuesday on an Algerian push for the 15-member body to demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the conflict. Algeria put forward an initial draft resolution more than two weeks ago. However, the US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield quickly said the text could jeopardize "sensitive negotiations" aimed at brokering a pause in the war. To be adopted, the UNSC resolution needs at least nine votes in favour and no vetoes by the US, the United Kingdom (UK), France, China, or Russia.

Prospects for new pause in Gaza war not promising: Qatar

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<p>Former United States president and current presidential hopeful Donald Trump on Saturday (Feb 17) launched a sneaker line, a day after he was fined nearly $355 million in the New York civil fraud case, American media reported. According to a report by the news agency Associated Press, Trump unveiled "Trump Sneakers" at the Sneaker Con in Philadelphia.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The report said that Trump, 77, was met with boos as well as cheers at the Philadelphia Convention Center as he introduced what he called the first official Trump footwear. “This is something I’ve been talking about for 12 years, 13 years, and I think it’s going to be a big success,” he said.</p>

<p>Some people at the event held signs that read “SNEAKERHEADS LOVE TRUMP.”</p>

<h2><strong>Sneakers sold out on website</strong></h2>

<p>The sneakers, gold lame high tops with an American flag detail on the back, are being sold as “Never Surrender High-Tops” for $399 <strong><a href="https://gettrumpsneakers.com/">on a new website </a></strong>(called Trump Sneakers) that also sells Trump-branded “Victory47” cologne and perfume for $99 a bottle.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-fraud-case-trump-ordered-to-pay-nearly-355-mn-he-is-barred-from-doing-business-in-state-for-3-yrs-691092">New York fraud case: Trump ordered to pay nearly $355 mn, barred from doing business in state for 3 yrs</a></strong></p>

<p>A visit to the website showed that the sneakers were sold out, as there were only 1,000 pairs available. The website said it has no connection to Trump’s presidential campaign.</p>

<p>This is not the first money-making venture that the 77-year-old Republican announced since launching his third campaign for the White House in 2022. In 2023, Trump reported making between $100,000 and $1 million for a series of digital trading cards that portrayed him, through photo editing, in a series of cartoon-like images, the Associated Press reported.</p>

<p>Trump Sneakers is run by CIC Ventures LLC, a company that Trump reported owning in his 2023 financial disclosure.</p>

<h2><strong>Trump fined in New York fraud case</strong></h2>

<p>On Friday,<strong>&nbsp;</strong>Trump was ordered to pay $354.9 million to the state of New York in penalties for fraudulently overstating his net worth to dupe lenders, a judge ruled. Justice Arthur Engoron also banned Trump from serving as an officer or director of any New York corporation for three years.</p>

<p>In his ruling, Engoron said that Trump and the other defendants in the civil fraud case were incapable of admitting the error of their ways.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;US VP Kamal Harris warns against Republican Trump's World view</strong></p>

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<p>The case came into light after a lawsuit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James accused Trump and his family businesses of overstating his net worth by as much as $3.6 billion a year over a decade to fool bankers into giving him better loan terms.</p>

<p>Addressing his supporters in Michigan on Saturday, Trump said the fraud fine was an election interference ploy.</p>

<p>"The decision yesterday in New York, you may have read about it... crooked judge. Crooked judge, he's a crooked judge... (The decision) by a radical left-wing judge was a lawless and unconstitutional atrocity that set fire to our laws like no one has ever seen in this country before. That happens in banana republics. It doesn't happen in this country. The case is a complete and total sham. It's a sham case," said Trump.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Former United States president and current presidential hopeful Donald Trump on Saturday (Feb 17) launched a sneaker line, a day after he was fined nearly $355 million in the New York civil fraud case, American media reported.

Former United States president and current presidential hopeful Donald Trump on Saturday (Feb 17) launched a sneaker line, a day after he was fined nearly $355 million in the New York civil fraud case, American media reported. According to a report by the news agency Associated Press, Trump unveiled "Trump Sneakers" at the Sneaker Con in Philadelphia. The report said that Trump, 77, was met with boos as well as cheers at the Philadelphia Convention Center as he introduced what he called the first official Trump footwear. “This is something I’ve been talking about for 12 years, 13 years, and I think it’s going to be a big success,” he said. Some people at the event held signs that read “SNEAKERHEADS LOVE TRUMP.” Sneakers sold out on website The sneakers, gold lame high tops with an American flag detail on the back, are being sold as “Never Surrender High-Tops” for $399 on a new website (called Trump Sneakers) that also sells Trump-branded “Victory47” cologne and perfume for $99 a bottle. Also read | New York fraud case: Trump ordered to pay nearly $355 mn, barred from doing business in state for 3 yrs A visit to the website showed that the sneakers were sold out, as there were only 1,000 pairs available. The website said it has no connection to Trump’s presidential campaign. This is not the first money-making venture that the 77-year-old Republican announced since launching his third campaign for the White House in 2022. In 2023, Trump reported making between $100,000 and $1 million for a series of digital trading cards that portrayed him, through photo editing, in a series of cartoon-like images, the Associated Press reported. Trump Sneakers is run by CIC Ventures LLC, a company that Trump reported owning in his 2023 financial disclosure. Trump fined in New York fraud case On Friday, Trump was ordered to pay $354.9 million to the state of New York in penalties for fraudulently overstating his net worth to dupe lenders, a judge ruled. Justice Arthur Engoron also banned Trump from serving as an officer or director of any New York corporation for three years. In his ruling, Engoron said that Trump and the other defendants in the civil fraud case were incapable of admitting the error of their ways. Also watch | US VP Kamal Harris warns against Republican Trump's World view × The case came into light after a lawsuit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James accused Trump and his family businesses of overstating his net worth by as much as $3.6 billion a year over a decade to fool bankers into giving him better loan terms. Addressing his supporters in Michigan on Saturday, Trump said the fraud fine was an election interference ploy. "The decision yesterday in New York, you may have read about it... crooked judge. Crooked judge, he's a crooked judge... (The decision) by a radical left-wing judge was a lawless and unconstitutional atrocity that set fire to our laws like no one has ever seen in this country before. That happens in banana republics. It doesn't happen in this country. The case is a complete and total sham. It's a sham case," said Trump. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump launches sneaker line a day after he was fined in New York civil fraud case

<p>India&nbsp;on Saturday sent the second&nbsp;humanitarian aid&nbsp;to&nbsp;Zambia&nbsp;amid the ongoing&nbsp;cholera&nbsp; outbreak in the country. External Affairs Minister&nbsp;S Jaishankar&nbsp;said that the aid, weighing approximately 3.5 tonnes, comprises water purification supplies, chlorine tablets, and other things.</p>

<p>"India&nbsp;sends Humanitarian Assistance to&nbsp;Zambia&nbsp;in wake of the&nbsp;cholera&nbsp;outbreak. The aid weighing approx 3.5 tonnes comprises water purification supplies, chlorine tablets and ORS sachets. Was handed over today by our High Commissioner to the Government of&nbsp;Zambia," EAM Jaishankar said in a post on X.</p>

<p>India&nbsp;sent the first consignment of&nbsp;humanitarian aid&nbsp;on February 6 via a commercial cargo aircraft to&nbsp;Zambia&nbsp;following the&nbsp;cholera&nbsp;outbreak in the country, as per the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).</p>

<p>The aid weighing approximately 3.5 tonnes comprised water purification supplies, chlorine tablets, and hydration in the form of ORS sachets, the MEA said.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) has said it will provide Euro one million in support to&nbsp;Zambia&nbsp;in response to the ongoing&nbsp;cholera&nbsp;epidemic, which is putting around 3.5 million people at risk.</p>

<p>The emergency funding will support humanitarian partners UNICEF and the WHO in their efforts to address immediate and critical needs related to health, water, hygiene, and sanitation, as per the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO).</p>

<p>As of January 31, 2024, the cumulative number of&nbsp;cholera&nbsp;cases in the country stood at 16,526 with 613 deaths. There is a high fatality rate of close to 4 per cent, with most of the cases and deaths reported in Lusaka Province.</p>

<p>As the rainy season in the country is expected to continue until May, further floods due to heavy rains in Lusaka's urban and peri-urban areas could re-ignite the spread of&nbsp;cholera&nbsp;cases.</p>

<p>Cholera, a bacterial disease, is usually spread through contaminated water. The disease causes severe diarrhoea and dehydration.<br />
<br />
<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


India on Saturday sent the second humanitarian aid to Zambia amid the ongoing cholera outbreak in the country. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that the aid, weighing approximately 3.

India on Saturday sent the second humanitarian aid to Zambia amid the ongoing cholera outbreak in the country. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that the aid, weighing approximately 3.5 tonnes, comprises water purification supplies, chlorine tablets, and other things. "India sends Humanitarian Assistance to Zambia in wake of the cholera outbreak. The aid weighing approx 3.5 tonnes comprises water purification supplies, chlorine tablets and ORS sachets. Was handed over today by our High Commissioner to the Government of Zambia," EAM Jaishankar said in a post on X. India sent the first consignment of humanitarian aid on February 6 via a commercial cargo aircraft to Zambia following the cholera outbreak in the country, as per the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The aid weighing approximately 3.5 tonnes comprised water purification supplies, chlorine tablets, and hydration in the form of ORS sachets, the MEA said. Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) has said it will provide Euro one million in support to Zambia in response to the ongoing cholera epidemic, which is putting around 3.5 million people at risk. The emergency funding will support humanitarian partners UNICEF and the WHO in their efforts to address immediate and critical needs related to health, water, hygiene, and sanitation, as per the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO). As of January 31, 2024, the cumulative number of cholera cases in the country stood at 16,526 with 613 deaths. There is a high fatality rate of close to 4 per cent, with most of the cases and deaths reported in Lusaka Province. As the rainy season in the country is expected to continue until May, further floods due to heavy rains in Lusaka's urban and peri-urban areas could re-ignite the spread of cholera cases. Cholera, a bacterial disease, is usually spread through contaminated water. The disease causes severe diarrhoea and dehydration. (With inputs from agencies)

India sends second consignment of humanitarian assistance to Zambia amid cholera outbreak

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