Former United States vice-president Mike Pence blasted his former boss and 2024 presidential election rival Donald Trump on many issues, including the former president describing Russia's Vladimir Putin as a "genius" for his invasion of Ukraine.

Former United States vice-president Mike Pence blasted his former boss and 2024 presidential election rival Donald Trump on many issues, including the former president describing Russia's Vladimir Putin as a "genius" for his invasion of Ukraine. Participating in a CNN town hall in Iowa on Wednesday night (June 7), Pence said, "I know the difference between a genius and a war criminal, and I know who needs to win the war in Ukraine." “And it’s the people fighting for their freedom and fighting to restore their national sovereignty in Ukraine. And America – it’s not our war, but freedom is our fight. And we need to give the people of Ukraine the ability to fight and defend their freedom,” Pence added. During the town hall, the former vice-president also expressed his views on abortion, and the First Step Act among other issues. Here's a look at the key takeaways: Pence urges DOJ not to indict Trump Pence urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) not to indict Trump, saying such a move would fuel division inside the US and send a terrible message to the wider world. Pence told CNN that the DOJ could resolve its investigation into Trump's potential mishandling of classified documents without resorting to an indictment, just as the department informed Pence's lawyer last week that there would be no charges brought in the case of classified documents discovered in his house. Also read | Trump lies about election, abortion, sexual abuse case at CNN town hall: A fact-check However, the CNN report said that in Pence's case, he immediately contacted the National Archives and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to return his documents, while Trump resisted handing over his classified material and failed to return all classified documents after receiving a subpoena last May. Apart from criticising Trump for praising Putin for the Ukraine war, Pence hit out at his former boss over his efforts to overturn the 2020 US presidential election and the Capitol Hill riots. What did Pence say about abortion? Pence has been an anti-abortion advocate and during Wednesday's town hall, he made it clear that he would not deviate from this position. “I couldn’t be more proud to be vice president in an administration that appointed three of the justices that sent Roe v. Wade to the ash heap of history,” he said. On the question of a federal ban on abortion, Pence said he supported exceptions for rape, incest and danger to the life of the mother. Would 'take a step back' from First Step Act: Pence Pence also said he would "take a step back" from the Trump-era First Step Act- which cut unnecessarily long federal sentences and improved conditions in federal prisons. Under the act, thousands of federal inmates, most of them in prison for drug offences and weapons charges, were freed early either for good behaviour or through participation in rehabilitation programmes. “We need to get serious and tough on violent crime, and we need to give our cities and our states the resources to restore law and order to our streets. And I promise you, we’ll do that, if I’m your president,” Pence said. Asked about fellow Republican Ron DeSantis promising to repeal the act if elected president, Pence conceded that he would take a different approach than the First Step Act. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

At CNN town hall, Pence criticises Trump for praising Putin: A look at key takeaways

Wildfires Continue To Burn Across Canada With Little Relief

Canada endures worst-ever start to wildfire season

Canada is enduring its worst-ever start to the wildfire season, forcing thousands of people away from their homes.

Canada's Quebec province has been hit by the raging wildfires, with residents awaiting the arrival of reinforcements to help extinguish the blaze. Firefighters in Quebec are struggling to put out 140 fires, most of them out of control.

Trudeau blames climate change for wildfires

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau blamed climate change for the current wildfires.  "These fires are affecting everyday routines, lives and livelihoods, and our air quality," Trudeau tweeted.

Temperatures in British Columbia to hit 33° Celsius

Temperatures in parts of British Columbia are expected to hit 33° Celsius. The province is facing the second-biggest wildfire on record.

US East Coast blanketed in smoke from Canadian fires

The US East Coast is blanketed in a veil of smoke from Canadian fires. Schools across the East Coast have cancelled outdoor activities, and residents have been urged to stay indoors.

The founder of a sexual wellness company teaching 'orgasmic meditation' in the US has been charged with forced labour conspiracy, federal prosecutors in the New York City borough of Brooklyn said on Tuesday (June 6).

The founder of a sexual wellness company teaching 'orgasmic meditation' in the US has been charged with forced labour conspiracy, federal prosecutors in the New York City borough of Brooklyn said on Tuesday (June 6). California-based OneTaste is a sexual wellness company that claims to teach orgasmic meditation. Its founder Nicole Daedone and former head of sales Rachel Cherwitz have been accused of recruiting volunteers, contractors, and employees to incur debt to take courses that they claimed could heal sexual trauma and dysfunction. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, Cherwitz was arrested and is expected to appear in San Francisco court later on Wednesday. Daedone, meanwhile, is still at large. Company not charged with wrongdoing While the two top executives of OneTaste were charged, federal prosecutors did not charge the company as such with any wrongdoing. In a statement, OneTaste's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Anjuli Ayer said the company cooperated with prosecutors and the charges were unjustified because of "OneTaste's culture of individual empowerment, choice and consent." "We are appalled by this long-term, misogynistic, media-driven campaign to tear down a feminine empowerment project and the women who devoted their lives to it," Ayer said. OneTaste was founded in California in 2004 and it was the subject of a Netflix documentary "Orgasm Inc" last year that followed its rise and included interviews with former members. On Tuesday, the prosecutors said that Daedone and Cherwitz subjected OneTaste members to surveillance in communal homes instructed them to engage in sex acts for "freedom and enlightenment", and failed to pay promised wages. And as per an indictment from April 3 which was only made public on Tuesday, Daedone and Cherwitz deliberately recruited people who suffered trauma and sought to limit their contact with people outside the OneTaste community, including by breaking up romantic relationships. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Founder of  'orgasmic meditation' company OneTaste charged with forced labour conspiracy

Some 200 passengers in Austria were evacuated on Wednesday (June 7) after the train they were travelling in caught fire in a tunnel in Tyrol. Speaking to the news agency AFP, local police said that around 45 passengers suffered minor injuries, likely from smoke inhalation. According to a spokesperson for the Austrian rail operator OeBB, the train headed to Hamburg and Amsterdam was passing through a tunnel close to&nbsp;Innsbruck in the Austrian Alps when its overhead wire snapped.&nbsp;

The cause of the fire&nbsp;appeared to be a faulty overhead electric wire that fell on a trailer attached to the train that was transporting passengers’ cars and set two vehicles ablaze.

"The fire was extinguished at 22:19, and the evacuation was complete by 23:40 local time," the official added.

<h2>Authorities remove train from the tunnel</h2>

On Thursday, authorities started removing the train from the tunnel where it got stuck. Following the removal, the train was set to be hauled back to the central station in Innsbruck, a report by the news agency Associated Press said.&nbsp;

Initially, officials had said that around 370 passengers might be on board but later said this was an estimate based on total ticket reservation numbers that turned out to be inaccurate on closer inspection at the scene.&nbsp;

"According to our current information, there is a total of 33 people with light injuries, who were taken to nearby hospitals for further evaluation," a statement said, adding&nbsp;700 emergency services were at the incident site.&nbsp;

Passengers who did not need any medical attention&nbsp;were taken by bus to Innsbruck, where they were offered accommodation.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Some 200 passengers in Austria were evacuated on Wednesday (June 7) after the train they were travelling in caught fire in a tunnel in Tyrol. Speaking to the news agency AFP, local police said that around 45 passengers suffered minor injuries, likely from smoke inhalation.

Some 200 passengers in Austria were evacuated on Wednesday (June 7) after the train they were travelling in caught fire in a tunnel in Tyrol. Speaking to the news agency AFP, local police said that around 45 passengers suffered minor injuries, likely from smoke inhalation. According to a spokesperson for the Austrian rail operator OeBB, the train headed to Hamburg and Amsterdam was passing through a tunnel close to Innsbruck in the Austrian Alps when its overhead wire snapped. The cause of the fire appeared to be a faulty overhead electric wire that fell on a trailer attached to the train that was transporting passengers’ cars and set two vehicles ablaze. "The fire was extinguished at 22:19, and the evacuation was complete by 23:40 local time," the official added. Authorities remove train from the tunnel On Thursday, authorities started removing the train from the tunnel where it got stuck. Following the removal, the train was set to be hauled back to the central station in Innsbruck, a report by the news agency Associated Press said. Initially, officials had said that around 370 passengers might be on board but later said this was an estimate based on total ticket reservation numbers that turned out to be inaccurate on closer inspection at the scene. "According to our current information, there is a total of 33 people with light injuries, who were taken to nearby hospitals for further evaluation," a statement said, adding 700 emergency services were at the incident site. Passengers who did not need any medical attention were taken by bus to Innsbruck, where they were offered accommodation. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Austria: 200 passengers evacuated after train catches fire

The United Kingdom (UK) will remove Chinese-made surveillance equipment from sensitive government sites. According to a report by the news agency Reuters early Thursday (June 8), the step is part of the government's latest plans to address national security concerns related to China.

The United Kingdom (UK) will remove Chinese-made surveillance equipment from sensitive government sites. According to a report by the news agency Reuters early Thursday (June 8), the step is part of the government's latest plans to address national security concerns related to China. In a statement, the government said it would also commit to publishing a timeline for the removal of surveillance equipment produced by companies subject to China's National Intelligence Law from sensitive central government sites. "By committing to this timeline, we are providing reassurance and urgency around the removal plans," the statement said, without specifying the companies whose surveillance equipment would be removed. Also read: Chinese surveillance camera firm advertises racial profiling technology in UK Last year, the government told its departments to stop installing Chinese-linked surveillance cameras at sensitive buildings. And British lawmakers called for a ban on the sale and use of security cameras manufactured by Hikivision and Dahua, two partly state-owned Chinese firms. The calls for a ban came over privacy fears and concerns of the companies' products being linked to human rights abuses in China, Reuters reported. China slams UK's decision: 'Urge them to stop political manipulation...' The Chinese government condemned the UK's decision to remove the Chinese-made surveillance equipment. In a statement issued on Tuesday, a spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in Britain said, "We firmly oppose the UK’s deliberate misinterpretation of the relevant Chinese law and discrimination and suppression of Chinese companies." The spokesperson said that Beijing always encouraged Chinese companies to conduct international investment and cooperation in accordance with market principles, international rules and local laws. "We urge the UK side to stop political manipulation and provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for the normal operation of Chinese companies in the UK," the spokesperson added. Earlier this year, Australia removed dozens of Chinese-made security cameras from the offices of politicians. At least 913 such cameras had been installed across over 250 Australian government buildings. On February 14, the government said that the CCTV cameras were not connected to the internet and were being removed as a precaution. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

UK to remove Chinese-made surveillance equipment from sensitive govt sites; Beijing hits back

American technology giant Meta has set up a task force to investigate claims that Instagram is hosting the distribution and sale of self-generated child sexual abuse material, according to a report by The Guardian early Thursday (June 8).

American technology giant Meta has set up a task force to investigate claims that Instagram is hosting the distribution and sale of self-generated child sexual abuse material, according to a report by The Guardian early Thursday (June 8). Meta's action comes after a report from the Stanford Internet Observatory (SIO) said that a large network of accounts putatively operated by minors are openly advertising self-generated child sexual abuse material (SG-CSAM) for sale. Instagram is currently the most important platform for these networks. In a statement, a Meta spokesperson said the company had set up an internal task force to deal with the claims, adding "We’re continuously exploring ways to actively defend against this behaviour, and we set up an internal task force to investigate these claims and immediately address them." Claims in the SIO report The SIO report published on Wednesday said that Instagram's recommendation algorithms are a key reason for the social media platform's effectiveness in advertising SG-CSAM. "The creation and trading of Child Sexual Abuse Material, or CSAM, is often regarded as the most harmful of the widespread abuses of online communication and social media platforms," the report said. The SIO identified 405 accounts advertising the sale SG-CSAM on Instagram, as well as 128 seller accounts on Twitter. Also read | Instagram gearing up to take on Twitter with new text-based app: Report Fifty-eight accounts within the Instagram follower network appeared to be probable content buyers who used their real names, many of which were matched to Facebook, LinkedIn or TikTok profiles using social links and profile picture similarity transforms. "While it is likely that some seller accounts (on different social media platforms) may be impostors redistributing content, scammers, or a third party coercing the child, it appears that by and large underage sellers are producing and marketing content of their own accord," the report added. What is SG-CSAM? SG-CSAM is a type of content when an image or video appears to be created by the minor subject in the image. While SG-CSAM is often still illegal to possess "and distribute in the United States, the fact that children (often teenagers) are sharing these images amongst each other voluntarily has reduced the focus on this vector of CSAM creation," the SIO said in its Wednesday report. Such type of content can sometimes be initially distributed voluntarily (such as to a romantic partner) but then redistributed or posted publicly leading to uncontrolled redistribution of images. This issue can overlap with Non-Consensual Intimate Imagery (NCII, sometimes referred to as “revenge porn”), in which sexual images are distributed without the consent of the subject, the report said. The SIO also pointed out that in recent years, the creation and distribution of SG-CSAM increasingly became a commercial venture. The observatory had acted on a tip from The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), which in a report mentioned Instagram's SG-CSAM issues along with the SIO's findings. The WSJ report on Tuesday said that Instagram connects paedophiles and guides them to content sellers via recommendation systems that excel at linking those who share niche interests. It added that Instagram enabled people to search explicit hashtags such as "#pedowhore and #preteensex" and connected them to accounts that used the terms to advertise child-sex material for sale. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Instagram 'most important platform' for child sex abuse networks: Report

The European Union (EU) is considering a mandatory ban on the member states using companies that might pose a security risk in their 5G networks, including China's Huawei.

The European Union (EU) is considering a mandatory ban on the member states using companies that might pose a security risk in their 5G networks, including China's Huawei. According to a report by The Financial Times on Tuesday (June 6), the move comes as a response to increasing concerns in Brussels about certain national governments delaying action on the matter. During an EU telecom minister's meeting last Friday, the EU's Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton noted that only a third of member countries banned Huawei from critical parts of the bloc's 5G communications, despite recommendations by Brussels to exclude high-risk vendors from technology investments. “This is too few. And it exposes the union’s collective security,” Breton said, as cited by The Financial Times. Also read | Huawei's founder says tech giant has replaced thousands of US-banned parts with Chinese versions Back in 2020, the EU had said that member-states could either restrict or exclude high-risk 5G vendors such as Huawei from core parts of their telecoms network and resisted pressure back then from the United States on Chinese telcos. And as guidance fell short of a ban in 2020, the EU could introduce the mandatory ban on companies deemed to present a security risk, if member states, including Germany, continued to delay, the report added. Will the ban come soon? As per the report, the new rules forcing the ban are unlikely to come before the five-year term of the current European Commission ends. In Germany, officials expressed concerns about the ties between Deutsche Telekom and Huawei. In March, a government source told Reuters that Berlin had been considering a ban on certain components from Huawei and ZTE (another Chinese company) in its telecom networks. 'Huawei opposes politicising cyber security evaluation' Huawei, meanwhile, said that it opposed politicising cyber security evaluation, adding no court ever found that Huawei engaged in malicious intellectual property theft, or required Huawei to pay damages for infringement on others’ intellectual property. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

EU mulls mandatory ban on member states using Huawei to build 5G: Report

The Paris Court of Appeal upheld the Malaysian government's challenge against reinforcing a partial award to the Filipino heirs of a former sultan who won $15 billion in an arbitration over a colonial-era land deal.

The Paris Court of Appeal upheld the Malaysian government's challenge against reinforcing a partial award to the Filipino heirs of a former sultan who won $15 billion in an arbitration over a colonial-era land deal. According to a report by the news agency Reuters on Wednesday (June 7), the government said on Tuesday the court's decision implied the final award would be annulled and the descendants' efforts to seize Malaysian assets would end. According to Malaysia's Law Minister Azalina Othman Said, "This decision, which is final and binding, is a decisive victory for Malaysia in its ongoing pursuit of legal remedies, which Malaysia is confident will result in comprehensive defeat for the claimants and their funders." Last year, the heirs of the last Sultan of Sulu won a $14.9-billion award in the court in a dispute over the deal, after a partial award was first issued in May 2020. The Malaysian government said on Tuesday the court found the case arbitrator had wrongly upheld his jurisdiction. The dispute stems from an 1878 deal The long-running dispute stems from an 1878 deal between the Sultan of Sulu and European colonists for the use of his territory which spanned islands in the southern Philippines and parts of present-day Malaysia on Borneo island. Reuters reported that the government paid a token sum annually to the heirs to honour the deal but stopped in 2013 when the supporters of the former sultanate launched an incursion to reclaim the land from Malaysia. The heirs, meanwhile, said they were not involved in the incursion and sought arbitration over the suspension of payments. The Filipino claimants would now consider their options before the French Supreme Court. The claimants and their lawyers also requested protection from their respective foreign ministries over concerns that there could be further actions against them. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

French court upholds Malaysia's appeal against partial award in $15 billion claim by former sultan's heirs

Two people were killed and five others injured in a shooting outside a high school graduation ceremony in Richmond, Virginia. The incident occurred at around 5 pm (local time) when gunshots were heard outside Monroe Park, near the Altria Theatre. The victims were an 18-year-old student and a 36-year-old man who were attending the graduation.&nbsp;

Iran has reopened its embassy in Saudi Arabia for the first time in seven years. The location is near Syria's embassy, the reopening of which is expected soon following Saudi outreach to Damascus.&nbsp;

In other news, the United States knew of a Ukrainian plan to attack the Nord Stream pipelines as early as three months before underwater explosions damaged them, The Washington Post reported citing leaked information posted online. The report said that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) learned in June last year that a Ukrainian special operations force consisting of six people intended to blow up the pipelines.

Click on the headlines to read more

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-killed-five-injured-in-shooting-during-virginia-high-school-graduation-event-one-held-601480">Two killed, five injured in shooting during Virginia high school graduation event, one held</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/06/07/357511-police.png?imwidth=1920" />

Two people were killed and five injured during a shootout outside a high school graduation ceremony in Richmond, Virginia.&nbsp;The grisly incident occurred on Tuesday towards the end of the Huguenot High School graduation event around 5 pm (local time) when gunshots were heard outside at Monroe Park, near the Altria Theatre.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-reopens-embassy-in-saudi-arabia-after-seven-years-601476">Iran reopens embassy in Saudi Arabia after seven years</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/06/07/357509-iran-2.jpg?imwidth=1920" />

Iran on Tuesday (June 6) reopened it embassy in Saudi Arabia for the first time in seven years. The move has reaffirmed a Chinese-brokered rapprochement between two formerly antagonistic powers in West Asia. The rapprochement is likely to change the equations in the region greatly. The Iranian mission has opened in its former premises in Riyadh's diplomatic quarter.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-knew-of-ukrainian-plan-to-blow-up-nord-stream-report-601466">US knew of Ukrainian plan to blow up Nord Stream three months before blasts: Report</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/04/07/343797-untitled-design-2023-04-07t095516672.png?imwidth=1920" />

The US knew of a Ukrainian plan to attack the Nord Stream pipelines as early as three months before underwater explosions damaged them, claimed the Washington Post in a report. The news outlet cited leaked information posted online.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/eu-mulls-mandatory-ban-on-member-states-using-huawei-to-build-5g-report-601492">EU mulls mandatory ban on member states using Huawei to build 5G: Report</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/06/07/357519-2023-06-07t003620z2lynxmpej5600brtroptp4tech-ai-france.JPG?imwidth=1920" />

The European Union (EU) is considering a mandatory ban on the member states using companies that might pose a security risk in their 5G networks, including China's Huawei. According to a report by The Financial Times on Tuesday (June 6), the move comes as a response to increasing concerns in Brussels about certain national governments delaying action on the matter.&nbsp;

WATCH | Nova Kakhovka damage sparks flooding, evacuation

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Two people were killed and five others injured in a shooting outside a high school graduation ceremony in Richmond, Virginia. The incident occurred at around 5 pm (local time) when gunshots were heard outside Monroe Park, near the Altria Theatre.

Two people were killed and five others injured in a shooting outside a high school graduation ceremony in Richmond, Virginia. The incident occurred at around 5 pm (local time) when gunshots were heard outside Monroe Park, near the Altria Theatre. The victims were an 18-year-old student and a 36-year-old man who were attending the graduation. Iran has reopened its embassy in Saudi Arabia for the first time in seven years. The location is near Syria's embassy, the reopening of which is expected soon following Saudi outreach to Damascus. In other news, the United States knew of a Ukrainian plan to attack the Nord Stream pipelines as early as three months before underwater explosions damaged them, The Washington Post reported citing leaked information posted online. The report said that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) learned in June last year that a Ukrainian special operations force consisting of six people intended to blow up the pipelines. Click on the headlines to read more Two killed, five injured in shooting during Virginia high school graduation event, one held Two people were killed and five injured during a shootout outside a high school graduation ceremony in Richmond, Virginia. The grisly incident occurred on Tuesday towards the end of the Huguenot High School graduation event around 5 pm (local time) when gunshots were heard outside at Monroe Park, near the Altria Theatre. Iran reopens embassy in Saudi Arabia after seven years Iran on Tuesday (June 6) reopened it embassy in Saudi Arabia for the first time in seven years. The move has reaffirmed a Chinese-brokered rapprochement between two formerly antagonistic powers in West Asia. The rapprochement is likely to change the equations in the region greatly. The Iranian mission has opened in its former premises in Riyadh's diplomatic quarter. US knew of Ukrainian plan to blow up Nord Stream three months before blasts: Report The US knew of a Ukrainian plan to attack the Nord Stream pipelines as early as three months before underwater explosions damaged them, claimed the Washington Post in a report. The news outlet cited leaked information posted online. EU mulls mandatory ban on member states using Huawei to build 5G: Report The European Union (EU) is considering a mandatory ban on the member states using companies that might pose a security risk in their 5G networks, including China's Huawei. According to a report by The Financial Times on Tuesday (June 6), the move comes as a response to increasing concerns in Brussels about certain national governments delaying action on the matter. WATCH | Nova Kakhovka damage sparks flooding, evacuation ×

Morning brief: Two killed in shooting in Virginia, Iran reopnes embassy in Saudi Arabia, and more

As the wrestlers’ protest in India continues, Olympian Bajrang Punia, one of the protesters, arrived at the residence of Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur for talks on Wednesday (June 7).

As the wrestlers’ protest in India continues, Olympian Bajrang Punia, one of the protesters, arrived at the residence of Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur for talks on Wednesday (June 7). This development comes a day after Union Sports Minister Thakur invited the wrestlers for talks on their issues. Since April 23, the wrestlers have staged protests against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accusing him of sexual harassment. Visuals shared by the news agency ANI showed Punia arriving at Thakur’s residence. Moments later, Sakshee Malikkh arrived at the minister's residence. Here's a look at the top developments so far: > Bajrang Punia and Sakshee Malikkh have reached Anurag Thakur's residence for talks a day after the minister said that the central government was willing to discuss their issues. Also read: Bajrang Punia reacts to morphed images of protesting wrestlers, claims 'IT cell' people are spreading this > Earlier on Wednesday, Malikhh reacted to Thakur's invitation and told ANI, "We will discuss the proposal given by the government with our seniors and supporters. Only when everyone gives their consent that the proposal is fine, then will we agree. It won't happen that we will agree to anything that the government says and end our protest. No time fixed for the meeting yet." Delhi | Wrestler Sakshee Malikkh arrives at the residence of Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur after an invitation from the government for talks with protesting wrestlers pic.twitter.com/iiOKQH5Y8v — ANI (@ANI) June 7, 2023 × > The wrestlers, who have been campaigning in India's capital city New Delhi since April 23, have accused Brij Bhushan Singh of sexually harassing female athletes. > Last Saturday (June 3), the wrestlers met Union Home Minister Amit Shah, pressing for action against Singh, who is a lawmaker of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). > During the meeting, the wrestlers demanded an impartial probe and quick action against Singh. And in response, Shah assured them that justice would be provided, and asked them to let the law take its course. > Earlier, the Delhi Police recorded the statements of Singh's associates and those working at his residence in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda as part of the investigation, officials to the news agency PTI. > The official added that a minor complainant whose statement was the basis of a case registered against Singh under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act had recorded a fresh statement under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) section 164. > Brij Bhushan Singh has denied the allegations of sexual harassment, by saying he would hang himself if the allegations were true. "If even one of the allegations made against me gets proven true then Brij Bhushan Singh will hang himself without anyone having to ask him to do so," he said on May 31. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Indian wrestlers' protest: Bajrang Punia, Sakshee Malikkh arrive at minister's house for talks | Top points

The destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam in Ukraine caused people awaiting rescue in affected areas to spend Tuesday night (June 6) on roofs or trees due to flooding.

The destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam in Ukraine caused people awaiting rescue in affected areas to spend Tuesday night (June 6) on roofs or trees due to flooding. The critical dam along the Dnipro River in the parts of Ukraine's Kherson region now held by Russia, collapsed on Tuesday, flooding a swathe of the war zone along the frontline. It is not yet clear who was responsible. Satellite images taken by Maxar Technologies showed houses and buildings submerged, with many showing only their roofs, and water taking over parks, land and infrastructure. And many such people slept on roofs and sat on trees, waiting to be rescued, the news agency Reuters reported. Also read | Nova Kakhovka dam breach could be worst ecological disaster since Chornobyl: Ukraine minister A roof of a house could be seen whisking in the torrent of the Dnipro River. Here's a look at the video: Video captured the moment when the roof of a building was washed down Ukraine's Dnipro River as widespread flooding broke out after the breach of the Nova Kakhovka dam pic.twitter.com/M0x6jsUHKg — Reuters (@Reuters) June 7, 2023 × 42,000 people at direct risk from flooding: Ukraine The Ukrainian government estimated that around 42,000 people are at direct risk from flooding which is expected to peak on Wednesday, and hundreds and thousands would be left without access to drinking water. In a statement, the agriculture ministry said the disaster would cut off the water supply to 31 irrigation systems in the Ukrainian regions of Dnipro. The dam's destruction has left 94% of irrigation systems in Kherson, 74% of those in Zaporizhzhia, and 30% in Dnipro regions without water, the ministry added. Residents in affected areas have started fleeing, carrying children on their shoulders, dogs in their arms, and belongings in plastic bags while rescuers used rubber boats to search areas where the waters reached above head height. Russia imposes state of emergency in controlled parts of Kherson Russia imposed a state of emergency in the parts of Kherson province it controls, where many towns and villages lie in the lowlands below the dam. Speaking to Reuters, some residents said that Russian troops patrolling the streets in waders were threatening civilians who approached. On Tuesday, the Kremlin accused Ukraine of sabotaging the Nova Kakhovka dam to distract attention from a new counter-offensive. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, meanwhile, said, "the whole world will know about this Russian war crime," and called the dam's collapse "an environmental bomb of mass destruction". (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

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German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Tuesday (June 6) that the process related to India's proposed procurement of six submarines was yet to be completed and that the German industry was at a "good place" in the race for the contract.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Tuesday (June 6) that the process related to India's proposed procurement of six submarines was yet to be completed and that the German industry was at a "good place" in the race for the contract. Pistorius arrived in New Delhi on Monday for a four-day visit to India, the first by a German defence minister since 2015. After holding wide-ranging talks with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Pistorious addressed a press conference where he was asked about the submarine deal. "The procedure is not finished yet, but I think the German industry is at a good place in that race," he told reporters. One of the top contenders for the contract is Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). Submarine project figures in talks between Pistorious, Singh According to a report by the news agency PTI, officials earlier said that India's plan to procure six stealth conventional submarines at a cost of around Rs 43,000 crore figured in the talks between Pistorius and Singh, and the former showed Germany's interest in the project. In June 2021, the Indian Defence Ministry cleared the project to domestically build six conventional submarines for the navy. The submarines would be built under the much-talked-about strategic partnership model that allows domestic defence manufacturers to join hands with leading foreign defence majors to produce high-end military platforms to reduce import dependence. Germany can do more in Indo-Pacific: Pistorious German Defence Minister Pistorious also said on Tuesday that his country could and ought to do more in the Indo-Pacific in a partnership with India given the sense of unpredictability surrounding it. "And we need strategic partners like Indonesia, like India, for example, to make sure that the law of free navigation and the free trading routes will be achievable during the next decade too," Pistorious said during the press conference and pointed out that Europe has a role to play in the Indo-Pacific region. "We have totally agreed about the German and European role in the Indo-Pacific. We agreed that more engagement of Europe and Germany is necessary to play a relevant part in that game — it is not a game, but you know what I mean," he added. The German defence minister also indicated that his country will deploy military assets in the Indo-Pacific next year as well. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

German minister says India’s submarine project yet to be completed, Berlin in race for contract

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Zee News Rajasthan

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