World's Oldest-Known Burial Site Found in South Africa

A small-brained distant relative of humans

The burial site contains remains of a small-brained distant relative of human beings previously thought incapable of complex behaviour. The team of Palaeontologists, led by Lee Berger, said they discovered several specimens of Homo naledi.

Homo naledi is a primitive species at the crossroads of apes and modern humans. The species had brains about the size of oranges and stood about five feet tall. It was buried about 100 feet underground in a cave system within the Cradle of Humankind, which is a UNESCO world heritage site near Johannesburg.

Challenging current understanding of human evolution

The findings in the Cradle of Humankind challenge the current understanding of human evolution. Researchers said the species of Homo naledi discovered are the "most ancient interments yet recorded in the hominin record, earlier than evidence of Homo sapiens interments by at least 100,000 years."


The oldest burials previously unearthed, found in the Middle East and Africa, contained the remains of Homo sapiens -- and were around 100,000 years old.

US regulators on Monday (June 5) charged cryptocurrency giant <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-regulators-sue-binance-and-founder-changpeng-zhao-over-securities-law-violations-600997">Binance with violating securities laws which collectively amounted</a> to what the regulators called&nbsp;"an extensive web of deception" and "calculated evasion of the law." The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which filed a complaint in a federal court in Washington DC, listed 13 charges against Binance, its Chief Executive Officer (CEO)&nbsp;Changpeng Zhao and the operator of its&nbsp;purportedly independent US&nbsp;exchange, according to a report by the news agency Reuters early Tuesday.

Binance, which is the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, criticised the SEC's action by saying it was a wrongheaded approach that threatened US' role&nbsp;as a global hub for financial innovation and leadership.&nbsp;"We intend to defend our platform vigorously,"&nbsp;Binance&nbsp;said.&nbsp;

<h2>What is the case?</h2>

The SEC's case said that&nbsp;Changpeng Zhao and Binance entities&nbsp;engaged in an extensive web of deception, conflicts of interest, lack of disclosure, and calculated evasion of the law,"&nbsp;

In its complaint, the SEC charged Binance&nbsp;with 13 offences, including&nbsp;operating an unregistered securities exchange and failing to restrict US&nbsp;customers from its platform. The SEC alleged that Binance artificially inflated its trading volumes, diverted customer funds and misled investors about its market surveillance controls. The SEC also claimed that the crypto giant and its CEO&nbsp;secretly controlled customers' assets, allowing them to commingle and divert investor funds "as they please."

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/explained-who-is-changpeng-zhao-binance-billionaire-sued-by-us-regulator-577000">Explained: Who is Changpeng Zhao, Binance billionaire sued by US regulator?</a>

"As alleged, Zhao and&nbsp;Binance&nbsp;misled investors about their risk controls and corrupted trading volumes while actively concealing who was operating the platform, the manipulative trading of its affiliated market maker, and even where and with whom investor funds and crypto assets were custodied," the complaint read.&nbsp;

The Commission also said from almost three years back until June 2022,&nbsp;Sigma Chain- a trading firm owned and controlled by Zhao,&nbsp;engaged in so-called wash trading that artificially inflated the trading volume of crypto asset securities on &nbsp;Binance.&nbsp;Sigma Chain spent $11 million from an account on a yacht, the commission added.&nbsp;

The complaint further alleged that billions of dollars in Binance customer funds were&nbsp;commingled in an account held by a Zhao-controlled firm called Merit Peak, in breach of American rules that require customer money to be kept separate.

The crypto giant denied mixing customer deposits&nbsp;and company funds, saying users who sent money to the account were not making deposits but rather buying&nbsp;Binance’s bespoke dollar-linked crypto token.

<h2>SEC case latest legal trouble for Binance</h2>

The SEC's case is the latest in a series of legal troubles for Binance. In March, the crypto giant was sued by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) for operating what the regulator alleged were an illegal exchange and a sham compliance program. Binance is also facing a probe from the US Justice Department for suspected money laundering&nbsp;and sanctions violations.&nbsp;

The latest case depicts&nbsp;the company as determined to evade US securities law, a trait that meant defendants "enriched themselves by billions of US dollars while placing investors' assets at significant risk."&nbsp;

<h2>Who is&nbsp;Changpeng Zhao?&nbsp;</h2>

Zhao, 46, was born in China before moving to Canada in 1989 at the age of 12, two months&nbsp;after China's Tiananmen Square crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. He founded Binance in 2017. Within six months, Binance&nbsp;became the world's biggest crypto exchange and currently accounts for about 60 per cent of&nbsp;global crypto trading volumes.&nbsp;

Over the years, Zhao installed a tight circle of associates, many of whom had worked or studied in China, into top jobs. Co-founder Yi He now runs&nbsp;Binance's $7.5 billion venture capital arm, as well as other important departments. The 46-year-old tasked his Chinese-born head of back office, Guangying Chen, with managing the company's finances.

And while Binance has hired widely from the traditional financial and regulatory worlds in recent years&nbsp;&nbsp;Zhao's tight control over his company has continued. In March, the CFTC said that&nbsp;Zhao answers to no one but himself.&nbsp;

<h2>How as Binance reacted to the SEC case?</h2>

Criticising the SEC's action, Binance said on Monday it would defend its platform vigorously, adding&nbsp;"Because&nbsp;Binance&nbsp;is not a US&nbsp;exchange, the SEC's actions are limited in reach."

"All user assets on&nbsp;Binance&nbsp;and&nbsp;Binance&nbsp;affiliate platforms, including&nbsp;Binance.US, are safe and secure," the blog post said.

In a separate statement, the crypto giant said it actively cooperated with the SEC from the beginning and respectfully disagreed with the allegations.&nbsp;

"Digital asset laws remain largely undeveloped in much of the world, and regulation by enforcement is not the best path forward," Binance said. "An effective regulatory framework demands collaborative, transparent, and thoughtful policy engagement -- a path the SEC has abandoned,"&nbsp;&nbsp;it added.&nbsp;

The crypto giant also highlighted that it did not directly refute&nbsp;all of the SEC's claims.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Zhao tweeted that&nbsp;Binance's&nbsp;"team is all standing by, ensuring systems are stable, including withdrawals, and deposits."

(With inputs from agencies)

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US regulators on Monday (June 5) charged cryptocurrency giant Binance with violating securities laws which collectively amounted to what the regulators called "an extensive web of deception" and "calculated evasion of the law.

US regulators on Monday (June 5) charged cryptocurrency giant Binance with violating securities laws which collectively amounted to what the regulators called "an extensive web of deception" and "calculated evasion of the law." The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which filed a complaint in a federal court in Washington DC, listed 13 charges against Binance, its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Changpeng Zhao and the operator of its purportedly independent US exchange, according to a report by the news agency Reuters early Tuesday. Binance, which is the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, criticised the SEC's action by saying it was a wrongheaded approach that threatened US' role as a global hub for financial innovation and leadership. "We intend to defend our platform vigorously," Binance said. What is the case? The SEC's case said that Changpeng Zhao and Binance entities engaged in an extensive web of deception, conflicts of interest, lack of disclosure, and calculated evasion of the law," In its complaint, the SEC charged Binance with 13 offences, including operating an unregistered securities exchange and failing to restrict US customers from its platform. The SEC alleged that Binance artificially inflated its trading volumes, diverted customer funds and misled investors about its market surveillance controls. The SEC also claimed that the crypto giant and its CEO secretly controlled customers' assets, allowing them to commingle and divert investor funds "as they please." ALSO READ | Explained: Who is Changpeng Zhao, Binance billionaire sued by US regulator? "As alleged, Zhao and Binance misled investors about their risk controls and corrupted trading volumes while actively concealing who was operating the platform, the manipulative trading of its affiliated market maker, and even where and with whom investor funds and crypto assets were custodied," the complaint read. The Commission also said from almost three years back until June 2022, Sigma Chain- a trading firm owned and controlled by Zhao, engaged in so-called wash trading that artificially inflated the trading volume of crypto asset securities on Binance. Sigma Chain spent $11 million from an account on a yacht, the commission added. The complaint further alleged that billions of dollars in Binance customer funds were commingled in an account held by a Zhao-controlled firm called Merit Peak, in breach of American rules that require customer money to be kept separate. The crypto giant denied mixing customer deposits and company funds, saying users who sent money to the account were not making deposits but rather buying Binance’s bespoke dollar-linked crypto token. SEC case latest legal trouble for Binance The SEC's case is the latest in a series of legal troubles for Binance. In March, the crypto giant was sued by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) for operating what the regulator alleged were an illegal exchange and a sham compliance program. Binance is also facing a probe from the US Justice Department for suspected money laundering and sanctions violations. The latest case depicts the company as determined to evade US securities law, a trait that meant defendants "enriched themselves by billions of US dollars while placing investors' assets at significant risk." Who is Changpeng Zhao? Zhao, 46, was born in China before moving to Canada in 1989 at the age of 12, two months after China's Tiananmen Square crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. He founded Binance in 2017. Within six months, Binance became the world's biggest crypto exchange and currently accounts for about 60 per cent of global crypto trading volumes. Over the years, Zhao installed a tight circle of associates, many of whom had worked or studied in China, into top jobs. Co-founder Yi He now runs Binance's $7.5 billion venture capital arm, as well as other important departments. The 46-year-old tasked his Chinese-born head of back office, Guangying Chen, with managing the company's finances. And while Binance has hired widely from the traditional financial and regulatory worlds in recent years Zhao's tight control over his company has continued. In March, the CFTC said that Zhao answers to no one but himself. How as Binance reacted to the SEC case? Criticising the SEC's action, Binance said on Monday it would defend its platform vigorously, adding "Because Binance is not a US exchange, the SEC's actions are limited in reach." "All user assets on Binance and Binance affiliate platforms, including Binance.US, are safe and secure," the blog post said. In a separate statement, the crypto giant said it actively cooperated with the SEC from the beginning and respectfully disagreed with the allegations. "Digital asset laws remain largely undeveloped in much of the world, and regulation by enforcement is not the best path forward," Binance said. "An effective regulatory framework demands collaborative, transparent, and thoughtful policy engagement -- a path the SEC has abandoned," it added. The crypto giant also highlighted that it did not directly refute all of the SEC's claims. Meanwhile, Zhao tweeted that Binance's "team is all standing by, ensuring systems are stable, including withdrawals, and deposits." (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.

Explained: US charges crypto giant Binance with violating securities laws. What's the case?

Kathleen Folbigg, who was released from prison this week, slept comfortably on Monday night (June 5). The Australian woman, who was imprisoned in 2003 over the deaths of her four children, was pardoned after a judicial review found there was reasonable doubt about her original convictions.

Kathleen Folbigg, who was released from prison this week, slept comfortably on Monday night (June 5). The Australian woman, who was imprisoned in 2003 over the deaths of her four children, was pardoned after a judicial review found there was reasonable doubt about her original convictions. During a televised media conference, Folbigg's friend Tracy Chapman said, "She slept for the first time in a real bed, she has made a cup of tea with a real crockery cup and real spoons to stir with, which sounds probably pretty basic to you all, but she's grateful. Decent tea, you know, real milk," news agency Reuters reported. "She said it was the first time she's been able to sleep properly in 20 years, even though it was brief last night," Chapman added. 'Extremely humbled, grateful' In a video message, Folbigg said she was extremely humbled and grateful for the pardon and called her release a major victory for "science and especially the truth". Remembering her children, she said, "I have forever and will always, think of my children, grieve for my children, and I miss them and love them terribly." The 55-year-old was also mesmerised by the latest gadgets, including iPhones and smart televisions. "She has watched it in awe. Even the television, she was going, 'Oh, my god, look at the television, it's got so many capabilities!' ... she said she'll be watching some binge TV," her friend Chapman said. Folbigg is currently staying at Chapman's farm near Coffs Harbour, about 500km (300 miles) north of Sydney. She enjoyed her first night of freedom over pizza, garlic bread and coffee liqueur. Folbigg maintained her innocence in the case Kathleen Folbigg was convicted of the murder of her three children and the manslaughter of her fourth. The 55-year-old maintained her innocence throughout, saying her children died of natural causes. In 2019, an initial inquiry found evidence that reinforced Folbigg's guilt. But a second inquiry revisited her convictions in 2022 after new evidence suggested two of her children had a genetic mutation that could have caused their deaths. The inquiry, led by former Chief Justice Thomas Bathurst, also found there was a reasonable possibility three of the children died from natural causes, two due to a genetic mutation known as CALM2-G114R and one because of an underlying neurogenic disorder. (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.

'Extremely humbled': Pardoned Australian woman enjoys freedom after 20 years in prison

The world's oldest known burial site has been found in South Africa, containing remains of a small-brained distant relative of humans previously thought incapable of complex behaviour.

The world's oldest known burial site has been found in South Africa, containing remains of a small-brained distant relative of humans previously thought incapable of complex behaviour. According to a report by the news agency AFP on Tuesday (June 6), a team of Palaeontologists led by Lee Berger said they discovered several specimens of Homo naledi- a tree-climbing, Stone Age hominid -- buried about 30 metres (100 feet) underground in a cave system within the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO world heritage site near Johannesburg. In a series of preprint papers to be published in eLife, the researchers said, "These are the most ancient interments yet recorded in the hominin record, earlier than evidence of Homo sapiens interments by at least 100,000 years." The findings challenge the current understanding of human evolution. The oldest burials previously unearthed, found in the Middle East and Africa, contained the remains of Homo sapiens -- and were around 100,000 years old. And those found in South Africa, date back to at least 200,000 BC. What is Homo naledi? Homo naledi is a primitive species at the crossroads between apes and modern humans, which had brains about the size of oranges and stood about five feet tall. AFP reported the species had curved fingers and toes, and tool-wielding hands and feet made for walking. The species is named after the "Rising Star" cave system where the first bones were found in 2013. Engravings forming geometrical shapes, including a "rough hashtag figure", were also found on the purposely smoothed surfaces of a cave pillar nearby. Speaking to AFP, Lee Berger said "That would mean not only are humans not unique in the development of symbolic practices, but may not have even invented such behaviours." Such a statement is likely to ruffle some feathers in the world of palaeontology, where Berger has previously faced accusations of lacking scientific rigour and rushing to conclusions. In 2015, Berger first suggested the idea that Homo naledi was capable of more than the size of its head suggested. "That was too much for scientists to take at that time. We think it's all tied up with this big brain," he said. "We're about to tell the world that's not true." (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.

Palaeontologists find world's oldest-known burial site in South Africa

A Pakistani court on Tuesday ordered the immediate release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) vice-chairperson Shah Mahmood Qureshi and not to arrest him under any further MPO (Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance).

A Pakistani court on Tuesday ordered the immediate release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) vice-chairperson Shah Mahmood Qureshi and not to arrest him under any further MPO (Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance). The Lahore High Court also dismissed as illegal the Rawalpindi deputy commissioner's MPO orders and directed authorities to immediately release Qureshi without asking him to submit surety bonds, according to a report by Geo News. Qureshi, the former foreign minister of Pakistan, was among the top PTI leaders arrested after violent protests erupted following party chairperson Imran Khan's arrest on May 9. The former prime minister's supporters vandalised military installations, including the Lahore Corps Commander's house, Mianwali airbase, the ISI building in Faisalabad and also torched sensitive defence installations. Qureshi was rearrested by Punjab Police from outside Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail and was taken to an unknown location, minutes after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) ordered his release on May 23. Following his May 9 arrest, Qureshi pleaded with supporters to exercise their constitutional rights to protest but not “destroy public or private property” and remain peaceful. Qureshi might takeover PTI or quit: Party defector Last week, PTI defector Mahmood Moulvi claimed that Shah Mahmood Qureshi might quit PTI, according to reports. This comes as defected PTI leaders including former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry and former Sindh governor Imran Ismail, met with Qureshi in Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail. Speaking to SAMAA TV, Moulvi suggested two scenarios- one in which Imran Khan hands over PTI to Qureshi and the second where the former foreign minister quits the party. The ex-lawmaker said that significant changes had taken place after May 9. 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.

Pakistan: Lahore HC orders immediate release of PTI's Shah Mahmood Qureshi

Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia's most-decorated war veteran, lied to cover up his misconduct and threatened witnesses in a defamation trial, according to the judgement released on Monday (June 5).

Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia's most-decorated war veteran, lied to cover up his misconduct and threatened witnesses in a defamation trial, according to the judgement released on Monday (June 5). The judgement of Federal Court Judge Anthony Besanko said that Smith was complicit in and responsible for the murder of three Afghan men during his deployment. Smith was also "not an honest and reliable witness in...many areas" and was a bully toward other Australian soldiers. "I have found that the applicant (Roberts-Smith) was complicit in and responsible for the murder of EKIA56 ... in 2009 and the murder of Ali Jan at Darwan on 11 September 2012 and the murder of the Afghan male at Chinartu on 12 October 2012," the 736-page judgement read. ALSO READ | Explained: Who is Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia’s decorated living soldier accused of war crimes? Smith, a former corporal in the Australian Special Air Service (SAS)- a special forces unit, was accused by three Australian newspapers of unlawful killings in Afghanistan. Smith, 44, was accused by the newspapers of ordering a lower-ranking soldier to shoot dead an "older Afghan male", identified in the case as EKIA56, to "blood the rookie," the news agency Reuters reported. Last Thursday (June 1), Federal Court Judge Bensanko threw out Smith's defamation case against the newspapers, saying the media outlets had proven substantial truth in their reporting, ending a case which lifted the veil of secrecy over the SAS. Smith engaged in 'campaign of bullying' In the judgement, Bensanko found Smith engaging in a campaign of bullying against another Australian soldier, including what he called a "death threat" when the SAS veteran said, "If your performance doesn't improve on our next patrol, you're going to get a bullet in the back of the head." "The applicant has motives to lie, being a financial motive to support his claim for damages in these proceedings, a motive to restore his reputation which he contends has been destroyed by the publication of the articles and significantly, a motive to resist findings against him which may affect whether further action is taken against him," the judge wrote, adding Smith was not an honest and reliable witness in many areas. SAS veteran quits Seven West Media After losing the defamation case, Ben Roberts-Smith resigned from Seven West Media. Smith was the general manager of Seven Queensland. On June 2, The managing director and chief executive officer of Seven, James Warburton, told staff Smith offered his resignation. “As you’re all aware, the judgment in the defamation case was handed down yesterday,” Warburton said in an email seen by Guardian Australia. Smith stood aside from his job in Queensland in 2021 to focus on the defamation trial. 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.

Australian war veteran Ben Roberts-Smith lied, threatened witnesses in defamation trial: Judgement

Fatal Heart Attacks More Common on a Monday: Research

Heart attacks more likely to happen at start of week


Recent research in the United Kingdom (UK) claims that fatal heart attacks are more likely to happen at the start of the working week than at any other time, with the highest rates on a Monday.

Data of over 10,000 heart patients in Ireland analysed

The research was presented at the British Cardiovascular Society (BCS) in Manchester. Doctors at the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and the Royal College of Surgeons analysed the data of over 10,000 patients in Ireland from 2013-2018 with STEMI.

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, or STEMI, is the most serious type of heart attack. It occurs when a major coronary artery is completely blocked.

The researchers found a spike in rates of STEMI heart attacks at the start of the working week, with rates highest on a Monday.

UK: Over 30K hospitalised due to STEMI each year

Over 30,000 patients are hospitalised due to STEMI each year in the UK. STEMI requires emergency assessment and treatment to minimise damage to the heart. It is usually performed with emergency angioplasty.

A sonic boom rattled Washington on Sunday (June 4) as two F-16 fighter jets were scrambling to intercept an unresponsive aircraft that later crashed in Virginia.

A sonic boom rattled Washington on Sunday (June 4) as two F-16 fighter jets were scrambling to intercept an unresponsive aircraft that later crashed in Virginia. The F-16s responded to an unresponsive Cessna 560 Citation V aircraft over Washington, DC, and northern Virginia, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) said in a statement. Speaking to the news agency Reuters, a person familiar with developments said that four people were on board the Cessna. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the aircraft took off from the Elizabethton Municipal Airport in Elizabethton, Tennessee, and was bound for Long Island MacArthur Airport in New York, about 80 kilometres east of Manhattan. The aircraft appeared to reach the New York area and made nearly a 180-degree turn, with the flight ending in Virginia. The police said they were searching for the wreckage but were yet to find it. 'We know nothing about the crash' Public records showed the Cessna was registered to Florida-based company Encore Motors of Melbourne. John Rumpel, the company's owner, told The Washington Post his "entire family" was onboard, including his daughter, a grandchild, and her nanny. "We know nothing about the crash," he said. "We are talking to the FAA now... I've got to keep the line clear." 🚨🇺🇸 Breaking News Footage of the Washington DC sonic boom is slowly coming in.#Biden #US #Trump #Washington #WashingtonDCpic.twitter.com/rRaceIUMFb — Eren 𝕮🇹🇷 (@Eren50855570) June 4, 2023 × NORAD said the aircraft crashed near the George Washington National Forest in Virginia, though the FAA earlier said it crashed into mountainous terrain in a sparsely populated area of southwest Virginia. It added the US military tried to establish contact with the pilot until the aircraft crashed. "The NORAD aircraft were authorized to travel at supersonic speeds and a sonic boom may have been heard by residents of the region," it added. The condition of those onboard was not known yet. Rumpel, who is also a pilot, said that his family members were returning home to East Hampton, N.Y., after a four-day visit to his home in North Carolina. Speaking to The New York Times, Rumple, his voice breaking, said if the aircraft lost pressurisation, “they all just would have gone to sleep and never woke up.” “It descended at 20,000 feet a minute, and nobody could survive a crash from that speed,” he added. Aircraft appeared to be flying on autopilot; Biden briefed on incident Another person familiar with developments told Reuters on Sunday that the Cessna appeared to be flying on autopilot, and a US official said that the F-16s did not cause the crash. US President Joe Biden, who was at the White House and also played golf Sunday, was briefed on the incident, another official said without specifying whether any emergency precautions were implemented due to the incident. (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.

US: Sonic boom echoes over Washington as fighter jets chase small aircraft before it crashes

The United States military said on Saturday (June 3) that a Chinese Navy ship manoeuvred in an "unsafe manner" near an American destroyer transiting the Taiwan Strait.

The United States military said on Saturday (June 3) that a Chinese Navy ship manoeuvred in an "unsafe manner" near an American destroyer transiting the Taiwan Strait. The military said the USS Chung-Hoon, a destroyer; and Canada's HSMC Montreal, a frigate, were conducting a "routine" transit of the strait on Saturday when the Chinese ship cut in front of the American one, coming within 150 yards . The American destroyer maintained course and slowed to 10 (knots) to avoid a collision, the military said. ALSO READ | Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong, two other ships sail through Taiwan Strait: Report The ship then crossed Chung-Hoon's bow a second-time starboard to port at 2,000 yards and remained off Chung-Hoon's port bow coming within 150 yards at the closest point, the US military also said, adding that "it flies, sails, and operates safely and responsibly anywhere international law allows." China makes no mention of close encounter The Chinese military did not make any mention of Saturday's encounter. However, Colonel Shi Yi, the spokesperson of China's Eastern Theatre Command said, "The relevant countries are intentionally creating trouble in the Taiwan Strait, deliberately stirring up risks, and maliciously undermining regional peace and stability." × While US warships transit the Taiwan Strait around once a month, it is unusual for them to do so with those of other US allies. China claims Taiwan as its territory — vowing to take it one day, by force if necessary — and has in recent years ramped up military and political pressure on the island. China warns on establishing NATO-like alliances in Asia Pacific Meanwhile on Sunday, Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu warned against establishing NATO-like military alliances in the Asia-Pacific. "Attempts to push for NATO-like (alliances) in the Asia-Pacific is a way of kidnapping regional countries and exaggerating conflicts and confrontations," Addressing a security conference in Singapore which was attended by US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, Shangfu said, "Attempts to push for NATO-like (alliances) in the Asia-Pacific is a way of kidnapping regional countries and exaggerating conflicts and confrontations." These attempts would plunge the Asia Pacific into a whirlpool of disputes and conflicts. (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.

WATCH | US says Chinese Navy ship came 150 yards within American destroyer transiting Taiwan Strait

The death toll due to violent protests in Senegal has climbed to 15 as tensions remain high in the West African nation, the news agency AFP reported early Monday (June 5).

The death toll due to violent protests in Senegal has climbed to 15 as tensions remain high in the West African nation, the news agency AFP reported early Monday (June 5). The clashes between protesters and security forces have been going on since a court convicted opposition leader Ousmane Sonko on Thursday, whose ongoing legal woes prompted rare flare-ups of violence. More than 350 protesters have been injured so far. On Thursday, Sonko was acquitted in a two-year-old rape case but was found guilty in absentia of corrupting a minor and sentenced to two years in prison. The sentence could prevent him from running in the February presidential election. Sonko's supporters said the prosecution was politically motivated and he denies any wrongdoing. The protesters have also been angered by President Macky Sall's refusal to rule out running for a third term as Senegal has a two-term presidential limit. On Sunday, Sonko's PASTEF-Patriots party condemned "the murderous repression by defence and security forces", accusing the government of deploying "private militias". The PASTEF-Patriots urged the citizens to defend themselves in any way and fight back. The government, meanwhile, accused Sonko's supporters of "vandalism and banditry". Mobile internet services restricted in certain areas On Sunday, the government cut access to mobile internet services in certain areas because of the deadly protests in which "hateful and subversive" messages have been posted online. In a statement, the government said "Because of the spread of hateful and subversive messages ... mobile Internet is temporarily suspended at certain hours of the day," the news agency Reuters reported. Though the government did not specify which areas were impacted at what time, residents across Senegal's capital Dakar said they were unable to access the Internet without a wifi connection on Sunday afternoon. Disturbances were reported in the suburbs of Dakar on Saturday. However, several neighbourhoods that experienced outbursts of violence on Thursday and Friday remained calm. Around 500 arrested so far: Interior minister Senegal's Interior Minister Antionie Diome said on Saturday that around 500 people had been arrested since violence broke out last Thursday. He suspected "foreign influence" was behind what he called an "attack" against Senegal, without elaborating. The minister also said there was a drop in intensity of the protests. (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.

Senegal clashes: Death toll climbs to 15, opposition slams police brutality

Fatal heart attacks are more likely to happen at the start of the working week than at any other time, a report by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) said on Monday (June 5) citing research that was presented at the British Cardiovascular Society (BCS) conference in Manchester.

Fatal heart attacks are more likely to happen at the start of the working week than at any other time, a report by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) said on Monday (June 5) citing research that was presented at the British Cardiovascular Society (BCS) conference in Manchester. Doctors at the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland analysed the data of over 10,000 patients across the country hospitalised between 2013 and 2018 with the most serious type of heart attack- known as an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). STEMI occurs when a major coronary artery is completely blocked. The researchers found a spike in rates of STEMI heart attacks at the start of the working week, with rates highest on a Monday. Till now, scientists have been unable to explain why this “Blue Monday” phenomenon occurs. Previous studies, meanwhile, suggested that heart attacks are more likely on a Monday and have highlighted an association with circadian rhythm – the body’s sleep or wake cycle. Over 30,000 hospitalised due to STEMI each year in UK The BHF report on Monday said there have been more than 30,000 hospital admissions due to STEMI each year in the United Kingdom (UK), adding it requires emergency assessment and treatment to minimise damage to the heart, and this is normally performed with emergency angioplasty. What do experts say? “We’ve found a strong statistical correlation between the start of the working week and the incidence of STEMI. This has been described before but remains a curiosity," Cardiologist Dr Jack Laffan, who led the research at the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, said. Dr Laffan added the cause is likely multifactorial, and based on previous studies, it is reasonable to presume a circadian element. The BHF's Medical Director Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, meanwhile, said the research adds to evidence around the timing of particularly serious heart attacks, "but we now need to unpick what it is about certain days of the week that makes them more likely." “Someone is admitted to hospital due to a life-threatening heart attack every five minutes in the UK, so it’s vital that research continues to shed light on how and why heart attacks happen," Samani said. 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.

Research claims fatal heart attacks more common on Mondays

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said on Monday (June 5) that his government will ask war-torn Ukraine about reports that weapons made in Belgium were used by Kyiv to fight Russian troops inside Russia's western border.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said on Monday (June 5) that his government will ask war-torn Ukraine about reports that weapons made in Belgium were used by Kyiv to fight Russian troops inside Russia's western border. Speaking to Radio 1, Prime Minister De Croo said the Belgian Defence Ministry and its intelligence agencies "have started an investigation and are asking for information to determine what has happened exactly". "European weapons are delivered to Ukraine under the condition that they are used on Ukrainian territory with the purpose of defending that territory. And we have strict controls in place to see that this is the case," he added. ALSO READ | Zelensky's counteroffensive crashing? Russia says it killed hundreds of Ukrainian troops in Donetsk region The prime minister refused to comment on the consequences if the reports were true. "We must not get ahead of ourselves here. But we are analysing the situation and we would take this very seriously," he told the radio station. De Croo's remarks come after The Washington Post reported last Saturday (June 3) that anti-Kremlin fighters who launched a cross-border attack from Ukraine into the Russian Belgorod region in May used tactical vehicles originally given to Ukraine by the United States and Poland and carried rifles made in Belgium and the Czech Republic. The report said that three of the Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles taken into Russia by the fighters were provided by the United States and the fourth was from Poland. Belgium announces more aid for Ukraine Last month, Belgium announced a new package of aid for Ukraine worth $108 million, funded by taxes on the interest earned by frozen Russian assets. This assistance took the total amount of military and humanitarian aid the country has sent to Ukraine since the start of the invasion to 300 million euros ($320mn). According to an official statement on May 12, half of this package would be made up of armoured vehicles, weapons, and ammunition and the rest will be humanitarian aid. Belgium is one of the European Union (EU) countries that has frozen the most Russian assets under sanctions imposed on Moscow. Prime Minister De Croo's office earlier said that Russian Central Bank assets worth approximately $192 billion (180 billion euros) were frozen in Belgium. The government generated some 625 million euros ($668mn) in taxes on the interest garnered by the Russian financial assets frozen in the country, the office added. 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.

Ukraine war: Belgium to probe whether its weapons were used in Russia

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