The Chinese government has banned American chipmaker Micron from selling memory chips to key domestic industries, saying the company failed a security review. In a statement on Sunday (May 21), China's cyberspace regulator said that Micron failed its network security review and that it would block operators of key infrastructure projects from buying from the company.

The Chinese government has banned American chipmaker Micron from selling memory chips to key domestic industries, saying the company failed a security review. In a statement on Sunday (May 21), China's cyberspace regulator said that Micron failed its network security review and that it would block operators of key infrastructure projects from buying from the company. It is the first American chipmaker to be targeted by China following a series of export controls by the US on certain American components and chipmaking tools to block them from being used to advance China's military capabilities, according to a report by the news agency Reuters The cybersecurity administration (CAC) said that Micron's products "have relatively serious potential network security issues, which pose a major security risk to China's critical information infrastructure supply chain and affect China's national security." Micron ban boosts shares in local firms The ban comes after Chinese authorities launched a review in March of products sold in the country by Micron. The move also helped boost shares in some local chipmaking-related firms on Monday. Reuters reported that shares in companies including Gigadevice Semiconductors, Ingenic Semiconductor, and Shenzhen Kaifa Technology opened up by between 3% and 8%. ALSO READ | US-China chip war: Washington imposes trade ban on 21 Chinese chipmakers Micron's major rivals also saw their shares gain, with South Korea's Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix rising 0.7% and 2%, respectively, versus a 0.9% rise in the broader market. According to Bernstein analysts, as China's domestic memory suppliers are not competitive in technologies and capacity, the country would need to resort to Samsung, SK Hynix, Kioxia, Western Digital or other foreign suppliers as the alternative to Micron. US opposes ban; Micron says would engage in discussions with China The US Commerce Department opposed the ban on Micron. In a statement, a spokesperson from the Commerce Department said, "We firmly oppose restrictions that have no basis in fact. This action, along with recent raids and targeting of other American firms, is inconsistent with (China's) assertions that it is opening its markets and committed to a transparent regulatory framework." The department would now speak directly with Chinese authorities in Beijing to clarify their actions. The ban marks the latest escalation between the US and China, with Washington looking to cut off Beijing's access to cutting-edge semiconductors. Micron, meanwhile, said it received the CAC's review and looked forward to continuing to engage in discussions with Chinese authorities. "We are evaluating the conclusion and assessing our next steps," the company said in a statement. (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.

China bans chipmaker Micron, says it failed network security review

The wildfire smoke blanketing the western region of Canada triggered health warnings for people but was also helping to cool blazes by blocking out a hot sun across hard-hit portions of the country on Sunday (May 21).

The wildfire smoke blanketing the western region of Canada triggered health warnings for people but was also helping to cool blazes by blocking out a hot sun across hard-hit portions of the country on Sunday (May 21). Speaking to reporters, Christie Tucker of the Alberta Wildfire said, "Many Albertans obviously can't get away from the smoke this weekend. It is thick in many parts of the province." "But they would also have noticed that temperatures are cooler than they would have been if there was no smoke covering the sun," Tucker said and explained that less heat meant there was less growth of fires. "While we're optimistic that the forecast rain will be enough to make a difference to some wildfires in the province, we are not out of the woods yet," the official added. Tens of thousands of people displaced The wildfire in Alberta has displaced tens of thousands of people and scorched more than 941,000 hectares over several weeks. The province is enduring energy production cuts, home evacuations, and poor air quality after an intense start to the wildfire season. According to a report by the news agency Reuters early Monday, Alberta Wildfire responded to 496 wildfires burning more than 842,000 hectares, compared with just 459 hectares last year. During the Victoria Day weekend, authorities in Alberta closed some parks and campgrounds, and residents were urged to limit outdoor activities. Wildfire smoke enters several US states The wildfire in Canada has sent smoke to many American states, including Nebraska, Illinois, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Utah, and Washington, impacting the air quality in some areas, with authorities issuing air quality alerts. On Sunday, more than 2,800 firefighters from Canada and the US were battling about 91 active wildfires. Several oil and gas companies had to sporadically stop or restart production in Alberta because of the fluctuating fire-related risks. Data firm Refinitiv said that in the past couple of weeks, gas flowing from Canada to the US has averaged just 7.1 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd), well below the 8.4-bcfd average exported since the start of 2023 and 9.0-bcfd last year. 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.

Canada: Wildfire smoke choking citizens but proving helpful to cool blazes

With each passing day, climate change is becoming a topic of global significance. Recently, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warned that the world was already only a few tenths of a degree away from the global target of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The IPCC&nbsp;said that there are multiple, feasible and effective options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to human-caused climate change.&nbsp;

According to a report by BBC on Sunday (May 21), scientists at United Nations (UN) are clear that&nbsp;reducing greenhouse gas emissions alone would not be enough to stop dangerous levels of warming. They said&nbsp;there would need to be some carbon dioxide removal - actively taking it out of the atmosphere.

ALSO READ| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-what-is-climate-change-what-are-its-consequences-a-lowdown-574727">Explained: What is climate change? What are its consequences? | A lowdown</a>

Now, a process called "enhanced rock weathering" could help to cool our overheating planet.&nbsp;

<h2>What is enhanced rock weathering?</h2>

Enhanced rock weathering is a nature-based carbon removal technology that permanently locks away Carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere. UNDO, a company that does enhanced rock weathering,&nbsp;said the process has happened for millions of years but the company speeds it up.&nbsp;
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"For millions of years, carbon dioxide has combined with rainwater to form carbonic acid. When this dilute acid falls on mountains, forests and grassland, the CO₂ interacts with the rocks and soil, mineralises and is safely stored in carbonate form," the UNDO says on its website.&nbsp;

The company points out that natural rock weathering takes hundreds of years and there is no time to wait.&nbsp;

<h2>How does rock weathering work?</h2>

The UNDO said that it enhances and accelerates enhanced rock weathering "by spreading crushed basalt rock on farmland, increasing the surface area of the rock and giving it immediate contact with the CO₂ produced by plant roots and soil microbes."

Enhanced rock weathering uses tiny pieces to increase the amount of contact between the rain and rock and hence the amount of weathering and carbon removal, the BBC reported.&nbsp;As a cliff, or piled up in the quarry, basalt weathers very slowly. And to maximise the carbon removal it needs to be spread across a greater area.

The UNDO said it focused on basalt rock as it is highly reactive,&nbsp;weathering quickly to speed up the sequestration of&nbsp;CO₂.&nbsp;

The company points out that safe to use and offers significant co-benefits for crop and soil health. This year, the UNDO is planning to spread&nbsp;185,000 tonnes of basalt and hopes by 2025 to have removed a million tonnes of CO2.

<h2>What do experts say?</h2>

Experts worry that&nbsp;carbon removal techniques like enhanced rock weathering&nbsp;might distract people from the priority of cutting emissions and even be used as justification to continue living our carbon-intensive lives, as per the BBC report.&nbsp;

Dr Steve Smith, an expert in carbon removal from Oxford University, told the network that this idea could end up&nbsp;just a standard part of the way land is farmed.

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With each passing day, climate change is becoming a topic of global significance. Recently, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warned that the world was already only a few tenths of a degree away from the global target of limiting warming to 1.

With each passing day, climate change is becoming a topic of global significance. Recently, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warned that the world was already only a few tenths of a degree away from the global target of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The IPCC said that there are multiple, feasible and effective options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to human-caused climate change. According to a report by BBC on Sunday (May 21), scientists at United Nations (UN) are clear that reducing greenhouse gas emissions alone would not be enough to stop dangerous levels of warming. They said there would need to be some carbon dioxide removal - actively taking it out of the atmosphere. ALSO READ| Explained: What is climate change? What are its consequences? | A lowdown Now, a process called "enhanced rock weathering" could help to cool our overheating planet. What is enhanced rock weathering? Enhanced rock weathering is a nature-based carbon removal technology that permanently locks away Carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere. UNDO, a company that does enhanced rock weathering, said the process has happened for millions of years but the company speeds it up. "For millions of years, carbon dioxide has combined with rainwater to form carbonic acid. When this dilute acid falls on mountains, forests and grassland, the CO₂ interacts with the rocks and soil, mineralises and is safely stored in carbonate form," the UNDO says on its website. The company points out that natural rock weathering takes hundreds of years and there is no time to wait. How does rock weathering work? The UNDO said that it enhances and accelerates enhanced rock weathering "by spreading crushed basalt rock on farmland, increasing the surface area of the rock and giving it immediate contact with the CO₂ produced by plant roots and soil microbes." Enhanced rock weathering uses tiny pieces to increase the amount of contact between the rain and rock and hence the amount of weathering and carbon removal, the BBC reported. As a cliff, or piled up in the quarry, basalt weathers very slowly. And to maximise the carbon removal it needs to be spread across a greater area. The UNDO said it focused on basalt rock as it is highly reactive, weathering quickly to speed up the sequestration of CO₂. The company points out that safe to use and offers significant co-benefits for crop and soil health. This year, the UNDO is planning to spread 185,000 tonnes of basalt and hopes by 2025 to have removed a million tonnes of CO2. What do experts say? Experts worry that carbon removal techniques like enhanced rock weathering might distract people from the priority of cutting emissions and even be used as justification to continue living our carbon-intensive lives, as per the BBC report. Dr Steve Smith, an expert in carbon removal from Oxford University, told the network that this idea could end up just a standard part of the way land is farmed. 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.

Can enhanced rock weathering help fight climate change? Report says this

The German police said on Sunday (May 21) that an inquiry has been opened into the suspected poisoning of two exiled Russians after&nbsp;a journalist and an activist reported health problems following a Berlin meeting of dissidents. Speaking to the news agency AFP, a Berlin police spokesperson said, "An investigation has been opened. The probe is ongoing."

Earlier this week, Agentstvo - a Russian investigative media outlet - said two participants who attended a meeting of Russian dissidents in Berlin from April 29-30, experienced health problems.&nbsp;

One participant,&nbsp;a journalist who recently left Russia,&nbsp;experienced unspecified symptoms during the event and said they may have started earlier. The journalist was taken to the Charite University Hospital in Berlin where the opposition figure Alexei Navalny was treated after being poisoned in 2020.&nbsp;

The second participant was Natalia Arno, who also left Russia.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/navalny-says-he-faces-30-more-years-in-prison-in-absurd-terrorism-case-586380">Navalny says he faces 30 more years in prison in 'absurd' terrorism case</a>

Arno, director of the NGO Free Russian Foundation in the United States, attended the Berlin meeting before travelling to Prague, where she experienced symptoms and discovered that her hotel room had been opened, according to Agentstvo. Leaving for the US the next day, &nbsp;she contacted a hospital there as well as the authorities.

Taking to Facebook, Arno discussed her problems of &nbsp;"sharp pain" and "numbness", saying the first "strange symptoms" appeared before she arrived in Prague. She said that she still had symptoms but felt better.

Further details are awaited.&nbsp;

Several poison attacks have been carried out abroad and in Russia against Kremlin opponents, but Russia has denied that its secret services were responsible.&nbsp;

Alexei Navalny, who is currently in jail, was poisoned with Novichok, a Soviet-made nerve agent. On May 10, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture called for "urgent and comprehensive" medical care for Navalny following reports that his health was deteriorating.

In a statement, Alice Edwards, the UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, said, "I am distressed by the deteriorating state of Mr Navalny's health and the apparent lack of satisfactory diagnosis and medical treatment."

(With inputs from agencies)

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The German police said on Sunday (May 21) that an inquiry has been opened into the suspected poisoning of two exiled Russians after a journalist and an activist reported health problems following a Berlin meeting of dissidents.

The German police said on Sunday (May 21) that an inquiry has been opened into the suspected poisoning of two exiled Russians after a journalist and an activist reported health problems following a Berlin meeting of dissidents. Speaking to the news agency AFP, a Berlin police spokesperson said, "An investigation has been opened. The probe is ongoing." Earlier this week, Agentstvo - a Russian investigative media outlet - said two participants who attended a meeting of Russian dissidents in Berlin from April 29-30, experienced health problems. One participant, a journalist who recently left Russia, experienced unspecified symptoms during the event and said they may have started earlier. The journalist was taken to the Charite University Hospital in Berlin where the opposition figure Alexei Navalny was treated after being poisoned in 2020. The second participant was Natalia Arno, who also left Russia. ALSO READ | Navalny says he faces 30 more years in prison in 'absurd' terrorism case Arno, director of the NGO Free Russian Foundation in the United States, attended the Berlin meeting before travelling to Prague, where she experienced symptoms and discovered that her hotel room had been opened, according to Agentstvo. Leaving for the US the next day, she contacted a hospital there as well as the authorities. Taking to Facebook, Arno discussed her problems of "sharp pain" and "numbness", saying the first "strange symptoms" appeared before she arrived in Prague. She said that she still had symptoms but felt better. Further details are awaited. Several poison attacks have been carried out abroad and in Russia against Kremlin opponents, but Russia has denied that its secret services were responsible. Alexei Navalny, who is currently in jail, was poisoned with Novichok, a Soviet-made nerve agent. On May 10, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture called for "urgent and comprehensive" medical care for Navalny following reports that his health was deteriorating. In a statement, Alice Edwards, the UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, said, "I am distressed by the deteriorating state of Mr Navalny's health and the apparent lack of satisfactory diagnosis and medical treatment." (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 police probing suspected poisoning of two Russian exiles

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed bilateral strategic ties with his British counterpart Rishi Sunak on Sunday (May 21). During the meeting, Modi and Sunak agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation across a wide range of areas such as science and technology, trade and investment. As the G7 summit in Hiroshima entered its last day, Russia and China came down heavy on G7 after the grouping targeted them. Russia said that decisions at the summit were aimed at the "double containment of Russia and China". China, on the other hand, said G7's "approach has no international credibility whatsoever".

And in Northern Ireland, &nbsp;Sinn Féin is now the largest party for the first time in both local government as well as Stormont after it made significant gains in the 2023 council elections.&nbsp;

Click on the headlines to read more

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-modi-reviews-bilateral-strategic-ties-with-his-british-counterpart-rishi-sunak-594621">PM Modi reviews bilateral strategic ties with his British counterpart Rishi Sunak</a>

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a productive meeting with his British counterpart Rishi Sunak on Sunday during which the two leaders reviewed the bilateral strategic partnership between the two countries which included progress in India-UK FTA negotiations.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-china-come-down-heavy-on-g7-after-grouping-targets-them-594616">Russia, China come down heavy on G7 after grouping targets them</a>

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The Russian and Chinese sides did not take lightly the statements released at the G7 summit, currently being held in the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Moscow was the first to react saying decisions at the G7 meet were aimed at the "double containment of Russia and China". Meanwhile, Beijing said G7's "approach has no international credibility whatsoever".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-ireland-council-elections-2023-sinn-fein-becomes-largest-party-in-local-government-594612">Northern Ireland council elections 2023: Sinn Fein becomes largest party in local government</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/05/21/353216-untitled-design-2023-05-21t083441888.png?imwidth=1920" />

After making significant gains in the Northern Ireland 2023 council elections, Sinn Féin is now the largest party for the first time in both local government as well as Stormont. When all votes are tallied, the party has gained 144 seats, an increase from the 105 council members elected in 2019.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/quad-meet-australia-us-india-and-japan-take-veiled-swipe-at-china-594624">Quad Meet: Australia, US, India and Japan take veiled swipe at China</a>

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The Quad group leaders – Australia, India, Japan and the United States – on Saturday took a thinly veiled swipe at China's behaviour at their meeting held in Hiroshima, on the sidelines of the G7 Summit. 
 
WATCH |&nbsp;Ukraine's Zelensky at centre of last day of G7 summit

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed bilateral strategic ties with his British counterpart Rishi Sunak on Sunday (May 21). During the meeting, Modi and Sunak agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation across a wide range of areas such as science and technology, trade and investment.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed bilateral strategic ties with his British counterpart Rishi Sunak on Sunday (May 21). During the meeting, Modi and Sunak agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation across a wide range of areas such as science and technology, trade and investment. As the G7 summit in Hiroshima entered its last day, Russia and China came down heavy on G7 after the grouping targeted them. Russia said that decisions at the summit were aimed at the "double containment of Russia and China". China, on the other hand, said G7's "approach has no international credibility whatsoever". And in Northern Ireland, Sinn Féin is now the largest party for the first time in both local government as well as Stormont after it made significant gains in the 2023 council elections. Click on the headlines to read more PM Modi reviews bilateral strategic ties with his British counterpart Rishi Sunak Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a productive meeting with his British counterpart Rishi Sunak on Sunday during which the two leaders reviewed the bilateral strategic partnership between the two countries which included progress in India-UK FTA negotiations. Russia, China come down heavy on G7 after grouping targets them The Russian and Chinese sides did not take lightly the statements released at the G7 summit, currently being held in the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Moscow was the first to react saying decisions at the G7 meet were aimed at the "double containment of Russia and China". Meanwhile, Beijing said G7's "approach has no international credibility whatsoever". Northern Ireland council elections 2023: Sinn Fein becomes largest party in local government After making significant gains in the Northern Ireland 2023 council elections, Sinn Féin is now the largest party for the first time in both local government as well as Stormont. When all votes are tallied, the party has gained 144 seats, an increase from the 105 council members elected in 2019. Quad Meet: Australia, US, India and Japan take veiled swipe at China The Quad group leaders – Australia, India, Japan and the United States – on Saturday took a thinly veiled swipe at China's behaviour at their meeting held in Hiroshima, on the sidelines of the G7 Summit. WATCH | Ukraine's Zelensky at centre of last day of G7 summit × 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.

Morning brief: Modi reviews bilateral strategic ties with Sunak, Northern Ireland council poll, & more

After the rise in&nbsp;tensions over Iran's water rights from the Helmand River in recent days, Tehran has now said that Taliban-ruled Afghanistan should clarify the issue of Iran's water rights within a month. According to a report by Tolo News on Saturday (May 20), Hassan Kazemi Qomi, Iran's ambassador to Afghanistan, told Iranian media that if the Taliban want&nbsp;Kabul to move towards peace and stability, it should have constructive interaction with its neighbours.&nbsp;

“If there was water and the Taliban did not provide it to the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, then it is clear how it should act on this issue, which is one of the basic rights of the Iranian nation, and it should happen during this one month,” Qomi said and asked Afghanistan to take practical steps in this regard.&nbsp;

“Taliban officials know that they must engage in constructive interaction with their neighbours if they want to have a strong, stable government in their country that includes all of the people's representatives and the country moves towards peace, stability, independence, territorial integrity, and prosperity," the ambassador added.&nbsp;

Officials from Iran have always stressed the significance of the implementation of the 1973 Helmand River treaty between Iran and Afghanistan. As per the treaty, Afghanistan is committed to sharing water from the river at the rate of 26 cubic metres of water per second, or 850 million cubic metres per annum.&nbsp;

The right to water from the river recently became a controversial issue between the two countries.&nbsp;

Before Ambassador Qomi, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi had said the Taliban should ensure that Tehran's water rights of the river were based on international treaties. On Thursday, President Raisi said that the Taliban should immediately provide Iran with its share of water.&nbsp;

“We will not allow the rights of our people to be violated,” he added. The president also urged the Taliban to allow Iranian hydrologists to check the water levels of the river.&nbsp;

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After the rise in tensions over Iran's water rights from the Helmand River in recent days, Tehran has now said that Taliban-ruled Afghanistan should clarify the issue of Iran's water rights within a month.

After the rise in tensions over Iran's water rights from the Helmand River in recent days, Tehran has now said that Taliban-ruled Afghanistan should clarify the issue of Iran's water rights within a month. According to a report by Tolo News on Saturday (May 20), Hassan Kazemi Qomi, Iran's ambassador to Afghanistan, told Iranian media that if the Taliban want Kabul to move towards peace and stability, it should have constructive interaction with its neighbours. “If there was water and the Taliban did not provide it to the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, then it is clear how it should act on this issue, which is one of the basic rights of the Iranian nation, and it should happen during this one month,” Qomi said and asked Afghanistan to take practical steps in this regard. “Taliban officials know that they must engage in constructive interaction with their neighbours if they want to have a strong, stable government in their country that includes all of the people's representatives and the country moves towards peace, stability, independence, territorial integrity, and prosperity," the ambassador added. Officials from Iran have always stressed the significance of the implementation of the 1973 Helmand River treaty between Iran and Afghanistan. As per the treaty, Afghanistan is committed to sharing water from the river at the rate of 26 cubic metres of water per second, or 850 million cubic metres per annum. The right to water from the river recently became a controversial issue between the two countries. Before Ambassador Qomi, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi had said the Taliban should ensure that Tehran's water rights of the river were based on international treaties. On Thursday, President Raisi said that the Taliban should immediately provide Iran with its share of water. “We will not allow the rights of our people to be violated,” he added. The president also urged the Taliban to allow Iranian hydrologists to check the water levels of the river. 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.

Iran's water right issue: Tehran gives Afghanistan one month to resolve problem, says report

During the Quad meeting in Japan's Hiroshima on Saturday (May 20), United States President Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi how popular he is in their countries.

During the Quad meeting in Japan's Hiroshima on Saturday (May 20), United States President Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi how popular he is in their countries. Modi is scheduled to visit Australia and the US soon. Biden and Albanese told the Indian PM that they were facing multiple requests from prominent citizens to attend events where the Indian PM would be speaking. During Saturday's meeting, Biden came up to Modi and told him he had been facing a challenge with a deluge of requests from prominent citizens to attend his (Modi's) programmes during his visit to Washington DC next month. “You are causing me a real problem. Next month we have a dinner for you in Washington. Everyone in the whole country wants to come. I have run out of tickets. You think I am kidding? Ask my team. I am getting phone calls from people I have never heard of before. Everyone from movie actors to relatives. You are too popular,” Biden told Modi. "You are demonstrating that democracies matter," Biden added. I should take your autograph: Biden tells Modi Echoing the US president's views, Australian Prime Minister Albanese said he too was finding it difficult to accommodate all the requests he had been getting for a community event in Sydney on Tuesday that Modi would be addressing. Albanese pointed out that the Sydney venue has a capacity of 20,000, and he was still unable to accommodate the requests he was getting. The Australian prime minister also remembered how at the Narendra Modi stadium, more than 90,000 people welcomed him during the victory lap. To this, Biden told Modi in a lighter vein that he should take his autograph. In March this year, Modi and Albanese were at the Narendra Modi stadium to watch an India-Australia test match. On Tuesday, Modi will interact with Australian business leaders and Indian expats at the community event in Sydney. Later, on June 22, US President Biden would host the Indian prime minister when the latter will be on an official state visit to Washington. "President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the Republic of India for an Official State Visit to the United States, which will include a state dinner, on June 22, 2023. The upcoming visit will affirm the deep and close partnership between the United States and India and the warm bonds of family and friendship that link Americans and Indians together, " the White House said in a statement on May 10. Quad leaders' veiled swipe at China Meanwhile, on Saturday, the Quad leaders- Australia, India, Japan and the United States, took a veiled swipe at China during their meeting in Hiroshima. According to a report by the news agency AFP, Biden did not mention China by name but the country was the target of language in a joint statement calling for “peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific maritime domain”. “We strongly oppose destabilizing or unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion,” the statement said, using diplomatic language that appeared to refer to Beijing’s economic tactics to gain leverage over poorer countries and also its military expansion in the Pacific. (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 democracy comes up for praise as Modi meets Biden, Albanese in Hiroshima

Greece&nbsp;said it has recovered&nbsp;hundreds&nbsp;of looted Neolithic to Byzantine artefacts including a second-century bronze statue of Alexander the Great&nbsp;from&nbsp;a notorious British&nbsp;antiquities&nbsp;dealer after a 17-year legal battle.

The fight to repatriate the trove of 351 objects began in 2006 with authorities investigating the eponymous company of Robin Symes in the country and abroad,&nbsp;Greece's Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said in a statement late Friday.

The recovery came years after Italian and Swiss police in 2016 recovered a haul of archaeological artefacts stolen&nbsp;from&nbsp;Italy and stored by Symes, a key figure in the illegal&nbsp;antiquities&nbsp;trade with ties to Italian tomb raiders.

The Italian booty was found in a storage unit at the Geneva Freeport but&nbsp;Greece's culture ministry did not specify if its recovery was linked to the Italian haul.

The extensive collection repatriated to&nbsp;Greece&nbsp;includes notable pieces such as a Neolithic-era statuette carved&nbsp;from&nbsp;white stone, dating back to the 4th millennium BC.&nbsp;

Other significant finds include an Early Cycladic figurine dating to between 3200 and 2700 BC, a damaged marble statue of an Archaic kore&nbsp;from&nbsp;550-500 BC and an Archaic marble head of either a kore or a sphinx&nbsp;from&nbsp;550-500 BC.

Greece&nbsp;has been fighting to repatriate looted artefacts&nbsp;from&nbsp;museums and private collections around the world.&nbsp;

Three fragments of Athens' Parthenon temple, kept by the Vatican for centuries, were returned to&nbsp;Greece&nbsp;in March in what Pope Francis has called a gesture of friendship.

The monument's fragments are scattered throughout many renowned museums.

Earlier this year, reports also emerged that the Greek government and the British Museum are in advanced talks for the return of the Parthenon Marbles.&nbsp;

The ancient sculptures, also known as the Elgin Marbles, were taken&nbsp;from&nbsp;the Parthenon temple in Athens in the early 19th century by British diplomat Lord Elgin and have been held by the British Museum ever since.&nbsp;

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Greece said it has recovered hundreds of looted Neolithic to Byzantine artefacts including a second-century bronze statue of Alexander the Great from a notorious British antiquities dealer after a 17-year legal battle.

Greece said it has recovered hundreds of looted Neolithic to Byzantine artefacts including a second-century bronze statue of Alexander the Great from a notorious British antiquities dealer after a 17-year legal battle. The fight to repatriate the trove of 351 objects began in 2006 with authorities investigating the eponymous company of Robin Symes in the country and abroad, Greece's Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said in a statement late Friday. The recovery came years after Italian and Swiss police in 2016 recovered a haul of archaeological artefacts stolen from Italy and stored by Symes, a key figure in the illegal antiquities trade with ties to Italian tomb raiders. The Italian booty was found in a storage unit at the Geneva Freeport but Greece's culture ministry did not specify if its recovery was linked to the Italian haul. The extensive collection repatriated to Greece includes notable pieces such as a Neolithic-era statuette carved from white stone, dating back to the 4th millennium BC. Other significant finds include an Early Cycladic figurine dating to between 3200 and 2700 BC, a damaged marble statue of an Archaic kore from 550-500 BC and an Archaic marble head of either a kore or a sphinx from 550-500 BC. Greece has been fighting to repatriate looted artefacts from museums and private collections around the world. Three fragments of Athens' Parthenon temple, kept by the Vatican for centuries, were returned to Greece in March in what Pope Francis has called a gesture of friendship. The monument's fragments are scattered throughout many renowned museums. Earlier this year, reports also emerged that the Greek government and the British Museum are in advanced talks for the return of the Parthenon Marbles. The ancient sculptures, also known as the Elgin Marbles, were taken from the Parthenon temple in Athens in the early 19th century by British diplomat Lord Elgin and have been held by the British Museum ever since. 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.

Greece recovers hundreds of antiquities from art thief

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Sunday (May 21) that Ukraine must win the war against Russia, adding the G7 is delivering more support for the war-torn country on the battlefield with tanks and long-range missiles.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Sunday (May 21) that Ukraine must win the war against Russia, adding the G7 is delivering more support for the war-torn country on the battlefield with tanks and long-range missiles. Addressing a press conference in Japan's Hiroshima, Prime Minister Sunak hailed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's presence at the G7 summit by calling it a "moment of historical significance," the BBC reported. "The image of the G7 and our partners, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with President Zelensky, sends a powerful message about the unity and determination of the G7 and its allies," Sunak said. "We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes because their security is our security," the British Prime Minister added, the BBC reported. ALSO READ | PM Modi reviews bilateral strategic ties with his British counterpart Rishi Sunak A day back, Rishi Sunak met Zelensky on the sidelines of the summit. Sunak hugged the Ukrainian president and said that the UK's support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia was not going anywhere. Patting Zelensky on the back, Sunak said, "Good to see you. You made it." The meeting came as the UK pledged to send hundreds of air defence missiles and armed drones to Ukraine. This meant that it was going further than any other country in providing weapons (to Ukraine). On Friday, Sunak and other G7 leaders agreed to tighten sanctions against Russia and pare back exposure to China. China poses greatest challenge of our age: Sunak During Sunday's press conference, British PM Sunak hit out at China by saying that it is "increasingly authoritarian at home and abroad". He explicitly identified China as "posing the greatest challenge of our age" in regard to global security and prosperity. Further slamming China, Sunak referred to a Saturday statement of the G7 that was aimed at tackling economic coercion. The communique did not name China. But Sunak directly mentioned China here. ALSO READ | Russia, China come down heavy on G7 after grouping targets them "The UK completely aligns with our allies. This is all about derisking not decoupling," he said, and referred to the weight of the combined G7 alliance to prevent Beijing from using economic coercion to interfere in the sovereign affairs of others". 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 G7 summit, Sunak says Ukraine must win war, hails Zelensky's attendance at summit

Sudan's warring factions — the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) — agreed late Saturday (May 20) for a week-long ceasefire. In a statement, the United States and Saudi Arabia said that the ceasefire would take effect at 9.

Sudan's warring factions — the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) — agreed late Saturday (May 20) for a week-long ceasefire. In a statement, the United States and Saudi Arabia said that the ceasefire would take effect at 9.45 pm Khartoum time (1945 GMT) on Monday (May 22). The statement added that representatives from both army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy-turned-rival Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo vowed not to seek any military advantage before the truce goes into effect. The ceasefire "shall remain in effect for seven days and may be extended with the agreement of both parties," the statement added. Since the beginning of the fighting on April 15, numerous ceasefire violations have been reported. Saturday's agreement would be enforced by US-Saudi and international-supported monitoring mechanism. ALSO READ| Kuwaiti, Jordanian embassies attacked in Sudan; Saudi Arabia condemns the act The above statement also said the agreement (for the ceasefire) called for distributing humanitarian assistance, restoring essential services and withdrawing forces from hospitals and essential public facilities. Ceasefire comes as airstrikes shook Khartoum The fresh week-long ceasefire agreement came as Sudan's capital city Khartoum reported fresh airstrikes and artillery shelling on Saturday, and armed men ransacked the Qatari embassy, according to a report by the news agency AFP. Qatar's embassy was the latest diplomatic mission to be attacked. Condemning the incident, Doha said, "The embassy staff had previously been evacuated and... none of the diplomats or embassy staff were subjected to any harm," and renewed calls for an immediate end to the fighting. ALSO WATCH | More than 1 million people displaced by Sudan crisis, UN says × Qatar did not specifically identify RSF as responsible (for the attack), but a statement from the pro-Burhan authorities put the blame squarely on the paramilitaries, AFP reported. Over 700 people killed, and almost 1.1mn displaced The conflict in Sudan has killed 705 people and injured at least 5,287, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Almost 1.1 million people have been displaced internally and into neighbouring countries. On Friday, the United Nations aid chief Martin Griffiths said that he was allocating $22 million in emergency funds to help Sudanese fleeing the violence. These funds would help relief efforts in Chad, the Central African Republic, Egypt and South Sudan where Sudanese have sought refuge, Griffiths added. (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.

Sudan conflict: Warring factions agree for 7-day ceasefire from May 22

In a big win for the Indian government, a US court in California approved the extradition of Pakistani-Canadian businessman Tahawwur Rana to India where he is sought for his involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.

In a big win for the Indian government, a US court in California approved the extradition of Pakistani-Canadian businessman Tahawwur Rana to India where he is sought for his involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack. This development comes after a US court in April dismissed a status conference motion moved by Rana, stating that it anticipates a ruling on his extradition to India within 30 days. Rana, 62, is said to be linked with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and was arrested in the US for his role in the Mumbai terror attack which saw 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists storm buildings in Mumbai, killing more than 160 people, including six Americans, in a 60-hour siege. Out of the 10 terrorists responsible for the attack, nine were killed and Ajmal Kasab was the only terrorist arrested alive by police. He was later hanged in Pune's Yerawada jail on November 21, 2012 after conviction and being sentenced to death. On June 10, 2020, the Indian government sought the provisional arrest of Rana with a view towards extradition. And the request for the extradition was supported and approved by Washington. Who is Tahawwur Rana? Tahawwur Rana is a Canadian businessman of Pakistani descent. He was born in 1961 in Chichawatni in Pakistan's Punjab province. Rana is a physician by profession and served as a captain-general duty practitioner in the Pakistan Army medical corps. ALSO READ | Pakistan yet to deliver justice for 26/11 attacks, engages in hostile propaganda: India's MEA annual report Rana and his wife, who is also a physician, immigrated to Canada in 1997 and obtained Canadian citizenship in 2001. The couple lived primarily in Chicago and owned several businesses, including an immigration service agency. Rana is said to be linked with the ISI and was arrested in the US for his role in the 26/11 attack. His arrest (in the US) was made at India's request as per the 1997 Extradition Treaty between the two countries. In 2011, he was convicted in Chicago of providing material support to the LeT, which planned the Mumbai terror attacks. The court proceedings Judge Jacqueline Chooljian, US Magistrate Judge of the US District Court Central District of California said in an order dated May 16 that based on the foregoing, the court concluded that Tahawwur Rana was extraditable for the offences for which the extradition had been requested and on which the US was proceeding, the news agency ANI reported. "The court has reviewed and considered all of the documents submitted in support of and in opposition to the Request and has considered the arguments presented at the hearing," the 48-page court order said. "Based on such review and consideration and for the reasons discussed herein, the court makes the findings set forth below and certifies to the Secretary of State of the US the extraditability of Rana on the charged offences that are the subject of the Request," the order added. According to Judge Chooljian, India accused Rana of offences including waging war, committing to a terrorist act and issued an arrest warrant, on which the US is also proceeding. Rana would be charged with the following offences: > conspiracy to wage war, to commit murder, to commit forgery for cheating, to use as genuine a forged document or electronic record, and to commit a terrorist act > waging war > murder > committing a terrorist act > conspiracy to commit a terrorist act Rana's friendship with David Headley During his college days, Tahawwur Rana befriended David Headley, an American terrorist who was involved with the LeT. During the court proceedings, federal prosecutors argued that Rana was aware that his friend Headley was involved with the LeT, and helped him in scouting locations and landing zones in Mumbai for carrying out the attacks. The 62-year-old was aware of what was discussed in Headley's meetings, including the planning of the attacks as well as the targets. Rana was also accused of allowing Headley to open a branch of his Chicago-based immigration law business in Mumbai as a cover and travel as a representative of Denmark. Where is David Headley now? David Headley, a US-Pakistani national, was involved with the LeT. Headley performed five spying missions in Mumbai to scout targets for the 2008 terror attack. He was arrested at the Chicago airport in October 2009 after being tracked by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for more than two months. He is currently serving a 35-year sentence in the US after pleading guilty to 12 international terrorism charges. Rana's extradition contested While the extradition has been contested by Tahawwur Rana's lawyer, judge Chooljian ruled that there is sufficient competent evidence to extradite him. And the court concluded that the 62-year-old is extraditable for offences for which extradition was requested and on which the US is proceeding, ANI reported. The extradition requested for conspiracy to wage war, to commit murder, to commit forgery for the purpose of cheating, to use as genuine a forged document or electronic record, and to commit a terrorist act; waging war; murder; committing a terrorist act; and conspiracy to commit a terrorist act. "It is therefore ordered that Tahawwur Hussain Rana be and remain committed to the custody of the US Marshal pending a final decision on extradition and surrender by the Secretary of State to India for the trial of the offences as to which extradition has been granted pursuant to Title 18, US Code, section 3186 and the Treaty," the judge ruled. (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: The case of 2008 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana

The Chinese government has shut down more than 100,000 fake news social media accounts as it intensifies efforts to clean up the internet of false news and rumours.

The Chinese government has shut down more than 100,000 fake news social media accounts as it intensifies efforts to clean up the internet of false news and rumours. According to a report by the news agency Reuters early Thursday (May 18), the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) said that it wiped 107,000 accounts of counterfeit news units and news anchors and 835,000 pieces of fake news information since April 6. The cleanup is part of the CAC's special campaign to clean up online information, focusing on social media accounts which disseminate fake news and impersonate state-controlled media. The CAC encouraged internet users to provide any leads on counterfeit news and anchors. Using AI to mislead public The regulator's review found accounts that disguised themselves as authoritative news media by falsifying news studio scenes and imitating professional news presenters, using artificial intelligence (AI) to create anchors to mislead the public. The fake news identified by the CAC covered issues such as social incidents and international current affairs The CAC further said it would guide online platforms to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the majority of internet users to obtain authoritative and real news. This major fake news clean-up comes after the regulator vowed to crack down on malicious online comments that damaged the reputation of businesses and entrepreneurs. ALSO READ | China makes first ChatGPT arrest after man allegedly generates fake news of train crash Countries around the globe including China are grappling with an onslaught of fake news online coverage, with many implementing laws to punish those involved in such activities. However, news dissemination on Chinese social media is already heavily controlled with platforms favouring hashtags produced by the state media while censoring those on issues or incidents that the government considers sensitive, Reuters reported. New AI products in China required to undergo security assessment On April 11, the CAC announced that new AI products developed in China would be required to undergo a security assessment before being released and must reflect core socialist values. "Before providing services to the public that use generative AI products, a security assessment shall be applied for through national internet regulatory departments," the CAC said, adding that AI-generated content must not contain among other things, "terrorist or extremist propaganda", "ethnic hatred" or "other content that may disrupt economic and social order." (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.

China shuts down over 100,000 fake news social media accounts

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