Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra continued his tremendous form as he came back from a one-month injury lay-off to clinch the top spot in the Lausanne leg of the Diamond League, his second straight win of the season in the prestigious one-day meeting series, on Friday.

The 25-year-old ace javelin thrower had skipped three top events due to a muscle strain he sustained while training last month, but came back with a bang as he won the Diamond League title here with his fifth-round throw of 87.66m.

Chopra began with a foul and then had 83.52m and 85.04m throws. He had another foul in the fourth round before coming up with his winning throw of 87.66m next. His sixth and last throw was 84.15m.

Germany's Julian Weber was second with a best throw of 87.03m, while Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic was third with an 86.13m effort.

Chopra had won the Lausanne leg in August last year also for his maiden Diamond League title. He then went on to win the Diamond League trophy in the grand finale a month later.

The Indian superstar had won the season-opening Diamond League meeting in Doha on May 5 with a throw of 88.67m. He has a personal best of 89.94m.

 
In the men's long jump, India's Murali Sreeshankar finished fifth with a below-par jump of 7.88m which he achieved in the third round.

The 24-year-old Sreeshankar, who had clinched the third spot in the Paris leg on June 9 for his maiden Diamond League podium finish,&nbsp;had produced a career-best 8.41m during the National Inter-State Championships in Bhubaneswar earlier this month.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra continued his tremendous form as he came back from a one-month injury lay-off to clinch the top spot in the Lausanne leg of the Diamond League, his second straight win of the season in the prestigious one-day meeting series, on Friday.

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra continued his tremendous form as he came back from a one-month injury lay-off to clinch the top spot in the Lausanne leg of the Diamond League, his second straight win of the season in the prestigious one-day meeting series, on Friday. The 25-year-old ace javelin thrower had skipped three top events due to a muscle strain he sustained while training last month, but came back with a bang as he won the Diamond League title here with his fifth-round throw of 87.66m. Chopra began with a foul and then had 83.52m and 85.04m throws. He had another foul in the fourth round before coming up with his winning throw of 87.66m next. His sixth and last throw was 84.15m. Germany's Julian Weber was second with a best throw of 87.03m, while Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic was third with an 86.13m effort. Chopra had won the Lausanne leg in August last year also for his maiden Diamond League title. He then went on to win the Diamond League trophy in the grand finale a month later. The Indian superstar had won the season-opening Diamond League meeting in Doha on May 5 with a throw of 88.67m. He has a personal best of 89.94m. In the men's long jump, India's Murali Sreeshankar finished fifth with a below-par jump of 7.88m which he achieved in the third round. The 24-year-old Sreeshankar, who had clinched the third spot in the Paris leg on June 9 for his maiden Diamond League podium finish, had produced a career-best 8.41m during the National Inter-State Championships in Bhubaneswar earlier this month. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

India’s star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra wins second straight Diamond League title in Lausanne

The latest to join the layoff spree is the Pokemon Go maker Niantic, which on Thursday (June 29) said that it would let go of 230 employees as a part of a restructuring that is aimed at stabilising the organisation's finances.

As per an email from Niantic CEO John Hanke, which was shared on the company's website, the major organisational changes, apart from layoffs, also include game shutdowns and the closure of its Los Angeles studio where most of the employees that will be affected, are based.

The company will stop production on its Marvel game, Marvel World of Heroes and will also cancel NBA All World.

"We will be closing our LA studio, reducing our game platform team and making additional reductions across the company. As a result, we will be sunsetting NBA All-World and stopping production on Marvel: World of Heroes. This means we are laying off around 230 Niantics," Hanke said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/national-geographic-magazine-lays-off-last-remaining-staff-writers-609951">National Geographic magazine lays off last remaining staff writers, to stop newsstands' sale from 2024</a>

Further elaborating on the reasons behind the crucial decision, Hanke said that the move was taken because of “internal and external factors."

"There are both internal and external factors. We are operating in a tough market environment due to the overall global macroeconomic slowdown, as well as unique challenges in the mobile gaming and AR markets. In the years since Pokémon GO’s launch, the mobile market has become crowded and changes to the app store and the mobile advertising landscape have made it increasingly hard to launch new mobile games at scale. We also face an AR market that is developing more slowly than anticipated, because of technology challenges and because larger players are slowing down their investments in light of the macro environment," he wrote.

Hanke's letter emphasised on the strategies Niantic will adopt moving forward, highlighting how the company will continue to invest in AR platforms in order to develop and monetize AR experiences.

"We will continue to invest in our AR map and AR platform to enable developers to build, grow and monetize their own AR experiences. Our highest priority in this area is building an ecosystem of developers who create cross-platform, web (using 8th Wall) and Unity-based AR experiences. In the upcoming world of headsets, we expect much fragmentation and we believe, as was the case in mobile, that content creators will demand cross-platform solutions that enable them to leverage their content investment across the greatest number of devices and users. Our Visual Positioning System and human-centric AR map will provide them with the industry’s best tools for creating entirely new ways for people to see and explore the world," his letter read. 
&nbsp;

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The latest to join the layoff spree is the Pokemon Go maker Niantic, which on Thursday (June 29) said that it would let go of 230 employees as a part of a restructuring that is aimed at stabilising the organisation's finances.

The latest to join the layoff spree is the Pokemon Go maker Niantic, which on Thursday (June 29) said that it would let go of 230 employees as a part of a restructuring that is aimed at stabilising the organisation's finances. As per an email from Niantic CEO John Hanke, which was shared on the company's website, the major organisational changes, apart from layoffs, also include game shutdowns and the closure of its Los Angeles studio where most of the employees that will be affected, are based. The company will stop production on its Marvel game, Marvel World of Heroes and will also cancel NBA All World. "We will be closing our LA studio, reducing our game platform team and making additional reductions across the company. As a result, we will be sunsetting NBA All-World and stopping production on Marvel: World of Heroes. This means we are laying off around 230 Niantics," Hanke said. Also read: National Geographic magazine lays off last remaining staff writers, to stop newsstands' sale from 2024 Further elaborating on the reasons behind the crucial decision, Hanke said that the move was taken because of “internal and external factors." "There are both internal and external factors. We are operating in a tough market environment due to the overall global macroeconomic slowdown, as well as unique challenges in the mobile gaming and AR markets. In the years since Pokémon GO’s launch, the mobile market has become crowded and changes to the app store and the mobile advertising landscape have made it increasingly hard to launch new mobile games at scale. We also face an AR market that is developing more slowly than anticipated, because of technology challenges and because larger players are slowing down their investments in light of the macro environment," he wrote. Hanke's letter emphasised on the strategies Niantic will adopt moving forward, highlighting how the company will continue to invest in AR platforms in order to develop and monetize AR experiences. "We will continue to invest in our AR map and AR platform to enable developers to build, grow and monetize their own AR experiences. Our highest priority in this area is building an ecosystem of developers who create cross-platform, web (using 8th Wall) and Unity-based AR experiences. In the upcoming world of headsets, we expect much fragmentation and we believe, as was the case in mobile, that content creators will demand cross-platform solutions that enable them to leverage their content investment across the greatest number of devices and users. Our Visual Positioning System and human-centric AR map will provide them with the industry’s best tools for creating entirely new ways for people to see and explore the world," his letter read. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Pokemon Go maker Niantic lays off 230 employees, shuts down some games

In a shocking revelation, women who applied for positions at Bill Gates’ private office, Gates Ventures, seeking jobs claim that they were asked sexually explicit questions during the interviews, as per a new report.&nbsp;

Some of the female job seekers were asked whether they ever engaged in extramarital affairs or had ever contracted an STD, had any nude photographs of themselves on their mobile phones or 'danced for dollar', according to the Wall Street Journal report.

The women were also pressed on the type of pornography they preferred and about their past drug use, the Journal reported.

A spokesperson for Gates Venture claimed that he was not aware of such questions being asked during the background verification process that was conducted by a third-party contractor.

"This line of questioning would be unacceptable and a violation of Gates Ventures’ agreement with the contractor," the publication quoted the spokesperson as saying. "We have never received information from any vendor or interviewee in our 15+ year history that inappropriate questions were asked during the screening process. We can confirm, that after a comprehensive review of our records, no employment offer has ever been rescinded based on information of this nature."

The publication said that none of the male candidates that work at Gates' private office had been asked about their sexual history.

The job applicants, in a conversation with The Journal, said that the interview was carried out by security consulting firm Concentric Advisors, that according to its website, claims to conduct “intelligence-led” risk assessments for corporations, governments and non-profit organisations.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bill-gates-to-meet-with-chinese-president-xi-jinping-on-friday-604572">Bill Gates to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday</a>

Concentric told the publication that it had complied with applicable laws and that the questions were posed to analyse the job applicants' "truthfulness and vulnerability to blackmail, which often starts with voluntary statements by the candidate with follow-up questions by company interviewers."

<h2>Epstein threatened Gates, tried to blackmail over&nbsp;affair with Russian woman</h2>

The Microsoft cofounder in the past has himself come under fire for his meeting with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who as per WSJ reports, had threatened to expose an extramarital affair that Gates had with a Russian bridge player.

Gates met a woman named Mila Antonova in the year 2010 when she was in her 20s and engaged in a romantic relationship. The two were involved while Gates was still married to his then-wife, Melinda French Gates, as per WSJ reports.

Epstein met Antonova three years later in 2013 and paid for her to attend software coding school. She was looking for financial backers for a bridge academy and Boris Nikolic, a top adviser to Gates at the time, pointed her to Epstein.&nbsp;

Later, in 2017, Epstein, who had learned about the affair, brazenly emailed Gates and requested reimbursement for the course. It was an implicit yet subtle threat from Epstein that he knew about Gates' business.&nbsp;

“The tone of the message was that Epstein knew about the affair and could expose it, the people said,” the Journal reported, adding that a Gates spokesperson said that the Microsoft founder “had no financial dealings with Epstein”.

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In a shocking revelation, women who applied for positions at Bill Gates’ private office, Gates Ventures, seeking jobs claim that they were asked sexually explicit questions during the interviews, as per a new report.

In a shocking revelation, women who applied for positions at Bill Gates’ private office, Gates Ventures, seeking jobs claim that they were asked sexually explicit questions during the interviews, as per a new report. Some of the female job seekers were asked whether they ever engaged in extramarital affairs or had ever contracted an STD, had any nude photographs of themselves on their mobile phones or 'danced for dollar', according to the Wall Street Journal report. The women were also pressed on the type of pornography they preferred and about their past drug use, the Journal reported. A spokesperson for Gates Venture claimed that he was not aware of such questions being asked during the background verification process that was conducted by a third-party contractor. "This line of questioning would be unacceptable and a violation of Gates Ventures’ agreement with the contractor," the publication quoted the spokesperson as saying. "We have never received information from any vendor or interviewee in our 15+ year history that inappropriate questions were asked during the screening process. We can confirm, that after a comprehensive review of our records, no employment offer has ever been rescinded based on information of this nature." The publication said that none of the male candidates that work at Gates' private office had been asked about their sexual history. The job applicants, in a conversation with The Journal, said that the interview was carried out by security consulting firm Concentric Advisors, that according to its website, claims to conduct “intelligence-led” risk assessments for corporations, governments and non-profit organisations. Also read: Bill Gates to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday Concentric told the publication that it had complied with applicable laws and that the questions were posed to analyse the job applicants' "truthfulness and vulnerability to blackmail, which often starts with voluntary statements by the candidate with follow-up questions by company interviewers." Epstein threatened Gates, tried to blackmail over affair with Russian woman The Microsoft cofounder in the past has himself come under fire for his meeting with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who as per WSJ reports, had threatened to expose an extramarital affair that Gates had with a Russian bridge player. Gates met a woman named Mila Antonova in the year 2010 when she was in her 20s and engaged in a romantic relationship. The two were involved while Gates was still married to his then-wife, Melinda French Gates, as per WSJ reports. Epstein met Antonova three years later in 2013 and paid for her to attend software coding school. She was looking for financial backers for a bridge academy and Boris Nikolic, a top adviser to Gates at the time, pointed her to Epstein. Later, in 2017, Epstein, who had learned about the affair, brazenly emailed Gates and requested reimbursement for the course. It was an implicit yet subtle threat from Epstein that he knew about Gates' business. “The tone of the message was that Epstein knew about the affair and could expose it, the people said,” the Journal reported, adding that a Gates spokesperson said that the Microsoft founder “had no financial dealings with Epstein”. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Women seeking jobs at Bill Gates’ private office were asked sexually explicit questions: Report

Israel's Mossad spy agency released a statement on Thursday saying that it "apprehended" an Iranian plotting to kill an Israeli in Cyprus, with his interrogation "on Iranian soil" leading to arrests by Cypriot security forces.

The statement came after the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday appreciated "the thwarting of the Iranian terrorist attack in Cyprus against Israeli targets," without providing much details.

Cypriot authorities declined to comment on the matter, however, local media, mentioning unidentified sources, reported a foiled plan to attack Israeli or Jewish targets by suspects that were operating from a breakaway statelet, recognised only by Turkey, in the north of the divided Mediterranean island.

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Breaking: In a counter-terrorist operation on Iranian soil, the Mossad apprehended the head of a terror cell which planned on attacking Israelis in Cyprus, thwarting the attack. 
 
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&nbsp;

The Mossad said an Iranian man named Yusef Shahabazi Abbasalilu was "apprehended" in "a counter-terrorist operation on Iranian soil".

<h2>Iranian man confesses to 'receiving weapons'</h2>

According to the Israeli agency, during cross-questioning Abbasalilu confessed to having "received detailed instructions and weapons from senior Revolutionary Guards personnel in Iran" regarding an Israeli businessman he was to assassinate in Cyprus.

As per AFP reports, a video that was circulated by the Mossad, which the news agency could not verify, showed a man, called Abbasalilu, detailing his arrival in Cyprus and making preparations to kill an Israeli with the help of 'Pakistanis'&nbsp;there.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkeys-national-intelligence-claims-to-have-exposed-mossad-ring-working-against-iran-595614">Turkey’s intelligence claims to have exposed Mossad ring working against Iran</a>

The man then recalls being ordered by his Iranian handlers to return to Iran since the Cypriot police were on his tail.

"In the wake of the information that he gave to investigators, the cell was dismantled in an operation by the Cypriot security services," the Mossad said, noting "a series of arrests in Cyprus last week".

The Israeli agency said it had exposed part of "a continuing effort to carry out terrorist attacks and harm Israelis and Jews around the world".

Earlier this month, Netanyahu said that the vast majority of Israel's "security problems stem from Iran and its proxies".

Israel also condemned its arch-foe for seeking to obtain nuclear arms. Iran denies the claim.

While speaking at a military ceremony on Thursday, Netanyahu said that Israel would not be bound by any international agreement of Tehran's nuclear programme, adding: "We will retain our right and duty to defend ourselves, by ourselves, from any threat."

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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Israel's Mossad spy agency released a statement on Thursday saying that it "apprehended" an Iranian plotting to kill an Israeli in Cyprus, with his interrogation "on Iranian soil" leading to arrests by Cypriot security forces.

Israel's Mossad spy agency released a statement on Thursday saying that it "apprehended" an Iranian plotting to kill an Israeli in Cyprus, with his interrogation "on Iranian soil" leading to arrests by Cypriot security forces. The statement came after the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday appreciated "the thwarting of the Iranian terrorist attack in Cyprus against Israeli targets," without providing much details. Cypriot authorities declined to comment on the matter, however, local media, mentioning unidentified sources, reported a foiled plan to attack Israeli or Jewish targets by suspects that were operating from a breakaway statelet, recognised only by Turkey, in the north of the divided Mediterranean island. Breaking: In a counter-terrorist operation on Iranian soil, the Mossad apprehended the head of a terror cell which planned on attacking Israelis in Cyprus, thwarting the attack. Senior Mossad official: "We will reach whoever foments terrorism against Jews and Israelis around the… pic.twitter.com/UKZDVQNe11 — Israel ישראל 🇮🇱 (@Israel) June 29, 2023 × The Mossad said an Iranian man named Yusef Shahabazi Abbasalilu was "apprehended" in "a counter-terrorist operation on Iranian soil". Iranian man confesses to 'receiving weapons' According to the Israeli agency, during cross-questioning Abbasalilu confessed to having "received detailed instructions and weapons from senior Revolutionary Guards personnel in Iran" regarding an Israeli businessman he was to assassinate in Cyprus. As per AFP reports, a video that was circulated by the Mossad, which the news agency could not verify, showed a man, called Abbasalilu, detailing his arrival in Cyprus and making preparations to kill an Israeli with the help of 'Pakistanis' there. Also read: Turkey’s intelligence claims to have exposed Mossad ring working against Iran The man then recalls being ordered by his Iranian handlers to return to Iran since the Cypriot police were on his tail. "In the wake of the information that he gave to investigators, the cell was dismantled in an operation by the Cypriot security services," the Mossad said, noting "a series of arrests in Cyprus last week". The Israeli agency said it had exposed part of "a continuing effort to carry out terrorist attacks and harm Israelis and Jews around the world". Earlier this month, Netanyahu said that the vast majority of Israel's "security problems stem from Iran and its proxies". Israel also condemned its arch-foe for seeking to obtain nuclear arms. Iran denies the claim. While speaking at a military ceremony on Thursday, Netanyahu said that Israel would not be bound by any international agreement of Tehran's nuclear programme, adding: "We will retain our right and duty to defend ourselves, by ourselves, from any threat." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Israel's spy agency Mossad nabs man in Iran for planning attack in Cyprus

Searing heat in Mexico has claimed the lives of more than 100 people in the month of June, the government said in a statement, after a series of heatwaves rattled the nation.

According to scientists, global warming is aggravating adverse weather conditions in the world with many countries battling with soaring temperatures.

As per the figures released by the health ministry on Wednesday, nearly 1,000 heat-related emergencies were reported in Mexico between June 12 and 25, of which 104 resulted in deaths.

Meanwhile, the authorities had already reported eight deaths between April 14 and May 31, taking the death toll to 112.

The cause of the deaths was reported as heat stroke, followed by dehydration, as per the health ministry.

With 64 deaths in the northeastern state of Nuevo Leon and 19 in neighbouring Tamaulipas, Mexico's northern regions reported the most fatalities.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-eight-killed-in-gun-battle-between-suspected-cartel-members-in-chihuahua-609909">Mexico: Eight killed in gun battle between suspected cartel members in Chihuahua</a>

The health ministry said that in Mexico, a maximum temperature of 49 degrees Celsius (120 Fahrenheit) was recorded this week in the northwestern state of Sonora.

It added that the average maximum temperatures in Mexico during the summer fluctuate between 30 and 45 degrees Celsius.

<h2>Global temperatures rise above average in early June</h2>

Preliminary global average temperatures taken at the beginning of June were the warmest on record for the period, said the European Union’s climate monitoring unit, on June 15.

A report by Copernicus, the EU’s observation agency, said that they have noted a “remarkable global warmth” in the first week of June this year. The report cited the data provided by ERA5 which found that the first few days of the month even breached a 1.5 degree Celsius increase when compared with pre-industrial times.

The report suggests that this might be the first time this breach of high temperature had occurred in the industrial era. “Global-mean surface air temperatures for the first days of June 2023 were the highest in the ERA5 data record for early June by a substantial margin,” said the report, with the data collection going back as far as 1950.”

The temperature recorded in early June is also nearly one degree Celsius above levels previously recorded for the same month back in 1979. “The world has just experienced its warmest early June on record, following a month of May that was less than 0.1°C cooler than the warmest May on record,” said Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) Deputy Director Samantha Burgess.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Searing heat in Mexico has claimed the lives of more than 100 people in the month of June, the government said in a statement, after a series of heatwaves rattled the nation.

Searing heat in Mexico has claimed the lives of more than 100 people in the month of June, the government said in a statement, after a series of heatwaves rattled the nation. According to scientists, global warming is aggravating adverse weather conditions in the world with many countries battling with soaring temperatures. As per the figures released by the health ministry on Wednesday, nearly 1,000 heat-related emergencies were reported in Mexico between June 12 and 25, of which 104 resulted in deaths. Meanwhile, the authorities had already reported eight deaths between April 14 and May 31, taking the death toll to 112. The cause of the deaths was reported as heat stroke, followed by dehydration, as per the health ministry. With 64 deaths in the northeastern state of Nuevo Leon and 19 in neighbouring Tamaulipas, Mexico's northern regions reported the most fatalities. Also read: Mexico: Eight killed in gun battle between suspected cartel members in Chihuahua The health ministry said that in Mexico, a maximum temperature of 49 degrees Celsius (120 Fahrenheit) was recorded this week in the northwestern state of Sonora. It added that the average maximum temperatures in Mexico during the summer fluctuate between 30 and 45 degrees Celsius. Global temperatures rise above average in early June Preliminary global average temperatures taken at the beginning of June were the warmest on record for the period, said the European Union’s climate monitoring unit, on June 15. A report by Copernicus, the EU’s observation agency, said that they have noted a “remarkable global warmth” in the first week of June this year. The report cited the data provided by ERA5 which found that the first few days of the month even breached a 1.5 degree Celsius increase when compared with pre-industrial times. The report suggests that this might be the first time this breach of high temperature had occurred in the industrial era. “Global-mean surface air temperatures for the first days of June 2023 were the highest in the ERA5 data record for early June by a substantial margin,” said the report, with the data collection going back as far as 1950.” The temperature recorded in early June is also nearly one degree Celsius above levels previously recorded for the same month back in 1979. “The world has just experienced its warmest early June on record, following a month of May that was less than 0.1°C cooler than the warmest May on record,” said Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) Deputy Director Samantha Burgess. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Scorching heat claims lives of more than 100 in June, says Mexico government

The policeman who shot dead a 17-year-old in the Paris suburb of Nanterre for fleeing a traffic check and failing to comply with an order to stop his car on Tuesday, triggering protests in the country, has apologised to the victim's family while in custody, said his lawyer.

"The first words he pronounced were to say sorry and the last words he said were to say sorry to the family," Laurent-Franck Lienard told BFMTV late Thursday.

"He is devastated, he doesn't get up in the morning to kill people," Lienard said. "He didn't want to kill him."

A video of the incident being circulated on social media showed two police officers beside the car, a Mercedes AMG, with one shooting as the driver pulled away.

Lienard said the police officer was "extremely shocked by the violence of this video".

The officer has been charged with voluntary homicide and remanded in custody.

<h2>Mother of victim says policeman saw 'an Arab face'</h2>

The mother of the teenager who was killed by the French police officer said that she thought the death of her son was racially motivated.

"I don't blame the police, I blame one person: the one who took the life of my son," Mounia told the France 5 channel in her first media interview since the shooting on Tuesday morning.

"I have friends who are officers. They are completely behind me... they don't agree with what happened," she said.

She further said that the 38-year-old policeman could have used other ways to tame his son, who was driving a Mercedes without a licence.

"He didn't need to kill my son. A bullet? So close to his chest? No, no," the single mother, described as a worker in the medical sector, told the channel in tears.

The officer "saw an Arab face, a little kid, and wanted to take his life," she said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-police-officer-detained-on-homicide-charges-after-killing-teenager-for-fleeing-traffic-stop-609432">French police officer detained on homicide charges after killing teenager for fleeing traffic stop</a>

"How long is this going to go on for? How many other children are going to go like this? How many mothers will find themselves like me?" she added.

<h2>Violent protests continue in France&nbsp;</h2>

France continued to simmer for the second consecutive day as thousands of more security forces were deployed across the nation to prevent violent protests sparked by the fatal shooting of the teenager.

Videos circulating online show intense confrontations between protesters and law enforcement, with police employing tear gas and rubber bullets.

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said earlier that at least 150 people have been arrested across the country, and several public buildings have been "burned or attacked".

Videos going viral on social media purportedly showed angry mobs torching cars and ransacking shops. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

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The policeman who shot dead a 17-year-old in the Paris suburb of Nanterre for fleeing a traffic check and failing to comply with an order to stop his car on Tuesday, triggering protests in the country, has apologised to the victim's family while in custody, said his lawyer.

The policeman who shot dead a 17-year-old in the Paris suburb of Nanterre for fleeing a traffic check and failing to comply with an order to stop his car on Tuesday, triggering protests in the country, has apologised to the victim's family while in custody, said his lawyer. "The first words he pronounced were to say sorry and the last words he said were to say sorry to the family," Laurent-Franck Lienard told BFMTV late Thursday. "He is devastated, he doesn't get up in the morning to kill people," Lienard said. "He didn't want to kill him." A video of the incident being circulated on social media showed two police officers beside the car, a Mercedes AMG, with one shooting as the driver pulled away. Lienard said the police officer was "extremely shocked by the violence of this video". The officer has been charged with voluntary homicide and remanded in custody. Mother of victim says policeman saw 'an Arab face' The mother of the teenager who was killed by the French police officer said that she thought the death of her son was racially motivated. "I don't blame the police, I blame one person: the one who took the life of my son," Mounia told the France 5 channel in her first media interview since the shooting on Tuesday morning. "I have friends who are officers. They are completely behind me... they don't agree with what happened," she said. She further said that the 38-year-old policeman could have used other ways to tame his son, who was driving a Mercedes without a licence. "He didn't need to kill my son. A bullet? So close to his chest? No, no," the single mother, described as a worker in the medical sector, told the channel in tears. The officer "saw an Arab face, a little kid, and wanted to take his life," she said. Also read: French police officer detained on homicide charges after killing teenager for fleeing traffic stop "How long is this going to go on for? How many other children are going to go like this? How many mothers will find themselves like me?" she added. Violent protests continue in France France continued to simmer for the second consecutive day as thousands of more security forces were deployed across the nation to prevent violent protests sparked by the fatal shooting of the teenager. Videos circulating online show intense confrontations between protesters and law enforcement, with police employing tear gas and rubber bullets. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said earlier that at least 150 people have been arrested across the country, and several public buildings have been "burned or attacked". Videos going viral on social media purportedly showed angry mobs torching cars and ransacking shops. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

French police officer who killed teenager in Paris suburb apologises to victim's family

Former United States president Donald Trump, who is also an admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin, on Thursday, said that Putin was "somewhat weakened" by the Wagner revolt and that now was the time for the US to mediate and try negotiating a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine to end the war.

"I want people to stop dying over this ridiculous war," Trump said in a conversation with news agency Reuters.

On being asked about the foreign policy, Trump said that China should be given a 48-hour deadline to get out of what sources familiar with the matter say is a Chinese spy capability on the island of Cuba 90 miles (145 km) off the U.S. coast.

Speaking about Ukraine, the former US president said that everything would be "subject to negotiation" if he were president, and added that Ukrainians have strongly waged the fight to defend their country and have "earned a lot of credit".

"I think they would be entitled to keep much of what they've earned and I think that Russia likewise would agree to that. You need the right mediator or negotiator, and we don't have that right now," he said.

He further said that the United States should now be making efforts to bring both the countries, Russia and Ukraine, together to force peace.

"I think the biggest thing that the U.S. should be doing right now is making peace — getting Russia and Ukraine together and making peace. You can do it," he added. "This is the time to do it, to get the two parties together to force peace."

During his tenure, Trump had become friends with his Russian counterpart, who now Biden says has "become a bit of pariah around the world" for invading Ukraine.

Trump then said that Putin has&nbsp;been 'weakened' by the mutiny by the mercenary group Wagner, which took place last weekend.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/german-chancellor-olaf-scholz-says-russian-president-putin-weakened-by-wagner-mutiny-609856">German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says Russian President Putin 'weakened' by Wagner mutiny</a>

"You could say that he's (Putin) still there, he's still strong, but he certainly has been I would say somewhat weakened at least in the minds of a lot of people," he said.

If Putin were no longer in power, however, "you don't know what the alternative is. It could be better, but it could be far worse," Trump said.

Speaking on the war crime charges levied against Putin by the International Criminal Court last March, Trump said that the fate of the Russian President should be discussed when the war is over "because right now if you bring that topic up, you'll never make peace, you'll never make a settlement."

<h2>Olaf Scholz says Wagner mutiny 'weakened' Putin </h2>

Earlier, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the mutiny by mercenary group Wagner had "weakened" Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In his first extensive comments about the aborted rebellion, Scholz said it would "surely have long-term consequences in Russia".&nbsp;

"I do believe that he (Putin) is weakened," Scholz told public broadcaster ARD.

"It shows that the autocratic structures, the power structures, have cracks and he in no way sits as firmly in the saddle as he always claims," the German leader said.

"But I don't want to take part in speculation about how long he'll stay in office, it could be a long time or short, we don't know."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

 
 
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Former United States president Donald Trump, who is also an admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin, on Thursday, said that Putin was "somewhat weakened" by the Wagner revolt and that now was the time for the US to mediate and try negotiating a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine to end the war.

Former United States president Donald Trump, who is also an admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin, on Thursday, said that Putin was "somewhat weakened" by the Wagner revolt and that now was the time for the US to mediate and try negotiating a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine to end the war. "I want people to stop dying over this ridiculous war," Trump said in a conversation with news agency Reuters. On being asked about the foreign policy, Trump said that China should be given a 48-hour deadline to get out of what sources familiar with the matter say is a Chinese spy capability on the island of Cuba 90 miles (145 km) off the U.S. coast. Speaking about Ukraine, the former US president said that everything would be "subject to negotiation" if he were president, and added that Ukrainians have strongly waged the fight to defend their country and have "earned a lot of credit". "I think they would be entitled to keep much of what they've earned and I think that Russia likewise would agree to that. You need the right mediator or negotiator, and we don't have that right now," he said. He further said that the United States should now be making efforts to bring both the countries, Russia and Ukraine, together to force peace. "I think the biggest thing that the U.S. should be doing right now is making peace — getting Russia and Ukraine together and making peace. You can do it," he added. "This is the time to do it, to get the two parties together to force peace." During his tenure, Trump had become friends with his Russian counterpart, who now Biden says has "become a bit of pariah around the world" for invading Ukraine. Trump then said that Putin has been 'weakened' by the mutiny by the mercenary group Wagner, which took place last weekend. Also read: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says Russian President Putin 'weakened' by Wagner mutiny "You could say that he's (Putin) still there, he's still strong, but he certainly has been I would say somewhat weakened at least in the minds of a lot of people," he said. If Putin were no longer in power, however, "you don't know what the alternative is. It could be better, but it could be far worse," Trump said. Speaking on the war crime charges levied against Putin by the International Criminal Court last March, Trump said that the fate of the Russian President should be discussed when the war is over "because right now if you bring that topic up, you'll never make peace, you'll never make a settlement." Olaf Scholz says Wagner mutiny 'weakened' Putin Earlier, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the mutiny by mercenary group Wagner had "weakened" Russian President Vladimir Putin. In his first extensive comments about the aborted rebellion, Scholz said it would "surely have long-term consequences in Russia". "I do believe that he (Putin) is weakened," Scholz told public broadcaster ARD. "It shows that the autocratic structures, the power structures, have cracks and he in no way sits as firmly in the saddle as he always claims," the German leader said. "But I don't want to take part in speculation about how long he'll stay in office, it could be a long time or short, we don't know." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Donald Trump says Putin 'weakened' by Wagner mutiny, it's time to broker peace

Star batsman Steve Smith's unbeaten 85 was the centrepiece of Australia's impressive 339-5 on the opening day of the second Test against England at Lord's on Wednesday.

But off-spinner Joe Root, better known as the number one-ranked batsman in Test cricket, took two wickets in four balls late in the day to check the progress of Ashes-holders Australia, 1-0 up in the five-match series after a thrilling two-wicket win at Edgbaston last week.

Australia were in command at 316-3, despite being sent into bat by England captain Ben Stokes in overcast conditions and on a green tinged-pitch that promised to aid his five-strong pace attack.

But dashing left-hander Travis Head, scoring at better than a run-a-ball, then charged down the pitch only to be beaten by a sharply turning Root delivery with Jonny Bairstow, whose wicketkeeping had proved fallible in Birmingham, completing an excellent stumping.

Head was out for 77 following a stand of 118 with Smith where England were given a taste of their own 'Bazball' medicine.

But three balls later, Australia's 316-4 became 316-5 when all-rounder Cameron Green fell for a duck, slicing Root to James Anderson at mid-off.

At stumps Root, the only spinner in the attack after England dropped Moeen Ali, had figures of 2-19 from eight overs.&nbsp;

Fast bowler Josh Tongue, recalled in place of Moeen, removed Australia left-handed openers Usman Khawaja and David Warner, who made a valuable 66, in a return of 2-88 in 18 overs.

But the day belonged to Australia, with No 3 Marnus Labuschagne, who made a useful 47, telling Sky Sports: "You're going to take that (total) when you get sent in on a wicket that we thought had a fair bit in it."

The match was briefly halted before the second over when two Just Stop Oil protesters ran out of the Grandstand and onto the outfield, sprinkling the environmental pressure group's trademark orange powder on the square but not on the pitch.

Bairstow grabbed one of the demonstrators and carried them off the playing surface, with the other apprehended by stewards.

A third demonstrator was tackled before making it onto the outfield, with the police making three arrests.

<h2>Pope injury scare</h2>

England's aggressive approach had come under scrutiny in Birmingham, but missing several chances was a bigger factor in their defeat.

On Wednesday, Stuart Broad looked to have dismissed Warner, then on 20, yet again in an Ashes clash, only for fourth slip Ollie Pope, who later went off injured with a shoulder injury, to drop a two-handed catch.&nbsp;

Warner cashed in with a 66-ball fifty completed when he pulled Tongue, in just his second Test, for six.

But off what became the last ball before lunch Tongue bowled Khawaja, playing no shot, to end a stand of 73.

Warner also fell to Tongue, bowled between bat and pad by a ball that cut back sharply off the pitch.

England for all Australia's playing and missing, did not help themselves by giving away 36 runs in extras, including 12 no-balls.

Smith stuck Stuart Broad through the covers for two fours off successive balls then successfully overturned a caught-behind decision off the next delivery on his way to a 102-ball fifty.

Stokes, who has been troubled by a longstanding knee injury, brought himself on but only bowled three wicketless overs.

Smith and Labuschagne, until recently the world's two top-ranked Test batsmen, had managed just 35 runs between them across four innings at Edgbaston.

But on Wednesday their century partnership was ended when Labuschagne was caught behind off an excellent delivery from Ollie Robinson to leave Australia 198-3.

Star batsman Steve Smith's unbeaten 85 was the centrepiece of Australia's impressive 339-5 on the opening day of the second Test against England at Lord's on Wednesday.

Star batsman Steve Smith's unbeaten 85 was the centrepiece of Australia's impressive 339-5 on the opening day of the second Test against England at Lord's on Wednesday. But off-spinner Joe Root, better known as the number one-ranked batsman in Test cricket, took two wickets in four balls late in the day to check the progress of Ashes-holders Australia, 1-0 up in the five-match series after a thrilling two-wicket win at Edgbaston last week. Australia were in command at 316-3, despite being sent into bat by England captain Ben Stokes in overcast conditions and on a green tinged-pitch that promised to aid his five-strong pace attack. But dashing left-hander Travis Head, scoring at better than a run-a-ball, then charged down the pitch only to be beaten by a sharply turning Root delivery with Jonny Bairstow, whose wicketkeeping had proved fallible in Birmingham, completing an excellent stumping. Head was out for 77 following a stand of 118 with Smith where England were given a taste of their own 'Bazball' medicine. But three balls later, Australia's 316-4 became 316-5 when all-rounder Cameron Green fell for a duck, slicing Root to James Anderson at mid-off. At stumps Root, the only spinner in the attack after England dropped Moeen Ali, had figures of 2-19 from eight overs. Fast bowler Josh Tongue, recalled in place of Moeen, removed Australia left-handed openers Usman Khawaja and David Warner, who made a valuable 66, in a return of 2-88 in 18 overs. But the day belonged to Australia, with No 3 Marnus Labuschagne, who made a useful 47, telling Sky Sports: "You're going to take that (total) when you get sent in on a wicket that we thought had a fair bit in it." The match was briefly halted before the second over when two Just Stop Oil protesters ran out of the Grandstand and onto the outfield, sprinkling the environmental pressure group's trademark orange powder on the square but not on the pitch. Bairstow grabbed one of the demonstrators and carried them off the playing surface, with the other apprehended by stewards. A third demonstrator was tackled before making it onto the outfield, with the police making three arrests. Pope injury scare England's aggressive approach had come under scrutiny in Birmingham, but missing several chances was a bigger factor in their defeat. On Wednesday, Stuart Broad looked to have dismissed Warner, then on 20, yet again in an Ashes clash, only for fourth slip Ollie Pope, who later went off injured with a shoulder injury, to drop a two-handed catch. Warner cashed in with a 66-ball fifty completed when he pulled Tongue, in just his second Test, for six. But off what became the last ball before lunch Tongue bowled Khawaja, playing no shot, to end a stand of 73. Warner also fell to Tongue, bowled between bat and pad by a ball that cut back sharply off the pitch. England for all Australia's playing and missing, did not help themselves by giving away 36 runs in extras, including 12 no-balls. Smith stuck Stuart Broad through the covers for two fours off successive balls then successfully overturned a caught-behind decision off the next delivery on his way to a 102-ball fifty. Stokes, who has been troubled by a longstanding knee injury, brought himself on but only bowled three wicketless overs. Smith and Labuschagne, until recently the world's two top-ranked Test batsmen, had managed just 35 runs between them across four innings at Edgbaston. But on Wednesday their century partnership was ended when Labuschagne was caught behind off an excellent delivery from Ollie Robinson to leave Australia 198-3.

Smith stars for Australia before Root double revives England in 2nd Test

Madonna is recovering after falling ill with a "serious bacterial infection" that landed her in an intensive care unit for several days, her manager Guy Oseary said in a statement Wednesday.

"Her health is improving, however, she is still under medical care," he said. "A full recovery is expected."

Oseary said the 64-year-old pop icon's "Celebrations" tour, due to start July 15 in Vancouver, Canada, was postponed until further notice.

The New York Post's Page Six website said the pop star was taken to a hospital in the city after becoming unwell.

Madonna's&nbsp;global, nearly sold-out tour was billed as paying homage to her more than four-decade-long career, and according to her website boasted 84 concert dates.

Stops in the United States were to include Detroit, Chicago, Miami and New York, the city where her storied rise to superstardom began.

She was then slated to continue in Europe, with dates in London, Barcelona and Paris, as well as four dates in Mexico City.

The Grammy-winning megastar behind classics including "Like a Virgin" has asserted incalculable influence over her stellar career as one of music's top stars.

In his statement on social media, her manager vowed to provide more information when available, including a new start date for the tour and for rescheduled shows.

In 2020 Madonna underwent hip replacement surgery following an injury sustained on her "Madame X" tour.

<h2>'Material Girl'</h2>

Born in 1958, the Catholic-educated artist headed to New York in the late 1970s with just 35 dollars in her pocket.

She scraped a living through everything from nude modelling to selling donuts.&nbsp;

Her first big single was "Everybody" in 1982, followed by a string of hits including "Lucky Star," "Borderline," and "Holiday."

The 1984 release of "Like A Virgin" propelled Madonna onto the international stage.

She followed up in 1985 with another disco anthem, "Material Girl."

The early 1990s saw her don infamous pointy cone-shaped bras on her "Blond Ambition" Tour in 1990.

She also released a racy book called "Sex," filled with photographs of sexual acts that was released to accompany her 1992 album "Erotica."

In the late 1990s, her music took off in a new direction, thumping to a new dance-flavoured beat on her multi-award-winning 1998 album "Ray of Light."

In 2003, she grabbed the showbiz world's attention by clinching pop princess Britney Spears in a lingering kiss on stage at that year's MTV Music Video Awards.

And she still displays the provocative streak for which she is both beloved and notorious.

In January, news dropped of her forthcoming tour in a video nodding to her 1991 documentary "Truth or Dare."

In the clip, the Queen of Pop plays the classic sleepover game with fellow celebrities, all with risque undertones.

"I am excited to explore as many songs as possible in hopes to give my fans the show they have been waiting for," she said when announcing the tour.&nbsp;

Madonna is recovering after falling ill with a "serious bacterial infection" that landed her in an intensive care unit for several days, her manager Guy Oseary said in a statement Wednesday.

Madonna is recovering after falling ill with a "serious bacterial infection" that landed her in an intensive care unit for several days, her manager Guy Oseary said in a statement Wednesday. "Her health is improving, however, she is still under medical care," he said. "A full recovery is expected." Oseary said the 64-year-old pop icon's "Celebrations" tour, due to start July 15 in Vancouver, Canada, was postponed until further notice. The New York Post's Page Six website said the pop star was taken to a hospital in the city after becoming unwell. Madonna's global, nearly sold-out tour was billed as paying homage to her more than four-decade-long career, and according to her website boasted 84 concert dates. Stops in the United States were to include Detroit, Chicago, Miami and New York, the city where her storied rise to superstardom began. She was then slated to continue in Europe, with dates in London, Barcelona and Paris, as well as four dates in Mexico City. The Grammy-winning megastar behind classics including "Like a Virgin" has asserted incalculable influence over her stellar career as one of music's top stars. In his statement on social media, her manager vowed to provide more information when available, including a new start date for the tour and for rescheduled shows. In 2020 Madonna underwent hip replacement surgery following an injury sustained on her "Madame X" tour. 'Material Girl' Born in 1958, the Catholic-educated artist headed to New York in the late 1970s with just 35 dollars in her pocket. She scraped a living through everything from nude modelling to selling donuts. Her first big single was "Everybody" in 1982, followed by a string of hits including "Lucky Star," "Borderline," and "Holiday." The 1984 release of "Like A Virgin" propelled Madonna onto the international stage. She followed up in 1985 with another disco anthem, "Material Girl." The early 1990s saw her don infamous pointy cone-shaped bras on her "Blond Ambition" Tour in 1990. She also released a racy book called "Sex," filled with photographs of sexual acts that was released to accompany her 1992 album "Erotica." In the late 1990s, her music took off in a new direction, thumping to a new dance-flavoured beat on her multi-award-winning 1998 album "Ray of Light." In 2003, she grabbed the showbiz world's attention by clinching pop princess Britney Spears in a lingering kiss on stage at that year's MTV Music Video Awards. And she still displays the provocative streak for which she is both beloved and notorious. In January, news dropped of her forthcoming tour in a video nodding to her 1991 documentary "Truth or Dare." In the clip, the Queen of Pop plays the classic sleepover game with fellow celebrities, all with risque undertones. "I am excited to explore as many songs as possible in hopes to give my fans the show they have been waiting for," she said when announcing the tour.

Madonna hospitalised: In ICU for several days, 'Celebrations' tour postponed

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday said the mutiny by mercenary group Wagner had "weakened" Russian President Vladimir Putin, but the ultimate consequences of the rebellion still remained unclear.

The revolt by the mercenary group that took place past weekend, has triggered speculations over Putin's grip on power as Moscow's war in Ukraine grinds on.&nbsp;

In his first extensive comments about the aborted rebellion, Scholz said it would "surely have long-term consequences in Russia".&nbsp;

"I do believe that he (Putin) is weakened," Scholz told public broadcaster ARD.

"It shows that the autocratic structures, the power structures, have cracks and he in no way sits as firmly in the saddle as he always claims," the German leader said.

"But I don't want to take part in speculation about how long he'll stay in office, it could be a long time or short, we don't know."&nbsp;

Scholz then added that his country and the Western allies would be keeping a close watch on further developments on this.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-wished-to-wipe-out-wagner-chief-prigozhin-during-mutiny-claims-lukashenko-609677">Putin wished to ‘wipe out’ Wagner chief Prigozhin after mutiny, claims Lukashenko</a>

"Russia is a nuclear power, it is a very powerful country and that is why we have to watch very carefully when dangerous situations arise," he said.

<h2>Scholz reaffirms Berlin's support for Ukraine</h2>

Further reaffirming Berlin's support for Ukraine, Scholz highlighted that there could be no peace negotiations until Moscow withdrew its forces.

"Anything else would legitimise what's happened," he said. "And that is why it can't end up that the war is just frozen there where the line is between the various armies."

He said it was unclear whether the Wagner mutiny "would make it easier or harder" to end the war.

"That is why it is important for Ukraine to do its part to make it (a resolution) possible -- that is what it is trying to do with the current offensive."

Scholz said Western allies were "supporting Ukraine so it can defend itself" but stressed that "the goal of our support for Ukraine is not regime change in Russia".

On being asked about the potential risks posed by Wagner forces in Belarus, Scholz asserted that NATO would be closely monitoring the developments.

"Private armies are always threatening, even for the countries that maintain them -- Russia has now seen that," he told reporters.

Calling it a "situation that we are watching with great concern", Scholz said nevertheless that NATO was prepared to "defend every centimetre of its territory".

"At the same time, I am not currently expecting a change in the situation," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

 
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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday said the mutiny by mercenary group Wagner had "weakened" Russian President Vladimir Putin, but the ultimate consequences of the rebellion still remained unclear.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday said the mutiny by mercenary group Wagner had "weakened" Russian President Vladimir Putin, but the ultimate consequences of the rebellion still remained unclear. The revolt by the mercenary group that took place past weekend, has triggered speculations over Putin's grip on power as Moscow's war in Ukraine grinds on. In his first extensive comments about the aborted rebellion, Scholz said it would "surely have long-term consequences in Russia". "I do believe that he (Putin) is weakened," Scholz told public broadcaster ARD. "It shows that the autocratic structures, the power structures, have cracks and he in no way sits as firmly in the saddle as he always claims," the German leader said. "But I don't want to take part in speculation about how long he'll stay in office, it could be a long time or short, we don't know." Scholz then added that his country and the Western allies would be keeping a close watch on further developments on this. Also read: Putin wished to ‘wipe out’ Wagner chief Prigozhin after mutiny, claims Lukashenko "Russia is a nuclear power, it is a very powerful country and that is why we have to watch very carefully when dangerous situations arise," he said. Scholz reaffirms Berlin's support for Ukraine Further reaffirming Berlin's support for Ukraine, Scholz highlighted that there could be no peace negotiations until Moscow withdrew its forces. "Anything else would legitimise what's happened," he said. "And that is why it can't end up that the war is just frozen there where the line is between the various armies." He said it was unclear whether the Wagner mutiny "would make it easier or harder" to end the war. "That is why it is important for Ukraine to do its part to make it (a resolution) possible -- that is what it is trying to do with the current offensive." Scholz said Western allies were "supporting Ukraine so it can defend itself" but stressed that "the goal of our support for Ukraine is not regime change in Russia". On being asked about the potential risks posed by Wagner forces in Belarus, Scholz asserted that NATO would be closely monitoring the developments. "Private armies are always threatening, even for the countries that maintain them -- Russia has now seen that," he told reporters. Calling it a "situation that we are watching with great concern", Scholz said nevertheless that NATO was prepared to "defend every centimetre of its territory". "At the same time, I am not currently expecting a change in the situation," he said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says Russian President Putin 'weakened' by Wagner mutiny

President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday said Ukraine had arrested a person who was involved in the "terrorist attack" on a restaurant in Kramatorsk that claimed the lives of at least 11 people and injured another 60.

"Today, security services and police special forces arrested the person who coordinated this terrorist attack," Zelensky said in his nightly address.

"Whoever helps Russian terrorists to destroy lives deserves the maximum penalty," Zelensky said, adding that more people could still be trapped in the rubble.

Three children - including twin sisters - were among the 11 who lost their lives in the strike at the Ria Pizza restaurant in the eastern town of Kramatorsk on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-ukraine-iraq-mix-up-is-us-president-joe-bidens-latest-faux-pas-609819">WATCH | Ukraine-Iraq mix-up is US President Joe Biden's latest faux pas</a>

<h2>'We hit only military-linked targets,' says Russia</h2>

Kremlin on Wednesday released a statement saying that it only hit military-linked targets in Ukraine.&nbsp;

The Ria Pizza restaurant located in the eastern city of Kramatorsk is popular with military officials, journalists and aid workers, and it was busy with guests when the strike took place.&nbsp;

<h2>Ukraine's first lady condemns the attack</h2>

Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska condemned the attack in a post on Twitter. "Crowded place, evening - enemy do not want normal life in Ukraine," she tweeted. "There are a lot of wounded. It is painful," she added.

The city's mayor, Oleksandr Goncharenko, said the body of a boy was pulled from rubble Wednesday morning, without revealing his age. Kramatorsk's education department said in a statement, "It is with sadness and unbearable pain that we report the death of two Aksenchenko sisters, Yuliya and Anna, students of Kramatorsk Primary School No. 24."

President Zelensky had also released a statement condemning&nbsp;the missile strikes saying that S-300 missiles were used to carry out the deadly attacks.

"Exactly on the anniversary of the Russian terrorists' attack on Kremenchuk, on a shopping mall, where 22 people were killed, Russian savages again fired missiles at the Kremenchuk district," he said.

"Today, Russian terrorists also brutally shelled Kramatorsk... Unfortunately, there are killed and wounded. Assistance is being provided. The rubble is being cleared."

The rocket strikes hit a restaurant in the town of Kramatorsk, one of the largest still under Ukrainian control in the east, and is a popular eatery that is frequented by both journalists and soldiers.

As per Ukrainian police, Russia fired two S-300 surface-to-air missiles at the city. The S-300 is a surface-to-air missile that cannot hit targets on the ground accurately but has been repurposed for loosely targeted strikes on cities.&nbsp;

"There were a lot of people in there -- there are children under the rubble," said Yevgen, who had been dining with two friends at the Ria Pizza restaurant.

"We were just about to leave," he said, but one of his friends was not "under the rubble", he told AFP after the blast.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday said Ukraine had arrested a person who was involved in the "terrorist attack" on a restaurant in Kramatorsk that claimed the lives of at least 11 people and injured another 60.

President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday said Ukraine had arrested a person who was involved in the "terrorist attack" on a restaurant in Kramatorsk that claimed the lives of at least 11 people and injured another 60. "Today, security services and police special forces arrested the person who coordinated this terrorist attack," Zelensky said in his nightly address. "Whoever helps Russian terrorists to destroy lives deserves the maximum penalty," Zelensky said, adding that more people could still be trapped in the rubble. Three children - including twin sisters - were among the 11 who lost their lives in the strike at the Ria Pizza restaurant in the eastern town of Kramatorsk on Tuesday. Also read: WATCH | Ukraine-Iraq mix-up is US President Joe Biden's latest faux pas 'We hit only military-linked targets,' says Russia Kremlin on Wednesday released a statement saying that it only hit military-linked targets in Ukraine. The Ria Pizza restaurant located in the eastern city of Kramatorsk is popular with military officials, journalists and aid workers, and it was busy with guests when the strike took place. Ukraine's first lady condemns the attack Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska condemned the attack in a post on Twitter. "Crowded place, evening - enemy do not want normal life in Ukraine," she tweeted. "There are a lot of wounded. It is painful," she added. The city's mayor, Oleksandr Goncharenko, said the body of a boy was pulled from rubble Wednesday morning, without revealing his age. Kramatorsk's education department said in a statement, "It is with sadness and unbearable pain that we report the death of two Aksenchenko sisters, Yuliya and Anna, students of Kramatorsk Primary School No. 24." President Zelensky had also released a statement condemning the missile strikes saying that S-300 missiles were used to carry out the deadly attacks. "Exactly on the anniversary of the Russian terrorists' attack on Kremenchuk, on a shopping mall, where 22 people were killed, Russian savages again fired missiles at the Kremenchuk district," he said. "Today, Russian terrorists also brutally shelled Kramatorsk... Unfortunately, there are killed and wounded. Assistance is being provided. The rubble is being cleared." The rocket strikes hit a restaurant in the town of Kramatorsk, one of the largest still under Ukrainian control in the east, and is a popular eatery that is frequented by both journalists and soldiers. As per Ukrainian police, Russia fired two S-300 surface-to-air missiles at the city. The S-300 is a surface-to-air missile that cannot hit targets on the ground accurately but has been repurposed for loosely targeted strikes on cities. "There were a lot of people in there -- there are children under the rubble," said Yevgen, who had been dining with two friends at the Ria Pizza restaurant. "We were just about to leave," he said, but one of his friends was not "under the rubble", he told AFP after the blast. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Ukraine arrests person over attack on restaurant in Kramatorsk, says Zelensky

The US Coast Guard on Wednesday (June 28) said that the experts recovered "presumed human remains" from the wreckage of the Titan submersible that imploded during a dive into the Titanic shipwreck.

"United States medical professionals will conduct a formal analysis of presumed human remains that have been carefully recovered," the agency said in a statement after parts of the wreckage were unloaded in eastern Canada.

Earlier in the day, the recovered debris was offloaded in eastern Canada, bringing to an end a difficult search-and-recovery operation.

That debris will now be taken on board a US Coast Guard cutter to a US port for further analysis, the organisation said.

"There is still a substantial amount of work to be done to understand the factors that led to the catastrophic loss of the Titan and help ensure a similar tragedy does not occur again," said the leader of the US investigation into the tragedy, Captain Jason Neubauer.

<h2>Debris recovered from Titan submersible&nbsp;</h2>

Debris from the Titan submersible which imploded, killing all five on board, was recovered and returned to land by a Canadian-flagged ship. The sub operated by OceanGate Expeditions was on a voyage to see the century-old wreck of the Titanic earlier this month. It went missing soon thereafter, becoming a matter of global concern.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/titan-implosion-was-titanic-submersible-operated-with-a-video-game-controller-607717">Titan implosion: Was Titanic submersible operated with a video-game controller?</a>

A report by the news agency Reuters mentioned that a video from the Canadian Broadcast Corporation carried footage from the harbour, which showed the nose of the submersible and some other shattered fragments.&nbsp;

The pieces were wrapped in a white tarp and were seen being pulled up by a crane off the Horizon Arctic vessel at St John's Harbour in Newfoundland. Reports mentioned that twisted chunks of the 22-foot submersible were brought ashore.&nbsp;

Some experts have previously said that the recovery of the debris will be crucial in the investigation to find out what led to the tragic implosion of the submersible, which killed five passengers, including the company OceanGate's CEO Stockton Rush, besides Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, Hamish Harding, and Paul-Henri Nargeolet.&nbsp;

When the officials announced that the search and rescue mission for the passengers was ended and those on board were "sadly lost", it was said that five major pieces were detected amid the debris around the Titanic site. A nose cone, outside the pressure hull, and a larger debris field were among them.&nbsp;

Pelagic Research, which operates the robotic vehicle, said in a statement: "Our team has successfully completed off-shore operations, but is still on mission and will be in the process of demobilization from the Horizon Arctic this morning." It declined to comment further, citing confidentiality reasons.&nbsp;

The company also said that they have been working around the clock now for 10 days and are facing physical and mental challenges during this operation. They said they are also anxious to finish the mission and return to their loved ones.

Footage also showed a shattered part of the hull and machinery with dangling wires being taken off the ship at St. John's, where the expedition to the Titanic had set off from.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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The US Coast Guard on Wednesday (June 28) said that the experts recovered "presumed human remains" from the wreckage of the Titan submersible that imploded during a dive into the Titanic shipwreck.

The US Coast Guard on Wednesday (June 28) said that the experts recovered "presumed human remains" from the wreckage of the Titan submersible that imploded during a dive into the Titanic shipwreck. "United States medical professionals will conduct a formal analysis of presumed human remains that have been carefully recovered," the agency said in a statement after parts of the wreckage were unloaded in eastern Canada. Earlier in the day, the recovered debris was offloaded in eastern Canada, bringing to an end a difficult search-and-recovery operation. That debris will now be taken on board a US Coast Guard cutter to a US port for further analysis, the organisation said. "There is still a substantial amount of work to be done to understand the factors that led to the catastrophic loss of the Titan and help ensure a similar tragedy does not occur again," said the leader of the US investigation into the tragedy, Captain Jason Neubauer. Debris recovered from Titan submersible Debris from the Titan submersible which imploded, killing all five on board, was recovered and returned to land by a Canadian-flagged ship. The sub operated by OceanGate Expeditions was on a voyage to see the century-old wreck of the Titanic earlier this month. It went missing soon thereafter, becoming a matter of global concern. Also read: Titan implosion: Was Titanic submersible operated with a video-game controller? A report by the news agency Reuters mentioned that a video from the Canadian Broadcast Corporation carried footage from the harbour, which showed the nose of the submersible and some other shattered fragments. The pieces were wrapped in a white tarp and were seen being pulled up by a crane off the Horizon Arctic vessel at St John's Harbour in Newfoundland. Reports mentioned that twisted chunks of the 22-foot submersible were brought ashore. Some experts have previously said that the recovery of the debris will be crucial in the investigation to find out what led to the tragic implosion of the submersible, which killed five passengers, including the company OceanGate's CEO Stockton Rush, besides Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, Hamish Harding, and Paul-Henri Nargeolet. When the officials announced that the search and rescue mission for the passengers was ended and those on board were "sadly lost", it was said that five major pieces were detected amid the debris around the Titanic site. A nose cone, outside the pressure hull, and a larger debris field were among them. Pelagic Research, which operates the robotic vehicle, said in a statement: "Our team has successfully completed off-shore operations, but is still on mission and will be in the process of demobilization from the Horizon Arctic this morning." It declined to comment further, citing confidentiality reasons. The company also said that they have been working around the clock now for 10 days and are facing physical and mental challenges during this operation. They said they are also anxious to finish the mission and return to their loved ones. Footage also showed a shattered part of the hull and machinery with dangling wires being taken off the ship at St. John's, where the expedition to the Titanic had set off from. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Experts recover 'presumed human remains' from Titan sub wreckage

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