An employee of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in Pakistan was suspended after his video went viral where he was seen allegedly threatening a female security officer, who was Christian, with a case of blasphemy after a dispute broke out between the two of them on parking at the cargo area of Jinnah International Airport in Karachi.&nbsp;

A committee has been constituted by the CAA to investigate the matter. According to the incident's footage, the row started after the man was reprimanded by the female security officer for allowing a vehicle of an acquaintance to pass through security, without any vehicle pass.&nbsp;

ALSO READ|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-needs-8-billion-to-recover-from-devastating-floods-says-pm-sharif-at-un-conference-550730">Pakistan needs $8 billion to recover from devastating floods, says PM Sharif at UN conference</a>

The video of the brawl, which was viral on social media platforms, shows that the female official is being threatened by the man that if she didn't leave him alone, he will register a blasphemy case against her.&nbsp;

He is also seen threatening her, saying, “Call anyone you like If I get mad I will cut up into pieces…go away”. After the video went viral, the top leadership of the ruling party took notice of the video.&nbsp;

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خاتون اہلکار کیمطابق انہیں بطور مسیحی توہین رسالت کا الزام لگا کر ڈرایا جارہا ہے آصف علی زرداری نے معاملے کا سخت نوٹس لیا ہے <a href="https://t.co/4eYgcFWuzu">https://t.co/4eYgcFWuzu</a>
— Sanam Jamali🇵🇰 (@sana_J2) <a href="https://twitter.com/sana_J2/status/1611751243520557056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2023</a></blockquote>
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On Saturday, the official was suspended by the CAA. As per the CAA spokesperson's statement, on the directions of DG CAA, an inquiry committee was constituted, which will be led by the airport services director.

WATCH|&nbsp;Gravitas: Pakistan is heading for a civil war

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“The committee will hold its first meeting tomorrow (Tuesday). Both parties involved have been informed through letters,” the spokesperson said.&nbsp;

He added that the female security officer and the CAA official have been asked to present their stance in front of the committee. The Pakistan Ulema Council's Chairman Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, issuing a statement, criticised the incident, adding that “there can’t be a bigger form of terrorism than a person using religion and the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) name for his own ulterior motives”.

(With inputs from agencies)

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An employee of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in Pakistan was suspended after his video went viral where he was seen allegedly threatening a female security officer, who was Christian, with a case of blasphemy after a dispute broke out between the two of them on parking at the cargo area of Jinnah International Airport in Karachi.

An employee of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in Pakistan was suspended after his video went viral where he was seen allegedly threatening a female security officer, who was Christian, with a case of blasphemy after a dispute broke out between the two of them on parking at the cargo area of Jinnah International Airport in Karachi. A committee has been constituted by the CAA to investigate the matter. According to the incident's footage, the row started after the man was reprimanded by the female security officer for allowing a vehicle of an acquaintance to pass through security, without any vehicle pass. ALSO READ| Pakistan needs $8 billion to recover from devastating floods, says PM Sharif at UN conference The video of the brawl, which was viral on social media platforms, shows that the female official is being threatened by the man that if she didn't leave him alone, he will register a blasphemy case against her. He is also seen threatening her, saying, “Call anyone you like If I get mad I will cut up into pieces…go away”. After the video went viral, the top leadership of the ruling party took notice of the video. خاتون اہلکار کیمطابق انہیں بطور مسیحی توہین رسالت کا الزام لگا کر ڈرایا جارہا ہے آصف علی زرداری نے معاملے کا سخت نوٹس لیا ہے https://t.co/4eYgcFWuzu — Sanam Jamali🇵🇰 (@sana_J2) January 7, 2023 × On Saturday, the official was suspended by the CAA. As per the CAA spokesperson's statement, on the directions of DG CAA, an inquiry committee was constituted, which will be led by the airport services director. WATCH| Gravitas: Pakistan is heading for a civil war “The committee will hold its first meeting tomorrow (Tuesday). Both parties involved have been informed through letters,” the spokesperson said. He added that the female security officer and the CAA official have been asked to present their stance in front of the committee. The Pakistan Ulema Council's Chairman Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, issuing a statement, criticised the incident, adding that “there can’t be a bigger form of terrorism than a person using religion and the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) name for his own ulterior motives”. (With inputs from agencies)

WATCH| Pak CAA employee threatens Christian woman with blasphemy case, suspended

The Qatar royal family's rival members are fighting over the largest cut blue diamond of the world in London's High Court, as one party forcing for sale of an opulent 70-carat “Idol’s Eye” gemstone for an amount of $10 million.&nbsp;

The diamond, which was once owned by the Ottoman Empire's sultan, has been the issue of contention in the lawsuit filed by a conglomerate which Qatar's art collector Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah al-Thani runs, called Qipco.&nbsp;

In the case, the defendant is Elanus Holdings Limited, which is based in Guernsey and controlled by the late Sheikh Saud bin Mohammed al-Thani's heirs, who had led the acquisition of the extensive national art collection of Qatar.&nbsp;

Qipco, which is a private company that sponsors the UK’s Royal Ascot horse races, filed a case forcing Elanus to sell the diamond called “Idol's Eye” for a price of $10 million at least as per the terms of a 2014 contract signed between the entities.

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The lawsuit is based on the deal signed in May 2014 under which Elanus was supposed to hand over “Idol’s Eye” to Qipco as a loan for 20 years.&nbsp;

As per the agreement, Qipco has the right to purchase the jewel, if Elanus is willing to sell it. The price of the diamond would be $10 million or the average of the two valuations quoted by major auction houses, whichever figure is higher.&nbsp;

As per Qipco, Elanus is controlled by the family of the late Sheikh Saud through the Lichtenstein-registered Al-Thani Foundation.&nbsp;

WATCH|&nbsp;WION Climate Tracker: Rare tornado hits Qatar, moves across desert

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As per the lawsuit, in February 2020, Qipco was notified by Al-Thani Foundation's Swiss-based lawyer Dr Dieter Neupert, through a letter, that the family was willing to sell the “Idol’s Eye”.

However, the same month, Qipco was sent another mail saying they did not wish to sell it anymore.&nbsp;

In the email, Neupert wrote, “Due to the coronavirus, the Family does not want to sell,” he wrote.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Qatar royal family's rival members are fighting over the largest cut blue diamond of the world in London's High Court, as one party forcing for sale of an opulent 70-carat “Idol’s Eye” gemstone for an amount of $10 million.

The Qatar royal family's rival members are fighting over the largest cut blue diamond of the world in London's High Court, as one party forcing for sale of an opulent 70-carat “Idol’s Eye” gemstone for an amount of $10 million. The diamond, which was once owned by the Ottoman Empire's sultan, has been the issue of contention in the lawsuit filed by a conglomerate which Qatar's art collector Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah al-Thani runs, called Qipco. In the case, the defendant is Elanus Holdings Limited, which is based in Guernsey and controlled by the late Sheikh Saud bin Mohammed al-Thani's heirs, who had led the acquisition of the extensive national art collection of Qatar. Qipco, which is a private company that sponsors the UK’s Royal Ascot horse races, filed a case forcing Elanus to sell the diamond called “Idol's Eye” for a price of $10 million at least as per the terms of a 2014 contract signed between the entities. ALSO READ| Qatar corruption scandal: EU parliament to lift immunity of two MEPs The lawsuit is based on the deal signed in May 2014 under which Elanus was supposed to hand over “Idol’s Eye” to Qipco as a loan for 20 years. As per the agreement, Qipco has the right to purchase the jewel, if Elanus is willing to sell it. The price of the diamond would be $10 million or the average of the two valuations quoted by major auction houses, whichever figure is higher. As per Qipco, Elanus is controlled by the family of the late Sheikh Saud through the Lichtenstein-registered Al-Thani Foundation. WATCH| WION Climate Tracker: Rare tornado hits Qatar, moves across desert As per the lawsuit, in February 2020, Qipco was notified by Al-Thani Foundation's Swiss-based lawyer Dr Dieter Neupert, through a letter, that the family was willing to sell the “Idol’s Eye”. However, the same month, Qipco was sent another mail saying they did not wish to sell it anymore. In the email, Neupert wrote, “Due to the coronavirus, the Family does not want to sell,” he wrote. (With inputs from agencies)

Qatari royals battle over ‘Idol’s Eye’ diamond in London court

The third-most populous province of China, Henan, has reported around 90 per cent of its people getting infected by a coronavirus, as per a local health official. In other news, Brazil's presidential palace, Supreme Court and Congress faced an attack by supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro on Sunday, as the world was reminded of the US Capitol attack in 2021. Also, 7,000 nurses walked out of two New York City hospitals on Monday after failed negotiation talks.&nbsp;

Click on the links to read the full report&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/90-of-chinas-third-most-populous-henan-province-infected-with-covid-says-health-official-550765">90% of China’s third-most populous Henan province infected with Covid, says health official</a> 
<img alt="China" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="862f7ce8-9ff1-4b0d-81f0-0eaf5e24fc03" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-01-09T210018.223.png" />

China’s third-most populous province, Henan, is struggling to keep Covid cases in check as around 90 per cent of the population has been infected with the virus, a local health official said.

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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazils-presidential-palace-congress-supreme-court-attacked-by-bolsonaros-supporters-550573"><img alt="Brazil" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d3f4652d-a26c-445f-b17b-1bf524f691e9" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-01-09T210038.319.png" /></a>

In a repeat of what the US witnessed following Joe Biden's election as President in 2021, Brazil's Congress, presidential palace and Supreme Court were under attack from former president Jair Bolsonaro's supporters Sunday.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-7000-nurses-stage-walkout-at-two-new-york-city-hospitals-after-negotiations-fail-550762">More than 7,000 nurses stage walkout at two New York City hospitals after wage negotiations fail</a>

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Around 7,000 nurses staged a walk-out at two main New York City hospitals around 6 am (local time) on Monday after negotiation talks to avert a strike failed overnight.&nbsp;

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The separatist forces, supported by Russia, present in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region on Monday said that a village has been seized by Russian forces near the important city of Bakhmut.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-ministers-meet-trade-unions-to-end-wave-of-strikes-over-higher-pay-550799">UK to face more strikes after talks between unions and ministers fail</a>

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Strikes are set to continue in the United Kingdom by workers and nurses demanding higher wage after meeting between trade unions and ministers failed on Monday which were aimed at ending stoppages across sectors from transport to healthcare. &nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/suez-canal-maritime-traffic-normal-after-officials-refloat-stuck-cargo-vessel-550701">Suez Canal maritime traffic 'normal' after officials refloat stuck cargo vessel</a>

<img alt="suez" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="23786885-fbed-4bff-8ff3-fabb16707c71" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-01-09T210211.390.png" />

The maritime traffic of the Suez Canal returned to "normal" on Monday after a cargo vessel filled with Ukrainian grain ran aground but was later refloated and then the vessel was towed away, the Egyptian authority, which runs the waterway, said.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-reaches-mexico-following-strategic-stop-at-us-mexico-border-as-immigration-takes-centrestage-550585">Biden reaches Mexico following strategic stop at US-Mexico border as immigration takes centrestage</a> 
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US President Joe Biden arrived in Mexico City on Sunday ahead of the North American Leaders' Summit in Mexico and received a red-carpet welcome from Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. He then joined Biden in his armoured limousine for the journey from the airport.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/middle-east/ben-gvir-orders-israeli-police-to-remove-palestinian-flags-from-public-spaces-550580">Ben-Gvir orders Israeli police to remove Palestinian flags from public spaces</a>

<img alt="Palestine" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d64f0880-9004-44b8-b07b-1afcf883c05f" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-01-09T210247.892.png" />

Israel's police has been instructed to remove Palestinian flags from public spaces by the country's new far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. The minister informed the media about the same on Sunday. Ben-Gvir heads an ultranationalist party in Benjamin Netanyahu's new government and as minister oversees the police.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-needs-8-billion-to-recover-from-devastating-floods-says-pm-sharif-at-un-conference-550730">Pakistan needs $8 billion to recover from devastating floods, says PM Sharif at UN conference</a>

<img alt="Pak" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7b7260e1-f558-4bd8-9f36-0c004217b66a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-01-09T210306.723.png" />

Pakistan requires $8 billion from its global allies in the next three years to recover from the devastating 2022 floods. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif proposed the bailout plan in Geneva on Monday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-again-holds-combat-drills-around-taiwan-taipei-slams-beijing-550660">China again holds combat drills around Taiwan, Taipei slams Beijing</a>

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China has conducted another round of military combat drills around Taiwan, the Eastern Theatre Command of the People's Liberation Army said in a statement late Sunday. The body said that its forces held "joint combat readiness patrols and actual combat drills" in the sea and airspace around Taiwan, focused on land strikes and sea assaults

The third-most populous province of China, Henan, has reported around 90 per cent of its people getting infected by a coronavirus, as per a local health official.

The third-most populous province of China, Henan, has reported around 90 per cent of its people getting infected by a coronavirus, as per a local health official. In other news, Brazil's presidential palace, Supreme Court and Congress faced an attack by supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro on Sunday, as the world was reminded of the US Capitol attack in 2021. Also, 7,000 nurses walked out of two New York City hospitals on Monday after failed negotiation talks. Click on the links to read the full report 90% of China’s third-most populous Henan province infected with Covid, says health official China’s third-most populous province, Henan, is struggling to keep Covid cases in check as around 90 per cent of the population has been infected with the virus, a local health official said. Brazilian authorities begin probe into the worst attack on the country's institutions In a repeat of what the US witnessed following Joe Biden's election as President in 2021, Brazil's Congress, presidential palace and Supreme Court were under attack from former president Jair Bolsonaro's supporters Sunday. More than 7,000 nurses stage walkout at two New York City hospitals after wage negotiations fail Around 7,000 nurses staged a walk-out at two main New York City hospitals around 6 am (local time) on Monday after negotiation talks to avert a strike failed overnight. Village in east Ukraine near Bakhmut captured by Russia, claim separatists The separatist forces, supported by Russia, present in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region on Monday said that a village has been seized by Russian forces near the important city of Bakhmut. UK to face more strikes after talks between unions and ministers fail Strikes are set to continue in the United Kingdom by workers and nurses demanding higher wage after meeting between trade unions and ministers failed on Monday which were aimed at ending stoppages across sectors from transport to healthcare. Suez Canal maritime traffic 'normal' after officials refloat stuck cargo vessel The maritime traffic of the Suez Canal returned to "normal" on Monday after a cargo vessel filled with Ukrainian grain ran aground but was later refloated and then the vessel was towed away, the Egyptian authority, which runs the waterway, said. Biden reaches Mexico following strategic stop at US-Mexico border as immigration takes centrestage US President Joe Biden arrived in Mexico City on Sunday ahead of the North American Leaders' Summit in Mexico and received a red-carpet welcome from Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. He then joined Biden in his armoured limousine for the journey from the airport. Ben-Gvir orders Israeli police to remove Palestinian flags from public spaces Israel's police has been instructed to remove Palestinian flags from public spaces by the country's new far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. The minister informed the media about the same on Sunday. Ben-Gvir heads an ultranationalist party in Benjamin Netanyahu's new government and as minister oversees the police. Pakistan needs $8 billion to recover from devastating floods, says PM Sharif at UN conference Pakistan requires $8 billion from its global allies in the next three years to recover from the devastating 2022 floods. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif proposed the bailout plan in Geneva on Monday. China again holds combat drills around Taiwan, Taipei slams Beijing China has conducted another round of military combat drills around Taiwan, the Eastern Theatre Command of the People's Liberation Army said in a statement late Sunday. The body said that its forces held "joint combat readiness patrols and actual combat drills" in the sea and airspace around Taiwan, focused on land strikes and sea assaults

Top 10 world news: Covid wave in Chinese province, attack on Brazil's Congress, & more

Strikes are set to continue in the United Kingdom by workers and nurses demanding higher wage after meeting between trade unions and ministers failed on Monday which were aimed at ending stoppages across sectors from transport to healthcare. &nbsp;

On Wednesday, as planned around 10,000 ambulance workers will walk out, said the GMB union in a statement after meeting with Health Minister Steve Barclay did not result in a breakthrough.

"There was some engagement on pay - but not a concrete offer that could help resolve this dispute and make significant progress," said GMB national secretary Rachel Harrison.&nbsp;

In the view of pay increase failing to match with double-digit inflation, ambulance staff, rail workers and nurses have staged walkouts, and teachers are voting over the action.

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Teaching unions, which will be announcing the strike ballots' result later this week, met with the education minister, while the unions representing nurses and ambulance workers held talks with the health minister. Meanwhile, the rail unions will hold talks with the transport minister.

The RCN, which represents the nurses, termed the talks with Barclay "bitterly disappointing". It added that there was a long way to go if ministers wished to stop strikes of nurses scheduled on January 18 and 19.&nbsp;

Unions Unite and Unison, which represent the health workers, slammed the approach of the government. Unite trade union national lead officer Onay Kasab, after holding a meeting with health minister Steve Barclay, said that the government clearly expressed its wish to discuss productivity savings in exchange for further pay awards.

"We're talking about people who are working well beyond their contracted hours anyway, just to get the job done. Today is an insult to our members,” he said.&nbsp;

WATCH| UK: PM Rishi Sunak holds emergency meet to address health service issues

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The unions have announced that the strikes will be called off only if offers are made to resolve pay disputes of this year, as the government plans to focus on the increase in wages in the next financial year.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday said the talks being held between trade unions and ministers were a "positive development".

''I'm really pleased that union leaders accepted ministers' invitations to come in today to have discussions across the board, and that's a really positive development. And on pay, we've always said that the government is happy to talk about pay demands and pay issues that are anchored in what's reasonable, what's responsible, what's affordable for the country. But the most important thing is those talks are happening and let's try and sit down and find a way through,” said Sunak.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Strikes are set to continue in the United Kingdom by workers and nurses demanding higher wage after meeting between trade unions and ministers failed on Monday which were aimed at ending stoppages across sectors from transport to healthcare.

Strikes are set to continue in the United Kingdom by workers and nurses demanding higher wage after meeting between trade unions and ministers failed on Monday which were aimed at ending stoppages across sectors from transport to healthcare. On Wednesday, as planned around 10,000 ambulance workers will walk out, said the GMB union in a statement after meeting with Health Minister Steve Barclay did not result in a breakthrough. "There was some engagement on pay - but not a concrete offer that could help resolve this dispute and make significant progress," said GMB national secretary Rachel Harrison. In the view of pay increase failing to match with double-digit inflation, ambulance staff, rail workers and nurses have staged walkouts, and teachers are voting over the action. ALSO READ| UK, Netherlands to host global meet in March on alleged war crimes in Ukraine Teaching unions, which will be announcing the strike ballots' result later this week, met with the education minister, while the unions representing nurses and ambulance workers held talks with the health minister. Meanwhile, the rail unions will hold talks with the transport minister. The RCN, which represents the nurses, termed the talks with Barclay "bitterly disappointing". It added that there was a long way to go if ministers wished to stop strikes of nurses scheduled on January 18 and 19. Unions Unite and Unison, which represent the health workers, slammed the approach of the government. Unite trade union national lead officer Onay Kasab, after holding a meeting with health minister Steve Barclay, said that the government clearly expressed its wish to discuss productivity savings in exchange for further pay awards. "We're talking about people who are working well beyond their contracted hours anyway, just to get the job done. Today is an insult to our members,” he said. WATCH| UK: PM Rishi Sunak holds emergency meet to address health service issues The unions have announced that the strikes will be called off only if offers are made to resolve pay disputes of this year, as the government plans to focus on the increase in wages in the next financial year. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday said the talks being held between trade unions and ministers were a "positive development". ''I'm really pleased that union leaders accepted ministers' invitations to come in today to have discussions across the board, and that's a really positive development. And on pay, we've always said that the government is happy to talk about pay demands and pay issues that are anchored in what's reasonable, what's responsible, what's affordable for the country. But the most important thing is those talks are happening and let's try and sit down and find a way through,” said Sunak. (With inputs from agencies)

UK to face more strikes after talks between unions and ministers fail

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.&nbsp;

The separatist forces, supported by Russia, present in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region on Monday said that a village has been seized by Russian forces near the important city of Bakhmut.&nbsp;

The village of Bakhmutske in "the territory of the Donetsk People's Republic was liberated by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation," said a statement released on Telegram by the separatist authorities on Monday.&nbsp;

Responding to the report, the mercenary group Wagner, which is associated with Kremlin, issued a statement on social media saying that Bakhmutske was already "liberated" by its forces last month.

Founder of Wagner Yevgeny Prigozhin separately clarified on social media that the group's units were “exclusively” storming Soledar.&nbsp;

ALSO READ| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-war-russia-conducts-retaliatory-strike-in-kramatorsk-for-makiivka-attack-550503">Ukraine war: Russia claims it killed over '600 Ukrainian servicemen' in 'retaliatory strike' in Kramatorsk</a>

In his evening address delivered on Sunday, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the area between Soledar and Bakhmut is "one of the bloodiest places on the front".&nbsp;

Supply of arms by West will prolong Ukraine's suffering, claims Kremlin&nbsp;

On Monday, the Kremlin claimed that the supply of arms and weapons from Western countries, which include light tanks, will only increase the suffering of Ukrainians.&nbsp;

WATCH| Russia-Ukraine War: US warns of acute threats from Russia

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"Fundamentally, these deliveries cannot and will not change anything... (they) can only prolong the suffering of the Ukrainian people," said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, while responding to the decision of France to supply armoured vehicles to Ukraine.&nbsp;

The Kremlin said that Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin remain in contact. Peskov said the world leaders have been in contact which has been "very useful, despite deep differences."

(With inputs from agencies)

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. The separatist forces, supported by Russia, present in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region on Monday said that a village has been seized by Russian forces near the important city of Bakhmut. The village of Bakhmutske in "the territory of the Donetsk People's Republic was liberated by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation," said a statement released on Telegram by the separatist authorities on Monday. Responding to the report, the mercenary group Wagner, which is associated with Kremlin, issued a statement on social media saying that Bakhmutske was already "liberated" by its forces last month. Founder of Wagner Yevgeny Prigozhin separately clarified on social media that the group's units were “exclusively” storming Soledar. ALSO READ| Ukraine war: Russia claims it killed over '600 Ukrainian servicemen' in 'retaliatory strike' in Kramatorsk In his evening address delivered on Sunday, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the area between Soledar and Bakhmut is "one of the bloodiest places on the front". Supply of arms by West will prolong Ukraine's suffering, claims Kremlin On Monday, the Kremlin claimed that the supply of arms and weapons from Western countries, which include light tanks, will only increase the suffering of Ukrainians. WATCH| Russia-Ukraine War: US warns of acute threats from Russia "Fundamentally, these deliveries cannot and will not change anything... (they) can only prolong the suffering of the Ukrainian people," said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, while responding to the decision of France to supply armoured vehicles to Ukraine. The Kremlin said that Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin remain in contact. Peskov said the world leaders have been in contact which has been "very useful, despite deep differences." (With inputs from agencies)

Village in east Ukraine near Bakhmut captured by Russia, claim separatists

Around 7,000 nurses staged a walk-out at two main New York City hospitals around 6 am (local time) on Monday after negotiation talks to avert a strike failed overnight.&nbsp;

Tentative deals were finalised in a few hospitals, which included new agreements reached on Sunday evening. However, the officials failed to finalise talks at Mount Sinai hospital located in Manhattan and at the Montefiore Medical Centre in the Bronx.&nbsp;

“After bargaining late into the night at Montefiore and Mount Sinai Hospital yesterday, no tentative agreements were reached. Today, more than 7,000 nurses at two hospitals are on strike for fair contracts that improve patient care,” said the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), in a statement, on Monday.&nbsp;

On Monday morning, the two hospitals confirmed that they failed to reach an agreement.

ALSO READ|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hundreds-of-journalists-other-employees-of-new-york-times-announce-24-hour-walkout-over-wage-dispute-541195">Journalists, other employees of New York Times strike en masse for first time in 40 years</a>

“NYSNA leadership walked out of negotiations shortly after 1 am ET, refusing to accept the exact same 19.1 per cent increased wage offer agreed to by eight other hospitals, including two other Mount Sinai Health System campuses, and disregarding the governor’s solution to avoid a strike,” said Lucia Lee, Mount Sinai's spokesperson, in a statement to CNN.&nbsp;

Montefiore Medical Centre called it “a sad day for New York City.”

“Despite Montefiore’s offer of a 19.1 per cent compounded wage increase — the same offer agreed to at the wealthiest of our peer institutions — and a commitment to create over 170 new nursing positions … NYSNA’s leadership has decided to walk away from the bedsides of their patients,” said the medical centre in its statement.&nbsp;

Tentative agreements&nbsp;

The nurses went on strike after the union reached tentative agreements with other two hospitals, Mount Sinai Morningside and Mount Sinai West, on Sunday.&nbsp;

"Today, Mount Sinai West and Mount Sinai Morningside reached a settlement, subject to ratification, with NYSNA union leadership and NYSNA has rescinded its strike notice at those sites. This agreement includes the identical 19.1 per cent wage increases in agreements that have already been accepted by six other hospitals, and officially ratified by NewYork-Presbyterian and Maimonides,” said NYSNA in a statement.&nbsp;

The demand of the union

Although the union finalised the tentative agreement on the same raises that other hospitals offered, it failed to enter an agreement with Montefiore and Mount Sinai because it said the main issue is nurses are overworked and feeling burnout.&nbsp;

In a press conference on Sunday, NYSNA President Nancy Hagans said, “The No. 1 issue is the crisis of understaffing. We need management to come to the table and provide better staffing.”&nbsp;

Montefiore's emergency room, where 3,476 members of the union work “is often so overcrowded that patients are admitted in beds in a hallway instead of hospital rooms,” said Hagans.&nbsp; 
“We are here to negotiate in good faith, to make sure that the nurses have enough resources to care for the patients. It's not up to the nurses. It's up to the bosses to sit there and come up with a fair contract for so our nurses could continue to care for our patients," Hagans said in Sunday's press conference,” he added.&nbsp;

Hagans said that there are 760 nursing vacancies in Montefiore, adding that “too often one nurse in the emergency department is responsible for 20 patients instead of the standard of three patients”.&nbsp;

The union insisted that they are holding a strike to improve the quality of patient care.

“Going into the hospital to get the care you need is NOT crossing our strike line. Patients should seek hospital care immediately if they need it. We would rather be the ones providing that care, but our bosses have pushed us to be out here instead,” the union said in the statement.&nbsp;

WATCH| New York governor declares state disaster emergency amid circulating polio virus

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Hospitals prepare for strike&nbsp;

Preparations have been made by the hospitals to face the strike of the nurses union after they gave notice of their plan 10 days earlier.

The hospitals, hit by the strike, have planned to hire temporary “travelling” nurses and have started transferring patients.&nbsp;

A notice was released by Montefiore asking nurses how they should quit the union and stay in their jobs if they wish to continue taking care of their patients.&nbsp;

Mount Sinai transferred the infants, admitted to their hospital, in the neonatal intensive care unit. Meanwhile, hospitals that are likely to face a strike have taken steps to postpone a few elective procedures.

(With inputs from agencies)

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Around 7,000 nurses staged a walk-out at two main New York City hospitals around 6 am (local time) on Monday after negotiation talks to avert a strike failed overnight.

Around 7,000 nurses staged a walk-out at two main New York City hospitals around 6 am (local time) on Monday after negotiation talks to avert a strike failed overnight. Tentative deals were finalised in a few hospitals, which included new agreements reached on Sunday evening. However, the officials failed to finalise talks at Mount Sinai hospital located in Manhattan and at the Montefiore Medical Centre in the Bronx. “After bargaining late into the night at Montefiore and Mount Sinai Hospital yesterday, no tentative agreements were reached. Today, more than 7,000 nurses at two hospitals are on strike for fair contracts that improve patient care,” said the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), in a statement, on Monday. On Monday morning, the two hospitals confirmed that they failed to reach an agreement. ALSO READ| Journalists, other employees of New York Times strike en masse for first time in 40 years “NYSNA leadership walked out of negotiations shortly after 1 am ET, refusing to accept the exact same 19.1 per cent increased wage offer agreed to by eight other hospitals, including two other Mount Sinai Health System campuses, and disregarding the governor’s solution to avoid a strike,” said Lucia Lee, Mount Sinai's spokesperson, in a statement to CNN. Montefiore Medical Centre called it “a sad day for New York City.” “Despite Montefiore’s offer of a 19.1 per cent compounded wage increase — the same offer agreed to at the wealthiest of our peer institutions — and a commitment to create over 170 new nursing positions … NYSNA’s leadership has decided to walk away from the bedsides of their patients,” said the medical centre in its statement. Tentative agreements The nurses went on strike after the union reached tentative agreements with other two hospitals, Mount Sinai Morningside and Mount Sinai West, on Sunday. "Today, Mount Sinai West and Mount Sinai Morningside reached a settlement, subject to ratification, with NYSNA union leadership and NYSNA has rescinded its strike notice at those sites. This agreement includes the identical 19.1 per cent wage increases in agreements that have already been accepted by six other hospitals, and officially ratified by NewYork-Presbyterian and Maimonides,” said NYSNA in a statement. The demand of the union Although the union finalised the tentative agreement on the same raises that other hospitals offered, it failed to enter an agreement with Montefiore and Mount Sinai because it said the main issue is nurses are overworked and feeling burnout. In a press conference on Sunday, NYSNA President Nancy Hagans said, “The No. 1 issue is the crisis of understaffing. We need management to come to the table and provide better staffing.” Montefiore's emergency room, where 3,476 members of the union work “is often so overcrowded that patients are admitted in beds in a hallway instead of hospital rooms,” said Hagans. “We are here to negotiate in good faith, to make sure that the nurses have enough resources to care for the patients. It's not up to the nurses. It's up to the bosses to sit there and come up with a fair contract for so our nurses could continue to care for our patients," Hagans said in Sunday's press conference,” he added. Hagans said that there are 760 nursing vacancies in Montefiore, adding that “too often one nurse in the emergency department is responsible for 20 patients instead of the standard of three patients”. The union insisted that they are holding a strike to improve the quality of patient care. “Going into the hospital to get the care you need is NOT crossing our strike line. Patients should seek hospital care immediately if they need it. We would rather be the ones providing that care, but our bosses have pushed us to be out here instead,” the union said in the statement. WATCH| New York governor declares state disaster emergency amid circulating polio virus Hospitals prepare for strike Preparations have been made by the hospitals to face the strike of the nurses union after they gave notice of their plan 10 days earlier. The hospitals, hit by the strike, have planned to hire temporary “travelling” nurses and have started transferring patients. A notice was released by Montefiore asking nurses how they should quit the union and stay in their jobs if they wish to continue taking care of their patients. Mount Sinai transferred the infants, admitted to their hospital, in the neonatal intensive care unit. Meanwhile, hospitals that are likely to face a strike have taken steps to postpone a few elective procedures. (With inputs from agencies)

More than 7,000 nurses stage walkout at two New York City hospitals after wage negotiations fail

The maritime traffic of the Suez Canal returned to "normal" on Monday after a cargo vessel filled with Ukrainian grain&nbsp;ran aground but was later refloated and then the vessel was towed away, the Egyptian authority, which runs the waterway, said.&nbsp;

The incident, which involved the 225-metre-long Marshall Islands-flagged M/V Glory, briefly created fears that the canal may face blockage similar to the one it faced in 2021 when the giant container ship Ever Given was stuck diagonally in the canal.&nbsp;

ALSO READ|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/suez-canal-blocked-once-again-as-crude-oil-tanker-called-affinity-v-gets-stuck-511986">Suez Canal blocked again as Saudi Arabia-bound crude oil tanker Affinity V gets stuck, clogs traffic</a>

The man-made waterway, which linked Europe and Asia, was closed for a week which cost billions of dollars due to delays in shipping, and the Suez Canal Authority's employee also lost his life in the operation.

On Monday, SCA chief Osama Rabie gave the all-clear when he stated "traffic is moving normally on the Suez Canal" after the officials had "mobilised four tugboats to tow the ship”, helping the vessel to resume its sail through the canal.

"The canal is on track to register 51 vessels passing in both directions Monday," the chief, said in a statement. The smooth flow of traffic through the Suez Canal is important for Egypt, which is currently facing an economic crisis.&nbsp;

WATCH|&nbsp;Suez Canal Crisis: 'Ever Given' remains stuck for sixth day

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The canal, which is used for carrying out 10% of maritime trade in the world, is among the major sources of Egypt's foreign currency revenue, adding more than $7 billion a year.&nbsp;

A project to deepen and widen the canal's southern section was approved by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi after the Ever Given was stuck.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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The maritime traffic of the Suez Canal returned to "normal" on Monday after a cargo vessel filled with Ukrainian grain ran aground but was later refloated and then the vessel was towed away, the Egyptian authority, which runs the waterway, said.

The maritime traffic of the Suez Canal returned to "normal" on Monday after a cargo vessel filled with Ukrainian grain ran aground but was later refloated and then the vessel was towed away, the Egyptian authority, which runs the waterway, said. The incident, which involved the 225-metre-long Marshall Islands-flagged M/V Glory, briefly created fears that the canal may face blockage similar to the one it faced in 2021 when the giant container ship Ever Given was stuck diagonally in the canal. ALSO READ| Suez Canal blocked again as Saudi Arabia-bound crude oil tanker Affinity V gets stuck, clogs traffic The man-made waterway, which linked Europe and Asia, was closed for a week which cost billions of dollars due to delays in shipping, and the Suez Canal Authority's employee also lost his life in the operation. On Monday, SCA chief Osama Rabie gave the all-clear when he stated "traffic is moving normally on the Suez Canal" after the officials had "mobilised four tugboats to tow the ship”, helping the vessel to resume its sail through the canal. "The canal is on track to register 51 vessels passing in both directions Monday," the chief, said in a statement. The smooth flow of traffic through the Suez Canal is important for Egypt, which is currently facing an economic crisis. WATCH| Suez Canal Crisis: 'Ever Given' remains stuck for sixth day The canal, which is used for carrying out 10% of maritime trade in the world, is among the major sources of Egypt's foreign currency revenue, adding more than $7 billion a year. A project to deepen and widen the canal's southern section was approved by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi after the Ever Given was stuck. (With inputs from agencies)

Suez Canal maritime traffic 'normal' after officials refloat stuck cargo vessel

Ever imagined snowy Delhi and Kolkata? See stunning pictures as AI makes the magic happen!

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) premier R&amp;D facility is creating “rat cyborgs” which will help in security forces' recovery operations and intelligence surveillance, said an official.&nbsp;

A team of DRDO's Young Scientist Laboratory is working on these rat cyborgs which will have cameras placed on the head and electronic commands will be used to guide them using semi-invasive brain electrodes, said DRDO’s Young Scientist Laboratory (DYSL-AT) Director, P Shiva Prasad, after the World Science Congress' session.&nbsp;

“This is the first time India had engaged in developing such technology. Some foreign nations already have it. It will help armed forces in Intelligence Surveillance and Recovery (ISR) operations. Phase 1 trials, in which the rat will be controlled through commands of the operator, are underway,” Prasad said.

ALSO READ| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/explained-fda-approves-new-alzheimers-drug-for-early-stages-patients-but-what-are-its-safety-concerns-550546">Explained: FDA approves new Alzheimer's drug for early-stages patients, but what are its safety concerns?</a>

“In Phase 2, scientists can actually feed images into the camera mounted on the head for the rat cyborg to find. An example of its use could be a situation like the 26/11 terror attack in which more than 200 rooms of a hotel had to be searched,” he added.

He explained that remote-controlled robots, which engage in ISR operations, face manoeuvrability issues like entering narrow spaces and climbing walls.&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

He added that rats have more endurance for such tasks and scientists know how to encourage them by offering incentives based on food for missions.&nbsp;

WATCH| WION Fineprint | Scientists create human-rat hybrid brain!

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-fineprint-scientists-create-human-rat-hybrid-brain-525196/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

“In Phase 1, the electrodes will need to be implanted in the brain of the rats, while in Phase 2, we will go for wireless transmission. We have used three to four rats for the lab tests,” Prasad said.

(With inputs from agencies)

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) premier R&D facility is creating “rat cyborgs” which will help in security forces' recovery operations and intelligence surveillance, said an official.

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) premier R&D facility is creating “rat cyborgs” which will help in security forces' recovery operations and intelligence surveillance, said an official. A team of DRDO's Young Scientist Laboratory is working on these rat cyborgs which will have cameras placed on the head and electronic commands will be used to guide them using semi-invasive brain electrodes, said DRDO’s Young Scientist Laboratory (DYSL-AT) Director, P Shiva Prasad, after the World Science Congress' session. “This is the first time India had engaged in developing such technology. Some foreign nations already have it. It will help armed forces in Intelligence Surveillance and Recovery (ISR) operations. Phase 1 trials, in which the rat will be controlled through commands of the operator, are underway,” Prasad said. ALSO READ| Explained: FDA approves new Alzheimer's drug for early-stages patients, but what are its safety concerns? “In Phase 2, scientists can actually feed images into the camera mounted on the head for the rat cyborg to find. An example of its use could be a situation like the 26/11 terror attack in which more than 200 rooms of a hotel had to be searched,” he added. He explained that remote-controlled robots, which engage in ISR operations, face manoeuvrability issues like entering narrow spaces and climbing walls. He added that rats have more endurance for such tasks and scientists know how to encourage them by offering incentives based on food for missions. WATCH| WION Fineprint | Scientists create human-rat hybrid brain! “In Phase 1, the electrodes will need to be implanted in the brain of the rats, while in Phase 2, we will go for wireless transmission. We have used three to four rats for the lab tests,” Prasad said. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian scientists create ‘rat cyborgs’ for security forces' intelligence surveillance

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Sunday said that the government's request to deploy around 1,000 army personnel and police to Kosovo after clashes between the authorities in Kosovo and Serbs was declined by NATO's mission in Kosovo, KFOR.&nbsp;

In 2008, Kosovo declared independence from Serbia to protect Albanians after the 1998-1999 war during which rump-Yugoslavia, which included Montenegro and Serbia, was bombed by NATO.&nbsp;

ALSO READ|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kosovo-pm-kurti-submits-a-formal-application-to-join-european-union-543424">Kosovo PM Albin Kurti submits a formal application to join European Union</a> 
 
"They (KFOR) replied they consider that there is no need for the return of the Serbian army to Kosovo ... citing the United Nations resolution approving their mandate in Kosovo," said Serbian President Vucic during an interview with the private Pink television.&nbsp;

Serbia requests deployment of troops

Last month, after the war ended, Serbia for the first requested for deployment of military troops in Kosovo after the clashes broke out between Serbs and Kosovo authorities in the northern region, where the former constitute a majority.&nbsp;

The resolution of the UN Security Council resolution says that Serbia should be allowed, if KFOR approves, to deploy its military personnel at the Orthodox Christian religious sites, border crossings and areas where Serbs are present in the majority.&nbsp;

Vucic slammed KFOR for informing about its decision to the Serbian government on the eve of Orthodox Christmas after an off-duty soldier was arrested by Kosovo police for allegedly shooting and hurting two Serbs, who were aged 11 and 21, in the southern town of Shterpce.&nbsp;

Police said that the victims were admitted to the hospital and they did not suffer any life-threatening injuries. The incident was condemned by Kosovo authorities which further escalated tensions.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Kosovo accuses Serbia of supporting Serbs

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Thousands of Serbs protest peacefully in Shterpce&nbsp;

Thousands of Serbs gathered on Sunday to peacefully protest in Shterpce against what they termed as "violence against Serbs".&nbsp;

Head of the Serb List, Kosovo's main Serb party, Goran Rakic, alleged that Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti of making efforts to drive out Serbs.

"His goal is to create such conditions so that Serbs leave their homes. My message is that we must not surrender,” Rakic said.&nbsp;

As per the Serbian media report, another man was allegedly attacked by Albanians on Saturday. The media in Pristina claimed that a Kosovo bus going, that was travelling via Serbia to Germany, was attacked and rocks were used to break its windscreen on the same day.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Sunday said that the government's request to deploy around 1,000 army personnel and police to Kosovo after clashes between the authorities in Kosovo and Serbs was declined by NATO's mission in Kosovo, KFOR.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Sunday said that the government's request to deploy around 1,000 army personnel and police to Kosovo after clashes between the authorities in Kosovo and Serbs was declined by NATO's mission in Kosovo, KFOR. In 2008, Kosovo declared independence from Serbia to protect Albanians after the 1998-1999 war during which rump-Yugoslavia, which included Montenegro and Serbia, was bombed by NATO. ALSO READ| Kosovo PM Albin Kurti submits a formal application to join European Union "They (KFOR) replied they consider that there is no need for the return of the Serbian army to Kosovo ... citing the United Nations resolution approving their mandate in Kosovo," said Serbian President Vucic during an interview with the private Pink television. Serbia requests deployment of troops Last month, after the war ended, Serbia for the first requested for deployment of military troops in Kosovo after the clashes broke out between Serbs and Kosovo authorities in the northern region, where the former constitute a majority. The resolution of the UN Security Council resolution says that Serbia should be allowed, if KFOR approves, to deploy its military personnel at the Orthodox Christian religious sites, border crossings and areas where Serbs are present in the majority. Vucic slammed KFOR for informing about its decision to the Serbian government on the eve of Orthodox Christmas after an off-duty soldier was arrested by Kosovo police for allegedly shooting and hurting two Serbs, who were aged 11 and 21, in the southern town of Shterpce. Police said that the victims were admitted to the hospital and they did not suffer any life-threatening injuries. The incident was condemned by Kosovo authorities which further escalated tensions. WATCH | Kosovo accuses Serbia of supporting Serbs Thousands of Serbs protest peacefully in Shterpce Thousands of Serbs gathered on Sunday to peacefully protest in Shterpce against what they termed as "violence against Serbs". Head of the Serb List, Kosovo's main Serb party, Goran Rakic, alleged that Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti of making efforts to drive out Serbs. "His goal is to create such conditions so that Serbs leave their homes. My message is that we must not surrender,” Rakic said. As per the Serbian media report, another man was allegedly attacked by Albanians on Saturday. The media in Pristina claimed that a Kosovo bus going, that was travelling via Serbia to Germany, was attacked and rocks were used to break its windscreen on the same day. (With inputs from agencies)

NATO refuses Serbian government’s request to send troops to Kosovo after clashes

Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on Sunday said that the demands made by Turkiye, which has kept the NATO membership bids of Finland and Sweden blocked for months, cannot be accepted.&nbsp;"Turkiye has confirmed that we have done what we said we would do, but it also says that it wants things that we can't, that we don't want to, give it," said PM Ulf Kristersson, while speaking at a security conference where NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg was also present.&nbsp;

"We are convinced that Turkiye will make a decision, we just don't know when," he stated, further saying that the decision will depend on Turkiye's internal politics along with "Sweden's capacity to show its seriousness".&nbsp;

ALSO READ|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkiye-russia-continue-discussion-on-gas-payment-deferral-says-energy-minister-550280">Turkiye, Russia continue discussion on gas payment deferral, says energy minister</a>

The military non-alignment of a decade was broken by Sweden and Finland as they applied for joining NATO, the US-led defence alliance after Russia invaded Ukraine in February.&nbsp;

However, their bids have been blocked by Turkiye which insists that both countries must join Ankara in its fight against banned Kurdish militants.&nbsp;

The major demands of Turkiye involve the participation of Sweden because the nation shares robust relations with the Kurdish diaspora.

WATCH|&nbsp;Turkey pushes for Russia- Ukraine peace talks

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The foreign minister of Finland is not in a hurry to join NATO and is ready to wait for Sweden to get the green light for joining the alliance.

"Finland is not in such a rush to join NATO that we can't wait until Sweden gets the green light," said Pekka Haavisto, while addressing reporters at Sunday's conference.&nbsp;

Turkiye had praised Sweden in late December for giving a response to its security concerns but emphasised that more efforts were needed to win Ankara's support for getting the stalled NATO membership bid sanctioned for Stockholm.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on Sunday said that the demands made by Turkiye, which has kept the NATO membership bids of Finland and Sweden blocked for months, cannot be accepted.

Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on Sunday said that the demands made by Turkiye, which has kept the NATO membership bids of Finland and Sweden blocked for months, cannot be accepted. "Turkiye has confirmed that we have done what we said we would do, but it also says that it wants things that we can't, that we don't want to, give it," said PM Ulf Kristersson, while speaking at a security conference where NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg was also present. "We are convinced that Turkiye will make a decision, we just don't know when," he stated, further saying that the decision will depend on Turkiye's internal politics along with "Sweden's capacity to show its seriousness". ALSO READ| Turkiye, Russia continue discussion on gas payment deferral, says energy minister The military non-alignment of a decade was broken by Sweden and Finland as they applied for joining NATO, the US-led defence alliance after Russia invaded Ukraine in February. However, their bids have been blocked by Turkiye which insists that both countries must join Ankara in its fight against banned Kurdish militants. The major demands of Turkiye involve the participation of Sweden because the nation shares robust relations with the Kurdish diaspora. WATCH| Turkey pushes for Russia- Ukraine peace talks The foreign minister of Finland is not in a hurry to join NATO and is ready to wait for Sweden to get the green light for joining the alliance. "Finland is not in such a rush to join NATO that we can't wait until Sweden gets the green light," said Pekka Haavisto, while addressing reporters at Sunday's conference. Turkiye had praised Sweden in late December for giving a response to its security concerns but emphasised that more efforts were needed to win Ankara's support for getting the stalled NATO membership bid sanctioned for Stockholm. (With inputs from agencies)

Sweden cannot accept some demands of Turkiye for NATO membership: PM

Germany's high-ranking parliamentary delegation announced that they will be visiting Taiwan on Sunday, ahead of the ministerial visit scheduled later this year that can escalate tensions with China.&nbsp;&nbsp;Free Democratic Party's (FDP) Johannes Vogel shared a picture of him and his party colleague Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann travelling on the plane to Taiwan.&nbsp;

Head of the parliamentary defence committee Strack-Zimmermann said that their visit is a way of showing "solidarity" with Taiwan, which the Chinese government claims to be part of their territory.&nbsp;

ALSO READ| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/german-police-detain-25-far-right-extremists-seeking-to-overthrow-state-540903">Former right-wing MP among 25 detained in Germany for plot to ‘overthrow state’</a>

As per the sources, the trip will be followed by German Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger's visit to Taiwan.&nbsp;

This will be the first official visit of a German cabinet member in 26 years. The delegation is set to hold talks with the Taiwanese government's representatives as well as the opposition party along with business leaders, military officials and human rights organisations during their visit, said Strack-Zimmermann said before the trip.&nbsp;

The diplomatic overtures of Berlin to Taiwan may escalate tensions with Beijing.&nbsp;

China's President Xi Jinping has clearly stated that the "reunification" of Taiwan cannot be handed over to future generations.

WATCH | Here's how Norway &amp; Germany plan to wean off Germany’s reliance on Russian gas

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/heres-how-norway-germany-plan-to-wean-off-germanys-reliance-on-russian-gas-550321/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Last year, tensions had escalated and&nbsp;military pressure was ramped up by Beijing in the wake of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan in August.&nbsp;

China has always criticised any official exchanges with the leaders of Taiwan and has expressed its anger over the increasing visits of Western politicians to the country.&nbsp;

In August, the presence of the German air force was boosted in the Indo-Pacific with 13 military aircraft's deployment, almost a year after a frigate was dispatched to the region in two decades.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Germany's high-ranking parliamentary delegation announced that they will be visiting Taiwan on Sunday, ahead of the ministerial visit scheduled later this year that can escalate tensions with China.

Germany's high-ranking parliamentary delegation announced that they will be visiting Taiwan on Sunday, ahead of the ministerial visit scheduled later this year that can escalate tensions with China. Free Democratic Party's (FDP) Johannes Vogel shared a picture of him and his party colleague Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann travelling on the plane to Taiwan. Head of the parliamentary defence committee Strack-Zimmermann said that their visit is a way of showing "solidarity" with Taiwan, which the Chinese government claims to be part of their territory. ALSO READ| Former right-wing MP among 25 detained in Germany for plot to ‘overthrow state’ As per the sources, the trip will be followed by German Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger's visit to Taiwan. This will be the first official visit of a German cabinet member in 26 years. The delegation is set to hold talks with the Taiwanese government's representatives as well as the opposition party along with business leaders, military officials and human rights organisations during their visit, said Strack-Zimmermann said before the trip. The diplomatic overtures of Berlin to Taiwan may escalate tensions with Beijing. China's President Xi Jinping has clearly stated that the "reunification" of Taiwan cannot be handed over to future generations. WATCH | Here's how Norway & Germany plan to wean off Germany’s reliance on Russian gas Last year, tensions had escalated and military pressure was ramped up by Beijing in the wake of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan in August. China has always criticised any official exchanges with the leaders of Taiwan and has expressed its anger over the increasing visits of Western politicians to the country. In August, the presence of the German air force was boosted in the Indo-Pacific with 13 military aircraft's deployment, almost a year after a frigate was dispatched to the region in two decades. (With inputs from agencies)

Delegation of German MPs visits Taiwan ahead of cabinet minister’s visit

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