A Ukrainian official said on Friday (June 30) that the troops are advancing in all directions in their counteroffensive against occupying Russian forces. Ukraine says its counter-offensive is currently underway, and claims that the nation was making advances on all fronts. Kyiv has also said that the forces have reasserted control over clusters of villages in the southeast.&nbsp;

But Russia still holds swathes of territory in the east, south and southeast and also has not acknowledged the Ukrainian gains.&nbsp;Instead, it says that Ukraine's military is suffering heavy casualties.&nbsp;

As reported by news agency Reuters, Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar told Ukrainian television: "If we talk about the entire frontline, both east and south, we have seized the strategic initiative and are advancing in all directions."&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Maliar added that the Ukrainian troops were moving "confidently" on the flanks around the eastern city of Bakhmut, which is held by Russian forces. She also said that the main fighting was going on around the city.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lavrov-responds-to-failed-mutiny-says-russia-will-be-stronger-610610">Lavrov responds to failed mutiny, says Russia will be 'stronger'</a>&nbsp;

She further mentioned that Kyiv's forces were moving with mixed success and mainly levelling the frontline in the south. "In the south, we are moving with varying success, sometimes there are days when it is more than a kilometre, sometimes less than a kilometre, sometimes up to two&nbsp;kilometres," she said.

According to Maliar, the effectiveness of the counteroffensive should be evaluated by "a lot of different military tasks" and not just by advances and the liberation of settlements.&nbsp;

She said that "all these tasks are being carried out and only the military can assess this correctly and accurately, and according to their assessment, everything is going according to plan".&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-to-join-sco-next-week-lavrov-610580">Iran to join SCO next week: Lavrov</a>&nbsp;

<h2>Ukraine's northern defences&nbsp;</h2>

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday&nbsp;ordered top military commanders to strengthen the northern military sector. This comes amid the presence of Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in Belarus.&nbsp;

Zelensky said that Ukrainian intelligence and security forces had reported on the situation in Belarus, Ukraine's northern neighbour, at a meeting of top military and political leaders.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov offers to help put down Wagner mutiny&nbsp;

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The&nbsp;Ukrainian president said on the Telegram messaging app, "The decision...is for Commander-in-Chief (General Valeriy) Zaluzhnyi and 'North' commander (General Serhiy) Naev to implement a set of measures to strengthen this direction."&nbsp;

He also spoke about the counter-offensive and said that it is moving more slowly than desired. Notably, the Ukrainian officials have also said the "main event" of the counteroffensive has yet to start, and that Ukraine has not yet sent its main troop reserves into combat.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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A Ukrainian official said on Friday (June 30) that the troops are advancing in all directions in their counteroffensive against occupying Russian forces. Ukraine says its counter-offensive is currently underway, and claims that the nation was making advances on all fronts.

A Ukrainian official said on Friday (June 30) that the troops are advancing in all directions in their counteroffensive against occupying Russian forces. Ukraine says its counter-offensive is currently underway, and claims that the nation was making advances on all fronts. Kyiv has also said that the forces have reasserted control over clusters of villages in the southeast. But Russia still holds swathes of territory in the east, south and southeast and also has not acknowledged the Ukrainian gains. Instead, it says that Ukraine's military is suffering heavy casualties. As reported by news agency Reuters, Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar told Ukrainian television: "If we talk about the entire frontline, both east and south, we have seized the strategic initiative and are advancing in all directions." Meanwhile, Maliar added that the Ukrainian troops were moving "confidently" on the flanks around the eastern city of Bakhmut, which is held by Russian forces. She also said that the main fighting was going on around the city. Also read: Lavrov responds to failed mutiny, says Russia will be 'stronger' She further mentioned that Kyiv's forces were moving with mixed success and mainly levelling the frontline in the south. "In the south, we are moving with varying success, sometimes there are days when it is more than a kilometre, sometimes less than a kilometre, sometimes up to two kilometres," she said. According to Maliar, the effectiveness of the counteroffensive should be evaluated by "a lot of different military tasks" and not just by advances and the liberation of settlements. She said that "all these tasks are being carried out and only the military can assess this correctly and accurately, and according to their assessment, everything is going according to plan". Also read: Iran to join SCO next week: Lavrov Ukraine's northern defences Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday ordered top military commanders to strengthen the northern military sector. This comes amid the presence of Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in Belarus. Zelensky said that Ukrainian intelligence and security forces had reported on the situation in Belarus, Ukraine's northern neighbour, at a meeting of top military and political leaders. Watch: Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov offers to help put down Wagner mutiny × The Ukrainian president said on the Telegram messaging app, "The decision...is for Commander-in-Chief (General Valeriy) Zaluzhnyi and 'North' commander (General Serhiy) Naev to implement a set of measures to strengthen this direction." He also spoke about the counter-offensive and said that it is moving more slowly than desired. Notably, the Ukrainian officials have also said the "main event" of the counteroffensive has yet to start, and that Ukraine has not yet sent its main troop reserves into combat. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Russia-Ukraine war: Kyiv claims its forces have advanced in all directions in counteroffensive

Maneki-neko ('beckoning cat') is quite a common Japanese figurine, popularly believed to bring good luck to the owner. Not just in Japan, they are popular across the world and seen in shops and homes.&nbsp;

Cat owners in Japan spend big bucks on their care and would go to a substantial extent for their well being, but it is also important for them to know how felines are feeling, whether or not they are down.&nbsp;

Now, they can receive the necessary assistance&nbsp;as a Tokyo-based tech firm and university have collaborated to create an app trained on hundreds of cat images that can inform them when their pet is in agony.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/dolphins-pamper-their-little-ones-with-baby-talk-a-study-tells-how-609366">Dolphins pamper their little ones with ‘baby talk’, a study tells how</a>&nbsp;

A report published by the news agency AFP mentioned that since its release last month, "Cat Pain Detector" has racked up 43,000 users. Go Sakioka, head of developer Carelogy, said that most of the users are in Japan, but some are also in Europe and South America.&nbsp;

The report has mentioned that the software is part of a growing array of technology for pet owners, who are worried about the well-being of their pets. Some similar apps are mood and pain trackers produced in Canada and Israel.&nbsp;

Carelogy and Nihon University's College of Bioresource Sciences jointly collected 6,000 cat pictures and closely examined the postures of the ears, noses, whiskers, and eyelids of cats.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-are-concerned-by-skin-disease-in-endangered-killer-whales-610294">Scientists are concerned by skin disease in endangered killer whales</a>&nbsp;

After that, they used a grading system developed by the University of Montreal to distinguish between healthy cats and those in pain owing to difficult-to-diagnose disorders.&nbsp;

Sakioka said that the app developers then fed the information into an AI detection system. They were helped when around 600,000 photos were uploaded by users. &nbsp;

He told AFP that the app "has an accuracy level of more than 90 per cent".&nbsp;

According to the Japan Pet Food Association, 60 per cent of owners take their cat to a veterinarian at most once a year.

"We want to help cat owners judge more easily at home whether to see a vet or not," Sakioka said.

"Cat Pain Detector" is already being used by some vets in Japan, the land of Hello Kitty, where tourists flock to cat cafes and some small islands are overrun by stray felines.

But "the AI system still needs to be more precise before it's used as a standardised tool", he said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

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Maneki-neko ('beckoning cat') is quite a common Japanese figurine, popularly believed to bring good luck to the owner. Not just in Japan, they are popular across the world and seen in shops and homes.

Maneki-neko ('beckoning cat') is quite a common Japanese figurine, popularly believed to bring good luck to the owner. Not just in Japan, they are popular across the world and seen in shops and homes. Cat owners in Japan spend big bucks on their care and would go to a substantial extent for their well being, but it is also important for them to know how felines are feeling, whether or not they are down. Now, they can receive the necessary assistance as a Tokyo-based tech firm and university have collaborated to create an app trained on hundreds of cat images that can inform them when their pet is in agony. Also read: Dolphins pamper their little ones with ‘baby talk’, a study tells how A report published by the news agency AFP mentioned that since its release last month, "Cat Pain Detector" has racked up 43,000 users. Go Sakioka, head of developer Carelogy, said that most of the users are in Japan, but some are also in Europe and South America. The report has mentioned that the software is part of a growing array of technology for pet owners, who are worried about the well-being of their pets. Some similar apps are mood and pain trackers produced in Canada and Israel. Carelogy and Nihon University's College of Bioresource Sciences jointly collected 6,000 cat pictures and closely examined the postures of the ears, noses, whiskers, and eyelids of cats. Also read: Scientists are concerned by skin disease in endangered killer whales After that, they used a grading system developed by the University of Montreal to distinguish between healthy cats and those in pain owing to difficult-to-diagnose disorders. Sakioka said that the app developers then fed the information into an AI detection system. They were helped when around 600,000 photos were uploaded by users. He told AFP that the app "has an accuracy level of more than 90 per cent". According to the Japan Pet Food Association, 60 per cent of owners take their cat to a veterinarian at most once a year. "We want to help cat owners judge more easily at home whether to see a vet or not," Sakioka said. "Cat Pain Detector" is already being used by some vets in Japan, the land of Hello Kitty, where tourists flock to cat cafes and some small islands are overrun by stray felines. But "the AI system still needs to be more precise before it's used as a standardised tool", he said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Cat Pain Detector': This app helps owners know if their pet is in agony, needs vet visit

Google will remove links to Canadian news from search results and other products in&nbsp;Canada&nbsp;when a law requiring internet giants to pay news publishers comes into effect, the Alphabet-owned company said on Thursday.

Google joins Facebook-owner Meta Platforms Inc in announcing an end to news access for Canadian users of their platforms after Bill C-18, or the Online News Act, was passed into law last week. The law is expected to come into effect in six months.

Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez, who introduced the bill last year, has said platforms do not have any obligations under the act immediately and that the government was open to consulting with them on the regulatory and implementation process.

Canada's media industry has called for tighter regulation of tech companies to prevent them from elbowing news businesses out of the online advertising market.

"We have now informed the government that when the law takes effect, we unfortunately will have to remove links to Canadian news from our Search, News and Discover products in&nbsp;Canada," Google said in a blogpost.

"We don't take this decision or its impacts lightly, and believe it's important to be transparent with Canadian publishers and our users as early as possible," it said.

The act outlines rules to force platforms such as Facebook and Google to negotiate commercial deals and pay news publishers for their content, a step similar to a groundbreaking law passed in Australia in 2021.

The U.S. technology companies have said the proposals are unsustainable for their businesses. Google has argued&nbsp;Canada's law is broader than those in Australia and Europe, saying it puts a price on news story links displayed in search results and can apply to outlets that do not produce news.

The search engine giant had proposed that the bill be revised to make the displaying of news content, rather than links, as basis for payment and to specify that only businesses that produce news and adhere to journalistic standards are eligible.

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Google will remove links to Canadian news from search results and other products in Canada when a law requiring internet giants to pay news publishers comes into effect, the Alphabet-owned company said on Thursday.

Google will remove links to Canadian news from search results and other products in Canada when a law requiring internet giants to pay news publishers comes into effect, the Alphabet-owned company said on Thursday. Google joins Facebook-owner Meta Platforms Inc in announcing an end to news access for Canadian users of their platforms after Bill C-18, or the Online News Act, was passed into law last week. The law is expected to come into effect in six months. Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez, who introduced the bill last year, has said platforms do not have any obligations under the act immediately and that the government was open to consulting with them on the regulatory and implementation process. Canada's media industry has called for tighter regulation of tech companies to prevent them from elbowing news businesses out of the online advertising market. "We have now informed the government that when the law takes effect, we unfortunately will have to remove links to Canadian news from our Search, News and Discover products in Canada," Google said in a blogpost. "We don't take this decision or its impacts lightly, and believe it's important to be transparent with Canadian publishers and our users as early as possible," it said. The act outlines rules to force platforms such as Facebook and Google to negotiate commercial deals and pay news publishers for their content, a step similar to a groundbreaking law passed in Australia in 2021. The U.S. technology companies have said the proposals are unsustainable for their businesses. Google has argued Canada's law is broader than those in Australia and Europe, saying it puts a price on news story links displayed in search results and can apply to outlets that do not produce news. The search engine giant had proposed that the bill be revised to make the displaying of news content, rather than links, as basis for payment and to specify that only businesses that produce news and adhere to journalistic standards are eligible. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Google to remove news links in Canada over law on paying publishers

Russia Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday (June 30) that the nation will emerge "stronger" in the aftermath of the failed mutiny, which the mercenary group Wagner launched last weekend.&nbsp;

During a briefing in Moscow, Lavrov told journalists: "Russia has always overcome all its problems... it comes out stronger and stronger. It will be the same this time, too. This process has already begun."&nbsp;

On being asked if Russia can guarantee its stability after the Wagner mutiny, Lavrov said, "We are not obliged to explain to anyone or give any guarantees. We act transparently, our president and all the political powers of the country spoke about it."

"If someone in the West has any doubts - it's their problem. We ourselves have serious doubts in the adequacy of many Western leaders," he added.&nbsp;

Answering a question from foreign media, Lavrov said: "Thank you for your concern about our national interests, but you shouldn't be worried".&nbsp;

The revolt posed the most serious threat to President Vladimir Putin's decades-long rule.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-to-join-sco-next-week-lavrov-610580">Iran to join SCO next week: Lavrov</a>&nbsp;

While mentioning Ukraine, Lavrov said that Kyiv was playing a dangerous game regarding the nuclear power plant at Zaporizhzhia. He accused Kyiv of "pure lies" with statements suggesting that Moscow plans to blow up the plant.&nbsp;

The UN atomic energy agency has frequently appealed to both sides to avoid shelling in the vicinity of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Europe's largest, which is located in southern Ukraine but is controlled by Russian forces.&nbsp;

Lavrov said, "The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant has had IAEA experts there for many months. These experts send regular reports to Vienna, the IAEA headquarters, they can do this every day. This is their decision."&nbsp;

"These experts and IAEA General Director Grossi (Rafael Grossi), who visited Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant, know very well who is shelling Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant. Recently there has been much less such shelling, but it has been quite regular recently. They know very well that this is dangerous and can lead to no good," he further added.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Ukraine accuses Russia over deportation of orphans

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Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-enacts-new-foreign-policy-law-broadening-xi-jinpings-powers-to-counter-us-610559">China passes new foreign policy law broadening Xi Jinping's powers to counter US</a>

Wagner Group's role in Ukraine war&nbsp;

The Wagner Group, a Russian state-funded paramilitary organisation, which was active in the ongoing Ukraine war, led an armed revolt against the Russian government last week.&nbsp;

The mutiny came after constant accusations by Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin against Russian ministers. The feud between him and the Russian army escalated for months and Prigozhin passed increasingly scathing statements against generals.&nbsp;

However, it came to an end when Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko mediated a deal to halt a mutiny by Prigozhin's mercenary fighters.&nbsp;

The Wagner group played a key role in the capture of several east Ukraine towns, including Bakhmut, after a mass recruitment drive in Russia.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Russia Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday (June 30) that the nation will emerge "stronger" in the aftermath of the failed mutiny, which the mercenary group Wagner launched last weekend.

Russia Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday (June 30) that the nation will emerge "stronger" in the aftermath of the failed mutiny, which the mercenary group Wagner launched last weekend. During a briefing in Moscow, Lavrov told journalists: "Russia has always overcome all its problems... it comes out stronger and stronger. It will be the same this time, too. This process has already begun." On being asked if Russia can guarantee its stability after the Wagner mutiny, Lavrov said, "We are not obliged to explain to anyone or give any guarantees. We act transparently, our president and all the political powers of the country spoke about it." "If someone in the West has any doubts - it's their problem. We ourselves have serious doubts in the adequacy of many Western leaders," he added. Answering a question from foreign media, Lavrov said: "Thank you for your concern about our national interests, but you shouldn't be worried". The revolt posed the most serious threat to President Vladimir Putin's decades-long rule. Also read: Iran to join SCO next week: Lavrov While mentioning Ukraine, Lavrov said that Kyiv was playing a dangerous game regarding the nuclear power plant at Zaporizhzhia. He accused Kyiv of "pure lies" with statements suggesting that Moscow plans to blow up the plant. The UN atomic energy agency has frequently appealed to both sides to avoid shelling in the vicinity of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Europe's largest, which is located in southern Ukraine but is controlled by Russian forces. Lavrov said, "The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant has had IAEA experts there for many months. These experts send regular reports to Vienna, the IAEA headquarters, they can do this every day. This is their decision." "These experts and IAEA General Director Grossi (Rafael Grossi), who visited Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant, know very well who is shelling Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant. Recently there has been much less such shelling, but it has been quite regular recently. They know very well that this is dangerous and can lead to no good," he further added. Watch: Ukraine accuses Russia over deportation of orphans × Also read: China passes new foreign policy law broadening Xi Jinping's powers to counter US Wagner Group's role in Ukraine war The Wagner Group, a Russian state-funded paramilitary organisation, which was active in the ongoing Ukraine war, led an armed revolt against the Russian government last week. The mutiny came after constant accusations by Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin against Russian ministers. The feud between him and the Russian army escalated for months and Prigozhin passed increasingly scathing statements against generals. However, it came to an end when Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko mediated a deal to halt a mutiny by Prigozhin's mercenary fighters. The Wagner group played a key role in the capture of several east Ukraine towns, including Bakhmut, after a mass recruitment drive in Russia. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Lavrov responds to failed mutiny, says Russia will be 'stronger'

A magnitude 6.4&nbsp;earthquake&nbsp;struck off the Indonesian island of Java on Friday evening, the country's geophysics agency (BMKG) said, but there were no immediate reports of casualties and no tsunami warning was issued.

BMKG said the medium-sized quake, which hit at a depth of 25 km (15 miles), was felt in several cities in the region of Yogyakarta as well as east and central Java, Indonesia's most populous island.

A spokesperson for Indonesia's disaster agency, Abdul Muhari, said the agency was assessing damage to houses in the city of Yogyakarta and the Gunung Kidul and Kebumen districts.

Indonesia, in Southeast Asia, straddles the so-called "Pacific Ring of Fire", a highly active seismic zone where different plates on the Earth's crust meet and set off a large number of&nbsp;earthquakes and volcanoes.

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A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck off the Indonesian island of Java on Friday evening, the country's geophysics agency (BMKG) said, but there were no immediate reports of casualties and no tsunami warning was issued.

A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck off the Indonesian island of Java on Friday evening, the country's geophysics agency (BMKG) said, but there were no immediate reports of casualties and no tsunami warning was issued. BMKG said the medium-sized quake, which hit at a depth of 25 km (15 miles), was felt in several cities in the region of Yogyakarta as well as east and central Java, Indonesia's most populous island. A spokesperson for Indonesia's disaster agency, Abdul Muhari, said the agency was assessing damage to houses in the city of Yogyakarta and the Gunung Kidul and Kebumen districts. Indonesia, in Southeast Asia, straddles the so-called "Pacific Ring of Fire", a highly active seismic zone where different plates on the Earth's crust meet and set off a large number of earthquakes and volcanoes. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Earthquake of magnitude 6.4 strikes off Indonesia's Java

PhonePe, which is an Indian digital payment company, has issued a warning to the Indian National Congress, the opposition party in the state of Madhya Pradesh.&nbsp;

The warning comes amid a poster war between Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which has become viral and is deemed objectionable.

An official said on Tuesday that a police case was registered against unidentified persons in connection with objectionable posters of MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.&nbsp;

Superintendent of Police (SP) Rajesh Singh Chandel said that a case was registered under relevant Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections at the Padao police station. However, the accused was not identified. The official said that the investigation was underway.&nbsp;

The recent posters feature a QR code with CM Chouhan's face on it, with an image of a PhonePe-like interface, and text which read in Hindi: "50% laao, PhonePe kaam karao (loosely translated in English as pay 50% commission to get your work done)".&nbsp;

The images and videos of these posters pasted on walls and other objects were shared by the state unit of the Congress on its Twitter handle. According to local reports, the posters emerged in cities like Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Sehore, Rewa, Mandsaur, Ujjain, Bhind, Balaghat, Budhni, which is the Assembly seat represented by the chief minister.&nbsp;

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कटनी रेलवे स्टेशन पर शिवराज का भ्रष्टाचार 
 
50% लाओ, फ़ोन पे काम कराओ 
 
मध्यप्रदेश की जनता जानती है, 
50% कमीशनखोरों को पहचानती है। <a href="https://t.co/N3vXwqtY4A">pic.twitter.com/N3vXwqtY4A</a>
— MP Congress (@INCMP) <a href="https://twitter.com/INCMP/status/1673377745915748354?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Congress party has claimed that it was just a reaction to the "poster war" which was allegedly started by BJP. This has become a raging issue ahead of the Assembly polls, scheduled to take place by year-end. Congress is referring to the objectionable posters of MP Congress president Kamal Nath.&nbsp;

<h2>Here's what PhonePe said</h2>

Meanwhile, the entire saga didn't sit well with the financial services company as it called out the unauthorised use&nbsp;of its logo by MP Congress and also said that it may take legal action against them.&nbsp;

PhonePe shared on its Twitter handle, "PhonePe objects to the unauthorized usage of its brand logo, by any third party, be it political or non-political. We are not associated with any political campaign or party."&nbsp;

"The PhonePe logo is a registered trademark of our company and any unauthorized use of PhonePe's intellectual property rights will invite legal action. We humbly request Madhya Pradesh Congress to remove the posters and banners featuring our brand logo and colour," it added.&nbsp;

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PhonePe objects to the unauthorized usage of its brand logo, by any third party, be it political or non-political. We are not associated with any political campaign or party.
— PhonePe (@PhonePe) <a href="https://twitter.com/PhonePe/status/1673346058179555328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2023</a></blockquote>
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(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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PhonePe, which is an Indian digital payment company, has issued a warning to the Indian National Congress, the opposition party in the state of Madhya Pradesh. The warning comes amid a poster war between Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which has become viral and is deemed objectionable.

PhonePe, which is an Indian digital payment company, has issued a warning to the Indian National Congress, the opposition party in the state of Madhya Pradesh. The warning comes amid a poster war between Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which has become viral and is deemed objectionable. An official said on Tuesday that a police case was registered against unidentified persons in connection with objectionable posters of MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Superintendent of Police (SP) Rajesh Singh Chandel said that a case was registered under relevant Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections at the Padao police station. However, the accused was not identified. The official said that the investigation was underway. The recent posters feature a QR code with CM Chouhan's face on it, with an image of a PhonePe-like interface, and text which read in Hindi: "50% laao, PhonePe kaam karao (loosely translated in English as pay 50% commission to get your work done)". The images and videos of these posters pasted on walls and other objects were shared by the state unit of the Congress on its Twitter handle. According to local reports, the posters emerged in cities like Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Sehore, Rewa, Mandsaur, Ujjain, Bhind, Balaghat, Budhni, which is the Assembly seat represented by the chief minister. कटनी रेलवे स्टेशन पर शिवराज का भ्रष्टाचार 50% लाओ, फ़ोन पे काम कराओ मध्यप्रदेश की जनता जानती है, 50% कमीशनखोरों को पहचानती है। pic.twitter.com/N3vXwqtY4A — MP Congress (@INCMP) June 26, 2023 × Congress party has claimed that it was just a reaction to the "poster war" which was allegedly started by BJP. This has become a raging issue ahead of the Assembly polls, scheduled to take place by year-end. Congress is referring to the objectionable posters of MP Congress president Kamal Nath. Here's what PhonePe said Meanwhile, the entire saga didn't sit well with the financial services company as it called out the unauthorised use of its logo by MP Congress and also said that it may take legal action against them. PhonePe shared on its Twitter handle, "PhonePe objects to the unauthorized usage of its brand logo, by any third party, be it political or non-political. We are not associated with any political campaign or party." "The PhonePe logo is a registered trademark of our company and any unauthorized use of PhonePe's intellectual property rights will invite legal action. We humbly request Madhya Pradesh Congress to remove the posters and banners featuring our brand logo and colour," it added. PhonePe objects to the unauthorized usage of its brand logo, by any third party, be it political or non-political. We are not associated with any political campaign or party. — PhonePe (@PhonePe) June 26, 2023 × (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India: PhonePe warns Congress against 'unauthorised' use of logo in Madhya Pradesh poll posters

A Thai doctor endorsing a dubious diabetes treatment, a Filipino physician touting crotch-enhancing underwear, a US doctor sparking off anti-vaccine conspiracies -- they are all victims of identity theft plaguing health professionals.

AFP's fact-checkers have exposed a slew of cases around the world in which fraudsters impersonated doctors, fabricating their comments or endorsements to push out bogus treatments and products or to peddle propaganda.

The trend underscores how medical professionals are often sitting targets for online scammers seeking to profit off disinformation, which leaves their reputations tarnished, provokes harassment and, in some cases, legal challenges.&nbsp;

For ordinary consumers, the growing wave of impersonation scams poses financial risks and often jeopardises access to safe and reliable healthcare.

"I get impersonated (nearly) every month,"&nbsp;Thiravat Hemachudha, a Thai neurologist, told AFP.

"These fraudsters want to make money, so they cite renowned or credible health professionals to support their claims."

Thiravat's name has been falsely linked to Facebook ads and posts promoting a range of treatments, from diabetes to penile enlargement.&nbsp;It is unclear who was behind the disinformation, but he warned that it poses "significant threats to consumers' health".

<h2>'Miraculous cures'&nbsp;</h2>

In the Philippines,&nbsp;consumer Marissa David thought she had found the best cure for a benign lump in her body when she purchased a cream that a Facebook ad said was recommended by popular physician Willie Ong.&nbsp;

But the cream that cost $12.50, a small fortune for the Filipino mother, was ineffective and not endorsed by Ong.

"It's a lesson learned,"&nbsp;David told AFP.

"I should not trust so easily, especially if those products are not recommended by a doctor I personally know."

Winston Kilimanjaro Creones Tiwaquen, a Filipino doctor who is also a popular social media influencer, has been impersonated in Facebook pages promoting magnetic underwear, which they falsely claim enlarges male genitalia.

AFP, which has spotted similar impersonation scams in other countries such as Myanmar and Bulgaria, has a global team of journalists who work with Facebook owner Meta's third-party fact-checking programme to debunk misinformation.&nbsp;

AFP has debunked about half a dozen Facebook posts that used doctored videos of Ong or impersonated Tiwaquen, part of a deluge of internet content&nbsp;in the Philippines that promotes "doctor-recommended" quick-fix treatments for even complicated ailments.&nbsp;

"People often seek quick solutions and can fall prey to scams promising miraculous cures or easy remedies -- especially communities that lack access to reliable healthcare services," Patricia&nbsp;Schouker, a fellow at the Colorado-based Payne Institute, told AFP.&nbsp;

"Impersonating doctors gives these fraudsters an air of credibility&nbsp;and trustworthiness."

<h2>'Stand up to disinformation'&nbsp;</h2>

For doctors such as&nbsp;Natalia Solenkova, a Florida-based critical care specialist, such disinformation triggered aggressive online harassment.&nbsp;

Earlier this year, conservative commentators including American podcast host Joe Rogan amplified a&nbsp;screenshot of a fabricated tweet about the Covid-19 vaccine that used her name and Twitter handle.

"Knowing that he (Rogan) has millions and millions of followers, that felt threatening," Solenkova told the&nbsp;American Medical Association.

"That felt threatening to my career, threatening to my job, threatening to my reputation."&nbsp;

Rogan acknowledged his mistake but not before Solenkova was deluged with hateful messages.&nbsp;

"We (physicians) need to keep organising against disinformation," Solenkova said.

"We need to stand up to this disinformation and this harassment."&nbsp;

Some physicians like Ong, from the Philippines, have also battled legal threats over viral ads for a mixed nuts brand&nbsp;that he had nothing to do with.&nbsp;

The younger sister&nbsp;of&nbsp;the late Philippine president Benigno Aquino III&nbsp;asked Ong to cease and desist from using her name for the product's promotion on his Facebook page, reports said.

Ong clarified in a series of videos in April that the ads came from imposter pages on Facebook.&nbsp;

"I can't believe they didn't know those pages were fake," he said in one video.&nbsp;

"What's happening to me right now is too much... I can't believe it."&nbsp;

Meta says it views the "threat of scams seriously". It faces calls for more vigorous online policing from users and consumer activists.

"Platforms need to invest in robust content moderation systems to detect and remove fraudulent listings and can play a significant role in educating users about the risks," Schouker said.

"Addressing this issue requires a collective effort by platforms, regulators and law enforcement agencies."

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A Thai doctor endorsing a dubious diabetes treatment, a Filipino physician touting crotch-enhancing underwear, a US doctor sparking off anti-vaccine conspiracies -- they are all victims of identity theft plaguing health professionals.

A Thai doctor endorsing a dubious diabetes treatment, a Filipino physician touting crotch-enhancing underwear, a US doctor sparking off anti-vaccine conspiracies -- they are all victims of identity theft plaguing health professionals. AFP's fact-checkers have exposed a slew of cases around the world in which fraudsters impersonated doctors, fabricating their comments or endorsements to push out bogus treatments and products or to peddle propaganda. The trend underscores how medical professionals are often sitting targets for online scammers seeking to profit off disinformation, which leaves their reputations tarnished, provokes harassment and, in some cases, legal challenges. For ordinary consumers, the growing wave of impersonation scams poses financial risks and often jeopardises access to safe and reliable healthcare. "I get impersonated (nearly) every month," Thiravat Hemachudha, a Thai neurologist, told AFP. "These fraudsters want to make money, so they cite renowned or credible health professionals to support their claims." Thiravat's name has been falsely linked to Facebook ads and posts promoting a range of treatments, from diabetes to penile enlargement. It is unclear who was behind the disinformation, but he warned that it poses "significant threats to consumers' health". 'Miraculous cures' In the Philippines, consumer Marissa David thought she had found the best cure for a benign lump in her body when she purchased a cream that a Facebook ad said was recommended by popular physician Willie Ong. But the cream that cost $12.50, a small fortune for the Filipino mother, was ineffective and not endorsed by Ong. "It's a lesson learned," David told AFP. "I should not trust so easily, especially if those products are not recommended by a doctor I personally know." Winston Kilimanjaro Creones Tiwaquen, a Filipino doctor who is also a popular social media influencer, has been impersonated in Facebook pages promoting magnetic underwear, which they falsely claim enlarges male genitalia. AFP, which has spotted similar impersonation scams in other countries such as Myanmar and Bulgaria, has a global team of journalists who work with Facebook owner Meta's third-party fact-checking programme to debunk misinformation. AFP has debunked about half a dozen Facebook posts that used doctored videos of Ong or impersonated Tiwaquen, part of a deluge of internet content in the Philippines that promotes "doctor-recommended" quick-fix treatments for even complicated ailments. "People often seek quick solutions and can fall prey to scams promising miraculous cures or easy remedies -- especially communities that lack access to reliable healthcare services," Patricia Schouker, a fellow at the Colorado-based Payne Institute, told AFP. "Impersonating doctors gives these fraudsters an air of credibility and trustworthiness." 'Stand up to disinformation' For doctors such as Natalia Solenkova, a Florida-based critical care specialist, such disinformation triggered aggressive online harassment. Earlier this year, conservative commentators including American podcast host Joe Rogan amplified a screenshot of a fabricated tweet about the Covid-19 vaccine that used her name and Twitter handle. "Knowing that he (Rogan) has millions and millions of followers, that felt threatening," Solenkova told the American Medical Association. "That felt threatening to my career, threatening to my job, threatening to my reputation." Rogan acknowledged his mistake but not before Solenkova was deluged with hateful messages. "We (physicians) need to keep organising against disinformation," Solenkova said. "We need to stand up to this disinformation and this harassment." Some physicians like Ong, from the Philippines, have also battled legal threats over viral ads for a mixed nuts brand that he had nothing to do with. The younger sister of the late Philippine president Benigno Aquino III asked Ong to cease and desist from using her name for the product's promotion on his Facebook page, reports said. Ong clarified in a series of videos in April that the ads came from imposter pages on Facebook. "I can't believe they didn't know those pages were fake," he said in one video. "What's happening to me right now is too much... I can't believe it." Meta says it views the "threat of scams seriously". It faces calls for more vigorous online policing from users and consumer activists. "Platforms need to invest in robust content moderation systems to detect and remove fraudulent listings and can play a significant role in educating users about the risks," Schouker said. "Addressing this issue requires a collective effort by platforms, regulators and law enforcement agencies." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Significant threat': Around world, doctors battle impersonators

Debris from the Titan submersible which imploded, killing all five on board, has&nbsp;been recovered and returned to land by a Canadian-flagged ship on Wednesday (June 28). The sub operated by OceanGate Expeditions was on a voyage to see the century-old wreck of the Titanic earlier this month, becoming a matter of global concern.&nbsp;

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;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/expeditions-to-titanic-wreck-see-bleak-future-as-all-plans-stand-cancelled-609763">Expeditions to Titanic wreck see bleak future as all plans stand cancelled</a>&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;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/as-virgin-galactic-launch-nears-oceangate-tragedy-sparks-safety-debate-609708">As Virgin Galactic launch nears, OceanGate tragedy sparks safety debate</a>&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Time to learn from Titan sub disaster? Perils of unregulated and extreme tourism

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<h2>Concerns over such expeditions&nbsp;</h2>

This submersible raised questions about the unregulated nature of such expeditions as experts across the world asked why private parties ignore safety checks during risky adventure trips.&nbsp;

Reports also mentioned that the company had not got a safety audit committed by a third party. Some experts have highlighted that the scope of survival was low even if a small thing went wrong.&nbsp;

In the past week, Canadian and US authorities have also announced investigations into the incident.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Debris from the Titan submersible which imploded, killing all five on board, has been recovered and returned to land by a Canadian-flagged ship on Wednesday (June 28).

Debris from the Titan submersible which imploded, killing all five on board, has been recovered and returned to land by a Canadian-flagged ship on Wednesday (June 28). The sub operated by OceanGate Expeditions was on a voyage to see the century-old wreck of the Titanic earlier this month, becoming a matter of global concern. 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. Also read: Expeditions to Titanic wreck see bleak future as all plans stand cancelled 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. Also read: As Virgin Galactic launch nears, OceanGate tragedy sparks safety debate Watch: Time to learn from Titan sub disaster? Perils of unregulated and extreme tourism × Concerns over such expeditions This submersible raised questions about the unregulated nature of such expeditions as experts across the world asked why private parties ignore safety checks during risky adventure trips. Reports also mentioned that the company had not got a safety audit committed by a third party. Some experts have highlighted that the scope of survival was low even if a small thing went wrong. In the past week, Canadian and US authorities have also announced investigations into the incident. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Debris recovered from Titan submersible that imploded killing five

Pakistan is currently facing an unprecedented financial crisis and expects a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to revive the economy. On Wednesday (June 28), Dawn newspaper reported citing people with knowledge of the matter that Islamabad is in talks with the international financial institution for a new $2.5 billion quick standby assistance as the existing programme expires on June 30.&nbsp;

According to the Pakistan-based newspaper, the short-term proposed arrangement, which is for six to nine months, includes an upfront disbursement of $1.1 billion within the next 15 days. It is followed by two or three more reviews for as much as $500 million each.&nbsp;

Pakistan is struggling to finalise an agreement with the lender as its IMF programme runs out. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also held a meeting with the ambassadors of key countries to get support for the revival of the deal. So far, there's nothing concrete.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-new-law-paves-way-for-former-pm-nawaz-sharifs-return-report-609308">Pakistan passes new law, paves way for former PM Nawaz Sharif’s return: Report</a>&nbsp;

<h2>Economic crisis in Pakistan&nbsp;</h2>

The economy of the nation has been stricken by a balance-of-payments crisis as it attempts to service crippling external debt. Months of political chaos have worsened the situation.&nbsp;

The cost of living crisis is also troubling the common people as inflation has rocketed, the Pakistan rupee has plummeted and the country can no longer afford imports. This has led to a severe decline in industrial output.&nbsp;

Pakistan remained in a difficult phase as it attempted to regain access to a $6.7 billion bailout programme. However, it has been delayed for more than six months. The South Asian nation drafted its annual budget keeping the crisis in mind.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indias-amara-raja-group-secures-130-million-solar-power-project-in-bangladesh-609215">India's Amara Raja Group secures $130 million solar power project in Bangladesh</a>&nbsp;

Ishaq Dar told reporters after releasing the budget for the 2023-24 financial year that "we'll see how things go" as he referred to whether to restructure or reprofile debt. Dar added, "In either case, we will talk to bilateral creditors."&nbsp;

To tackle the situation, Pakistan has taken decisive changes to the annual budget, such as hiked taxes and energy prices to win the lender's support. However, these tweaks would impact the common people.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Civilians in Pakistan may face military trial for vandalising army building&nbsp;

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<h2>Pakistan to hand over Karachi port to UAE&nbsp;</h2>

Pakistan is apparently planning to hand over the Karachi port terminals to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a move which appears to be the first intergovernmental transaction under a law enacted last year to raise emergency funds.&nbsp;

Earlier this month, a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Inter-Governmental Commercial Transactions was chaired by the finance minister to discuss the details of the deal.&nbsp;

In the meeting, it was decided to set up a committee to negotiate a commercial agreement between the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and the UAE government.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Pakistan is currently facing an unprecedented financial crisis and expects a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to revive the economy. On Wednesday (June 28), Dawn newspaper reported citing people with knowledge of the matter that Islamabad is in talks with the international financial institution for a new $2.

Pakistan is currently facing an unprecedented financial crisis and expects a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to revive the economy. On Wednesday (June 28), Dawn newspaper reported citing people with knowledge of the matter that Islamabad is in talks with the international financial institution for a new $2.5 billion quick standby assistance as the existing programme expires on June 30. According to the Pakistan-based newspaper, the short-term proposed arrangement, which is for six to nine months, includes an upfront disbursement of $1.1 billion within the next 15 days. It is followed by two or three more reviews for as much as $500 million each. Pakistan is struggling to finalise an agreement with the lender as its IMF programme runs out. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also held a meeting with the ambassadors of key countries to get support for the revival of the deal. So far, there's nothing concrete. Also read: Pakistan passes new law, paves way for former PM Nawaz Sharif’s return: Report Economic crisis in Pakistan The economy of the nation has been stricken by a balance-of-payments crisis as it attempts to service crippling external debt. Months of political chaos have worsened the situation. The cost of living crisis is also troubling the common people as inflation has rocketed, the Pakistan rupee has plummeted and the country can no longer afford imports. This has led to a severe decline in industrial output. Pakistan remained in a difficult phase as it attempted to regain access to a $6.7 billion bailout programme. However, it has been delayed for more than six months. The South Asian nation drafted its annual budget keeping the crisis in mind. Also read: India's Amara Raja Group secures $130 million solar power project in Bangladesh Ishaq Dar told reporters after releasing the budget for the 2023-24 financial year that "we'll see how things go" as he referred to whether to restructure or reprofile debt. Dar added, "In either case, we will talk to bilateral creditors." To tackle the situation, Pakistan has taken decisive changes to the annual budget, such as hiked taxes and energy prices to win the lender's support. However, these tweaks would impact the common people. Watch: Civilians in Pakistan may face military trial for vandalising army building × Pakistan to hand over Karachi port to UAE Pakistan is apparently planning to hand over the Karachi port terminals to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a move which appears to be the first intergovernmental transaction under a law enacted last year to raise emergency funds. Earlier this month, a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Inter-Governmental Commercial Transactions was chaired by the finance minister to discuss the details of the deal. In the meeting, it was decided to set up a committee to negotiate a commercial agreement between the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and the UAE government. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistan in talks with IMF for new $2.5 billion quick standby assistance: Report

Polish President Andrzej Duda said on Wednesday (June 28) during a visit to Ukraine that the presence of Wagner troops in Belarus could be a potential "threat" to the countries of the region.&nbsp;

Duda told reporters in Kyiv, "It is difficult for us to exclude today that the presence of the Wagner Group in Belarus could pose a potential threat to Poland, which shares a border with Belarus, a threat to Lithuania... as well as potentially to Latvia."&nbsp;

On Tuesday, a jet belonging to Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin flew out of Rostov and landed near Minsk, which was later confirmed by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko. The Belarusian leader was quoted as saying by the state media Belta that Prigozin was currently in Belarus.&nbsp;

He said that "security guarantees have been given" as promised to Russian President Vladimir Putin. "I see Prigozhin's been flying aboard this plane - yes, indeed he’s in Belarus today," he further added.&nbsp;

Lukashenko mentioned that Belarus is not building any camps for the group, but will accommodate them if they want. However, their presence itself has become a matter of concern for the Polish President.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/leaked-intel-foils-wagners-attempt-to-capture-russias-military-leadership-report-609743">Wagner aimed to capture Russia's military leadership, sped up efforts after plans leaked: Report</a>&nbsp;

<h2>Poland and Lithuania presidents in Kyiv&nbsp;</h2>

The presidents of Poland and Lithuania made a surprise visit to Kyiv on Wednesday and met their Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.&nbsp;

Duda said in a joint news conference that Poland and Lithuania will do everything they can to ensure that Ukraine becomes a member of NATO as soon as possible.&nbsp;

Notably, NATO members unanimously said that Ukraine must get all support during the war against Russia. They are affirmative about Ukraine's inclusion in NATO but have yet to resolve differences over how to address Kyiv's desire for membership.&nbsp;

Lithuania and Poland have been among the staunchest supporters of Ukraine in NATO and the EU, and have been calling for accepting it into both. Meanwhile, Lithuania is buying NASAMS air defence systems for Ukraine from a Norwegian company.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Deadly Russian missile strike hits pizza restaurant in Ukraine

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Also read:&nbsp;<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>&nbsp;

<h2>Poland gets first batch of Abrams&nbsp;</h2>

On Wednesday, Poland also received the first shipment of US-made advanced Abrams tanks. The defence minister said that it is a boost to the nation's military capabilities amid the Russia-Ukraine war.&nbsp;

Poland's Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak told reporters, "The first tanks are already on Polish soil, it's an important day for the Polish army. This year we will have more tanks and they will form a battalion of Abrams tanks," Blaszczak said, hailing the US-made Abrams as "the best tanks in the world."&nbsp;

The authorities in Warsaw ordered a total of 366 Abrams tanks from the United States, with the first batch comprising 14 tanks which arrived at the port city of Szczecin. The shipment is part of a deal worth $1.4 billion for 116 M1A1 Abrams tanks that were previously used by the US Marine Corps.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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Polish President Andrzej Duda said on Wednesday (June 28) during a visit to Ukraine that the presence of Wagner troops in Belarus could be a potential "threat" to the countries of the region.

Polish President Andrzej Duda said on Wednesday (June 28) during a visit to Ukraine that the presence of Wagner troops in Belarus could be a potential "threat" to the countries of the region. Duda told reporters in Kyiv, "It is difficult for us to exclude today that the presence of the Wagner Group in Belarus could pose a potential threat to Poland, which shares a border with Belarus, a threat to Lithuania... as well as potentially to Latvia." On Tuesday, a jet belonging to Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin flew out of Rostov and landed near Minsk, which was later confirmed by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko. The Belarusian leader was quoted as saying by the state media Belta that Prigozin was currently in Belarus. He said that "security guarantees have been given" as promised to Russian President Vladimir Putin. "I see Prigozhin's been flying aboard this plane - yes, indeed he’s in Belarus today," he further added. Lukashenko mentioned that Belarus is not building any camps for the group, but will accommodate them if they want. However, their presence itself has become a matter of concern for the Polish President. Also read: Wagner aimed to capture Russia's military leadership, sped up efforts after plans leaked: Report Poland and Lithuania presidents in Kyiv The presidents of Poland and Lithuania made a surprise visit to Kyiv on Wednesday and met their Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. Duda said in a joint news conference that Poland and Lithuania will do everything they can to ensure that Ukraine becomes a member of NATO as soon as possible. Notably, NATO members unanimously said that Ukraine must get all support during the war against Russia. They are affirmative about Ukraine's inclusion in NATO but have yet to resolve differences over how to address Kyiv's desire for membership. Lithuania and Poland have been among the staunchest supporters of Ukraine in NATO and the EU, and have been calling for accepting it into both. Meanwhile, Lithuania is buying NASAMS air defence systems for Ukraine from a Norwegian company. Watch: Deadly Russian missile strike hits pizza restaurant in Ukraine × Also read: Putin wished to ‘wipe out’ Wagner chief Prigozhin after mutiny, claims Lukashenko Poland gets first batch of Abrams On Wednesday, Poland also received the first shipment of US-made advanced Abrams tanks. The defence minister said that it is a boost to the nation's military capabilities amid the Russia-Ukraine war. Poland's Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak told reporters, "The first tanks are already on Polish soil, it's an important day for the Polish army. This year we will have more tanks and they will form a battalion of Abrams tanks," Blaszczak said, hailing the US-made Abrams as "the best tanks in the world." The authorities in Warsaw ordered a total of 366 Abrams tanks from the United States, with the first batch comprising 14 tanks which arrived at the port city of Szczecin. The shipment is part of a deal worth $1.4 billion for 116 M1A1 Abrams tanks that were previously used by the US Marine Corps. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Poland says Wagner troops in Belarus 'threat' to countries of the region

Astronomers used a galaxy-sized antenna of millisecond pulsars in the Milky Way to spot low-frequency <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/for-first-time-scientists-hear-sound-of-gravitational-waves-610001">gravitational waves</a> for the first time in history. The "background hum" is rumbling throughout the universe and it is the first evidence of a long-theorised form of gravitational waves.&nbsp;

This becomes a notable event in the history of astrophysics - all thanks to the breakthrough made by hundreds of scientists using radio telescopes in North America, Europe, China, India and Australia after years of work.&nbsp;

The day has been hailed as a major milestone that opens a new window into the universe as it comes around eight years after scientists spotted the elusive ripples in space-time.&nbsp;

<h2>What are gravitational waves?&nbsp;</h2>

Astrophysicists have previously stated that gravitational waves are 'ripples' in space-time created by some of the universe's most destructive and intense activities. It is also an attestation of what Albert Einstein had predicted in 1916, in his general theory of relativity.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/wion-exclusive-chandrayaan-3-launch-on-july-13-lunar-landing-by-august-end-609776">Chandrayaan-3 launch on July 13, lunar landing by August-end</a>&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<h2>Theory of relativity</h2>

Einstein's theories are said to be one of the most important papers ever published in the field of physics. In layman's terms, the theory of relativity consists of two interrelated physics theories; special relativity and general relativity. Special relativity applies to all physical phenomena in the absence of gravity.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, general relativity describes the law of gravitation and its relationship to natural forces. It applies to cosmology and astrophysics, especially astronomy. &nbsp;

The general theory of relativity is a major building block of modern physics and is related to gravity, which is one of the fundamental forces in the universe.&nbsp;

It basically talks about the force of gravity and how it arises from the curvature of space and time. Well, an elaborated mathematical formula is followed, which is for the experts, not us. We need to understand the latest announcement.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/europes-space-telescope-to-target-universes-dark-mysteries-610172">Europe's space telescope to target universe's dark mysteries</a>&nbsp;

<h2>What do we know about the latest finding?&nbsp;</h2>

As mentioned earlier, gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of the universe that travel through everything at the speed of light almost entirely unimpeded. However, their existence was not confirmed until 2015, when the US and Italian observatories detected the first gravitational waves created by two black holes colliding.&nbsp;

These "high-frequency" waves were caused by a single explosive event that sent a powerful, brief burst rippling towards Earth. However, scientists have been looking for low-frequency gravitational waves, which are considered to be constantly rolling across space like background noise, for decades.&nbsp;

To know more about the phenomenon, scientists joined forces under the banner of the International Pulsar Timing Array consortium and worked at gravitational wave detectors on several continents. They finally revealed on Thursday that they have found strong evidence of these background waves.&nbsp;

Watch this report:&nbsp;

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As quoted by the news agency Reuters, Oregon State University astrophysicist Xavier Siemens said, "As gravitational waves pass through the galaxy, they stretch and they squeeze it. And then these times of arrival of these pulses are changed. So one pulsar, as it's approaching the earth, its pulses will arrive a little earlier than we expect, as other pulsars will be away from the earth because it's being affected by the gravitational wave and those pulses arrive a little later."&nbsp;

Siemens is a co-director of the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav), a collaboration of more than 190 scientists from the United States and Canada who worked to monitor the gravitational wave signals.&nbsp;

Gravitational waves, as well as ghostly subatomic particles known as neutrinos, allow for a more thorough exploration of the universe. Seven years ago, physicists revealed that the&nbsp;gravitational waves were&nbsp;generated by two distant black holes - extremely compact objects with gravity so powerful that not even light can escape. Gravitational waves can be caused by the motion of black holes and other enormous objects.&nbsp;

Siemens told Reuters, "So if you imagine, you know, the collection of supermassive black holes that were that, you know, we were seeing correlations for as kind of like a choir or an orchestra... Imagine one of these orchestra members is a little bit close or is playing a little bit louder for some reason. That only happens with supermassive black holes."&nbsp;

<h2>How did scientists carry out the research?&nbsp;</h2>

Scientists issued radio telescopes around the world, which were aimed at a total of 115 pulsars throughout the Milky Way, to carry out the new research.&nbsp;

Scientists then measured the incredibly small differences in the timing of the pulses, searching for the signs of gravitational waves. French astrophysicist Antoine Petiteau said they were able to "detect changes of less than one-millionth of a second across more than 20 years".&nbsp;

Maura McLaughlin of the US Pulsar Search Collaboratory programme said they were "awestruck" after first seeing evidence of the waves in 2020. During the press conference, she said that it was "really a magical moment".&nbsp;

According to Siemens, the data would be able to help scientists map out how galaxies form over time. He said, "I am surprised that we were able to (do this) in some ways because it's a little bit of a long shot. And I think another part of the surprise is the amplitude of the signal is actually a little bit larger than we expected."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Astronomers used a galaxy-sized antenna of millisecond pulsars in the Milky Way to spot low-frequency gravitational waves for the first time in history. The "background hum" is rumbling throughout the universe and it is the first evidence of a long-theorised form of gravitational waves.

Astronomers used a galaxy-sized antenna of millisecond pulsars in the Milky Way to spot low-frequency gravitational waves for the first time in history. The "background hum" is rumbling throughout the universe and it is the first evidence of a long-theorised form of gravitational waves. This becomes a notable event in the history of astrophysics - all thanks to the breakthrough made by hundreds of scientists using radio telescopes in North America, Europe, China, India and Australia after years of work. The day has been hailed as a major milestone that opens a new window into the universe as it comes around eight years after scientists spotted the elusive ripples in space-time. What are gravitational waves? Astrophysicists have previously stated that gravitational waves are 'ripples' in space-time created by some of the universe's most destructive and intense activities. It is also an attestation of what Albert Einstein had predicted in 1916, in his general theory of relativity. Also read: Chandrayaan-3 launch on July 13, lunar landing by August-end Theory of relativity Einstein's theories are said to be one of the most important papers ever published in the field of physics. In layman's terms, the theory of relativity consists of two interrelated physics theories; special relativity and general relativity. Special relativity applies to all physical phenomena in the absence of gravity. Meanwhile, general relativity describes the law of gravitation and its relationship to natural forces. It applies to cosmology and astrophysics, especially astronomy. The general theory of relativity is a major building block of modern physics and is related to gravity, which is one of the fundamental forces in the universe. It basically talks about the force of gravity and how it arises from the curvature of space and time. Well, an elaborated mathematical formula is followed, which is for the experts, not us. We need to understand the latest announcement. Also read: Europe's space telescope to target universe's dark mysteries What do we know about the latest finding? As mentioned earlier, gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of the universe that travel through everything at the speed of light almost entirely unimpeded. However, their existence was not confirmed until 2015, when the US and Italian observatories detected the first gravitational waves created by two black holes colliding. These "high-frequency" waves were caused by a single explosive event that sent a powerful, brief burst rippling towards Earth. However, scientists have been looking for low-frequency gravitational waves, which are considered to be constantly rolling across space like background noise, for decades. To know more about the phenomenon, scientists joined forces under the banner of the International Pulsar Timing Array consortium and worked at gravitational wave detectors on several continents. They finally revealed on Thursday that they have found strong evidence of these background waves. Watch this report: × As quoted by the news agency Reuters, Oregon State University astrophysicist Xavier Siemens said, "As gravitational waves pass through the galaxy, they stretch and they squeeze it. And then these times of arrival of these pulses are changed. So one pulsar, as it's approaching the earth, its pulses will arrive a little earlier than we expect, as other pulsars will be away from the earth because it's being affected by the gravitational wave and those pulses arrive a little later." Siemens is a co-director of the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav), a collaboration of more than 190 scientists from the United States and Canada who worked to monitor the gravitational wave signals. Gravitational waves, as well as ghostly subatomic particles known as neutrinos, allow for a more thorough exploration of the universe. Seven years ago, physicists revealed that the gravitational waves were generated by two distant black holes - extremely compact objects with gravity so powerful that not even light can escape. Gravitational waves can be caused by the motion of black holes and other enormous objects. Siemens told Reuters, "So if you imagine, you know, the collection of supermassive black holes that were that, you know, we were seeing correlations for as kind of like a choir or an orchestra... Imagine one of these orchestra members is a little bit close or is playing a little bit louder for some reason. That only happens with supermassive black holes." How did scientists carry out the research? Scientists issued radio telescopes around the world, which were aimed at a total of 115 pulsars throughout the Milky Way, to carry out the new research. Scientists then measured the incredibly small differences in the timing of the pulses, searching for the signs of gravitational waves. French astrophysicist Antoine Petiteau said they were able to "detect changes of less than one-millionth of a second across more than 20 years". Maura McLaughlin of the US Pulsar Search Collaboratory programme said they were "awestruck" after first seeing evidence of the waves in 2020. During the press conference, she said that it was "really a magical moment". According to Siemens, the data would be able to help scientists map out how galaxies form over time. He said, "I am surprised that we were able to (do this) in some ways because it's a little bit of a long shot. And I think another part of the surprise is the amplitude of the signal is actually a little bit larger than we expected." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained: Gravitational waves and the cosmic 'background hum'

Earlier this year, a Chinese 'spy'&nbsp;balloon was spotted in the skies of the United States and was later shot down by jets over the Atlantic Ocean — an incident which escalated tensions between Washington and Beijing. Now, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday (June 28), citing preliminary findings from a closely held probe, that the spy balloon used American technology to&nbsp;collect audio-visual information.&nbsp;

Citing US officials, WSJ said that analysis from several US defence and intelligence agencies found that the balloon carried commercially available US gear, along with more specialised Chinese sensors and other equipment to collect photographs, video and other information to transmit to China.&nbsp;

The report said that the findings support a conclusion that the balloon was intended for spying, and not for weather monitoring as claimed by China. WSJ said that the balloon did not seem to send data from its eight-day passage over Alaska, Canada and some other contiguous US states back to China.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indian-origin-man-jailed-for-smuggling-800-people-into-us-using-uber-610082">Indian-Origin man jailed for smuggling over 800 Indians into US using Uber</a>&nbsp;

<h2>Spy balloon saga&nbsp;</h2>

American authorities tracked the balloon after it was spotted, they later scrambled jets to shoot it down and had collected the debris to analyse it. However, China said that the balloon was a civilian 'airship'&nbsp;which was used for research, mainly meteorological purposes.&nbsp;

The balloon episode sparked diplomatic tensions and posed an immediate impact on US-China ties.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/xi-jinpings-green-energy-push-gives-china-top-renewable-energy-dividends-610050">Xi Jinping's green energy push gives China top renewable energy dividends</a>&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;US Cities under air quality alerts amid haze of Canada wildfires

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After the incident, a senior State Department official said that the spy balloon had equipment that was "clearly for intelligence surveillance," including "multiple antennas" that were "likely capable of collecting and geo-locating communications".&nbsp;

The officials in the US had claimed that the balloon could have been a part of a huge aerial spy programme operated by the Chinese military, which apparently targeted more than 40 countries on five continents.&nbsp;

The US is also confident that the manufacturer of the Chinese balloon has a "direct relationship" with the People's Liberation Army (PLA).&nbsp;

As quoted by news agencies, an official had said on grounds of anonymity that "it [the balloon] had multiple antennas to include an array likely capable of collecting and geo-locating communications."&nbsp;

"It was equipped with solar panels large enough to produce the requisite power to operate multiple active intelligence collection sensors," it added.&nbsp;

It was basically meant to collect information on military assets in countries and areas of emerging strategic interest to China including Japan, India, Vietnam, Taiwan and the Philippines.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

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Earlier this year, a Chinese 'spy' balloon was spotted in the skies of the United States and was later shot down by jets over the Atlantic Ocean — an incident which escalated tensions between Washington and Beijing.

Earlier this year, a Chinese 'spy' balloon was spotted in the skies of the United States and was later shot down by jets over the Atlantic Ocean — an incident which escalated tensions between Washington and Beijing. Now, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday (June 28), citing preliminary findings from a closely held probe, that the spy balloon used American technology to collect audio-visual information. Citing US officials, WSJ said that analysis from several US defence and intelligence agencies found that the balloon carried commercially available US gear, along with more specialised Chinese sensors and other equipment to collect photographs, video and other information to transmit to China. The report said that the findings support a conclusion that the balloon was intended for spying, and not for weather monitoring as claimed by China. WSJ said that the balloon did not seem to send data from its eight-day passage over Alaska, Canada and some other contiguous US states back to China. Also read: Indian-Origin man jailed for smuggling over 800 Indians into US using Uber Spy balloon saga American authorities tracked the balloon after it was spotted, they later scrambled jets to shoot it down and had collected the debris to analyse it. However, China said that the balloon was a civilian 'airship' which was used for research, mainly meteorological purposes. The balloon episode sparked diplomatic tensions and posed an immediate impact on US-China ties. Also read: Xi Jinping's green energy push gives China top renewable energy dividends Watch: US Cities under air quality alerts amid haze of Canada wildfires × After the incident, a senior State Department official said that the spy balloon had equipment that was "clearly for intelligence surveillance," including "multiple antennas" that were "likely capable of collecting and geo-locating communications". The officials in the US had claimed that the balloon could have been a part of a huge aerial spy programme operated by the Chinese military, which apparently targeted more than 40 countries on five continents. The US is also confident that the manufacturer of the Chinese balloon has a "direct relationship" with the People's Liberation Army (PLA). As quoted by news agencies, an official had said on grounds of anonymity that "it [the balloon] had multiple antennas to include an array likely capable of collecting and geo-locating communications." "It was equipped with solar panels large enough to produce the requisite power to operate multiple active intelligence collection sensors," it added. It was basically meant to collect information on military assets in countries and areas of emerging strategic interest to China including Japan, India, Vietnam, Taiwan and the Philippines. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Chinese 'spy' balloon reportedly used US technology to spy on Americans

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