Former Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa will return to the island nation next week, a local media broadcaster Newsfirst reported on Wednesday (August 17) citing Udayanga Weeratunga, a former Lankan envoy to Russia.

Former Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa will return to the island nation next week, a local media broadcaster Newsfirst reported on Wednesday (August 17) citing Udayanga Weeratunga, a former Lankan envoy to Russia. There's no official confirmation yet. As quoted by the local media, Weeratunga, who is related to Rajapaksa, said that the former president will arrive in Sri Lanka on August 24. ALSO READ | Sri Lanka set to include Sinhala, Tamil during Independence Day celebrations Amid nationwide protests over the country's worst economic crisis, Gotabaya Rajapaksa flew out of the country last month in a military plane. He landed in the neighbouring Maldives and then spent weeks in Singapore before flying to Thailand. After fleeing the country, Rajapaksa has not made any public appearances or comments. ALSO READ | Situation in Sri Lanka 'stabilised', no need to extend emergency: President Wickremesinghe Sri Lanka has suffered through months of food and fuel shortages, lengthy blackouts and galloping inflation as the nation ran out of foreign currency to import vital goods. In a dramatic turn of events on July 9, hundreds of thousands of people in Colombo stormed the presidential palace, demanding Rajapaksa take responsibility for shortages of medicines, food and fuel. Udayanga Weeratunga and the MiG deal probe As far as the probe of the MiG deal is concerned, Weeratunga arrived at the CID to provide a statement about the procurement of MiG-27 fighter jets to the Sri Lanka Air Force. Weerathunga was arrested in February 2022 and released on bail several months later. He is accused of unlawfully interfering with the purchase of seven MiG ground attack aircraft for the Air Force from Ukraine. He is also accused of embezzling millions of US dollars through the deal. 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.

Former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to return on August 24: Report

F-INSAS, 'Nipun', LCA: 'Made in India' defence system handed over to the Indian Army - see pics

Russian President Vladimir Putin has revived a Soviet-era award of "Mother Heroine" for those women who have 10 or more children. This comes amid Moscow facing a demographic crisis which has been aggravated during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has revived a Soviet-era award of "Mother Heroine" for those women who have 10 or more children. This comes amid Moscow facing a demographic crisis which has been aggravated during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The Mother Heroine was an honorary title in the Soviet Union that was given for bearing and raising a large family, meaning raising 10 or more children. The Russian news agency TASS reported that a decree published on Monday (August 15) on the official portal of legal information said that the award entitles the mothers to a lump sum payment of $16,138 (₽1 million). ALSO READ | India-Pakistan nuclear war could kill 2 billion people: Study "To establish the title Mother Heroine, to be awarded to a mother who is a citizen of the Russian Federation, who has given birth to and brought up ten or more children who are citizens of the Russian Federation," TASS quoted the document as saying. According to the decree, the qualifying mothers will get the award as soon as their 10th living child turns one year old. They will still qualify for the award if they lose a kid in the battle, during a terrorist act or in any emergency situation. The "Mother Heroine" award was first established in 1944 by the former Soviet leader Josef Stalin. It was announced when a massive population was lost during World War II. With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the title was also stopped being awarded. ALSO READ | China to discourage abortions, offer benefits in bid to improve birth rate Russian population In recent decades, the population in Russia has seen a near-constant decline, which has startled the authorities. The total population fell to 145.1 million after a decline of around 400,000 people in early 2022. 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.

'Mother Heroine': Vladimir Putin revives Soviet-era award for mothers of 10 or more kids

The United States, on Tuesday (August 16), successfully tested a long-range, nuclear-capable ballistic missile. The test was conducted after a couple of delays that were done on purpose to avoid further escalating tensions over Ukraine and Taiwan.

The United States, on Tuesday (August 16), successfully tested a long-range, nuclear-capable ballistic missile. The test was conducted after a couple of delays that were done on purpose to avoid further escalating tensions over Ukraine and Taiwan. An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile was launched by the Air Force Global Strike Command over the Pacific from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Why was the test delayed? The test was delayed to avoid escalating tensions with Beijing during China's show of force near Taiwan earlier this month. The test was also cancelled in March as the nation wanted to delay the test to lower nuclear tensions with Moscow during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. What is Minuteman III ICBM? Minuteman III is an intercontinental ballistic missile. The nuclear-capable Minuteman III is made by Boeing Co and it is the key to the US military's strategic arsenal. It started development in 1964 and entered service in 1970 with a force of 550 missiles. Notably, the Minuteman family of missiles are vital for the US land-based nuclear strategic force since 1962. Reports have mentioned that the United States usually conducts two or more tests of the Minuteman III each year as it wants to ensure that the arsenal is still reliable and functioning well. After the latest test, the US military said that the test has been conducted to demonstrate the readiness of the United States nuclear forces. It also provides confidence in the lethality and effectiveness of the nation's nuclear deterrent. ALSO READ | India-Pakistan nuclear war could kill 2 billion people: Study Maj. Armand Wong, Task Force commander, said, "Our test launches are scheduled well in advance and are not reactionary to world events. A meticulous planning process for each launch begins six-months to a year prior to launch." "Our best Airmen from each of the three missile wings worked in conjunction with the 576th Flight Test Squadron to proudly showcase some very technical skills that comprise the heart of our nuclear deterrence mission," Maj. Wong added. ALSO READ | Chinese 'surveillance' ship docks at Sri Lankan port amid concerns in India What are the Minuteman III specifications? The silo-based Minuteman III missile has a maximum range of 13,000 km and can travel at a speed of approximately 24,000 kph. It is capable of carrying a payload of three reentry vehicles. The missile is 18.2 m long with a diameter of 1.85 m. It also has a launch weight of 34,467 kg. 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.

Explainer: US successfully tests ICBM after delays. How powerful is the nuclear-capable Minuteman III?

The Japanese capital Tokyo has seen a sharp decline in the number of kids waiting to be admitted to daycare facilities. In a recent report by The Japan Times, it was mentioned that the number of admissions stood at a record low of about 300 on a preliminary basis as of April this year. It apparently plunged from the most recent peak of 8,586 in 2017.&nbsp;

But this is not it as another side of the Japanese nurseries tells a different tale. According to a report by the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper, parents have been asked to take home their child's soiled nappies.&nbsp;

The survey-based report brings to notice a practice that is quite common but not discussed openly. As per the report, about 40 per cent of towns and cities in Japan say they demand the guardians of their kids take their used nappies with them.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/peacekeeping-abuse-un-soldiers-fathered-and-abandoned-thousands-of-children-in-dr-congo-507198">Peacekeeping abuse: UN soldiers 'fathered and abandoned thousands of children' in DR Congo</a>&nbsp;

The report talks about how many local governments do not promote diaper disposal at daycare centres. It is a public administrative duty to support child care in the community.&nbsp;

As quoted, a 43-year-old woman, who sends her two-year-old daughter to a daycare centre in the city of Kyoto, said, "Why should I take them (used diapers) home? I've never told the daycare that it bothers me because I don't want to make waves. But it's strange."&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/scientists-alter-blood-type-of-donor-kidneys-to-increase-supply-of-organs-for-transplant-507177">Scientists alter blood type of donor kidneys to increase supply of organs for transplant</a>&nbsp;

The woman said that every time she picks up her daughter, the facility asks her to bring home three or four used diapers. She eventually does and throws them straight into the trash when she gets home.&nbsp;

The survey was conducted by Osaka-based Baby Job Inc., which offers a subscription-based diaper service for daycare centres.&nbsp;

The survey was based on what's happening to used diapers at the child care facilities via its "association to eliminate diaper take-homes from day care centers."&nbsp;&nbsp;

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The Japanese capital Tokyo has seen a sharp decline in the number of kids waiting to be admitted to daycare facilities. In a recent report by The Japan Times, it was mentioned that the number of admissions stood at a record low of about 300 on a preliminary basis as of April this year.

The Japanese capital Tokyo has seen a sharp decline in the number of kids waiting to be admitted to daycare facilities. In a recent report by The Japan Times, it was mentioned that the number of admissions stood at a record low of about 300 on a preliminary basis as of April this year. It apparently plunged from the most recent peak of 8,586 in 2017. But this is not it as another side of the Japanese nurseries tells a different tale. According to a report by the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper, parents have been asked to take home their child's soiled nappies. The survey-based report brings to notice a practice that is quite common but not discussed openly. As per the report, about 40 per cent of towns and cities in Japan say they demand the guardians of their kids take their used nappies with them. ALSO READ | Peacekeeping abuse: UN soldiers 'fathered and abandoned thousands of children' in DR Congo The report talks about how many local governments do not promote diaper disposal at daycare centres. It is a public administrative duty to support child care in the community. As quoted, a 43-year-old woman, who sends her two-year-old daughter to a daycare centre in the city of Kyoto, said, "Why should I take them (used diapers) home? I've never told the daycare that it bothers me because I don't want to make waves. But it's strange." ALSO READ | Scientists alter blood type of donor kidneys to increase supply of organs for transplant The woman said that every time she picks up her daughter, the facility asks her to bring home three or four used diapers. She eventually does and throws them straight into the trash when she gets home. The survey was conducted by Osaka-based Baby Job Inc., which offers a subscription-based diaper service for daycare centres. The survey was based on what's happening to used diapers at the child care facilities via its "association to eliminate diaper take-homes from day care centers." 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.

Japan: Parents baffled as nurseries ask them to take home soiled diapers

The United States and South Korea will begin their biggest combined military training in years next week in the face of an increasingly aggressive North Korea, which has been ramping up weapons tests and threats of nuclear conflict against Seoul and Washington, the South's military said Tuesday.&nbsp;

The allies' summertime drills, which will take place from Aug. 22 to Sept. 1 in South Korea under the name of Ulchi Freedom Shield, will include field exercises involving aircraft, warships, tanks and potentially tens of thousands of troops.

The drills underscore Washington and Seoul's commitment to restore large-scale training after they cancelled some of their regular drills and downsized others to computer simulations in recent years to create space for diplomacy with Pyongyang and because of COVID-19 concerns.&nbsp;

The U.S. Department of Defense also said the U.S., South Korean and Japanese navies took part in missile warning and ballistic missile search and tracking exercises off the coast of Hawaii from Aug. 8 to 14, which it said was aimed at furthering trilateral cooperation in face of North Korean challenges.&nbsp;

While the United States and South Korea describe their exercises as defensive, Ulchi Freedom Shield will almost surely draw an angry reaction from North Korea, which describes all allied trainings as invasion rehearsals and has used them to justify its nuclear weapons and missiles development.&nbsp;

Before they were shelved or downsized, the U.S. And South Korea held major joint exercises every spring and summer in South Korea. The spring ones had been highlighted by live-fire drills involving a broad range of land, air and sea assets and usually involved around 10,000 American and 200,000 Korean troops.&nbsp;

Tens of thousands of allied troops had participated in the summertime drills, which had mainly consisted of computer simulations to hone joint decision making and planning, although South Korea's military has emphasized the revival of large-scale field training this time.&nbsp;

Officials at Seoul's Defense Ministry and its Joint Chiefs of Staff did not comment on the number of U.S. And South Korean troops that would be participating in Ulchi Freedom Guardian Shield.&nbsp;

The drills, which will kick off along with a four-day South Korean civil defense training program led by government employees, will reportedly include exercises simulating joint attacks, frontline reinforcements of arms and fuel, and removals of weapons of mass destruction.&nbsp;

The allies will also train for drone attacks and other new warfare developments shown during Russia's war on Ukraine and practice joint military-civilian responses to attacks on seaports, airports and major industrial facilities like semiconductor factories.&nbsp;

"The biggest meaning of (Ulchi Freedom Shield) is that it normalizes the South Korea-U.S. Combined exercises and field training, (contributing) to the rebuilding of the South Korea-U.S. Alliance and the combined defense posture,"&nbsp;Moon Hong-sik, a Defense Ministry spokesperson, said during a briefing. 
Some experts say North Korea may use the drills as an excuse to stir up tensions.&nbsp;

The North has already warned of a "deadly" retaliation against South Korea over its COVID-19 outbreak it dubiously claims was caused by anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets and other objects flown across the border by balloons launched by southern activists. There are concerns that the North Korean threat, issued last week by the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong Un, portends a provocation, which may include a nuclear or major missile test or even border skirmishes.&nbsp;

In an interview with Associated Press Television last month, Choe Jin, deputy director of a think tank run by Pyongyang's Foreign Ministry, said the United States and South Korea would face "unprecedented" security challenges if they don't drop their hostile military pressure campaign against the North, including joint military drills.&nbsp;

Kim Jun-rak, spokesperson of South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the South Korean and U.S. Militaries were maintaining a close watch on North Korean military activities and facilities.&nbsp;

Animosity has built up on the Korean Peninsula since U.S.-North Korea nuclear negotiations derailed in early 2019 over exchanging the release of crippling U.S.-led sanctions against the North and the North's disarmament steps.&nbsp;

Kim Jong Un has since declared to bolster his nuclear deterrent in face of "gangster-like"&nbsp;U.S. Pressure and halted all cooperation with the South. Exploiting a division in the U.N. Security Council over Russia's war on Ukraine, North Korea has dialed up weapons testing to a record pace this year, conducting more than 30 ballistic launches. They have included the country's first demonstrations of intercontinental ballistic missile technology since 2017 and further tests of tactical systems designed to be armed with small battlefield nukes.&nbsp;

Kim has punctuated his testing binge with repeated warnings that the North would proactively use its nuclear weapons in conflicts with South Korea and the United States, which experts say indicate an escalatory nuclear doctrine that could cause greater concerns for its neighbours.&nbsp;

South Korea and U.S. Officials say North Korea is also gearing up for its first nuclear test since September 2017, when it claimed to have developed a thermonuclear warhead to fit on its ICBMs

The United States and South Korea will begin their biggest combined military training in years next week in the face of an increasingly aggressive North Korea, which has been ramping up weapons tests and threats of nuclear conflict against Seoul and Washington, the South's military said Tuesday.

The United States and South Korea will begin their biggest combined military training in years next week in the face of an increasingly aggressive North Korea, which has been ramping up weapons tests and threats of nuclear conflict against Seoul and Washington, the South's military said Tuesday. The allies' summertime drills, which will take place from Aug. 22 to Sept. 1 in South Korea under the name of Ulchi Freedom Shield, will include field exercises involving aircraft, warships, tanks and potentially tens of thousands of troops. The drills underscore Washington and Seoul's commitment to restore large-scale training after they cancelled some of their regular drills and downsized others to computer simulations in recent years to create space for diplomacy with Pyongyang and because of COVID-19 concerns. The U.S. Department of Defense also said the U.S., South Korean and Japanese navies took part in missile warning and ballistic missile search and tracking exercises off the coast of Hawaii from Aug. 8 to 14, which it said was aimed at furthering trilateral cooperation in face of North Korean challenges. While the United States and South Korea describe their exercises as defensive, Ulchi Freedom Shield will almost surely draw an angry reaction from North Korea, which describes all allied trainings as invasion rehearsals and has used them to justify its nuclear weapons and missiles development. Before they were shelved or downsized, the U.S. And South Korea held major joint exercises every spring and summer in South Korea. The spring ones had been highlighted by live-fire drills involving a broad range of land, air and sea assets and usually involved around 10,000 American and 200,000 Korean troops. Tens of thousands of allied troops had participated in the summertime drills, which had mainly consisted of computer simulations to hone joint decision making and planning, although South Korea's military has emphasized the revival of large-scale field training this time. Officials at Seoul's Defense Ministry and its Joint Chiefs of Staff did not comment on the number of U.S. And South Korean troops that would be participating in Ulchi Freedom Guardian Shield. The drills, which will kick off along with a four-day South Korean civil defense training program led by government employees, will reportedly include exercises simulating joint attacks, frontline reinforcements of arms and fuel, and removals of weapons of mass destruction. The allies will also train for drone attacks and other new warfare developments shown during Russia's war on Ukraine and practice joint military-civilian responses to attacks on seaports, airports and major industrial facilities like semiconductor factories. "The biggest meaning of (Ulchi Freedom Shield) is that it normalizes the South Korea-U.S. Combined exercises and field training, (contributing) to the rebuilding of the South Korea-U.S. Alliance and the combined defense posture," Moon Hong-sik, a Defense Ministry spokesperson, said during a briefing. Some experts say North Korea may use the drills as an excuse to stir up tensions. The North has already warned of a "deadly" retaliation against South Korea over its COVID-19 outbreak it dubiously claims was caused by anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets and other objects flown across the border by balloons launched by southern activists. There are concerns that the North Korean threat, issued last week by the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong Un, portends a provocation, which may include a nuclear or major missile test or even border skirmishes. In an interview with Associated Press Television last month, Choe Jin, deputy director of a think tank run by Pyongyang's Foreign Ministry, said the United States and South Korea would face "unprecedented" security challenges if they don't drop their hostile military pressure campaign against the North, including joint military drills. Kim Jun-rak, spokesperson of South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the South Korean and U.S. Militaries were maintaining a close watch on North Korean military activities and facilities. Animosity has built up on the Korean Peninsula since U.S.-North Korea nuclear negotiations derailed in early 2019 over exchanging the release of crippling U.S.-led sanctions against the North and the North's disarmament steps. Kim Jong Un has since declared to bolster his nuclear deterrent in face of "gangster-like" U.S. Pressure and halted all cooperation with the South. Exploiting a division in the U.N. Security Council over Russia's war on Ukraine, North Korea has dialed up weapons testing to a record pace this year, conducting more than 30 ballistic launches. They have included the country's first demonstrations of intercontinental ballistic missile technology since 2017 and further tests of tactical systems designed to be armed with small battlefield nukes. Kim has punctuated his testing binge with repeated warnings that the North would proactively use its nuclear weapons in conflicts with South Korea and the United States, which experts say indicate an escalatory nuclear doctrine that could cause greater concerns for its neighbours. South Korea and U.S. Officials say North Korea is also gearing up for its first nuclear test since September 2017, when it claimed to have developed a thermonuclear warhead to fit on its ICBMs

US, South Korea to begin expanded military drills next week

Germany is sending 13 military aircraft to joint exercises in Australia, the air force's largest peacetime deployment, underlining Berlin's increased focus on the Indo-Pacific amid rising tensions with China in the region.

Last year, a&nbsp;German&nbsp;warship sailed into the South China Sea for the first time in almost 20 years, a move that saw Berlin joining other Western nations in expanding its military presence in the region amid growing alarm over Beijing's territorial ambitions.

Tensions have also risen over Taiwan since China - which claims Taiwan as its own territory - kicked off military drills around the democratically governed island after US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei at the start of August.

On Monday, six Eurofighter&nbsp;jets took off from a base in Neuburg an der Donau in southern&nbsp;Germany and three A330 tankers from Cologne for the three-day flight to Australia where they will, together with four&nbsp;German&nbsp;A400M transporters that have already left, join 16 other nations in the biennial exercise Pitch Black.

During the deployment, which includes detours to Japan and South Korea, the pilots will conduct almost 200 mid-air refuellings of the&nbsp;fighter&nbsp;jets,&nbsp;German&nbsp;air force chief Ingo Gerhartz told reporters ahead of the mission.

Asked whether the war planes will pass the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, two flashpoints of tensions with China in the region, Gerhartz said the aircraft would use civilian air traffic routes and that no passage of the Taiwan Strait was planned.

"The South China Sea, Taiwan - these are obviously the sticking points in the region," he told reporters. "We will fly at an altitude of more than 10 km and barely touch the South China Sea, and we will move on international routes."

Gerhartz said that, with the deployment, he was rather aiming to send a signal to&nbsp;Germany's partners than China: "I don't think we are sending any threatening message towards China by flying to an exercise in Australia."

The general was echoed by Australia's ambassador to&nbsp;Germany, Philip Green, who stressed there was no reason why Beijing should see a regular exercise as destabilising to the region.

"We are seeking a region which will be stable, peaceful and prosperous, strategic equilibrium where each country can take their own sovereign choices," Green said when asked about the message for China.

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Germany is sending 13 military aircraft to joint exercises in Australia, the air force's largest peacetime deployment, underlining Berlin's increased focus on the Indo-Pacific amid rising tensions with China in the region.

Germany is sending 13 military aircraft to joint exercises in Australia, the air force's largest peacetime deployment, underlining Berlin's increased focus on the Indo-Pacific amid rising tensions with China in the region. Last year, a German warship sailed into the South China Sea for the first time in almost 20 years, a move that saw Berlin joining other Western nations in expanding its military presence in the region amid growing alarm over Beijing's territorial ambitions. Tensions have also risen over Taiwan since China - which claims Taiwan as its own territory - kicked off military drills around the democratically governed island after US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei at the start of August. On Monday, six Eurofighter jets took off from a base in Neuburg an der Donau in southern Germany and three A330 tankers from Cologne for the three-day flight to Australia where they will, together with four German A400M transporters that have already left, join 16 other nations in the biennial exercise Pitch Black. During the deployment, which includes detours to Japan and South Korea, the pilots will conduct almost 200 mid-air refuellings of the fighter jets, German air force chief Ingo Gerhartz told reporters ahead of the mission. Asked whether the war planes will pass the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, two flashpoints of tensions with China in the region, Gerhartz said the aircraft would use civilian air traffic routes and that no passage of the Taiwan Strait was planned. "The South China Sea, Taiwan - these are obviously the sticking points in the region," he told reporters. "We will fly at an altitude of more than 10 km and barely touch the South China Sea, and we will move on international routes." Gerhartz said that, with the deployment, he was rather aiming to send a signal to Germany's partners than China: "I don't think we are sending any threatening message towards China by flying to an exercise in Australia." The general was echoed by Australia's ambassador to Germany, Philip Green, who stressed there was no reason why Beijing should see a regular exercise as destabilising to the region. "We are seeking a region which will be stable, peaceful and prosperous, strategic equilibrium where each country can take their own sovereign choices," Green said when asked about the message for China. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

German fighter jets en route to Australia as Berlin shifts focus to Indo-Pacific

India-Pakistan nuclear war could kill two&nbsp;billion people. Read the latest report on the test launch of the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile by the United States military.&nbsp;

Salman Rushdie, who was recently stabbed multiple times during an event in New York state, is awake. Here is Rushdie's health update.&nbsp;

Also, read an explainer on the applications of China's Yuan Wang 5 in space and spying operations.&nbsp;

In sports, read a detailed report on Premier League club Manchester United are now reportedly open to letting Cristiano Ronaldo leave this summer.&nbsp;

Click on the links to read the full report&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-pakistan-nuclear-war-could-kill-2-billion-people-study-507435">India-Pakistan nuclear war could kill 2 billion people: Study</a>&nbsp; 
A nuclear war involving less than 3% of global stockpiles may kill one-third of the world's population in two years, according to a new international study led by scientists at Rutgers University.&nbsp;

<img alt="nuclear war" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b9993e22-b8da-4323-ac45-4bcd10ef9d50" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/nuclear%20war.png" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-carries-out-icbm-test-to-demonstrate-readiness-of-us-nuclear-forces-507452">US carries out ICBM test to demonstrate readiness of nuclear forces, says 'not reactionary to world events'</a> 
The United States military said on Tuesday that it launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a test re-entry vehicle from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California on August 16 at 12:49am Pacific Time.&nbsp;

<img alt="Minuteman III" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ed2cec48-5edb-4b14-aed4-648ac0c3f152" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Minuteman%20III%20intercontinental%20ballistic%20missile.png" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explosions-rock-ammunition-depot-in-russia-controlled-crimea-507413">Explosions rock ammunition depot in Russia-controlled Crimea, Ukraine's role suspected</a> 
An ammunition depot in Russia-controlled Crimea was hit by series of explosions on Tuesday, in which two people got injured. The railway line between the peninsula and the rest of southern Ukraine and Russia also got disrupted.&nbsp;

<img alt="Crimea" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="222020e2-abd8-4ad6-a8d6-e9912c36fed2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Crimea.png" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/salman-rushdie-articulate-after-stabbing-attack-responding-to-investigators-report-507441">Salman Rushdie 'articulate' after stabbing attack, responding to investigators: Report</a> 
British author Salman Rushdie, who was recently stabbed multiple times during an event in New York state, is awake. The award-winning author is "articulate" in his conversations with investigators, CNN reported on Tuesday (August 16) citing a law enforcement official who has direct knowledge of the investigation.&nbsp;

<img alt="Salman Rushdie" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2fe7746d-e544-424c-86a2-4319a1fb2218" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Salman%20Rushdie%20%283%29_0.png" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-applications-of-chinas-yuan-wang-5-in-space-and-spying-operations-507490">Explainer: Applications of China's Yuan Wang 5 in space and spying operations</a> 
The Chinese ‘spy ship’ called Yuan Wang 5 docked at the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka despite security concerns raised by India. The port in the southern part of the country is leased to China at the moment but the proximity of the ship to India was the major point of concern.&nbsp;

<img alt="Yuan Wang 5" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="50b06f6a-736f-468b-9209-fcee5db20763" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/China%20%285%29.png" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-rishi-sunaks-opulent-private-pool-amid-rising-cost-of-living-sparks-row-507498">UK: Rishi Sunak's opulent private pool amid rising cost of living sparks row</a> 
Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader candidate, Rishi Sunak came under fire for spending almost 40 million USD on a pool at his North Yorkshire property as UK residents braced for another heatwave and a rise in the cost of living.&nbsp;

<img alt="Rishi Sunak" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ef389f01-c52e-4025-bc55-e75b269e1903" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Rishi%20Sunak.png" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/experts-express-concerns-over-fast-spreading-misinformation-related-to-monkeypox-virus-507489">Experts express concerns over fast-spreading misinformation related to monkeypox virus</a> 
Many experts are worried that the misinformation related to the monkeypox outbreak is spreading faster than the virus. Such concerns have been raised when unverified reports recently emerged, claiming that the monkeypox virus spread easily through the air and spreads from food and also causes high levels of anxiety.&nbsp;

<img alt="monkeypox" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e8856d3e-0af3-4698-992a-ad6f8edd4be2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/monkeypox%20%283%29.png" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dodge-to-discontinue-its-challenger-and-charger-muscle-cars-in-2023-507438">Dodge to discontinue its challenger and charger muscle cars in 2023</a>&nbsp; 
Dodge, an American automobile company will discontinue its gas-powered challenger and charger muscle cars at the end of 2023, signalling the end of an era for the company as it begins its shift to electric vehicles.

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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mother-heroine-vladimir-putin-revives-soviet-era-award-for-mothers-of-ten-or-more-kids-507507">'Mother Heroine': Vladimir Putin revives Soviet-era award for mothers of ten or more kids</a> 
Russian President Vladimir Putin has revived a Soviet-era award of "Mother Heroine" for those women who have ten or more children. This comes amid Moscow facing a demographic crisis which has been aggravated during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cristiano-ronaldo-negative-presence-at-manchester-united-club-open-to-letting-him-leave-report-507448">Cristiano Ronaldo 'negative presence' at Manchester United, club open to letting him leave - Report</a> 
Manchester United are now reportedly open to letting Cristiano Ronaldo leave this summer after having maintained for weeks that the Portuguese forward was not for sale. Despite Ronaldo having expressed his desire to leave the club, United's stance was that he was not for sale and would see out the final year of his contract at Old Trafford.

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India-Pakistan nuclear war could kill two billion people. Read the latest report on the test launch of the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile by the United States military.

India-Pakistan nuclear war could kill two billion people. Read the latest report on the test launch of the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile by the United States military. Salman Rushdie, who was recently stabbed multiple times during an event in New York state, is awake. Here is Rushdie's health update. Also, read an explainer on the applications of China's Yuan Wang 5 in space and spying operations. In sports, read a detailed report on Premier League club Manchester United are now reportedly open to letting Cristiano Ronaldo leave this summer. Click on the links to read the full report India-Pakistan nuclear war could kill 2 billion people: Study A nuclear war involving less than 3% of global stockpiles may kill one-third of the world's population in two years, according to a new international study led by scientists at Rutgers University. US carries out ICBM test to demonstrate readiness of nuclear forces, says 'not reactionary to world events' The United States military said on Tuesday that it launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a test re-entry vehicle from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California on August 16 at 12:49am Pacific Time. Explosions rock ammunition depot in Russia-controlled Crimea, Ukraine's role suspected An ammunition depot in Russia-controlled Crimea was hit by series of explosions on Tuesday, in which two people got injured. The railway line between the peninsula and the rest of southern Ukraine and Russia also got disrupted. Salman Rushdie 'articulate' after stabbing attack, responding to investigators: Report British author Salman Rushdie, who was recently stabbed multiple times during an event in New York state, is awake. The award-winning author is "articulate" in his conversations with investigators, CNN reported on Tuesday (August 16) citing a law enforcement official who has direct knowledge of the investigation. Explainer: Applications of China's Yuan Wang 5 in space and spying operations The Chinese ‘spy ship’ called Yuan Wang 5 docked at the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka despite security concerns raised by India. The port in the southern part of the country is leased to China at the moment but the proximity of the ship to India was the major point of concern. UK: Rishi Sunak's opulent private pool amid rising cost of living sparks row Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader candidate, Rishi Sunak came under fire for spending almost 40 million USD on a pool at his North Yorkshire property as UK residents braced for another heatwave and a rise in the cost of living. Experts express concerns over fast-spreading misinformation related to monkeypox virus Many experts are worried that the misinformation related to the monkeypox outbreak is spreading faster than the virus. Such concerns have been raised when unverified reports recently emerged, claiming that the monkeypox virus spread easily through the air and spreads from food and also causes high levels of anxiety. Dodge to discontinue its challenger and charger muscle cars in 2023 Dodge, an American automobile company will discontinue its gas-powered challenger and charger muscle cars at the end of 2023, signalling the end of an era for the company as it begins its shift to electric vehicles. 'Mother Heroine': Vladimir Putin revives Soviet-era award for mothers of ten or more kids Russian President Vladimir Putin has revived a Soviet-era award of "Mother Heroine" for those women who have ten or more children. This comes amid Moscow facing a demographic crisis which has been aggravated during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Cristiano Ronaldo 'negative presence' at Manchester United, club open to letting him leave - Report Manchester United are now reportedly open to letting Cristiano Ronaldo leave this summer after having maintained for weeks that the Portuguese forward was not for sale. Despite Ronaldo having expressed his desire to leave the club, United's stance was that he was not for sale and would see out the final year of his contract at Old Trafford.

Top 10 world news: Chinese spy ship docks in Sri Lanka, 5 billion people 'will die' in nuclear war, and more

Many experts are worried that the misinformation related to the monkeypox outbreak is spreading faster than the virus. Such concerns have been raised when unverified reports recently emerged, claiming that the monkeypox virus spread easily through the air and spreads from food and also causes high levels of anxiety.&nbsp;

Monkeypox cases continue to surge across the globe. Now, experts are gathering information as they investigate how the virus spreads, how people catch it and what are its typical symptoms.&nbsp;

The monkeypox outbreaks have also led to anti-gay stigma as the wave of infections is linked above all to sexual intercourse between men. In the LGBTQ community, the stigma has kept many people hidden in shame.&nbsp;

ALSO READ&nbsp;| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/this-bionic-arm-can-be-updated-with-new-gestures-anytime-and-anywhere-507409">This bionic arm can be updated with new gestures anytime and anywhere</a>&nbsp;

As per a recent survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center, about 1 in 5 people in the United States are worried they will contract monkeypox.&nbsp;

The data shows that almost all of the 11,177 cases in the US are in men but still nearly one-quarter of women in the survey said they were worried about contracting the virus.&nbsp;

Dr Tom Frieden, the former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said, "You don't want to send a message that this will only affect gay men."&nbsp;

The monkeypox virus is "primarily, overwhelmingly a disease of men who have sex with men, spread through sexual contact."&nbsp;

ALSO READ&nbsp;| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/scientists-alter-blood-type-of-donor-kidneys-to-increase-supply-of-organs-for-transplant-507177">Scientists alter blood type of donor kidneys to increase supply of organs for transplant</a>&nbsp;

Dr Frieden is now the president and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives, a global public health initiative. "I'm startled at the number of people who I know in the US and globally who, when I mention this, are shocked as if they'd never heard that before," he said.

Experts have noted that the rampant spread of misinformation online is to blame for the disproportionately high anxiety.&nbsp;

WHO wants to change the name

The World Health Organization (WHO) is looking forward to renaming monkeypox. On Tuesday (August 16), the health body asked for help from the public to come up with a less stigmatising designation for the fast-spreading disease.&nbsp;

Experts warn the name can be stigmatising to the primates it was named after. Notably, monkeys play little role in the spread of monkeypox. For example, recently in Brazil, there have been reported cases of people attacking monkeys over fear.&nbsp;

WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib told reporters in Geneva, "Human monkeypox was given its name before current best practices in naming diseases."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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Many experts are worried that the misinformation related to the monkeypox outbreak is spreading faster than the virus. Such concerns have been raised when unverified reports recently emerged, claiming that the monkeypox virus spread easily through the air and spreads from food and also causes high levels of anxiety.

Many experts are worried that the misinformation related to the monkeypox outbreak is spreading faster than the virus. Such concerns have been raised when unverified reports recently emerged, claiming that the monkeypox virus spread easily through the air and spreads from food and also causes high levels of anxiety. Monkeypox cases continue to surge across the globe. Now, experts are gathering information as they investigate how the virus spreads, how people catch it and what are its typical symptoms. The monkeypox outbreaks have also led to anti-gay stigma as the wave of infections is linked above all to sexual intercourse between men. In the LGBTQ community, the stigma has kept many people hidden in shame. ALSO READ | This bionic arm can be updated with new gestures anytime and anywhere As per a recent survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center, about 1 in 5 people in the United States are worried they will contract monkeypox. The data shows that almost all of the 11,177 cases in the US are in men but still nearly one-quarter of women in the survey said they were worried about contracting the virus. Dr Tom Frieden, the former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said, "You don't want to send a message that this will only affect gay men." The monkeypox virus is "primarily, overwhelmingly a disease of men who have sex with men, spread through sexual contact." ALSO READ | Scientists alter blood type of donor kidneys to increase supply of organs for transplant Dr Frieden is now the president and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives, a global public health initiative. "I'm startled at the number of people who I know in the US and globally who, when I mention this, are shocked as if they'd never heard that before," he said. Experts have noted that the rampant spread of misinformation online is to blame for the disproportionately high anxiety. WHO wants to change the name The World Health Organization (WHO) is looking forward to renaming monkeypox. On Tuesday (August 16), the health body asked for help from the public to come up with a less stigmatising designation for the fast-spreading disease. Experts warn the name can be stigmatising to the primates it was named after. Notably, monkeys play little role in the spread of monkeypox. For example, recently in Brazil, there have been reported cases of people attacking monkeys over fear. WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib told reporters in Geneva, "Human monkeypox was given its name before current best practices in naming diseases." (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.

Experts express concerns over fast-spreading misinformation related to monkeypox virus

The United States military said on Tuesday that it launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a test re-entry vehicle from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California on August 16 at 12:49am Pacific Time.&nbsp;

The military informed that the test was delayed to avoid escalating tensions with Beijing during China's show of force near Taiwan earlier this month.&nbsp;

The test was also cancelled in April by the military, as the nation wanted to delay the test to lower nuclear tensions with Moscow during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-pakistan-nuclear-war-could-kill-2-billion-people-study-507435">India-Pakistan nuclear war could kill 2 billion people: Study</a>&nbsp;

The test has been conducted to demonstrate the readiness of the United States nuclear forces and provide confidence in the lethality and effectiveness of the nation's nuclear deterrent.&nbsp;

Col. Chris Cruise, 576th Flight Test Squadron Commander, said, "Make no mistake - our nuclear triad is the cornerstone of the national security of our country and of our allies around the globe."&nbsp;

He added, "This scheduled test launch is demonstrative of how our nation's ICBM fleet illustrates our readiness and reliability of the weapon system. It is also a great platform to show the skill sets and expertise of our strategic weapons maintenance personnel and of our missile crews who maintain an unwavering vigilance to defend the homeland."&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/chinese-surveillance-ship-arrives-in-sri-lanka-amid-india-us-concerns-507276">Chinese 'surveillance' ship docks at Sri Lankan port amid concerns in India</a>&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Iran demands US flexibility over Nuke deal&nbsp;

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The nuclear-capable Minuteman III is made by Boeing Co. (BA.N) and it is termed as key to the US military's strategic arsenal.&nbsp;

The missile has a range of 9,660-plus kms and can travel at a speed of approximately 24,000 kph.&nbsp;

Maj. Armand Wong, Task Force commander, said, "Our test launches are scheduled well in advance and are not reactionary to world events. A meticulous planning process for each launch begins six-months to a year prior to launch."&nbsp;

"Our best Airmen from each of the three missile wings worked in conjunction with the 576th Flight Test Squadron to proudly showcase some very technical skills that comprise the heart of our nuclear deterrence mission,"&nbsp;Maj. Wong added.&nbsp;

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The United States military said on Tuesday that it launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a test re-entry vehicle from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California on August 16 at 12:49am Pacific Time.

The United States military said on Tuesday that it launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a test re-entry vehicle from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California on August 16 at 12:49am Pacific Time. The military informed that the test was delayed to avoid escalating tensions with Beijing during China's show of force near Taiwan earlier this month. The test was also cancelled in April by the military, as the nation wanted to delay the test to lower nuclear tensions with Moscow during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. ALSO READ | India-Pakistan nuclear war could kill 2 billion people: Study The test has been conducted to demonstrate the readiness of the United States nuclear forces and provide confidence in the lethality and effectiveness of the nation's nuclear deterrent. Col. Chris Cruise, 576th Flight Test Squadron Commander, said, "Make no mistake - our nuclear triad is the cornerstone of the national security of our country and of our allies around the globe." He added, "This scheduled test launch is demonstrative of how our nation's ICBM fleet illustrates our readiness and reliability of the weapon system. It is also a great platform to show the skill sets and expertise of our strategic weapons maintenance personnel and of our missile crews who maintain an unwavering vigilance to defend the homeland." ALSO READ | Chinese 'surveillance' ship docks at Sri Lankan port amid concerns in India WATCH | Iran demands US flexibility over Nuke deal × The nuclear-capable Minuteman III is made by Boeing Co. (BA.N) and it is termed as key to the US military's strategic arsenal. The missile has a range of 9,660-plus kms and can travel at a speed of approximately 24,000 kph. Maj. Armand Wong, Task Force commander, said, "Our test launches are scheduled well in advance and are not reactionary to world events. A meticulous planning process for each launch begins six-months to a year prior to launch." "Our best Airmen from each of the three missile wings worked in conjunction with the 576th Flight Test Squadron to proudly showcase some very technical skills that comprise the heart of our nuclear deterrence mission," Maj. Wong added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US carries out ICBM test to demonstrate readiness of nuclear forces, says 'not reactionary to world events'

British author Salman Rushdie, who was recently stabbed multiple times during an event in New York state, is awake. The award-winning author is "articulate" in his conversations with investigators, CNN reported on Tuesday (August 16) citing a law enforcement official who has direct knowledge of the investigation.

British author Salman Rushdie, who was recently stabbed multiple times during an event in New York state, is awake. The award-winning author is "articulate" in his conversations with investigators, CNN reported on Tuesday (August 16) citing a law enforcement official who has direct knowledge of the investigation. Rushdie is currently recovering in the hospital after he was stabbed last Friday on a stage at the Chautauqua Institution in New York state. The attacker rushed to the stage and stabbed the 75-year-old. The acclaimed author received life-threatening injuries and underwent emergency surgery. According to the law enforcement official, the writer was conscious Monday and he was able to respond to investigators during the probe. However, there's no mention of what Rushdie told the investigators regarding the attack that shocked the world. ALSO READ | Salman Rushdie attack suspect 'changed a lot' after Lebanon visit, says Hadi Matar's mother Because of his infamous novel "The Satanic Verses", Rushdie spent years hiding under death threats from Iran. The novel was banned in many countries with large Muslim populations. The book was published in 1988 and a year later, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, then supreme leader of Iran, pronounced a fatwa,. He called upon Muslims to kill the novelist and anyone involved in its publication for blasphemy. Even a bounty worth millions of dollars were raised to murder the novelist by some unknown Iranian organisations, some affiliated with the government. ALSO READ | Salman Rushdie on ‘long road to recovery’, says his agent WATCH | Gravitas: Salman Rushdie's attacker linked to Iran guards? × Iran denies link In Iran's first official reaction, the foreign ministry in Tehran denies involvement and said that no one has the right to level accusations against Iran. Foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said on Monday that Rushdie himself is to blame after denigrating the world's Muslims. Kanani said that "we categorically deny" any link with the attack and "no one has the right to accuse the Islamic Republic of Iran." At his weekly press conference in Tehran, he said, "In this attack, we do not consider anyone other than Salman Rushdie and his supporters worthy of blame and even condemnation." "By insulting the sacred matters of Islam and crossing the red lines of more than 1.5 billion Muslims and all followers of the divine religions, Salman Rushdie has exposed himself to the anger and rage of the people," he added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Salman Rushdie 'articulate' after stabbing attack, responding to investigators: Report

Francois Monthoux: This Swiss artist sculpts sprawling model castle on dried river bank

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