Three Just Stop Oil activists threw soup at two of Vincent van Gogh's "Sunflowers" paintings in London's National Gallery on Friday, just hours after two other members of the protest group were jailed for doing the same thing in 2022.

The activists threw tomato soup at the "Sunflowers" owned by the London Gallery – the painting targeted two years ago – and another from the series that is on loan from Philadelphia Museum of Art for a temporary exhibition.

The National Gallery said three people had been arrested and the paintings were unharmed.

The stunt came just a few hours after Phoebe Plummer, 23, and Anna Holland, 22, were sentenced for throwing tins of tomato soup on the London-based artwork in October 2022, before glueing themselves to the wall below the painting.

The soup caused up to 10,000 pounds ($13,385) worth of damage to the frame in 2022, prosecutors said, though the painting – which was behind a protective screen – was unharmed and went back on display later the same day.

Plummer and Holland pleaded not guilty but were convicted after a trial at London's Southwark Crown Court, where Plummer was sentenced to two years in prison for the criminal damage charge. Holland was sentenced to 20 months in prison.

Judge Christopher Hehir told Plummer and Holland: "You two simply had no right to do what you did to 'Sunflowers', and your arrogance in thinking otherwise deserves the strongest condemnation."

Plummer said she took part in the protests knowing she could be arrested and jailed, saying she was being made a political prisoner, which the judge said was ludicrous and self-indulgent.

"It is offensive to the many people in other parts of the world who are suffering persecution, imprisonment and sometimes death for their beliefs," Hehir said.

Plummer was also sentenced to an additional three months in prison on Friday, having been separately convicted of the relatively new offence of interfering with the use of key national infrastructure.

Friday's sentencing comes amid a wider crackdown on protest movements in Britain and across Europe.

Activists from Just Stop Oil have staged a number of eye-catching protests in recent years and five members of the group were jailed in July for at least four years for a conspiracy to block London's M25 motorway, in the longest sentences ever imposed for a non-violent protest in Britain.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for&nbsp;WION&nbsp;audience.

Three Just Stop Oil activists threw soup at two of Vincent van Gogh's "Sunflowers" paintings in London's National Gallery on Friday, just hours after two other members of the protest group were jailed for doing the same thing in 2022.

Three Just Stop Oil activists threw soup at two of Vincent van Gogh's "Sunflowers" paintings in London's National Gallery on Friday, just hours after two other members of the protest group were jailed for doing the same thing in 2022. The activists threw tomato soup at the "Sunflowers" owned by the London Gallery – the painting targeted two years ago – and another from the series that is on loan from Philadelphia Museum of Art for a temporary exhibition. The National Gallery said three people had been arrested and the paintings were unharmed. The stunt came just a few hours after Phoebe Plummer, 23, and Anna Holland, 22, were sentenced for throwing tins of tomato soup on the London-based artwork in October 2022, before glueing themselves to the wall below the painting. The soup caused up to 10,000 pounds ($13,385) worth of damage to the frame in 2022, prosecutors said, though the painting – which was behind a protective screen – was unharmed and went back on display later the same day. Plummer and Holland pleaded not guilty but were convicted after a trial at London's Southwark Crown Court, where Plummer was sentenced to two years in prison for the criminal damage charge. Holland was sentenced to 20 months in prison. Judge Christopher Hehir told Plummer and Holland: "You two simply had no right to do what you did to 'Sunflowers', and your arrogance in thinking otherwise deserves the strongest condemnation." Plummer said she took part in the protests knowing she could be arrested and jailed, saying she was being made a political prisoner, which the judge said was ludicrous and self-indulgent. "It is offensive to the many people in other parts of the world who are suffering persecution, imprisonment and sometimes death for their beliefs," Hehir said. Plummer was also sentenced to an additional three months in prison on Friday, having been separately convicted of the relatively new offence of interfering with the use of key national infrastructure. Friday's sentencing comes amid a wider crackdown on protest movements in Britain and across Europe. Activists from Just Stop Oil have staged a number of eye-catching protests in recent years and five members of the group were jailed in July for at least four years for a conspiracy to block London's M25 motorway, in the longest sentences ever imposed for a non-violent protest in Britain. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' paintings attacked in London, hours after two Just Stop Oil activists were jailed

His leadership strained by conflicts on two fronts, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told world leaders at the United Nations on Friday that his nation will “continue degrading Hezbollah” until achieving its goals along the Lebanon border, further dimming hopes for an internationally backed cease-fire to halt the spiral into an all-out regional war. He said his government would no longer tolerate daily rocket fire from the area.

Shortly after Netanyahu wrapped up his speech, the Israeli military said it carried out a strike on Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut, which caused huge blasts in the city.

“Israel has every right to remove this threat and return our citizens to their home safely. And that’s exactly what we’re doing ... we’ll continue degrading Hezbollah until all our objectives are met,” Netanyahu said to a gallery that — at least from the crowd noise — appeared replete with his supporters.

“Just imagine if terrorists turned El Paso and San Diego into ghost towns ... How long would the American government tolerate that?” he said, shaking his fist in emphasis. “Yet Israel has been tolerating this intolerable situation for almost a year. Well, I’ve come here today to say: Enough is enough.”

Netanyahu, armed with visual aids as he has been in the past, defended his nation’s response to the October&nbsp;7, 2023, attacks by Hamas on Israel that triggered an Israeli military operation that has devastated the Gaza Strip. He said he travelled to the United Nations to refute the untruths he had heard from other leaders on the same rostrum earlier in the week.

“I didn’t intend to come here this year. My country is at war fighting for its life,” Netanyahu said. “But after I heard the lies and slanders leveled at my country by many of the speakers at this podium, I decided to come here and set the record straight.”

He insisted that Israel wanted peace but said of Iran: “If you strike us, we will strike you.” He once again blamed Iran for being behind many of the problems in the region.

“For too long, the world has appeased Iran,” Netanyahu said. “That appeasement must end.”

As he spoke, the seats in the Iran delegation sat empty. Outside, protesters against Netanyahu and Israel’s policies demonstrated behind police barricades.

<h2>Israel is fighting on two fronts</h2>

Israel’s campaign in Gaza has killed more than 41,500 Palestinians and wounded more than 96,000 others, according to the latest figures released Thursday by the Health Ministry. The ministry, part of Gaza’s Hamas government, doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants, but more than half the dead have been women and children, including about 1,300 children under the age of two.

Israel has maintained its military operations are justified and are necessary to defend itself.

“This war can come to an end now. All that has to happen is for Hamas to surrender, lay down its arms and release all the hostages,” Netanyahu said. “But if they don’t – if they don’t – we will fight until we achieve total victory. Total victory. There is no substitute for it. “

He said Israeli forces have destroyed “90%” of Hamas’ rockets and killed or captured half of its forces. But he insisted nonetheless that he was pursuing peace. “Israel has made peace and will make peace again,” he said.

In recent days, Israel has turned its attention to the border with Lebanon, where it is has stepped up strikes targeting Hezbollah but has inflicted civilian casualties as well. Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel almost immediately after the Hamas attack, saying it was a show of support for the Palestinians. That triggered Israeli counterfire and the two sides have traded fire almost daily for the 11 months since, driving tens of thousands of people from their homes on both sides of the border.

Israel vows to drive Hezbollah away from the border to allow its citizens to return safely to their homes. Hezbollah says it won’t stop firing rockets until the Gaza war ends. Late Wednesday, the United States, France and other allies jointly called for an “immediate” 21-day cease-fire to allow for negotiations as fears grow that this week’s escalation could spiral into an all-out war. Hezbollah hasn’t officially responded to the ceasefire proposal.

The United Nations says over 90,000 people have been displaced by five days of Israeli strikes on Lebanon, bringing the total to 200,000 people who have been displaced in Lebanon since the cross-border exchanges began.

<h2>His speech impacted the rest of the General Assembly</h2>

Netanyahu also made a lengthy appeal for Israeli relations with Saudi Arabia — but did it without mentioning what’s blocking any action: Saudi Arabia’s demand for an independent Palestinian state.

As Netanyahu took the stage Friday morning, there was enough ruckus in the audience that the presiding diplomat had to shout, “Order, please.”

The two speakers who preceded Netanyahu on Friday each made a point of calling out Israel for its actions. “Mr. Netanyahu, stop this war now,” Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob said as he closed his remarks, pounding the podium. And Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, speaking just before the Israeli leader, declared of Gaza: “This is not just a conflict. This is systematic slaughter of innocent people of Palestine.” He thumped the rostrum to audible applause.

And after the Israeli leader left the stage, the next speaker, Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, started speaking but then paused for noises in the gallery, saying, “We can wait.” She did so for about 20 seconds before she continued.

It wasn’t just Friday, either. On Thursday, the leader of the Palestinian Authority and a top Lebanese official both made their cases to fellow leaders — cases that included harsh words for Israel as well. Mahmoud Abbas’ first words to the General Assembly were a sentence repeated three times in reference to Gaza: “We will not leave. We will not leave. We will not leave.” He accused Israel of destroying Gaza and making it unlivable. And Abdallah Bouhabib, Lebanon’s foreign minister, decried Israel’s “systematic destruction of Lebanese border villages.”

“The crisis in Lebanon threatens the entire Middle East,” Bouhabib said. “We wish today to reiterate our call for a cease-fire on all fronts.”

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for&nbsp;WION&nbsp;audience.

His leadership strained by conflicts on two fronts, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told world leaders at the United Nations on Friday that his nation will “continue degrading Hezbollah” until achieving its goals along the Lebanon border, further dimming hopes for an internationally backed cease-fire to halt the spiral into an all-out regional war.

His leadership strained by conflicts on two fronts, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told world leaders at the United Nations on Friday that his nation will “continue degrading Hezbollah” until achieving its goals along the Lebanon border, further dimming hopes for an internationally backed cease-fire to halt the spiral into an all-out regional war. He said his government would no longer tolerate daily rocket fire from the area. Shortly after Netanyahu wrapped up his speech, the Israeli military said it carried out a strike on Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut, which caused huge blasts in the city. “Israel has every right to remove this threat and return our citizens to their home safely. And that’s exactly what we’re doing ... we’ll continue degrading Hezbollah until all our objectives are met,” Netanyahu said to a gallery that — at least from the crowd noise — appeared replete with his supporters. “Just imagine if terrorists turned El Paso and San Diego into ghost towns ... How long would the American government tolerate that?” he said, shaking his fist in emphasis. “Yet Israel has been tolerating this intolerable situation for almost a year. Well, I’ve come here today to say: Enough is enough.” Netanyahu, armed with visual aids as he has been in the past, defended his nation’s response to the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas on Israel that triggered an Israeli military operation that has devastated the Gaza Strip. He said he travelled to the United Nations to refute the untruths he had heard from other leaders on the same rostrum earlier in the week. “I didn’t intend to come here this year. My country is at war fighting for its life,” Netanyahu said. “But after I heard the lies and slanders leveled at my country by many of the speakers at this podium, I decided to come here and set the record straight.” He insisted that Israel wanted peace but said of Iran: “If you strike us, we will strike you.” He once again blamed Iran for being behind many of the problems in the region. “For too long, the world has appeased Iran,” Netanyahu said. “That appeasement must end.” As he spoke, the seats in the Iran delegation sat empty. Outside, protesters against Netanyahu and Israel’s policies demonstrated behind police barricades. Israel is fighting on two fronts Israel’s campaign in Gaza has killed more than 41,500 Palestinians and wounded more than 96,000 others, according to the latest figures released Thursday by the Health Ministry. The ministry, part of Gaza’s Hamas government, doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants, but more than half the dead have been women and children, including about 1,300 children under the age of two. Israel has maintained its military operations are justified and are necessary to defend itself. “This war can come to an end now. All that has to happen is for Hamas to surrender, lay down its arms and release all the hostages,” Netanyahu said. “But if they don’t – if they don’t – we will fight until we achieve total victory. Total victory. There is no substitute for it. “ He said Israeli forces have destroyed “90%” of Hamas’ rockets and killed or captured half of its forces. But he insisted nonetheless that he was pursuing peace. “Israel has made peace and will make peace again,” he said. In recent days, Israel has turned its attention to the border with Lebanon, where it is has stepped up strikes targeting Hezbollah but has inflicted civilian casualties as well. Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel almost immediately after the Hamas attack, saying it was a show of support for the Palestinians. That triggered Israeli counterfire and the two sides have traded fire almost daily for the 11 months since, driving tens of thousands of people from their homes on both sides of the border. Israel vows to drive Hezbollah away from the border to allow its citizens to return safely to their homes. Hezbollah says it won’t stop firing rockets until the Gaza war ends. Late Wednesday, the United States, France and other allies jointly called for an “immediate” 21-day cease-fire to allow for negotiations as fears grow that this week’s escalation could spiral into an all-out war. Hezbollah hasn’t officially responded to the ceasefire proposal. The United Nations says over 90,000 people have been displaced by five days of Israeli strikes on Lebanon, bringing the total to 200,000 people who have been displaced in Lebanon since the cross-border exchanges began. His speech impacted the rest of the General Assembly Netanyahu also made a lengthy appeal for Israeli relations with Saudi Arabia — but did it without mentioning what’s blocking any action: Saudi Arabia’s demand for an independent Palestinian state. As Netanyahu took the stage Friday morning, there was enough ruckus in the audience that the presiding diplomat had to shout, “Order, please.” The two speakers who preceded Netanyahu on Friday each made a point of calling out Israel for its actions. “Mr. Netanyahu, stop this war now,” Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob said as he closed his remarks, pounding the podium. And Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, speaking just before the Israeli leader, declared of Gaza: “This is not just a conflict. This is systematic slaughter of innocent people of Palestine.” He thumped the rostrum to audible applause. And after the Israeli leader left the stage, the next speaker, Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, started speaking but then paused for noises in the gallery, saying, “We can wait.” She did so for about 20 seconds before she continued. It wasn’t just Friday, either. On Thursday, the leader of the Palestinian Authority and a top Lebanese official both made their cases to fellow leaders — cases that included harsh words for Israel as well. Mahmoud Abbas’ first words to the General Assembly were a sentence repeated three times in reference to Gaza: “We will not leave. We will not leave. We will not leave.” He accused Israel of destroying Gaza and making it unlivable. And Abdallah Bouhabib, Lebanon’s foreign minister, decried Israel’s “systematic destruction of Lebanese border villages.” “The crisis in Lebanon threatens the entire Middle East,” Bouhabib said. “We wish today to reiterate our call for a cease-fire on all fronts.” Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Netanyahu told world leaders that Israel will keep ‘degrading Hezbollah’ until its objectives are met

Yemen's Houthis said on Friday in a statement that they had fired "a ballistic missile and a drone" deep into Israel.

"In support of Palestine and Lebanon, we carried out a military operation against an Israeli target in the Jaffa area, Tel Aviv, using a ballistic missile, and launched a drone attack on another vital Israeli target in the coastal Israeli city of Ashkelon," the statement, aired by the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, quoted Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea as saying.

The two operations, occurring on Thursday night, "achieved their goals successfully," Sarea noted, vowing to continue strikes against Israeli targets to support the resistance of "brothers in Palestine and Lebanon," Xinhua news agency reported.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military confirmed earlier in a statement that militants in Yemen launched at least one missile toward Israel overnight between Thursday and Friday, setting off air raid sirens across central Israel, including Tel Aviv.

The army said the missile was "successfully" intercepted and that the details were still under review, reporting no casualties. 
This latest Houthi attack on Tel Aviv follows two previous ones targeting central Israel - a drone attack in July that killed one person and a missile attack earlier this month that caused a fire in an empty area in Kfar Daniel, another location in the region, according to Israeli media outlets.

The Houthi group, which controls large swathes of northern Yemen, has been attacking "Israeli-linked" shipping near the country's coastline since November 2023, allegedly to support Palestinians in their conflict with Israelis.

The group is aligned with the anti-Israel "axis of resistance," which also includes Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, and militant groups in Iraq and Syria, among others.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for&nbsp;WION&nbsp;audience.

Yemen's Houthis said on Friday in a statement that they had fired "a ballistic missile and a drone" deep into Israel. "In support of Palestine and Lebanon, we carried out a military operation against an Israeli target in the Jaffa area, Tel Aviv, using a ballistic missile, and launched a drone attack on another vital Israeli target in the coastal Israeli city of Ashkelon," the statement, aired by the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, quoted Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea as saying.

Yemen's Houthis said on Friday in a statement that they had fired "a ballistic missile and a drone" deep into Israel. "In support of Palestine and Lebanon, we carried out a military operation against an Israeli target in the Jaffa area, Tel Aviv, using a ballistic missile, and launched a drone attack on another vital Israeli target in the coastal Israeli city of Ashkelon," the statement, aired by the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, quoted Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea as saying. The two operations, occurring on Thursday night, "achieved their goals successfully," Sarea noted, vowing to continue strikes against Israeli targets to support the resistance of "brothers in Palestine and Lebanon," Xinhua news agency reported. Meanwhile, the Israeli military confirmed earlier in a statement that militants in Yemen launched at least one missile toward Israel overnight between Thursday and Friday, setting off air raid sirens across central Israel, including Tel Aviv. The army said the missile was "successfully" intercepted and that the details were still under review, reporting no casualties. This latest Houthi attack on Tel Aviv follows two previous ones targeting central Israel - a drone attack in July that killed one person and a missile attack earlier this month that caused a fire in an empty area in Kfar Daniel, another location in the region, according to Israeli media outlets. The Houthi group, which controls large swathes of northern Yemen, has been attacking "Israeli-linked" shipping near the country's coastline since November 2023, allegedly to support Palestinians in their conflict with Israelis. The group is aligned with the anti-Israel "axis of resistance," which also includes Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, and militant groups in Iraq and Syria, among others. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Yemen’s Houthis claim they fired 'ballistic missile, drone' deep into Israel

The Indian Army has set up a new firing range, which is helping it to practice firing of howitzers and other important weapon systems, a top official from the Indian Army said.

The Indian Army has set up a new firing range, which is helping it to practice firing of howitzers and other important weapon systems, a top official from the Indian Army said. The Lieutenant General rank officer, who is the Director General of the Indian Army's Regiment of Artillery, said the force is also getting another range along the Northern borders with China. "A new firing range has been opened in Arunachal Pradesh in the Tawang sector where we can fire our howitzers and test their capabilities This is the first high-altitude range and we are trying to find more ranges in other states," the officer said in a briefing on the artillery modernisation plans of the force. The new firing ranges for the forces have come in Arunachal Pradesh at a time when the Chinese aggression led to a situation where the two countries have been in a military standoff since May-June 2020. Speaking on the modernisation plans, the officer said that the Indian Army's Regiment of Artillery are modernising at a pace like never before and as per defined timelines. "Our modernisation and capability development plan is aligned to the 'Atmanirbharta' drive and is based on the principle of 'Modernisation through Indigenisation," the officer said. He said that 155 mm will be the standard calibre of all gun systems. He said that a number of 155 mm calibre guns/howitzers have been inducted in the Regiment of Artillery to include Ultra-Light Howitzer (ULH), K-9 Vajra, Dhanush & Sharang. ULH have been inducted along Northern borders. "They are lighter in weight and can be carried underslung by helicopters. K-9 Vajra Gun System is ideal for mechanised operations. Dhanush Guns are an electronic upgrade of Bofors Guns, while the Sharang Gun Systems have been upgraded from 130 mm to 155 mm calibre. More numbers of K-9 Vajra, Dhanush and Sharang gun systems are being inducted in near future.He said the Indian Army is also in the process of inducting other 155 mm gun systems to include the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), Mounted Gun System (MGS) and Towed Gun System (TGS)," he said. He said the Indian Army is soon hoping to conclude the ATAGS contract, which would be built by two development cum production partners of the DRDO. The Lt Gen said that the trials for both the mounted gun systems and towed gun systems are likely to commence in 2025. MGS has crew and ammunition on board the vehicle and has shoot and scoot capability, Whereas TGS is a lighter and more versatile gun system. (ANI) Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Amid military standoff with China, Indian Army sets up first high-altitude firing range in Arunachal Pradesh

A landslide at an illegal gold mine in western Indonesia has killed at least 15 people and buried dozens of others in the abandoned pit with rescue workers struggling to locate the missing, officials said Friday.&nbsp;

Unlicensed mines are common across the mineral-rich Southeast Asian archipelago, where abandoned sites attract locals who hunt for leftover gold ore without proper safety equipment.

The landslide hit a remote site in West Sumatra province on Sumatra island Thursday evening after heavy rains in the area, provincial disaster mitigation agency spokesperson Ilham Wahab told AFP.

"The information we can provide was that a landslide occurred at a gold mine last night, causing several people to be buried. Efforts to search for the victims are ongoing," he said. Ilhan added that 15 people were killed and three injured, with rescuers searching for 25 others.&nbsp;

Footage seen by AFP showed rescuers loading one of the dead into an ambulance near the disaster site in the district of Solok. The Solok district disaster agency said in a statement sent to AFP that the landslide took place at an abandoned "illegal" mine.

"The landslide location is on an old mining pit that had been abandoned by previous miners," it said. 
Ilham said all activities at the site had been halted as search efforts for the missing were ongoing.

<h2>- Arduous search effort -</h2>

Search efforts were being hindered by the remote location, with rescuers including police officers, soldiers and civilians having to walk for hours from the nearest village to reach the area, Ilham said.

"The location is quite far, the terrain is tough. This has hampered evacuation efforts but people are helping so that this evacuation process can be carried out quickly," he said.

The Solok district disaster agency said in its statement that the area had no mobile phone signal, making it hard for rescuers to communicate with each other.

Agency official Irwan Effendy said "the victims include people who conducted manual gold mining activities".

Indonesia is prone to landslides during the rainy season, typically between November and April, but some disasters caused by adverse weather have taken place outside that season in recent years.

In July, at least 27 people were killed after a landslide struck near an illegal gold mine on the central Indonesian island of Sulawesi.

In May, at least 15 people died after landslides and flooding in South Sulawesi province swept away dozens of houses and damaged roads.

A landslide in the same province a month before killed 20 people.&nbsp;

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for&nbsp;WION&nbsp;audience.&nbsp;

A landslide at an illegal gold mine in western Indonesia has killed at least 15 people and buried dozens of others in the abandoned pit with rescue workers struggling to locate the missing, officials said Friday.

A landslide at an illegal gold mine in western Indonesia has killed at least 15 people and buried dozens of others in the abandoned pit with rescue workers struggling to locate the missing, officials said Friday. Unlicensed mines are common across the mineral-rich Southeast Asian archipelago, where abandoned sites attract locals who hunt for leftover gold ore without proper safety equipment. The landslide hit a remote site in West Sumatra province on Sumatra island Thursday evening after heavy rains in the area, provincial disaster mitigation agency spokesperson Ilham Wahab told AFP. "The information we can provide was that a landslide occurred at a gold mine last night, causing several people to be buried. Efforts to search for the victims are ongoing," he said. Ilhan added that 15 people were killed and three injured, with rescuers searching for 25 others. Footage seen by AFP showed rescuers loading one of the dead into an ambulance near the disaster site in the district of Solok. The Solok district disaster agency said in a statement sent to AFP that the landslide took place at an abandoned "illegal" mine. "The landslide location is on an old mining pit that had been abandoned by previous miners," it said. Ilham said all activities at the site had been halted as search efforts for the missing were ongoing. - Arduous search effort - Search efforts were being hindered by the remote location, with rescuers including police officers, soldiers and civilians having to walk for hours from the nearest village to reach the area, Ilham said. "The location is quite far, the terrain is tough. This has hampered evacuation efforts but people are helping so that this evacuation process can be carried out quickly," he said. The Solok district disaster agency said in its statement that the area had no mobile phone signal, making it hard for rescuers to communicate with each other. Agency official Irwan Effendy said "the victims include people who conducted manual gold mining activities". Indonesia is prone to landslides during the rainy season, typically between November and April, but some disasters caused by adverse weather have taken place outside that season in recent years. In July, at least 27 people were killed after a landslide struck near an illegal gold mine on the central Indonesian island of Sulawesi. In May, at least 15 people died after landslides and flooding in South Sulawesi province swept away dozens of houses and damaged roads. A landslide in the same province a month before killed 20 people. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

At least 15 killed after landslide at Indonesia’s illegal gold mine, dozens missing

Pope Francis said Friday that the Catholic Church must "seek forgiveness" over the "scourge" of child sexual abuse, during a visit to Belgium where the Church's dark past looms large.

In a speech before political and civil society leaders that opened his three-day visit to the country, Francis denounced the "tragic instances of child abuse" as a stain on the Church's legacy.

"It is our shame and our humiliation," Francis told the gathering at the Laeken Palace royal residency.&nbsp;

"The Church must be ashamed and must seek forgiveness," he said.&nbsp;

The 87-year-old pontiff is due to meet with a group of clerical sexual assault victims in Brussels in the afternoon, as part of a three-day stay in the European nation tarred by decades of scandals and cover-ups.

The meeting with around 15 victims, taking place at 6:30 pm (1630 GMT) at the Vatican's diplomatic mission, was being held with the "utmost discretion", according to the Belgian church.

It was arranged after a hard-hitting documentary last year put Belgium's abuse scandal back on the front pages, prompting many new victims to come forward.

In an open letter published by Le Soir newspaper this month, some demanded the pope address paedophilia and set up a process for financial reparations.

"Words alone are not enough. Concrete measures must also be taken," Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said in a preamble to the pope's speech.&nbsp;

The pontiff said the abuse scandal was "a scourge that the Church is addressing firmly and decisively by listening to and accompanying those who have been wounded, and by implementing a prevention programme throughout the world".

<h2>- Forced adoptions -&nbsp;</h2>

Francis has made combating sexual assault in the Church a main mission of his papacy, and insisted on a "zero tolerance" policy in the wake of wide-reaching abuse scandals around the world.

During his speech, Francis also said he was "saddened" to learn about a forced adoptions scandal in Belgium that saw institutions run by nuns give up the babies of thousands of underage girls and unmarried women.

"We see how the bitter fruit of wrongdoing and criminality was mixed in with what was unfortunately the prevailing view in all parts of society at that time," he said.&nbsp;

Belgium's HLN news site estimates that up to 30,000 children were taken from their mothers in Belgium between 1945 and the 1980s.

Bishops in Belgium apologised in 2023 and requested an independent investigation after fresh testimonies emerged from women and people claiming to have been "sold" by the Catholic Church to their adoptive family.

Child sexual abuse and forced adoptions have "badly damaged trust" between the Church and society, De Croo said.

In a sign of the work yet to be done, the program of an open-air mass concluding Francis's trip on Sunday had to be changed at the last minute after it emerged that the closing hymn was composed by a priest accused of sexual abuse.

The blunder prompted the head of the Belgian bishops' conference, Archbishop Luc Terlinden, to admit that the Church needed to get better at keeping a tab on cases and perpetrators.&nbsp;

"This represents a great challenge for us, but we must think about it seriously with the help of lawyers and psychologists," he told a local broadcaster. The composer, who died this month, reportedly settled a sexual abuse case in 2002.

<h2>- On the wane -</h2>

The Argentinian pope arrived in Belgium on Thursday evening after spending the day in neighbouring Luxembourg, where he made a plea for international diplomacy amid flaring conflicts across the globe.

He was welcomed by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, who hosted him on Friday morning, and he will head on to meet with academics at the Catholic university of Leuven in Dutch-speaking Flanders -- whose 600th anniversary next year is the official reason for Francis's visit.

On Saturday, during what is his 46th trip abroad, Francis will meet the clergy at the vast Basilica of the Sacred Heart before holding discussions with students at Louvain-la-Neuve in French-speaking Wallonia, notably on climate issues.

The last papal visit to Brussels was in 1995, when John Paul II attended the beatification of Saint Damien, who dedicated his life to lepers.

Nearly 65 per cent of Belgium's population is Christian, including 58 per cent who are Catholic, according to figures from Louvain university.

But their numbers are on the wane, reflecting a decline across Europe.

During his weekly general audience, Francis said he hoped his visit could be "the opportunity for a new impetus of faith".

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for&nbsp;WION&nbsp;audience.

Pope Francis said Friday that the Catholic Church must "seek forgiveness" over the "scourge" of child sexual abuse, during a visit to Belgium where the Church's dark past looms large.

Pope Francis said Friday that the Catholic Church must "seek forgiveness" over the "scourge" of child sexual abuse, during a visit to Belgium where the Church's dark past looms large. In a speech before political and civil society leaders that opened his three-day visit to the country, Francis denounced the "tragic instances of child abuse" as a stain on the Church's legacy. "It is our shame and our humiliation," Francis told the gathering at the Laeken Palace royal residency. "The Church must be ashamed and must seek forgiveness," he said. The 87-year-old pontiff is due to meet with a group of clerical sexual assault victims in Brussels in the afternoon, as part of a three-day stay in the European nation tarred by decades of scandals and cover-ups. The meeting with around 15 victims, taking place at 6:30 pm (1630 GMT) at the Vatican's diplomatic mission, was being held with the "utmost discretion", according to the Belgian church. It was arranged after a hard-hitting documentary last year put Belgium's abuse scandal back on the front pages, prompting many new victims to come forward. In an open letter published by Le Soir newspaper this month, some demanded the pope address paedophilia and set up a process for financial reparations. "Words alone are not enough. Concrete measures must also be taken," Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said in a preamble to the pope's speech. The pontiff said the abuse scandal was "a scourge that the Church is addressing firmly and decisively by listening to and accompanying those who have been wounded, and by implementing a prevention programme throughout the world". - Forced adoptions - Francis has made combating sexual assault in the Church a main mission of his papacy, and insisted on a "zero tolerance" policy in the wake of wide-reaching abuse scandals around the world. During his speech, Francis also said he was "saddened" to learn about a forced adoptions scandal in Belgium that saw institutions run by nuns give up the babies of thousands of underage girls and unmarried women. "We see how the bitter fruit of wrongdoing and criminality was mixed in with what was unfortunately the prevailing view in all parts of society at that time," he said. Belgium's HLN news site estimates that up to 30,000 children were taken from their mothers in Belgium between 1945 and the 1980s. Bishops in Belgium apologised in 2023 and requested an independent investigation after fresh testimonies emerged from women and people claiming to have been "sold" by the Catholic Church to their adoptive family. Child sexual abuse and forced adoptions have "badly damaged trust" between the Church and society, De Croo said. In a sign of the work yet to be done, the program of an open-air mass concluding Francis's trip on Sunday had to be changed at the last minute after it emerged that the closing hymn was composed by a priest accused of sexual abuse. The blunder prompted the head of the Belgian bishops' conference, Archbishop Luc Terlinden, to admit that the Church needed to get better at keeping a tab on cases and perpetrators. "This represents a great challenge for us, but we must think about it seriously with the help of lawyers and psychologists," he told a local broadcaster. The composer, who died this month, reportedly settled a sexual abuse case in 2002. - On the wane - The Argentinian pope arrived in Belgium on Thursday evening after spending the day in neighbouring Luxembourg, where he made a plea for international diplomacy amid flaring conflicts across the globe. He was welcomed by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, who hosted him on Friday morning, and he will head on to meet with academics at the Catholic university of Leuven in Dutch-speaking Flanders -- whose 600th anniversary next year is the official reason for Francis's visit. On Saturday, during what is his 46th trip abroad, Francis will meet the clergy at the vast Basilica of the Sacred Heart before holding discussions with students at Louvain-la-Neuve in French-speaking Wallonia, notably on climate issues. The last papal visit to Brussels was in 1995, when John Paul II attended the beatification of Saint Damien, who dedicated his life to lepers. Nearly 65 per cent of Belgium's population is Christian, including 58 per cent who are Catholic, according to figures from Louvain university. But their numbers are on the wane, reflecting a decline across Europe. During his weekly general audience, Francis said he hoped his visit could be "the opportunity for a new impetus of faith". Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Pope Francis says the Catholic Church must 'seek forgiveness' for child sexual abuse

Russia's FSB security service said Friday that it was investigating three foreign journalists for reporting in parts of Russia's Kursk region occupied by Ukrainian forces, bringing the total of such investigations to 12.

The three, Kathryn Diss and Fletcher Yeung from Australia's ABC News and Romanian journalist Mircea Barbu, are being investigated for illegally crossing the Russian border, state news agency RIA Novosti reported.

The Ukrainian army launched a surprise offensive into the Russian border region on August 6, the first incursion by a foreign army on Russian territory since World War II.

Russian forces have started a counter-offensive and say they have seized back some of the territory.

But Ukraine says it still controls around 100 settlements and 1,000 square kilometres (400 miles) of land.

Several foreign media have reported from the occupied zone, including from Italy's RAI television, the US channel CNN and Germany's Deutsche Welle.

The journalists, none of whom appear to be in Russia, face up to five years in prison under the Russian Criminal Code.

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Russia's FSB security service said Friday that it was investigating three foreign journalists for reporting in parts of Russia's Kursk region occupied by Ukrainian forces, bringing the total of such investigations to 12.

Russia's FSB security service said Friday that it was investigating three foreign journalists for reporting in parts of Russia's Kursk region occupied by Ukrainian forces, bringing the total of such investigations to 12. The three, Kathryn Diss and Fletcher Yeung from Australia's ABC News and Romanian journalist Mircea Barbu, are being investigated for illegally crossing the Russian border, state news agency RIA Novosti reported. The Ukrainian army launched a surprise offensive into the Russian border region on August 6, the first incursion by a foreign army on Russian territory since World War II. Russian forces have started a counter-offensive and say they have seized back some of the territory. But Ukraine says it still controls around 100 settlements and 1,000 square kilometres (400 miles) of land. Several foreign media have reported from the occupied zone, including from Italy's RAI television, the US channel CNN and Germany's Deutsche Welle. The journalists, none of whom appear to be in Russia, face up to five years in prison under the Russian Criminal Code. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Russia says investigating three foreign journalists for reporting in Ukraine-occupied Kursk

The US Congress approved a deal Wednesday to avoid a government shutdown after lawmakers sent a stop-gap funding deal to President Joe Biden's desk that will keep the lights on through the US election.

The agreement -- passed with cross-party support in both chambers -- came ahead of a September 30 deadline to either approve a new government budget or begin shutting down federal agencies just five weeks ahead of Election Day.

The measure, which needed huge Democratic support in the Republican-led House of Representatives to overcome a rebellion by several dozen conservatives, keeps the government operational at current spending levels until December 20.

It was rubber-stamped by the Democratic-controlled Senate within hours, as lawmakers keen to get back to their districts to campaign for the November 5 election ratcheted up the usual glacial pace of legislating.

"Americans can breathe easy that, because both sides have chosen bipartisanship, Congress is getting the job done," Chuck Schumer, the leader of the Democratic-controlled Senate, said in a statement.

"We will keep the government open. We will prevent vital government services from needlessly coming to a halt," Schumer said.

Although there was less of the drama that usually attends funding fights, a shutdown did at one stage look like a distinct possibility, worrying Republicans in the House as they seek reelection on November 5.

The stop-gap "continuing resolution" was required because neither chamber had been able to agree on the various departmental budgets for the full 2025 fiscal year, starting October 1.&nbsp;

Last week, hard-liners pushed for a bill that would have extended funding through March next year, paired with the SAVE Act, which would add proof-of-citizenship requirements to voter registration.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who dominates the House group and continues to claim falsely that he was cheated by voter fraud in the 2020 election, has been lobbying for House Speaker Mike Johnson to add the election measure.

But the plan was dropped as it became clear that it did not have enough support from Republicans -- many of whom are against temporary funding bills as a matter of principle -- and could not rely on Democratic votes.

The White House -- worried about eligible voters being blocked from voter rolls or otherwise deterred -- opposed the SAVE Act, noting that noncitizen voting is already illegal and that it almost never happens.

Trump urged House Republicans to shut down the government over the issue. But they rebuffed the former president in a rare move, and opted to pass the new non-partisan version of the bill that dispensed with the SAVE Act.

As part of the package, Congress approved more than $230 million for the Secret Service to increase protection for Trump -- who has faced two assassination bids -- and other candidates on the campaign trail. &nbsp;&nbsp;

It was the final legislative action for the 500-plus lawmakers before the election. Most members of both chambers now head back to their home states to campaign and are not expected back in Washington until after the election.&nbsp;

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The US Congress approved a deal Wednesday to avoid a government shutdown after lawmakers sent a stop-gap funding deal to President Joe Biden's desk that will keep the lights on through the US election.

The US Congress approved a deal Wednesday to avoid a government shutdown after lawmakers sent a stop-gap funding deal to President Joe Biden's desk that will keep the lights on through the US election. The agreement -- passed with cross-party support in both chambers -- came ahead of a September 30 deadline to either approve a new government budget or begin shutting down federal agencies just five weeks ahead of Election Day. The measure, which needed huge Democratic support in the Republican-led House of Representatives to overcome a rebellion by several dozen conservatives, keeps the government operational at current spending levels until December 20. It was rubber-stamped by the Democratic-controlled Senate within hours, as lawmakers keen to get back to their districts to campaign for the November 5 election ratcheted up the usual glacial pace of legislating. "Americans can breathe easy that, because both sides have chosen bipartisanship, Congress is getting the job done," Chuck Schumer, the leader of the Democratic-controlled Senate, said in a statement. "We will keep the government open. We will prevent vital government services from needlessly coming to a halt," Schumer said. Although there was less of the drama that usually attends funding fights, a shutdown did at one stage look like a distinct possibility, worrying Republicans in the House as they seek reelection on November 5. The stop-gap "continuing resolution" was required because neither chamber had been able to agree on the various departmental budgets for the full 2025 fiscal year, starting October 1. Last week, hard-liners pushed for a bill that would have extended funding through March next year, paired with the SAVE Act, which would add proof-of-citizenship requirements to voter registration. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who dominates the House group and continues to claim falsely that he was cheated by voter fraud in the 2020 election, has been lobbying for House Speaker Mike Johnson to add the election measure. But the plan was dropped as it became clear that it did not have enough support from Republicans -- many of whom are against temporary funding bills as a matter of principle -- and could not rely on Democratic votes. The White House -- worried about eligible voters being blocked from voter rolls or otherwise deterred -- opposed the SAVE Act, noting that noncitizen voting is already illegal and that it almost never happens. Trump urged House Republicans to shut down the government over the issue. But they rebuffed the former president in a rare move, and opted to pass the new non-partisan version of the bill that dispensed with the SAVE Act. As part of the package, Congress approved more than $230 million for the Secret Service to increase protection for Trump -- who has faced two assassination bids -- and other candidates on the campaign trail. It was the final legislative action for the 500-plus lawmakers before the election. Most members of both chambers now head back to their home states to campaign and are not expected back in Washington until after the election. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

US Congress approves stop-gap funding deal to avoid government shutdown

Air strikes and shelling rocked Khartoum on Thursday as the army attacked paramilitary positions across the Sudanese capital, witnesses and a military source told AFP.

The clashes began at dawn, several residents reported, in what appeared to be the army's first major offensive in months to regain parts of the capital controlled by the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

It comes the same day Sudan's de facto leader, army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, addressed the UN General Assembly in New York.

On the eve of his address, UN chief Antonio Guterres voiced concern to Burhan "about the escalation of the conflict in the Sudan", the United Nations said.

Burhan called in his address for the "rebel militia to be designated as a terrorist group" and accused the RSF of obstructing peace efforts.

On the ground, Sudanese army forces were "waging fierce fighting against the rebel militia inside Khartoum", a source in the military told AFP, referring to the RSF.

The source, requesting anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media, said army forces had crossed three key bridges over the Nile -- which had separated parts of the capital held by the army from those under RSF control.

<h2>- 'Political cover' -</h2>

Since April 2023, when war broke out between Burhan's Sudanese Armed Forces and his former deputy, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, the paramilitaries had largely pushed the army out of Khartoum.

In its last major offensive in February, the army regained much of Omdurman, the capital's twin city across the Nile and part of greater Khartoum.

The government loyal to the army is based in Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast, where the army has retained control.&nbsp;

The RSF, meanwhile, has taken control of nearly all of the vast western region of Darfur, rampaged through the agricultural heartland of central Sudan and pushed into the army-controlled southeast.

In his address at the UN, Burhan accused "countries in the region" of providing the RSF with "financial support, mercenaries and political cover".

The army chief did not name the countries, but his government has repeatedly accused the United Arab Emirates of funnelling arms to the paramilitaries from neighbouring Chad in violation of the arms embargo on Darfur.

United Nations experts last year found the accusations "credible", and diplomats say the United States has in private pressed the UAE over its support to the RSF.

<h2>- 'Intense' shelling -</h2>

In Omdurman, a witness said the sound of bombs, which had "jolted them from sleep" at dawn, continued through the day.

Several residents of Omdurman reported "intense artillery shelling" falling on residential buildings while military warplanes flew overhead.

"In our neighbourhood alone, three people have been killed today," one Omdurman resident told AFP, requesting anonymity for fear of reprisal.

Amid an effective communications blackout and a crippled healthcare system, it was not possible to verify any casualty toll.

Since the war began, much of its worst fighting has been in densely populated areas and both sides have been accused of war crimes, including indiscriminately bombing residential areas.

The war has already killed tens of thousands of people, with the World Health Organization saying at least 20,000 people have been killed, but some estimates of up to 150,000.

It has also created the world's largest displacement crisis, the UN says.

More than 10 million people -- around a fifth of Sudan's population -- have been forced from their homes, according to UN figures.

Famine has been declared in Zamzam refugee camp in Darfur near the city of El-Fasher, where the RSF last weekend launched a large-scale offensive after months of siege.

El-Fasher is the only one of five state capitals in Darfur not yet in RSF hands.

In his meeting with Burhan, Guterres said the war "risks a regional spillover," the UN said.

"People in Sudan have endured 17 months of hell, and the suffering continues to grow," top UN relief official Joyce Msuya said separately.

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Air strikes and shelling rocked Khartoum on Thursday as the army attacked paramilitary positions across the Sudanese capital, witnesses and a military source told AFP.

Air strikes and shelling rocked Khartoum on Thursday as the army attacked paramilitary positions across the Sudanese capital, witnesses and a military source told AFP. The clashes began at dawn, several residents reported, in what appeared to be the army's first major offensive in months to regain parts of the capital controlled by the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. It comes the same day Sudan's de facto leader, army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, addressed the UN General Assembly in New York. On the eve of his address, UN chief Antonio Guterres voiced concern to Burhan "about the escalation of the conflict in the Sudan", the United Nations said. Burhan called in his address for the "rebel militia to be designated as a terrorist group" and accused the RSF of obstructing peace efforts. On the ground, Sudanese army forces were "waging fierce fighting against the rebel militia inside Khartoum", a source in the military told AFP, referring to the RSF. The source, requesting anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media, said army forces had crossed three key bridges over the Nile -- which had separated parts of the capital held by the army from those under RSF control. - 'Political cover' - Since April 2023, when war broke out between Burhan's Sudanese Armed Forces and his former deputy, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, the paramilitaries had largely pushed the army out of Khartoum. In its last major offensive in February, the army regained much of Omdurman, the capital's twin city across the Nile and part of greater Khartoum. The government loyal to the army is based in Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast, where the army has retained control. The RSF, meanwhile, has taken control of nearly all of the vast western region of Darfur, rampaged through the agricultural heartland of central Sudan and pushed into the army-controlled southeast. In his address at the UN, Burhan accused "countries in the region" of providing the RSF with "financial support, mercenaries and political cover". The army chief did not name the countries, but his government has repeatedly accused the United Arab Emirates of funnelling arms to the paramilitaries from neighbouring Chad in violation of the arms embargo on Darfur. United Nations experts last year found the accusations "credible", and diplomats say the United States has in private pressed the UAE over its support to the RSF. - 'Intense' shelling - In Omdurman, a witness said the sound of bombs, which had "jolted them from sleep" at dawn, continued through the day. Several residents of Omdurman reported "intense artillery shelling" falling on residential buildings while military warplanes flew overhead. "In our neighbourhood alone, three people have been killed today," one Omdurman resident told AFP, requesting anonymity for fear of reprisal. Amid an effective communications blackout and a crippled healthcare system, it was not possible to verify any casualty toll. Since the war began, much of its worst fighting has been in densely populated areas and both sides have been accused of war crimes, including indiscriminately bombing residential areas. The war has already killed tens of thousands of people, with the World Health Organization saying at least 20,000 people have been killed, but some estimates of up to 150,000. It has also created the world's largest displacement crisis, the UN says. More than 10 million people -- around a fifth of Sudan's population -- have been forced from their homes, according to UN figures. Famine has been declared in Zamzam refugee camp in Darfur near the city of El-Fasher, where the RSF last weekend launched a large-scale offensive after months of siege. El-Fasher is the only one of five state capitals in Darfur not yet in RSF hands. In his meeting with Burhan, Guterres said the war "risks a regional spillover," the UN said. "People in Sudan have endured 17 months of hell, and the suffering continues to grow," top UN relief official Joyce Msuya said separately. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Sudanese army launches airstrikes in Khartoum against paramilitary positions

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced $375 million in military aid for Ukraine on Wednesday, in a package that includes HIMARS precision rocket launchers, cluster munitions, and light tactical vehicles.

"The United States is committed to Ukraine's defence against Russia's brutal aggression," Blinken said in a statement, adding Washington would "deploy this new assistance as quickly as possible."

The package includes "munitions and support" for HIMARS, cluster and artillery munitions, artillery armoured and light vehicles, small arms, and "anti-armor" weapons, such as the Javelin and TOW missiles, as well as AT-4 anti-tank rockets.

Under President Joe Biden, the United States has provided around $175 billion in both military and economic assistance to Ukraine since Russia's February 2022 invasion.

Also included in the latest package are "spare parts, ancillary equipment, services, training, and transportation."

The United States' November 5 election could spell a shift for Kyiv's key military backer.

Donald Trump, who is running again for president, has called Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky the "greatest salesman on Earth."

"Every time Zelensky comes to the United States, he walks away with $100 billion," Trump said this week, claiming "we're stuck in that war unless I'm president."

Blinken reiterated Washington's support for Kyiv, adding that "the United States and the international coalition, we have assembled, will continue to stand with Ukraine."

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced $375 million in military aid for Ukraine on Wednesday, in a package that includes HIMARS precision rocket launchers, cluster munitions, and light tactical vehicles.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced $375 million in military aid for Ukraine on Wednesday, in a package that includes HIMARS precision rocket launchers, cluster munitions, and light tactical vehicles. "The United States is committed to Ukraine's defence against Russia's brutal aggression," Blinken said in a statement, adding Washington would "deploy this new assistance as quickly as possible." The package includes "munitions and support" for HIMARS, cluster and artillery munitions, artillery armoured and light vehicles, small arms, and "anti-armor" weapons, such as the Javelin and TOW missiles, as well as AT-4 anti-tank rockets. Under President Joe Biden, the United States has provided around $175 billion in both military and economic assistance to Ukraine since Russia's February 2022 invasion. Also included in the latest package are "spare parts, ancillary equipment, services, training, and transportation." The United States' November 5 election could spell a shift for Kyiv's key military backer. Donald Trump, who is running again for president, has called Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky the "greatest salesman on Earth." "Every time Zelensky comes to the United States, he walks away with $100 billion," Trump said this week, claiming "we're stuck in that war unless I'm president." Blinken reiterated Washington's support for Kyiv, adding that "the United States and the international coalition, we have assembled, will continue to stand with Ukraine." Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

US announces $375 million in military aid to Ukraine, to supply HIMARS rocket launchers, cluster munitions

Ukraine’s air defences battled an overnight Russian aerial attack on the capital Kyiv for five hours, officials said Thursday, as missiles and drones again hammered the Ukrainian power grid.

The attack injured at least two people, Ukraine’s Emergency Service said. A kindergarten, a gas pipe, and around 20 cars were damaged in the city, said the Kyiv Military Administration.

In western Ukraine, the air force said, Russia fired three Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic missiles — one of Russia’s most advanced weapons — “in the direction of” Starokostiantyniv, a city in the Khmelnytskyi region, on Thursday morning. The air force said it could not make further information public, suggesting the missiles were aimed at a sensitive site.

Long-range strikes have been a hallmark of Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine, now deep in its third year, often hitting civilian areas. Attacks on the electricity network have knocked out around 70% of Ukraine’s energy generation capacity, according to the United Nations, bringing blackouts as winter approaches.

Air defence systems are a critical need for Ukraine, and President Volodymyr Zelensky was due to meet President Joe Biden in Washington on Thursday in an effort to ensure continuing U.S. military support for his country.

Energy infrastructure was hit in Ukraine's western Ivano-Frankivsk region, causing a blackout in parts of the regional capital of the same name, regional Gov. Svitlana Onyshchuk said.

The power grid was also targeted in the southern Mykolaiv region, local authorities said without immediately providing further details.

Russia launched six missiles and 78 Shahed drones at Ukraine overnight from Wednesday to Thursday, Ukraine’s air force said. Defences destroyed four of the missiles and 66 drones in the air, it said.

In the south, a missile killed a 62-year-old woman in the Odesa region, where homes and cars were damaged, regional Gov. Oleh Kiper said.

In the city of Zaporizhzhia, at least 10 people were injured in the overnight attack, including a 14-year-old, said regional governor Ivan Fedorov. He published photographs of houses with their windows blown out and walls riddled with shrapnel. The Emergency Service said 12 residential buildings were damaged in the city and 18 people were evacuated.

Meanwhile, in the northeastern Sumy region, ordnance experts defused a 500-kilogramme (1,100-pound) glide bomb that landed without exploding next to a bridge over the River Psel.

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Ukraine’s air defences battled an overnight Russian aerial attack on the capital Kyiv for five hours, officials said Thursday, as missiles and drones again hammered the Ukrainian power grid.

Ukraine’s air defences battled an overnight Russian aerial attack on the capital Kyiv for five hours, officials said Thursday, as missiles and drones again hammered the Ukrainian power grid. The attack injured at least two people, Ukraine’s Emergency Service said. A kindergarten, a gas pipe, and around 20 cars were damaged in the city, said the Kyiv Military Administration. In western Ukraine, the air force said, Russia fired three Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic missiles — one of Russia’s most advanced weapons — “in the direction of” Starokostiantyniv, a city in the Khmelnytskyi region, on Thursday morning. The air force said it could not make further information public, suggesting the missiles were aimed at a sensitive site. Long-range strikes have been a hallmark of Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine, now deep in its third year, often hitting civilian areas. Attacks on the electricity network have knocked out around 70% of Ukraine’s energy generation capacity, according to the United Nations, bringing blackouts as winter approaches. Air defence systems are a critical need for Ukraine, and President Volodymyr Zelensky was due to meet President Joe Biden in Washington on Thursday in an effort to ensure continuing U.S. military support for his country. Energy infrastructure was hit in Ukraine's western Ivano-Frankivsk region, causing a blackout in parts of the regional capital of the same name, regional Gov. Svitlana Onyshchuk said. The power grid was also targeted in the southern Mykolaiv region, local authorities said without immediately providing further details. Russia launched six missiles and 78 Shahed drones at Ukraine overnight from Wednesday to Thursday, Ukraine’s air force said. Defences destroyed four of the missiles and 66 drones in the air, it said. In the south, a missile killed a 62-year-old woman in the Odesa region, where homes and cars were damaged, regional Gov. Oleh Kiper said. In the city of Zaporizhzhia, at least 10 people were injured in the overnight attack, including a 14-year-old, said regional governor Ivan Fedorov. He published photographs of houses with their windows blown out and walls riddled with shrapnel. The Emergency Service said 12 residential buildings were damaged in the city and 18 people were evacuated. Meanwhile, in the northeastern Sumy region, ordnance experts defused a 500-kilogramme (1,100-pound) glide bomb that landed without exploding next to a bridge over the River Psel. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Russian missiles, drones target Ukrainian power grid in overnight attacks, say Ukraine’s officials

Requested by France, the UN Security Council on Wednesday convened an emergency meeting on Lebanon, the second meeting on the country's deteriorating situation in less than a week, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres saying that "hell is breaking loose in Lebanon."

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In his remarks, Guterres urged the Security Council "to work in lock-step" to end the escalating violence between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants across the Blue Line, a buffer zone in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah and Israel must pull back from the brink of a potentially catastrophic regional war, he insisted, adding that there was now massive civilian displacement from southern and eastern Lebanon towards the Lebanese capital of Beirut, while the Israelis have endured repeated attacks from Hezbollah with more than 8,300 rockets, drones, and increasingly high-caliber missile attacks on military targets and residential areas.

With an appeal for both sides to respect Lebanese sovereignty, Guterres said that Lebanon "must have full control of its weapons" throughout the country. "We support all efforts to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces," he added.

"We say it very clearly and honestly: what we have been witnessing over the past year in Gaza and what we are witnessing now in Lebanon is likely to expand to other areas in the region if the international community does not shoulder its responsibility to put an end to the machine of death and destruction," Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates of Egypt, told the meeting.

"They are spreading terror and fear among Lebanese citizens ... We cannot bear to lose another generation because of the war," said Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

"The ongoing aggression against Lebanon is fuelled by the failure of the international community, and in particular by the UN Security Council, to hold Israel accountable for war crimes and genocide in Gaza," said Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, Iranian foreign minister, Xinhua news agency reported.

France on Wednesday unveiled a proposal for a 21-day ceasefire in Lebanon in UN diplomacy with the United States as the death toll mounted in deadly strikes by Israel. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that the two Western powers were proposing a "temporary ceasefire" of 21 days "to allow for negotiations."

The Arab League Council has at the level of foreign ministers warned of the repercussions of escalating "the Israeli aggression" against Lebanon in light of recent developments, which could lead to the outbreak of a large-scale regional war and threaten the security and stability of the entire region.

Israel said on Wednesday it was readying troops for a potential ground incursion into Lebanon, telling soldiers to prepare to "enter enemy territory" as it called up more reservists and sent world leaders scrambling to prevent a full-scale war with Hezbollah militants. "We are preparing the process of a manoeuvre," Israeli Military Chief Herzi Halevi told troops at an exercise along the northern border.

Israeli warplanes resumed intensive airstrikes on eastern and southern Lebanon on Wednesday evening, carrying out about 70 raids on the areas of Baalbek, Hermel, and Western Bekaa in eastern Lebanon.

On Monday and Tuesday, Israel conducted its most extensive attacks on Lebanon since 2006, resulting in more than 550 deaths and over 1,800 injuries across the country. Lebanese Environment Minister Nasser Yassin said Israel's bombardment has displaced over 150,000 residents over the past 72 hours.

The sharp escalation has raised concerns about a potential full-scale conflict between Israel and Lebanon, with fears that other regional powers could also be sucked in.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for&nbsp;WION&nbsp;audience.

Requested by France, the UN Security Council on Wednesday convened an emergency meeting on Lebanon, the second meeting on the country's deteriorating situation in less than a week, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres saying that "hell is breaking loose in Lebanon.

Requested by France, the UN Security Council on Wednesday convened an emergency meeting on Lebanon, the second meeting on the country's deteriorating situation in less than a week, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres saying that "hell is breaking loose in Lebanon." In his remarks, Guterres urged the Security Council "to work in lock-step" to end the escalating violence between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants across the Blue Line, a buffer zone in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah and Israel must pull back from the brink of a potentially catastrophic regional war, he insisted, adding that there was now massive civilian displacement from southern and eastern Lebanon towards the Lebanese capital of Beirut, while the Israelis have endured repeated attacks from Hezbollah with more than 8,300 rockets, drones, and increasingly high-caliber missile attacks on military targets and residential areas. With an appeal for both sides to respect Lebanese sovereignty, Guterres said that Lebanon "must have full control of its weapons" throughout the country. "We support all efforts to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces," he added. "We say it very clearly and honestly: what we have been witnessing over the past year in Gaza and what we are witnessing now in Lebanon is likely to expand to other areas in the region if the international community does not shoulder its responsibility to put an end to the machine of death and destruction," Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates of Egypt, told the meeting. "They are spreading terror and fear among Lebanese citizens ... We cannot bear to lose another generation because of the war," said Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati. "The ongoing aggression against Lebanon is fuelled by the failure of the international community, and in particular by the UN Security Council, to hold Israel accountable for war crimes and genocide in Gaza," said Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, Iranian foreign minister, Xinhua news agency reported. France on Wednesday unveiled a proposal for a 21-day ceasefire in Lebanon in UN diplomacy with the United States as the death toll mounted in deadly strikes by Israel. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that the two Western powers were proposing a "temporary ceasefire" of 21 days "to allow for negotiations." The Arab League Council has at the level of foreign ministers warned of the repercussions of escalating "the Israeli aggression" against Lebanon in light of recent developments, which could lead to the outbreak of a large-scale regional war and threaten the security and stability of the entire region. Israel said on Wednesday it was readying troops for a potential ground incursion into Lebanon, telling soldiers to prepare to "enter enemy territory" as it called up more reservists and sent world leaders scrambling to prevent a full-scale war with Hezbollah militants. "We are preparing the process of a manoeuvre," Israeli Military Chief Herzi Halevi told troops at an exercise along the northern border. Israeli warplanes resumed intensive airstrikes on eastern and southern Lebanon on Wednesday evening, carrying out about 70 raids on the areas of Baalbek, Hermel, and Western Bekaa in eastern Lebanon. On Monday and Tuesday, Israel conducted its most extensive attacks on Lebanon since 2006, resulting in more than 550 deaths and over 1,800 injuries across the country. Lebanese Environment Minister Nasser Yassin said Israel's bombardment has displaced over 150,000 residents over the past 72 hours. The sharp escalation has raised concerns about a potential full-scale conflict between Israel and Lebanon, with fears that other regional powers could also be sucked in. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Amid Israel-Hezbollah conflict, UN Security Council holds emergency meeting on Lebanon

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