The Russian Foreign Ministry was targeted by a severe cyber attack on Wednesday (Oct 23), coinciding with the major BRICS Summit taking place in the country, spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

Earlier, Zakharova said that the ministry had been targeted by a large-scale distributed denial-of-service attack (DDoS).

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"A massive cyberattack from abroad began this morning on the infrastructure of the official website, the Russian Foreign Ministry's portal," Zakharova said.

She noted that the ministry regularly encounters similar attacks, but today's attack was "unprecedented in scale".

The BRICS summit, aimed at demonstrating Moscow's global standing despite Western sanctions, takes place in Russia's Kazan on October&nbsp;22-24.

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.

The Russian Foreign Ministry was targeted by a severe cyber attack on Wednesday (Oct 23), coinciding with the major BRICS Summit taking place in the country, spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry was targeted by a severe cyber attack on Wednesday (Oct 23), coinciding with the major BRICS Summit taking place in the country, spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. Earlier, Zakharova said that the ministry had been targeted by a large-scale distributed denial-of-service attack (DDoS). Also Read | Modi-Xi meet: India PM welcomes LAC deal, says 'mutual trust' should be foundation of ties "A massive cyberattack from abroad began this morning on the infrastructure of the official website, the Russian Foreign Ministry's portal," Zakharova said. She noted that the ministry regularly encounters similar attacks, but today's attack was "unprecedented in scale". The BRICS summit, aimed at demonstrating Moscow's global standing despite Western sanctions, takes place in Russia's Kazan on October 22-24. 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's foreign ministry hit by ‘unprecedented’ cyber attack amid BRICS Summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin has welcomed offers by BRICS leaders to mediate in the Ukraine conflict and told them Moscow's forces were advancing on the battlefield, his spokesman said Wednesday.

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Many countries "expressed a desire to contribute more actively" to resolving the conflict, state media cited Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as telling reporters on the sidelines of the BRICS summit.

In private talks with other leaders, Putin also highlighted "the very positive dynamics on the front for the Russian armed forces," Peskov said.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has welcomed offers by BRICS leaders to mediate in the Ukraine conflict and told them Moscow's forces were advancing on the battlefield, his spokesman said Wednesday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has welcomed offers by BRICS leaders to mediate in the Ukraine conflict and told them Moscow's forces were advancing on the battlefield, his spokesman said Wednesday. Also Read | India, China should strengthen co-operation; Xi urges during meeting with Modi Many countries "expressed a desire to contribute more actively" to resolving the conflict, state media cited Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as telling reporters on the sidelines of the BRICS summit. In private talks with other leaders, Putin also highlighted "the very positive dynamics on the front for the Russian armed forces," Peskov said. 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 President Putin welcomes BRICS leaders offering Ukraine mediation

Over 30 countries have expressed a desire to join the BRICS, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday addressing a meeting of the grouping.

Addressing world leaders at the Plenary Session of the 16th BRICS Summit, Putin said the group would discuss its expansion at the meeting but that it was important to strike a balance in any expansion, Reuters news agency reported.

During the session held at the Kazan Expo Center in the Russian city of&nbsp;Kazan, Putin said, "Over 30 countries have expressed the desire to join BRICS."

"It would be wrong to ignore the unprecedented interest of the countries of the Global South and East in strengthening contacts with BRICS," Putin said.

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"At the same time, it is necessary to maintain a balance and prevent a decrease in the effectiveness of the BRICS," he said, adding that the grouping would also discuss "acute regional conflicts," the Russian President was cited as saying by Reuters.

He further said that the group would discuss its expansion at the meeting, while keeping in mind the need to maintain efficiency, according to Reuters.

Later in the day, PM Modi is set to have a bilateral meeting with Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the summit.

The meeting in the capital of Tatarstan marks the first formal interaction between the two leaders in five years and follows the two countries reaching an agreement on resuming regular patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.

Meanwhile, Randhir Jaiswal, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, shared a joint photo of the leaders of the grouping, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi that was taken ahead of the Summit.

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Taking to his X platform, Jaiswal wrote, "Stronger and united together for an inclusive and a multipolar world. A historic moment for the BRICS as the leaders take the first photo of the expanded BRICS family at the XVI BRICS Summit."

Prime Minister Modi and UAE's President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan were seen interacting after the photo session. 
 
A day before, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri highlighted that a focus area for the BRICS summit is establishing modalities and guidelines for implementing a partner country model. He further reiterated that the discussions between PM Modi and President Putin included a partner country model.

The remarks by Misri came while addressing a media briefing. He said, "I think one of the focus areas is, I wouldn't say the expansion of BRICS, but what we are discussing right now which is the modalities and guidelines for implementing a partner country model with BRICS. So that is one of the focus areas for this summit."

He added, "With regard to discussions between Prime Minister and President Putin on some of the issues that are being discussed in BRICS, membership is a partner country model that is under discussion. The guidelines, modalities and the parameters of this model are under discussion. This is something that is still a work in progress at this point.&nbsp;

So, I don't want to go beyond my brief and comment on something that is still under discussion. Again, there might be developments later..."

BRIC, as a formal grouping, started after the meeting of the Leaders of Russia, India and China in St Petersburg on the margins of the G8 Outreach Summit in 2006.

The grouping was formalised during the first meeting of BRIC Foreign Ministers on the margins of UNGA in New York in 2006. The first BRIC Summit was held in Russia's Yekaterinburg in 2009.

It was agreed to expand BRIC into BRICS with the inclusion of South Africa at the BRIC Foreign Ministers' meeting in New York in 2010. South Africa attended the 3rd BRICS Summit in Sanya in 2011. A further expansion of BRICS took place in 2024 with five new members - Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.&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 WION audience.

Over 30 countries have expressed a desire to join the BRICS, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday addressing a meeting of the grouping. Addressing world leaders at the Plenary Session of the 16th BRICS Summit, Putin said the group would discuss its expansion at the meeting but that it was important to strike a balance in any expansion, Reuters news agency reported.

Over 30 countries have expressed a desire to join the BRICS, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday addressing a meeting of the grouping. Addressing world leaders at the Plenary Session of the 16th BRICS Summit, Putin said the group would discuss its expansion at the meeting but that it was important to strike a balance in any expansion, Reuters news agency reported. During the session held at the Kazan Expo Center in the Russian city of Kazan, Putin said, "Over 30 countries have expressed the desire to join BRICS." "It would be wrong to ignore the unprecedented interest of the countries of the Global South and East in strengthening contacts with BRICS," Putin said. Also Read | ‘We support diplomacy, not war,’ PM Modi tells world leaders at BRICS Summit "At the same time, it is necessary to maintain a balance and prevent a decrease in the effectiveness of the BRICS," he said, adding that the grouping would also discuss "acute regional conflicts," the Russian President was cited as saying by Reuters. He further said that the group would discuss its expansion at the meeting, while keeping in mind the need to maintain efficiency, according to Reuters. Later in the day, PM Modi is set to have a bilateral meeting with Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the summit. The meeting in the capital of Tatarstan marks the first formal interaction between the two leaders in five years and follows the two countries reaching an agreement on resuming regular patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. Meanwhile, Randhir Jaiswal, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, shared a joint photo of the leaders of the grouping, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi that was taken ahead of the Summit. Also Read | Israel confirms death of Nasrallah's heir apparent Sayyed Hashem Safieddine Taking to his X platform, Jaiswal wrote, "Stronger and united together for an inclusive and a multipolar world. A historic moment for the BRICS as the leaders take the first photo of the expanded BRICS family at the XVI BRICS Summit." Prime Minister Modi and UAE's President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan were seen interacting after the photo session. A day before, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri highlighted that a focus area for the BRICS summit is establishing modalities and guidelines for implementing a partner country model. He further reiterated that the discussions between PM Modi and President Putin included a partner country model. The remarks by Misri came while addressing a media briefing. He said, "I think one of the focus areas is, I wouldn't say the expansion of BRICS, but what we are discussing right now which is the modalities and guidelines for implementing a partner country model with BRICS. So that is one of the focus areas for this summit." He added, "With regard to discussions between Prime Minister and President Putin on some of the issues that are being discussed in BRICS, membership is a partner country model that is under discussion. The guidelines, modalities and the parameters of this model are under discussion. This is something that is still a work in progress at this point. So, I don't want to go beyond my brief and comment on something that is still under discussion. Again, there might be developments later..." BRIC, as a formal grouping, started after the meeting of the Leaders of Russia, India and China in St Petersburg on the margins of the G8 Outreach Summit in 2006. The grouping was formalised during the first meeting of BRIC Foreign Ministers on the margins of UNGA in New York in 2006. The first BRIC Summit was held in Russia's Yekaterinburg in 2009. It was agreed to expand BRIC into BRICS with the inclusion of South Africa at the BRIC Foreign Ministers' meeting in New York in 2010. South Africa attended the 3rd BRICS Summit in Sanya in 2011. A further expansion of BRICS took place in 2024 with five new members - Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. 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.

‘Over 30 countries expressed desire to join BRICS,’ says Russian President Putin

Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the issue of early discharge of the remaining Indian nationals in the Russian Army during his bilateral meeting on Tuesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan.

Addressing a media briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the two leaders also shared perspectives on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Prime Minister reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy were the way forward to achieve resolution of the conflict. He briefed President Putin about his engagements with the Ukrainian leadership and noted that India stood ready to contribute in bringing peace to the region.

"An important issue that came up was the issue of early discharge of the remaining Indian nationals in the Russian army. This figured from both sides in the discussion and with the support of the Russian side, a number of Indian nationals have, in recent months, been able to return to India. We understand that currently the embassy is pursuing around 20 cases with the Russian side and we very much hope that all of these individuals can be released at an early date and be repatriated to India very soon," he said.

Misri said the two sides also expressed satisfaction at the ongoing defence cooperation and agreed to hold the next meeting of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Cooperation Group on Defence Cooperation in Moscow at an early date.

On energy cooperation, in which there is engagement between India and Russia on building nuclear power plants in India, it was agreed that the Department of Atomic Energy and the Russian agency Rosatom would continue to remain in touch to adhere to the mutually agreed schedule for the installation of the remaining units, that is units 3 to 6 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project.

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Economic cooperation figured quite prominently in the talks and the two sides discussed the possibility of further cooperation in the financial sector, Misri said. Sustaining supply chains for the steady and regular sourcing of fertilisers and coal from Russia was also discussed and President Putin promised assistance in this regard as well, he added.

The Foreign Secretary said India will host the 25th session of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on trade, technical, economic and cultural cooperation in New Delhi on November 12, 2024, for which the Russian delegation will be led by Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov.&nbsp;

"As I had pointed out just a couple of days ago as well, India is at this time working with the Russian side to open a new consulate right here in Kazan in the not too distant future. Another new consulate that was announced sometime back will be opened in Yekaterinburg," he said.

PM Modi said in a post on X that he had an excellent meeting with President Putin. "The bond between India and Russia is deep-rooted. Our talks focussed on how to add even more vigour to our bilateral partnership across diverse sectors," he said.

The Prime Minister thanked President Putin for his invitation to attend the 16th BRICS Summit. He appreciated the Russian Chairship of BRICS and its efforts to strengthen multilateralism, advance sustainable development, and push for global governance reform. The two leaders also reviewed bilateral cooperation in a range of fields, including political, economic, defence, energy, and people-to-people ties.

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An official release said the two leaders agreed to remain engaged to further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries, which continues to register significant growth and has shown resilience in the backdrop of geopolitical uncertainties.

Misri said the two leaders discussed the progress made in bilateral relations since the 22nd annual Summit between them, which was held in July this year in Moscow.

"The two leaders had an extensive agenda to go over the whole range of bilateral issues including trade, economy, energy, defence, connectivity, education and people-to-people ties were discussed between the two of them. Regional and global issues of mutual concern also came up for discussion. The two leaders also exchanged views on several matters concerning BRICS and President Putin expressed his appreciation for India's constructive attitude and contributions in concluding the documents related to the Kazan BRICS Summit."

The Foreign Secretary said India has old historical links with Kazan, a city which lay on an ancient trade route.

On his arrival at the hotel, PM Modi was greeted by members of the Indian community in Kazan.

"We also had members of the local ISKCON branch singing Sanskrit chants to welcome him, and a group of Russian artists performed Kathak and Garba dances on the occasion. Thereafter, the Prime Minister witnessed a photo exhibition on Mahatma Gandhi that highlighted the Mahatma's engagement with Leo Tolstoy and this is particularly significant as it was in Kazan that Leo Tolstoy studied for several years," he said.&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 WION audience.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the issue of early discharge of the remaining Indian nationals in the Russian Army during his bilateral meeting on Tuesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the issue of early discharge of the remaining Indian nationals in the Russian Army during his bilateral meeting on Tuesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan. Addressing a media briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the two leaders also shared perspectives on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Prime Minister reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy were the way forward to achieve resolution of the conflict. He briefed President Putin about his engagements with the Ukrainian leadership and noted that India stood ready to contribute in bringing peace to the region. "An important issue that came up was the issue of early discharge of the remaining Indian nationals in the Russian army. This figured from both sides in the discussion and with the support of the Russian side, a number of Indian nationals have, in recent months, been able to return to India. We understand that currently the embassy is pursuing around 20 cases with the Russian side and we very much hope that all of these individuals can be released at an early date and be repatriated to India very soon," he said. Misri said the two sides also expressed satisfaction at the ongoing defence cooperation and agreed to hold the next meeting of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Cooperation Group on Defence Cooperation in Moscow at an early date. On energy cooperation, in which there is engagement between India and Russia on building nuclear power plants in India, it was agreed that the Department of Atomic Energy and the Russian agency Rosatom would continue to remain in touch to adhere to the mutually agreed schedule for the installation of the remaining units, that is units 3 to 6 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project. Also Read | French mass rape trial: Gisele Pelicot makes explosive testimony, says shame is on accused Economic cooperation figured quite prominently in the talks and the two sides discussed the possibility of further cooperation in the financial sector, Misri said. Sustaining supply chains for the steady and regular sourcing of fertilisers and coal from Russia was also discussed and President Putin promised assistance in this regard as well, he added. The Foreign Secretary said India will host the 25th session of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on trade, technical, economic and cultural cooperation in New Delhi on November 12, 2024, for which the Russian delegation will be led by Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov. "As I had pointed out just a couple of days ago as well, India is at this time working with the Russian side to open a new consulate right here in Kazan in the not too distant future. Another new consulate that was announced sometime back will be opened in Yekaterinburg," he said. PM Modi said in a post on X that he had an excellent meeting with President Putin. "The bond between India and Russia is deep-rooted. Our talks focussed on how to add even more vigour to our bilateral partnership across diverse sectors," he said. The Prime Minister thanked President Putin for his invitation to attend the 16th BRICS Summit. He appreciated the Russian Chairship of BRICS and its efforts to strengthen multilateralism, advance sustainable development, and push for global governance reform. The two leaders also reviewed bilateral cooperation in a range of fields, including political, economic, defence, energy, and people-to-people ties. Also Read | Seattle teen detained after allegedly killing five family members An official release said the two leaders agreed to remain engaged to further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries, which continues to register significant growth and has shown resilience in the backdrop of geopolitical uncertainties. Misri said the two leaders discussed the progress made in bilateral relations since the 22nd annual Summit between them, which was held in July this year in Moscow. "The two leaders had an extensive agenda to go over the whole range of bilateral issues including trade, economy, energy, defence, connectivity, education and people-to-people ties were discussed between the two of them. Regional and global issues of mutual concern also came up for discussion. The two leaders also exchanged views on several matters concerning BRICS and President Putin expressed his appreciation for India's constructive attitude and contributions in concluding the documents related to the Kazan BRICS Summit." The Foreign Secretary said India has old historical links with Kazan, a city which lay on an ancient trade route. On his arrival at the hotel, PM Modi was greeted by members of the Indian community in Kazan. "We also had members of the local ISKCON branch singing Sanskrit chants to welcome him, and a group of Russian artists performed Kathak and Garba dances on the occasion. Thereafter, the Prime Minister witnessed a photo exhibition on Mahatma Gandhi that highlighted the Mahatma's engagement with Leo Tolstoy and this is particularly significant as it was in Kazan that Leo Tolstoy studied for several years," he said. 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.

PM Modi and President Putin discuss early discharge of remaining Indian nationals in Russian army

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan on Tuesday. PM Modi invited Putin to visit India next year for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.

The two leaders reviewed bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including political, economic, defence, energy, and people-to-people ties, Prime Minister's Office said in a press release.

This was their second meeting this year as the two leaders had earlier met in Moscow for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit in July 2024.

During the meeting, PM Modi thanked President Putin for his invitation to attend the 16th BRICS Summit. He appreciated the Russian Chairship of BRICS and its efforts to strengthen multilateralism, advance sustainable development, and push for global governance reform.

In a press release, the Prime Minister's Office stated, "The two leaders also reviewed bilateral cooperation in a range of fields, including political, economic, defence, energy, and people-to-people ties. They welcomed the forthcoming meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic and Cultural matters, which is scheduled to be held in November 2024 in New Delhi."

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PM Modi and Putin exchanged views on India-Russia engagement in multilateral fora, in particular in BRICS, according to the press release.&nbsp;

They also shared views on key regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. PM Modi reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy was the way forward in resolving conflicts.

Notably, Russia and Ukraine have been engaged in a conflict since 2022. Since the start of the war in 2022, India has called for resolving the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.

In a post on X, PM Modi stated, "Had an excellent meeting with President Putin. The bond between India and Russia is deep-rooted. Our talks focussed on how to add even more vigour to our bilateral partnership across diverse sectors."

During the meeting, they agreed to remain engaged to further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries, which continues to register significant growth and has shown resilience in the backdrop of geopolitical uncertainties.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that his two visits to Russia in the last three months reflect close coordination and deep friendship between the two countries and he looks forward to taking part in the BRICS Summit.

During his bilateral meeting with Putin, PM Modi said that the annual Summit in Moscow in July has strengthened bilateral cooperation in every field.

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"My two visits to Russia in the last three months reflect our close coordination and deep friendship. Our Annual Summit in Moscow in July has strengthened our cooperation in every field...In 15 years, the BRICS has created its special identity and now many countries of the world want to join it. I am looking forward to participating in the BRICS Summit tomorrow," he said.

He said India is in favour of early resolution of the Ukraine conflict and has supported early establishment of peace and stability.

"I have been in constant touch with you on the subject of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. As I have said earlier, we believe that the problems should be resolved in a peaceful manner. We fully support the early establishment of peace and stability. All our efforts give priority to humanity. India is ready to provide all possible cooperation in the times to come," he said.

The Prime Minister said the opening of India's new consulate in Kazan will further strengthen ties between India and the Russian city.

"I express my heartfelt gratitude for your friendship, warm welcome and hospitality. It is a matter of great pleasure for me to have the opportunity to visit a beautiful city like Kazan for the BRICS Summit. India has deep and historical ties with this city. The opening of India's new consulate in Kazan will further strengthen these ties," he said.

Reflecting close ties between India and Russia and his personal rapport with PM Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin quipped that they have such a relationship that PM Modi will not need a translator.

"We have such a relationship that I felt that you do not need any translation," President Putin said with a smile. PM Modi also smiled appreciatively on hearing the Hindi translation of the remarks which were made by President Putin in Russian.

PM Modi arrived in Russia on Tuesday to attend the BRICS Summit in Kazan. Upon arrival, the PM also witnessed a dance performance by artists of the Russian community at Hotel Korston in Kazan. The 16th BRICS Summit is being held under Russia's chairmanship in Kazan.&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 WION audience.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan on Tuesday. PM Modi invited Putin to visit India next year for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan on Tuesday. PM Modi invited Putin to visit India next year for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. The two leaders reviewed bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including political, economic, defence, energy, and people-to-people ties, Prime Minister's Office said in a press release. This was their second meeting this year as the two leaders had earlier met in Moscow for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit in July 2024. During the meeting, PM Modi thanked President Putin for his invitation to attend the 16th BRICS Summit. He appreciated the Russian Chairship of BRICS and its efforts to strengthen multilateralism, advance sustainable development, and push for global governance reform. In a press release, the Prime Minister's Office stated, "The two leaders also reviewed bilateral cooperation in a range of fields, including political, economic, defence, energy, and people-to-people ties. They welcomed the forthcoming meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic and Cultural matters, which is scheduled to be held in November 2024 in New Delhi." Also Read | Woman gets stranded in Dubai's desert, books camel ride via Uber: Watch PM Modi and Putin exchanged views on India-Russia engagement in multilateral fora, in particular in BRICS, according to the press release. They also shared views on key regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. PM Modi reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy was the way forward in resolving conflicts. Notably, Russia and Ukraine have been engaged in a conflict since 2022. Since the start of the war in 2022, India has called for resolving the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy. In a post on X, PM Modi stated, "Had an excellent meeting with President Putin. The bond between India and Russia is deep-rooted. Our talks focussed on how to add even more vigour to our bilateral partnership across diverse sectors." During the meeting, they agreed to remain engaged to further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries, which continues to register significant growth and has shown resilience in the backdrop of geopolitical uncertainties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that his two visits to Russia in the last three months reflect close coordination and deep friendship between the two countries and he looks forward to taking part in the BRICS Summit. During his bilateral meeting with Putin, PM Modi said that the annual Summit in Moscow in July has strengthened bilateral cooperation in every field. Also Read | 'There is evidence,' US claims North Korean troops deployed in Russia to fight against Ukraine "My two visits to Russia in the last three months reflect our close coordination and deep friendship. Our Annual Summit in Moscow in July has strengthened our cooperation in every field...In 15 years, the BRICS has created its special identity and now many countries of the world want to join it. I am looking forward to participating in the BRICS Summit tomorrow," he said. He said India is in favour of early resolution of the Ukraine conflict and has supported early establishment of peace and stability. "I have been in constant touch with you on the subject of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. As I have said earlier, we believe that the problems should be resolved in a peaceful manner. We fully support the early establishment of peace and stability. All our efforts give priority to humanity. India is ready to provide all possible cooperation in the times to come," he said. The Prime Minister said the opening of India's new consulate in Kazan will further strengthen ties between India and the Russian city. "I express my heartfelt gratitude for your friendship, warm welcome and hospitality. It is a matter of great pleasure for me to have the opportunity to visit a beautiful city like Kazan for the BRICS Summit. India has deep and historical ties with this city. The opening of India's new consulate in Kazan will further strengthen these ties," he said. Reflecting close ties between India and Russia and his personal rapport with PM Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin quipped that they have such a relationship that PM Modi will not need a translator. "We have such a relationship that I felt that you do not need any translation," President Putin said with a smile. PM Modi also smiled appreciatively on hearing the Hindi translation of the remarks which were made by President Putin in Russian. PM Modi arrived in Russia on Tuesday to attend the BRICS Summit in Kazan. Upon arrival, the PM also witnessed a dance performance by artists of the Russian community at Hotel Korston in Kazan. The 16th BRICS Summit is being held under Russia's chairmanship in Kazan. 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.

PM Modi invites Russian President Putin to Delhi for India-Russia Annual Summit next year

A Chinese aircraft carrier group sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, Taiwan's defence minister said, a day after Beijing held a live-fire exercise near the self-ruled island.

China considers Taiwan to be part of its territory and has ramped up military activity around the island in recent years to pressure Taipei into accepting its claims of sovereignty.&nbsp;

"The Liaoning is passing through the Taiwan Strait now, sailing north along the west of the median line (of the passage) and we are closely monitoring it," Defence Minister Wellington Koo told reporters.

The Liaoning, China's oldest aircraft carrier, took part in Beijing's large-scale military drills around Taiwan last week, which were condemned by Taipei and its key backer Washington.

A blockade was among the exercises carried out.&nbsp;

Koo warned on Wednesday that an actual blockade of Taiwan would be an "act of war" and have a "very serious impact on the global economy".

China has two aircraft carriers in active service, and a third undergoing sea trials. The Liaoning has previously passed through the strait.

China's foreign ministry said Wednesday it was "perfectly normal for Chinese aircraft carriers to sail in its own territory and territorial waters".

The Liaoning appeared to be returning to Qingdao port in eastern China via the Pratas Islands, in the northern part of the South China Sea, for "replenishing and necessary maintenance", said Jiang Hsin-biao, a military expert at Taiwan's Institute for National Defense and Security Research.

Its involvement in the recent military drills was for "the purpose of practising against foreign forces and intimidating Taiwan", Jiang told AFP.

<h2>- Stronger language -</h2>

Beijing sent a record number of military aircraft -- including fighter jets and drones -- as well as warships to encircle Taiwan on October 14 in what Beijing said was a "stern warning to the separatist acts of 'Taiwan Independence' forces".

It was in response to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's National Day speech on October 10 in which he vowed to "resist annexation", and insisted that Beijing and Taipei were not subordinate to each other.

Lai, who took office in May, has used stronger language than his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen in defending Taiwan's sovereignty, angering China's leaders in Beijing, who call him a "separatist".

Taipei said Tuesday that the live-fire drill could be part of Beijing's "tactics to bolster its intimidation in conjunction with the dynamics in the Taiwan Strait".

Over the weekend, a US and a Canadian warship passed through the 180-kilometre Taiwan Strait, part of regular passages by Washington and its allies meant to reinforce its status as an international waterway.

Beijing condemned the passage as disrupting "peace and stability" in the strait.

Taiwan's defence ministry said Wednesday it had detected 15 Chinese military aircraft and six navy vessels in the skies and waters around the island in the 24 hours to 6:00 am Wednesday (2200 GMT Tuesday).

China and Taiwan have been ruled separately since 1949 after Chiang Kai-shek's nationalist forces fled to the island following their defeat by Mao Zedong's communist fighters.

While Taiwan has its own government, military, and currency, Beijing insists the island is part of its territory and has refused to rule out the use of force to bring it under its control.

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A Chinese aircraft carrier group sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, Taiwan's defence minister said, a day after Beijing held a live-fire exercise near the self-ruled island.

A Chinese aircraft carrier group sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, Taiwan's defence minister said, a day after Beijing held a live-fire exercise near the self-ruled island. China considers Taiwan to be part of its territory and has ramped up military activity around the island in recent years to pressure Taipei into accepting its claims of sovereignty. "The Liaoning is passing through the Taiwan Strait now, sailing north along the west of the median line (of the passage) and we are closely monitoring it," Defence Minister Wellington Koo told reporters. The Liaoning, China's oldest aircraft carrier, took part in Beijing's large-scale military drills around Taiwan last week, which were condemned by Taipei and its key backer Washington. A blockade was among the exercises carried out. Koo warned on Wednesday that an actual blockade of Taiwan would be an "act of war" and have a "very serious impact on the global economy". China has two aircraft carriers in active service, and a third undergoing sea trials. The Liaoning has previously passed through the strait. China's foreign ministry said Wednesday it was "perfectly normal for Chinese aircraft carriers to sail in its own territory and territorial waters". The Liaoning appeared to be returning to Qingdao port in eastern China via the Pratas Islands, in the northern part of the South China Sea, for "replenishing and necessary maintenance", said Jiang Hsin-biao, a military expert at Taiwan's Institute for National Defense and Security Research. Its involvement in the recent military drills was for "the purpose of practising against foreign forces and intimidating Taiwan", Jiang told AFP. - Stronger language - Beijing sent a record number of military aircraft -- including fighter jets and drones -- as well as warships to encircle Taiwan on October 14 in what Beijing said was a "stern warning to the separatist acts of 'Taiwan Independence' forces". It was in response to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's National Day speech on October 10 in which he vowed to "resist annexation", and insisted that Beijing and Taipei were not subordinate to each other. Lai, who took office in May, has used stronger language than his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen in defending Taiwan's sovereignty, angering China's leaders in Beijing, who call him a "separatist". Taipei said Tuesday that the live-fire drill could be part of Beijing's "tactics to bolster its intimidation in conjunction with the dynamics in the Taiwan Strait". Over the weekend, a US and a Canadian warship passed through the 180-kilometre Taiwan Strait, part of regular passages by Washington and its allies meant to reinforce its status as an international waterway. Beijing condemned the passage as disrupting "peace and stability" in the strait. Taiwan's defence ministry said Wednesday it had detected 15 Chinese military aircraft and six navy vessels in the skies and waters around the island in the 24 hours to 6:00 am Wednesday (2200 GMT Tuesday). China and Taiwan have been ruled separately since 1949 after Chiang Kai-shek's nationalist forces fled to the island following their defeat by Mao Zedong's communist fighters. While Taiwan has its own government, military, and currency, Beijing insists the island is part of its territory and has refused to rule out the use of force to bring it under its control. 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.

Taipei reports Chinese aircraft carrier group sailed through Taiwan Strait

The Indian Met Department&nbsp;predicted that the low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is likely to turn into a severe cyclonic storm by October 23 and reach the coasts adjoining Odisha and West Bengal the following day. Cyclone Dana will bring heavy rains in both states till Friday.&nbsp;

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Tuesday said it was on high alert and mobilised its vessels and aircraft to respond swiftly to any contingency owing to a cyclonic storm that was likely to form over the Bay of Bengal.

A depression over the east-central Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and cross Odisha-West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island in the early hours of October 25 with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph, according to the IMD.

"The ICG has mobilised its vessels and aircraft, positioning them strategically to respond swiftly to any emergency situations," a statement said. It said the ICG is on high alert, with its dedicated personnel and assets ready to provide assistance, rescue and relief.

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Coast Guard personnel are working in coordination with the local administration and disaster management authorities in West Bengal and Odisha to ensure a coordinated and effective response, it added.

The ICG deployed helicopters and remote operating stations at Haldia in West Bengal and Paradip in Odisha to broadcast regular weather warnings and safety advisories to fishermen and mariners.

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Alerts are being transmitted continuously to all fishing vessels, urging them to return to the shore immediately and seek safe shelter, the statement said. 
 
Helicopter sorties are also planned for search and rescue (SAR) missions in case of any distress at sea, it said.

Fishing communities along the coastline have been informed through various channels, including village heads, to prevent them from venturing into the sea until the cyclone passes, the statement said.

The NDRF has deployed nine teams so far across West Bengal to respond to any situation, it said.

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.

The Indian Met Department predicted that the low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is likely to turn into a severe cyclonic storm by October 23 and reach the coasts adjoining Odisha and West Bengal the following day.

The Indian Met Department predicted that the low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is likely to turn into a severe cyclonic storm by October 23 and reach the coasts adjoining Odisha and West Bengal the following day. Cyclone Dana will bring heavy rains in both states till Friday. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Tuesday said it was on high alert and mobilised its vessels and aircraft to respond swiftly to any contingency owing to a cyclonic storm that was likely to form over the Bay of Bengal. A depression over the east-central Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and cross Odisha-West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island in the early hours of October 25 with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph, according to the IMD. "The ICG has mobilised its vessels and aircraft, positioning them strategically to respond swiftly to any emergency situations," a statement said. It said the ICG is on high alert, with its dedicated personnel and assets ready to provide assistance, rescue and relief. Also read | BRICS Summit: PM Modi shares hug with President Putin, holds bilateral meeting Coast Guard personnel are working in coordination with the local administration and disaster management authorities in West Bengal and Odisha to ensure a coordinated and effective response, it added. The ICG deployed helicopters and remote operating stations at Haldia in West Bengal and Paradip in Odisha to broadcast regular weather warnings and safety advisories to fishermen and mariners. Also Read | PM Modi lands in Russia to attend BRICS Summit Alerts are being transmitted continuously to all fishing vessels, urging them to return to the shore immediately and seek safe shelter, the statement said. Helicopter sorties are also planned for search and rescue (SAR) missions in case of any distress at sea, it said. Fishing communities along the coastline have been informed through various channels, including village heads, to prevent them from venturing into the sea until the cyclone passes, the statement said. The NDRF has deployed nine teams so far across West Bengal to respond to any situation, it said. 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.

Indian Coast Guard on high alert ahead of Cyclone Dana over Bay of Bengal

Ukraine's population has declined by more than 10 million since Russia invaded in February 2022, sparking an exodus and sending birth rates plunging, the United Nations said Tuesday.

The UN Population Fund said there had not been a census, but that there clearly had been a dramatic population decline in war-torn Ukraine.

"The Ukraine population has declined by over 10 million since the beginning of the war," UNFPA's regional director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia Florence Bauer told reporters in Geneva.

She stressed that the decline had been seen "since the beginning of the full-scale invasion", and was due to "a combination of factors".

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Already before the war, Ukraine had one of the lowest birth rates in Europe, and like many countries in Eastern Europe, it had seen a declining population, as young people left in search of more opportunities, Bauer said.

But since the war, some 6.7 million people fled the country as refugees while the birth rate fell to just around one child per woman, she said.

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"That's one of the lowest in the world," she said, stressing that this was well below the theoretical replacement rate of 2.1 children that each woman on average must have to maintain the population size.

At the same time, she said, there are the "several tens of thousands of casualties (from the war), which of course add to the equation".

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.

Ukraine's population has declined by more than 10 million since Russia invaded in February 2022, sparking an exodus and sending birth rates plunging, the United Nations said Tuesday.

Ukraine's population has declined by more than 10 million since Russia invaded in February 2022, sparking an exodus and sending birth rates plunging, the United Nations said Tuesday. The UN Population Fund said there had not been a census, but that there clearly had been a dramatic population decline in war-torn Ukraine. "The Ukraine population has declined by over 10 million since the beginning of the war," UNFPA's regional director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia Florence Bauer told reporters in Geneva. She stressed that the decline had been seen "since the beginning of the full-scale invasion", and was due to "a combination of factors". Also Read | Hezbollah targets Israeli intelligence base in Tel Aviv suburbs Already before the war, Ukraine had one of the lowest birth rates in Europe, and like many countries in Eastern Europe, it had seen a declining population, as young people left in search of more opportunities, Bauer said. But since the war, some 6.7 million people fled the country as refugees while the birth rate fell to just around one child per woman, she said. Also Read | PM Modi lands in Russia to attend BRICS Summit "That's one of the lowest in the world," she said, stressing that this was well below the theoretical replacement rate of 2.1 children that each woman on average must have to maintain the population size. At the same time, she said, there are the "several tens of thousands of casualties (from the war), which of course add to the equation". 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.

UN says Ukraine's population decreased by 10 million since beginning of Russia's invasion

Vietnam's parliament elected on Monday army general Luong Cuong as the new state president in a widely anticipated move that is expected to bring some stability to Vietnamese politics after a turbulent phase of departures and reshuffles.

Cuong, 67, takes over the role from To Lam, who was appointed president of the Communist-run, one-party country in May and then also took on the more powerful job of party chief following the death in July of general secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

Cuong was elected with the vote of all the 440 deputies who attended the parliament session on Monday.

In his inaugural speech he committed to boosting defence capabilities and pursuing an independent and multilateral foreign policy.

He vowed to "strengthen national defence and security, build up an army force that is revolutionary, well-trained, nimble and modern".

Vietnam has long been seeking to diversify its arsenal from mostly Russia-made weapons but has not reported any significant deal in recent years.

Before the election, Cuong held a key position in the secretariat of the Communist Party, which made him the fifth-highest ranking official in the country after party chief, president, prime minister and parliament's chairman. Cuong is also a member of the Politburo, the party's top decision-making body.

The state president holds little direct power but represents the country in high-level meetings with foreign dignitaries. In his short spell as president, Lam has met the leaders of China, Russia and the United States, among others.

<h2>POWER SHARING</h2>

In Vietnam, the party chief has become the most powerful figure since the late Trong effectively expanded the role's powers in his 13-year tenure.&nbsp;

The move by Lam, a former head of police, to relinquish the presidency may indicate a power-sharing compromise within the party, multiple diplomats said.

Foreign multinationals, who have large investments in the Southeast Asian country for export-oriented manufacturing, had long praised Vietnam's political stability.&nbsp;

Many were taken aback by recent turmoil in the leadership amid an anti-corruption campaign that led to the resignation of two state presidents and one parliament chairman in the 17 months before Lam's election.

The new power-sharing arrangement is set to last until 2026, when all top positions will again be up for grabs as part of a regular five-year reorganisation of the political leadership.

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.

Vietnam's parliament elected on Monday army general Luong Cuong as the new state president in a widely anticipated move that is expected to bring some stability to Vietnamese politics after a turbulent phase of departures and reshuffles.

Vietnam's parliament elected on Monday army general Luong Cuong as the new state president in a widely anticipated move that is expected to bring some stability to Vietnamese politics after a turbulent phase of departures and reshuffles. Cuong, 67, takes over the role from To Lam, who was appointed president of the Communist-run, one-party country in May and then also took on the more powerful job of party chief following the death in July of general secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. Cuong was elected with the vote of all the 440 deputies who attended the parliament session on Monday. In his inaugural speech he committed to boosting defence capabilities and pursuing an independent and multilateral foreign policy. He vowed to "strengthen national defence and security, build up an army force that is revolutionary, well-trained, nimble and modern". Vietnam has long been seeking to diversify its arsenal from mostly Russia-made weapons but has not reported any significant deal in recent years. Before the election, Cuong held a key position in the secretariat of the Communist Party, which made him the fifth-highest ranking official in the country after party chief, president, prime minister and parliament's chairman. Cuong is also a member of the Politburo, the party's top decision-making body. The state president holds little direct power but represents the country in high-level meetings with foreign dignitaries. In his short spell as president, Lam has met the leaders of China, Russia and the United States, among others. POWER SHARING In Vietnam, the party chief has become the most powerful figure since the late Trong effectively expanded the role's powers in his 13-year tenure. The move by Lam, a former head of police, to relinquish the presidency may indicate a power-sharing compromise within the party, multiple diplomats said. Foreign multinationals, who have large investments in the Southeast Asian country for export-oriented manufacturing, had long praised Vietnam's political stability. Many were taken aback by recent turmoil in the leadership amid an anti-corruption campaign that led to the resignation of two state presidents and one parliament chairman in the 17 months before Lam's election. The new power-sharing arrangement is set to last until 2026, when all top positions will again be up for grabs as part of a regular five-year reorganisation of the political leadership. 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.

Vietnam parliament elects army general Luong Cuong as new state president

US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who was accused by Ankara of organising a failed 2016 coup, has died in exile in the United States, aged 83, his movement and the Turkish government said Monday.

Turkish-born Gulen, who had lived in the United States since 1999, was once a close ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before the two became bitter enemies.

"Our intelligence sources confirm the death of the leader of the FETO organisation," Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told a press conference, using Turkey's term for Gulen's once-influential Hizmet movement.

Turkey's TRT public television said the preacher, who had lived in Pennsylvania for a quarter of a century and was stripped of his Turkish nationality in 2017, died in hospital overnight.

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In a message on X, Gulen's website, Herkul, which is banned in Turkey, said he died on "October 20", pledging to share details about his funeral.

Gulen moved to Pennsylvania in 1999, ostensibly for health reasons, and from there he ran Hizmet, which, at the time, had a sprawling network of public schools on every continent.

In 2013, he had a major falling out with Erdogan and three years later, the Turkish strongman accused him of plotting to overthrow him, dubbing Hizmet "the Fethullah Terror Organisation" (FETO).

Some 250 people died on July 15, 2016 when a rogue military faction tried to overthrow Turkey's government using warplanes and tanks, with Erdogan blaming Gulen supporters within the military.

"This organisation has become a threat rarely seen in the history of our nation," Fidan said, accusing its followers of "being used as a weapon against their own country".

Despite Gulen's death, Turkey would continue "the fight against this organisation, which poses a national security problem", Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc wrote on X.

<h2>- Ally turned enemy -</h2>

Once an ally who helped Erdogan when he became prime minister in the early 2000s, Gulen's ties with him became strained in 2010.

Three years later, Gulen became persona non grata when a corruption scandal engulfed the Turkish premier's inner circle.

Erdogan blamed Gulen, and later began accusing him of terror links, although the preacher repeatedly insisted his movement was merely a network of charitable and business institutions.

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Things worsened after the coup, with the authorities prosecuting more than 700,000 people and handing a life sentence to some 3,000 Gulen followers for their alleged involvement in the putsch.

Bayram Balci, a researcher at the Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences-Po) told AFP the death of the once-charismatic preacher would have little impact in Turkey.

"Since the break with Erdogan in 2010 and especially after the attempted coup in 2016, Gulen's image has been very bad. Few people hold him in high esteem," he told AFP.

There was no chance Ankara would allow Gulen's body to be repatriated for burial, and he would likely be buried near his home in Pennsylvania, he said.

Hizmet is "no longer the big movement that it once was" with its influence much reduced and its vast network of schools now only mainly operating in Germany, the United States, Nigeria and South Africa.

Turkey still regularly rounds up Gulen followers and demands their extradition from countries where his network is active.

Turkish security sources quoted by the private NTV broadcaster said very few people were expected to attend Gulen's funeral and that his body would likely be buried in the US at a location that would be kept secret.&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 WION audience.

US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who was accused by Ankara of organising a failed 2016 coup, has died in exile in the United States, aged 83, his movement and the Turkish government said Monday.

US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who was accused by Ankara of organising a failed 2016 coup, has died in exile in the United States, aged 83, his movement and the Turkish government said Monday. Turkish-born Gulen, who had lived in the United States since 1999, was once a close ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before the two became bitter enemies. "Our intelligence sources confirm the death of the leader of the FETO organisation," Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told a press conference, using Turkey's term for Gulen's once-influential Hizmet movement. Turkey's TRT public television said the preacher, who had lived in Pennsylvania for a quarter of a century and was stripped of his Turkish nationality in 2017, died in hospital overnight. Also Read | Shocking new evidence suggests more infants harmed under Letby’s care In a message on X, Gulen's website, Herkul, which is banned in Turkey, said he died on "October 20", pledging to share details about his funeral. Gulen moved to Pennsylvania in 1999, ostensibly for health reasons, and from there he ran Hizmet, which, at the time, had a sprawling network of public schools on every continent. In 2013, he had a major falling out with Erdogan and three years later, the Turkish strongman accused him of plotting to overthrow him, dubbing Hizmet "the Fethullah Terror Organisation" (FETO). Some 250 people died on July 15, 2016 when a rogue military faction tried to overthrow Turkey's government using warplanes and tanks, with Erdogan blaming Gulen supporters within the military. "This organisation has become a threat rarely seen in the history of our nation," Fidan said, accusing its followers of "being used as a weapon against their own country". Despite Gulen's death, Turkey would continue "the fight against this organisation, which poses a national security problem", Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc wrote on X. - Ally turned enemy - Once an ally who helped Erdogan when he became prime minister in the early 2000s, Gulen's ties with him became strained in 2010. Three years later, Gulen became persona non grata when a corruption scandal engulfed the Turkish premier's inner circle. Erdogan blamed Gulen, and later began accusing him of terror links, although the preacher repeatedly insisted his movement was merely a network of charitable and business institutions. Also Read | World’s first TV station run for and by people with learning disabilities Things worsened after the coup, with the authorities prosecuting more than 700,000 people and handing a life sentence to some 3,000 Gulen followers for their alleged involvement in the putsch. Bayram Balci, a researcher at the Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences-Po) told AFP the death of the once-charismatic preacher would have little impact in Turkey. "Since the break with Erdogan in 2010 and especially after the attempted coup in 2016, Gulen's image has been very bad. Few people hold him in high esteem," he told AFP. There was no chance Ankara would allow Gulen's body to be repatriated for burial, and he would likely be buried near his home in Pennsylvania, he said. Hizmet is "no longer the big movement that it once was" with its influence much reduced and its vast network of schools now only mainly operating in Germany, the United States, Nigeria and South Africa. Turkey still regularly rounds up Gulen followers and demands their extradition from countries where his network is active. Turkish security sources quoted by the private NTV broadcaster said very few people were expected to attend Gulen's funeral and that his body would likely be buried in the US at a location that would be kept secret. 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.

Turkish president Erdogan's rival Fethullah Gulen dies in exile at 83

U.S. special envoy Amos Hochstein said on Monday in Beirut that the United States was working with both Israel and Lebanon to find a formula that would end their conflict for good.

U.N. resolution 1701, which ended the last round of conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah in 2006, calls for southern Lebanon to be free of any troops or weapons other than those of the Lebanese state.

The Iranian-backed Shi'ite movement did not end its presence, however.

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Continued cross-border tensions culminated in Hezbollah missile attacks on northern Israel in support of the Palestinian militant group Hamas after it staged a bloody killing spree in Israel from Gaza just over a year ago. Israel began a large-scale onslaught on Hezbollah last month.

Hochstein, visiting Lebanon for the second time in two months, was holding talks with Lebanese officials in a new U.S. mediation push to bring peace to the Middle East after Israel killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar last week.

"Both sides simply committing to (U.N. resolution) 1701 is not enough," Hochstein told a press conference.

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"We are working with the government of Lebanon, the state of Lebanon, as well as the government of Israel to get to a formula that brings an end to this conflict once and for all."

Israel's assault on Hezbollah has raised fears of a wider regional conflict between Israel and Hezbollah's patron, Iran.

Hochstein said that he held a "very constructive" meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a close ally of Hezbollah, who has been engaging in diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.

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.

U.S. special envoy Amos Hochstein said on Monday in Beirut that the United States was working with both Israel and Lebanon to find a formula that would end their conflict for good.

U.S. special envoy Amos Hochstein said on Monday in Beirut that the United States was working with both Israel and Lebanon to find a formula that would end their conflict for good. U.N. resolution 1701, which ended the last round of conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah in 2006, calls for southern Lebanon to be free of any troops or weapons other than those of the Lebanese state. The Iranian-backed Shi'ite movement did not end its presence, however. Also Read | Children’s soft play centre apologises over ‘realistic body bag’ as Halloween decorations Continued cross-border tensions culminated in Hezbollah missile attacks on northern Israel in support of the Palestinian militant group Hamas after it staged a bloody killing spree in Israel from Gaza just over a year ago. Israel began a large-scale onslaught on Hezbollah last month. Hochstein, visiting Lebanon for the second time in two months, was holding talks with Lebanese officials in a new U.S. mediation push to bring peace to the Middle East after Israel killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar last week. "Both sides simply committing to (U.N. resolution) 1701 is not enough," Hochstein told a press conference. Also Read | Moldova President Maia Sandu criticises ‘unprecedented’ vote meddling as EU referendum goes to the wire "We are working with the government of Lebanon, the state of Lebanon, as well as the government of Israel to get to a formula that brings an end to this conflict once and for all." Israel's assault on Hezbollah has raised fears of a wider regional conflict between Israel and Hezbollah's patron, Iran. Hochstein said that he held a "very constructive" meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a close ally of Hezbollah, who has been engaging in diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. 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 is working to end Israel-Hezbollah conflict for good, says Washington envoy Amos Hochstein

Ukraine struck a manufacturer of military explosives deep inside Russian territory overnight, as well as storage infrastructure at a military airfield in the Lipetsk region, Kyiv's General Staff said in a statement on Sunday.

Russian air defence units downed 110 Ukrainian drones over the country, Russia's defence ministry said, including one over the Moscow region, 43 over the border region of Kursk, and 27 over southwestern Lipetsk region.

The Russian SHOT Telegram channel reported that drones attempted to strike the Ya. M. Sverdlov State Owned Enterprise in Dzerzhinsk city, Nizhny Novgorod region, about 400 km (250 miles) east of Moscow.

The explosives plant, one of the largest manufacturers of its kind used by Russian forces in the war that Moscow launched against Ukraine in February 2022, is subject to sanctions by the United States and the European Union.

Kyiv's General Staff said it was still assessing the damage from its attack.

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Four firefighters received minor shrapnel wounds in a drone attack on an industrial zone in Dzerzhinsk city, the region's governor said, without specifying the target of the attack.

The Russian defence ministry said on Telegram that eight Ukrainian drones were destroyed over Nizhny Novgorod. Residents reported powerful explosions and white smoke in the area of ​​the plant, SHOT reported.

Reuters could not independently verify the reports.

Moscow's Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Telegram that debris fell in the Ramensky district of Moscow region but there was no damage or casualties.

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Kyiv has often said its air attacks target infrastructure key to Russia's war efforts and are a response to Moscow's continued air attacks on Ukraine.

Russian officials often do not disclose the full extent of damage inflicted by the drone attacks, especially on military, transport or energy infrastructure.

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.&nbsp;

Ukraine struck a manufacturer of military explosives deep inside Russian territory overnight, as well as storage infrastructure at a military airfield in the Lipetsk region, Kyiv's General Staff said in a statement on Sunday.

Ukraine struck a manufacturer of military explosives deep inside Russian territory overnight, as well as storage infrastructure at a military airfield in the Lipetsk region, Kyiv's General Staff said in a statement on Sunday. Russian air defence units downed 110 Ukrainian drones over the country, Russia's defence ministry said, including one over the Moscow region, 43 over the border region of Kursk, and 27 over southwestern Lipetsk region. The Russian SHOT Telegram channel reported that drones attempted to strike the Ya. M. Sverdlov State Owned Enterprise in Dzerzhinsk city, Nizhny Novgorod region, about 400 km (250 miles) east of Moscow. The explosives plant, one of the largest manufacturers of its kind used by Russian forces in the war that Moscow launched against Ukraine in February 2022, is subject to sanctions by the United States and the European Union. Kyiv's General Staff said it was still assessing the damage from its attack. Also Read | Top Israeli commander killed in Gaza blast, three others wounded Four firefighters received minor shrapnel wounds in a drone attack on an industrial zone in Dzerzhinsk city, the region's governor said, without specifying the target of the attack. The Russian defence ministry said on Telegram that eight Ukrainian drones were destroyed over Nizhny Novgorod. Residents reported powerful explosions and white smoke in the area of the plant, SHOT reported. Reuters could not independently verify the reports. Moscow's Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Telegram that debris fell in the Ramensky district of Moscow region but there was no damage or casualties. Also Read | Israel bombs Hezbollah-linked finance group Al-Qard Al-Hassan Kyiv has often said its air attacks target infrastructure key to Russia's war efforts and are a response to Moscow's continued air attacks on Ukraine. Russian officials often do not disclose the full extent of damage inflicted by the drone attacks, especially on military, transport or energy infrastructure. 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.

Ukraine targets key Russian arms manufacturer in overnight drone strike

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