Days after US President Joe Biden endorsed training programmes for Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets, Russia said the transfer would raise questions over NATO's involvement in the conflict.

Days after US President Joe Biden endorsed training programmes for Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets, Russia said the transfer would raise questions over NATO's involvement in the conflict. Russia's Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov questioned the military alliance on what would happen if American soldiers took off from NATO airfields. “There is no infrastructure for the operation of the F-16 in Ukraine and the needed number of pilots and maintenance personnel is not there either,” said Antonov in remarks published on the embassy's Telegram channel. "What will happen if the American fighters take off from NATO airfields, controlled by foreign 'volunteers'?" he questioned. This is not the first instance when Moscow has raised questions over the involvement of the multi-role fighter aircraft. On Sunday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko responding to questions warned the West that providing Kyiv with F-16 fighter jets would carry ‘colossal risks’. “We see that Western countries are still adhering to the escalation scenario. It involves colossal risks for themselves," said Grushko. “In any case, this will be taken into account in all our plans, and we have all the necessary means to achieve the goals we have set.” ALSO READ | Russia says West's supply of F-16 jets to Ukraine would carry ‘colossal risks’ Kyiv wants the F-16 desperately Zelensky has been pushing the Western allies to supply the F-16 jets for months now. The Ukrainian leader discussed the proposition yet again during his appearance at the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan. After much back-and-forth, the White House on Sunday approved a new $375 million military aid for Ukraine. The pledge came after Biden agreed to allow training on F-16 fighter jets, laying the groundwork for their eventual transfer to Kyiv. WATCH | Russia-Ukraine War: Ukraine focuses on upping its air defence systems × However, Biden said Zelensky had given 'flat assurances' to him that the F-16 fighter jets will not be used to attack Russian territory. "I have a flat assurance from Zelensky that they will not use it to go on and move onto Russian geographic territory, but wherever Russian troops are within Ukraine and the area, they would be able to do that," Biden told reporters on Sunday. Kyiv is in desperate need of more arms and advanced jets, especially after Moscow's Wagner private military unit claimed it had finally managed to take full control of the ruined eastern city of Bakhmut after months of vicious fighting. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Russia questions NATO involvement over F-16 transfer to Ukraine

US President Joe Biden is set to meet House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Monday ( May 22) regarding debt ceiling talks after they spoke on the phone while the former was on his way home after attending the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan.

US President Joe Biden is set to meet House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Monday ( May 22) regarding debt ceiling talks after they spoke on the phone while the former was on his way home after attending the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan. Speaking to reporters after the call, McCarthy sounded 'upbeat' and said he was more hopeful about reaching a decision. "Our teams are talking today and we're setting (sic) to have a meeting tomorrow. That's better than it was earlier. So, yes." “I think we can solve some of these problems if he understands what we’re looking at.” The speaker added, “But I’ve been very clear to him from the very beginning. We have to spend less money than we spent last year.” White House officials also confirmed the meeting but offered no specific time or place for it, according to a Reuters report. With the deadline to raise the debt ceiling (June 1) precariously close, the talks between the Democrats and the Republicans had seemingly come to an impasse. The frustration was palpable as Biden, prior to leaving Japan, termed the demands of GOP lawmakers as 'unacceptable'. ALSO READ | US debt ceiling: Biden to ring McCarthy from Air Force One to restart negotiations "Much of what they've already proposed is simply, quite frankly, unacceptable. It's time for Republicans to accept that there is no bipartisan deal to be made solely, solely on their partisan terms. They have to move as well," Biden told a news conference in Hiroshima The Republicans have rejected the Biden administration's proposal to raise the debt ceiling, which otherwise used to be a routine affair. They have been demanding that the White House announce budget cuts if it wants support for the measure. Meanwhile, Democrat lawmakers such as Tina Smith, Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey and Bernie Sanders have advised Biden to use his authority under the 14th Amendment of the Constitution to continue paying the US government’s bills, even if the ceiling is not raised. WATCH | What is the US debt ceiling & what happens if it isn’t raised? × What is the debt limit? A debt limit is the amount of money that the US government can borrow to meet its financial obligations such as social security, military salaries and Medicare benefits payments. Congress earlier this year extended the statutory debt limit to $31.4 trillion. However, the weak economic fundamentals and overflowing expenditures mean that the US will be breaching the limit. Consequently, Congress has been engaged in a fierce tussle to raise the limit. ALSO READ | EXPLAINED: What's US debt ceiling & why is it such a big deal? If congressional lawmakers cannot make a decision quickly, the world's largest economy could risk defaulting on its debt. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Debt ceiling: Biden, McCarthy to meet Monday after 'productive' phone call

After 15 months of the ongoing war in Ukraine, Bakhmut the embattled Eastern Ukrainian city has fallen. The claim was made by Yevgeny Prigozhin, who is the head of Russia's private militia the wagner group. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky also confirmed to this news on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Hiroshima.

Russia-Ukraine War | Prigozhin: There is not a single Ukrainian soldier in Bakhmut

After 15 months of the ongoing war in Ukraine, Bakhmut the embattled Eastern Ukrainian city has fallen. The claim was made by Yevgeny Prigozhin, who is the head of Russia's private militia the wagner group. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has also confirmed to this news on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Hiroshima.

Russia-Ukraine War: US President Joe Biden vows unwavering support to Ukraine

Israeli forces have overnight killed three Palestinian fighters in the occupied West Bank. The operation has been described by Israel as a mission to capture terrorist suspects. However, Palestine has branded the killings a "veritable massacre". The men were killed in the Balata refugee camp in Nablus.

A statement by the Palestinian health ministry has identified the three men killed as 32-year-old Muhammad Abu Zaytoun, 30-year-old Fathi Abu Rizk, and 24-year-old Abdullah Abu Hamdan.

The latest deaths, as per AFP, come just over a week into a fragile Gaza ceasefire after a five-day cross-border conflict between Israel and the Islamic Jihad militant group.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-thousands-of-israelis-participate-in-contentious-flag-march-in-jerusalem-rattles-palestinians-593867">In pics | Thousands of Israelis participate in contentious 'flag march' in Jerusalem, rattles Palestinians</a>

According to the Israeli army, a gun battle erupted during its "counterterrorism" operation and in that several fighters were shot.

In a statement, it said that during the operation to apprehend terrorists, "armed suspects fired at the soldiers, who responded with live fire," and that "hits were identified."&nbsp;

The statement added that the Israeli army has also apprehended "three wanted individuals suspected of involvement in terrorist activity". In addition, weapons and ammunition were also seized.

However, the Palestinian presidency spokesperson Nabil Abu Redeineh described the killings as a "veritable massacre". He also said that the repeated Israeli raids and attacks by settlers added up to "a major war crime and a collective punishment."

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/palestine-says-israeli-forces-killed-teen-in-west-bank-raid-587779" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/palestine-says-israeli-forces-killed-teen-in-west-bank-raid-587779&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj5iaXr6Yj_AhVQcWwGHa0wAdQ4ChAWegQIAxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2mQXbiTVDJtj2ohwBRc96r" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/palestine-says-israeli-forces-killed-teen-in-west-bank-raid-587779" target="_blank">Palestine&nbsp;says Israeli forces killed teen in West Bank raid</a>

Redeineh further claimed that US "silence" over these attacks has actually emboldened the Israelis towards escalating them. He called on Washington to "immediately intervene to stop the Israeli madness that will drag the region toward explosion".

Quoting witnesses, AFP reports that Israeli forces carried out raids on several houses in the camp. Gunfire and loud explosions were heard and reportedly a house was also demolished.

As per the Israeli Army it had "located in one of the residences an explosives manufacturing site". The house was detonated, reports AFP.

Another scuffle was reported in an operation in Jenin, where as per the Israeli army, suspects hurled explosive devices at the forces. The forces "responded with live fire", two hits were identified.

The forces have arrested three suspects from Jenin, whine another seven were arrested from West Bank.

As per an AFP tally, since the start of the year, at least 153 Palestinians, 20 Israelis, a Ukrainian and an Italian have been killed in the conflict between Israel-Palestine. This tally is based on data from official sources from both sides.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Israeli forces have overnight killed three Palestinian fighters in the occupied West Bank. The operation has been described by Israel as a mission to capture terrorist suspects.

Israeli forces have overnight killed three Palestinian fighters in the occupied West Bank. The operation has been described by Israel as a mission to capture terrorist suspects. However, Palestine has branded the killings a "veritable massacre". The men were killed in the Balata refugee camp in Nablus. A statement by the Palestinian health ministry has identified the three men killed as 32-year-old Muhammad Abu Zaytoun, 30-year-old Fathi Abu Rizk, and 24-year-old Abdullah Abu Hamdan. The latest deaths, as per AFP, come just over a week into a fragile Gaza ceasefire after a five-day cross-border conflict between Israel and the Islamic Jihad militant group. Also read | In pics | Thousands of Israelis participate in contentious 'flag march' in Jerusalem, rattles Palestinians According to the Israeli army, a gun battle erupted during its "counterterrorism" operation and in that several fighters were shot. In a statement, it said that during the operation to apprehend terrorists, "armed suspects fired at the soldiers, who responded with live fire," and that "hits were identified." The statement added that the Israeli army has also apprehended "three wanted individuals suspected of involvement in terrorist activity". In addition, weapons and ammunition were also seized. However, the Palestinian presidency spokesperson Nabil Abu Redeineh described the killings as a "veritable massacre". He also said that the repeated Israeli raids and attacks by settlers added up to "a major war crime and a collective punishment." Also read | Palestine says Israeli forces killed teen in West Bank raid Redeineh further claimed that US "silence" over these attacks has actually emboldened the Israelis towards escalating them. He called on Washington to "immediately intervene to stop the Israeli madness that will drag the region toward explosion". Quoting witnesses, AFP reports that Israeli forces carried out raids on several houses in the camp. Gunfire and loud explosions were heard and reportedly a house was also demolished. As per the Israeli Army it had "located in one of the residences an explosives manufacturing site". The house was detonated, reports AFP. Another scuffle was reported in an operation in Jenin, where as per the Israeli army, suspects hurled explosive devices at the forces. The forces "responded with live fire", two hits were identified. The forces have arrested three suspects from Jenin, whine another seven were arrested from West Bank. As per an AFP tally, since the start of the year, at least 153 Palestinians, 20 Israelis, a Ukrainian and an Italian have been killed in the conflict between Israel-Palestine. This tally is based on data from official sources from both sides. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Palestine says Israel 'emboldened' by US silence as raid in West Bank kills three Palestinian fighters

Activists poured charcoal into the waters of Rome's most famous fountain, calling for action against climate change.

Climate activists blacken Trevi fountain over Italy floods

A massive fire engulfs regions in western Spain. The fire has spread over 8,000 hectares near the border with Portugal.

Out-of-control wildfire leaves scorched landscape in Spain

The teachers unions have urged the UK government to resume previous negotiations now that an independent review has recommended a 6.5 pay increase for teachers in England, per school teachers, and the review body has determined that this increase is necessary to keep teachers in the profession.

UK: Education union leaders urge govt formal talks

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi is on a whirlwind tour of 3 nations, after attending the G7 summit and hosting the third summit of the forum for India-Pacific islands cooperation. Indian prime minister Narendra Modi will hold bilateral talks with Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese.

FIPIC Summit 2023 | PM Modi to Pacific Island nations: Proud to be your development partner

According to reports, the State Bank of India has released a notification to correct misleading information that has been circulating online after India destroyed its 2000 rupee note on a Friday, adding to the uncertainty and inquiries.

State Bank of India: No identity proof needed to exchange Rs 2000 notes

Russia has launches a fresh round of strikes on Ukraine. This time, the area under attack is Dnipropetrovsk region. The assault has caused extensive damage and led to injuries as well.

Russia-Ukraine War: Ukraine's Eastern outpost witnesses fresh assault by Russia

In Nepal, a double amputee man named Hari Budha Magar created history by ascending Mount Everest. Hari Budha Magar is the first double amputee above the knee to have accomplished such a feat.

Hari Budha Magar becomes the first double above knee amputee to climb Mount Everest

FIPIC Summit 2023: PM Modi addresses multiple concerns in the summit

The third G20 tourism working group meeting, which will take place from May 22 to May 24, is scheduled to take place in Jammu and Kashmir and will begin today. Deliberations at this meeting are expected to focus on five important tourism-related issues.

G20 Meet 2023: Delegates to draft strategy on film tourism

FIPIC Summit 2023: PM Modi holds series of bilateral meetings with Pacific leaders

G20 Meet 2023: Delegates from G20 countries and film industry giants to attend

FIPIC Summit 2023: Washington, New Delhi increasing engagement with Pacific Islands

Spain is on fire There is a large fire that has spread to several areas in the western portion of Spain, forcing residents to leave their houses, and it has wrecked havoc in a location named Pinofranqueado.

Spain: Firefighters battle to control wildfire in extremal region

Women achieve new heights every day, but some days the accomplishments are literally out of this world. Saudi Arabia is getting ready to launch its first female astronaut into space, six decades after the first woman was sent into space. Of course, better late than never.

Rayyanah Barnawi first Saudi woman to be on a space mission

Israel's hard right security minister and Amar Benguir visited the Al-Aqsa mosque in the annexation of East Jerusalem, the main flashpoint of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The minister referred to Israel as the owner of Jerusalem, prompting widespread criticism from Palestinians.

Senior Israeli minister visits Al-Aqsa mosque

Tomorrow, India will host the G20 tourism summit in Jammu and Kashmir, the region's first international event since the Indian government ended the region's special status in 2019. The government is keen to promote the tourism potential of Jammu and Kashmir and boost its economic development.

G20 Summit 2023: At least 60 G20 delegates to attend meet, China to stay away

The USA claims to be an economic powerhouse, but did you know it has also amassed $31 Trillion in debt? Who does it owe this debt to? Molly Gambhir explains on Gravitas Plus.

Gravitas Plus: How America amassed $31 trillion in debt

Olaf Scholz, the chancellor of Germany, has urged North Korea to stop testing ballistic missiles. Right before a summit with the president of South Korea, he toured the fortified border between North and South Korea.

South Korea, Germany to strengthen solidarity in Europe, Asia

The G7 Summit which was held in Hiroshima, Japan for 2023 has finally come to an end. The Japanese presidency of the G7 invited leaders from Australia, Brazil, the Comoros, the Cook Islands, India, Indonesia, Republic of Korea and Vietnam to take part in several working sessions during the summit.

Curtains close on 49th G7 Summit in Hiroshima

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the UK is under increasing pressure to look into reports that Interior Minister Swella Braverman was speeding. The UK opposition asserts that by asking her staff to prepare for her penalty driving course for speeding to be completed in private, she violated the ministerial Court.

UK: Opposition questions interior minister's conduct

G20 Summit 2023: India to host 3rd G20 tourism working group meetings

The Himalayan Mountains are home to Mount Everest, the highest mountain on Earth. At over 8,500 metres above sea level, it was first scaled by humans in 1953. Since then, there has been no going back as an increasing number of mountaineers attempt to reach the top, but lately a British climber stated that the snow-capped mountain is rapidly losing its snow cover, and that it is now turning dry and rocky.

British climber claims Everest is becoming 'dry and rocky'

Russia-Ukraine War: Ukrainian President denies Bakhmut is captured

As the G7 summit comes to an end, the next big agenda on Biden's platter is US debt crisis issue. According to US Treasury department if US fails to clear all the impending debts within two weeks, it faces the risk of defaulting, which could lead to massive chaos in the financial market and hike inflation.

US President Joe Biden at G7 as US battles debt crisis issue

As Greece elects its new Parliament, voting has started. 300 seats are up for election, and roughly 10 million Greeks are able to participate in the process despite the country's sharp political divisions. Voter turnout this election season, which has just begun, has been relatively muted because no clear winner is expected.

Greece Election 2023: Polling stations open for Parliamentary elections

The trial against the organisers, instigators, abetters, and perpetrators involved in the May 9 Riots has reportedly begun in Pakistan, according to the country's chief of army staff. The trial will be held in accordance with the Pakistani army Act and the official secret act as per the existing legal procedures derived from the constitution of Pakistan.

Pakistan: Trial of May 9 rioters to be held according to the Pakistani Army Act

news

News, News on News, stories on News, articles on News, News stories at Wion, News news, News latest news