Ukrainian forces have continued to lose ground to Russia in the country’s eastern Donetsk region, with Moscow determined not to have its plans to capture the territory undermined by Kyiv’s incursion into Kursk.

Russia-Ukraine War: Russia edges closer to key Donetsk hub of Pokrovsk

<p>Taiwanese&nbsp;President&nbsp;Lai Ching-te has challenged China to take back land from Russia if the Xi Jinping regime truly believes it has a claim over the island nation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>China claims self-ruled democratic Taiwan as a part of its territory with Jinping&nbsp;not renouncing the use of force to bring the island under control. Beijing is of the view that Taiwan had been part of China since ancient times but was taken away by Japan during the "century of humiliation" - a period between 1839 and 1949 when China was subjected to routine defeats and subjugation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“If it is for the sake of territorial integrity, why doesn’t it take back the lands occupied by Russia that were signed over in the treaty of Aigun? Russia is now at its weakest, right?,” said Lai during an interview.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“You can ask Russia (for the land back) but you don’t. So it’s obvious they don’t want to invade Taiwan for territorial reasons,” Lai said.</p>

<p>Lai was referring to the 1858 treaty in which&nbsp;Russia annexed about one million sq km of Chinese territory, including Haishengwei – today known as Vladivostok.</p>

<p>Lai, who was elected president in January, said that Beijing's true plans for 'invading' Taiwan were geopolitical as Jinping wants to change the world order in his favour.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Chinese officials have repeatedly attended economic forums in the far-east city of Vladivostok and there have been no major claims from the Politburo to annex the region.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, earlier this year, nationalist social media users&nbsp;on Weibo, an X-like Chinese social media platform, demanded that Russia return Vladivostok to China. The claims were intensified after Putin in an interview with former Fox News anchor, Tucker Carlson, reflected on how Ukraine was part a Russian territory since the beginning.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;US-China war over Taiwan? Xi Jinping demands 'modern system for military governance' | Details</strong></p>

<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" data-gtm-yt-inspected-19="true" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-china-war-over-taiwan-xi-jinping-demands-modern-system-for-military-governance-details-623039/embed" width="560"></iframe></p>

<h2><strong>Will China invade Taiwan?</strong></h2>

<p>Last week, Taiwan's defence ministry claimed that China lacks the&nbsp;ability to "fully" invade the island nation but was bringing advanced new weapons and other options to threaten Taiwan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"However, the use of tactics and strategies against Taiwan is still limited by the natural geographical environment of the Taiwan Strait and insufficient landing equipment and logistic capabilities," it said.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/stop-spreading-false-narratives-china-warns-blinken-on-taiwan-during-beijing-visit-754217"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;'Stop spreading false narratives': China warns Sullivan to stop colluding with Taiwan during Beijing visit</strong></a></p>

<p>China is speeding up the development of a slew of new weapons, such as the H-20 bomber and hypersonic missiles and beefing up the number of nuclear warheads while testing new tactics, the ministry said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has challenged China to take back land from Russia if the Xi Jinping regime truly believes it has a claim over the island nation.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has challenged China to take back land from Russia if the Xi Jinping regime truly believes it has a claim over the island nation. China claims self-ruled democratic Taiwan as a part of its territory with Jinping not renouncing the use of force to bring the island under control. Beijing is of the view that Taiwan had been part of China since ancient times but was taken away by Japan during the "century of humiliation" - a period between 1839 and 1949 when China was subjected to routine defeats and subjugation. “If it is for the sake of territorial integrity, why doesn’t it take back the lands occupied by Russia that were signed over in the treaty of Aigun? Russia is now at its weakest, right?,” said Lai during an interview. “You can ask Russia (for the land back) but you don’t. So it’s obvious they don’t want to invade Taiwan for territorial reasons,” Lai said. Lai was referring to the 1858 treaty in which Russia annexed about one million sq km of Chinese territory, including Haishengwei – today known as Vladivostok. Lai, who was elected president in January, said that Beijing's true plans for 'invading' Taiwan were geopolitical as Jinping wants to change the world order in his favour. Chinese officials have repeatedly attended economic forums in the far-east city of Vladivostok and there have been no major claims from the Politburo to annex the region. However, earlier this year, nationalist social media users on Weibo, an X-like Chinese social media platform, demanded that Russia return Vladivostok to China. The claims were intensified after Putin in an interview with former Fox News anchor, Tucker Carlson, reflected on how Ukraine was part a Russian territory since the beginning. Also watch | US-China war over Taiwan? Xi Jinping demands 'modern system for military governance' | Details Will China invade Taiwan? Last week, Taiwan's defence ministry claimed that China lacks the ability to "fully" invade the island nation but was bringing advanced new weapons and other options to threaten Taiwan. "However, the use of tactics and strategies against Taiwan is still limited by the natural geographical environment of the Taiwan Strait and insufficient landing equipment and logistic capabilities," it said. Also read | 'Stop spreading false narratives': China warns Sullivan to stop colluding with Taiwan during Beijing visit China is speeding up the development of a slew of new weapons, such as the H-20 bomber and hypersonic missiles and beefing up the number of nuclear warheads while testing new tactics, the ministry said. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Take back land from Russia first’: Taiwan president challenges China over territorial claims

Rescuers have found 17 bodies after helicopter crashed with 22 people aboard in Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. Watch in for more details!

Russia's Kamchatka helicopter crash: 17 bodies recovered in search operations

<p>Hvaldimir, the beluga whale that captured global attention after being spotted wearing a mysterious harness in 2019, was found dead on Saturday (Aug&nbsp;31) in southwestern Norway. The discovery was made by Sebastian Strand, the founder of the nonprofit organisation Marine Mind.</p>

<p>Strand found the whale’s lifeless body floating near Risavika.</p>

<p>Although the cause of death remains unknown, Strand noted markings around the whale that could have been caused by birds or other marine animals.</p>

<p>"It’s heartbreaking," Strand was quoted as saying by the New York Times. "He’s touched thousands of people’s hearts just here in Norway."</p>

<p>Efforts are underway to preserve Hvaldimir’s carcass for further examination in hopes of determining the cause of death. The whale was estimated to be nearly 14 feet long and weighed approximately 2,700 pounds.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-probes-chinas-telecom-espionage-3-companies-under-scrutiny-734967">US probes China's telecom 'espionage': 3 companies under scrutiny</a></strong></p>

<p>Hvaldimir first made headlines in 2019 when he was spotted in northern Norway, wearing a harness that seemed designed to hold a camera.</p>

<p>The harness bore an inscription linking it to St. Petersburg, fueling speculation that Hvaldimir might have been trained by the Russian military for reconnaissance purposes. Despite these speculations, Russia has never claimed the whale.</p>

<p>However, if Hvaldimir had been a spy, he was an unusually friendly one. The beluga showed the signs of domestication and was notably comfortable around humans, often staying in busier waters that are not typical for his species, which usually inhabit remote Arctic regions.</p>

<p>"He was completely acclimatized to human culture," Strand said, suggesting that the whale had likely spent much of his life in captivity.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Is China trying to spy on INS Mumbai?</strong></p>

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<p>Over the years, Strand and his team at Marine Mind worked to educate the public and protect Hvaldimir as he navigated waters far from his natural habitat. Last year, the whale was spotted off the coast of Sweden, a troubling southward journey that took him away from his food sources and closer to industrial harbours, raising concerns for his safety.</p>

<p>Strand had been advocating for increased safety measures for Hvaldimir, who had appeared to be in good health as recently as Friday, according to reports.</p>

<p>"I’m not sure what’s happened,” Strand said. "But we’ll find out."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Hvaldimir, the beluga whale that captured global attention after being spotted wearing a mysterious harness in 2019, was found dead on Saturday (Aug 31) in southwestern Norway.

Hvaldimir, the beluga whale that captured global attention after being spotted wearing a mysterious harness in 2019, was found dead on Saturday (Aug 31) in southwestern Norway. The discovery was made by Sebastian Strand, the founder of the nonprofit organisation Marine Mind. Strand found the whale’s lifeless body floating near Risavika. Although the cause of death remains unknown, Strand noted markings around the whale that could have been caused by birds or other marine animals. "It’s heartbreaking," Strand was quoted as saying by the New York Times. "He’s touched thousands of people’s hearts just here in Norway." Efforts are underway to preserve Hvaldimir’s carcass for further examination in hopes of determining the cause of death. The whale was estimated to be nearly 14 feet long and weighed approximately 2,700 pounds. Also read | US probes China's telecom 'espionage': 3 companies under scrutiny Hvaldimir first made headlines in 2019 when he was spotted in northern Norway, wearing a harness that seemed designed to hold a camera. The harness bore an inscription linking it to St. Petersburg, fueling speculation that Hvaldimir might have been trained by the Russian military for reconnaissance purposes. Despite these speculations, Russia has never claimed the whale. However, if Hvaldimir had been a spy, he was an unusually friendly one. The beluga showed the signs of domestication and was notably comfortable around humans, often staying in busier waters that are not typical for his species, which usually inhabit remote Arctic regions. "He was completely acclimatized to human culture," Strand said, suggesting that the whale had likely spent much of his life in captivity. Also watch | Gravitas: Is China trying to spy on INS Mumbai? × Over the years, Strand and his team at Marine Mind worked to educate the public and protect Hvaldimir as he navigated waters far from his natural habitat. Last year, the whale was spotted off the coast of Sweden, a troubling southward journey that took him away from his food sources and closer to industrial harbours, raising concerns for his safety. Strand had been advocating for increased safety measures for Hvaldimir, who had appeared to be in good health as recently as Friday, according to reports. "I’m not sure what’s happened,” Strand said. "But we’ll find out." (With inputs from agencies)

Unclaimed Russian 'spy' whale Hvaldimir found dead near Norway

Russia's defence ministry on Sunday said it had downed 158 drones launched by Kyiv overnight that targeted Moscow and its surrounding regions, as well as border zones like Belgorod and Kursk.

Russia-Ukraine War: Ukraine launches mass drone attack on Russia

<p>After a helicopter carrying 22 people on board went missing in Russia's Far East on Saturday, the rescuers found 17 bodies on Sunday, and no survivors were found in the wreckage of the aircraft.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The &nbsp;Mi-8 helicopter went missing on Saturday after taking off from a base near the Vachkazhets volcano in the Kamchatka peninsula.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Federal Air Transport Agency, in a statement, said that the Mi-8 helicopter took off close to the Vachkazhets volcano in the Kamchatka region, but did not arrive at its destination as scheduled.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They further said that 19 passengers and three crew members were on board the helicopter.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/helicopter-with-22-onboard-goes-missing-in-russias-far-east-rescue-operation-launched-754823"><strong>Also read :&nbsp;Helicopter with 22 onboard goes missing in Russia's Far East, rescue operation launched</strong></a></p>

<p>Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov said that the wreckage of the helicopter was found on Sunday morning in a hilly area.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The cause of the crash is still unknown.</p>

<h2><strong>Search to continue on Monday</strong></h2>

<p>An emergency ministry official, Ivan Lemikhov, said 17 bodies had been found so far and searches for the five people still missing had been paused, slated to resume at daybreak on Monday.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Reportedly, such incidents happen quite frequently in Russia's Far East, which suffers from harsh weather.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Russian helicopter goes missing in Kamchatka Peninsula</strong></p>

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<p>Three years ago, eight people were killed when a tourist helicopter crashed into a lake in Kamchatka.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>According to Russia's Interfax news agency, a pilot error, possibly caused by fog, was the main reason behind the helicopter crash. However earlier, officials said that thick fog was affecting rescuers' efforts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The aircraft was owned by Vityaz-Aero, a Kamchatka-based company that organises flights for tourists. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Mi-8 is most commonly used as a transport helicopter, but can also be used as an airborne command post, armed gunship, and reconnaissance platform.&nbsp;It was designed during the Soviet era, however, is still widely used in Russia.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


After a helicopter carrying 22 people on board went missing in Russia's Far East on Saturday, the rescuers found 17 bodies on Sunday, and no survivors were found in the wreckage of the aircraft.

After a helicopter carrying 22 people on board went missing in Russia's Far East on Saturday, the rescuers found 17 bodies on Sunday, and no survivors were found in the wreckage of the aircraft. The Mi-8 helicopter went missing on Saturday after taking off from a base near the Vachkazhets volcano in the Kamchatka peninsula. The Federal Air Transport Agency, in a statement, said that the Mi-8 helicopter took off close to the Vachkazhets volcano in the Kamchatka region, but did not arrive at its destination as scheduled. They further said that 19 passengers and three crew members were on board the helicopter. Also read : Helicopter with 22 onboard goes missing in Russia's Far East, rescue operation launched Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov said that the wreckage of the helicopter was found on Sunday morning in a hilly area. The cause of the crash is still unknown. Search to continue on Monday An emergency ministry official, Ivan Lemikhov, said 17 bodies had been found so far and searches for the five people still missing had been paused, slated to resume at daybreak on Monday. Reportedly, such incidents happen quite frequently in Russia's Far East, which suffers from harsh weather. Watch | Russian helicopter goes missing in Kamchatka Peninsula × Three years ago, eight people were killed when a tourist helicopter crashed into a lake in Kamchatka. According to Russia's Interfax news agency, a pilot error, possibly caused by fog, was the main reason behind the helicopter crash. However earlier, officials said that thick fog was affecting rescuers' efforts. The aircraft was owned by Vityaz-Aero, a Kamchatka-based company that organises flights for tourists. Mi-8 is most commonly used as a transport helicopter, but can also be used as an airborne command post, armed gunship, and reconnaissance platform. It was designed during the Soviet era, however, is still widely used in Russia. (With inputs from agencies)

17 bodies found, 5 missing after helicopter crashes in Russia

Russia-Ukraine War: One injured in Shebekino as Ukraine continues shelling Belgorod

Russia-Ukraine War: Ukraine launched drones overnight on Moscow, says Russian Official

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has fired the commander of the country’s air force, four days after an F-16 warplane that Ukraine received from its Western partners crashed during a Russian bombardment and killed the pilot.

F-16 crash: Ukrainian MP Mariana Bezuhla exposed Zelensky?

Over 100 killed in deadly attacks by Balochistan Liberation Army insurgents in Pakistan & India commissions its 2nd nuclear-powered submarine INS Arighaat to guard the high seas. Mohammed Saleh gets you an in-depth analysis of the world's biggest warzones of the week in World At War.

Did the US' Patriot Missile shoot down the F-16 Fighter Jet fielded against Russia?

Aerial strikes on Russian and Ukrainian border cities killed at least a dozen people on Friday, bombardments that came as Kyiv dismissed its air force commander in a major military shake-up.

Russia-Ukraine war: Deadly strikes hit Russian, Ukrainian border cities

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired the country's air force chief on Friday, four days after an F-16 warplane that Ukraine received from Western partners crashed during a Russian assault.

Russia-Ukraine war: Russian bomb hits Kharkiv, killing at least 7

Russia-Ukraine war: Zelensky says there was a need to strengthen command level

Air force commander dismissed: Zelensky says there was a need to strengthen command level

Here we bring you a quick round-up of all the latest news and top headlines from all across the globe: A top Ukrainian pilot was killed when a US-made F-16 fighter jet crashed on Monday, just weeks after the long-awaited planes arrived in the country, a Ukrainian military source told the media.

Russia-Ukraine war: Kyiv says F-16 jet crashed repelling Russian assault

A top Ukrainian pilot was killed when a US-made F-16 fighter jet crashed on Monday, just weeks after the long-awaited planes arrived in the country, a Ukrainian military source told the media.

Russia-Ukraine war: F-16 fighter jet crashes in Ukraine

Ukraine launched an incursion into the Kursk region of Russia on the 6th of August. The attack caught Moscow by surprise. It was one of the biggest attacks on Russia since World War II. This has come after weeks of military setbacks in the eastern Donetsk region. Why did Ukraine decide to carry out such an attack? How did the incursion unfold? And what exactly was Ukraine's objective?

Can Zelensky win with Kursk?

#Gravitas | Ukraine's war efforts have taken a serious hit with the loss of the advanced F-16 fighter jet just a month after receiving it from Western allies. The circumstances surrounding the crash remain unclear—was it shot down by Russian forces, a result of technical failure, pilot error, or could it be a tragic case of friendly fire?

Russia-Ukraine war: F-16 Fighter Jet Crash in Ukraine: Russian Attack or Friendly Fire?

Russia conducted a heavy aerial attack on Ukraine for the third time in four days Thursday, again launching missiles and scores of drones that mostly were intercepted, Ukraine’s air force said.

Russia-Ukraine war: Russia launches fresh wave of missile and drone attacks

Russia-Ukraine war: F-16 fighter jet crashes in Ukraine, pilot killed during Russian Airstrikes

#Gravitas | Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that the incursion into Russia was the first part of Kyiv’s victory plan. He intends to present this to U.S. President Joe Biden when he meets him in September. To placate allies, Zelensky has been promoting the Kursk incident as a negotiation catalyst, claiming that Ukraine's actions are strengthening Kyiv’s push for peace talks. But is Ukraine genuinely committed to this? Will Zelensky accept the new borders to end the war?

Russia Dismisses Zelensky's 'Victory Plan' for Ukraine, Vows to 'Keep Fighting' | Gravitas

The United Nations' nuclear watchdog chief warned of heightened risk at the nuclear power plant in Kursk, Russia, where Ukraine has been conducting a military counteroffensive.

Russia-Ukraine War: UN watchdog warns of serious situation at Russia's Kursk nuclear plant

Russia-Ukraine war | Reports: Ukraine's top pilot killed in F-16 crash

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