Israel-Hamas war: The United States is reportedly at the brink of approving an arms sale to Israel, which if ultimately approved, would be the largest-ever arms sales to Israel since the beginning of war in Gaza after October 7 last year.

According to a report in the Washington Post, two key Democrats in the US Congress have agreed to support a major arms sale to Israel that includes 50 F-15 fighter jets worth more than $18 billion. The US daily reported while citing three unnamed officials.

The newspaper reported that Representative Gregory Meeks and Senator Ben Cardin have signed off on the deal under heavy pressure from the Biden administration. For months, the two lawmakers had held up the sale amid unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Gaza that has left more than 37,000 dead in the blockaded Palestinian enclave.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gaza-war-israels-use-of-us-supplied-weapons-may-have-violated-international-law-says-washington-720237">Gaza war: Israel's use of US-supplied weapons may have violated international law, says Washington</a>

"Any issues or concerns Chair Cardin had were addressed through our ongoing consultations with the (Biden)Administration, and that’s why he felt it appropriate to allow this case to move forward," Eric Harris, communications director for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was quoted as saying by the Washington Post.&nbsp;

Meeks told the newspaper that he had been in close contact with the White House and had urged them to pressure Israel over humanitarian efforts and civilian casualties. He added that the F-15s would not be delivered until "years from now".&nbsp;

Also watch |&nbsp;Israel war: Biden threatens Israel of weapons &amp; artillery shells supply cut

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WION can verify that while F-15s won't be immediately delivered to Israel due to elaborate apparatus that accompanies a fighter aircraft sale, a sign-off on air-to-air missiles and Joint Direct Attack Munition kits could still play a role in ongoing war as they retrofit unguided bombs with precision guidance.&nbsp;

<h2>What does it mean?</h2>

Meeks and Cardin are two of four lawmakers who can effectively veto a foreign military sale. In the case of the F-15 and munitions package, the two top Republicans on the committees — Sen. James E. Risch of Idaho and Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas — had signed off on the sale months ago.

<h2>What next?</h2>

The State Department can now notify the US Congress of the approved sale.

Once approved, the transaction would be one of the largest arms sales to Israel since the war began. According to the Washington Post report, the weaponry&nbsp;is largely financed by the more than $3.3 billion in US taxpayer funds Washington provides Israel annually.

(With inputs from agencies)

Israel-Hamas war: The United States is reportedly at the brink of approving an arms sale to Israel, which if ultimately approved, would be the largest-ever arms sales to Israel since the beginning of war in Gaza after October 7 last year.

Israel-Hamas war: The United States is reportedly at the brink of approving an arms sale to Israel, which if ultimately approved, would be the largest-ever arms sales to Israel since the beginning of war in Gaza after October 7 last year. According to a report in the Washington Post, two key Democrats in the US Congress have agreed to support a major arms sale to Israel that includes 50 F-15 fighter jets worth more than $18 billion. The US daily reported while citing three unnamed officials. The newspaper reported that Representative Gregory Meeks and Senator Ben Cardin have signed off on the deal under heavy pressure from the Biden administration. For months, the two lawmakers had held up the sale amid unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Gaza that has left more than 37,000 dead in the blockaded Palestinian enclave. Also read | Gaza war: Israel's use of US-supplied weapons may have violated international law, says Washington "Any issues or concerns Chair Cardin had were addressed through our ongoing consultations with the (Biden)Administration, and that’s why he felt it appropriate to allow this case to move forward," Eric Harris, communications director for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was quoted as saying by the Washington Post. Meeks told the newspaper that he had been in close contact with the White House and had urged them to pressure Israel over humanitarian efforts and civilian casualties. He added that the F-15s would not be delivered until "years from now". Also watch | Israel war: Biden threatens Israel of weapons & artillery shells supply cut × WION can verify that while F-15s won't be immediately delivered to Israel due to elaborate apparatus that accompanies a fighter aircraft sale, a sign-off on air-to-air missiles and Joint Direct Attack Munition kits could still play a role in ongoing war as they retrofit unguided bombs with precision guidance. What does it mean? Meeks and Cardin are two of four lawmakers who can effectively veto a foreign military sale. In the case of the F-15 and munitions package, the two top Republicans on the committees — Sen. James E. Risch of Idaho and Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas — had signed off on the sale months ago. What next? The State Department can now notify the US Congress of the approved sale. Once approved, the transaction would be one of the largest arms sales to Israel since the war began. According to the Washington Post report, the weaponry is largely financed by the more than $3.3 billion in US taxpayer funds Washington provides Israel annually. (With inputs from agencies)

Gaza war: US sets finger to trigger one of the biggest arms sales to Israel

Russian prosecutors said on Thursday they had sent the case of detained U.S. reporter Evan Gershkovich to court after concluding he had been collecting information for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency about a Russian tank factory.

Gershkovich, 32, was arrested on March 29, 2023, in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg on charges of espionage that carry up to 20 years in prison after the FSB, the main successor agency to the KGB, said it had caught him "red-handed" trying to obtain military secrets.

He denies any wrongdoing and his employer, the Wall Street Journal, said in a statement on Thursday after the latest Russian move that he was facing "a false and baseless charge" based on what it called "calculated and transparent lies." President Joe Biden has called his detention "totally illegal".

The Journal spoke out after the office of Russia's General Prosecutor said in a statement it had approved Gershkovich's criminal indictment and that his case would be heard by a court in Yekaterinburg.

It did not say when the case would be heard or whether the trial would be closed to the public as is common in such cases.

"The investigation has established and confirmed with documentary evidence that Gershkovich, an American journalist for The Wall Street Journal, on the instructions of the CIA, collected secret information in the Sverdlovsk region in March 2023 about the activities of the defence plant NPK Uralvagonzavod JSC on the production and repair of military equipment," the prosecutors' statement said.

"Gershkovich carried out the illegal actions using painstaking conspiratorial methods," it added.

Prosecutors did not release any documentary evidence to back the charge.

PRE-TRIAL DETENTION

A joint statement from Almar Latour, his newspaper's publisher, and its editor in chief, Emma Tucker, demanded Gershkovich's immediate release.

"Russia’s latest move toward a sham trial is, while expected, deeply disappointing and still no less outrageous," the statement said.

"Evan has spent 441 days wrongfully detained in a Russian prison for simply doing his job. Evan is a journalist. The Russian regime’s smearing of Evan is repugnant, disgusting and based on calculated and transparent lies."

Latour and Tucker said they now expected the U.S. government to redouble efforts to secure his release.

The first U.S. journalist arrested on spying charges in Russia since the Cold War, Gershkovich is currently being held in pre-trial detention in Moscow and had been the subject of prisoner exchange talks between Moscow and Washington.

The Uralvagonzavod factory, about which he is accused of gathering secret data, has been sanctioned by the West. Based in the city of Nizhny Tagil in the Sverdlovsk region, it plays a crucial role in supplying tanks for Moscow's war in Ukraine, according to the Russian defence ministry.

The factory, which is run by a state conglomerate controlled by one of President Vladimir Putin's allies, has publicly spoken of producing T-90M battle tanks and modernising T-72B3M tanks.

The number of tanks which Russia has lost in battle in Ukraine is a military secret in Russia, which says it has ramped up tank production.

The London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies said in February that Russia had lost more than 3,000 tanks - the equivalent of its entire pre-war active inventory - but had enough lower-quality armoured vehicles in storage for years of replacements.

Russian prosecutors said on Thursday they had sent the case of detained U.S. reporter Evan Gershkovich to court after concluding he had been collecting information for the U.

Russian prosecutors said on Thursday they had sent the case of detained U.S. reporter Evan Gershkovich to court after concluding he had been collecting information for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency about a Russian tank factory. Gershkovich, 32, was arrested on March 29, 2023, in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg on charges of espionage that carry up to 20 years in prison after the FSB, the main successor agency to the KGB, said it had caught him "red-handed" trying to obtain military secrets. He denies any wrongdoing and his employer, the Wall Street Journal, said in a statement on Thursday after the latest Russian move that he was facing "a false and baseless charge" based on what it called "calculated and transparent lies." President Joe Biden has called his detention "totally illegal". The Journal spoke out after the office of Russia's General Prosecutor said in a statement it had approved Gershkovich's criminal indictment and that his case would be heard by a court in Yekaterinburg. It did not say when the case would be heard or whether the trial would be closed to the public as is common in such cases. "The investigation has established and confirmed with documentary evidence that Gershkovich, an American journalist for The Wall Street Journal, on the instructions of the CIA, collected secret information in the Sverdlovsk region in March 2023 about the activities of the defence plant NPK Uralvagonzavod JSC on the production and repair of military equipment," the prosecutors' statement said. "Gershkovich carried out the illegal actions using painstaking conspiratorial methods," it added. Prosecutors did not release any documentary evidence to back the charge. PRE-TRIAL DETENTION A joint statement from Almar Latour, his newspaper's publisher, and its editor in chief, Emma Tucker, demanded Gershkovich's immediate release. "Russia’s latest move toward a sham trial is, while expected, deeply disappointing and still no less outrageous," the statement said. "Evan has spent 441 days wrongfully detained in a Russian prison for simply doing his job. Evan is a journalist. The Russian regime’s smearing of Evan is repugnant, disgusting and based on calculated and transparent lies." Latour and Tucker said they now expected the U.S. government to redouble efforts to secure his release. The first U.S. journalist arrested on spying charges in Russia since the Cold War, Gershkovich is currently being held in pre-trial detention in Moscow and had been the subject of prisoner exchange talks between Moscow and Washington. The Uralvagonzavod factory, about which he is accused of gathering secret data, has been sanctioned by the West. Based in the city of Nizhny Tagil in the Sverdlovsk region, it plays a crucial role in supplying tanks for Moscow's war in Ukraine, according to the Russian defence ministry. The factory, which is run by a state conglomerate controlled by one of President Vladimir Putin's allies, has publicly spoken of producing T-90M battle tanks and modernising T-72B3M tanks. The number of tanks which Russia has lost in battle in Ukraine is a military secret in Russia, which says it has ramped up tank production. The London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies said in February that Russia had lost more than 3,000 tanks - the equivalent of its entire pre-war active inventory - but had enough lower-quality armoured vehicles in storage for years of replacements.

Russia says detained US reporter Gershkovich will stand trial over 'CIA work'

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said to the militant group Hamas that it is "time for the haggling to stop" after "numerous changes" were proposed by its leaders to a plan for a Gaza ceasefire as well as hostage release deal.&nbsp;

In Doha, he informed the reporters that a few of the changes were "workable" and others were not workable, but that the United States and mediators Qatar and Egypt will "try to close this deal".

On Tuesday (June 11), Hamas said that it was willing to "deal positively" with the process, however, it emphasised the need for Israel to agree to full withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire.&nbsp;According to The Times Of Israel, the main issue on which the deal is getting stuck is that the Palestinian terror group has been demanding an Israeli guarantee up front which will agree to a permanent ceasefire.

The proposal has not been publicly endorsed by Israel's prime minister which US President Joe Biden had claimed was offered by the country while outlining it 12 days ago.&nbsp;

However, Blinken said Benjamin Netanyahu had "reaffirmed his commitment" in a meeting in Jerusalem on Monday (June 10). A resolution was passed by the UNSC in support of the proposal and he added that Washington DC has been exerting diplomatic pressure.

At a press conference, Blinken said that they were discussing the changes which were requested by Hamas to the US-backed ceasefire proposal.

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-strikes-southern-lebanon-kills-hezbollah-commander-as-fighting-escalates-730991">&nbsp;More than 100 rockets fired towards Israel after the killing of Hezbollah commander</a>

"A deal was on the table that was virtually identical to a proposal that&nbsp;Hamas put forward on 6 May&nbsp;- a deal that the entire world is behind, that Israel has accepted, and Hamas could have answered with a single word: 'yes'," Blinken said.

"Instead, Hamas waited nearly two weeks and then proposed more changes, a number of which go beyond positions that it had previously taken and accepted. As a result, the war that Hamas started… will go on, more people will suffer, Palestinians will suffer, more Israelis will suffer," he added.

Hamas issued a statement, in which the terror group called for "a complete halt of the ongoing aggression against Gaza" and the Israeli forces' full withdrawal.

Hamas political bureau's member Izzat al-Rishq said their response was "responsible, serious and positive" and had opened up "a wide pathway" for reaching an agreement.

<h2>Shift in conflict</h2>

Hamas, later in a statement, said that they have shown "full positivity" in its efforts to reach an agreement and have appealed to Blinken to put "direct pressure" on Israel.

Even after facing setbacks, Blinken said the United States, along with Egypt and Qatar, will "try to close this deal".

Watch:&nbsp;Hezbollah vows escalation after killing of a commander by Israel

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"I believe those gaps are bridgeable. But that doesn't mean they will be bridged because, ultimately, Hamas has to decide," Blinken said.

Meanwhile, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani said that both Israel and Hamas are required to make some concessions.

"We are witnessing a shift in this conflict in the recent period and there is a clear and firm call to end this war," he said.

"In the coming weeks, we will put forward proposals for key elements of a 'day after plan', including concrete ideas for how to manage governance, security, reconstruction," Blinken said.

(With inputs from agencies)

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said to the militant group Hamas that it is "time for the haggling to stop" after "numerous changes" were proposed by its leaders to a plan for a Gaza ceasefire as well as hostage release deal.

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said to the militant group Hamas that it is "time for the haggling to stop" after "numerous changes" were proposed by its leaders to a plan for a Gaza ceasefire as well as hostage release deal. In Doha, he informed the reporters that a few of the changes were "workable" and others were not workable, but that the United States and mediators Qatar and Egypt will "try to close this deal". On Tuesday (June 11), Hamas said that it was willing to "deal positively" with the process, however, it emphasised the need for Israel to agree to full withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire. According to The Times Of Israel, the main issue on which the deal is getting stuck is that the Palestinian terror group has been demanding an Israeli guarantee up front which will agree to a permanent ceasefire. The proposal has not been publicly endorsed by Israel's prime minister which US President Joe Biden had claimed was offered by the country while outlining it 12 days ago. However, Blinken said Benjamin Netanyahu had "reaffirmed his commitment" in a meeting in Jerusalem on Monday (June 10). A resolution was passed by the UNSC in support of the proposal and he added that Washington DC has been exerting diplomatic pressure. At a press conference, Blinken said that they were discussing the changes which were requested by Hamas to the US-backed ceasefire proposal. Also Read: More than 100 rockets fired towards Israel after the killing of Hezbollah commander "A deal was on the table that was virtually identical to a proposal that Hamas put forward on 6 May - a deal that the entire world is behind, that Israel has accepted, and Hamas could have answered with a single word: 'yes'," Blinken said. "Instead, Hamas waited nearly two weeks and then proposed more changes, a number of which go beyond positions that it had previously taken and accepted. As a result, the war that Hamas started… will go on, more people will suffer, Palestinians will suffer, more Israelis will suffer," he added. Hamas issued a statement, in which the terror group called for "a complete halt of the ongoing aggression against Gaza" and the Israeli forces' full withdrawal. Hamas political bureau's member Izzat al-Rishq said their response was "responsible, serious and positive" and had opened up "a wide pathway" for reaching an agreement. Shift in conflict Hamas, later in a statement, said that they have shown "full positivity" in its efforts to reach an agreement and have appealed to Blinken to put "direct pressure" on Israel. Even after facing setbacks, Blinken said the United States, along with Egypt and Qatar, will "try to close this deal". Watch: Hezbollah vows escalation after killing of a commander by Israel "I believe those gaps are bridgeable. But that doesn't mean they will be bridged because, ultimately, Hamas has to decide," Blinken said. Meanwhile, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani said that both Israel and Hamas are required to make some concessions. "We are witnessing a shift in this conflict in the recent period and there is a clear and firm call to end this war," he said. "In the coming weeks, we will put forward proposals for key elements of a 'day after plan', including concrete ideas for how to manage governance, security, reconstruction," Blinken said. (With inputs from agencies)

US says some changes proposed by Hamas in ceasefire deal 'unworkable', will try to 'close the deal'

A petrodollar agreement with the United States and Saudi Arabia has expired. As per reports, the Gulf nation has decided not to renew the deal that&nbsp;expired on June 9.

The move can be seen as a global finance paradigm shift from the USD as a reserve currency. The termination of the deal may also have implications and consequences for America.

The deal was a major milestone for the US global economic dominance. So far, there's no official confirmation to renew it.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-supreme-court-preserves-wider-access-to-abortion-pill-mifepristone-in-victory-for-biden-administration-731504">US Supreme Court preserves wider access to abortion pill mifepristone in victory for Biden administration</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

The 50-year-old agreement has had significant geopolitical and economic implications. It acted as a catalyst in shaping the global energy market and influencing international relations.

The petrodollar system was signed in 1974 as a result of a bilateral agreement between the US and Saudi Arabia. Both nations decided to price and trade oil in US dollars.

With oil standardised in terms of dollars, every country purchasing oil from Saudi Arabia would be required to pay in dollars. Several other oil-producing countries also began to standardise their oil pricing in US dollars, which gave push to the petrodollar system.&nbsp;

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🇸🇦 🇺🇸 Saudi Arabia's 50-year-old petrodollar agreement with the United States has expired, with no new agreement in place. 
 
Saudi Arabia will now sell oil in multiple currencies, including the Chinese RMB, Euros, Yen, and Yuan, instead of exclusively in US dollars. <a href="https://t.co/MxdUn8t2ZP">pic.twitter.com/MxdUn8t2ZP</a>
— BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) <a href="https://twitter.com/BRICSinfo/status/1801005240658858443?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/bond-markets-poised-for-gains-if-biden-re-elected-morgan-stanley-cio-731316">Bond markets poised for gains if Biden re-elected: Morgan Stanley CIO</a>&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;G7 Summit 2024: Summit to tackle issues from wars in Ukraine, West Asia to China&nbsp;

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In return, the US provided military support and security guarantees to the Saudi, ensuring its stability and protection against external threats. Meanwhile, Saudi agreed to invest its oil revenues in US assets, primarily Treasury securities, which helped finance US deficits and stabilise the dollar.

The six‐page agreement was signed&nbsp;at Blair House across the street from the White House&nbsp;by then US Secretary of State Kissinger and Prince Fand Ibn Abdel Aziz, who&nbsp;later became king of Saudi Arabia.&nbsp;

At the time of the deal, Kissinger had said, "We consider this a milestone in our relations with Saudi Arabia and with the Arab countries in general."&nbsp;

The crucial decision to not renew the contract enables Saudi Arabia to sell oil and other goods in multiple currencies, including the Chinese RMB, Euros, Yen, and Yuan .&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A petrodollar agreement with the United States and Saudi Arabia has expired. As per reports, the Gulf nation has decided not to renew the deal that expired on June 9.

A petrodollar agreement with the United States and Saudi Arabia has expired. As per reports, the Gulf nation has decided not to renew the deal that expired on June 9. The move can be seen as a global finance paradigm shift from the USD as a reserve currency. The termination of the deal may also have implications and consequences for America. The deal was a major milestone for the US global economic dominance. So far, there's no official confirmation to renew it. Also read: US Supreme Court preserves wider access to abortion pill mifepristone in victory for Biden administration The 50-year-old agreement has had significant geopolitical and economic implications. It acted as a catalyst in shaping the global energy market and influencing international relations. The petrodollar system was signed in 1974 as a result of a bilateral agreement between the US and Saudi Arabia. Both nations decided to price and trade oil in US dollars. With oil standardised in terms of dollars, every country purchasing oil from Saudi Arabia would be required to pay in dollars. Several other oil-producing countries also began to standardise their oil pricing in US dollars, which gave push to the petrodollar system. 🇸🇦 🇺🇸 Saudi Arabia's 50-year-old petrodollar agreement with the United States has expired, with no new agreement in place. Saudi Arabia will now sell oil in multiple currencies, including the Chinese RMB, Euros, Yen, and Yuan, instead of exclusively in US dollars. pic.twitter.com/MxdUn8t2ZP — BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) June 12, 2024 × Also read: Bond markets poised for gains if Biden re-elected: Morgan Stanley CIO Watch: G7 Summit 2024: Summit to tackle issues from wars in Ukraine, West Asia to China × In return, the US provided military support and security guarantees to the Saudi, ensuring its stability and protection against external threats. Meanwhile, Saudi agreed to invest its oil revenues in US assets, primarily Treasury securities, which helped finance US deficits and stabilise the dollar. The six‐page agreement was signed at Blair House across the street from the White House by then US Secretary of State Kissinger and Prince Fand Ibn Abdel Aziz, who later became king of Saudi Arabia. At the time of the deal, Kissinger had said, "We consider this a milestone in our relations with Saudi Arabia and with the Arab countries in general." The crucial decision to not renew the contract enables Saudi Arabia to sell oil and other goods in multiple currencies, including the Chinese RMB, Euros, Yen, and Yuan . (With inputs from agencies)

Saudi Arabia's petrodollar deal with US expires with no new agreement in place

The United States said that it has started “evaluating” the formal response sent by Hamas to their Gaza ceasefire proposal.&nbsp;

US Secretary of State&nbsp;Antony Blinken has been making efforts to channel global support for a UN Security Council resolution which supports the proposal of a ceasefire between the Palestinian militant group and Israel.

A Hamas official on Tuesday (June 11) said that they submitted a response to Egyptian and Qatari mediators which sought some “amendments” and added that ensuring a “complete stop” to the war was their priority.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Hamas spokesperson Jihad Taha said that the response included “amendments that confirm the ceasefire, withdrawal, reconstruction and [prisoner] exchange”.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-report-exposes-extreme-levels-of-child-abuse-in-armed-conflicts-especially-in-gaza-and-sudan-730923">UN report exposes 'extreme levels' of child abuse in armed conflicts, especially in Gaza and Sudan</a>

On Tuesday (June 11), US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby informed the journalists that Washington received the reply from Hamas and was “evaluating it right now".&nbsp;

On the second day of his Middle East visit, Blinken said that Israel’s Prime Minister&nbsp;Benjamin Netanyahu “reaffirmed his commitment” to the proposal.

Blinken held talks with Israeli opposition leaders on Tuesday (June 11) and also held discussions with the families of the hostages before he travelled to Jordan to hold an emergency summit on humanitarian aid for Gaza.&nbsp;

In the Gaza Strip, the population has suffered massive displacement and more than a million people are on the brink of famine.

Speaking at a conference, Blinken announced an extra $404mn&nbsp;in funding for humanitarian aid for&nbsp;Gaza and appealed to other countries to increase donations.

<h2>US unveils ceasefire deal for Israel and Hamas&nbsp;</h2>

US President Joe Biden unveiled the ceasefire deal at the end of May and it was approved by the United Nations on Monday (June 10).

Watch:&nbsp;Israel war: Hamas proposes new timeline for ceasefire, offers ammendments to US-backed proposals

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The deal was presented by Biden as an Israeli initiative as he said that the ceasefire proposal which didn't work earlier was a&nbsp;“non-starter”.

The proposal called for an initial exchange of elderly, sick or female hostages in exchange for Palestinian detainees held by Israel.&nbsp;

The ceasefire is aimed at permanently ending&nbsp;hostilities and ensure&nbsp;that all hostages are released in the second phase.&nbsp;

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

(With inputs from agencies)

The United States said that it has started “evaluating” the formal response sent by Hamas to their Gaza ceasefire proposal. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been making efforts to channel global support for a UN Security Council resolution which supports the proposal of a ceasefire between the Palestinian militant group and Israel.

The United States said that it has started “evaluating” the formal response sent by Hamas to their Gaza ceasefire proposal. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been making efforts to channel global support for a UN Security Council resolution which supports the proposal of a ceasefire between the Palestinian militant group and Israel. A Hamas official on Tuesday (June 11) said that they submitted a response to Egyptian and Qatari mediators which sought some “amendments” and added that ensuring a “complete stop” to the war was their priority. Meanwhile, Hamas spokesperson Jihad Taha said that the response included “amendments that confirm the ceasefire, withdrawal, reconstruction and [prisoner] exchange”. Also Read: UN report exposes 'extreme levels' of child abuse in armed conflicts, especially in Gaza and Sudan On Tuesday (June 11), US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby informed the journalists that Washington received the reply from Hamas and was “evaluating it right now". On the second day of his Middle East visit, Blinken said that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “reaffirmed his commitment” to the proposal. Blinken held talks with Israeli opposition leaders on Tuesday (June 11) and also held discussions with the families of the hostages before he travelled to Jordan to hold an emergency summit on humanitarian aid for Gaza. In the Gaza Strip, the population has suffered massive displacement and more than a million people are on the brink of famine. Speaking at a conference, Blinken announced an extra $404mn in funding for humanitarian aid for Gaza and appealed to other countries to increase donations. US unveils ceasefire deal for Israel and Hamas US President Joe Biden unveiled the ceasefire deal at the end of May and it was approved by the United Nations on Monday (June 10). Watch: Israel war: Hamas proposes new timeline for ceasefire, offers ammendments to US-backed proposals The deal was presented by Biden as an Israeli initiative as he said that the ceasefire proposal which didn't work earlier was a “non-starter”. The proposal called for an initial exchange of elderly, sick or female hostages in exchange for Palestinian detainees held by Israel. The ceasefire is aimed at permanently ending hostilities and ensure that all hostages are released in the second phase. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. (With inputs from agencies)

US 'evaluating' amendments sought by Hamas in Gaza ceasefire proposal

The World Health Organization confirmed a human case of bird flu infection in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal on Tuesday (June 11).&nbsp;

A four-year-old child was infected with bird flu. He was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) of a local hospital.&nbsp;

The child was facing persistent severe respiratory issues, abdominal cramps and high fever in February and was discharged by the doctors after diagnosis and treatment three months later, confirmed the WHO.&nbsp;

According to the agency, the child was exposed to infected poultry at home and in his surroundings. No one among his family members and those who came in contact with the boy reported symptoms of respiratory illness.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australias-bird-flu-case-likely-came-from-india-says-who-729966">Australia's bird flu case likely came from India, says WHO</a>

The WHO stated that they did not have any information regarding the antiviral treatment administered to the child as well as about his vaccination status.&nbsp;

<h2>Second human case of bird flu in India&nbsp;</h2>

The agency stated that this is the second human infection of H9N2&nbsp;bird&nbsp;flu&nbsp;reported in India. The first case was detected in 2019.&nbsp;

According to the International Health Regulations (2005), "a human infection caused by a novel influenza A virus subtype is an event that has the potential for high public health impact and must be notified to the WHO."&nbsp;

Humans are generally infected by avian influenza A(H9N2) virus after they get exposed to contaminated environments or infected poultry. Generally, such infections result in mild clinical illness.

Watch: Mexico: WHO confirms world's first human bird flu death

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Although the H9N2 virus generally causes mild illness, the United Nations agency said there can be sporadic human cases because the virus is one of the most prevalent avian influenza viruses that has spread in poultry in different regions.

The Indian health ministry did not immediately respond during late hours.

In Australia, supermarket chain Coles limited two cartons of eggs per day per customer in every state, except Western Australia.

According to a Bloomberg report, the measure is aimed at stopping the spread of the avian influenza virus.

On June 10, Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said that Australian eggs are safe to consume, and assured contaminated eggs are not entering the supply chain.

Last week, a man died in Mexico after he contracted the H5N2 bird flu, a strain which was not earlier confirmed in humans.

(With inputs from agencies)

The World Health Organization confirmed a human case of bird flu infection in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal on Tuesday (June 11). A four-year-old child was infected with bird flu.

The World Health Organization confirmed a human case of bird flu infection in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal on Tuesday (June 11). A four-year-old child was infected with bird flu. He was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) of a local hospital. The child was facing persistent severe respiratory issues, abdominal cramps and high fever in February and was discharged by the doctors after diagnosis and treatment three months later, confirmed the WHO. According to the agency, the child was exposed to infected poultry at home and in his surroundings. No one among his family members and those who came in contact with the boy reported symptoms of respiratory illness. Also Read: Australia's bird flu case likely came from India, says WHO The WHO stated that they did not have any information regarding the antiviral treatment administered to the child as well as about his vaccination status. Second human case of bird flu in India The agency stated that this is the second human infection of H9N2 bird flu reported in India. The first case was detected in 2019. According to the International Health Regulations (2005), "a human infection caused by a novel influenza A virus subtype is an event that has the potential for high public health impact and must be notified to the WHO." Humans are generally infected by avian influenza A(H9N2) virus after they get exposed to contaminated environments or infected poultry. Generally, such infections result in mild clinical illness. Watch: Mexico: WHO confirms world's first human bird flu death Although the H9N2 virus generally causes mild illness, the United Nations agency said there can be sporadic human cases because the virus is one of the most prevalent avian influenza viruses that has spread in poultry in different regions. The Indian health ministry did not immediately respond during late hours. In Australia, supermarket chain Coles limited two cartons of eggs per day per customer in every state, except Western Australia. According to a Bloomberg report, the measure is aimed at stopping the spread of the avian influenza virus. On June 10, Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said that Australian eggs are safe to consume, and assured contaminated eggs are not entering the supply chain. Last week, a man died in Mexico after he contracted the H5N2 bird flu, a strain which was not earlier confirmed in humans. (With inputs from agencies)

WHO confirms human case of bird flu in India after US and Mexico

The United States on Tuesday (June 11) expressed "deep concerns" over the stabbing attack on four American college teachers in the northeastern region of China.

The four US university tutors were hospitalised after an unknown assailant stabbed them in the daytime in Jilin province, northern China on Monday (June 10).

The White House released a statement saying it was "deeply concerned" by the stabbing of the educators, highlighting that their team had spoken with the victims of the assault.

"We are deeply concerned by the stabbing of US citizens in Jilin City, China. Our team has been in touch with these Americans and our PRC counterparts to ensure that the victims' needs are met, and appropriate law enforcement steps are being taken," White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a post on his official X account.

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We are deeply concerned by the stabbing of U.S. citizens in Jilin City, China. Our team has been in touch with these Americans and our PRC counterparts to ensure that the victims’ needs are met, &amp; appropriate law enforcement steps are being taken. We wish them a speedy recovery.
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Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-us-college-tutors-suffer-injuries-after-getting-stabbed-in-public-park-730650">Four Iowa college instructors stabbed in broad daylight en route to a temple in China</a>

<h2>China foreign ministry calls stabbing 'random' incident&nbsp;</h2>

The Chinese foreign ministry said that the preliminarily assessment by the police was that it was a "random incident", adding that the investigation into the matter was underway.

"From what we know, on the morning of June 10, four foreign teachers from Jilin University were attacked while sight-seeing in Beishan Park. All the injured individuals were immediately taken to the hospital and were given appropriate critical care, no one's life is in danger. The preliminary judgement from the police is that this case is a random incident, currently further investigations are underway," Chinese Foreign Minitry spokesperson Lin Jian said.

He further said that the incident will not affect the normal exchanges between the peoples of the United States and China.

"Engaging in China-US people-to-people exchanges is in line with both sides' interests, and has received enthusiastic support and responses from all levels in both countries," Lin said.

"China is recognised as one of the safest countries in the world, China has always taken effective measures and will continue to take such measures to earnestly protect the safety of all foreigners in China. The relevant random incident will not affect the normal conducting of people-to-people exchanges between China and United States," he added.

The Iowa Cornell College Representative Adam Zabner confirmed that his brother David was one of the four victims of the stabbing incident.

He stated that the group was visiting a local temple when a man with a knife attacked them on Monday.

(With inputs from agencies)

The United States on Tuesday (June 11) expressed "deep concerns" over the stabbing attack on four American college teachers in the northeastern region of China. The four US university tutors were hospitalised after an unknown assailant stabbed them in the daytime in Jilin province, northern China on Monday (June 10).

The United States on Tuesday (June 11) expressed "deep concerns" over the stabbing attack on four American college teachers in the northeastern region of China. The four US university tutors were hospitalised after an unknown assailant stabbed them in the daytime in Jilin province, northern China on Monday (June 10). The White House released a statement saying it was "deeply concerned" by the stabbing of the educators, highlighting that their team had spoken with the victims of the assault. "We are deeply concerned by the stabbing of US citizens in Jilin City, China. Our team has been in touch with these Americans and our PRC counterparts to ensure that the victims' needs are met, and appropriate law enforcement steps are being taken," White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a post on his official X account. We are deeply concerned by the stabbing of U.S. citizens in Jilin City, China. Our team has been in touch with these Americans and our PRC counterparts to ensure that the victims’ needs are met, & appropriate law enforcement steps are being taken. We wish them a speedy recovery. — Jake Sullivan (@JakeSullivan46) June 11, 2024 × Also read: Four Iowa college instructors stabbed in broad daylight en route to a temple in China China foreign ministry calls stabbing 'random' incident The Chinese foreign ministry said that the preliminarily assessment by the police was that it was a "random incident", adding that the investigation into the matter was underway. "From what we know, on the morning of June 10, four foreign teachers from Jilin University were attacked while sight-seeing in Beishan Park. All the injured individuals were immediately taken to the hospital and were given appropriate critical care, no one's life is in danger. The preliminary judgement from the police is that this case is a random incident, currently further investigations are underway," Chinese Foreign Minitry spokesperson Lin Jian said. He further said that the incident will not affect the normal exchanges between the peoples of the United States and China. "Engaging in China-US people-to-people exchanges is in line with both sides' interests, and has received enthusiastic support and responses from all levels in both countries," Lin said. "China is recognised as one of the safest countries in the world, China has always taken effective measures and will continue to take such measures to earnestly protect the safety of all foreigners in China. The relevant random incident will not affect the normal conducting of people-to-people exchanges between China and United States," he added. The Iowa Cornell College Representative Adam Zabner confirmed that his brother David was one of the four victims of the stabbing incident. He stated that the group was visiting a local temple when a man with a knife attacked them on Monday. (With inputs from agencies)

White House says US 'deeply concerned' by stabbing of 4 American college teachers in China

Four United States university tutors have been hospitalised after an unknown assailant stabbed them at a public park in China.

The Iowa Cornell College instructors suffered injuries in a "serious incident" when they were visiting a park in the daytime in Jilin province, northern China, said the college, in a statement.

Iowa Representative Adam Zabner confirmed that his brother David was one of the four victims of the stabbing incident. He stated that the group was visiting a local temple when a man with a knife attacked them on Monday (June 10).

Zabner added that the assailant stabbed his brother in the arm at Beishan Park and he has been recovering in hospital.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-chinas-tallest-waterfall-fed-by-pipe-netizens-call-it-disrespect-to-visitors-729692">Watch: China's tallest waterfall fed by pipes, netizens call it disrespect to visitors</a>

"He has not yet been released this morning but he's doing ok," he said, while speaking to CBS News.

Cornell College added that the four instructors were teaching "as part of a partnership with a university in China".&nbsp;

A member of Beihua University was accompanying the group when they were visiting the park.&nbsp;

<h2>US reacts to the stabbing incident</h2>

The four instructors had gone to China on an academic exchange. Taking to X, Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson said that she was "horrified" to learn that the Cornell College faculty members had been "brutally stabbed".

“My team has been in communication with Cornell College and will do everything in our power to bring these Iowans home safely. Join me in praying for their health and safety," Hinson said.

Watch:&nbsp;Ukraine becomes graveyard for tanks, while China watches, learns &amp; innovates

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Governor Kim Reynolds stated that he was "in touch with Iowa's federal delegation and the state department in response to this horrifying attack".

"Please pray for their full recovery, safe return&nbsp;and their families here at home," she said.

A US State Department spokesperson confirmed that they were "aware of reports of a&nbsp;stabbing&nbsp;incident in Jilin, People's Republic of China".&nbsp;

Iowa Cornell College's President Jonathan Brand said, “We have been in contact with all four instructors and are assisting them during this time."

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Four United States university tutors have been hospitalised after an unknown assailant stabbed them at a public park in China. The Iowa Cornell College instructors suffered injuries in a "serious incident" when they were visiting a park in the daytime in Jilin province, northern China, said the college, in a statement.

Four United States university tutors have been hospitalised after an unknown assailant stabbed them at a public park in China. The Iowa Cornell College instructors suffered injuries in a "serious incident" when they were visiting a park in the daytime in Jilin province, northern China, said the college, in a statement. Iowa Representative Adam Zabner confirmed that his brother David was one of the four victims of the stabbing incident. He stated that the group was visiting a local temple when a man with a knife attacked them on Monday (June 10). Zabner added that the assailant stabbed his brother in the arm at Beishan Park and he has been recovering in hospital. Also Read: Watch: China's tallest waterfall fed by pipes, netizens call it disrespect to visitors "He has not yet been released this morning but he's doing ok," he said, while speaking to CBS News. Cornell College added that the four instructors were teaching "as part of a partnership with a university in China". A member of Beihua University was accompanying the group when they were visiting the park. US reacts to the stabbing incident The four instructors had gone to China on an academic exchange. Taking to X, Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson said that she was "horrified" to learn that the Cornell College faculty members had been "brutally stabbed". “My team has been in communication with Cornell College and will do everything in our power to bring these Iowans home safely. Join me in praying for their health and safety," Hinson said. Watch: Ukraine becomes graveyard for tanks, while China watches, learns & innovates Governor Kim Reynolds stated that he was "in touch with Iowa's federal delegation and the state department in response to this horrifying attack". "Please pray for their full recovery, safe return and their families here at home," she said. A US State Department spokesperson confirmed that they were "aware of reports of a stabbing incident in Jilin, People's Republic of China". Iowa Cornell College's President Jonathan Brand said, “We have been in contact with all four instructors and are assisting them during this time." (With inputs from agencies)

Four Iowa college instructors stabbed in broad daylight en route to a temple in China

After winning the General Elections 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not give many details about his plans for the third term. However, he emphasised that he would keep working on strengthening the country’s military and its influence.

After winning the General Elections 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not give many details about his plans for the third term. However, he emphasised that he would keep working on strengthening the country’s military and its influence. This news will, possibly, please the US and its allies, who are increasingly focused on countering China’s expansive maritime claims and assertive actions in the Indo-Pacific region. Modi told his supporters at the BJP headquarters soon after the election results that his government’s priority would be to boost defence production and exports. He emphasised his goal to enhance security by reducing India’s reliance on imported arms. He announced his intention to make India self-sufficient in the defence sector. Under Modi, defence co-operation with the US has grown significantly, especially through the Quad security grouping, which also includes Australia and Japan. This relationship is mutually beneficial—the US gets a strong partner close to China, which it considers a significant challenge, while India enhances its defence strength against a much more powerful rival. “India is now seen as a key frontline state by the Americans,” said New Delhi-based defence analyst Rahul Bedi, according to a report in The Diplomat. The Indian Navy’s role in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) was “crucial”, it said. Also Read: Multi-layered security, no-fly zone in Delhi as capital gears up for PM's swearing-in ceremony The IOR, encompassing waters from Africa to Australia, is vital for global trade and energy routes. It includes such significant nations as India, Indonesia and South Africa. This region is strategically important for maritime security, economic activities and geopolitical influence, playing a crucial role in global stability and commerce. When US President Joe Biden congratulated Modi on the election results, strengthening defence relationship was a key point on his agenda. During a call, the two leaders vowed to strengthen Indo-US strategic partnership and promote a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, according to a White House statement. It also mentioned that National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan would soon visit New Delhi to discuss shared US-India priorities with the new government. The Indo-Pacific region, spanning the Indian and Pacific Oceans, is crucial for global trade and security. It includes such key countries as India, China, Japan, Australia and the US. This area is strategically important due to its economic potential, shipping routes and geopolitical significance in maintaining regional stability. About a year into Modi’s second term, India’s defence strategy had shifted significantly towards China. This change was prompted by a clash in 2020 between troops from the two countries in Galwan Valley, an area in northern Ladakh, in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed. “China poses a long-term strategic challenge for India, affecting both its border and its interests in the Indian Ocean,” Viraj Solanki, an expert from the International Institute for Strategic Studies, told The Diplomat in an interview. This had prompted India to adjust its defence partnerships, with an eye to countering China’s increasing clout in the Indo-Pacific region, he explained. China was trying to expand its influence and presence in the region through greater engagement with these countries, Solanki said. This was a headache for New Delhi and was likely to result in greater competition in the Indian Ocean in future, he added. Beijing maintains close ties with Islamabad. China has also been boosting defence ties with such neighbouring countries of India as Nepal, Bangladesh, the Maldives and Sri Lanka. When congratulating Modi on the election results, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said a “healthy and stable” relationship between India and China is beneficial for both countries and supports peace and development of the region. She also mentioned that China was “ready to work with India”, but her comments were much more reserved compared to the Foreign Ministry’s statements after Modi’s win in 2019 before the border clash. Back then, the Foreign Ministry referred to the two countries as “important neighbours” and expressed a desire to “deepen political trust, engage in mutually beneficial cooperation and strengthen the partnership between the two nations”. Watch: PM Narendra Modi swearing-in ceremony: Security increased for PM Modi's swearing-in Modi has always governed with his party holding a majority. But, after a weaker mandate in the recent elections compared to the earlier two, he will need to depend on coalition partners and will face a stronger, more energised opposition. The main Opposition party, the Congress, is unlikely to oppose Modi’s defence reforms, but had criticised his handling of the border issues with China and might push him on this matter, Bedi was quoted as saying. Bedi echoed dissenting voices within the country, saying Modi had not been totally honest about the Ladakh situation. He mentioned a Defence Ministry document briefly posted online and then removed, which indicated that Chinese troops had entered Indian territory during the 2020 clash. The Opposition will, possibly, demand that the government give the true picture. Under Modi’s military modernisation and reforms programme, his government has aimed to expand the private defence manufacturing sector, earlier dominated by government-run organisations. His government has also relaxed foreign investment rules to encourage companies to set up operations in India. In a major project, India launched its first home-built aircraft carrier in 2022. This is part of a plan to deploy two carrier battle groups to counter China’s growing naval power. Much of India’s military equipment comes from Russia, but delays in delivery and issues with getting spare parts due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have pushed India to diversify its defence purchases. Now, India was looking more towards the US, France, Israel and other countries, Solanki said. To strengthen ties with India, Washington has agreed to a deal allowing General Electric to work with Hindustan Aeronautics to make fighter jet engines. At the defence conference, Shangri-La Dialogue, held by the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Singapore last weekend, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said India and the US were also co-producing armoured vehicles. He added that his country’s ties with India were the best it had ever been; it was “really strong”. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Modi 3.0 Military Manoeuvre: Managing China, Courting US

A federal judge on Thursday (Jun 6) ordered Donald Trump's former top advisor Steve Bannon to report to&nbsp;jail by July 1 to serve his four-month sentence for criminal contempt of Congress conviction.

Bannon, in July 2022, was convicted of contempt for defying a subpoena to testify before the congressional panel that probed the Jan 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol by Trump supporters.

Dubbed as one of the masterminds behind Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, Bannon in Oct 2022&nbsp;was convicted to four months in prison.

However, he has remained free since then while appealing his conviction.

After the judge's order, the 70-year-old while addressing the media outside the Washington courthouse said, "There's nothing that can shut me up and nothing that will shut me up."

"There's not a prison built or a jail built that will ever shut me up," he said.

"We're going to win on November 5th in an amazing landslide," he added while referring to the date of US presidential elections.

For the first seven months during Trump's tenure, Bannon served as&nbsp;Chief Strategist in the White House. He reportedly left due to conflicts with other senior staffers.

He was charged with wire fraud and money laundering in the year 2020 for taking millions of dollars given by donors for the construction of a border wall with Mexico for his own personal use.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-begins-digging-deeper-to-choose-his-possible-2024-vp-729308">Trump begins digging deeper to choose his possible 2024 running mate. Who are in fray?</a>

While all the others involved in the scam were found guilty, Trump issued a blanket pardon to Bannon before leaving office in January 2021. This led to the dismissal of the charges against him.

<h2>Ex-Trump adviser Peter Navarro sentenced to 4 months for contempt of Congress</h2>

Another top Trump advisor who was also convicted of contempt of Congress was Peter Navarro who began serving his four-month sentence in March.

Navarro ignored a subpoena from a US House committee that was probing alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

In September, Navarro was convicted of two counts of contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with a subpoena. The subpoena required the submission of documents and testimony to a House of Representatives panel led by Democrats.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A federal judge on Thursday (Jun 6) ordered Donald Trump's former top advisor Steve Bannon to report to jail by July 1 to serve his four-month sentence for criminal contempt of Congress conviction.

A federal judge on Thursday (Jun 6) ordered Donald Trump's former top advisor Steve Bannon to report to jail by July 1 to serve his four-month sentence for criminal contempt of Congress conviction. Bannon, in July 2022, was convicted of contempt for defying a subpoena to testify before the congressional panel that probed the Jan 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol by Trump supporters. Dubbed as one of the masterminds behind Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, Bannon in Oct 2022 was convicted to four months in prison. However, he has remained free since then while appealing his conviction. After the judge's order, the 70-year-old while addressing the media outside the Washington courthouse said, "There's nothing that can shut me up and nothing that will shut me up." "There's not a prison built or a jail built that will ever shut me up," he said. "We're going to win on November 5th in an amazing landslide," he added while referring to the date of US presidential elections. For the first seven months during Trump's tenure, Bannon served as Chief Strategist in the White House. He reportedly left due to conflicts with other senior staffers. He was charged with wire fraud and money laundering in the year 2020 for taking millions of dollars given by donors for the construction of a border wall with Mexico for his own personal use. Also read: Trump begins digging deeper to choose his possible 2024 running mate. Who are in fray? While all the others involved in the scam were found guilty, Trump issued a blanket pardon to Bannon before leaving office in January 2021. This led to the dismissal of the charges against him. Ex-Trump adviser Peter Navarro sentenced to 4 months for contempt of Congress Another top Trump advisor who was also convicted of contempt of Congress was Peter Navarro who began serving his four-month sentence in March. Navarro ignored a subpoena from a US House committee that was probing alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election. In September, Navarro was convicted of two counts of contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with a subpoena. The subpoena required the submission of documents and testimony to a House of Representatives panel led by Democrats. (With inputs from agencies)

Former Trump advisor Steve Bannon ordered to report to jail by July 1

SpaceX's giant prototype rocket Starship on Thursday lifted off on its fourth test flight in an attempt to reach outer space and then back to Earth surviving the hot re-entry through the planet's atmosphere.

Notably, at the time of its previous attempt, the rocket broke apart during this crucial phase.

Starship, which is also the most powerful liftoff system ever built, embarked on its journey from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas at 7:50 am (1250 GMT).

"The payload for these flight tests is data," SpaceX posted on X. "Building upon what we achieved during Starship's third flight test, our primary goal today is to get through the extreme heat of reentry."

Starship, in its third test launch, burned up during its return trip to Earth. After a hiatus of seven months following its inaugural flight last April, SpaceX swiftly followed up with two more test flights in November and one in March.

Departing from Boca Chica, Texas, and traversing the Gulf of Mexico, the vessel's third flight completed a circumnavigation of our planet.

Unfortunately, communication was lost during the final phase of the test as it descended into the atmosphere.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/night-skies-to-get-a-new-star-soon-heres-how-you-can-see-blaze-star-with-naked-eyes-729376">Night skies to get a 'new star' soon. Here's how you can see Blaze Star with naked eyes</a>

The rocket this time is covered with several small black tiles that are specifically designed to safeguard the spacecraft from extensive heat encountered while making a re-entry into the earth's atmosphere at hypersonic speed.

"The main goal of this mission is to get much deeper into the atmosphere during reentry, ideally through max heating," Musk, CEO of SpaceX, wrote on social media on Saturday (Jun 1).

The company, led by entrepreneur and business magnate Elon Musk has been pushing the boundaries of space travel with its Starship project. Musk is aiming to revolutionise missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

SpaceX has also announced plans for lunar missions with its Starship vehicle, including the "Dear Moon" project, which intends to send artists and other private individuals on a lunar flyby mission.

(With inputs from agencies)

SpaceX's giant prototype rocket Starship on Thursday lifted off on its fourth test flight in an attempt to reach outer space and then back to Earth surviving the hot re-entry through the planet's atmosphere.

SpaceX's giant prototype rocket Starship on Thursday lifted off on its fourth test flight in an attempt to reach outer space and then back to Earth surviving the hot re-entry through the planet's atmosphere. Notably, at the time of its previous attempt, the rocket broke apart during this crucial phase. Starship, which is also the most powerful liftoff system ever built, embarked on its journey from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas at 7:50 am (1250 GMT). "The payload for these flight tests is data," SpaceX posted on X. "Building upon what we achieved during Starship's third flight test, our primary goal today is to get through the extreme heat of reentry." Starship, in its third test launch, burned up during its return trip to Earth. After a hiatus of seven months following its inaugural flight last April, SpaceX swiftly followed up with two more test flights in November and one in March. Departing from Boca Chica, Texas, and traversing the Gulf of Mexico, the vessel's third flight completed a circumnavigation of our planet. Unfortunately, communication was lost during the final phase of the test as it descended into the atmosphere. Also read: Night skies to get a 'new star' soon. Here's how you can see Blaze Star with naked eyes The rocket this time is covered with several small black tiles that are specifically designed to safeguard the spacecraft from extensive heat encountered while making a re-entry into the earth's atmosphere at hypersonic speed. "The main goal of this mission is to get much deeper into the atmosphere during reentry, ideally through max heating," Musk, CEO of SpaceX, wrote on social media on Saturday (Jun 1). The company, led by entrepreneur and business magnate Elon Musk has been pushing the boundaries of space travel with its Starship project. Musk is aiming to revolutionise missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. SpaceX has also announced plans for lunar missions with its Starship vehicle, including the "Dear Moon" project, which intends to send artists and other private individuals on a lunar flyby mission. (With inputs from agencies)

SpaceX launches Starship on fourth test flight

Some shocking details regarding United States President Joe Biden's cognitive decline have been revealed in a report published by The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday (June 4).

The Journal interviewed nearly 45 Republican and Democratic lawmakers and staffers&nbsp;who spoke about noticing Biden’s apparent deterioration in cognitive fitness while interacting with the 81-year-old leader in recent months.

The staffers and lawmakers said that the president has been seen speaking so softly in the meetings that it becomes difficult to understand what he is saying.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-to-limit-asylum-seekers-with-new-order-halt-requests-at-2500-crossings-and-resume-when-below-1500-728667">Biden to limit asylum seekers with new order, halt requests at 2,500 crossings and resume when below 1,500</a>

Meanwhile, others said that the president's grasp of policy details and demeanour differed by the day and he had to rely on notes frequently and sought help from aides during conferences.

“You couldn’t be there and not feel uncomfortable,” said one person, who claimed to have held talks with the president when critical negotiations were going on over providing Ukraine aid in January.

Meanwhile, others who attended the meeting recalled that Biden needed 10 minutes to start the meeting after entering the room and after he did, he had to resort to note cards to make obvious points on which people had already agreed. They added that the participants in the meeting were not able to clearly hear him.

“Much of the conversation didn’t include him,” stated the report, emphasising that the president also asked his staffers to answer some of the questions which were posed directly to him.&nbsp;

<h2>Biden's unawareness, rambling, card-help raises questions</h2>

When House Speaker and Louisiana Republican Mike Johnson raised his concern over the administration’s liquid natural gas export policy to the president - which he said he feared is benefiting Russia - the president seemed unaware of the policy.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;US: Biden to shut down Mexico border temporarily

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The policy was in effect, however, Biden claimed that it was "only a study". Johnson was "dismayed" by the exchange, as stated by individuals who were present there.

Biden also “rambled”, mumbled and at times failed to command the room&nbsp;when tense negotiations were going on about increasing the debt ceiling last May, said former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

“He always had cards,” McCarthy added, as he emphasised the US president's dependence on notes.&nbsp;

“He couldn’t negotiate another way. I used to meet with him when he was vice president. I’d go to his house. He’s not the same person,” he said.

McCarthy gave the task&nbsp;to the lawmakers to bring out the details of the debt ceiling plan from Biden.&nbsp;

He said that the talks with Biden were frustratingly “general",&nbsp;and the president would only express “optimism about working things out".

“He was going back to all the old stuff that had been done for a long time,” said McCarthy, while speaking to The Wall Street Journal.

(With inputs from agencies)

Some shocking details regarding United States President Joe Biden's cognitive decline have been revealed in a report published by The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday (June 4).

Some shocking details regarding United States President Joe Biden's cognitive decline have been revealed in a report published by The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday (June 4). The Journal interviewed nearly 45 Republican and Democratic lawmakers and staffers who spoke about noticing Biden’s apparent deterioration in cognitive fitness while interacting with the 81-year-old leader in recent months. The staffers and lawmakers said that the president has been seen speaking so softly in the meetings that it becomes difficult to understand what he is saying. Also Read: Biden to limit asylum seekers with new order, halt requests at 2,500 crossings and resume when below 1,500 Meanwhile, others said that the president's grasp of policy details and demeanour differed by the day and he had to rely on notes frequently and sought help from aides during conferences. “You couldn’t be there and not feel uncomfortable,” said one person, who claimed to have held talks with the president when critical negotiations were going on over providing Ukraine aid in January. Meanwhile, others who attended the meeting recalled that Biden needed 10 minutes to start the meeting after entering the room and after he did, he had to resort to note cards to make obvious points on which people had already agreed. They added that the participants in the meeting were not able to clearly hear him. “Much of the conversation didn’t include him,” stated the report, emphasising that the president also asked his staffers to answer some of the questions which were posed directly to him. Biden's unawareness, rambling, card-help raises questions When House Speaker and Louisiana Republican Mike Johnson raised his concern over the administration’s liquid natural gas export policy to the president - which he said he feared is benefiting Russia - the president seemed unaware of the policy. Watch: US: Biden to shut down Mexico border temporarily The policy was in effect, however, Biden claimed that it was "only a study". Johnson was "dismayed" by the exchange, as stated by individuals who were present there. Biden also “rambled”, mumbled and at times failed to command the room when tense negotiations were going on about increasing the debt ceiling last May, said former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. “He always had cards,” McCarthy added, as he emphasised the US president's dependence on notes. “He couldn’t negotiate another way. I used to meet with him when he was vice president. I’d go to his house. He’s not the same person,” he said. McCarthy gave the task to the lawmakers to bring out the details of the debt ceiling plan from Biden. He said that the talks with Biden were frustratingly “general", and the president would only express “optimism about working things out". “He was going back to all the old stuff that had been done for a long time,” said McCarthy, while speaking to The Wall Street Journal. (With inputs from agencies)

Biden staffers reveal president's declining cognitive fitness, say 'not the same person’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin&nbsp;Netanyahu's office on Tuesday denied American media reports that he will address the US Congress on June 13, amid mounting pressure to agree to a ceasefire with Hamas.

Netanyahu's office told Israeli media the date of his speech to Congress had "not been finalised", but it would not be on June 13 because it interferes with a Jewish holiday. The date had been reported by Punchbowl News and Politico.

Speculation about the visit comes with&nbsp;Netanyahu&nbsp;facing intense criticism over the civilian death toll in the war in Gaza, which has ratcheted tension with President Joe Biden's administration.

Biden on Friday presented what he labelled an Israeli three-phase plan that would end the conflict, free all hostages and lead to the reconstruction of the devastated Palestinian territory without Hamas in power.

Netanyahu's office stressed that the war sparked by the October 7 attack would continue until all of Israel's "goals are achieved," including the destruction of Hamas's military and governing capabilities.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/northern-israel-battles-fires-sparked-by-hezbollah-attacks-728508">Northern Israel battles fires sparked by Hezbollah attacks</a>

The four party leaders in the House and Senate asked&nbsp;Netanyahu&nbsp;last week to speak before a&nbsp;joint meeting of Congress in a letter voicing solidarity with Israel "in your struggle against terror, especially as Hamas continues to hold American and Israeli citizens captive."

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called in March for Israel to hold new elections in a rare example of strident criticism from a senior American official of the country's handling of the war in Gaza.

The rebuke from Schumer, the highest-ranking elected Jewish American in history, came amid expressions of dismay from the White House over the death toll in the conflict, sparked by the October 7 attacks by Hamas militants.

Progressives including Vermont senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who votes with the Democrats, have condemned&nbsp;Netanyahu&nbsp;over his handling of the military response and vowed to snub any speech in the United States by the right-wing leader.

"It is a very sad day for our country that Prime Minister Benjamin&nbsp;Netanyahu&nbsp;has been invited - by leaders from both parties - to address a joint meeting of the United States Congress," Sanders said in a weekend statement.

Watch:&nbsp;Israel war: Hezbollah launched rockets on Israel from Lebanon

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-war-hezbollah-launched-rockets-on-israel-from-lebanon-728567/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Israel, of course, had the right to defend itself against the horrific Hamas terrorist attack of&nbsp;October 7, but it did not, and does not, have the right to go to war against the entire Palestinian people," he added, calling&nbsp;Netanyahu&nbsp;a "war criminal".

The war broke out when Hamas militants attacked Israel, resulting in 1,194 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP count based on official figures.

More than 36,470 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the war broke out, according to data provided by the&nbsp;health&nbsp;ministry of&nbsp;Hamas-run Gaza.

According to the Israeli military, 294 soldiers have been killed in the military campaign since the start of the ground offensive on October 27. House Speaker Mike Johnson's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office on Tuesday denied American media reports that he will address the US Congress on June 13, amid mounting pressure to agree to a ceasefire with Hamas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office on Tuesday denied American media reports that he will address the US Congress on June 13, amid mounting pressure to agree to a ceasefire with Hamas. Netanyahu's office told Israeli media the date of his speech to Congress had "not been finalised", but it would not be on June 13 because it interferes with a Jewish holiday. The date had been reported by Punchbowl News and Politico. Speculation about the visit comes with Netanyahu facing intense criticism over the civilian death toll in the war in Gaza, which has ratcheted tension with President Joe Biden's administration. Biden on Friday presented what he labelled an Israeli three-phase plan that would end the conflict, free all hostages and lead to the reconstruction of the devastated Palestinian territory without Hamas in power. Netanyahu's office stressed that the war sparked by the October 7 attack would continue until all of Israel's "goals are achieved," including the destruction of Hamas's military and governing capabilities. Also Read: Northern Israel battles fires sparked by Hezbollah attacks The four party leaders in the House and Senate asked Netanyahu last week to speak before a joint meeting of Congress in a letter voicing solidarity with Israel "in your struggle against terror, especially as Hamas continues to hold American and Israeli citizens captive." Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called in March for Israel to hold new elections in a rare example of strident criticism from a senior American official of the country's handling of the war in Gaza. The rebuke from Schumer, the highest-ranking elected Jewish American in history, came amid expressions of dismay from the White House over the death toll in the conflict, sparked by the October 7 attacks by Hamas militants. Progressives including Vermont senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who votes with the Democrats, have condemned Netanyahu over his handling of the military response and vowed to snub any speech in the United States by the right-wing leader. "It is a very sad day for our country that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been invited - by leaders from both parties - to address a joint meeting of the United States Congress," Sanders said in a weekend statement. Watch: Israel war: Hezbollah launched rockets on Israel from Lebanon "Israel, of course, had the right to defend itself against the horrific Hamas terrorist attack of October 7, but it did not, and does not, have the right to go to war against the entire Palestinian people," he added, calling Netanyahu a "war criminal". The war broke out when Hamas militants attacked Israel, resulting in 1,194 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP count based on official figures. More than 36,470 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the war broke out, according to data provided by the health ministry of Hamas-run Gaza. According to the Israeli military, 294 soldiers have been killed in the military campaign since the start of the ground offensive on October 27. House Speaker Mike Johnson's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Israel denies Netanyahu to address US Congress over Jewish holiday

The United States government says that they had "every expectation" from Israel that it will accept a ceasefire proposal which will begin with a six-week halt of hostilities in Gaza if Hamas agrees to the deal, said National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.

US spokesperson Kirby made the remarks at a time when two far-right Israeli ministers threatened to topple Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government.

Last week, US President Joe Biden laid out the three-part ceasefire plan which will ensure a "surge" of humanitarian aid and will also enable the exchange of hostages and Palestinian prisoners before the war is brought to a permanent end.&nbsp;

However, the ceasefire proposal had to face vocal opposition from a few members of Israel's government.

In an interview on ABC News’s “This Week" on Sunday morning (June 2), Kirby said, “We have every expectation that if Hamas agrees to the proposal — as was transmitted to them, an Israeli proposal — that Israel would say ‘Yes'."

"We're waiting for an official response from Hamas," Kirby said and added the US believe that both sides will agree to start the first phase of the plan "as soon as possible".

He added that in the initial six-week pause in the war, the "two sides would sit down and try to negotiate what phase two could look like, and when that could begin".&nbsp;

Biden had earlier appealed to Hamas to accept the offer and the Israeli government to “stand behind it.”

He had said that the ceasefire plan would “bring all the hostages home, ensure Israel’s security, create a better day after in Gaza without Hamas in power, and set the stage for a political settlement that provides a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike.” Then, he said the ceasefire will become "the cessation of hostilities, permanently".&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Blinken discussed the proposed Gaza ceasefire plan with the top Israeli officials on Sunday (June 2), said the State Department.

As per the statement, Blinken held talks with both Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz. In the two calls, the US official "commended" Israel for the proposal, and said the onus was on Hamas to agree.

<h2>Israeli ministers threaten to topple Netanyahu's government</h2>

Two far-right Israeli ministers on Saturday (June 1) said that they would quit and topple the country's governing coalition if Netanyahu gave a nod to the deal.&nbsp;

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir clearly opposed finalising any deal before destroying Hamas.

Taking to social media, Smotrich said that he had “made it clear” to the prime minister that he would not “be part of a government that will agree to the proposed outline and end the war without destroying Hamas and returning all the hostages.”

Smotrich said that the fighting must continue till the “destruction of Hamas and the return of all the hostages,” as well as the “creation of a completely different security reality in Gaza and Lebanon.”

Meanwhile, National Security Minister Ben Gvir called the deal “reckless” and “a victory for terrorism".&nbsp;

“If the prime minister implements the reckless deal under the conditions published today, which mean the end of the war and the giving up on the elimination of Hamas, Otzma Yehudit will dissolve the government,” the minister said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

The United States government says that they had "every expectation" from Israel that it will accept a ceasefire proposal which will begin with a six-week halt of hostilities in Gaza if Hamas agrees to the deal, said National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.

The United States government says that they had "every expectation" from Israel that it will accept a ceasefire proposal which will begin with a six-week halt of hostilities in Gaza if Hamas agrees to the deal, said National Security Council spokesman John Kirby. US spokesperson Kirby made the remarks at a time when two far-right Israeli ministers threatened to topple Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government. Last week, US President Joe Biden laid out the three-part ceasefire plan which will ensure a "surge" of humanitarian aid and will also enable the exchange of hostages and Palestinian prisoners before the war is brought to a permanent end. However, the ceasefire proposal had to face vocal opposition from a few members of Israel's government. In an interview on ABC News’s “This Week" on Sunday morning (June 2), Kirby said, “We have every expectation that if Hamas agrees to the proposal — as was transmitted to them, an Israeli proposal — that Israel would say ‘Yes'." "We're waiting for an official response from Hamas," Kirby said and added the US believe that both sides will agree to start the first phase of the plan "as soon as possible". He added that in the initial six-week pause in the war, the "two sides would sit down and try to negotiate what phase two could look like, and when that could begin". Biden had earlier appealed to Hamas to accept the offer and the Israeli government to “stand behind it.” He had said that the ceasefire plan would “bring all the hostages home, ensure Israel’s security, create a better day after in Gaza without Hamas in power, and set the stage for a political settlement that provides a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike.” Then, he said the ceasefire will become "the cessation of hostilities, permanently". Meanwhile, Blinken discussed the proposed Gaza ceasefire plan with the top Israeli officials on Sunday (June 2), said the State Department. As per the statement, Blinken held talks with both Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz. In the two calls, the US official "commended" Israel for the proposal, and said the onus was on Hamas to agree. Israeli ministers threaten to topple Netanyahu's government Two far-right Israeli ministers on Saturday (June 1) said that they would quit and topple the country's governing coalition if Netanyahu gave a nod to the deal. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir clearly opposed finalising any deal before destroying Hamas. Taking to social media, Smotrich said that he had “made it clear” to the prime minister that he would not “be part of a government that will agree to the proposed outline and end the war without destroying Hamas and returning all the hostages.” Smotrich said that the fighting must continue till the “destruction of Hamas and the return of all the hostages,” as well as the “creation of a completely different security reality in Gaza and Lebanon.” Meanwhile, National Security Minister Ben Gvir called the deal “reckless” and “a victory for terrorism". “If the prime minister implements the reckless deal under the conditions published today, which mean the end of the war and the giving up on the elimination of Hamas, Otzma Yehudit will dissolve the government,” the minister said. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

US confident of Israel agreeing to ceasefire plan amid threats from Netanyahu's own ministers

A 23-year-old Indian student went missing in California, United States last week and now the public's help is being sought by the police to find her.&nbsp;

This is the another case of an Indian student missing in the United States, days after a string of such incidents which involve Indian-origin students have emerged.

According to the police, Nitheesha Kandula - who is a California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB) student - has been missing since May 28.&nbsp;

In a post shared on X on Sunday (June 2), CSUSB Chief of Police John Guttierez said that she was last spotted in Los Angeles and she was reported to be missing on May 30.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jails-and-bails-violence-and-heat-voting-ends-in-india-election-all-eyes-on-june-4-727881">Jail and bail, violence and heat: Voting ends in India election, all eyes on June 4</a>

"#MissingPersonAlert: California State University, San Bernardino Police along with our partners in #LAPD, is asking anyone with information on the whereabouts of @CSUSBNews Nitheesha Kandula, to contact us at: (909) 537-5165," stated the police.

According to the media reports, Kandhula was 5 feet 6 inches tall and nearly 160 pounds (72.5 kgs) in weight, said the police in a written statement. It added that she has black hair and black eyes.

It is most likely that the girl was driving a 2021 Toyota Corolla which had a California license plate, the colour of which is not known, as per the statement.

Appealing to people with information regarding her whereabouts to contact authorities, the police said, "Anyone with information is urged to contact the CSUSB Police Department at (909) 538-7777, or the LAPD's Southwest Division at (213) 485-2582."&nbsp;

<h2>Are Indian students not safe in the US?&nbsp;</h2>

Last month, another Indian student, identified as 26-year-old Rupesh Chandra Chintakind, went missing in Chicago.

In April, a 25-year-old Indian student, who was missing from March, was found dead in the United States city of Cleveland.

Watch:&nbsp;How is India's stock market reacting to exit polls predicting big win for Modi?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/how-is-indias-stock-market-reacting-to-exit-polls-predicting-big-win-for-modi-728258/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Mohammad Abdul Arfath, who belonged to Nacharam, Hyderabad, reached the US last year in May to pursue a Master in IT from Cleveland University.

Amarnath Ghosh, a 34-year-old trained classical dancer from India, was shot dead in March in St Louis, Missouri.

A 23-year-old Indian-American student Sameer Kamath at Purdue University was found lying dead in a nature preserve in Indiana on February 5.

On February 2, 41-year-old Indian-origin IT executive Vivek Taneja suffered life-threatening injuries amid an assault which took place outside a restaurant in Washington.

In January, a University of Illinois' 18-year-old student Akul Dhawan was found unresponsive outside a campus building.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A 23-year-old Indian student went missing in California, United States last week and now the public's help is being sought by the police to find her. This is the another case of an Indian student missing in the United States, days after a string of such incidents which involve Indian-origin students have emerged.

A 23-year-old Indian student went missing in California, United States last week and now the public's help is being sought by the police to find her. This is the another case of an Indian student missing in the United States, days after a string of such incidents which involve Indian-origin students have emerged. According to the police, Nitheesha Kandula - who is a California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB) student - has been missing since May 28. In a post shared on X on Sunday (June 2), CSUSB Chief of Police John Guttierez said that she was last spotted in Los Angeles and she was reported to be missing on May 30. Also Read: Jail and bail, violence and heat: Voting ends in India election, all eyes on June 4 "#MissingPersonAlert: California State University, San Bernardino Police along with our partners in #LAPD, is asking anyone with information on the whereabouts of @CSUSBNews Nitheesha Kandula, to contact us at: (909) 537-5165," stated the police. According to the media reports, Kandhula was 5 feet 6 inches tall and nearly 160 pounds (72.5 kgs) in weight, said the police in a written statement. It added that she has black hair and black eyes. It is most likely that the girl was driving a 2021 Toyota Corolla which had a California license plate, the colour of which is not known, as per the statement. Appealing to people with information regarding her whereabouts to contact authorities, the police said, "Anyone with information is urged to contact the CSUSB Police Department at (909) 538-7777, or the LAPD's Southwest Division at (213) 485-2582." Are Indian students not safe in the US? Last month, another Indian student, identified as 26-year-old Rupesh Chandra Chintakind, went missing in Chicago. In April, a 25-year-old Indian student, who was missing from March, was found dead in the United States city of Cleveland. Watch: How is India's stock market reacting to exit polls predicting big win for Modi? Mohammad Abdul Arfath, who belonged to Nacharam, Hyderabad, reached the US last year in May to pursue a Master in IT from Cleveland University. Amarnath Ghosh, a 34-year-old trained classical dancer from India, was shot dead in March in St Louis, Missouri. A 23-year-old Indian-American student Sameer Kamath at Purdue University was found lying dead in a nature preserve in Indiana on February 5. On February 2, 41-year-old Indian-origin IT executive Vivek Taneja suffered life-threatening injuries amid an assault which took place outside a restaurant in Washington. In January, a University of Illinois' 18-year-old student Akul Dhawan was found unresponsive outside a campus building. (With inputs from agencies)

Another Indian student mysteriously disappears in US, last seen in Los Angeles

China on Sunday (June 2) issued a warning stating that its armed forces were ready to "forcefully" stop Taiwan's independence, further calling for greater exchanges with the United States.&nbsp;

The remarks by Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun came after the very first substantive face-to-face talks with US&nbsp;defence chief&nbsp;in nearly 18 months at an annual security forum in Singapore.

"We have always been open to exchanges and cooperation, but this requires both sides to meet each other halfway," Dong told the Shangri-La Dialogue where he met with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday.&nbsp;

"We believe that we need more exchanges precisely because there are differences between our two militaries."

Dong and Austin held talks for over an hour at the luxury hotel that was hosting the forum.

Following the discussions, Austin said that telephonic conversations would resume between US and Chinese military commanders "in the coming months", while Beijing lauded the "stabilising" security relations between both countries.

This comes a week after China held military drills around self-ruled Taiwan and also warned to go into war with the island following the inauguration of President Lai Ching-te, who Beijing has described as a "dangerous separatist".

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-defence-secretary-says-ties-with-india-really-strong-based-on-common-vision-and-values-727819">US defence secretary says ties with India really strong, based on common vision and values</a>

"The Chinese People's Liberation Army has always been an indestructible and powerful force in defence of the unification of the motherland, and it will act resolutely and forcefully at all times to curb the independence of Taiwan and to ensure that it never succeeds in its attempts," Dong told the forum on Sunday.&nbsp;

"Whoever dares to split Taiwan from China will be crushed to pieces and suffer his own destruction."&nbsp;

Dong warned of "limits" to Beijing's restraint on the South China Sea, which China almost claims entirely and where it has almost exclusively been involved in confrontations with Philippine vessels.

"China has maintained sufficient restraint in the face of rights infringements and provocation, but there are limits to this," Dong said.

(With inputs from agencies)

China on Sunday (June 2) issued a warning stating that its armed forces were ready to "forcefully" stop Taiwan's independence, further calling for greater exchanges with the United States.

China on Sunday (June 2) issued a warning stating that its armed forces were ready to "forcefully" stop Taiwan's independence, further calling for greater exchanges with the United States. The remarks by Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun came after the very first substantive face-to-face talks with US defence chief in nearly 18 months at an annual security forum in Singapore. "We have always been open to exchanges and cooperation, but this requires both sides to meet each other halfway," Dong told the Shangri-La Dialogue where he met with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday. "We believe that we need more exchanges precisely because there are differences between our two militaries." Dong and Austin held talks for over an hour at the luxury hotel that was hosting the forum. Following the discussions, Austin said that telephonic conversations would resume between US and Chinese military commanders "in the coming months", while Beijing lauded the "stabilising" security relations between both countries. This comes a week after China held military drills around self-ruled Taiwan and also warned to go into war with the island following the inauguration of President Lai Ching-te, who Beijing has described as a "dangerous separatist". Also read: US defence secretary says ties with India really strong, based on common vision and values "The Chinese People's Liberation Army has always been an indestructible and powerful force in defence of the unification of the motherland, and it will act resolutely and forcefully at all times to curb the independence of Taiwan and to ensure that it never succeeds in its attempts," Dong told the forum on Sunday. "Whoever dares to split Taiwan from China will be crushed to pieces and suffer his own destruction." Dong warned of "limits" to Beijing's restraint on the South China Sea, which China almost claims entirely and where it has almost exclusively been involved in confrontations with Philippine vessels. "China has maintained sufficient restraint in the face of rights infringements and provocation, but there are limits to this," Dong said. (With inputs from agencies)

Chinese defence chief warns military ready to 'forcefully' stop Taiwan independence

Donald Trump, the former president, announced on Saturday night that he had joined TikTok in the wake of reports that the value of his Truth Social shares had dropped by $314 million.

On his verified account, @realDonaldTrump, Trump shared a video announcing his launch that showed him greeting spectators at the Ultimate Fighting Championship bout he watched on Saturday in Newark, New Jersey.

In the 13-second video, UFC President Dana White said, "The president is now on TikTok." "It's my honor," Trump replied. In around four hours, the video had received over 2.7 million views and over half a million likes.

Trump's decision to join TikTok was prompted by the Trump Media &amp; Technology Group Corp. (TMTG)'s share price plummeting on Friday following his conviction on Thursday for criminal offences. TMTG, the owner of the social media platform Truth Social, is led by the former president, who is also the company's majority shareholder.

He was found guilty of all 34 charges by a New York jury in connection with an unlawful conspiracy to sway the 2016 election by paying hush money to a porn star who claimed to have had sex with him.

Despite the controversies surrounding TikTok, the fact that Trump, the presumed Republican nominee, joined the platform a few months after President Joe Biden's campaign indicates that both camps see it as a potent messaging tool to reach voters before November's election.

President Joe Biden signed legislation in April requiring ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company to sell the app within a year or risk a ban in the United States.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/doomsday-triple-murder-case-chad-daybell-sentenced-to-death-for-murder-of-wife-and-girlfriends-2-children-728041">‘Doomsday’ triple-murder case: Chad Daybell sentenced to death for murder of wife and girlfriend’s 2 children</a>

Those attempting to ban TikTok claim that its ownership by ByteDance provides Beijing serious influence over what Americans watch and may give it access to U.S. user data. ByteDance has made it clear time and time again that the Chinese government does not own or control the company.

When he was president, Trump attempted to ban TikTok by an executive order due to national security concerns, but he has since said that he is against the idea. "Just so everyone knows, especially the young people, Crooked Joe Biden is responsible for banning TikTok," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform in April.

"He is the one pushing it to close, and doing it to help his friends over at Facebook become richer and more dominant, and able to continue to fight, perhaps illegally, the Republican Party," he added. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Donald Trump, the former president, announced on Saturday night that he had joined TikTok in the wake of reports that the value of his Truth Social shares had dropped by $314 million.

Donald Trump, the former president, announced on Saturday night that he had joined TikTok in the wake of reports that the value of his Truth Social shares had dropped by $314 million. On his verified account, @realDonaldTrump, Trump shared a video announcing his launch that showed him greeting spectators at the Ultimate Fighting Championship bout he watched on Saturday in Newark, New Jersey. In the 13-second video, UFC President Dana White said, "The president is now on TikTok." "It's my honor," Trump replied. In around four hours, the video had received over 2.7 million views and over half a million likes. Trump's decision to join TikTok was prompted by the Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. (TMTG)'s share price plummeting on Friday following his conviction on Thursday for criminal offences. TMTG, the owner of the social media platform Truth Social, is led by the former president, who is also the company's majority shareholder. He was found guilty of all 34 charges by a New York jury in connection with an unlawful conspiracy to sway the 2016 election by paying hush money to a porn star who claimed to have had sex with him. Despite the controversies surrounding TikTok, the fact that Trump, the presumed Republican nominee, joined the platform a few months after President Joe Biden's campaign indicates that both camps see it as a potent messaging tool to reach voters before November's election. President Joe Biden signed legislation in April requiring ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company to sell the app within a year or risk a ban in the United States. Also read: ‘Doomsday’ triple-murder case: Chad Daybell sentenced to death for murder of wife and girlfriend’s 2 children Those attempting to ban TikTok claim that its ownership by ByteDance provides Beijing serious influence over what Americans watch and may give it access to U.S. user data. ByteDance has made it clear time and time again that the Chinese government does not own or control the company. When he was president, Trump attempted to ban TikTok by an executive order due to national security concerns, but he has since said that he is against the idea. "Just so everyone knows, especially the young people, Crooked Joe Biden is responsible for banning TikTok," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform in April. "He is the one pushing it to close, and doing it to help his friends over at Facebook become richer and more dominant, and able to continue to fight, perhaps illegally, the Republican Party," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump joins TikTok amid Truth Social stock drop, garnering millions of followers in hours

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an open letter extended his support to anti-Israel protesters&nbsp;on US college campuses on Wednesday (May 29) and said that they are “on the right side of history.”

“Dear university students in the United States of America, you are standing on the right side of history,” wrote the 85-year-old radical cleric on X.&nbsp;

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Dear university students in the United States of America, this message is an expression of our empathy &amp; solidarity with you.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) <a href="https://twitter.com/khamenei_ir/status/1795957466267607463?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2024</a></blockquote>
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“You have now formed a branch of the Resistance Front and have begun an honourable struggle in the face of your government’s ruthless pressure – which openly supports Zionists,” the Iranian supreme leader added.&nbsp;

<h2>Khamenei asks students to get 'familiar with the Quran'</h2>

Khamenei, who is the Islamic Republic of Iran's highest-ranking political and religious authority, appreciated the “support &amp; solidarity” which was extended by some “professors” to the student protesters and called it a “consequential development” for the anti-Israel movement.&nbsp;

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Dear university students in the US, my advice to you is to become familiar with the Quran.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) <a href="https://twitter.com/khamenei_ir/status/1795986759626404223?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2024</a></blockquote>
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“I too empathise with you young people, and value your perseverance,” Khamenei wrote.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-student-protests-biden-calls-for-order-says-no-place-for-antisemitism-on-any-campus-717473">US student protests: Biden calls for 'order', says 'no place' for antisemitism on any campus</a>

The Iranian leader further offered some “advice” to the student protesters.&nbsp;“Dear university students in the US, my advice to you is to become familiar with the Quran,” wrote Khamenei.

Khamenei&nbsp;had earlier slammed the US government and its allies for not taking stern steps against Israel and said that the response of the US government is “more hypocritical than real”.

“The U.S. govt and its allies refused to even frown upon this state terrorism and ongoing oppression. Today, some remarks by the US govt regarding the horrific crimes taking place in Gaza are more hypocritical than real. #Rafah,” he wrote on X.

<h2>US reacts to Khamenei's open letter</h2>

A profile named "End of Wokeness", reacting to Khamenei's open letter, wrote: “Imagine telling someone 10 years ago that the Iranian Supreme Leader would be thanking a bunch of blue-haired atheists at Columbia.”

Meanwhile, Republican Brian Mast wrote, “If the Ayatollah of Iran is praising you, you are definitely on the wrong side of history.”

Watch:&nbsp;Israel-Hamas war: Student protests surpass US boundaries, calls grow in campuses for Gaza ceasefire

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The police in the United States have arrested more than 1,000 college students since mid-April for participating in&nbsp;anti-Israel protests which spread to more than 25 campuses in the United States - from Columbia University in New York to the University of California, Los Angeles.

Many encampments were seen at Ivy League and state school demonstrations after the first “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” started at Columbia University last month.

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

(With inputs from agencies)

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an open letter extended his support to anti-Israel protesters on US college campuses on Wednesday (May 29) and said that they are “on the right side of history.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an open letter extended his support to anti-Israel protesters on US college campuses on Wednesday (May 29) and said that they are “on the right side of history.” “Dear university students in the United States of America, you are standing on the right side of history,” wrote the 85-year-old radical cleric on X. Dear university students in the United States of America, this message is an expression of our empathy & solidarity with you. — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) May 29, 2024 × “You have now formed a branch of the Resistance Front and have begun an honourable struggle in the face of your government’s ruthless pressure – which openly supports Zionists,” the Iranian supreme leader added. Khamenei asks students to get 'familiar with the Quran' Khamenei, who is the Islamic Republic of Iran's highest-ranking political and religious authority, appreciated the “support & solidarity” which was extended by some “professors” to the student protesters and called it a “consequential development” for the anti-Israel movement. Dear university students in the US, my advice to you is to become familiar with the Quran. — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) May 30, 2024 × “I too empathise with you young people, and value your perseverance,” Khamenei wrote. Also Read: US student protests: Biden calls for 'order', says 'no place' for antisemitism on any campus The Iranian leader further offered some “advice” to the student protesters. “Dear university students in the US, my advice to you is to become familiar with the Quran,” wrote Khamenei. Khamenei had earlier slammed the US government and its allies for not taking stern steps against Israel and said that the response of the US government is “more hypocritical than real”. “The U.S. govt and its allies refused to even frown upon this state terrorism and ongoing oppression. Today, some remarks by the US govt regarding the horrific crimes taking place in Gaza are more hypocritical than real. #Rafah,” he wrote on X. US reacts to Khamenei's open letter A profile named "End of Wokeness", reacting to Khamenei's open letter, wrote: “Imagine telling someone 10 years ago that the Iranian Supreme Leader would be thanking a bunch of blue-haired atheists at Columbia.” Meanwhile, Republican Brian Mast wrote, “If the Ayatollah of Iran is praising you, you are definitely on the wrong side of history.” Watch: Israel-Hamas war: Student protests surpass US boundaries, calls grow in campuses for Gaza ceasefire The police in the United States have arrested more than 1,000 college students since mid-April for participating in anti-Israel protests which spread to more than 25 campuses in the United States - from Columbia University in New York to the University of California, Los Angeles. Many encampments were seen at Ivy League and state school demonstrations after the first “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” started at Columbia University last month. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran's Khamenei says anti-Israel US campus protesters are 'on right side of history'

In an electrifying moment, two iconic skyscrapers were struck by lightning as&nbsp;thunderstorms pounded on Manhattan in the United States.&nbsp;

The split-second moments were captured in dramatic photos as lightning bolts travelled into both the One World Trade Center and the Empire State Building.

In the unreal images, glowing white bolts were seen crackling across the dark night sky and eventually hit the tip of the antennas atop the two buildings in a zig-zag pattern.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/a-first-class-experience-us-based-airline-launches-dog-friendly-flights-724605">A first class experience: US-based airline launches dog-friendly flights</a>

Taking to X, the Empire State Building posted one photo&nbsp;of the electric current hitting the building, which was lit up in red, and added a caption that read “OUCH.”

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One World Trade Center getting zapped by a big bolt of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/lightning?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#lightning</a> during a night storm passing through!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/storm?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#storm</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/_WTCOfficial?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_WTCOfficial</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NYC</a> <a href="https://t.co/7RGhGAOSEm">pic.twitter.com/7RGhGAOSEm</a>
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As per the Empire State Building’s website, the antenna gets struck by lightning 25 times every year on average.

As reported by Fox Weather, a lightning bolt struck One World Trade Centre during a thunderstorm last Thursday morning. In this storm, one person had suffered an injury when lightning struck the Manhattan building, reported the outlet.

<h2>Antennas of buildings absorb the shock of lightning bolt&nbsp;</h2>

The antennas or lightning rods of the buildings have been designed to absorb the shock of a lightning bolt to ensure that the people inside the building are safe from electrocution.

Watch:&nbsp;Gigantic sunspot wide enough to fill 15 worlds becomes visible

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In contradiction to popular belief, lightning strikes are not attracted by the rods. The rods have been placed to protect the buildings.

The lightning will often hit the tallest thing such as skyscrapers. The rain and thunderstorm on Wednesday (May 29) came after a day of sunshine and warm temperatures.

The National Weather Service had predicted half an inch of rainfall in the city.

(With inputs from agencies)

In an electrifying moment, two iconic skyscrapers were struck by lightning as thunderstorms pounded on Manhattan in the United States. The split-second moments were captured in dramatic photos as lightning bolts travelled into both the One World Trade Center and the Empire State Building.

In an electrifying moment, two iconic skyscrapers were struck by lightning as thunderstorms pounded on Manhattan in the United States. The split-second moments were captured in dramatic photos as lightning bolts travelled into both the One World Trade Center and the Empire State Building. In the unreal images, glowing white bolts were seen crackling across the dark night sky and eventually hit the tip of the antennas atop the two buildings in a zig-zag pattern. Also Read: A first class experience: US-based airline launches dog-friendly flights Taking to X, the Empire State Building posted one photo of the electric current hitting the building, which was lit up in red, and added a caption that read “OUCH.” One World Trade Center getting zapped by a big bolt of #lightning during a night storm passing through!! #storm @_WTCOfficial #NYC pic.twitter.com/7RGhGAOSEm — Ham from BK (@Ham_BklynWx) May 30, 2024 × As per the Empire State Building’s website, the antenna gets struck by lightning 25 times every year on average. As reported by Fox Weather, a lightning bolt struck One World Trade Centre during a thunderstorm last Thursday morning. In this storm, one person had suffered an injury when lightning struck the Manhattan building, reported the outlet. Antennas of buildings absorb the shock of lightning bolt The antennas or lightning rods of the buildings have been designed to absorb the shock of a lightning bolt to ensure that the people inside the building are safe from electrocution. Watch: Gigantic sunspot wide enough to fill 15 worlds becomes visible In contradiction to popular belief, lightning strikes are not attracted by the rods. The rods have been placed to protect the buildings. The lightning will often hit the tallest thing such as skyscrapers. The rain and thunderstorm on Wednesday (May 29) came after a day of sunshine and warm temperatures. The National Weather Service had predicted half an inch of rainfall in the city. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Lightning strikes iconic skyscrapers in US. Here's what happens

More than four million chickens will be culled by the farmers in Iowa, United States as the country battles&nbsp;one of the worst bird flu outbreaks in its history.

A case of highly pathogenic and deadly bird flu has been detected at a large egg farm among egg-laying chicken flock in Iowa and has affected 4.2 million birds, announced the state on Tuesday (May 28).

This is the biggest bird flu outbreak reported in the United States since 2022. This is the first time such an outbreak has been detected in Iowa in December.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/raw-milk-contaminated-with-bird-flu-virus-damaging-multiple-organs-of-mice-study-725263">Raw milk contaminated with bird-flu virus damaging multiple organs of mice: study</a>

Iowa is the biggest producer of eggs in the United States as it has almost 12 per cent of the country’s layer hens in its farms, as per the US Department of Agriculture data.&nbsp;

The findings were made at a time when dairy cows have been infected by the virus across the country.

<h2>Slaughtering of chickens only resort to combat flu</h2>

The farmers are now in the process of slaughtering 4.2 million chickens after the detection of the disease at a farm in Sioux County, Iowa.&nbsp;

The virus was last week found at an egg farm west of Minneapolis, Minnesota which led to the culling of nearly 1.4 million chickens.

Till now, nearly 92.34 million birds have been slaughtered after the&nbsp;outbreak&nbsp;started in 2022, as per the US Department of Agriculture.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, in a statement, confirmed that the site is in Sioux County on Tuesday (May 28).

Watch:&nbsp;Bird Flu: US officials report second human case of H5N1 infection

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This is the worst outbreak since the virus first affected more than 5 million birds at a farm in Iowa’s Osceola County in March 2022 when the virus first started to spread in the United States.&nbsp;

The virus has entered the dairy as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said they had found fragments of the&nbsp;bird flu virus in a few samples of&nbsp;pasteurised&nbsp;milk in the United States.&nbsp;

The US Department of Agriculture had also found bird flu&nbsp;in beef for the first time.

However, the officials said that a single sickened dairy&nbsp;cow's&nbsp;meat did not have permission to enter the&nbsp;food supply of the country&nbsp;and hence, beef was safe to eat.

(With inputs from agencies)

More than four million chickens will be culled by the farmers in Iowa, United States as the country battles one of the worst bird flu outbreaks in its history. A case of highly pathogenic and deadly bird flu has been detected at a large egg farm among egg-laying chicken flock in Iowa and has affected 4.

More than four million chickens will be culled by the farmers in Iowa, United States as the country battles one of the worst bird flu outbreaks in its history. A case of highly pathogenic and deadly bird flu has been detected at a large egg farm among egg-laying chicken flock in Iowa and has affected 4.2 million birds, announced the state on Tuesday (May 28). This is the biggest bird flu outbreak reported in the United States since 2022. This is the first time such an outbreak has been detected in Iowa in December. Also Read: Raw milk contaminated with bird-flu virus damaging multiple organs of mice: study Iowa is the biggest producer of eggs in the United States as it has almost 12 per cent of the country’s layer hens in its farms, as per the US Department of Agriculture data. The findings were made at a time when dairy cows have been infected by the virus across the country. Slaughtering of chickens only resort to combat flu The farmers are now in the process of slaughtering 4.2 million chickens after the detection of the disease at a farm in Sioux County, Iowa. The virus was last week found at an egg farm west of Minneapolis, Minnesota which led to the culling of nearly 1.4 million chickens. Till now, nearly 92.34 million birds have been slaughtered after the outbreak started in 2022, as per the US Department of Agriculture. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, in a statement, confirmed that the site is in Sioux County on Tuesday (May 28). Watch: Bird Flu: US officials report second human case of H5N1 infection This is the worst outbreak since the virus first affected more than 5 million birds at a farm in Iowa’s Osceola County in March 2022 when the virus first started to spread in the United States. The virus has entered the dairy as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said they had found fragments of the bird flu virus in a few samples of pasteurised milk in the United States. The US Department of Agriculture had also found bird flu in beef for the first time. However, the officials said that a single sickened dairy cow's meat did not have permission to enter the food supply of the country and hence, beef was safe to eat. (With inputs from agencies)

More than four million chickens set to be culled as United States battles worst bird flu outbreak

The United States&nbsp;Supreme Court gave a boost on Thursday to the National Rifle Association in its free speech dispute with a New York state official it accused of coercing banks and insurers to avoid doing business with the influential gun rights advocacy group.

The justices, in a 9-0 decision authored by liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor, threw out a lower court's ruling that dismissed the NRA's 2018 lawsuit against Maria Vullo, a former superintendent of New York's Department of Financial Services. The NRA has claimed that Vullo unlawfully retaliated against it following a mass shooting in which 17 people were killed at a high school in Parkland, Florida.

At issue in the dispute is whether Vullo had wielded her regulatory power to coerce New York financial institutions into cutting ties with the NRA in violation of protections under the US&nbsp;Constitution's First Amendment against government restrictions on free speech.

"Ultimately, the critical takeaway is that the First Amendment prohibits government officials from wielding their power selectively to punish or suppress speech, directly or, as alleged here, through private intermediaries," Sotomayor wrote.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/biden-claims-xenophobia-stalling-economic-growth-in-india-china-japan-717243">Biden claims 'xenophobia' stalling economic growth in India, China, Japan</a>

The case will now return to the lower courts for further analysis of the NRA's allegations under the standard articulated in the Supreme Court's ruling.

Vullo called upon banks and insurers to consider the "reputational risks" of doing business with gun rights groups following the February 2018 Parkland shootings. In the aftermath of the Parkland rampage by a 19-year-old former student armed with an AR-15 rifle, NRA officials lashed out at gun control advocates, arguing that Democratic elites were politicizing the shootings to erode gun rights.

Vullo later fined Lloyd's of London and two other insurers more than $13 million for offering an NRA-endorsed product called "Carry Guard" that Vullo's office found was in violation of New York insurance law. The product provided liability coverage for policyholders who caused injuries from gunfire, even in cases involving the wrongful use of a firearm.

The insurers agreed to stop selling NRA-endorsed products that New York considered illegal.

<h2>'Implicit&nbsp;censorship regime'</h2>

The NRA's lawsuit, seeking unspecified monetary damages, accused Vullo of unlawfully retaliating against the group for its constitutionally protected gun rights advocacy by targeting it with an "implicit censorship regime." Its suit alleged that New York's "blacklisting" campaign sought to deprive the NRA of basic financial services and threatened its advocacy work.

The case did not involve the Constitution's Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.

The Supreme Court heard arguments in the case in March.

The NRA is the largest and most powerful gun rights organization in the United States and has been instrumental in thwarting Democratic-backed gun restrictions in the U.S. Congress. The nonprofit group is organized under the laws of New York state, with its main offices in Virginia.

Watch:&nbsp;US set to lift 2021 ban on offensive weapons sales to Saudi Arabia

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A federal judge in 2021 dismissed all of the NRA's claims apart from two free speech counts against Vullo. The Manhattan-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2022 said those also should have been dismissed, prompting the NRA's Supreme Court appeal.

The NRA found an unlikely ally in the case in President Joe Biden's administration. Even though Biden has called gun violence a national embarrassment, his administration had urged the justices to let the NRA pursue its lawsuit.

The administration argued that a lower court should determine whether Vullo's actions crossed the line between permissible criticism of the NRA and coercion aimed at suppressing a disfavored viewpoint in violation of the First Amendment protections.

The case was the latest to come before the Supreme Court involving the NRA, a group closely aligned with Republicans that has opposed gun control measures and backed pivotal lawsuits that have widened U.S. gun rights.

Americans remain deeply divided over how to address firearms violence including frequent mass shootings even as the Supreme Court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, has taken an expansive view of gun rights.

Vullo was sued in both her official and personal capacities. But the 2nd Circuit found that Vullo would be protected from suit under the legal defense of qualified immunity that shields officials from civil litigation in certain circumstances.

The Supreme Court by the end of June is expected to issue rulings in two gun rights cases. One involves a challenge to the legality of a federal ban on "bump stock" devices that enable semiautomatic weapons to fire rapidly like machine guns. The other involves a challenge to the legality of a federal law that makes it a crime for people under domestic violence restraining orders to have guns.

The United States Supreme Court gave a boost on Thursday to the National Rifle Association in its free speech dispute with a New York state official it accused of coercing banks and insurers to avoid doing business with the influential gun rights advocacy group.

The United States Supreme Court gave a boost on Thursday to the National Rifle Association in its free speech dispute with a New York state official it accused of coercing banks and insurers to avoid doing business with the influential gun rights advocacy group. The justices, in a 9-0 decision authored by liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor, threw out a lower court's ruling that dismissed the NRA's 2018 lawsuit against Maria Vullo, a former superintendent of New York's Department of Financial Services. The NRA has claimed that Vullo unlawfully retaliated against it following a mass shooting in which 17 people were killed at a high school in Parkland, Florida. At issue in the dispute is whether Vullo had wielded her regulatory power to coerce New York financial institutions into cutting ties with the NRA in violation of protections under the US Constitution's First Amendment against government restrictions on free speech. "Ultimately, the critical takeaway is that the First Amendment prohibits government officials from wielding their power selectively to punish or suppress speech, directly or, as alleged here, through private intermediaries," Sotomayor wrote. Also Read: Biden claims 'xenophobia' stalling economic growth in India, China, Japan The case will now return to the lower courts for further analysis of the NRA's allegations under the standard articulated in the Supreme Court's ruling. Vullo called upon banks and insurers to consider the "reputational risks" of doing business with gun rights groups following the February 2018 Parkland shootings. In the aftermath of the Parkland rampage by a 19-year-old former student armed with an AR-15 rifle, NRA officials lashed out at gun control advocates, arguing that Democratic elites were politicizing the shootings to erode gun rights. Vullo later fined Lloyd's of London and two other insurers more than $13 million for offering an NRA-endorsed product called "Carry Guard" that Vullo's office found was in violation of New York insurance law. The product provided liability coverage for policyholders who caused injuries from gunfire, even in cases involving the wrongful use of a firearm. The insurers agreed to stop selling NRA-endorsed products that New York considered illegal. 'Implicit censorship regime' The NRA's lawsuit, seeking unspecified monetary damages, accused Vullo of unlawfully retaliating against the group for its constitutionally protected gun rights advocacy by targeting it with an "implicit censorship regime." Its suit alleged that New York's "blacklisting" campaign sought to deprive the NRA of basic financial services and threatened its advocacy work. The case did not involve the Constitution's Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. The Supreme Court heard arguments in the case in March. The NRA is the largest and most powerful gun rights organization in the United States and has been instrumental in thwarting Democratic-backed gun restrictions in the U.S. Congress. The nonprofit group is organized under the laws of New York state, with its main offices in Virginia. Watch: US set to lift 2021 ban on offensive weapons sales to Saudi Arabia A federal judge in 2021 dismissed all of the NRA's claims apart from two free speech counts against Vullo. The Manhattan-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2022 said those also should have been dismissed, prompting the NRA's Supreme Court appeal. The NRA found an unlikely ally in the case in President Joe Biden's administration. Even though Biden has called gun violence a national embarrassment, his administration had urged the justices to let the NRA pursue its lawsuit. The administration argued that a lower court should determine whether Vullo's actions crossed the line between permissible criticism of the NRA and coercion aimed at suppressing a disfavored viewpoint in violation of the First Amendment protections. The case was the latest to come before the Supreme Court involving the NRA, a group closely aligned with Republicans that has opposed gun control measures and backed pivotal lawsuits that have widened U.S. gun rights. Americans remain deeply divided over how to address firearms violence including frequent mass shootings even as the Supreme Court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, has taken an expansive view of gun rights. Vullo was sued in both her official and personal capacities. But the 2nd Circuit found that Vullo would be protected from suit under the legal defense of qualified immunity that shields officials from civil litigation in certain circumstances. The Supreme Court by the end of June is expected to issue rulings in two gun rights cases. One involves a challenge to the legality of a federal ban on "bump stock" devices that enable semiautomatic weapons to fire rapidly like machine guns. The other involves a challenge to the legality of a federal law that makes it a crime for people under domestic violence restraining orders to have guns.

US Supreme Court boosts NRA in free speech fight with New York official

When Kenya's President William Ruto touched down in Washington DC, a shiny red carpet welcomed him on the tarmac alongside cordons of the American troops standing in attention.

A special emissary greeted his plane: the first lady Jill Biden.&nbsp;

Moving forward, the US President Joe Biden named Kenya as a "major non-NATO ally", the first in sub-Saharan Africa, and hosted a lavish state dinner on the White House South Lawn.&nbsp;

"This is a powerful symbol of the close relationship our two countries share, and we welcome the increased cooperation on security and mutual priorities this action signals," a White House joint statement said.&nbsp;

But in Biden's extraordinary courting of Ruto, there is a lingering competition for influence with China.&nbsp;

Kenya is China's key partner in Xi Jinping's flagship Belt and Road Initiative. A 50-kilometre highway between capital Nairobi and Thika, Mombassa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway funded with billions in loans from Chinese state banks.

<h2>What does Kenya's non-NATO ally status mean?</h2>

Washington DC under Biden administration is betting big on its military partnership with Kenya. The current administration is hoping that Nairobi can help turn the tide on the White House’s struggling Africa policy and solve conflicts on the continent.

But Kenya’s promotion to a major non-NATO ally is not as big a deal as it sounds, according to the former US officials who worked on Africa and NATO policy.

Also watch |&nbsp;60 years of Kenya-US diplomatic ties, Biden designates Kenya as an 'important non-NATO ally'

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It "doesn’t mean much", former US Ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker told NatSec Daily.

It simply shows that the US values Kenya but it does not give Nairobi the same privileges afforded to NATO allies and members of the Five Eyes alliance.

From 2000 to 2022, Beijing lent $6.7 billion to Kenya to fund the development initiatives, according to Boston University’s Chinese Loans to Africa database. Kenya’s debt is projected to reach a level of 74 per cent of its economic output, with the country paying an increasing share of government revenue on rising interest costs.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/with-visa-free-travel-indians-can-now-tick-kenyas-maasai-mara-off-their-travel-list-670149">With 'visa-free' travel, Indians can now add Kenya's Maasai Mara to their bucket list</a>

"Too many nations are forced to make a choice between development and debt, between investing in their people and paying back their creditors," Biden said during a joint press conference with Ruto.

(With inputs from agencies)

When Kenya's President William Ruto touched down in Washington DC, a shiny red carpet welcomed him on the tarmac alongside cordons of the American troops standing in attention.

When Kenya's President William Ruto touched down in Washington DC, a shiny red carpet welcomed him on the tarmac alongside cordons of the American troops standing in attention. A special emissary greeted his plane: the first lady Jill Biden. Moving forward, the US President Joe Biden named Kenya as a "major non-NATO ally", the first in sub-Saharan Africa, and hosted a lavish state dinner on the White House South Lawn. "This is a powerful symbol of the close relationship our two countries share, and we welcome the increased cooperation on security and mutual priorities this action signals," a White House joint statement said. But in Biden's extraordinary courting of Ruto, there is a lingering competition for influence with China. Kenya is China's key partner in Xi Jinping's flagship Belt and Road Initiative. A 50-kilometre highway between capital Nairobi and Thika, Mombassa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway funded with billions in loans from Chinese state banks. What does Kenya's non-NATO ally status mean? Washington DC under Biden administration is betting big on its military partnership with Kenya. The current administration is hoping that Nairobi can help turn the tide on the White House’s struggling Africa policy and solve conflicts on the continent. But Kenya’s promotion to a major non-NATO ally is not as big a deal as it sounds, according to the former US officials who worked on Africa and NATO policy. Also watch | 60 years of Kenya-US diplomatic ties, Biden designates Kenya as an 'important non-NATO ally' × It "doesn’t mean much", former US Ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker told NatSec Daily. It simply shows that the US values Kenya but it does not give Nairobi the same privileges afforded to NATO allies and members of the Five Eyes alliance. From 2000 to 2022, Beijing lent $6.7 billion to Kenya to fund the development initiatives, according to Boston University’s Chinese Loans to Africa database. Kenya’s debt is projected to reach a level of 74 per cent of its economic output, with the country paying an increasing share of government revenue on rising interest costs. Also read | With 'visa-free' travel, Indians can now add Kenya's Maasai Mara to their bucket list "Too many nations are forced to make a choice between development and debt, between investing in their people and paying back their creditors," Biden said during a joint press conference with Ruto. (With inputs from agencies)

Kenya is now 'major non-NATO ally' of the US. Here's what it means

The cargo ship, which was blocking one of the busiest ports in the United States, was finally on the move on Monday (May 20) nearly two months after it struck and brought down the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore.&nbsp;

The massive cargo tanker that obstructed transportation in the Port of Baltimore was refloated by the recovery teams marking it a significant step towards reopening the crucial shipping canal. The complex operation helped the authorities to move the roughly 1,000-foot (300-metre) Dali cargo vessel to a maritime terminal.&nbsp;

The US Army Corps of Engineers said on social media platform X that tugboats were leading Dali to a local marine terminal after a successful effort to make the container ship buoyant at about 6:40 am EDT (1040 GMT).&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/american-academy-of-pediatrics-reverses-long-standing-ban-on-breastfeeding-for-mothers-with-hiv-723560">American Academy of Pediatrics reverses long-standing ban on breastfeeding for mothers with HIV</a>&nbsp;

On March 26, the Singapore-flagged ship lost power before it struck a support column of the bridge and caused it to collapse into the Patapsco River. The accident killed six construction workers who had been atop the major transit route.&nbsp;

The demolition experts last week used explosives to remove parts of the collapsed steel bridge trapping the Dali, which still has its 21-man crew onboard.&nbsp;

Now, divers will first inspect the ship to ensure there are no obstructions. Salvagers would next take out up to 4.7 million litres of water that had been put into the Dali to stabilise it as ballast before releasing its anchors and mooring lines.&nbsp;

Maryland Governor Wes Moore told NBC News on Sunday he was "proud that we're on track and by the end of May we'll have that federal channel reopened."&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/american-academy-of-pediatrics-reverses-long-standing-ban-on-breastfeeding-for-mothers-with-hiv-723560">American Academy of Pediatrics reverses long-standing ban on breastfeeding for mothers with HIV</a>&nbsp;

<h2>Probe into the accident&nbsp;</h2>

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) launched a criminal probe into the incident in April. The agents even boarded the Dali as part of the investigation.&nbsp;

In a preliminary report last week, federal investigators said that the Dali had lost electrical power several times before crashing into the bridge as it was leaving the port.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Sean 'Diddy' Combs' issues apology after a video goes viral&nbsp;

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The National Transportation Safety Board, which is also investigating, said on Tuesday the ship had two electricity blackouts in the moments before the disaster.

It also said the crew had been tested multiple times, before and after the disaster, for drugs and alcohol, and that none had showed.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The cargo ship, which was blocking one of the busiest ports in the United States, was finally on the move on Monday (May 20) nearly two months after it struck and brought down the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore.

The cargo ship, which was blocking one of the busiest ports in the United States, was finally on the move on Monday (May 20) nearly two months after it struck and brought down the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore. The massive cargo tanker that obstructed transportation in the Port of Baltimore was refloated by the recovery teams marking it a significant step towards reopening the crucial shipping canal. The complex operation helped the authorities to move the roughly 1,000-foot (300-metre) Dali cargo vessel to a maritime terminal. The US Army Corps of Engineers said on social media platform X that tugboats were leading Dali to a local marine terminal after a successful effort to make the container ship buoyant at about 6:40 am EDT (1040 GMT). Also read: American Academy of Pediatrics reverses long-standing ban on breastfeeding for mothers with HIV On March 26, the Singapore-flagged ship lost power before it struck a support column of the bridge and caused it to collapse into the Patapsco River. The accident killed six construction workers who had been atop the major transit route. The demolition experts last week used explosives to remove parts of the collapsed steel bridge trapping the Dali, which still has its 21-man crew onboard. Now, divers will first inspect the ship to ensure there are no obstructions. Salvagers would next take out up to 4.7 million litres of water that had been put into the Dali to stabilise it as ballast before releasing its anchors and mooring lines. Maryland Governor Wes Moore told NBC News on Sunday he was "proud that we're on track and by the end of May we'll have that federal channel reopened." Also read: American Academy of Pediatrics reverses long-standing ban on breastfeeding for mothers with HIV Probe into the accident Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) launched a criminal probe into the incident in April. The agents even boarded the Dali as part of the investigation. In a preliminary report last week, federal investigators said that the Dali had lost electrical power several times before crashing into the bridge as it was leaving the port. Watch: Sean 'Diddy' Combs' issues apology after a video goes viral × The National Transportation Safety Board, which is also investigating, said on Tuesday the ship had two electricity blackouts in the moments before the disaster. It also said the crew had been tested multiple times, before and after the disaster, for drugs and alcohol, and that none had showed. (With inputs from agencies)

Cargo ship Dali that struck Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge finally moves towards port

United States President Joe Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan appealed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to link the ongoing Gaza war with a "political strategy" for the future of the territory.

United States President Joe Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan appealed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to link the ongoing Gaza war with a "political strategy" for the future of the territory. Sullivan also discussed the "potential" of reaching a normalisation deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia after talks were held in the region, said the White House on Sunday (May 19). During the weekend, Sullivan held talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Dharan on Saturday (May 18) before he went to Israel to hold talks with Netanyahu as well as other key officials. Also Read: Israeli minister says Hezbollah must be dealt with military action if needed "Mr Sullivan briefed Prime Minister Netanyahu and his team on these meetings and the potential that may now be available for Israel, as well as the Palestinian people," said the White House. Sullivan discusses 'semi-final' version of key deal with Saudi's Prince Mohammed Earlier on Sunday (May 19), Saudi state media reported that Sullivan and the country's de facto ruler Prince Mohammed discussed a "semi-final" version of a deal which is likely to increase the security ties between the two nations. That deal is seen as a major part of the efforts made by Washington to bring Riyadh around a mega-deal in which the state of Israel gets recognised for the first time. Israel, which has relied on the United States for supply of military aid, did not immediately react. The country has pushed back Biden's appeal for restraint in Gaza. Sullivan reiterates position of US in Israel During his visit to Israel, Sullivan had "reiterated the president's longstanding position on Rafah," the southern town in Gaza where Israel said it will launch a major offensive, said the White House. Watch: Israel-Hamas war: Israeli cabinet split over Gaza post-war plan | Israel Government on the brink? The Biden administration has been appealing to Israel to avoid any such offensive and recently paused the shipment of bombs to its ally amid concerns that they may be used for bombing Rafah. Sullivan "reaffirmed the need for Israel to connect its military operations to a political strategy that can ensure the lasting defeat of Hamas, the release of all the hostages, and a better future for Gaza," said the White House, in a statement. (With inputs from agencies)

US NSA appeals Netanyahu to link Gaza war with 'political strategy' for enclave's future

China's commerce ministry on Sunday launched an anti-dumping probe into POM copolymers, a type of engineering plastic, imported from the European Union, United States, Japan and Taiwan. Watch in for more details!

China launches anti-dumping probe on EU, US, Japan & Taiwan

Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler and United States President Joe Biden's top aide have reportedly held talks around a "semi-final" version of a deal that is expected to strengthen the security ties.

The meeting involved discussions between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Jake Sullivan, Biden's national security advisor, in the eastern Saudi city of Dhahran, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Sunday (May 19).

Sullivan arrived in Israel on Sunday for talks surrounding the ongoing war in Gaza.

"The semi-final version of the draft strategic agreements between the Kingdom and the United States of America, which are almost being finalised... were discussed," SPA said.

The meeting between the officials also involved talks around "what is being worked on between the two sides on the Palestinian issue to find a credible path towards a two-state solution", along with endeavours to put an end to the ongoing war in Gaza and streamline the distribution of humanitarian aid in the region. &nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/whitewashed-words-netanyahus-office-hits-back-at-gantzs-ultimatum-722944">Whitewashed words: Netanyahu's office hits back at Gantz's 'ultimatum'</a>

The Biden administration has actively chased the 'mega-deal' where Washington has agreed to give benefits to Saudi Arabia including a defence pact and assistance with a civilian nuclear programme with uranium enrichment capacity in exchange for providing first-ever recognition of Israel.

Earlier in the month of September, Prince Mohammed in an interview with the US network Fox News said that "every day we get closer" to a deal to normalise ties. This was before Hamas launched unprecedented attacks against Israel.

After the Palestinian militant group's Oct 7 assault, the US had accused Hamas of derailing the efforts to normalise ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel.

"It wouldn't be a surprise that part of the motivation may have been to disrupt efforts to bring Saudi Arabia and Israel together, along with other countries that may be interested in normalising relations with Israel," the US Secretary of State had said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler and United States President Joe Biden's top aide have reportedly held talks around a "semi-final" version of a deal that is expected to strengthen the security ties.

Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler and United States President Joe Biden's top aide have reportedly held talks around a "semi-final" version of a deal that is expected to strengthen the security ties. The meeting involved discussions between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Jake Sullivan, Biden's national security advisor, in the eastern Saudi city of Dhahran, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Sunday (May 19). Sullivan arrived in Israel on Sunday for talks surrounding the ongoing war in Gaza. "The semi-final version of the draft strategic agreements between the Kingdom and the United States of America, which are almost being finalised... were discussed," SPA said. The meeting between the officials also involved talks around "what is being worked on between the two sides on the Palestinian issue to find a credible path towards a two-state solution", along with endeavours to put an end to the ongoing war in Gaza and streamline the distribution of humanitarian aid in the region. Also read: Whitewashed words: Netanyahu's office hits back at Gantz's 'ultimatum' The Biden administration has actively chased the 'mega-deal' where Washington has agreed to give benefits to Saudi Arabia including a defence pact and assistance with a civilian nuclear programme with uranium enrichment capacity in exchange for providing first-ever recognition of Israel. Earlier in the month of September, Prince Mohammed in an interview with the US network Fox News said that "every day we get closer" to a deal to normalise ties. This was before Hamas launched unprecedented attacks against Israel. After the Palestinian militant group's Oct 7 assault, the US had accused Hamas of derailing the efforts to normalise ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel. "It wouldn't be a surprise that part of the motivation may have been to disrupt efforts to bring Saudi Arabia and Israel together, along with other countries that may be interested in normalising relations with Israel," the US Secretary of State had said. (With inputs from agencies)

Saudi crown prince and US national security adviser discuss ‘semi-final’ version of security deal

In a rare incident, a 66-year-old man in Florida, who was prepping for his retirement, was shocked to find that he is not a citizen of the United States. The man, identified as Jimmy Klass, made the startling discovery when he was applying for Social Security payments, even though he had lived in the country since he was a toddler, paid taxes and voted in different federal elections in the last six decades.

In a rare incident, a 66-year-old man in Florida, who was prepping for his retirement, was shocked to find that he is not a citizen of the United States. The man, identified as Jimmy Klass, made the startling discovery when he was applying for Social Security payments, even though he had lived in the country since he was a toddler, paid taxes and voted in different federal elections in the last six decades. Klass said he was hoping that the Social Security Administration would send a letter to him in 2020 to inform him about when he can start getting his benefits after working for decades. However, he was informed that his money was “frozen,” reported News 6 Click Orlando. Also Read: Bodycam video showing fatal shooting of US Airman released “I got a notification that it was frozen because I hadn’t proven to them that I was here legally. That was their determination,” he said, as reported by The New York Post. Man's father was a natural-born American, mother was Canadian Klass' father was a natural-born American and his mother a Canadian, which made him believe he had been given the country's citizenship through his father. He came to the country in the 1960s when he was two years old. “My dad’s roots were in Brooklyn, New York … And two years into my existence, they decided to load up the truck and move to Beverly, so to speak,” said Klass, while speaking to the outlet. “We moved to Tennessee Avenue in Long Island, to be more specific. And we moved into the house next to my grandparents," he added. Klass spoke about how he was eligible to join the Marine Corps and had also accepted to become a police officer. Watch: US: Florida judge postpones Donald Trump's documents trial “I was accepted, but I never took the jobs because I was newly married, had a kid on the way, just bought a house…,” Klass said. The man is a registered voter with a Social Security card and also has a valid driver’s license. He said that he “acted like a regular citizen". “I mean, I was accepted everything: photo ID card, I voted here,” Klass said. “Never, ever, ever came about where I was here illegally, even though Social Security says I didn’t prove it to them. They gave me my Medicare for over a year and a half," he added. “Nobody showed up at my door to arrest me yet. But yeah, technically, if you vote, and you’re illegal — it’s federal charges," Klass said. (With inputs from agencies)

Man, after years of paying taxes and voting, finds he is not a citizen of US

Former US president Donald Trump and President Joe Biden on Wednesday (May 15) agreed to hold two debates ahead of the November election. One will be in June and the other will be in September. The date of the first debate is set for June 27, CNN confirmed.&nbsp;

On his Truth Social app, Trump wrote: "I am Ready and Willing. Let's get ready to Rumble!!!"&nbsp;

After Trump's message, Biden said in a post on X that he "received and accepted an invitation" from CNN for a debate on June 27. The US president wrote: "Over to you, Donald. As you said: anywhere, any time, any place."&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/blinken-plays-guitar-in-kyiv-to-signify-defiance-hope-ends-up-getting-slammed-721822">Blinken plays guitar in Kyiv to signify defiance, hope, ends up getting slammed</a>&nbsp;

Notably, Biden turned down the three debates recommended by the bipartisan US election debates commission. He instead opted for two audience-free debates hosted by news organisations.&nbsp;

In a video on X, Biden said, "Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020. Since then, he hasn't shown up for a debate. Now he's acting like he wants to debate me again. Well, make my day, pal."&nbsp;

"I'll even do it twice," he said.&nbsp;

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Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020. Since then, he hasn’t shown up for a debate. 
 
Now he’s acting like he wants to debate me again. 
 
Well, make my day, pal. <a href="https://t.co/AkPmvs2q4u">pic.twitter.com/AkPmvs2q4u</a>
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/1790713878248038478?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-hush-money-trial-day-17-gop-leaders-in-dress-code-michael-cohens-cross-examination-more-721685">Trump hush money trial day 17: GOP leaders in dress code; Michael Cohen’s cross-examination, &amp; more</a>

Referring to the ongoing criminal hush money trial in New York, Biden also trolled Trump. The trial features a mid-week break. Biden said, "So let's pick the dates Donald. I hear you're free on Wednesdays."&nbsp;

For months, Democrats and Republicans have been sparring for months about debates. Such debates have long been a staple of any US presidential election campaign.&nbsp;

Trump called for a "very large venue, although Biden is supposedly afraid of crowds" as he described Biden as "the WORST debater I have ever faced".&nbsp;

Biden's campaign simultaneously sent a letter to the US election debates commission saying it rejected its calendar for three debates in September and October.&nbsp;

Instead of that, the letter from campaign chief Jen O'Malley Dillon noted that Biden "plans to participate in debates hosted by news organisations".&nbsp;

She added that the current, years-old structure was "out of step with changes in the structure of our elections and the interests of voters."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Former US president Donald Trump and President Joe Biden on Wednesday (May 15) agreed to hold two debates ahead of the November election. One will be in June and the other will be in September.

Former US president Donald Trump and President Joe Biden on Wednesday (May 15) agreed to hold two debates ahead of the November election. One will be in June and the other will be in September. The date of the first debate is set for June 27, CNN confirmed. On his Truth Social app, Trump wrote: "I am Ready and Willing. Let's get ready to Rumble!!!" After Trump's message, Biden said in a post on X that he "received and accepted an invitation" from CNN for a debate on June 27. The US president wrote: "Over to you, Donald. As you said: anywhere, any time, any place." Also read: Blinken plays guitar in Kyiv to signify defiance, hope, ends up getting slammed Notably, Biden turned down the three debates recommended by the bipartisan US election debates commission. He instead opted for two audience-free debates hosted by news organisations. In a video on X, Biden said, "Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020. Since then, he hasn't shown up for a debate. Now he's acting like he wants to debate me again. Well, make my day, pal." "I'll even do it twice," he said. Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020. Since then, he hasn’t shown up for a debate. Now he’s acting like he wants to debate me again. Well, make my day, pal. pic.twitter.com/AkPmvs2q4u — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) May 15, 2024 × Also read: Trump hush money trial day 17: GOP leaders in dress code; Michael Cohen’s cross-examination, & more Referring to the ongoing criminal hush money trial in New York, Biden also trolled Trump. The trial features a mid-week break. Biden said, "So let's pick the dates Donald. I hear you're free on Wednesdays." For months, Democrats and Republicans have been sparring for months about debates. Such debates have long been a staple of any US presidential election campaign. Trump called for a "very large venue, although Biden is supposedly afraid of crowds" as he described Biden as "the WORST debater I have ever faced". Biden's campaign simultaneously sent a letter to the US election debates commission saying it rejected its calendar for three debates in September and October. Instead of that, the letter from campaign chief Jen O'Malley Dillon noted that Biden "plans to participate in debates hosted by news organisations". She added that the current, years-old structure was "out of step with changes in the structure of our elections and the interests of voters." (With inputs from agencies)

‘Ready to Rumble’: Biden and Trump agree to first presidential debate set for June 27

After a historic 7-month deployment that saw some of the most dangerous engagements in recent American Naval history, the destroyer USS Carney back in the United States.

US: USS' Carney returns after six months of deployment in Red Sea

Israel-Hamas war: An Indian personnel with the United Nations was killed in Gaza's Rafah when the vehicle he was travelling in reportedly came under attack in Rafah. This is the "first international" casualty for the United Nations in the Gaza war zone. Another UN staffer was injured in the incident when their vehicle was struck as they travelled to the European Hospital in Rafah.

<h2>Indian UN personnel killed in Gaza: What we know so far?</h2>

The identity of the personnel has not been revealed as yet but the sources cited by the Press Trust of India said he was a former Indian Army personnel. He worked as a member of staff of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS).&nbsp;

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "was deeply saddened to learn of the death of a United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS) staff member and injury to another DSS staffer when their UN vehicle was struck as they travelled to the European Hospital in Rafah" on Monday (May 13) morning.

A statement issued by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General, said that Guterres condemned all attacks on UN personnel and called for a full investigation. Guterres sent his condolences to the family of the fallen staff member.

"With the conflict in Gaza continuing to take a heavy toll – not only on civilians but also on humanitarian workers – the Secretary-General reiterates his urgent appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and for the release of all hostages," the statement added.

In a post on X, Guterres said the UN vehicle was struck in Gaza, "killing one of our colleagues &amp; injuring another." He said that more than 190 UN staff have been killed in Gaza.

"Humanitarian workers must be protected. I condemn all attacks on UN personnel and reiterate my urgent appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire &amp; the release of all hostages," he said.

<h2>Indian personnel killed in Rafah: What happened?</h2>

Responding to questions on the incident during the press briefing, Haq said at this point, "We are in the process of informing the relevant governments and the relevant family members, so I wouldn't share any names or nationalities."&nbsp;

He added that they were "international staff".&nbsp;

Haq confirmed that "this is, in fact, the first international UN casualty."&nbsp;

While there have been international casualties involving workers for the World Central Kitchen in Gaza, Haq said that "of UN staff, I believe I've not been previously aware of an international casualty."&nbsp;

Haq added that the vehicle was headed to the hospital "as part of their regular work, they go to different locations to assess security conditions. And this was the European hospital in Rafah."&nbsp;

When asked for details about how their vehicle was struck, Haq said, "This happened fairly recently. We're still accumulating details. We expect to get reports, including from the relevant authorities."&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israels-gaza-offensive-intensifies-from-north-and-south-un-staff-member-killed-721139">Israel's Gaza offensive intensifies from north and south; Indian UN staff member killed</a>

Haq added that the UN is "going to set up measures for accountability. A lot of that… requires ultimately for an end to the conflict so that we can work these out, but we will be working with the authorities on the ground to get a restitution for all of those who have been killed."&nbsp;

Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a post on X, "We are devastated to learn about the death" of a UN humanitarian worker and injury of another in Gaza.

"Too many civilian and humanitarian lives have paid the price for this war. Ceasefire and work towards peace," the WHO chief said. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Israel-Hamas war: An Indian personnel with the United Nations was killed in Gaza's Rafah when the vehicle he was travelling in reportedly came under attack in Rafah.

Israel-Hamas war: An Indian personnel with the United Nations was killed in Gaza's Rafah when the vehicle he was travelling in reportedly came under attack in Rafah. This is the "first international" casualty for the United Nations in the Gaza war zone. Another UN staffer was injured in the incident when their vehicle was struck as they travelled to the European Hospital in Rafah. Indian UN personnel killed in Gaza: What we know so far? The identity of the personnel has not been revealed as yet but the sources cited by the Press Trust of India said he was a former Indian Army personnel. He worked as a member of staff of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS). UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "was deeply saddened to learn of the death of a United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS) staff member and injury to another DSS staffer when their UN vehicle was struck as they travelled to the European Hospital in Rafah" on Monday (May 13) morning. A statement issued by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General, said that Guterres condemned all attacks on UN personnel and called for a full investigation. Guterres sent his condolences to the family of the fallen staff member. "With the conflict in Gaza continuing to take a heavy toll – not only on civilians but also on humanitarian workers – the Secretary-General reiterates his urgent appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and for the release of all hostages," the statement added. In a post on X, Guterres said the UN vehicle was struck in Gaza, "killing one of our colleagues & injuring another." He said that more than 190 UN staff have been killed in Gaza. "Humanitarian workers must be protected. I condemn all attacks on UN personnel and reiterate my urgent appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire & the release of all hostages," he said. Indian personnel killed in Rafah: What happened? Responding to questions on the incident during the press briefing, Haq said at this point, "We are in the process of informing the relevant governments and the relevant family members, so I wouldn't share any names or nationalities." He added that they were "international staff". Haq confirmed that "this is, in fact, the first international UN casualty." While there have been international casualties involving workers for the World Central Kitchen in Gaza, Haq said that "of UN staff, I believe I've not been previously aware of an international casualty." Haq added that the vehicle was headed to the hospital "as part of their regular work, they go to different locations to assess security conditions. And this was the European hospital in Rafah." When asked for details about how their vehicle was struck, Haq said, "This happened fairly recently. We're still accumulating details. We expect to get reports, including from the relevant authorities." Also read | Israel's Gaza offensive intensifies from north and south; Indian UN staff member killed Haq added that the UN is "going to set up measures for accountability. A lot of that… requires ultimately for an end to the conflict so that we can work these out, but we will be working with the authorities on the ground to get a restitution for all of those who have been killed." Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a post on X, "We are devastated to learn about the death" of a UN humanitarian worker and injury of another in Gaza. "Too many civilian and humanitarian lives have paid the price for this war. Ceasefire and work towards peace," the WHO chief said. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian UN staff member killed in Gaza war: What we know so far

In a baffling statement, United States Senator Lindsey Graham (Republican-South Carolina) compared the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza to the US’ decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan during World War II and told Israel to “do whatever” to finish the military operation it has launched in the blockaded enclave.&nbsp;

<h2>‘Right decision’</h2>

In a recent interview, Graham appeared to justify Israel’s killing of civilians in Gaza as well as the assault on Gaza's city of Rafah, which US President Joe Biden had warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against.&nbsp;

The Republican senator also compared the ongoing war in Gaza to America’s war with Japan nearly eight decades ago while suggesting that Israel would be right to flatten the Gaza Strip, home to some 2.2 million Palestinians because the US did so too in 1945 when it dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Israeli forces press Gaza offensive from North &amp; South

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“So when we were faced with destruction as a nation after Pearl Harbor, fighting the Germans and the Japanese, we decided to end the war by bombing Hiroshima, Nagasaki, with nuclear weapons,” said Graham, in an interview with NBC, on Sunday (May 12).&nbsp;

He also went on to call the decision to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki “the right decision” by the US. The decision in question killed hundreds of thousands of people, mostly Japanese civilians, due to the blasts and the radiation that followed.&nbsp;

“Give Israel the bombs they need to end the war they can’t afford to lose and work with them to minimise casualties,” the Republican senator added. The interviewer, Kristin Welker, attempted to stop him, but he talked over her.&nbsp;

“Why is it okay for America to drop two nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end their existential threat war. Why was it okay to do that? I thought it was okay?” said Graham.&nbsp;

He added, “To Israel, do whatever you have to do to survive as a Jewish state. Whatever you have to do.”

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-un-staff-member-killed-in-gaza-war-what-we-know-so-far-721141">Indian UN staff member killed in Gaza war: What we know so far</a>

Graham was also among the Republicans who criticised the Biden administration’s decision to hold back delivery of high payload munitions to Israel, earlier this month, ahead of an Israeli offensive in Rafah.&nbsp;

<h2>Hamas responds to remarks</h2>

Hamas released a statement calling the Republican senator’s remarks “shocking,” adding that it shows the “deep moral decline and the genocide and colonialism mentality that he harbors,” according to Turkish state-run news agency Anadolu Ajansı.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
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In a baffling statement, United States Senator Lindsey Graham (Republican-South Carolina) compared the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza to the US’ decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan during World War II and told Israel to “do whatever” to finish the military operation it has launched in the blockaded enclave.

In a baffling statement, United States Senator Lindsey Graham (Republican-South Carolina) compared the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza to the US’ decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan during World War II and told Israel to “do whatever” to finish the military operation it has launched in the blockaded enclave. ‘Right decision’ In a recent interview, Graham appeared to justify Israel’s killing of civilians in Gaza as well as the assault on Gaza's city of Rafah, which US President Joe Biden had warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against. The Republican senator also compared the ongoing war in Gaza to America’s war with Japan nearly eight decades ago while suggesting that Israel would be right to flatten the Gaza Strip, home to some 2.2 million Palestinians because the US did so too in 1945 when it dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. WATCH | Israeli forces press Gaza offensive from North & South “So when we were faced with destruction as a nation after Pearl Harbor, fighting the Germans and the Japanese, we decided to end the war by bombing Hiroshima, Nagasaki, with nuclear weapons,” said Graham, in an interview with NBC, on Sunday (May 12). He also went on to call the decision to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki “the right decision” by the US. The decision in question killed hundreds of thousands of people, mostly Japanese civilians, due to the blasts and the radiation that followed. “Give Israel the bombs they need to end the war they can’t afford to lose and work with them to minimise casualties,” the Republican senator added. The interviewer, Kristin Welker, attempted to stop him, but he talked over her. “Why is it okay for America to drop two nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end their existential threat war. Why was it okay to do that? I thought it was okay?” said Graham. He added, “To Israel, do whatever you have to do to survive as a Jewish state. Whatever you have to do.” Also Read | Indian UN staff member killed in Gaza war: What we know so far Graham was also among the Republicans who criticised the Biden administration’s decision to hold back delivery of high payload munitions to Israel, earlier this month, ahead of an Israeli offensive in Rafah. Hamas responds to remarks Hamas released a statement calling the Republican senator’s remarks “shocking,” adding that it shows the “deep moral decline and the genocide and colonialism mentality that he harbors,” according to Turkish state-run news agency Anadolu Ajansı. (With inputs from agencies)

US Senator Lindsey Graham suggests Israel should nuke Gaza

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