The political Spotlight in the US has now shifted to Michigan. Michigan's presidential primary is now in the last leg before the election calendar moves to Super Tuesday on the 5th of March. Polls are set to open on Tuesday at 7:00 a.m local time and both Democrats and Republicans will feature on the ballot but voters can't pick candidates from more than one party known as crossover voting. Watch to know more!

Michigan Primary 2024: Biden competes with Trump for support of working-class voters

The political spotlight in the US has now shifted to Michigan, where the presidential primary is now in its last leg. President Joe Biden faces protest over Gaza in the Michigan primary contest which is home to a large Arab-American population.

Biden faces protest vote over Gaza in Michigan primary contest

Michigan Primary 2024: Biden faces protest vote over Gaza in Michigan primary contest

In a bid to maintain trial integrity, Manhattan prosecutors have urged Judge Juan Merchan to impose a gag order on Donald Trump, preventing him from disparaging witnesses and disclosing juror identities in his criminal case for falsifying business records.

Prosecutors from the Manhattan district attorney's office, led by Alvin Bragg, have advocated for limitations akin to those imposed during Trump's federal trial in Washington. They cited Trump's history of inflammatory remarks, expressing concern over potential disruptions to the judicial process.

<h2>Parameters of proposed gag order</h2>

The proposed gag order mirrors restrictions upheld by the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, aiming to curtail Trump's public criticism. Prosecutors aim to prevent attacks on witnesses, court and district attorney staff, and prospective jurors, citing the need for an orderly legal proceeding.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-appeals-355-million-civil-fraud-judgement-as-penalty-amount-rises-694167">Also read&nbsp; | Trump appeals $355 million civil fraud judgement as penalty amount rises</a>

Prosecutors highlight Trump's past statements on his Truth Social platform, including erroneous predictions of arrest in the business records case. They underscore the immediate threats received by the district attorney's office following Trump's posts, indicating a direct correlation between his remarks and hostile actions.

Trump's legal team is anticipated to contest the gag order, potentially appealing any decision in favour of prosecutors. However, several judges have previously restricted Trump's contentious remarks in both federal and state courts.

Also watch |&nbsp;US: Ronna McDaniel to resign as Republican National Committee chair

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-ronna-mcdaniel-to-resign-as-republican-national-committee-chair-us-elections-2024-694177/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Trump's trial is scheduled for March 25, with charges stemming from 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal hush-money payments to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.

Prosecutors assert that these payments were intended to influence the election outcome, emphasising Trump's manipulation of business records to cover up the transactions.

To bolster their case, prosecutors seek to introduce ancillary evidence related to Trump's alleged interference in the 2016 election, including additional hush-money payments and the infamous Access Hollywood tape. However, Trump's legal team challenges the relevance of this evidence and seeks to exclude testimony from Michael Cohen, citing past misstatements.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a bid to maintain trial integrity, Manhattan prosecutors have urged Judge Juan Merchan to impose a gag order on Donald Trump, preventing him from disparaging witnesses and disclosing juror identities in his criminal case for falsifying business records.

In a bid to maintain trial integrity, Manhattan prosecutors have urged Judge Juan Merchan to impose a gag order on Donald Trump, preventing him from disparaging witnesses and disclosing juror identities in his criminal case for falsifying business records. Prosecutors from the Manhattan district attorney's office, led by Alvin Bragg, have advocated for limitations akin to those imposed during Trump's federal trial in Washington. They cited Trump's history of inflammatory remarks, expressing concern over potential disruptions to the judicial process. Parameters of proposed gag order The proposed gag order mirrors restrictions upheld by the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, aiming to curtail Trump's public criticism. Prosecutors aim to prevent attacks on witnesses, court and district attorney staff, and prospective jurors, citing the need for an orderly legal proceeding. Also read | Trump appeals $355 million civil fraud judgement as penalty amount rises Prosecutors highlight Trump's past statements on his Truth Social platform, including erroneous predictions of arrest in the business records case. They underscore the immediate threats received by the district attorney's office following Trump's posts, indicating a direct correlation between his remarks and hostile actions. Trump's legal team is anticipated to contest the gag order, potentially appealing any decision in favour of prosecutors. However, several judges have previously restricted Trump's contentious remarks in both federal and state courts. Also watch | US: Ronna McDaniel to resign as Republican National Committee chair Trump's trial is scheduled for March 25, with charges stemming from 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal hush-money payments to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Prosecutors assert that these payments were intended to influence the election outcome, emphasising Trump's manipulation of business records to cover up the transactions. To bolster their case, prosecutors seek to introduce ancillary evidence related to Trump's alleged interference in the 2016 election, including additional hush-money payments and the infamous Access Hollywood tape. However, Trump's legal team challenges the relevance of this evidence and seeks to exclude testimony from Michael Cohen, citing past misstatements. (With inputs from agencies)

Manhattan prosecutors request gag order for Trump ahead of hush-money trial

Donald Trump has scored a victory in his fight against challenges to his eligibility to run for the White House again when Michigan's top court declined to hear a case seeking to disqualify him from the state's presidential primary ballot.

US: Biden trails Trump in Michigan in hypothetical 2024 rematch; spotlight on 1st major swing state

Former US President Donald Trump is making his presence felt in the Republican party after a string of victories in the party primaries. A longtime leader of the Republican party's National Committee has confirmed that she is leaving her post. Report suggest that people close to the former president are looking to take control of the organization. Ronna McDaniel who was elected as the chair in 2017 after running Trump's successful 2016 campaign in Michigan will step down on March 8th that is 3 days after super Tuesday. Watch to know more!

US: Ronna McDaniel to resign as Republican National Committee Chair, to step down on March 8

Michigan Primary 2024: Biden faces uphill challenge in Michigan primary

US: Republican party leader Ronna McDaniel's resignation boosts chances for Trump loyalists

A longtime leader of the Republican Party's National Committee has confirmed that she is leaving her post. Reports suggests people close to the former president are looking to take control of the organisation.

Donald Trump endorses loyalists for RNC chair

Paul Edmonds, a man from the US state of California has been free of both cancer and HIV since one particular treatment five years ago known as a stem cell transplant. In 2021, he also became one of&nbsp;five people in the world who had been cured of HIV.&nbsp;

<h2>About Edmonds’ journey</h2>

Sharing his story with the National Cancer Institute, City of Hope, Edmonds said that he had been living with HIV-1 for 31 years before the transplant. “People were dying within a few years of finding out they were positive,” said Edmonds recalling reading the obituaries of many friends back in the early 1980s.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/norovirus-is-spreading-in-us-states-cdc-data-shows-heres-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-zoonotic-disease-693380">Norovirus spreading in US states, shows CDC data. Here's all you need to know about the zoonotic disease</a>

“A dark cloud was over the city,” he said, describing the city of San Francisco. At the time, people didn’t know what his friends were dying from but many called it AIDS. However, it was not until 1984 that HIV was identified as the cause of AIDS.&nbsp;

Edmonds was diagnosed in 1988 with not just HIV, but full-blown AIDS. He told the City of Hope, that he felt he had been given a death sentence. In 1997, he began HIV antiretroviral therapy which effectively suppressed the virus to undetectable levels, but it is not a cure.&nbsp;

In 2018, Edmonds was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, which eventually developed into acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Since people with HIV have weaker immune systems, they are likely to develop leukaemia and other blood cancers.&nbsp;

<h2>About the treatment</h2>

Edmonds has been free of both cancer and HIV since one particular treatment and is now considered in remission from AML and in another two years, he will be considered “cured” of HIV, since it would mark five years from his last treatment.&nbsp;

He is not only the fifth person in the world in remission of HIV, but also the eldest and had HIV the longest. Edmonds, 67, and his husband, Arnie House, were both HIV-positive when they were first diagnosed over three decades ago.&nbsp;

“I wasn’t ready to die,” he told ABC News, speaking about his miraculous treatment at City of Hope. The medical team behind his case published his stunning recovery in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-first-commercial-patient-declared-cancer-free-using-indigenous-car-t-cell-therapy-687858">&nbsp;India: First patient declared ‘cancer-free’ using indigenous CAR-T cell therapy</a>

The treatment behind the remission is known as a stem cell transplant and is typically used in the final part of treatment for blood cancers, including leukaemia.&nbsp;

As a part of the treatment, blood-forming stem cells in a patient’s bone marrow are destroyed using radiation or chemotherapy and the patient is then injected with healthy blood-forming stem cells.&nbsp;

The stem cells are taken from a donor who has similar – but not the same – genes and are transplanted into the patient. These cells then produce cancer-free blood. However, in Edmonds’ case, the donated stem cells had a genetic mutation associated with resistance to HIV-1, said the doctors.&nbsp;

“It’s a very rare mutation. It exists in roughly 1% of the population,” said Dr Jana Dickter, Edmond’s physician at City of Hope, as quoted by the New York Post. “It’s not something we find very commonly.”

The transplant replaced Edmonds’ bone marrow and blood stem cells with the donors’ and since then he has shown no signs of either AML or HIV.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Paul Edmonds, a man from the US state of California has been free of both cancer and HIV since one particular treatment five years ago known as a stem cell transplant.

Paul Edmonds, a man from the US state of California has been free of both cancer and HIV since one particular treatment five years ago known as a stem cell transplant. In 2021, he also became one of five people in the world who had been cured of HIV. About Edmonds’ journey Sharing his story with the National Cancer Institute, City of Hope, Edmonds said that he had been living with HIV-1 for 31 years before the transplant. “People were dying within a few years of finding out they were positive,” said Edmonds recalling reading the obituaries of many friends back in the early 1980s. Also Read | Norovirus spreading in US states, shows CDC data. Here's all you need to know about the zoonotic disease “A dark cloud was over the city,” he said, describing the city of San Francisco. At the time, people didn’t know what his friends were dying from but many called it AIDS. However, it was not until 1984 that HIV was identified as the cause of AIDS. Edmonds was diagnosed in 1988 with not just HIV, but full-blown AIDS. He told the City of Hope, that he felt he had been given a death sentence. In 1997, he began HIV antiretroviral therapy which effectively suppressed the virus to undetectable levels, but it is not a cure. In 2018, Edmonds was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, which eventually developed into acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Since people with HIV have weaker immune systems, they are likely to develop leukaemia and other blood cancers. About the treatment Edmonds has been free of both cancer and HIV since one particular treatment and is now considered in remission from AML and in another two years, he will be considered “cured” of HIV, since it would mark five years from his last treatment. He is not only the fifth person in the world in remission of HIV, but also the eldest and had HIV the longest. Edmonds, 67, and his husband, Arnie House, were both HIV-positive when they were first diagnosed over three decades ago. “I wasn’t ready to die,” he told ABC News, speaking about his miraculous treatment at City of Hope. The medical team behind his case published his stunning recovery in the New England Journal of Medicine. Also Read | India: First patient declared ‘cancer-free’ using indigenous CAR-T cell therapy The treatment behind the remission is known as a stem cell transplant and is typically used in the final part of treatment for blood cancers, including leukaemia. As a part of the treatment, blood-forming stem cells in a patient’s bone marrow are destroyed using radiation or chemotherapy and the patient is then injected with healthy blood-forming stem cells. The stem cells are taken from a donor who has similar – but not the same – genes and are transplanted into the patient. These cells then produce cancer-free blood. However, in Edmonds’ case, the donated stem cells had a genetic mutation associated with resistance to HIV-1, said the doctors. “It’s a very rare mutation. It exists in roughly 1% of the population,” said Dr Jana Dickter, Edmond’s physician at City of Hope, as quoted by the New York Post. “It’s not something we find very commonly.” The transplant replaced Edmonds’ bone marrow and blood stem cells with the donors’ and since then he has shown no signs of either AML or HIV. (With inputs from agencies)

California man ‘cured’ of cancer and HIV after stem cell treatment in stunning medical recovery

Amid ongoing research on a small Midwestern rodent called the prairie vole, scientists stumbled upon a fascinating finding based on the study of the first comprehensive brain map detailing the regions activated in the mammal during mating and pair bonding.&nbsp;

<h2>About the study</h2>

The findings of the study conducted on these small Midwestern rodents, known for forming long-term monogamous relationships, were published in the journal eLife. The research sought to answer the question – how does sex relate to lasting love?

Scientists paired up more than 200 voles under various conditions to monitor the progression from initial interactions to the establishment of a stable pair bond. This so-called bonding experience includes several stages like mating, bonding, and the development of a stable, enduring bond.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/ill-fated-odysseus-lander-sends-grainy-images-from-moon-hours-before-going-dark-694156">Ill-fated Odysseus lander sends grainy images from Moon hours before going dark</a>

<h2>What did the study find?</h2>

Researchers found that the bonding voles experience a firestorm of brain activity distributed across 68 distinct regions of the brain which make up seven brain-wide circuits. They also noted that the brain-wide map also showed activity in regions which were not previously associated with bonding.&nbsp;

Prairie voles are a species whose social and mating behaviours closely resemble those of humans in the context of monogamy and long-term bonding. Therefore, the new findings can help researchers look at new places to explore the human brain to understand how we form and maintain close relationships.&nbsp;

It was previously established that male and female brains often use fundamentally different mechanisms to produce the same behaviours like mating and nurturing offspring.&nbsp;

However, the new study shows one significant difference which is that the bonding males and females had nearly identical patterns of brain activity.

“That was a surprise,” said Steven Phelps, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin and senior author of the study.&nbsp;

The finding also changed the prevailing hypothesis that sex differences, influenced by hormones like testosterone, oestrogen, and progesterone, would lead to different neural pathways for bonding in males and females.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-silent-warning-microplastics-is-found-in-every-human-placenta-a-new-study-reveals-693332">A silent warning? Microplastics found in every human placenta, reveals new study</a>

According to the study, male ejaculation served as the strongest predictor of neural activity across the 68 brain regions associated with bonding.&nbsp;

It was also found this was not just limited to males as females exhibited increased bonding-related brain activity when paired with males who reached this milestone.&nbsp;

“The brain and behaviour data suggest that both sexes may be having orgasm-like responses, and these ‘orgasms’ coordinate the formation of a bond,” said Phelps.&nbsp;

He added, “If true, it would imply that orgasms can serve as a means to promote connection, as has long been suggested in humans.”

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Amid ongoing research on a small Midwestern rodent called the prairie vole, scientists stumbled upon a fascinating finding based on the study of the first comprehensive brain map detailing the regions activated in the mammal during mating and pair bonding.

Amid ongoing research on a small Midwestern rodent called the prairie vole, scientists stumbled upon a fascinating finding based on the study of the first comprehensive brain map detailing the regions activated in the mammal during mating and pair bonding. About the study The findings of the study conducted on these small Midwestern rodents, known for forming long-term monogamous relationships, were published in the journal eLife. The research sought to answer the question – how does sex relate to lasting love? Scientists paired up more than 200 voles under various conditions to monitor the progression from initial interactions to the establishment of a stable pair bond. This so-called bonding experience includes several stages like mating, bonding, and the development of a stable, enduring bond. Also Read | Ill-fated Odysseus lander sends grainy images from Moon hours before going dark What did the study find? Researchers found that the bonding voles experience a firestorm of brain activity distributed across 68 distinct regions of the brain which make up seven brain-wide circuits. They also noted that the brain-wide map also showed activity in regions which were not previously associated with bonding. Prairie voles are a species whose social and mating behaviours closely resemble those of humans in the context of monogamy and long-term bonding. Therefore, the new findings can help researchers look at new places to explore the human brain to understand how we form and maintain close relationships. It was previously established that male and female brains often use fundamentally different mechanisms to produce the same behaviours like mating and nurturing offspring. However, the new study shows one significant difference which is that the bonding males and females had nearly identical patterns of brain activity. “That was a surprise,” said Steven Phelps, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin and senior author of the study. The finding also changed the prevailing hypothesis that sex differences, influenced by hormones like testosterone, oestrogen, and progesterone, would lead to different neural pathways for bonding in males and females. Also Read | A silent warning? Microplastics found in every human placenta, reveals new study According to the study, male ejaculation served as the strongest predictor of neural activity across the 68 brain regions associated with bonding. It was also found this was not just limited to males as females exhibited increased bonding-related brain activity when paired with males who reached this milestone. “The brain and behaviour data suggest that both sexes may be having orgasm-like responses, and these ‘orgasms’ coordinate the formation of a bond,” said Phelps. He added, “If true, it would imply that orgasms can serve as a means to promote connection, as has long been suggested in humans.” (With inputs from agencies)

First brain-wide map in prairie vole research shows orgasms ‘rewire’ the brain

US: Ronna McDaniel to resign as Republican National Committee chair | US Elections 2024

Donald Trump on Monday appealed a judge's ruling that the former US president must pay $454 million in penalties and interest for fraudulently exaggerating his net worth and the values of his real estate holdings to secure better loan terms.

US: Donald Trump appeals $454 million judgment in New York civil fraud case

The Pentagon has cleared US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin of wrongdoing over his failure to disclose hospital stays related to his cancer diagnosis. The Pentagon chief has apologised for not notifying government leaders about hospital stays in December and January.

US: Pentagon says Lloyd Austin showed 'no ill intent' in secret hospital stay

Michigan Primary 2024: Spotlight on first major swing state

US President Joe Biden on Monday expressed hope for a ceasefire in Gaza, which he said may happen by the next Monday. This comes amidst escalating humanitarian concerns in the Palestinian territory.

Israel War: Joe Biden says he hopes for ceasefire by Monday

US President Joe Biden has said that a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza will hopefully come soon into effect (by Monday). Negotiations from Qatar, Egypt, US and France are working. Watch to know more!

Israel war | Gaza Ceasefire soon? Egypt, Qatar, US negotiate another truce

US: Ronna McDaniel resigns as Republican National Committee Chair, to step down on March 8

Some 20 European leaders meet in Paris on Monday to send Russian President Vladimir Putin a message of European resolve on Ukraine and counter the Kremlin's narrative that Russia is bound to win a war now in its third year.

President Emmanuel Macron has invited his European counterparts to the Elysee Palace for a working meeting announced at short notice to discuss how to ramp up ammunition supplies to Ukraine amid what his advisers say is an escalation in Russian aggression over the past few weeks.

WATCH |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine War: 2 years into war, west's optimism flips into unremitting gloom

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"We want to send Putin a very clear message, that he won't win in Ukraine," a presidential adviser told reporters in a briefing. "Our goal is to crush this idea he wants us to believe that he would be somehow winning."

After initial successes in pushing back the Russian army, Ukraine has suffered setbacks on eastern battlefields, with its generals complaining of shortages of arms and soldiers.

Officials say the meeting will not be an occasion to announce new weapon deliveries to Ukraine but more to brainstorm ways to be more efficient on the ground, as well as increase coordination between allies and Ukraine.

One area where there could be progress is on a Czech-led initiative to buy hundreds of thousands of ammunition rounds from third countries, something that France has been cautious about as it wants to prioritise the development of Europe's own industry.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nord-stream-sabotage-denmark-closes-probe-into-intentional-blasts-694079">Nord Stream sabotage: Denmark closes probe into ‘intentional’ blasts</a>

"I am about to fly to Paris for a summit that Emmanuel Macron called and which follows up the initiative that I presented at the European Council at the beginning of February," Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on X before travelling to France.

"The goal is to collect enough money for ammunition that Ukraine needs."

Ammunition supplies have become a critical issue for Kyiv. The European Union, though, is falling short of its target of sending Ukraine a million rounds of artillery shells by March.

"We must be able to deliver more shells. The principle is that shells will be purchased where they are available," said the adviser. "There is no dogmatic (French) position."

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, British foreign minister David Cameron, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, as well as leaders from Scandinavian and Baltic countries, are among those attending.

The United States, which has been under much scrutiny as its latest military aid package for Ukraine has stalled in Congress, will be represented by Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Jim O'Brien.

French officials said the security conference in Munich earlier this month, which coincided with the death of Putin's most formidable domestic opponent, Alexei Navalny, was all about "doom and gloom", and that Macron, who is due in Kyiv in March, was keen to dispel that.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alexei-navalny-was-supposed-to-be-released-before-death-his-ally-claims-694125">Alexei Navalny was supposed to be 'released' before death, his ally claims</a>

"We're neither doomy nor gloomy," the French adviser said. "We want Russia to understand that. Russia will have to count on us all collectively to end this war and restore Ukraine's rights."

French officials have said Russia has shown renewed aggression in recent weeks, including as Putin's flight on a nuclear-capable bomber, in what they view as an attempt to intimidate Europeans at a time U.S. support is thrown into doubt by the presidential election.

Without offering details, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who has long opposed military supplies to Ukraine and has taken a position seen by some critics as pro-Russian, said ahead of travelling to Paris that several NATO and EU members were considering sending soldiers to Ukraine on a bilateral basis.

Some 20 European leaders meet in Paris on Monday to send Russian President Vladimir Putin a message of European resolve on Ukraine and counter the Kremlin's narrative that Russia is bound to win a war now in its third year.

Some 20 European leaders meet in Paris on Monday to send Russian President Vladimir Putin a message of European resolve on Ukraine and counter the Kremlin's narrative that Russia is bound to win a war now in its third year. President Emmanuel Macron has invited his European counterparts to the Elysee Palace for a working meeting announced at short notice to discuss how to ramp up ammunition supplies to Ukraine amid what his advisers say is an escalation in Russian aggression over the past few weeks. WATCH | Russia-Ukraine War: 2 years into war, west's optimism flips into unremitting gloom "We want to send Putin a very clear message, that he won't win in Ukraine," a presidential adviser told reporters in a briefing. "Our goal is to crush this idea he wants us to believe that he would be somehow winning." After initial successes in pushing back the Russian army, Ukraine has suffered setbacks on eastern battlefields, with its generals complaining of shortages of arms and soldiers. Officials say the meeting will not be an occasion to announce new weapon deliveries to Ukraine but more to brainstorm ways to be more efficient on the ground, as well as increase coordination between allies and Ukraine. One area where there could be progress is on a Czech-led initiative to buy hundreds of thousands of ammunition rounds from third countries, something that France has been cautious about as it wants to prioritise the development of Europe's own industry. Also Read | Nord Stream sabotage: Denmark closes probe into ‘intentional’ blasts "I am about to fly to Paris for a summit that Emmanuel Macron called and which follows up the initiative that I presented at the European Council at the beginning of February," Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on X before travelling to France. "The goal is to collect enough money for ammunition that Ukraine needs." Ammunition supplies have become a critical issue for Kyiv. The European Union, though, is falling short of its target of sending Ukraine a million rounds of artillery shells by March. "We must be able to deliver more shells. The principle is that shells will be purchased where they are available," said the adviser. "There is no dogmatic (French) position." German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, British foreign minister David Cameron, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, as well as leaders from Scandinavian and Baltic countries, are among those attending. The United States, which has been under much scrutiny as its latest military aid package for Ukraine has stalled in Congress, will be represented by Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Jim O'Brien. French officials said the security conference in Munich earlier this month, which coincided with the death of Putin's most formidable domestic opponent, Alexei Navalny, was all about "doom and gloom", and that Macron, who is due in Kyiv in March, was keen to dispel that. Also Read | Alexei Navalny was supposed to be 'released' before death, his ally claims "We're neither doomy nor gloomy," the French adviser said. "We want Russia to understand that. Russia will have to count on us all collectively to end this war and restore Ukraine's rights." French officials have said Russia has shown renewed aggression in recent weeks, including as Putin's flight on a nuclear-capable bomber, in what they view as an attempt to intimidate Europeans at a time U.S. support is thrown into doubt by the presidential election. Without offering details, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who has long opposed military supplies to Ukraine and has taken a position seen by some critics as pro-Russian, said ahead of travelling to Paris that several NATO and EU members were considering sending soldiers to Ukraine on a bilateral basis.

‘Russia cannot win’: Ukraine’s allies meet in Paris in show of unity, discuss munitions

An active member of the US Air Force set himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in Washington DC on Sunday. He was critically injured while declaring that he will no longer complicit.

US Air Force member sets self ablaze outside Israel embassy, incident livestreamed on Twitch

New satellite images have emerged that show the UK-registered Rubymar cargo vessel abandoned in the Red Sea after it was targetted in an attack by Yemen's Houthi rebel group.

The ship was hit by missiles fired by the Houthis on Feb 18 and the satellite images were captured by Planet Labs PBC on Tuesday (Feb 20). The crew onboard the ship was immediately evacuated.

The US military said that the Rubymar was loaded with over 41,000 tons of fertiliser at the time it was attacked, which if fell into the Red Sea, could lead&nbsp;to an environmental disaster.

“The Houthis continue to demonstrate disregard for the regional impact of their indiscriminate attacks, threatening the fishing industry, coastal communities, and imports of food supplies,” United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement, warning that the ship’s cargo “could spill into the Red Sea and worsen this environmental disaster.”

WATCH | Red Sea tensions: US warns attack by Houthis on cargo ships can cause environmental disaster

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<h2>Houthis vow to prevent rescue of leaking ship</h2>

Yemen's Iran-backed rebel group has vowed to prevent the rescue of the leaking Rubymar before humanitarian aid reaches Gaza.

Houthi leader, Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi, said that they would only allow the rescue, and retrieval of the ship if people in the war-torn Gaza Strip had access to food, water, and medicine.

“The sinking British ship might be hauled in return for delivering aid vehicles to Gaza,” Al-Houthi said on X.&nbsp;

<h2>Houthi attack on freighter Rubymar caused significant damage to ship, says US</h2>

CENTCOM on Friday (Feb 23) said that the Houthi attack caused significant damage to the ship causing&nbsp;an 18-mile (29km) oil slick.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-uk-launch-fresh-wave-of-strikes-against-18-houthi-targets-in-yemen-693591">US, UK launch fresh wave of strikes against 18 Houthi targets in Yemen</a>

"The ship is anchored but slowly taking on water," Central Command said in a statement regarding the Belize-flagged UK-owned cargo ship.

The day after the attack, Yemen's rebel group spokesperson Yahya Sarea released a statement saying that the Rubymar was now at risk of sinking.

Earlier, there were reports that the ship could be towed to nearby Djibouti.

"Djibouti is the only immediate option where some repairs or recovery would be feasible," Reuters news agency quoted shipping and insurance sources as saying. "It is too risky for a ship in that condition to be towed too far or in more open waters."

The Djibouti Ports &amp; Free Zones Authority on Feb 19, a day after the attack, had released a statement on its official X account saying that its Port Authority completed the safe repatriation of the Rubymar’s 24 crew members - 11 Syrians, six Egyptians, three Indian nationals, and four Filipinos – who were brought to the Djibouti area by the rescue vessel.

"The vessel has onboard 21,999 MT (metric tonnes) of fertiliser IMDG class 5.1, very dangerous," the authority said, adding the ship’s AIS transponder was switched off and it did not know the coordinates of the vessel.

The Houthis' strikes are forcing ships to take a longer, more expensive route around Africa, disrupting the strategically important Suez Canal shortcut that accounts for nearly 12 per cent&nbsp;of global maritime traffic.

(With inputs from agencies)

New satellite images have emerged that show the UK-registered Rubymar cargo vessel abandoned in the Red Sea after it was targetted in an attack by Yemen's Houthi rebel group.

New satellite images have emerged that show the UK-registered Rubymar cargo vessel abandoned in the Red Sea after it was targetted in an attack by Yemen's Houthi rebel group. The ship was hit by missiles fired by the Houthis on Feb 18 and the satellite images were captured by Planet Labs PBC on Tuesday (Feb 20). The crew onboard the ship was immediately evacuated. The US military said that the Rubymar was loaded with over 41,000 tons of fertiliser at the time it was attacked, which if fell into the Red Sea, could lead to an environmental disaster. “The Houthis continue to demonstrate disregard for the regional impact of their indiscriminate attacks, threatening the fishing industry, coastal communities, and imports of food supplies,” United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement, warning that the ship’s cargo “could spill into the Red Sea and worsen this environmental disaster.” WATCH | Red Sea tensions: US warns attack by Houthis on cargo ships can cause environmental disaster × Houthis vow to prevent rescue of leaking ship Yemen's Iran-backed rebel group has vowed to prevent the rescue of the leaking Rubymar before humanitarian aid reaches Gaza. Houthi leader, Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi, said that they would only allow the rescue, and retrieval of the ship if people in the war-torn Gaza Strip had access to food, water, and medicine. “The sinking British ship might be hauled in return for delivering aid vehicles to Gaza,” Al-Houthi said on X. Houthi attack on freighter Rubymar caused significant damage to ship, says US CENTCOM on Friday (Feb 23) said that the Houthi attack caused significant damage to the ship causing an 18-mile (29km) oil slick. Also read: US, UK launch fresh wave of strikes against 18 Houthi targets in Yemen "The ship is anchored but slowly taking on water," Central Command said in a statement regarding the Belize-flagged UK-owned cargo ship. The day after the attack, Yemen's rebel group spokesperson Yahya Sarea released a statement saying that the Rubymar was now at risk of sinking. Earlier, there were reports that the ship could be towed to nearby Djibouti. "Djibouti is the only immediate option where some repairs or recovery would be feasible," Reuters news agency quoted shipping and insurance sources as saying. "It is too risky for a ship in that condition to be towed too far or in more open waters." The Djibouti Ports & Free Zones Authority on Feb 19, a day after the attack, had released a statement on its official X account saying that its Port Authority completed the safe repatriation of the Rubymar’s 24 crew members - 11 Syrians, six Egyptians, three Indian nationals, and four Filipinos – who were brought to the Djibouti area by the rescue vessel. "The vessel has onboard 21,999 MT (metric tonnes) of fertiliser IMDG class 5.1, very dangerous," the authority said, adding the ship’s AIS transponder was switched off and it did not know the coordinates of the vessel. The Houthis' strikes are forcing ships to take a longer, more expensive route around Africa, disrupting the strategically important Suez Canal shortcut that accounts for nearly 12 per cent of global maritime traffic. (With inputs from agencies)

Middle East crisis: Satellite images show leaking UK ship Rubymar abandoned in Red Sea after Houthi attack

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