How do you like your tea? One American scientist claims to have found the perfect tea recipe- it includes a pinch of salt. The idea has the British boiling. American Embassy in London has clarified that adding salt to tea is not an official U.S. policy. Here's what happened next.

Gravitas | Tea War: America, Britain fight it out over salt in tea

The US and Iraq will soon begin discussions regarding the future of American military presence in the country. The US currently has about 2,500 troops in Iraq for the Defeat ISIS mission.

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The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), on Wednesday (Jan 24), announced that it has approved an inspection procedure for grounded Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft which may pave the way for 171 grounded planes to come back into service.&nbsp;

The announcement comes weeks after the dramatic emergency landing of an Alaska Airlines flight due to a near-catastrophic incident where a panel known as a “door plug” blew out of the plane over the US state of Oregon.&nbsp;

<h2>FAA’s stern warning</h2>

While the FAA has approved an inspection procedure for the grounded Boeing planes, it also issued a stern warning to the American planemaker. “The January 5 Boeing 737-9 Max incident must never happen again,” said the US aviation watchdog, referring to the Alaska Airlines incident.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: Boeing 737 Max: Parts missing from Indian plane

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&nbsp;

The FAA also said that it would not grant Boeing any production expansion of the 737 Max lineup while the safety probe is still underway.

&nbsp;“We grounded the Boeing 737-9 MAX within hours of the incident over Portland and made clear this aircraft would not go back into service until it was safe,” FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said in a statement.

“The exhaustive, enhanced review our team completed after several weeks of information gathering gives me and the FAA confidence to proceed to the inspection and maintenance phase,” it added.&nbsp;

In line with this, each of the 171 grounded aircraft must be thoroughly inspected, including the bolts, fittings and guide tracks for the door plug, the piece of fuselage that flew off during the Alaska Airlines incident.&nbsp;

The process would also include “detailed inspections of…dozens of associated components”.&nbsp;

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In a statement Wednesday, the American planemaker said it will “continue to cooperate fully and transparently with the FAA and follow their direction as we take action to strengthen safety and quality at Boeing.”

<h2>‘Not business as usual’</h2>

Whitaker noted that the American planemaker is not out of the woods just yet. “However, let me be clear: This won’t be back to business as usual for Boeing,” said the FAA official.&nbsp;

He added, “We will not agree to any request from Boeing for an expansion in production or approve additional production lines for the 737 MAX until we are satisfied that the quality control issues uncovered during this process are resolved.”

In a statement, United Airlines said it is targeting its Max 9s return to the skies on Sunday (Jan 28).&nbsp;

“In the days ahead, our teams will continue to proceed in a way that is thorough and puts safety and compliance first,” United Airlines Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, Toby Enqvist, said in a statement on Wednesday evening.&nbsp;

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Meanwhile, Alaska Airlines, on Wednesday, said it expects the inspections to take 12 hours and for the first of its 737 Max 9 planes to return to service Friday (Jan 26). It said inspections would be completed next week.

Notably, several airlines, particularly Alaska and United Airlines have faced hundreds of cancellations a day because of the grounding.

(With inputs from agencies)

The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), on Wednesday (Jan 24), announced that it has approved an inspection procedure for grounded Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft which may pave the way for 171 grounded planes to come back into service.

The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), on Wednesday (Jan 24), announced that it has approved an inspection procedure for grounded Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft which may pave the way for 171 grounded planes to come back into service. The announcement comes weeks after the dramatic emergency landing of an Alaska Airlines flight due to a near-catastrophic incident where a panel known as a “door plug” blew out of the plane over the US state of Oregon. FAA’s stern warning While the FAA has approved an inspection procedure for the grounded Boeing planes, it also issued a stern warning to the American planemaker. “The January 5 Boeing 737-9 Max incident must never happen again,” said the US aviation watchdog, referring to the Alaska Airlines incident. WATCH | Gravitas: Boeing 737 Max: Parts missing from Indian plane The FAA also said that it would not grant Boeing any production expansion of the 737 Max lineup while the safety probe is still underway. “We grounded the Boeing 737-9 MAX within hours of the incident over Portland and made clear this aircraft would not go back into service until it was safe,” FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said in a statement. “The exhaustive, enhanced review our team completed after several weeks of information gathering gives me and the FAA confidence to proceed to the inspection and maintenance phase,” it added. In line with this, each of the 171 grounded aircraft must be thoroughly inspected, including the bolts, fittings and guide tracks for the door plug, the piece of fuselage that flew off during the Alaska Airlines incident. The process would also include “detailed inspections of…dozens of associated components”. ALSO READ | Alaska Airlines inspection found loose bolts on 'many' Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes, CEO says In a statement Wednesday, the American planemaker said it will “continue to cooperate fully and transparently with the FAA and follow their direction as we take action to strengthen safety and quality at Boeing.” ‘Not business as usual’ Whitaker noted that the American planemaker is not out of the woods just yet. “However, let me be clear: This won’t be back to business as usual for Boeing,” said the FAA official. He added, “We will not agree to any request from Boeing for an expansion in production or approve additional production lines for the 737 MAX until we are satisfied that the quality control issues uncovered during this process are resolved.” In a statement, United Airlines said it is targeting its Max 9s return to the skies on Sunday (Jan 28). “In the days ahead, our teams will continue to proceed in a way that is thorough and puts safety and compliance first,” United Airlines Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, Toby Enqvist, said in a statement on Wednesday evening. ALSO READ | Boeing urges bolt tightening after 737 MAX 9 hardware issues Meanwhile, Alaska Airlines, on Wednesday, said it expects the inspections to take 12 hours and for the first of its 737 Max 9 planes to return to service Friday (Jan 26). It said inspections would be completed next week. Notably, several airlines, particularly Alaska and United Airlines have faced hundreds of cancellations a day because of the grounding. (With inputs from agencies)

Boeing 737 Max 9s may return to operations as US aviation watchdog approves inspection procedure

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Former President Donald Trump won the New Hampshire primary, dealing a blow to his only remaining major rival Nikki Haley and solidifying his status as the Republican party’s likely nominee.

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A mysterious case out of the US state of Missouri has left many baffled after bodies of three American football fans of the team Kansas City Chiefs were found outside their friend’s home. However, the friend in question has since insisted that he had “no knowledge” that their bodies had possibly been there for two days.

<h2>What we know so far</h2>

Earlier this month, the police found the bodies of three men in the backyard of a home in Kansas City’s Northland after the fiancée of one of the men requested a welfare check.&nbsp;

When the officers from the Kansas City Police Department, on January 9 arrived at the house, one man’s body was found on the back porch of the NW 83rd Terrace home, while the other two were discovered in the backyard.&nbsp;

They were later identified as Ricky Johnson, 38, David Harrington, 37, and Clayton McGeeney, 36. So far, the police have said that they did not find any signs of foul play. Meanwhile, the mysterious circumstances surrounding the case&nbsp; garnered a lot of attention online.

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The investigators are currently waiting for the results from the medical examiner to determine the cause of death of the three men. The police said that the investigation is underway and no one has been arrested or charged in connection with the case, so far.&nbsp;

“First and foremost, this case is 100% NOT being investigated as a homicide,” said Kansas City police Captain Jake Becchina. He added, “There have not been any arrests, charges, and no one is in custody.”

“The resident at the house was cooperative with detectives the day the deceased were discovered,” said Becchina.&nbsp;

<h2>‘No knowledge’</h2>

The resident of the house which was rented, was identified as Jordan Willis, whose lawyer said that his client went to bed after his friends left his house and does not know what happened to them after.&nbsp;

“Jordan had absolutely nothing to do with their deaths. He does not know the timing or manner of their deaths, nor does he know how or when they exited his house,” John Picerno, Willis’ attorney told the American media, in a statement.

“He had no knowledge that they remained in his backyard or that they needed medical attention. Had he known, he certainly would have called for help. The last time he saw them was when they left his house, and he went to bed,” Picerno added.&nbsp;

Willis’ lawyer also insisted that his client did not receive any phone calls or text messages from friends or family of the victims.&nbsp;

But acknowledged that the wife of one of the deceased tried to reach him via Facebook but “unfortunately, he did not see this message until after the police contacted him.”&nbsp;

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Two people showed up at Willis’ house but he did not hear them because he sleeps with “air buds and a loud fan,” said Picerno. He added, “Two of his friends parked their cars on the street and there were no cars parked in his driveway.”&nbsp;

Willis’ lawyer said that his client did not notice the cars on the street but it would “not be unusual for his friends to have left their cars there overnight.”&nbsp;

He added, “Jordan is unaware of how his friends died. Like the rest of us, Jordan is anxiously awaiting the results of the autopsy and toxicology report.”&nbsp;

Willis moved out of the home less than a week after the bodies were found, said Picerno.&nbsp;

<h2>Victims’ families and friends</h2>

Over the weeks, friends and family of the victims have told the American media how the three had gone to Willis’ house to watch the game on January 7 but have not heard anything since.&nbsp;

Harrington’s mother, Jennifer Marquez, said her son went to his friend’s house to watch the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers game on January 7 and she said the resident of the rental house later told others “his friends froze to death.”

According to the National Weather Service, the weather that day in Kansas City was -1.6 degrees Celsius and it remained below freezing over the next two days.

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One of the victims’ friends lambasted Willis on social media. “This man was inside his home alive while my friends were dead in his yard for lord knows how long,” Kaylee La Tier wrote in a Facebook post, earlier this month.&nbsp;

“They were all hanging out since after the game Sunday. He KNEW people were looking for them. He read messages of people searching for him on Tuesday,” she added. &nbsp;

“My husband banged on his door for 20 min. My friend banged on his door and then busted a window and yelled and announced her presence while she’s inside and still nothing from him?? Then the cops come 10 min later and he comes out nonchalant in his boxers with an empty wine glass in hand??! Nothing is adding up,” said La Tier.&nbsp;

The friend who she said “busted a window” was reportedly McGeeney’s fiancée.&nbsp;

<h2>Mysterious 5th friend</h2>

Picerno recently also confirmed that there was a 5th person in Willis’ house aside from his client, and the three victims that day. In a statement released on Saturday (Jan 20), Willis’ lawyer also changed the story of what happened on January 7.&nbsp;

Previously, Picerno had claimed that the last time Willis saw the three men was when they left the house and he went to bed, but in the recent statement he said that his client went to sleep while the three victims and the 5th&nbsp;man continued to hangout in his home.

The 5th&nbsp;person – who has not been named publicly – revealed new details about the case in a recent interview some of which directly contradicted Picerno’s version.&nbsp;

The man told FOX 4 that it was actually the three victims and Willis who were still awake and in the home when he left and that he was not the last one to see them alive.&nbsp;

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His attorney, Andrew Talge, told the channel that his client arrived at the house at about 7:00 pm (local time) and left around midnight, while the four other men were up watching Jeopardy.&nbsp;

Talge added that this indicates that the three victims were still alive in the early hours of Monday (Jan 8), directly contradicting Picerno’s statement who said Willis supposedly slept on the couch for the next two days while his three friends “froze to death”.&nbsp;

Willis’ lawyer had also claimed that his client only received messages via Facebook Messenger, and did not get texts or calls. However, Talge said his client received a text from McGeeney’s fiancée and from Johnson’s mother asking about their loved ones.

This prompted Talge’s client to text Willis and Johnson, but he did not receive a reply, the lawyer claimed. Picerno declined to comment on the discrepancy, FOX4 said.&nbsp;

In an interview with NewsNation last week, Picerno said Willis left his home sporadically on January 8 and 9. However, he later backtracked saying that Willis had only been in and out of his bedroom.&nbsp;

While the police said foul play is not suspected in their deaths, multiple agencies are working to solve the case.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

A mysterious case out of the US state of Missouri has left many baffled after bodies of three American football fans of the team Kansas City Chiefs were found outside their friend’s home.

A mysterious case out of the US state of Missouri has left many baffled after bodies of three American football fans of the team Kansas City Chiefs were found outside their friend’s home. However, the friend in question has since insisted that he had “no knowledge” that their bodies had possibly been there for two days. What we know so far Earlier this month, the police found the bodies of three men in the backyard of a home in Kansas City’s Northland after the fiancée of one of the men requested a welfare check. When the officers from the Kansas City Police Department, on January 9 arrived at the house, one man’s body was found on the back porch of the NW 83rd Terrace home, while the other two were discovered in the backyard. They were later identified as Ricky Johnson, 38, David Harrington, 37, and Clayton McGeeney, 36. So far, the police have said that they did not find any signs of foul play. Meanwhile, the mysterious circumstances surrounding the case garnered a lot of attention online. WATCH | Major winter storm slams US with power outages The investigators are currently waiting for the results from the medical examiner to determine the cause of death of the three men. The police said that the investigation is underway and no one has been arrested or charged in connection with the case, so far. “First and foremost, this case is 100% NOT being investigated as a homicide,” said Kansas City police Captain Jake Becchina. He added, “There have not been any arrests, charges, and no one is in custody.” “The resident at the house was cooperative with detectives the day the deceased were discovered,” said Becchina. ‘No knowledge’ The resident of the house which was rented, was identified as Jordan Willis, whose lawyer said that his client went to bed after his friends left his house and does not know what happened to them after. “Jordan had absolutely nothing to do with their deaths. He does not know the timing or manner of their deaths, nor does he know how or when they exited his house,” John Picerno, Willis’ attorney told the American media, in a statement. “He had no knowledge that they remained in his backyard or that they needed medical attention. Had he known, he certainly would have called for help. The last time he saw them was when they left his house, and he went to bed,” Picerno added. Willis’ lawyer also insisted that his client did not receive any phone calls or text messages from friends or family of the victims. But acknowledged that the wife of one of the deceased tried to reach him via Facebook but “unfortunately, he did not see this message until after the police contacted him.” ALSO READ | Colorado-based pastor charged in crypto scam says God helped him Two people showed up at Willis’ house but he did not hear them because he sleeps with “air buds and a loud fan,” said Picerno. He added, “Two of his friends parked their cars on the street and there were no cars parked in his driveway.” Willis’ lawyer said that his client did not notice the cars on the street but it would “not be unusual for his friends to have left their cars there overnight.” He added, “Jordan is unaware of how his friends died. Like the rest of us, Jordan is anxiously awaiting the results of the autopsy and toxicology report.” Willis moved out of the home less than a week after the bodies were found, said Picerno. Victims’ families and friends Over the weeks, friends and family of the victims have told the American media how the three had gone to Willis’ house to watch the game on January 7 but have not heard anything since. Harrington’s mother, Jennifer Marquez, said her son went to his friend’s house to watch the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers game on January 7 and she said the resident of the rental house later told others “his friends froze to death.” According to the National Weather Service, the weather that day in Kansas City was -1.6 degrees Celsius and it remained below freezing over the next two days. ALSO READ | US winter storm: Millions face below-zero temperatures amid dangerous Arctic freeze One of the victims’ friends lambasted Willis on social media. “This man was inside his home alive while my friends were dead in his yard for lord knows how long,” Kaylee La Tier wrote in a Facebook post, earlier this month. “They were all hanging out since after the game Sunday. He KNEW people were looking for them. He read messages of people searching for him on Tuesday,” she added. “My husband banged on his door for 20 min. My friend banged on his door and then busted a window and yelled and announced her presence while she’s inside and still nothing from him?? Then the cops come 10 min later and he comes out nonchalant in his boxers with an empty wine glass in hand??! Nothing is adding up,” said La Tier. The friend who she said “busted a window” was reportedly McGeeney’s fiancée. Mysterious 5th friend Picerno recently also confirmed that there was a 5th person in Willis’ house aside from his client, and the three victims that day. In a statement released on Saturday (Jan 20), Willis’ lawyer also changed the story of what happened on January 7. Previously, Picerno had claimed that the last time Willis saw the three men was when they left the house and he went to bed, but in the recent statement he said that his client went to sleep while the three victims and the 5th man continued to hangout in his home. The 5th person – who has not been named publicly – revealed new details about the case in a recent interview some of which directly contradicted Picerno’s version. The man told FOX 4 that it was actually the three victims and Willis who were still awake and in the home when he left and that he was not the last one to see them alive. ALSO READ | New Hampshire Republican primary: Donald Trump delivers knockout blow to Nikki Haley His attorney, Andrew Talge, told the channel that his client arrived at the house at about 7:00 pm (local time) and left around midnight, while the four other men were up watching Jeopardy. Talge added that this indicates that the three victims were still alive in the early hours of Monday (Jan 8), directly contradicting Picerno’s statement who said Willis supposedly slept on the couch for the next two days while his three friends “froze to death”. Willis’ lawyer had also claimed that his client only received messages via Facebook Messenger, and did not get texts or calls. However, Talge said his client received a text from McGeeney’s fiancée and from Johnson’s mother asking about their loved ones. This prompted Talge’s client to text Willis and Johnson, but he did not receive a reply, the lawyer claimed. Picerno declined to comment on the discrepancy, FOX4 said. In an interview with NewsNation last week, Picerno said Willis left his home sporadically on January 8 and 9. However, he later backtracked saying that Willis had only been in and out of his bedroom. While the police said foul play is not suspected in their deaths, multiple agencies are working to solve the case. (With inputs from agencies)

Explained: Mysterious deaths of three football fans found ‘frozen’ in friend’s backyard

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During a volunteer cleanup, numerous homeless individuals were found residing in makeshift caves along the Tuolumne River in Modesto. The 20-foot-deep underground caves, accessed by makeshift stairs carved into the hillside, raised concerns due to their precarious construction and unsanitary conditions.

Over the weekend, the Modesto Police Department, in collaboration with the local community volunteer group 9.2.99, initiated a comprehensive clean-up operation in the Crater Avenue and Dallas Street area. The caves, a hub for vagrancy and illegal camps, prompted action to address safety and sanitation issues.

The Modesto Police Department's HEART Team, along with Park Rangers, CHAT, and Abatement personnel, informed individuals in these caves about the impending clean-up. Assistance and services were offered to facilitate their transition. The joint effort successfully cleared 7,600 lbs of trash, including two truckloads and a trailer of garbage.

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Expressing gratitude for community partnerships, the police acknowledged the 9.2.99 Organisation's exceptional dedication and hard work in ensuring the success of the clean-up operation.

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<h2>Furniture and supplies found in caves</h2>

During the clean-up, various items were discovered inside the caves, including a table, crates filled with supplies, and shelves stocked with food and condiments. Volunteers, such as Chris Guptill from Operation 9.2.99 , expressed astonishment at the quantity of belongings transported into the caves.

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<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-trump-reiterates-political-persecution-allegations-against-biden-683392/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

During a volunteer cleanup, numerous homeless individuals were found residing in makeshift caves along the Tuolumne River in Modesto. The 20-foot-deep underground caves, accessed by makeshift stairs carved into the hillside, raised concerns due to their precarious construction and unsanitary conditions.

During a volunteer cleanup, numerous homeless individuals were found residing in makeshift caves along the Tuolumne River in Modesto. The 20-foot-deep underground caves, accessed by makeshift stairs carved into the hillside, raised concerns due to their precarious construction and unsanitary conditions. Over the weekend, the Modesto Police Department, in collaboration with the local community volunteer group 9.2.99, initiated a comprehensive clean-up operation in the Crater Avenue and Dallas Street area. The caves, a hub for vagrancy and illegal camps, prompted action to address safety and sanitation issues. The Modesto Police Department's HEART Team, along with Park Rangers, CHAT, and Abatement personnel, informed individuals in these caves about the impending clean-up. Assistance and services were offered to facilitate their transition. The joint effort successfully cleared 7,600 lbs of trash, including two truckloads and a trailer of garbage. × Expressing gratitude for community partnerships, the police acknowledged the 9.2.99 Organisation's exceptional dedication and hard work in ensuring the success of the clean-up operation. Also read | US woman survives for 15 hours on top of submerged car before being rescued Furniture and supplies found in caves During the clean-up, various items were discovered inside the caves, including a table, crates filled with supplies, and shelves stocked with food and condiments. Volunteers, such as Chris Guptill from Operation 9.2.99 , expressed astonishment at the quantity of belongings transported into the caves. Also watch | US: Trump reiterates political persecution allegations against Biden (With inputs from agencies)

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We all have our rituals to make the perfect cup of tea but here's a chemistry professor who swears that adding a pinch of salt is the way to go about it. The claim has a storm of debate in the US and the UK.

US scientists recommends adding salt to make perfect cup of tea

Tea, a beverage which has been around for centuries and is prepared in hundreds of different ways across the world, has caused a diplomatic row between the United Kingdom and the United States…yet again.

The row began after a scientist from the US, Michelle Francl, in her book called “Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea,” claimed that a perfect cup of tea requires a pinch of salt.&nbsp;

Safe to say, the author’s recommendation caused quite a stir, particularly among the British who are notoriously obsessed with their way of making tea. The idea behind putting a little salt in the tea is to reduce the bitterness of the drink.

Francl, a chemistry professor at Bryn Mawr College in the US state of Pennsylvania, also weighed&nbsp;in on some divisive topics in Britain, like whether to put the milk in first or not. She says adding warm milk after pouring the tea prevents it from curdling.&nbsp;

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The remarks were seen as so controversial that the US Embassy in London intervened to assure the UK that “adding salt” to tea is not an American policy and distanced themselves from the remarks.&nbsp;

However, Francl has stood by her advice while also clarifying that when she says to add salt, it does not mean a packet full of it, but rather just a pinch, “so little that you can’t taste the saltiness of it,” she said.&nbsp;

The American scientist also said that not only is her advice backed by science but it is also not a new idea. She noted that “Book of Tea” by Lu Yu from the eighth century, which she analysed to perfect her recipe, suggested routinely adding salt to tea.&nbsp;

Notably, the book was published by the Britain-based Royal Society of Chemistry.

<h2>US embassy in London intervenes</h2>

As the transatlantic tensions were running high, the US embassy in London released a statement distancing themselves from the “outrageous” idea while trying to solemnly reassure the horrified country, but ended up adding fuel to the fire, prompting a response from the UK Cabinet Office.&nbsp;

Addressing the media reports, the US embassy in London said that an “American professor’s recipe for the ‘perfect’ cup of tea has landed our special bond with the United Kingdom in hot water.”&nbsp;

It added, “Tea is the elixir of camaraderie, a sacred bond that unites our nations. We cannot stand idly by as such an outrageous proposal threatens the very foundation of our Special Relationship.”

“We want to ensure the good people of the UK that the unthinkable notion of adding salt to Britain’s national drink is not official United States policy. And never will be,” it went on to say.&nbsp;

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However, the message ended with the US embassy saying, “Continue to make tea in the proper way — by microwaving it.” To this, the UK Cabinet Office responded by saying “Tea can only be made using a kettle.”

<h2>US-UK ties and tea</h2>

The US and UK have a particularly controversial history when it comes to tea.&nbsp;

Back in 1773, a bunch of tax-hating demonstrators in Boston dumped King George’s beloved tea into the harbour in an act of defiance, which came to be known as the Boston Tea Party.&nbsp;

It was arguably one of the most iconic political protests and is considered a pivotal event leading to the American Revolution.&nbsp;

However, more recently, Brits and Americans from time to time engage in arguments on social media as people in the US microwave their tea.

“The British say we don’t know what we’re doing,” professor Francl said, as quoted by the New York Times, adding that her research found “We don’t know what we’re doing.”

(With inputs from agencies)

Tea, a beverage which has been around for centuries and is prepared in hundreds of different ways across the world, has caused a diplomatic row between the United Kingdom and the United States…yet again.

Tea, a beverage which has been around for centuries and is prepared in hundreds of different ways across the world, has caused a diplomatic row between the United Kingdom and the United States…yet again. The row began after a scientist from the US, Michelle Francl, in her book called “Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea,” claimed that a perfect cup of tea requires a pinch of salt. Safe to say, the author’s recommendation caused quite a stir, particularly among the British who are notoriously obsessed with their way of making tea. The idea behind putting a little salt in the tea is to reduce the bitterness of the drink. Francl, a chemistry professor at Bryn Mawr College in the US state of Pennsylvania, also weighed in on some divisive topics in Britain, like whether to put the milk in first or not. She says adding warm milk after pouring the tea prevents it from curdling. ALSO READ | US woman survives for 15 hours on top of submerged car before rescue The remarks were seen as so controversial that the US Embassy in London intervened to assure the UK that “adding salt” to tea is not an American policy and distanced themselves from the remarks. However, Francl has stood by her advice while also clarifying that when she says to add salt, it does not mean a packet full of it, but rather just a pinch, “so little that you can’t taste the saltiness of it,” she said. The American scientist also said that not only is her advice backed by science but it is also not a new idea. She noted that “Book of Tea” by Lu Yu from the eighth century, which she analysed to perfect her recipe, suggested routinely adding salt to tea. Notably, the book was published by the Britain-based Royal Society of Chemistry. US embassy in London intervenes As the transatlantic tensions were running high, the US embassy in London released a statement distancing themselves from the “outrageous” idea while trying to solemnly reassure the horrified country, but ended up adding fuel to the fire, prompting a response from the UK Cabinet Office. Addressing the media reports, the US embassy in London said that an “American professor’s recipe for the ‘perfect’ cup of tea has landed our special bond with the United Kingdom in hot water.” It added, “Tea is the elixir of camaraderie, a sacred bond that unites our nations. We cannot stand idly by as such an outrageous proposal threatens the very foundation of our Special Relationship.” “We want to ensure the good people of the UK that the unthinkable notion of adding salt to Britain’s national drink is not official United States policy. And never will be,” it went on to say. ALSO READ | Amid heavy rush of Ram Mandir devotees, all routes to Ayodhya sealed off: Report However, the message ended with the US embassy saying, “Continue to make tea in the proper way — by microwaving it.” To this, the UK Cabinet Office responded by saying “Tea can only be made using a kettle.” US-UK ties and tea The US and UK have a particularly controversial history when it comes to tea. Back in 1773, a bunch of tax-hating demonstrators in Boston dumped King George’s beloved tea into the harbour in an act of defiance, which came to be known as the Boston Tea Party. It was arguably one of the most iconic political protests and is considered a pivotal event leading to the American Revolution. However, more recently, Brits and Americans from time to time engage in arguments on social media as people in the US microwave their tea. “The British say we don’t know what we’re doing,” professor Francl said, as quoted by the New York Times, adding that her research found “We don’t know what we’re doing.” (With inputs from agencies)

Add salt to tea, says American scientist. US embassy disagrees, but wants you to microwave it

Houthis got provoked by Yemen strike. U.S. & UK forces launched joint strike in Yemen. Houthis have now issued an order. As per reports, Houthis ordered all U.S. & British staff of the UN and its agencies to leave Yemen.

Red Sea crisis: Houthis issue order asking all US, British UN staff to leave Yemen

In an unforeseen turn of events, Analysia Beck, a resident of Muskego, Wisconsin, found herself delivering a baby in a McDonald's parking lot due to the urgency of the situation. The incident happened&nbsp;when Analysia began experiencing contractions late at night, prompting her to wake her husband, Daniel Beck, as the pain intensified.

En route to the hospital, Analysia felt an urgent need to push, leading the couple to make a spontaneous decision to pull over. Choosing the closest available location, they found themselves in the McDonald's parking lot. The unexpected birthing location added a surreal twist to the already intense situation.

<h2>A unique arrival</h2>

In an unprecedented move, Analysia leapt from her vehicle and entered the trunk of her SUV to give birth. The couple's unexpected situation was heightened by the presence of Analysia's mother, who had been following them in her own car and arrived at the McDonald's parking lot.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mcdonalds-malaysia-sues-pro-palestinian-over-boycott-calls-675066">Also read |&nbsp;McDonald’s Malaysia sues pro-Palestinian group over boycott calls</a>

Despite the unconventional circumstances, the couple welcomed their baby, affectionately nicknamed "McFlurry".

The name was inspired by the McDonald's setting and the unexpected snowstorm that had hit Muskego. The baby, officially named Micah Daniel, earned the nickname "McFlurry" due to his unique birthplace.

Paramedics quickly arrived on the scene, assisting Analysia and ensuring the newborn's health. Despite the chaos and unpredictability of the situation, Analysia expressed gratitude for the beautiful outcome.&nbsp;

The newborn's nicknames expanded beyond "McFlurry" to include playful monikers like "Mickey D's",&nbsp;"McBaby",&nbsp;and "Small Fry".

Also watch |&nbsp;McDonald's CEO blames 'misinformation' for West Asia sales hit

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Brianna Baltutis from the Hales Corners Fire Department, a first responder, shared her surprise at the turn of events. Initially planning to transport Analysia to the hospital, Baltutis found herself unexpectedly witnessing the birth in the McDonald's parking lot.&nbsp;

"We got there and we were thinking we'd get her loaded up and to the hospital, before she actually delivered the baby. For me, there are people who will go through the fire service for 30-plus years and they won't ever deliver a baby, so I think that's super, super cool," she said.

(With inputs from agencies)

In an unforeseen turn of events, Analysia Beck, a resident of Muskego, Wisconsin, found herself delivering a baby in a McDonald's parking lot due to the urgency of the situation.

In an unforeseen turn of events, Analysia Beck, a resident of Muskego, Wisconsin, found herself delivering a baby in a McDonald's parking lot due to the urgency of the situation. The incident happened when Analysia began experiencing contractions late at night, prompting her to wake her husband, Daniel Beck, as the pain intensified. En route to the hospital, Analysia felt an urgent need to push, leading the couple to make a spontaneous decision to pull over. Choosing the closest available location, they found themselves in the McDonald's parking lot. The unexpected birthing location added a surreal twist to the already intense situation. A unique arrival In an unprecedented move, Analysia leapt from her vehicle and entered the trunk of her SUV to give birth. The couple's unexpected situation was heightened by the presence of Analysia's mother, who had been following them in her own car and arrived at the McDonald's parking lot. Also read | McDonald’s Malaysia sues pro-Palestinian group over boycott calls Despite the unconventional circumstances, the couple welcomed their baby, affectionately nicknamed "McFlurry". The name was inspired by the McDonald's setting and the unexpected snowstorm that had hit Muskego. The baby, officially named Micah Daniel, earned the nickname "McFlurry" due to his unique birthplace. Paramedics quickly arrived on the scene, assisting Analysia and ensuring the newborn's health. Despite the chaos and unpredictability of the situation, Analysia expressed gratitude for the beautiful outcome. The newborn's nicknames expanded beyond "McFlurry" to include playful monikers like "Mickey D's", "McBaby", and "Small Fry". Also watch | McDonald's CEO blames 'misinformation' for West Asia sales hit Brianna Baltutis from the Hales Corners Fire Department, a first responder, shared her surprise at the turn of events. Initially planning to transport Analysia to the hospital, Baltutis found herself unexpectedly witnessing the birth in the McDonald's parking lot. "We got there and we were thinking we'd get her loaded up and to the hospital, before she actually delivered the baby. For me, there are people who will go through the fire service for 30-plus years and they won't ever deliver a baby, so I think that's super, super cool," she said. (With inputs from agencies)

US woman gives birth in McDonald's parking lot, and you won't believe the perfect nickname!

A woman in the US state of California survived by sitting on top of her submerged car for around 15 hours in the rushing waters of a creek, before being rescued by the emergency service personnel, said the local fire department.&nbsp;

<h2>About the rescue</h2>

The woman in the California city of Livermore was stranded on top of her car in a swift-moving creek after she had attempted to drive across a rain-swollen stream and cement bridge around 7:30 pm (local time) Monday (Jan 22), said the Alameda County Fire Department.&nbsp;

The woman was spotted the next morning just after 10:00 by a camper who called the fire department. She was later found&nbsp;by the fire crew who began planning the rescue and called the California Highway Patrol (CHP) for help.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/excessive-farting-forces-airline-crew-to-ask-man-to-disembark-after-flight-delay-reports-683271">‘Excessive farting’ forces airline crew to ask man to disembark after flight delay: Reports</a>

A CHP helicopter was able to lower a rescue personnel who pulled the woman out of the creek. The video was recorded with what appears to be a body or helmet camera and captured the moment when a rescue technician was lowered to the vehicle from the hovering H-30 chopper.&nbsp;

Subsequently, the woman was hoisted up in a life preserver ring and lifted to safety.

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At 10:06a.m., Alameda County Fire Department responded to a call where a women’s small truck got swept into Del Valle Creek in Livermore. She had been there since 7:00p.m. Monday night. 
A CHP did a helicopter rescue. She was cold and in good condition. <a href="https://t.co/lu9OomT41K">pic.twitter.com/lu9OomT41K</a>
— Alameda County Fire (@AlamedaCoFire) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlamedaCoFire/status/1749948574547484922?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2024</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

<h2>What happened?</h2>

The police believe that the woman tried to cross the creek where the water was moving at a significant speed after recent rains. The bridge was flooded, it was dark, and the driver underestimated how deep the water actually was, said the Alameda County Fire Department.

The CHP Golden Gate Division Air Operations wrote, “It appears the victim attempted to drive across a creek that was moving fairly swiftly due to recent rains, causing her vehicle to overturn in the creek.”

ALSO READ |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/an-unprecedented-pinpoint-landing-japan-says-its-moon-landing-was-within-100-metres-of-target-683429">&nbsp;An 'unprecedented' pinpoint landing: Japan says its Moon landing was within 100 metres of target</a>

“She had to swim out of the vehicle…climbed on top of the vehicle, then waited it out,” said Fire Battalion Chief of Alameda County, Kent Carlin.&nbsp;

“It could have had a whole different outcome. She could have been swept downstream, but she was strong enough to get up on top of the vehicle.” The fire department officials said she was later taken to a hospital.&nbsp;

“She was cold and in good condition,” the Alameda County Fire Department said&nbsp;in a post on X.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A woman in the US state of California survived by sitting on top of her submerged car for around 15 hours in the rushing waters of a creek, before being rescued by the emergency service personnel, said the local fire department.

A woman in the US state of California survived by sitting on top of her submerged car for around 15 hours in the rushing waters of a creek, before being rescued by the emergency service personnel, said the local fire department. About the rescue The woman in the California city of Livermore was stranded on top of her car in a swift-moving creek after she had attempted to drive across a rain-swollen stream and cement bridge around 7:30 pm (local time) Monday (Jan 22), said the Alameda County Fire Department. The woman was spotted the next morning just after 10:00 by a camper who called the fire department. She was later found by the fire crew who began planning the rescue and called the California Highway Patrol (CHP) for help. ALSO READ | ‘Excessive farting’ forces airline crew to ask man to disembark after flight delay: Reports A CHP helicopter was able to lower a rescue personnel who pulled the woman out of the creek. The video was recorded with what appears to be a body or helmet camera and captured the moment when a rescue technician was lowered to the vehicle from the hovering H-30 chopper. Subsequently, the woman was hoisted up in a life preserver ring and lifted to safety. × At 10:06a.m., Alameda County Fire Department responded to a call where a women’s small truck got swept into Del Valle Creek in Livermore. She had been there since 7:00p.m. Monday night. A CHP did a helicopter rescue. She was cold and in good condition. pic.twitter.com/lu9OomT41K — Alameda County Fire (@AlamedaCoFire) January 24, 2024 × What happened? The police believe that the woman tried to cross the creek where the water was moving at a significant speed after recent rains. The bridge was flooded, it was dark, and the driver underestimated how deep the water actually was, said the Alameda County Fire Department. The CHP Golden Gate Division Air Operations wrote, “It appears the victim attempted to drive across a creek that was moving fairly swiftly due to recent rains, causing her vehicle to overturn in the creek.” ALSO READ | An 'unprecedented' pinpoint landing: Japan says its Moon landing was within 100 metres of target “She had to swim out of the vehicle…climbed on top of the vehicle, then waited it out,” said Fire Battalion Chief of Alameda County, Kent Carlin. “It could have had a whole different outcome. She could have been swept downstream, but she was strong enough to get up on top of the vehicle.” The fire department officials said she was later taken to a hospital. “She was cold and in good condition,” the Alameda County Fire Department said in a post on X. (With inputs from agencies)

WATCH | US woman survives for 15 hours on top of submerged car before being rescued

<o:p></o:p>A recent report released on Tuesday by the Bureau of Labour Statistics revealed that unemployment rates increased in 15 US states in December, with Massachusetts and Rhode Island experiencing the most significant month-over-month rise at 0.3 percentage points. <o:p></o:p>

On the positive side, Minnesota was the sole state to witness a decrease in unemployment, with its rate falling by 0.2 percentage points. Meanwhile, the majority of states and the District of Columbia saw unchanged unemployment rates. Nonfarm payroll employment levels remained essentially stable across all states from November to December.<o:p></o:p>

From a year earlier, employment rose in 30 states, while it remained essentially unchanged in 20 states and the District of Columbia. Maryland and North Dakota boasted the lowest jobless rates at 1.9 per cent, highlighting regional variations in economic conditions. In contrast, Nevada reported the highest unemployment rate, holding steady at 5.4 per cent from November. The national unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.7 per cent in December, and the economy added 216,000 jobs, up from the 173,000 added in November.<o:p></o:p>

The data also indicates that thirteen states and the District of Columbia have unemployment rates at or above 4 per cent, the highest count since December 2022. Notably, this includes three crucial battleground states for the upcoming presidential election: Michigan, Nevada, and Arizona. Nationally, the jobless rate remains near its lowest levels since the 1960s, with job participation and wage growth becoming key talking points in President Joe Biden's bid for re-election against former President Donald Trump.<o:p></o:p>

President Biden's success in swing states like Michigan, where he led against Trump by 4 percentage points for the week ending Jan. 10, according to data compiled by polling analysis site 538, becomes crucial. Last year, Biden showed support for workers in Michigan by joining United Auto Workers members on the picket line during their walkouts against Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis. This marked the first time a sitting president participated in such an action, responding to pressure from Michigan Democrats.<o:p></o:p>

(With inputs from Reuters)<o:p></o:p>

A recent report released on Tuesday by the Bureau of Labour Statistics revealed that unemployment rates increased in 15 US states in December, with Massachusetts and Rhode Island experiencing the most significant month-over-month rise at 0.

A recent report released on Tuesday by the Bureau of Labour Statistics revealed that unemployment rates increased in 15 US states in December, with Massachusetts and Rhode Island experiencing the most significant month-over-month rise at 0.3 percentage points. On the positive side, Minnesota was the sole state to witness a decrease in unemployment, with its rate falling by 0.2 percentage points. Meanwhile, the majority of states and the District of Columbia saw unchanged unemployment rates. Nonfarm payroll employment levels remained essentially stable across all states from November to December. From a year earlier, employment rose in 30 states, while it remained essentially unchanged in 20 states and the District of Columbia. Maryland and North Dakota boasted the lowest jobless rates at 1.9 per cent, highlighting regional variations in economic conditions. In contrast, Nevada reported the highest unemployment rate, holding steady at 5.4 per cent from November. The national unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.7 per cent in December, and the economy added 216,000 jobs, up from the 173,000 added in November. The data also indicates that thirteen states and the District of Columbia have unemployment rates at or above 4 per cent, the highest count since December 2022. Notably, this includes three crucial battleground states for the upcoming presidential election: Michigan, Nevada, and Arizona. Nationally, the jobless rate remains near its lowest levels since the 1960s, with job participation and wage growth becoming key talking points in President Joe Biden's bid for re-election against former President Donald Trump. President Biden's success in swing states like Michigan, where he led against Trump by 4 percentage points for the week ending Jan. 10, according to data compiled by polling analysis site 538, becomes crucial. Last year, Biden showed support for workers in Michigan by joining United Auto Workers members on the picket line during their walkouts against Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis. This marked the first time a sitting president participated in such an action, responding to pressure from Michigan Democrats. (With inputs from Reuters)

Unemployment rises in nearly a third of US states in December: Report

Pyongyang claimed that it successfully launched a military spy satellite into orbit late on the 21st of November. Tuesday's launch was Pyongyang's third attempt at securing a military eye in the sky after two failed ventures in May and August this year.

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Not Ex-President Donald Trump, but Democrat presidential election Dean Phillips seems to be mounting a big challenge to US President Joe Biden's reelection campaign.

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Ever since typing has replaced handwriting cursive seems to have lost its charm. But US lawmakers are trying to revive it. California has made cursive writing mandatory for public school students from first through sixth grade.

Gravitas: Should cursive be compulsory in schools?

The United States targeted sites used by Iran-backed militants in Iraq on Tuesday (Jan 23), said the Pentagon. Two people were killed and two wounded in the bombardments, said Iraqi officials.&nbsp;

The US strikes come days after a number of American military personnel were injured after a ballistic missile attack by Iran-backed militants hit Al-Asad Air Base in Iraq.

<h2>US strikes in Iraq&nbsp;</h2>

The latest strikes targeted three facilities used by Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah and other Tehran-affiliated groups in Iraq, said the US officials.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;US strikes three facilities in Iraq linked to Iran-backed militia for attacks on US forces

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The strikes “are in direct response to a series of escalatory attacks against US and coalition personnel in Iraq and Syria” by Iranian-backed militia groups, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement.&nbsp;

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) also released a statement saying that their forces “conducted unilateral airstrikes” targeting “KH headquarters, storage, and training locations for rocket, missile, and one-way attack UAV capabilities.”

The strikes, according to US defence officials, were carried out at two sites in western Iraq, Al-Qa’im near the Syrian border and Jurf al-Sakhar south of Baghdad.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-and-uk-conduct-fresh-series-of-air-strikes-against-houthi-targets-in-yemen-682642">US and UK conduct fresh series of air strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen</a>

<h2>Iraqi official criticises US strikes</h2>

AFP report citing Iraqi sources said that the US strikes targeted Ketaib Hezbollah, a militant faction affiliated with the former Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitaries.&nbsp;

Two people were killed and two wounded in the bombardments in the al-Qaim sector, said the Iraqi interior ministry and former member of the Hashed al-Shaabi, whose fighters have been integrated into the regular army.

However, a Reuters report citing a medical source and a militant source said four people were wounded.

A senior&nbsp;Iraqi official later took to X and criticised Washington's move saying that these strikes "do not help bring calm" and called them a "flagrant violation of Iraq's sovereignty".&nbsp;

<h2>Biden under pressure</h2>

According to the Pentagon, US and allied forces in Iraq and Syria have been targeted in more than 150 attacks since mid-October.&nbsp;

The spike in attacks against American forces in the region and Washington’s response to them also comes amid the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza.&nbsp;

Therefore, US President Joe Biden has reportedly come under pressure to militarily respond to attacks on US forces despite political sensitivities in Baghdad. In his criticism of US' strikes in Iraq, the senior official also asked Washington to pressure Israel to stop its offensive in Gaza.&nbsp;

"The US side should pile on pressure for a halt to the (Israeli) offensive in Gaza rather than targeting and bombing the bases of an Iraqi national body," National Security Adviser Qassem al-Aaraji said in a post on X.

The CENTCOM said the Al Asad airbase which also hosts American troops came under attack by Iran-backed militia with ballistic missiles and rockets on Saturday (Jan 20) evening.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-military-personnel-injured-after-ballistic-missile-attack-by-iran-backed-militants-on-airbase-in-iraq-681950">US military personnel injured after ballistic missile attack by Iran-backed militants on airbase in Iraq</a> 
 
The attack resulted in minor injuries, but it was not immediately clear how many military personnel were wounded. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an Iran-backed militia group, claimed responsibility for Saturday’s attack on the base.&nbsp;

“The President and I will not hesitate to take necessary action to defend them and our interests. We do not seek to escalate conflict in the region,” said Austin.&nbsp;

He added, “We are fully prepared to take further measures to protect our people and our facilities. We call on these groups and their Iranian sponsors to immediately cease these attacks.”

The US has 900 troops in Syria and 2,500 in Iraq, advising and assisting local forces to prevent a resurgence of Islamic State.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The United States targeted sites used by Iran-backed militants in Iraq on Tuesday (Jan 23), said the Pentagon. Two people were killed and two wounded in the bombardments, said Iraqi officials.

The United States targeted sites used by Iran-backed militants in Iraq on Tuesday (Jan 23), said the Pentagon. Two people were killed and two wounded in the bombardments, said Iraqi officials. The US strikes come days after a number of American military personnel were injured after a ballistic missile attack by Iran-backed militants hit Al-Asad Air Base in Iraq. US strikes in Iraq The latest strikes targeted three facilities used by Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah and other Tehran-affiliated groups in Iraq, said the US officials. WATCH | US strikes three facilities in Iraq linked to Iran-backed militia for attacks on US forces The strikes “are in direct response to a series of escalatory attacks against US and coalition personnel in Iraq and Syria” by Iranian-backed militia groups, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) also released a statement saying that their forces “conducted unilateral airstrikes” targeting “KH headquarters, storage, and training locations for rocket, missile, and one-way attack UAV capabilities.” The strikes, according to US defence officials, were carried out at two sites in western Iraq, Al-Qa’im near the Syrian border and Jurf al-Sakhar south of Baghdad. ALSO READ | US and UK conduct fresh series of air strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen Iraqi official criticises US strikes AFP report citing Iraqi sources said that the US strikes targeted Ketaib Hezbollah, a militant faction affiliated with the former Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitaries. Two people were killed and two wounded in the bombardments in the al-Qaim sector, said the Iraqi interior ministry and former member of the Hashed al-Shaabi, whose fighters have been integrated into the regular army. However, a Reuters report citing a medical source and a militant source said four people were wounded. A senior Iraqi official later took to X and criticised Washington's move saying that these strikes "do not help bring calm" and called them a "flagrant violation of Iraq's sovereignty". Biden under pressure According to the Pentagon, US and allied forces in Iraq and Syria have been targeted in more than 150 attacks since mid-October. The spike in attacks against American forces in the region and Washington’s response to them also comes amid the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza. Therefore, US President Joe Biden has reportedly come under pressure to militarily respond to attacks on US forces despite political sensitivities in Baghdad. In his criticism of US' strikes in Iraq, the senior official also asked Washington to pressure Israel to stop its offensive in Gaza. "The US side should pile on pressure for a halt to the (Israeli) offensive in Gaza rather than targeting and bombing the bases of an Iraqi national body," National Security Adviser Qassem al-Aaraji said in a post on X. The CENTCOM said the Al Asad airbase which also hosts American troops came under attack by Iran-backed militia with ballistic missiles and rockets on Saturday (Jan 20) evening. ALSO READ | US military personnel injured after ballistic missile attack by Iran-backed militants on airbase in Iraq The attack resulted in minor injuries, but it was not immediately clear how many military personnel were wounded. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an Iran-backed militia group, claimed responsibility for Saturday’s attack on the base. “The President and I will not hesitate to take necessary action to defend them and our interests. We do not seek to escalate conflict in the region,” said Austin. He added, “We are fully prepared to take further measures to protect our people and our facilities. We call on these groups and their Iranian sponsors to immediately cease these attacks.” The US has 900 troops in Syria and 2,500 in Iraq, advising and assisting local forces to prevent a resurgence of Islamic State. (With inputs from agencies)

US carries out strikes on Iranian-backed militants in Iraq; two dead

Security researchers claimed to have uncovered a massive database leak, calling&nbsp;it the "Mother of all Breaches," which contained a staggering 26 billion records. This revelation, deemed one of the largest to date, consists of&nbsp;sensitive data from major platforms such as Twitter, Dropbox, LinkedIn, Tencent, Weibo, Adobe, Canva, and Telegram, Forbes reported.

<h2>What's the extent of the breach?</h2>

The database, a colossal 12 terabytes in size, was discovered on an unsecured page by researchers from Security Discovery and Cybernews. The sheer magnitude of the breach raises concerns about the potential consequences for the affected individuals, as it includes a vast array of personal information.

The research team believes that the database was likely compiled by a malicious actor or data broker. The aggregated data poses a significant threat, enabling threat actors to exploit it for various malicious activities. The potential risks include identity theft, advanced phishing schemes, targeted cyberattacks, and unauthorised access to personal and sensitive accounts.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/data-lab-cyber-threats-in-healthcare-digital-india-and-the-need-to-beef-up-cyber-security-601894">Also read |&nbsp;Data Lab | Digital India and the need to beef up cyber-security in healthcare</a>

The leaked data extends its reach to major Chinese entities, such as Tencent and Weibo, amplifying the global scale of the breach. Equally alarming is the discovery that records from various US&nbsp;and other government organisations are part of the exposed data.

While a portion of the database comprises records from previous breaches and leaks, a concerning aspect is the inclusion of numerous username and password combinations. This element significantly heightens the risk of cybercriminals leveraging the data for malicious purposes, potentially leading to identity theft, sophisticated phishing attacks, and unauthorised access to sensitive accounts.

Cybersecurity experts stress on&nbsp;the importance of vigilance among potential victims, urging them to be aware of the potential consequences of compromised passwords.&nbsp;

In response to the situation, a LinkedIn spokesperson told WION, "We are working to fully investigate these claims, and we have seen no evidence that LinkedIn's systems were breached."

Also watch |&nbsp;Australia sanctions Russian hacker for role in 2022 Medibank cyberattack

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While a considerable part of the exposed data consists of compiled records from previous breaches, this breach's magnitude is unprecedented. Notably, in 2019, Verifications.io suffered a major breach, leaking nearly one billion records, considered one of the most significant breaches at the time. Other notable breaches include MySpace (360 million), Twitter (281 million), LinkedIn (251 million), and AdultFriendFinder (220 million).

(With inputs from agencies)

Security researchers claimed to have uncovered a massive database leak, calling it the "Mother of all Breaches," which contained a staggering 26 billion records.

Security researchers claimed to have uncovered a massive database leak, calling it the "Mother of all Breaches," which contained a staggering 26 billion records. This revelation, deemed one of the largest to date, consists of sensitive data from major platforms such as Twitter, Dropbox, LinkedIn, Tencent, Weibo, Adobe, Canva, and Telegram, Forbes reported. What's the extent of the breach? The database, a colossal 12 terabytes in size, was discovered on an unsecured page by researchers from Security Discovery and Cybernews. The sheer magnitude of the breach raises concerns about the potential consequences for the affected individuals, as it includes a vast array of personal information. The research team believes that the database was likely compiled by a malicious actor or data broker. The aggregated data poses a significant threat, enabling threat actors to exploit it for various malicious activities. The potential risks include identity theft, advanced phishing schemes, targeted cyberattacks, and unauthorised access to personal and sensitive accounts. Also read | Data Lab | Digital India and the need to beef up cyber-security in healthcare The leaked data extends its reach to major Chinese entities, such as Tencent and Weibo, amplifying the global scale of the breach. Equally alarming is the discovery that records from various US and other government organisations are part of the exposed data. While a portion of the database comprises records from previous breaches and leaks, a concerning aspect is the inclusion of numerous username and password combinations. This element significantly heightens the risk of cybercriminals leveraging the data for malicious purposes, potentially leading to identity theft, sophisticated phishing attacks, and unauthorised access to sensitive accounts. Cybersecurity experts stress on the importance of vigilance among potential victims, urging them to be aware of the potential consequences of compromised passwords. In response to the situation, a LinkedIn spokesperson told WION, "We are working to fully investigate these claims, and we have seen no evidence that LinkedIn's systems were breached." Also watch | Australia sanctions Russian hacker for role in 2022 Medibank cyberattack While a considerable part of the exposed data consists of compiled records from previous breaches, this breach's magnitude is unprecedented. Notably, in 2019, Verifications.io suffered a major breach, leaking nearly one billion records, considered one of the most significant breaches at the time. Other notable breaches include MySpace (360 million), Twitter (281 million), LinkedIn (251 million), and AdultFriendFinder (220 million). (With inputs from agencies)

Major data leak: 26 billion records exposed from platforms including Twitter and LinkedIn, report says

Over 300,000 people to participate at the New Hampshire primary, which will determine if Nikki Haley has a fighting chance for being the Republican Presidential elect. Or will Donald Trump once again emerge as the Republican poster boy?

US Elections 2024: New Hampshire Primary becomes a make-or-break for Nikki Haley

Second round of joint airstrikes by the US & UK target Yemen's Houthi rebels. The Houthis have vowed 'to respond to any attacks on Yemen.' Houthi's claim to have fired at a U.S. cargo ship in Red sea. Watch to know more!

Red Sea Crisis: Houthis have vowed to respond to 'any attacks on Yemen'

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley's campaign is urging supporters to stay calm amid New Hampshire's primary, assuring them that the campaign is 'here to stay', despite challenges and comparisons with former President Donald Trump.

In a campaign memo, Haley's campaign manager, Betsy Ankney, addressed perceptions of a Trump coronation and emphasised the early stages of the race.&nbsp;

“The political class and the media want to give Donald Trump a coronation. They say the race is over,”&nbsp;Ankney, wrote in the memo, as reported by The Hill.&nbsp;

<h2>Field narrows to Haley and Trump</h2>

With Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis dropping out and backing Trump, the presidential field has narrowed to a one-on-one battle between Haley and the former president. Questions have risen&nbsp;about Haley's campaign momentum and competitiveness in the 2024 cycle.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ai-scare-for-us-elections-fake-robocall-imitating-biden-asks-voters-not-to-vote-in-new-hampshire-primary-682665">Also read |&nbsp;AI scare for US elections? Fake robocall imitating Biden asks voters not to vote in New Hampshire primary</a>

The memo expressed optimism for the late February primary in Haley's home state, South Carolina, and Super Tuesday in March. Ankney believes there is significant potential for Haley in various open or semi-open primaries on Super Tuesday.

Ankney also encouraged supporters to take a deep breath, saying that the campaign has not yet begun in many states. The memo hinted at future strategic efforts, asserting that a month in politics is a significant timeframe, and concluded with a "see y'all in South Carolina" sign-off.

Haley's campaign has been gaining ground on Trump in New Hampshire polls, particularly among independents and Republicans critical of the former president. The campaign emphasises her electability, citing results that show her outperforming other Republicans against President Biden.

Also watch |&nbsp;Trump vs Haley in New Hampshire Primary | US Elections 2024

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Despite Haley's gains in polling, as of Tuesday, Trump maintains a double-digit lead in The Hill-Decision Desk HQ polling averages in New Hampshire, where voters head to the primaries. The competition remains fierce as the campaign looks ahead to future primary battles.

(With inputs from agencies)

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley's campaign is urging supporters to stay calm amid New Hampshire's primary, assuring them that the campaign is 'here to stay', despite challenges and comparisons with former President Donald Trump.

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley's campaign is urging supporters to stay calm amid New Hampshire's primary, assuring them that the campaign is 'here to stay', despite challenges and comparisons with former President Donald Trump. In a campaign memo, Haley's campaign manager, Betsy Ankney, addressed perceptions of a Trump coronation and emphasised the early stages of the race. “The political class and the media want to give Donald Trump a coronation. They say the race is over,” Ankney, wrote in the memo, as reported by The Hill. Field narrows to Haley and Trump With Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis dropping out and backing Trump, the presidential field has narrowed to a one-on-one battle between Haley and the former president. Questions have risen about Haley's campaign momentum and competitiveness in the 2024 cycle. Also read | AI scare for US elections? Fake robocall imitating Biden asks voters not to vote in New Hampshire primary The memo expressed optimism for the late February primary in Haley's home state, South Carolina, and Super Tuesday in March. Ankney believes there is significant potential for Haley in various open or semi-open primaries on Super Tuesday. Ankney also encouraged supporters to take a deep breath, saying that the campaign has not yet begun in many states. The memo hinted at future strategic efforts, asserting that a month in politics is a significant timeframe, and concluded with a "see y'all in South Carolina" sign-off. Haley's campaign has been gaining ground on Trump in New Hampshire polls, particularly among independents and Republicans critical of the former president. The campaign emphasises her electability, citing results that show her outperforming other Republicans against President Biden. Also watch | Trump vs Haley in New Hampshire Primary | US Elections 2024 Despite Haley's gains in polling, as of Tuesday, Trump maintains a double-digit lead in The Hill-Decision Desk HQ polling averages in New Hampshire, where voters head to the primaries. The competition remains fierce as the campaign looks ahead to future primary battles. (With inputs from agencies)

US presidential race: Nikki Haley asks supporters to 'take a deep breath' amid New Hampshire primary

Donald Trump has won the New Hampshire Republican primary edging closer to be the primary challenger to Joe Biden in the upcoming U.S. polls. Who will Trump pick as VP if he wins the nomination? Priyanka Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: Trump wins New Hampshire Republican Primary

Alaska Airlines (ALK.N) CEO, Ben Minicucci, has revealed that the airline uncovered "some loose bolts on many" of its Boeing (BA.N) 737 MAX 9s during inspections, media reports said. The inspections were carried out by the airlines when its Flight 1282, which departed from Portland, Oregon, was forced to make an emergency landing on Friday (Jan 5) after, in a mid-air scare, a door "plug" blew off at a height of 16,000 feet.&nbsp;

Alaska Airlines, on January 8, reported that its technicians had identified "some loose hardware" on certain 737 MAX 9 planes. The airline assured that all of its aircraft were undergoing comprehensive inspections, adhering to detailed instructions from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in consultation with Boeing.

The FAA announced that 171 MAX 9 jetliners, equipped with the same fuselage panel that blew out, would remain grounded. The jets will only be put to use after "enhanced" inspections. These will include checking of left and right cabin door exit plugs, components of the door, and other fasteners, reports said.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-fires-multiple-cruise-missiles-towards-yellow-sea-says-south-korea-683042">North Korea fires multiple cruise missiles towards Yellow Sea, says South Korea</a>

In the dramatic emergency landing of the Alaska Airlines flight, after a rectangular hole was left in the aircraft, the missing door plug was discovered in the backyard of a Portland school teacher.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/guccis-grand-grab-billion-dollar-blitz-on-fifth-avenue-unleashes-fashion-fury-683037">Gucci's Grand Grab: Billion-Dollar Blitz on Fifth Avenue Unleashes Fashion Fury</a>

Jennifer Homendy, chief of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), disclosed that the blown-out panel was manufactured in Malaysia by Boeing's primary supplier. Earlier, there was a closed-door meeting involving Homendy and the members of the Senate Commerce Committee in Washington.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/decoding-canadas-crackdown-on-students-683038">Decoding Canada's crackdown on students</a>

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“Nothing was said about penalties or enforcement, but when there is an end result, I have no doubt but that there will be consequences,” a Kansas Republican Senator Jerry Moran said.&nbsp;At the briefing, “there was also interest in trying to make sure that the FAA is doing its job in its oversight,” as per Moran.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Alaska Airlines (ALK.N) CEO, Ben Minicucci, has revealed that the airline uncovered "some loose bolts on many" of its Boeing (BA.N) 737 MAX 9s during inspections, media reports said.

Alaska Airlines (ALK.N) CEO, Ben Minicucci, has revealed that the airline uncovered "some loose bolts on many" of its Boeing (BA.N) 737 MAX 9s during inspections, media reports said. The inspections were carried out by the airlines when its Flight 1282, which departed from Portland, Oregon, was forced to make an emergency landing on Friday (Jan 5) after, in a mid-air scare, a door "plug" blew off at a height of 16,000 feet. Alaska Airlines, on January 8, reported that its technicians had identified "some loose hardware" on certain 737 MAX 9 planes. The airline assured that all of its aircraft were undergoing comprehensive inspections, adhering to detailed instructions from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in consultation with Boeing. The FAA announced that 171 MAX 9 jetliners, equipped with the same fuselage panel that blew out, would remain grounded. The jets will only be put to use after "enhanced" inspections. These will include checking of left and right cabin door exit plugs, components of the door, and other fasteners, reports said. Also Read | North Korea fires multiple cruise missiles towards Yellow Sea, says South Korea In the dramatic emergency landing of the Alaska Airlines flight, after a rectangular hole was left in the aircraft, the missing door plug was discovered in the backyard of a Portland school teacher. Also Read | Gucci's Grand Grab: Billion-Dollar Blitz on Fifth Avenue Unleashes Fashion Fury Jennifer Homendy, chief of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), disclosed that the blown-out panel was manufactured in Malaysia by Boeing's primary supplier. Earlier, there was a closed-door meeting involving Homendy and the members of the Senate Commerce Committee in Washington. Watch | Decoding Canada's crackdown on students × “Nothing was said about penalties or enforcement, but when there is an end result, I have no doubt but that there will be consequences,” a Kansas Republican Senator Jerry Moran said. At the briefing, “there was also interest in trying to make sure that the FAA is doing its job in its oversight,” as per Moran. (With inputs from agencies)

Alaska Airlines inspection found loose bolts on 'many' Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes, CEO says

Nikki Haley refuses to quit race after loss

The possibility of a month-long ceasefire by Israel and Hamas seems to be more imminent. This comes as Qatar, the US and Egypt are trying to mediate between both sides.

Possible exchange of hostages & Palestinian prisoners in talks

US President Joe Biden secured a win as a write-in candidate in the New Hampshire Democratic primary. However, this victory will not get the US president any delegates as his name was not there on the official ballot.&nbsp;This comes as the Republican primary in New Hampshire saw Donald Trump triumphing, dealing a setback to his rival Nikki Haley.

A write-in candidate in US primary elections is one whose name is not printed on the official ballot but is instead written in by voters. In a typical primary election, voters choose from a list of pre-registered candidates who have officially declared their candidacy for a particular office. However, some states and jurisdictions allow voters to write in the name of a candidate who is not on the printed ballot.

President Biden's win in New Hampshire took shape through this write-in initiative. Voters were urged by Biden volunteers to write the president's name on the ballot. This came as the Democratic National Committee's calendar was reshuffled, where they placed South Carolina at the forefront and as Democrats' first primary.

The president's win serves as a momentum boost as he heads towards the November elections. Polls suggest a close race, with Trump holding a 1.1 percentage point lead over Biden in a hypothetical head-to-head contest, media reports said.&nbsp;

<h2>Republican primary&nbsp;</h2>

With the latest GOP primary results, it appears a rematch between President Biden and former President Trump is highly probable. Nikki Haley finished second in New Hampshire.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-carries-out-strikes-on-iranian-backed-militants-in-iraq-two-dead-683006">US carries out strikes on Iranian-backed militants in Iraq; two dead</a>

Donald Trump's commanding win in Iowa, with a 30-point lead, set the stage for a heated contest.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-hampshire-us-primaries-donald-trump-delivers-knockout-blow-to-nikky-haley-683000">New Hampshire Republican primary: Donald Trump delivers knockout blow to Nikki Haley</a>

Nikki Haley, in Iowa, came third and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis secured the second place. However, DeSantis ended his presidential bid later.

Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/situation-quite-fragile-indian-navy-chief-admiral-r-hari-kumar-on-red-sea-situation-682972">Situation quite fragile: Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar on Red sea situation</a>

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The upcoming South Carolina primary will be a crucial battleground. Haley will once again be contesting against Trump.

(With inputs from agencies)

US President Joe Biden secured a win as a write-in candidate in the New Hampshire Democratic primary. However, this victory will not get the US president any delegates as his name was not there on the official ballot.

US President Joe Biden secured a win as a write-in candidate in the New Hampshire Democratic primary. However, this victory will not get the US president any delegates as his name was not there on the official ballot. This comes as the Republican primary in New Hampshire saw Donald Trump triumphing, dealing a setback to his rival Nikki Haley. A write-in candidate in US primary elections is one whose name is not printed on the official ballot but is instead written in by voters. In a typical primary election, voters choose from a list of pre-registered candidates who have officially declared their candidacy for a particular office. However, some states and jurisdictions allow voters to write in the name of a candidate who is not on the printed ballot. President Biden's win in New Hampshire took shape through this write-in initiative. Voters were urged by Biden volunteers to write the president's name on the ballot. This came as the Democratic National Committee's calendar was reshuffled, where they placed South Carolina at the forefront and as Democrats' first primary. The president's win serves as a momentum boost as he heads towards the November elections. Polls suggest a close race, with Trump holding a 1.1 percentage point lead over Biden in a hypothetical head-to-head contest, media reports said. Republican primary With the latest GOP primary results, it appears a rematch between President Biden and former President Trump is highly probable. Nikki Haley finished second in New Hampshire. Also Read | US carries out strikes on Iranian-backed militants in Iraq; two dead Donald Trump's commanding win in Iowa, with a 30-point lead, set the stage for a heated contest. Also Read | New Hampshire Republican primary: Donald Trump delivers knockout blow to Nikki Haley Nikki Haley, in Iowa, came third and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis secured the second place. However, DeSantis ended his presidential bid later. Watch | Situation quite fragile: Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar on Red sea situation × The upcoming South Carolina primary will be a crucial battleground. Haley will once again be contesting against Trump. (With inputs from agencies)

Here's what write-in candidate means, the method that propelled Biden to a win in New Hampshire

An Indian-American couple, who lured their cousin to the US with promises of education and later inflicted abuse on him by forcing him to labour, has now been convicted and faces hefty penalties. This comes after a two-week trial following which a federal jury in Virginia found the couple guilty of conspiracy to commit forced labour.

The couple has a convenience store where they coerced their cousin into providing labour and services.

Thirty-year-old Harmanpreet Singh and 43-year-old Kulbir Kaur now face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release, a fine of up to USD 250,000, and mandatory restitution for the forced labour charge, media reports said.&nbsp;

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division said that the couple played their cards on the victim's trust with US education promises and subjected him to physical and mental abuse.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-ratifies-swedens-much-delayed-nato-bid-ball-now-in-hungarys-court-683014">Turkey ratifies Sweden's much-delayed NATO bid, ball now in Hungary's court</a>

The Department of Justice revealed that Singh and Kaur used various coercive means.

The couple kept the living conditions of the cousin poor. In terms of labour, they tried to make their profits by pushing him to work for long hours with a minimum salary.

“These defendants engaged in an egregious bait-and-switch, luring the victim with false promises of an education in the United States and instead subjecting him to gruelling hours, degrading living conditions, and a litany of mental and physical abuse,” said US Attorney Jessica D Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-wins-as-write-in-candidate-in-new-hampshire-democratic-primary-683010">Biden wins as write-in candidate in New Hampshire Democratic primary</a>

As per federal prosecutors, the defendants lured the victim in 2018, when he was a minor.

They enchanted him to come to the United States with deceitful assurances of assisting him in enrolling in school.

Upon arrival, they seized his immigration documents and promptly compelled him to engage in labour.

According to court records, Singh physically assaulted the victim by pulling his hair. He used to slap and kick him whenever he would ask for his immigration documents in a bid to leave.

Additionally, on three separate occasions, Singh allegedly brandished a revolver to threaten the victim for wanting to take a day off and attempting to leave.

Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-strikes-three-facilities-in-iraq-linked-to-iran-backed-militia-for-attacks-on-us-forces-683011">US strikes three facilities in Iraq linked to Iran-backed militia for attacks on US forces</a>

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“Forced labour and human trafficking are abhorrent crimes that have no place in our society, and I am grateful to our team of prosecutors, agents, and support staff for ensuring that justice was done in this case,” Aber said.

(With inputs from agencies)

An Indian-American couple, who lured their cousin to the US with promises of education and later inflicted abuse on him by forcing him to labour, has now been convicted and faces hefty penalties.

An Indian-American couple, who lured their cousin to the US with promises of education and later inflicted abuse on him by forcing him to labour, has now been convicted and faces hefty penalties. This comes after a two-week trial following which a federal jury in Virginia found the couple guilty of conspiracy to commit forced labour. The couple has a convenience store where they coerced their cousin into providing labour and services. Thirty-year-old Harmanpreet Singh and 43-year-old Kulbir Kaur now face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release, a fine of up to USD 250,000, and mandatory restitution for the forced labour charge, media reports said. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division said that the couple played their cards on the victim's trust with US education promises and subjected him to physical and mental abuse. Also Read | Turkey ratifies Sweden's much-delayed NATO bid, ball now in Hungary's court The Department of Justice revealed that Singh and Kaur used various coercive means. The couple kept the living conditions of the cousin poor. In terms of labour, they tried to make their profits by pushing him to work for long hours with a minimum salary. “These defendants engaged in an egregious bait-and-switch, luring the victim with false promises of an education in the United States and instead subjecting him to gruelling hours, degrading living conditions, and a litany of mental and physical abuse,” said US Attorney Jessica D Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia. Also Read | Biden wins as write-in candidate in New Hampshire Democratic primary As per federal prosecutors, the defendants lured the victim in 2018, when he was a minor. They enchanted him to come to the United States with deceitful assurances of assisting him in enrolling in school. Upon arrival, they seized his immigration documents and promptly compelled him to engage in labour. According to court records, Singh physically assaulted the victim by pulling his hair. He used to slap and kick him whenever he would ask for his immigration documents in a bid to leave. Additionally, on three separate occasions, Singh allegedly brandished a revolver to threaten the victim for wanting to take a day off and attempting to leave. Watch | US strikes three facilities in Iraq linked to Iran-backed militia for attacks on US forces × “Forced labour and human trafficking are abhorrent crimes that have no place in our society, and I am grateful to our team of prosecutors, agents, and support staff for ensuring that justice was done in this case,” Aber said. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian-American couple lures cousin with false US education promises, inflicts horrific exploitation

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