A rocket attack on a football ground in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights killed 12 people including children on Saturday, Israeli authorities said, blaming Hezbollah and vowing to inflict a heavy price on the Iran-backed Lebanese group.

West Asia flare-up: Rocket attack in Golan Heights

Russia has begun including new, cheaply-made drones in its long-range attacks on Ukraine, to try to identify air defences, film any damage and act as decoys, a Ukrainian military spy official said.

Russia-Ukraine War: Russia deploys cheap drones to locate Ukraine's air defences: Ukraine

More than 180,000 Palestinians have fled fierce fighting around the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis in four days.

Israel-Hamas war: Attack on Khan Younis displaces 180,000

Ukraine said on Friday its missile forces struck a Russian military airfield in Crimea that has been used for long-range attacks against it, the latest in a series of blows to the Russian military on the occupied peninsula.

Russia-Ukraine War: Ukraine says missile forces hit Russian air base in Crimea

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be travelling to Kyiv in August, which will be his first visit to the war-torn country since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022. Watch to know more.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Ukraine in August

Indian PM Modi likely to visit Ukraine on August 23

The Israel Defense Forces on Saturday morning issued fresh evacuation orders to Palestinians in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, including in sections of the Israeli-designated humanitarian zone, citing intelligence that Hamas terrorists were operating in the area.

Israel war: 30 Palestinians killed in Israeli strike in Deir al-Balah

Biden urged the Israeli leader to act quickly to finalize the deal and remove obstacles affecting the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Watch to know more.

Israel-Hamas war: Biden, Harris urge Netanyahu to finalise truce deal

Gaza crisis: Biden asks Netanyahu to finalise truce deal

Israel is seeking changes to a plan for a Gaza truce and the release of hostages by Hamas, complicating a final deal to halt nine months of combat that have devastated the enclave, according to a Western official and a Palestinian and two Egyptian sources.

Israel-Hamas war: Israel seeks changes in Gaza truce plan

North Korea on Wednesday (July 24) escalated its propaganda war by sending trash-carrying balloons that struck a high-profile target: the South Korean presidential compound.

Citing security officials, AFP reports that this incident prompted a swift response from Seoul, which mobilised chemical response teams.

<h2>Direct hit on the presidential compound</h2>

This marks the first instance where the South Korean leader's office in downtown Seoul, a highly secured area protected by numerous soldiers and a no-fly zone, was directly impacted by the thousands of trash-carrying balloons launched by Pyongyang since May.

"The chemical, biological, and radiological (warfare) response team has safely collected the trash balloons," the presidential security service confirmed to AFP.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kamala-harris-slams-trump-at-her-first-presidential-rally-743610">Kamala Harris slams Trump at her first presidential rally</a>

After investigation, results have confirmed that there was no danger or contamination of the object."

This comes as South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff previously confirmed the launch of these balloons by the North. Now, Seoul authorities on Wednesday have issued a warning to the city's citizens, urging them to avoid touching any fallen balloons and to report them.

"If you find any fallen balloons, do not touch them, and report them to the nearest military unit or police station."

<h2>Why is North Korea sending trash balloons to South Korea?</h2>

This incident marks the tenth occurrence this year of North Korea sending trash-carrying balloons across the border.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/olympics/news-paris-olympics-2024-russian-arrested-over-destabilisation-plot-in-french-capital-743621">Paris Olympics 2024: Russian arrested over 'destabilisation' plot in French capital</a>

The nation claims this is a retaliation for South Korean activists frequently launching balloons carrying anti-regime propaganda leaflets and money across the border into North Korea. These campaigns have long infuriated Pyongyang, which possibly fears that outside information could destabilise the tightly controlled society and threaten the Kim Jong-un regime.

In May, North Korea threatened to take similar action. Kim Kang Il, a vice-minister of defence, on May 26 warned that "Tit-for-tat action will be taken against frequent scattering of leaflets and other rubbish by the ROK near border areas." Here, ROK refers to the Republic of Korea, the South's official name.

"Mounds of wastepaper and filth will soon be scattered over the border areas and the interior of the ROK and it will directly experience how much effort is required to remove them," Kim&nbsp;reiterated in a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency.

Even though the 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armistice, the two Koreas remain technically at war, separated by a heavily fortified border.

(With inputs from agencies)

North Korea on Wednesday (July 24) escalated its propaganda war by sending trash-carrying balloons that struck a high-profile target: the South Korean presidential compound.

North Korea on Wednesday (July 24) escalated its propaganda war by sending trash-carrying balloons that struck a high-profile target: the South Korean presidential compound. Citing security officials, AFP reports that this incident prompted a swift response from Seoul, which mobilised chemical response teams. Direct hit on the presidential compound This marks the first instance where the South Korean leader's office in downtown Seoul, a highly secured area protected by numerous soldiers and a no-fly zone, was directly impacted by the thousands of trash-carrying balloons launched by Pyongyang since May. "The chemical, biological, and radiological (warfare) response team has safely collected the trash balloons," the presidential security service confirmed to AFP. Also read | Kamala Harris slams Trump at her first presidential rally After investigation, results have confirmed that there was no danger or contamination of the object." This comes as South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff previously confirmed the launch of these balloons by the North. Now, Seoul authorities on Wednesday have issued a warning to the city's citizens, urging them to avoid touching any fallen balloons and to report them. "If you find any fallen balloons, do not touch them, and report them to the nearest military unit or police station." Why is North Korea sending trash balloons to South Korea? This incident marks the tenth occurrence this year of North Korea sending trash-carrying balloons across the border. Also read | Paris Olympics 2024: Russian arrested over 'destabilisation' plot in French capital The nation claims this is a retaliation for South Korean activists frequently launching balloons carrying anti-regime propaganda leaflets and money across the border into North Korea. These campaigns have long infuriated Pyongyang, which possibly fears that outside information could destabilise the tightly controlled society and threaten the Kim Jong-un regime. In May, North Korea threatened to take similar action. Kim Kang Il, a vice-minister of defence, on May 26 warned that "Tit-for-tat action will be taken against frequent scattering of leaflets and other rubbish by the ROK near border areas." Here, ROK refers to the Republic of Korea, the South's official name. "Mounds of wastepaper and filth will soon be scattered over the border areas and the interior of the ROK and it will directly experience how much effort is required to remove them," Kim reiterated in a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency. Even though the 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armistice, the two Koreas remain technically at war, separated by a heavily fortified border. (With inputs from agencies)

North Korea ups the ante, trash-carrying balloons hit South Korean presidential compound

Yemeni rebels - Houthis - have released a video showing what they say is the Yafa drone, that they used in the attack on Tel Aviv on July 19. At least one person was killed and 10 others were injured after a long-range rocket hit an apartment building in Israel.

Israel-Houthi tensions: Houthis release footage of 'Yafa' drone used in an attack on Tel Aviv

Israel said it shot down a missile launched from Yemen on Sunday and the Yemeni Houthi movement said it had fired several rockets at the Israeli city of Eilat after Israel's first public strike against the Iran-aligned group a day earlier.

Israel-Houthi tensions: Israel flexes it military muscle

Roads torn up months ago by Israeli army bulldozers in Jenin refugee camp remain unpassable because the Palestinian Authority can’t afford to fix them. Government employees are being paid a fraction of their salaries, and health services are collapsing.

Israel-Hamas war: Palestinian authorities finances in disarray

In response to the worsening security situation in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, the White House National Security Council met on Wednesday. Reportedly, among the possible actions discussed were sanctions against two extremist Cabinet ministers, Betzalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir.

Israel-Hamas War: US mulling action against Israeli ministers

Russia has implemented increased import tariffs on a range of consumer goods from countries that have sanctioned Moscow amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The decision, outlined in a recent government order, targets products such as wine, beer, candies, biscuits, and shampoo.

Russia vs sanctioning nations

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to address a joint session of Congress next week as he faces growing pressure from his government to reach a cease-fire and hostage deal with Hamas.

Israel-Hamas War: Israeli PM faces pressure for hostage deal ahead of US visit

Powerful airstrikes rocked the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah a day after Israeli officials vowed revenge for a drone that struck Tel Aviv. Airstrikes hit a refinery and electricity infrastructure, sparking a huge blaze.

Israel-Hamas War: Israeli strike Houthi targets in Yemen

Israel-Hamas War: Israeli jets strike Houthi targets in Yemen after Tel Aviv attack

The International Court of Justice declared on Friday that the Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories is 'illegal' and must end 'as soon as possible'.

Israeli occupation of Palestinian land 'illegal', says ICJ | Netanyahu slams 'lies'

An Iranian-made drone sent by Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck Tel Aviv on Friday, leaving one person dead and at least 10 wounded in the group’s first lethal strike into Israel. Watch to know more.

Houthis stronger after Tel Aviv attack?

Israel-Hamas War: Netanyahu faces pressure for hostage deal ahead of US visit

The White House announced on Thursday that US President Joe Biden is still scheduled to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on his visit to Washington next week, but it will depend on how well he recovers from COVID-19.

Israel-Hamas war |  White House: Joe Biden expecting to meet Benjamin Netanyahu next week

Israel-Hamas war: Biden, Netanyahu expected to meet next week: White House

Ukrainian aerial and maritime drones struck Russian military targets on the annexed Crimean peninsula. Ukraine recently escalated drone and missile attacks on Russian military installations in Crimea. The attack damaged a command centre and an ammo depot among other facilities at Lake Donuzlav.

Ukrainian aerial and maritime drones attack Russian bases in Crimea

Russia is ready to work with any U.S. leader willing to engage in "equitable, mutually respectful dialogue," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday, while welcoming the stance on Ukraine of Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov welcomes Vance stance on Ukraine amid European concern

Mossad chief David Barnea told a security cabinet meeting Tuesday that young female hostages held by Hamas don’t have time to wait for a new hostage deal framework, according to unsourced leaks from the gathering that were widely reported by Hebrew media outlets Wednesday.

Israel-Hamas war | No time to wait: Mossad urges hostage deal

Israel hostage deal: Concerns over hostages being raped in captivity

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