#Gravitas Imagine navigating through thick forests, swarmed with mosquitoes, passing rapid river waters, wild animals and criminal gangs that rob, and kill those passing through the forest. This is what hundreds of Chinese nationals are enduring on a day-to-day basis in their quest to reach the U.S. from Central America to flee repression and risking everything for a shot at a better life and freedom.

Gravitas: Why are more Chinese seeking asylum in U.S.?

#Gravitas | As Russia's fight against Ukrainian troops in Kursk entered day three, Kyiv revealed the objective behind the cross-border incursion. The advisor to Ukrainain president Volodymyr Zelensky, Mykhailo Podolyak has described the cross-border incursion into the Russian region as an attempt to instill fear among Russians. Has Ukraine found a new barganinig chip against Russia ahead of the upcoming peace talks?

Russia's fierce fight against Ukrainian Troops | Kyiv Reveals Kursk Raid Goal

Vice President Kamala Harris declared herself and her new running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, joyful warriors" against Donald Trump on Wednesday as they spent their first full day campaigning together across the Midwest.

US Elections 2024: VP rivals Walz and Vance hold duelling swing state events

Democratic Presidential candidate Kamala Harris is drawing more support from black voters than President Joe Biden did when he was in the race this year and this is according to a Reuters ipsos poll. Watch to know more!

US: Harris draws more support among black voters, Trump up slightly among white voters: Ipsos poll

Days after Sheikh Hasina resigned as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and fled to India Nobel Laurette Muhammad Yunus has been sworn in as the chief advisor of the interim government in the country. As Muhammad Yunus takes charge in Bangladesh, can he pull the country out of its troubles? With the fall of Sheikh Hasina, what's the future of Bangladesh?

Bangladesh Crisis: Muhammad Yunus assures to restore law & order

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As Muhammad Yunus takes charge in Bangladesh, can he pull the country out of its troubles? With the fall of Sheikh Hasina, what's the future of Bangladesh?

Bangladesh Crisis: Can Muhammad Yunus save Bangladesh? | Inside South Asia

Indian wrestler Antim Panghal and her entourage will be deported from Paris following the cancellation of her Paris Olympics 2024 accreditation. This decision came after Antim’s sister, Nisha, attempted to use the wrestler’s accreditation to enter the Olympic Games Village and was detained by police. Watch in for more details!

Paris Olympics 2024: India's Antim Panghal sent back home after disciplinary beach

Days after Sheikh Hasina resigned as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and fled to India Nobel Laurette Muhammad Yunus has been sworn in as the chief advisor of the interim government in the country. Watch in for more details!

Bangladesh: Nobel winner Muhammad Yunus sworn in as Chief Advisor of interim government

To assess readiness for the forthcoming Assembly elections in the UT, a team from the Election Commission of India (ECI), led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, is scheduled to arrive in Srinagar on Thursday morning.

ECI team’s J&K visit: Union Territory to have elections soon?

The death toll from heavy rains that lashed western Yemen earlier this week has risen to 40, with 5 others still reported missing, according to Houthi officials and aid workers.

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Bangladesh: Nobel laureate Yunus takes oath as Chief Advisor of interim government

The World Health Organization has convened an emergency meeting to address the international spread of another deadly strain of MPOX. This new highly infectious strain detected in the Democratic Republic of Congo in April has a fatality rate of up to 10%. Watch in for more details!

Mpox Virus spreads across African countries; All about the new deadly Mpox clade 1B strain

India's 'Golden Boy' Neeraj Chopra will be looking to script history by clinching his second straight Olympic gold medal in men's javelin throw competition in Paris on Thursday. Watch in for more updates!

Olympics 2024 | Neeraj Chopra will compete in the javelin Olympic final: A look at his competitors

NASA officials announced that astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS), might return to Earth on SpaceX's Crew Dragon in February 2025 instead of Boeing's Starliner.

Boeing Starliner astronauts may fly home with SpaceX in 2025

The days after Tim Walz was named Kamala Harris's running mate US Republicans are turning the focus to his China links attacking him for his long history with a country seen as Washington's biggest economic and military rival. Watch in for more details!

US Election 2024: Tim Walz China connection: How will American voters react?

Nearly 600 people from Bangladesh&nbsp;were stopped from entering India at a&nbsp;border point in the Indian state of&nbsp;West Bengal by the Border Security Force (BSF), which has been on high alert since&nbsp;Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted and fled the country on Monday.

On Wednesday (Aug 7), a&nbsp;day before an interim government was&nbsp;set to take control in Bangladesh, hundreds from the country tried to enter India, pleading with BSF officers for entry, claiming they feared for their lives.

As per a report by India Today, roughly 1,000 Bangladeshi Hindus have gathered at the India-Bangladesh border in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, due to the unstable conditions in Bangladesh. The BSF, however, has prevented them from crossing into India.

Officials reported that the group attempted to cross into India at Dakshin Berubari village in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district.

"They appealed to us and asked to be let into the country, saying that they were afraid of being attacked and also feared for their lives. It was explained to them that it is not possible to let them enter in this fashion," said an official.

While some people in the group left, many remained at the border late Wednesday evening, hoping to be allowed entry. A local resident told news agency PTI that the people gathered across the barbed wire were pleading to be let in.

"But we are helpless. They recounted their horrific experiences," the resident said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bangladesh-209-inmates-flee-during-violent-protest-at-kashimpur-jail-6-killed-748149">Bangladesh crisis: 209 inmates flee from high-security central jail during violent protest, 6 killed</a>

Tensions had been rising in Bangladesh since before the January 7 elections, which were overwhelmingly won by Hasina's Awami League but were widely criticised as not being free and fair.

Student protests began in June after a Bangladeshi high court reinstated a 30 per cent reservation in government jobs for family members of freedom fighters and veterans from Bangladesh's 1971 War of Independence. Although the quota was later reduced by the country's supreme court, the ousted PM's&nbsp;handling of the situation angered students.

Protests continued with students demanding that&nbsp;Hasina step down. Clashes between protesters and the police resulted in over 100 deaths and numerous injuries across the country.

On Monday, hundreds of thousands of students took to the streets and marched towards the prime minister's official residence, Ganabhaban, forcing her&nbsp;to resign and flee the country.

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus will take oath on Thursday (Aug 8) as the head of an interim government, announced Bangladesh's Army chief Waker-Uz-Zaman.

(With inputs from agencies)

Nearly 600 people from Bangladesh were stopped from entering India at a border point in the Indian state of West Bengal by the Border Security Force (BSF), which has been on high alert since Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted and fled the country on Monday.

Nearly 600 people from Bangladesh were stopped from entering India at a border point in the Indian state of West Bengal by the Border Security Force (BSF), which has been on high alert since Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted and fled the country on Monday. On Wednesday (Aug 7), a day before an interim government was set to take control in Bangladesh, hundreds from the country tried to enter India, pleading with BSF officers for entry, claiming they feared for their lives. As per a report by India Today, roughly 1,000 Bangladeshi Hindus have gathered at the India-Bangladesh border in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, due to the unstable conditions in Bangladesh. The BSF, however, has prevented them from crossing into India. Officials reported that the group attempted to cross into India at Dakshin Berubari village in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district. "They appealed to us and asked to be let into the country, saying that they were afraid of being attacked and also feared for their lives. It was explained to them that it is not possible to let them enter in this fashion," said an official. While some people in the group left, many remained at the border late Wednesday evening, hoping to be allowed entry. A local resident told news agency PTI that the people gathered across the barbed wire were pleading to be let in. "But we are helpless. They recounted their horrific experiences," the resident said. Also read: Bangladesh crisis: 209 inmates flee from high-security central jail during violent protest, 6 killed Tensions had been rising in Bangladesh since before the January 7 elections, which were overwhelmingly won by Hasina's Awami League but were widely criticised as not being free and fair. Student protests began in June after a Bangladeshi high court reinstated a 30 per cent reservation in government jobs for family members of freedom fighters and veterans from Bangladesh's 1971 War of Independence. Although the quota was later reduced by the country's supreme court, the ousted PM's handling of the situation angered students. Protests continued with students demanding that Hasina step down. Clashes between protesters and the police resulted in over 100 deaths and numerous injuries across the country. On Monday, hundreds of thousands of students took to the streets and marched towards the prime minister's official residence, Ganabhaban, forcing her to resign and flee the country. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus will take oath on Thursday (Aug 8) as the head of an interim government, announced Bangladesh's Army chief Waker-Uz-Zaman. (With inputs from agencies)

600 Bangladeshis attempt to cross into India's West Bengal fearing for their lives, stopped by border security

Thousands of police and anti-racism protesters gathered on streets across Britain on Wednesday to challenge expected far-right groups that failed to materialise following more than a week of violent racist attacks targeting Muslims and migrants. Watch in for more details!

UK riots: Anti-racism protesters chant 'refugees are welcome'

A state of emergency has been declared in the Kursk region of Russia, as a rare cross-border attack by Ukrainian troops continued on Wednesday. Watch in for more details!

Russia-Ukraine War: Russian border region sounds emergency amid Ukrainian blitz

Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning economist, will be sworn in as the leader of Bangladesh's interim government today (August 8) after violent protests forced PM Sheikh Hasina to resign. Watch in for more details!

Bangladesh: Muhammad Yunus to be chief adviser of Bangladesh's interim govt

Defying an arrest warrant against him, former Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont appeared in the Spanish city of Barcelona on Thursday after seven years of self-imposed exile, as he sought to reignite a flagging independence movement.

Puigdemont spoke to a crowd of thousands of followers in the Catalan capital, who had gathered near the regional parliament, waving Catalan independence flags and holding up signs showing his face.

The politician, 61, fled to Belgium seven years ago after a failed secession bid and has been living in exile ever since. He is now likely to be detained over an outstanding arrest warrant for alleged embezzlement, which he denies.

On Wednesday, Puigdemont announced he had started his "return trip from exile", saying he remained committed to attending Thursday's session of the regional parliament, which is sitting to swear in the region's new leader following an election in May, in which Puigdemont's Junts party finished second.

"That in order to do so I would risk an arbitrary and illegal detention is evidence of the democratic anomaly that we have a duty to denounce and fight against," he said in a video posted on social media.

His arrest could delay the swearing-in of a Socialist government in Catalonia and jeopardise the national government´s fragile alliance with Junts, on which it relies for legislative support.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/videos/spain-carles-puigdemont-to-contest-upcoming-catalan-elections-703281" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/spain-carles-puigdemont-to-contest-upcoming-catalan-elections-703281&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi_6qn-g-WHAxWgsFYBHVvpEWIQFnoECAkQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw0BDIEfwmvV2lciSO-6t6yd&amp;arm=e" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/spain-carles-puigdemont-to-contest-upcoming-catalan-elections-703281" target="_blank">Carles Puigdemont&nbsp;to contest upcoming Catalan elections</a>

The building in central Barcelona housing the regional parliament was fenced off and surrounded by officers of the Catalan police force, the Mossos d'Esquadra.

Several police vans were located nearby after radical protest group CDR called on its members to attend the gathering.

Among the crowd were top officials from Junts, including the regional parliament's speaker, Josep Rull.

RISK OF PRISON

"It represents the return of a symbol," said Xavier Vizcaino, 63, who was wrapped in an independence flag.

Given the risk of imprisonment, Vizcaino said he was unclear of Puigdemont's intentions but hoped his return would build momentum towards independence.

"I hope it is a stimulus that helps the movement recover energy and efforts," he said. "I want to believe there is a well structured plan behind his return."

Far-right Vox was set to hold a counter-protest outside the parliament. Its secretary general, Ignacio Garriga, said on X that "we will not tolerate the humiliation of seeing a criminal and fugitive from justice enter parliament".

The vote to invest Socialist Salvador Illa, who will be backed by the left-wing separatist ERC party after a bilateral deal last week, was slated to kick off at 10 a.m. (0800 GMT).

The Socialists hope taking control in Catalonia after a decade of separatist rule will turn the page on the independence drive, which has been losing support in recent years.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sacked-catalan-leader-carles-puigdemont-accepts-snap-elections-6472" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/sacked-catalan-leader-carles-puigdemont-accepts-snap-elections-6472&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi_6qn-g-WHAxWgsFYBHVvpEWIQFnoECAEQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw3XAOm2kQaFwpXPP5Dyjse2&amp;arm=e" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sacked-catalan-leader-carles-puigdemont-accepts-snap-elections-6472" target="_blank">Sacked Catalan leader&nbsp;Carles Puigdemont&nbsp;accepts snap elections</a>

The Spanish parliament passed an amnesty law in May pardoning those involved in the failed 2017 secession bid, but the Supreme Court upheld arrest warrants for Puigdemont and two others who were also charged with embezzlement, ruling that the amnesty law does not apply to them.

Puigdemont insists the referendum was not illegal and so the charges linked to it have no basis.

Wearing a T-shirt and waving a flag with Puigdemont's face and the motto 'No surrender', 41-year-old Susana Masnou described his return as an act of "democratic disobedience" to make sure the amnesty law applies to him.

"He is a very brave man, with convictions, putting at risk his life to move the country forward," she said.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Defying an arrest warrant against him, former Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont appeared in the Spanish city of Barcelona on Thursday after seven years of self-imposed exile, as he sought to reignite a flagging independence movement.

Defying an arrest warrant against him, former Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont appeared in the Spanish city of Barcelona on Thursday after seven years of self-imposed exile, as he sought to reignite a flagging independence movement. Puigdemont spoke to a crowd of thousands of followers in the Catalan capital, who had gathered near the regional parliament, waving Catalan independence flags and holding up signs showing his face. The politician, 61, fled to Belgium seven years ago after a failed secession bid and has been living in exile ever since. He is now likely to be detained over an outstanding arrest warrant for alleged embezzlement, which he denies. On Wednesday, Puigdemont announced he had started his "return trip from exile", saying he remained committed to attending Thursday's session of the regional parliament, which is sitting to swear in the region's new leader following an election in May, in which Puigdemont's Junts party finished second. "That in order to do so I would risk an arbitrary and illegal detention is evidence of the democratic anomaly that we have a duty to denounce and fight against," he said in a video posted on social media. His arrest could delay the swearing-in of a Socialist government in Catalonia and jeopardise the national government´s fragile alliance with Junts, on which it relies for legislative support. Also read: Carles Puigdemont to contest upcoming Catalan elections The building in central Barcelona housing the regional parliament was fenced off and surrounded by officers of the Catalan police force, the Mossos d'Esquadra. Several police vans were located nearby after radical protest group CDR called on its members to attend the gathering. Among the crowd were top officials from Junts, including the regional parliament's speaker, Josep Rull. RISK OF PRISON "It represents the return of a symbol," said Xavier Vizcaino, 63, who was wrapped in an independence flag. Given the risk of imprisonment, Vizcaino said he was unclear of Puigdemont's intentions but hoped his return would build momentum towards independence. "I hope it is a stimulus that helps the movement recover energy and efforts," he said. "I want to believe there is a well structured plan behind his return." Far-right Vox was set to hold a counter-protest outside the parliament. Its secretary general, Ignacio Garriga, said on X that "we will not tolerate the humiliation of seeing a criminal and fugitive from justice enter parliament". The vote to invest Socialist Salvador Illa, who will be backed by the left-wing separatist ERC party after a bilateral deal last week, was slated to kick off at 10 a.m. (0800 GMT). The Socialists hope taking control in Catalonia after a decade of separatist rule will turn the page on the independence drive, which has been losing support in recent years. Also read: Sacked Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont accepts snap elections The Spanish parliament passed an amnesty law in May pardoning those involved in the failed 2017 secession bid, but the Supreme Court upheld arrest warrants for Puigdemont and two others who were also charged with embezzlement, ruling that the amnesty law does not apply to them. Puigdemont insists the referendum was not illegal and so the charges linked to it have no basis. Wearing a T-shirt and waving a flag with Puigdemont's face and the motto 'No surrender', 41-year-old Susana Masnou described his return as an act of "democratic disobedience" to make sure the amnesty law applies to him. "He is a very brave man, with convictions, putting at risk his life to move the country forward," she said. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Catalan separatist Puigdemont faces arrest as supporters cheer his return to Spain

Following the death of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last week, Hamas formally declared that Yahya Sinwar will take over as the terror group's new politburo chief. Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, is often seen as the mastermind behind the October 7 attack that ignited the current conflict in Gaza.

Following the death of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last week, Hamas formally declared that Yahya Sinwar will take over as the terror group's new politburo chief. Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, is often seen as the mastermind behind the October 7 attack that ignited the current conflict in Gaza. Earlier, Saudi media reported that Hamas has named a new chief to lead the militant group until elections can be held next year to replace its assassinated leader Ismail Haniyeh. Following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in a bombing in Tehran last week, Mohamed Ismail Darwish, the man in charge of Hamas' Shura Council, has been named as the organisation's acting leader, according to the Saudi-based Al Arabiya news. Also read: Hezbollah targets Israeli military sites in major drone attack, IDF flies jets over Beirut Till the terror group's elections in 2025, Darwish, also known as Abu Omer Hassan, will be in charge of communicating with the leaders of the organisation in Gaza, the West Bank, the diaspora, and Israeli prisons. Since the IDF assassinated his senior, Osama Mazini, in October, Darwish has been leading the Shura Council. Mazini led the 2011 hostage swap, where Hamas released IDF soldier Gilad Shalit in return for 1,027 Palestinian prisoners, among them current Gaza leader and October 7 planner Yahya Sinwar. Also read: Dozens of ultra-orthodox Jews break into Israel's Tel Hashomer army base to protest against conscription The Shura Council is Hamas' second most significant political entity, made up of elected representatives from four regions, including key figures such as Sinwar and diaspora leader Khaled Meshaal. The council's members are kept confidential, and they choose the 15 members of Hamas' Politburo, the main body that makes governmental decisions and selects the group's leader. (With inputs from agencies)

Hamas names Yahya Sinwar as new leader after Ismail Haniyeh’s assassination

More than 90 people have been arrested in Nigeria for carrying Russian Flags during protests against economic hardship in the country. Watch in for more details!

Nigeria Protests: Nigerian authorities arrest 90 people for carrying Russian flags

As leaders are toppled and forced to flee their once impenetrable fortresses of power become spectacles of public retribution. The oust of Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh is not an isolated incident. Watch in for more details!

Sheikh Hasina to Ashraf Ghani: Leaders who fled their countries amid political crisis: Explained

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