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Pakistan wants the world to see it as a peacemaker in the US-Iran war. Well, you cannot present yourself as a peacemaker while continuing to kill civilians in Afghanistan. Even though Asim Munir and Shehbaz Sharif have portrayed themselves as the peacemakers to US President Donald trump, their own backyard has skeletons of civilians, including children and women, buried. The right to defend yourself does not give any government a free pass to put civilian lives at risk.&nbsp;Pakistan's credibility has always been questionable. If Islamabad is calling for restraint and dialogue in the Iran conflict, then those same principles must apply to Afghanistan. Peace in Iran, but military pressure on Afghanistan: Munir's actions continue to contradict his own position. If Pakistan genuinely wants to play the role of mediator in West Asia, it should first demonstrate that it can apply the same standards to its own neighbourhood.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-wouldn-t-call-it-a-war-says-jd-vance-on-ongoing-conflict-with-iran-1788467837247">‘I wouldn’t call it a war,’ says JD Vance on ongoing conflict with Iran</a>&nbsp;Pakistan does not have to choose between defending its people and respecting Afghan civilians. A responsible state is expected to do both. You see, the real test of diplomacy is not what you say when the world's cameras are watching. It is what you do when dealing with your own neighbours. Credibility is earned through consistent action, not dramatic and diplomatic speeches.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/short-videos/pakistan-s-internal-war-ttp-attacks-expose-growing-security-crisis-1788500084641/embed">https://www.wionews.com/short-videos/pakistan-s-internal-war-ttp-attacks-expose-growing-security-crisis-1788500084641/embed</a>&nbsp;You cannot demand restraint from others while using force against your innocents. If Pakistan wants to be taken seriously as a regional peacemaker, it must first show that peace is a principle, not a position it adopts only when it suits its interests.&nbsp;Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.

Pakistan’s bid to mediate in the Iran conflict faces scrutiny as Asim Munir and Shehbaz Sharif call for peace while civilian deaths in Afghanistan continue

Pakistan wants the world to see it as a peacemaker in the US-Iran war. Well, you cannot present yourself as a peacemaker while continuing to kill civilians in Afghanistan. Even though Asim Munir and Shehbaz Sharif have portrayed themselves as the peacemakers to US President Donald trump, their own backyard has skeletons of civilians, including children and women, buried. The right to defend yourself does not give any government a free pass to put civilian lives at risk. Pakistan's credibility has always been questionable. If Islamabad is calling for restraint and dialogue in the Iran conflict, then those same principles must apply to Afghanistan. Peace in Iran, but military pressure on Afghanistan: Munir's actions continue to contradict his own position. If Pakistan genuinely wants to play the role of mediator in West Asia, it should first demonstrate that it can apply the same standards to its own neighbourhood. Also Read: ‘I wouldn’t call it a war,’ says JD Vance on ongoing conflict with Iran Pakistan does not have to choose between defending its people and respecting Afghan civilians. A responsible state is expected to do both. You see, the real test of diplomacy is not what you say when the world's cameras are watching. It is what you do when dealing with your own neighbours. Credibility is earned through consistent action, not dramatic and diplomatic speeches. https://www.wionews.com/short-videos/pakistan-s-internal-war-ttp-attacks-expose-growing-security-crisis-1788500084641/embed You cannot demand restraint from others while using force against your innocents. If Pakistan wants to be taken seriously as a regional peacemaker, it must first show that peace is a principle, not a position it adopts only when it suits its interests. Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.

Pakistan seeks a peacemaker role in the Iran conflict, but military action and civilian deaths in Afghanistan raise questions over Islamabad’s credibility

The Verdict: Peace for Iran, pressure on Afghanistan: Pakistan’s contradictory diplomacy

Vice President JD Vance on Thursday disputed whether the ongoing US conflict with Iran was still a war, saying major combat operations ended after about six weeks. On being asked during a White House news briefing if the war would be over by the midterm elections in November, Vance said, “I wouldn’t call it a war. Right now, there is no active shooting. I recognize there have been places where this has flared up.”&nbsp;The vice president further said that major combat operations ended after about six weeks.&nbsp;“When you ask, ‘When will this end?’ You’re asking me a question like, ‘When will the Iranians stop shooting at ships?’ I think the reality is I don’t know the answer to that question. You would have to ask the Iranians,” Vance said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nobel-laureate-machado-says-venezuela-s-illegitimate-regime-has-no-right-to-strike-us-oil-deal-1788463885343">Nobel laureate Machado says Venezuela’s ‘illegitimate’ regime has no right to strike US oil deal</a><h2>‘No negotiations until Strait of Hormuz attacks stop’</h2>&nbsp;Vice President Vance further said that the US would not negotiate with Iran while attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz continue.“The president’s been very clear: We’re not talking to them, and we’re not going to talk to them unless they stop shooting at commercial shipping,” Vance said during the news briefing.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ganga-nears-danger-mark-in-varanasi-most-ghats-submerged-pm-modi-orders-relief-work-on-war-footing-1788455040726">Ganga nears danger mark in Varanasi, most ghats submerged; PM Modi orders relief work on ‘war footing’</a><h2>‘Gas could have been much, much higher’</h2>&nbsp;On being asked when Americans would expect lower gas prices and could expect to pay less at the pump, Vance said the US has been able to avert a global energy crisis from Iran’s attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;“We’ve been quite successful up to this point,” Vance said. “Gas, frankly, could have been much, much higher were it not for our efforts, but I’m not going to make a promise about when it’s going to return to $3.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-ready-to-help-end-russia-ukraine-war-says-eam-jaishankar-during-kyiv-visit-1788437687980">India ready to help end Russia-Ukraine war, says EAM Jaishankar during Kyiv visit</a>&nbsp;The vice president said the US was fighting Iran so it wouldn’t be able to have a nuclear weapon. He argued that the energy crisis from the war with Iran could have been much worse if it hadn’t been responded to effectively.<h2>‘Extremely skeptical about hitting Iran wedding’</h2>&nbsp;The Vice President further said that he was “extremely skeptical” of the Iranian allegations that the US hit a wedding party during strikes earlier this week.Iranian officials said four civilians were killed and dozens more were wounded in the attack. The US military said it was looking into the allegations.&nbsp;“I will say that the Iranian state media has not been a very good scribe about what’s happened in the conflict thus far, so I’m extremely skeptical of this,” Vance told reporters.He reiterated what the US military has been saying, which is that civilians are not targeted.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bar-council-has-no-power-to-discipline-law-students-before-enrollment-supreme-court-1788442808743">Bar Council has no power to discipline law students before enrollment: Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;“Unfortunately, obviously, sometimes things happen, but in this particular case, I don't think that we have any information one way or the other,” Vance said. “We’re investigating it because obviously we care, we want to know.”&nbsp;<h2>‘Oil flow through Hormuz nearly back to pre-war levels’</h2>&nbsp;Vance went on to say that the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz was nearly back to levels seen before the Iran war, adding that Tehran’s control of the waterway was “effectively gone”.&nbsp;“If you go back three months ago, how much oil and gas was coming out of the strait under Iranian threats? It was virtually nothing. Now, it’s almost back to where it was before the conflict even started,” the VP said.&nbsp;Vance also downplayed the threat of Iranian cyberattacks in America and said that Iran’s ability to disrupt the daily lives of Americans was “not zero, but it’s quite limited.”&nbsp;“What I would say is that we feel quite confident the homeland is safe,” he said. “We also feel quite confident that the Iranians are going to try to do a lot of things that they don’t have the capability to do.”&nbsp;He added that the Trump administration’s stated goal of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon was of top importance.

On being asked when Americans would expect lower gas prices, Vance said the US has been able to avert a global energy crisis from Iran’s attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. He argued that the energy crisis from the Iran war could have been much worse if it hadn’t been responded to effectively.

Vice President JD Vance on Thursday disputed whether the ongoing US conflict with Iran was still a war, saying major combat operations ended after about six weeks. On being asked during a White House news briefing if the war would be over by the midterm elections in November, Vance said, “I wouldn’t call it a war. Right now, there is no active shooting. I recognize there have been places where this has flared up.” The vice president further said that major combat operations ended after about six weeks. “When you ask, ‘When will this end?’ You’re asking me a question like, ‘When will the Iranians stop shooting at ships?’ I think the reality is I don’t know the answer to that question. You would have to ask the Iranians,” Vance said. Also Read: Nobel laureate Machado says Venezuela’s ‘illegitimate’ regime has no right to strike US oil deal ‘No negotiations until Strait of Hormuz attacks stop’ Vice President Vance further said that the US would not negotiate with Iran while attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz continue. “The president’s been very clear: We’re not talking to them, and we’re not going to talk to them unless they stop shooting at commercial shipping,” Vance said during the news briefing. Also Read: Ganga nears danger mark in Varanasi, most ghats submerged; PM Modi orders relief work on ‘war footing’ ‘Gas could have been much, much higher’ On being asked when Americans would expect lower gas prices and could expect to pay less at the pump, Vance said the US has been able to avert a global energy crisis from Iran’s attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. “We’ve been quite successful up to this point,” Vance said. “Gas, frankly, could have been much, much higher were it not for our efforts, but I’m not going to make a promise about when it’s going to return to $3.” Also Read: India ready to help end Russia-Ukraine war, says EAM Jaishankar during Kyiv visit The vice president said the US was fighting Iran so it wouldn’t be able to have a nuclear weapon. He argued that the energy crisis from the war with Iran could have been much worse if it hadn’t been responded to effectively. ‘Extremely skeptical about hitting Iran wedding’ The Vice President further said that he was “extremely skeptical” of the Iranian allegations that the US hit a wedding party during strikes earlier this week. Iranian officials said four civilians were killed and dozens more were wounded in the attack. The US military said it was looking into the allegations. “I will say that the Iranian state media has not been a very good scribe about what’s happened in the conflict thus far, so I’m extremely skeptical of this,” Vance told reporters. He reiterated what the US military has been saying, which is that civilians are not targeted. Also Read: Bar Council has no power to discipline law students before enrollment: Supreme Court “Unfortunately, obviously, sometimes things happen, but in this particular case, I don't think that we have any information one way or the other,” Vance said. “We’re investigating it because obviously we care, we want to know.” ‘Oil flow through Hormuz nearly back to pre-war levels’ Vance went on to say that the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz was nearly back to levels seen before the Iran war, adding that Tehran’s control of the waterway was “effectively gone”. “If you go back three months ago, how much oil and gas was coming out of the strait under Iranian threats? It was virtually nothing. Now, it’s almost back to where it was before the conflict even started,” the VP said. Vance also downplayed the threat of Iranian cyberattacks in America and said that Iran’s ability to disrupt the daily lives of Americans was “not zero, but it’s quite limited.” “What I would say is that we feel quite confident the homeland is safe,” he said. “We also feel quite confident that the Iranians are going to try to do a lot of things that they don’t have the capability to do.” He added that the Trump administration’s stated goal of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon was of top importance.

On being asked when Americans would expect lower gas prices, Vance said the US has been able to avert a global energy crisis from Iran’s attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. He argued that the energy crisis from the Iran war could have been much worse if it hadn’t been responded to effectively.

‘I wouldn’t call it a war,’ says JD Vance on ongoing conflict with Iran

Venezuela’s opposition leader María Corina Machado has questioned the country’s interim government for signing an oil deal with the US, saying the country’s natural resources do not belong to “an illegitimate regime”. Machado said the country’s people were feeling “sadness, anger and unease” at a new energy agreement&nbsp;Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize winner living in exile, walked a diplomatic tightrope between being critical of the agreement and trying not to rile the White House as she broke her silence over the pact under which the Pentagon will take a 35 per cent stake in a Venezuelan oil company.&nbsp;She also said the US was the “key partner” that Venezuela needed to develop its oil industry and that this view was supported by a majority of people in the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ganga-nears-danger-mark-in-varanasi-most-ghats-submerged-pm-modi-orders-relief-work-on-war-footing-1788455040726">Ganga nears danger mark in Varanasi, most ghats submerged; PM Modi orders relief work on ‘war footing’</a>&nbsp;In a video posted on social media, Machado said, “Of course the United States is the principal partner Venezuela needs to fully develop its strategic potential. This is what the majority of Venezuelans believe … and it is something I’ve spent my whole life defending.”&nbsp;However, the current occupants of the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas did not have the right or the democratic mandate to negotiate Venezuela’s natural resources, she said. “The wealth of our subsoil does not belong to an illegitimate regime—it belongs to the Venezuelan people,” she said, adding that supporters felt “sadness and anger” at being excluded from the decision-making process.&nbsp;Venezuela has the world’s largest proven crude oil reserves, with an estimated 303 billion barrels, of which more than 65 billion barrels are involved in the agreement.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-ready-to-help-end-russia-ukraine-war-says-eam-jaishankar-during-kyiv-visit-1788437687980">India ready to help end Russia-Ukraine war, says EAM Jaishankar during Kyiv visit</a>&nbsp;Trump’s deal was struck with the un-elected interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, who took power in January after her predecessor, Nicolás Maduro, was abducted by US special forces.&nbsp;Many expected Trump would replace Maduro with Machado, a conservative democracy activist who later gave her Nobel prize award to the US president. But Trump backed Rodríguez, while sidelining Machado.The White House claims the oil deal will help secure US “energy dominance for the next century” as well as “purging foreign malign influence from our back yard” by excluding China and Russia.&nbsp;Speaking outside the Miraflores palace on Wednesday, the US energy secretary, Chris Wright, said the aim was “to massively grow production and economic opportunities in Venezuela,” adding, “President Trump has a clear mission in Venezuela. The mission is to bring peace, freedom, opportunity, and prosperity to everyone in Venezuela.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bar-council-has-no-power-to-discipline-law-students-before-enrollment-supreme-court-1788442808743">Bar Council has no power to discipline law students before enrollment: Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;However, Machado’s supporters fear the deal makes Washington far less inclined to push for fresh presidential elections.&nbsp;On Wednesday, Trump and Rodríguez brushed off questions on when an election could be held. “You had a very powerful, very nasty dictatorship in Venezuela – and they’re just not going to be ready for it yet,” Trump told reporters, before adding, “But soon.”&nbsp;Rodríguez said, “There will be an electoral process, but when Venezuela is ready. I don’t set dates.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Machado had supported the US military’s January raid that captured former president Nicolás Maduro, who now awaits trial in the US on drug-trafficking charges.&nbsp;

Venezuela has the world’s largest proven crude oil reserves, with an estimated 303 billion barrels, of which more than 65 billion barrels are involved in the agreement. However, Machado’s supporters fear the deal makes Washington far less inclined to push for fresh presidential elections.

Venezuela’s opposition leader María Corina Machado has questioned the country’s interim government for signing an oil deal with the US, saying the country’s natural resources do not belong to “an illegitimate regime”. Machado said the country’s people were feeling “sadness, anger and unease” at a new energy agreement Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize winner living in exile, walked a diplomatic tightrope between being critical of the agreement and trying not to rile the White House as she broke her silence over the pact under which the Pentagon will take a 35 per cent stake in a Venezuelan oil company. She also said the US was the “key partner” that Venezuela needed to develop its oil industry and that this view was supported by a majority of people in the country. Also Read: Ganga nears danger mark in Varanasi, most ghats submerged; PM Modi orders relief work on ‘war footing’ In a video posted on social media, Machado said, “Of course the United States is the principal partner Venezuela needs to fully develop its strategic potential. This is what the majority of Venezuelans believe … and it is something I’ve spent my whole life defending.” However, the current occupants of the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas did not have the right or the democratic mandate to negotiate Venezuela’s natural resources, she said. “The wealth of our subsoil does not belong to an illegitimate regime—it belongs to the Venezuelan people,” she said, adding that supporters felt “sadness and anger” at being excluded from the decision-making process. Venezuela has the world’s largest proven crude oil reserves, with an estimated 303 billion barrels, of which more than 65 billion barrels are involved in the agreement. Also Read: India ready to help end Russia-Ukraine war, says EAM Jaishankar during Kyiv visit Trump’s deal was struck with the un-elected interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, who took power in January after her predecessor, Nicolás Maduro, was abducted by US special forces. Many expected Trump would replace Maduro with Machado, a conservative democracy activist who later gave her Nobel prize award to the US president. But Trump backed Rodríguez, while sidelining Machado. The White House claims the oil deal will help secure US “energy dominance for the next century” as well as “purging foreign malign influence from our back yard” by excluding China and Russia. Speaking outside the Miraflores palace on Wednesday, the US energy secretary, Chris Wright, said the aim was “to massively grow production and economic opportunities in Venezuela,” adding, “President Trump has a clear mission in Venezuela. The mission is to bring peace, freedom, opportunity, and prosperity to everyone in Venezuela.” Also Read: Bar Council has no power to discipline law students before enrollment: Supreme Court However, Machado’s supporters fear the deal makes Washington far less inclined to push for fresh presidential elections. On Wednesday, Trump and Rodríguez brushed off questions on when an election could be held. “You had a very powerful, very nasty dictatorship in Venezuela – and they’re just not going to be ready for it yet,” Trump told reporters, before adding, “But soon.” Rodríguez said, “There will be an electoral process, but when Venezuela is ready. I don’t set dates.” Machado had supported the US military’s January raid that captured former president Nicolás Maduro, who now awaits trial in the US on drug-trafficking charges.

Venezuela has the world’s largest proven crude oil reserves, with an estimated 303 billion barrels, of which more than 65 billion barrels are involved in the agreement. However, Machado’s supporters fear the deal makes Washington far less inclined to push for fresh presidential elections.

Nobel laureate Machado says Venezuela’s ‘illegitimate’ regime has no right to strike US oil deal

Even as US President Donald Trump stated that his military was prepared to attack Iran any time he wants, Tehran remains undeterred. For the second day in a row, it conducted retaliatory strikes in West Asia, after at least 18 were killed across Iran due to US strikes.&nbsp;Iran’s army claimed to have launched a barrage of missiles and drones at key US military installations in West Asia a few hours earlier.&nbsp;According to Iran, satellite communication systems, fighter aircraft hangars and equipment depots were hit in the strikes on Kuwait’s Ahmed al-Jaber airbase.&nbsp;It also targeted troop deployment areas and radar systems at UAE’s Al Minhad airbase.&nbsp;Visuals released by Iranian state media showed drones being launched by the army towards the American bases.&nbsp;Sirens sounded in Kuwait in the early hours of morning as it confronted missile and drone attacks from Iran.&nbsp;The country’s ministry of defence described it as ‘blatant Iranian aggression’.&nbsp;In the aftermath of the attack, visuals also showed damage caused to a residential building in Kuwait city.&nbsp;Until now, UAE is yet to break its silence on Iran’s attack.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-attacks-us-bases-in-kuwait-uae-supersecret-missile-project-in-focus-1788457805605/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-attacks-us-bases-in-kuwait-uae-supersecret-missile-project-in-focus-1788457805605/embed</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, IRGC Chief Ahmad Vahidi vowed that the killing of innocent civilians at a wedding ceremony due to US strikes will definitely be avenged...&nbsp;Amid the ongoing hostilities, a report has again thrown light on how Russia is helping Iran.&nbsp;According to the Financial Times, Moscow has been secretly helping Iran develop supersonic cruise missiles that could threaten American warships in West Asia.&nbsp;Under a secret programme codenamed C-340-L launched in 2023, Russia is reportedly trying to assist Iran develop a ramjet propulsion system.&nbsp;This is an engine which allows a cruise missile to fly faster than the speed of sound.&nbsp;Now, supersonic cruise missiles are lethal as they are very difficult to intercept.&nbsp;This is because they fly at a low altitude at speed of up to two thousand two hundred kilometres.&nbsp;According to the report, senior missile engineers from a US-sanctioned Russian rocket company also played a key role in this project.&nbsp;However, it is unclear as to whether Iran used supersonic cruise missiles in the ongoing war.&nbsp;Now, the defence collaboration between the two countries is not new.&nbsp;Iran has supplied Moscow its Kamikaze Shahed drones, which have been extensively used in its bombardments of Ukrainian cities.&nbsp;Previously, a report claimed that Russia has begun sending military supplies, including TNT, drone components and ammunition to Iran through the Caspian Sea.&nbsp;During his meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian earlier this week, Putin acknowledged that Moscow is supplying Iran with necessary goods.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Israel which has stayed away from directly attacking Iran in recent weeks, issued a fresh warning.&nbsp;It threatened to send Iran back to the Stone Age if attacked by Tehran.&nbsp;With Iran's fresh strikes, the next few hours will be vital to see how US will respond...

Iran’s army claimed to have launched a barrage of missiles and drones at key US military installations in West Asia few hours earlier. According to Iran, satellite communication systems, fighter aircraft hangars and equipment depots were hit in the strikes on Kuwait’s Ahmed al-Jaber airbase.

Even as US President Donald Trump stated that his military was prepared to attack Iran any time he wants, Tehran remains undeterred. For the second day in a row, it conducted retaliatory strikes in West Asia, after at least 18 were killed across Iran due to US strikes. Iran’s army claimed to have launched a barrage of missiles and drones at key US military installations in West Asia a few hours earlier. According to Iran, satellite communication systems, fighter aircraft hangars and equipment depots were hit in the strikes on Kuwait’s Ahmed al-Jaber airbase. It also targeted troop deployment areas and radar systems at UAE’s Al Minhad airbase. Visuals released by Iranian state media showed drones being launched by the army towards the American bases. Sirens sounded in Kuwait in the early hours of morning as it confronted missile and drone attacks from Iran. The country’s ministry of defence described it as ‘blatant Iranian aggression’. In the aftermath of the attack, visuals also showed damage caused to a residential building in Kuwait city. Until now, UAE is yet to break its silence on Iran’s attack. https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-attacks-us-bases-in-kuwait-uae-supersecret-missile-project-in-focus-1788457805605/embed Meanwhile, IRGC Chief Ahmad Vahidi vowed that the killing of innocent civilians at a wedding ceremony due to US strikes will definitely be avenged... Amid the ongoing hostilities, a report has again thrown light on how Russia is helping Iran. According to the Financial Times, Moscow has been secretly helping Iran develop supersonic cruise missiles that could threaten American warships in West Asia. Under a secret programme codenamed C-340-L launched in 2023, Russia is reportedly trying to assist Iran develop a ramjet propulsion system. This is an engine which allows a cruise missile to fly faster than the speed of sound. Now, supersonic cruise missiles are lethal as they are very difficult to intercept. This is because they fly at a low altitude at speed of up to two thousand two hundred kilometres. According to the report, senior missile engineers from a US-sanctioned Russian rocket company also played a key role in this project. However, it is unclear as to whether Iran used supersonic cruise missiles in the ongoing war. Now, the defence collaboration between the two countries is not new. Iran has supplied Moscow its Kamikaze Shahed drones, which have been extensively used in its bombardments of Ukrainian cities. Previously, a report claimed that Russia has begun sending military supplies, including TNT, drone components and ammunition to Iran through the Caspian Sea. During his meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian earlier this week, Putin acknowledged that Moscow is supplying Iran with necessary goods. Meanwhile, Israel which has stayed away from directly attacking Iran in recent weeks, issued a fresh warning. It threatened to send Iran back to the Stone Age if attacked by Tehran. With Iran's fresh strikes, the next few hours will be vital to see how US will respond...

Iran’s army claimed to have launched a barrage of missiles and drones at key US military installations in West Asia few hours earlier. According to Iran, satellite communication systems, fighter aircraft hangars and equipment depots were hit in the strikes on Kuwait’s Ahmed al-Jaber airbase.

Iran attacks US bases in Kuwait & UAE, supersecret missile project in focus | Gravitas

Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur has stepped down following controversy over a €70 million (around Rs 768.50 crore) contract for artillery supplies intended for Ukraine. Pevkur announced his resignation on Wednesday after Estonia’s National Audit Office raised serious questions about the way the deal was handled.&nbsp;&nbsp;The contract involved an Indian-owned company that had no previous experience in manufacturing or selling artillery shells.&nbsp;The deal has also triggered a legal dispute. Estonia is contesting the contracts in proceedings before the European Court of Arbitration in Strasbourg.&nbsp;Pevkur, who became defence minister in 2022, said he had decided to resign because the concerns raised by the audit office also raised questions about political accountability.&nbsp;Speaking to public broadcaster ETV, he said a minister may not personally handle every procurement contract but must still accept responsibility for the work carried out under the ministry.&nbsp;“Although the minister does not count socks and ammunition or conduct contract negotiations, the National Audit Office’s criticisms, primarily concerning the activities of the Defence Forces and the Centre for Defence Investments, raise the question of political responsibility,” Pevkur said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/it-is-within-reach-netanyahu-says-iran-regime-could-soon-fall-as-us-strikes-resume-1788455731565">‘It is within reach’: Netanyahu says Iran regime could soon fall as US strikes resume</a><h3>Defence minister says he did not handle contract</h3>Pevkur said he had not read the specific artillery contracts and explained that ministers generally do not negotiate individual arms purchases.&nbsp;“The defence minister does not conduct contract negotiations. The defence minister does not count socks and ammunition,” Pevkur said.&nbsp;He added that the minister’s role is to make broader strategic decisions, including decisions on military assistance to Ukraine. “The defence minister makes the fundamental decision to support Ukraine,” he said.&nbsp;The €70 million came from the European Peace Facility, an EU mechanism designed to support conflict prevention, peacebuilding and international security.&nbsp;The fund was established before the breakout of the full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine in 2022. Since then, the EU has increasingly used it to finance military support and weapons procurement for Ukraine.&nbsp;The controversy could now have financial consequences for Estonia. European Commission spokesperson Christian Wigand said the EU was in discussions with Estonian officials to establish whether the country would have to return the €70 million.

Estonia’s Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur has resigned after an audit raised concerns over a €70 million EU-funded artillery contract awarded to an Indian owned company with no previous record of selling shells.

Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur has stepped down following controversy over a €70 million (around Rs 768.50 crore) contract for artillery supplies intended for Ukraine. Pevkur announced his resignation on Wednesday after Estonia’s National Audit Office raised serious questions about the way the deal was handled. The contract involved an Indian-owned company that had no previous experience in manufacturing or selling artillery shells. The deal has also triggered a legal dispute. Estonia is contesting the contracts in proceedings before the European Court of Arbitration in Strasbourg. Pevkur, who became defence minister in 2022, said he had decided to resign because the concerns raised by the audit office also raised questions about political accountability. Speaking to public broadcaster ETV, he said a minister may not personally handle every procurement contract but must still accept responsibility for the work carried out under the ministry. “Although the minister does not count socks and ammunition or conduct contract negotiations, the National Audit Office’s criticisms, primarily concerning the activities of the Defence Forces and the Centre for Defence Investments, raise the question of political responsibility,” Pevkur said. Also Read: ‘It is within reach’: Netanyahu says Iran regime could soon fall as US strikes resume Defence minister says he did not handle contract Pevkur said he had not read the specific artillery contracts and explained that ministers generally do not negotiate individual arms purchases. “The defence minister does not conduct contract negotiations. The defence minister does not count socks and ammunition,” Pevkur said. He added that the minister’s role is to make broader strategic decisions, including decisions on military assistance to Ukraine. “The defence minister makes the fundamental decision to support Ukraine,” he said. The €70 million came from the European Peace Facility, an EU mechanism designed to support conflict prevention, peacebuilding and international security. The fund was established before the breakout of the full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine in 2022. Since then, the EU has increasingly used it to finance military support and weapons procurement for Ukraine. The controversy could now have financial consequences for Estonia. European Commission spokesperson Christian Wigand said the EU was in discussions with Estonian officials to establish whether the country would have to return the €70 million.

Estonia’s Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur has resigned after an audit raised concerns over a €70 million EU-funded artillery contract awarded to an Indian owned company with no previous record of selling shells.

€70m Ukraine arms deal, no shells delivered: Estonia defence minister quits

As West Asia continues to reel under the barrage of Iran's drone and missile attacks in response to renewed US strikes, is China trying to fill the vacuum? This seems to be the case, as Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in Egypt with a powerful message for Trump.This was Xi's first visit to West Asia in four years and the first visit to Egypt in a decade. Now, the bonhomie between the two countries was clearly on display right from the time of Xi's arrival in Cairo on Tuesday. He was personally welcomed by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and his wife at the airport tarmac, flanked by a military guard of honour and officials lining up on both sides.This was followed by a grand welcome ceremony at the presidential palace.The limousine carrying Xi and his wife was escorted by a motorcycle convoy and met by a cavalry guard of honour near the palace entrance. A military band played music, and a 21-gun salute was fired as Xi's motorcade entered the palace grounds.But why is this visit so significant?Egypt is a major US defence partner and receives around 1.3 billion US dollars annually in military aid from Washington.What stood out, though, is Xi calling on West Asian nations to remain masters of their own affairs and oppose external interference. This was seen as a call for reducing American presence and influence in the region.As the Iran war continues to drag on, reports have indicated a growing discontent within America's West Asian allies, which host large US military installations on their soil. There is also a grouse that the US military hasn't protected them enough. The depleting stock of interceptor missiles has raised more concerns about the defence of West Asia.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/xi-jinping-in-egypt-west-asia-doesn-t-need-us-to-manage-its-security-1788508230486/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/xi-jinping-in-egypt-west-asia-doesn-t-need-us-to-manage-its-security-1788508230486/embed</a>Now, Xi also expressed support for West Asian nations exploring the creation of a new security architecture for the region. Additionally, he affirmed that China is ready to work with countries in the region to safeguard the security of international shipping lanes and advance development cooperation.These remarks assume significance, with two key regional alliances being forged in the last two months.To begin with, Saudi Arabia and 13 other countries came together to form a maritime defence alliance in July, in response to the threat from the Iran-backed Houthis. The alliance, comprising countries like Pakistan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Türkiye, resolved to protect shared maritime interests in Bab al-Mandab, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.This was followed by Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia signing a Mecca joint defence agreement in August. According to this agreement, any armed attack against any one of these three countries shall be regarded as an attack against them all.Now, China has high stakes in reopening the Strait of Hormuz because it is Iran's largest trading partner and purchases roughly 90 per cent of its crude oil.It also emerged as a peacemaker in 2023 by brokering an agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which re-established diplomatic relations with each other.During Xi's visit to Cairo, both sides also signed an agreement to expand Beijing's footprint in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, which has already attracted around four billion US dollars in Chinese investment so far.This gives Beijing greater influence in the Suez Canal, which handles around 12 to 15 per cent of global trade.With growing questions over America's long-term role in West Asia, China is seeking to present itself as a stabilising alternative which opposes war and focuses on infrastructural development.

Xi also expressed support for West Asian nations exploring the creation of a new security architecture for the region. He affirmed that China is ready to work with countries in the region to safeguard the security of international shipping lanes and advance development cooperation.

As West Asia continues to reel under the barrage of Iran's drone and missile attacks in response to renewed US strikes, is China trying to fill the vacuum? This seems to be the case, as Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in Egypt with a powerful message for Trump. This was Xi's first visit to West Asia in four years and the first visit to Egypt in a decade. Now, the bonhomie between the two countries was clearly on display right from the time of Xi's arrival in Cairo on Tuesday. He was personally welcomed by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and his wife at the airport tarmac, flanked by a military guard of honour and officials lining up on both sides. This was followed by a grand welcome ceremony at the presidential palace. The limousine carrying Xi and his wife was escorted by a motorcycle convoy and met by a cavalry guard of honour near the palace entrance. A military band played music, and a 21-gun salute was fired as Xi's motorcade entered the palace grounds. But why is this visit so significant? Egypt is a major US defence partner and receives around 1.3 billion US dollars annually in military aid from Washington. What stood out, though, is Xi calling on West Asian nations to remain masters of their own affairs and oppose external interference. This was seen as a call for reducing American presence and influence in the region. As the Iran war continues to drag on, reports have indicated a growing discontent within America's West Asian allies, which host large US military installations on their soil. There is also a grouse that the US military hasn't protected them enough. The depleting stock of interceptor missiles has raised more concerns about the defence of West Asia. https://www.wionews.com/videos/xi-jinping-in-egypt-west-asia-doesn-t-need-us-to-manage-its-security-1788508230486/embed Now, Xi also expressed support for West Asian nations exploring the creation of a new security architecture for the region. Additionally, he affirmed that China is ready to work with countries in the region to safeguard the security of international shipping lanes and advance development cooperation. These remarks assume significance, with two key regional alliances being forged in the last two months. To begin with, Saudi Arabia and 13 other countries came together to form a maritime defence alliance in July, in response to the threat from the Iran-backed Houthis. The alliance, comprising countries like Pakistan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Türkiye, resolved to protect shared maritime interests in Bab al-Mandab, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. This was followed by Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia signing a Mecca joint defence agreement in August. According to this agreement, any armed attack against any one of these three countries shall be regarded as an attack against them all. Now, China has high stakes in reopening the Strait of Hormuz because it is Iran's largest trading partner and purchases roughly 90 per cent of its crude oil. It also emerged as a peacemaker in 2023 by brokering an agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which re-established diplomatic relations with each other. During Xi's visit to Cairo, both sides also signed an agreement to expand Beijing's footprint in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, which has already attracted around four billion US dollars in Chinese investment so far. This gives Beijing greater influence in the Suez Canal, which handles around 12 to 15 per cent of global trade. With growing questions over America's long-term role in West Asia, China is seeking to present itself as a stabilising alternative which opposes war and focuses on infrastructural development.

Xi also expressed support for West Asian nations exploring the creation of a new security architecture for the region. He affirmed that China is ready to work with countries in the region to safeguard the security of international shipping lanes and advance development cooperation.

Xi Jinping in Egypt: West Asia doesn’t need US to manage its security | Gravitas

A powerful El Nino is building across the Pacific and could become the strongest recorded since modern monitoring began four decades ago, the World Meteorological Organization warned Thursday (Sep 3). The UN weather agency said the naturally occurring phenomenon is expected to intensify to “very strong” levels in the coming months and is almost certain to continue through February.“If this trajectory continues, it may be stronger than anything since our monitoring began – so literally off the charts we have used for the past four decades,” WMO chief Celeste Saulo told reporters in Geneva.El Nino heats surface waters across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, disrupting rainfall, winds and temperatures far beyond the region. Its peak is expected toward the end of the year, but its influence could continue into 2027.<h2>Heat and extreme weather</h2>The warning comes as global temperatures are already at exceptional levels. The powerful 2023-24 El Nino helped make 2024 the hottest year on record, and Saulo said “we should not be surprised if this record is broken”.UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the developing event in stark terms.“El Nino is being supersized before our eyes,” he said. “The science leaves no room for doubt: the planet is in uncharted waters, and those waters are heating up.”The WMO warned of heightened risks of floods, drought and extreme heat, with agriculture, water, energy and health systems particularly exposed.“This exceptional El Nino... has the potential to deliver a massive blow to communities and economies across the world”, Saulo said.“We are already seeing disruption and devastation from droughts and floods, and we expect these impacts to increase as El Nino intensifies,” he added.<h2>Pacific waters surge</h2>Ocean temperatures are providing a clear signal of the strengthening event. Sea surface temperatures in the central-eastern equatorial Pacific were about 1.5C above average between May and July, while weekly readings later climbed as high as 2.6C above normal.In some areas, temperatures beneath the surface were more than 8C above average during July and early August.El Nino itself is not caused by climate change. But scientists expect the warming phenomenon to add heat to an already hotter planet, increasing pressure on communities facing more extreme weather.

A “supersized” El Nino could become the strongest in 40 years, WMO warns, threatening record heat, floods and droughts worldwide as global temperatures rise.

A powerful El Nino is building across the Pacific and could become the strongest recorded since modern monitoring began four decades ago, the World Meteorological Organization warned Thursday (Sep 3). The UN weather agency said the naturally occurring phenomenon is expected to intensify to “very strong” levels in the coming months and is almost certain to continue through February. “If this trajectory continues, it may be stronger than anything since our monitoring began – so literally off the charts we have used for the past four decades,” WMO chief Celeste Saulo told reporters in Geneva. El Nino heats surface waters across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, disrupting rainfall, winds and temperatures far beyond the region. Its peak is expected toward the end of the year, but its influence could continue into 2027. Heat and extreme weather The warning comes as global temperatures are already at exceptional levels. The powerful 2023-24 El Nino helped make 2024 the hottest year on record, and Saulo said “we should not be surprised if this record is broken”. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the developing event in stark terms. “El Nino is being supersized before our eyes,” he said. “The science leaves no room for doubt: the planet is in uncharted waters, and those waters are heating up.” The WMO warned of heightened risks of floods, drought and extreme heat, with agriculture, water, energy and health systems particularly exposed. “This exceptional El Nino... has the potential to deliver a massive blow to communities and economies across the world”, Saulo said. “We are already seeing disruption and devastation from droughts and floods, and we expect these impacts to increase as El Nino intensifies,” he added. Pacific waters surge Ocean temperatures are providing a clear signal of the strengthening event. Sea surface temperatures in the central-eastern equatorial Pacific were about 1.5C above average between May and July, while weekly readings later climbed as high as 2.6C above normal. In some areas, temperatures beneath the surface were more than 8C above average during July and early August. El Nino itself is not caused by climate change. But scientists expect the warming phenomenon to add heat to an already hotter planet, increasing pressure on communities facing more extreme weather.

A “supersized” El Nino could become the strongest in 40 years, WMO warns, threatening record heat, floods and droughts worldwide as global temperatures rise.

‘El Nino is being supersized’: UN warns of record heat and extreme weather

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday (September 03) claimed Iran’s Islamic regime was weaker than ever and could soon collapse as the United States resumed military strikes against Tehran.&nbsp;Speaking at an event with Israeli military leaders, Netanyahu said the Iranian regime was struggling to survive.&nbsp;&nbsp;“This regime is currently teetering. It is weaker than ever. It is fighting for its survival,” he said.&nbsp;Netanyahu said overthrowing Iran’s clerical government remained the main task for Israel and claimed the goal was now within reach.&nbsp;&nbsp;“I am convinced that we can remove this threat once and for all, that is, to overthrow this regime. That is the central task that still lies ahead of us, but it is close. It is not impossible. It is within reach,” he said.&nbsp;Netanyahu has described Iran’s clerical government as an existential threat to Israel for decades. In late February, Israel launched a joint military campaign against Iran with the United States.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-are-not-retreating-from-gaza-netanyahu-rules-out-troop-pullback-cites-terror-threat-1788365264654">'We are not retreating from Gaza': Netanyahu rules out troop pullback, cites terror threat</a>&nbsp;Washington has since increased economic pressure on Tehran and resumed military strikes this week. Iran responded by targeting US allies in the Gulf, Jordan and Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region, but it has not attacked Israel.&nbsp;Netanyahu said Iran’s decision not to target Israel was a result of its assessment of Israeli military strength.&nbsp;&nbsp;“If they're not attacking us, it is not by chance. They attack everyone, but not us,” he said. “They know our power, the strength of our arms, and our determination.”&nbsp;Netanyahu’s comments came ahead of Israel’s October 27 general election. Some opinion polls have shown him trailing, while opposition leaders have accused him of failing to deal effectively with the Iranian threat.&nbsp;Netanyahu also visited Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday and rejected the possibility of withdrawing forces despite renewed efforts by mediators to advance a US-backed ceasefire proposal.&nbsp;“We control the area. We are not retreating. We are staying on this line,” he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We control 60 per cent of the Strip, and we are not stopping, because we are eliminating the terrorists who threaten us, day in and day out,” he added.

Netanyahu said Iran’s regime was weaker than ever and claimed its overthrow was within reach as the United States resumed strikes against Tehran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday (September 03) claimed Iran’s Islamic regime was weaker than ever and could soon collapse as the United States resumed military strikes against Tehran. Speaking at an event with Israeli military leaders, Netanyahu said the Iranian regime was struggling to survive. “This regime is currently teetering. It is weaker than ever. It is fighting for its survival,” he said. Netanyahu said overthrowing Iran’s clerical government remained the main task for Israel and claimed the goal was now within reach. “I am convinced that we can remove this threat once and for all, that is, to overthrow this regime. That is the central task that still lies ahead of us, but it is close. It is not impossible. It is within reach,” he said. Netanyahu has described Iran’s clerical government as an existential threat to Israel for decades. In late February, Israel launched a joint military campaign against Iran with the United States. Also Read: 'We are not retreating from Gaza': Netanyahu rules out troop pullback, cites terror threat Washington has since increased economic pressure on Tehran and resumed military strikes this week. Iran responded by targeting US allies in the Gulf, Jordan and Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region, but it has not attacked Israel. Netanyahu said Iran’s decision not to target Israel was a result of its assessment of Israeli military strength. “If they're not attacking us, it is not by chance. They attack everyone, but not us,” he said. “They know our power, the strength of our arms, and our determination.” Netanyahu’s comments came ahead of Israel’s October 27 general election. Some opinion polls have shown him trailing, while opposition leaders have accused him of failing to deal effectively with the Iranian threat. Netanyahu also visited Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday and rejected the possibility of withdrawing forces despite renewed efforts by mediators to advance a US-backed ceasefire proposal. “We control the area. We are not retreating. We are staying on this line,” he said. “We control 60 per cent of the Strip, and we are not stopping, because we are eliminating the terrorists who threaten us, day in and day out,” he added.

Netanyahu said Iran’s regime was weaker than ever and claimed its overthrow was within reach as the United States resumed strikes against Tehran.

‘It is within reach’: Netanyahu says Iran regime could soon fall as US strikes resume

For decades, the Strait of Hormuz has been geography’s trump card in the global energy market. Now, the Trump administration is betting that pipelines, ports and political realignment can dramatically weaken that advantage.The idea is audacious: instead of repeatedly fighting to keep Hormuz open, build enough alternative routes that closing it no longer holds the world economy hostage.US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has put an extraordinary timeline on that ambition. He says that within two years, the Strait could become “irrelevant”, predicting that 50 to 70 percent of energy currently moving through it could eventually travel through underground pipelines instead. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has similarly argued that Iran’s use of Hormuz as a strategic chokepoint has strengthened the case for permanently restructuring regional energy routes.And pieces of that alternative map already exist.Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline, or Petroline, carries crude from Abqaiq across the kingdom to Yanbu on the Red Sea. Its capacity has risen to as much as seven million barrels per day, and Riyadh is considering adding another one to two million barrels of capacity. The UAE, meanwhile, has its own route carrying crude from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah, outside Hormuz, and is working to expand that capacity.But perhaps the most geopolitically significant piece of the puzzle runs through Iraq and Syria.Washington is backing plans for new or revived pipeline infrastructure capable of carrying Iraqi crude westwards towards Syria’s Mediterranean coast. A proposed Basra-to-Baniyas corridor could eventually transport around two million barrels per day, giving Iraqi oil a route to global markets without entering Hormuz. Syria, once economically isolated, is consequently pitching itself as a new bridge between Gulf energy producers and the Mediterranean.The strategy would amount to a dramatic rewiring of the Middle East’s energy architecture.Before the Iran war, roughly 15 million barrels of Persian Gulf oil passed through Hormuz every day. Projects now being developed or discussed could provide another 7.3 million barrels per day of bypass capacity by the end of 2028. Analysts estimate that could eventually allow around 60 percent of the Gulf's pre-war oil exports to avoid Hormuz when necessary.Yet making Hormuz less important is very different from making it obsolete.Pipelines cost billions, cross multiple borders and require years of construction. They also create fixed targets vulnerable to missiles, drones and sabotage. Saudi Arabia's Petroline itself was attacked by Houthi drones in 2019. And moving Saudi crude to Yanbu merely introduces another potential chokepoint for Asian-bound cargoes: Bab el-Mandeb, where Houthi attacks have already demonstrated the vulnerability of Red Sea shipping.Then there is LNG.Pipelines carrying crude cannot simply solve Qatar's dependence on maritime LNG exports. Before the war, roughly one-fifth of global LNG trade passed through Hormuz, making natural gas one of the biggest obstacles to any claim that the strait can truly become irrelevant.And therein lies the contradiction in Washington's messaging.President Donald Trump only this week floated renaming the waterway the “Trump Strait”, while declaring it under American control. Yet his own administration is simultaneously championing a future in which the same strait matters dramatically less.One message celebrates controlling Hormuz. The other seeks to escape it.The more realistic objective, therefore, may not be to kill the Strait of Hormuz but to kill its monopoly.Saudi Petroline, Fujairah, Baniyas and potentially new corridors through Turkey and Jordan could give Gulf producers something they have historically lacked: options. That would dilute Tehran's ability to turn geography into economic leverage and fundamentally alter the strategic balance of the Gulf.But there is no risk-free route out of the Middle East.Bypassing Hormuz could simply move the danger — from Iranian waters to vulnerable pipelines, from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea, and from one geopolitical chokepoint to another.Washington may be trying to redraw the world's energy map.Geography, however, has not surrendered yet.

The Trump administration wants to reduce global dependence on the Strait of Hormuz through pipelines and alternative energy routes. Can the strategy work

For decades, the Strait of Hormuz has been geography’s trump card in the global energy market. Now, the Trump administration is betting that pipelines, ports and political realignment can dramatically weaken that advantage. The idea is audacious: instead of repeatedly fighting to keep Hormuz open, build enough alternative routes that closing it no longer holds the world economy hostage. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has put an extraordinary timeline on that ambition. He says that within two years, the Strait could become “irrelevant”, predicting that 50 to 70 percent of energy currently moving through it could eventually travel through underground pipelines instead. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has similarly argued that Iran’s use of Hormuz as a strategic chokepoint has strengthened the case for permanently restructuring regional energy routes. And pieces of that alternative map already exist. Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline, or Petroline, carries crude from Abqaiq across the kingdom to Yanbu on the Red Sea. Its capacity has risen to as much as seven million barrels per day, and Riyadh is considering adding another one to two million barrels of capacity. The UAE, meanwhile, has its own route carrying crude from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah, outside Hormuz, and is working to expand that capacity. But perhaps the most geopolitically significant piece of the puzzle runs through Iraq and Syria. Washington is backing plans for new or revived pipeline infrastructure capable of carrying Iraqi crude westwards towards Syria’s Mediterranean coast. A proposed Basra-to-Baniyas corridor could eventually transport around two million barrels per day, giving Iraqi oil a route to global markets without entering Hormuz. Syria, once economically isolated, is consequently pitching itself as a new bridge between Gulf energy producers and the Mediterranean. The strategy would amount to a dramatic rewiring of the Middle East’s energy architecture. Before the Iran war, roughly 15 million barrels of Persian Gulf oil passed through Hormuz every day. Projects now being developed or discussed could provide another 7.3 million barrels per day of bypass capacity by the end of 2028. Analysts estimate that could eventually allow around 60 percent of the Gulf's pre-war oil exports to avoid Hormuz when necessary. Yet making Hormuz less important is very different from making it obsolete. Pipelines cost billions, cross multiple borders and require years of construction. They also create fixed targets vulnerable to missiles, drones and sabotage. Saudi Arabia's Petroline itself was attacked by Houthi drones in 2019. And moving Saudi crude to Yanbu merely introduces another potential chokepoint for Asian-bound cargoes: Bab el-Mandeb, where Houthi attacks have already demonstrated the vulnerability of Red Sea shipping. Then there is LNG. Pipelines carrying crude cannot simply solve Qatar's dependence on maritime LNG exports. Before the war, roughly one-fifth of global LNG trade passed through Hormuz, making natural gas one of the biggest obstacles to any claim that the strait can truly become irrelevant. And therein lies the contradiction in Washington's messaging. President Donald Trump only this week floated renaming the waterway the “Trump Strait”, while declaring it under American control. Yet his own administration is simultaneously championing a future in which the same strait matters dramatically less. One message celebrates controlling Hormuz. The other seeks to escape it. The more realistic objective, therefore, may not be to kill the Strait of Hormuz but to kill its monopoly. Saudi Petroline, Fujairah, Baniyas and potentially new corridors through Turkey and Jordan could give Gulf producers something they have historically lacked: options. That would dilute Tehran's ability to turn geography into economic leverage and fundamentally alter the strategic balance of the Gulf. But there is no risk-free route out of the Middle East. Bypassing Hormuz could simply move the danger — from Iranian waters to vulnerable pipelines, from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea, and from one geopolitical chokepoint to another. Washington may be trying to redraw the world's energy map. Geography, however, has not surrendered yet.

The Trump administration wants to reduce global dependence on the Strait of Hormuz through pipelines and alternative energy routes. Can the strategy work

Race To Power | Trump’s Hormuz gambit: Can America make the world’s most important oil route obsolete?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked India for its efforts to help bring the Russia-Ukraine war to an end during his meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.&nbsp;Zelensky said he and Jaishankar held discussions on several “important issues” and stressed India's position on the need for peace.&nbsp;“Held a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of India, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. We discussed important issues. We are grateful to India for its desire to end this unjust war—the war of Russia against Ukraine. This time must certainly not be a time of war. Peace is needed. This is India's clear position,” Zelensky said in a post on X, where he also shared glimpses of the meeting.&nbsp;Zelensky also referred to the Russian drone attacks launched while Jaishankar was visiting Ukraine. He said Russia used ‘Shaheds’ drones and alleged that their development was not possible without Iran's assistance. According to Zelensky, Ukraine's combat aviation ensured the safety of the delegation.&nbsp;The Ukrainian president said the talks also covered the situation in the Black Sea, particularly the risks facing civilian shipping.&nbsp;“We agree that it is absolutely unacceptable to block the supply of food to those regions where it is highly sensitive and people depend on the relevant sea routes. Russian actions aimed at blocking our ports, our grain corridor, and our supplies are indeed injecting major disruption into global relations,” Zelensky wrote.&nbsp;Jaishankar said his meeting with Zelensky centred on possible approaches to bring the ongoing conflict to an end.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I met with India’s Minister of External Affairs <a href="https://x.com/DrSJaishankar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrSJaishankar</a>. We discussed important issues. We are grateful to India for its commitment to ending this unjust war – Russia’s war against Ukraine. This certainly must not be a time of war. Peace is needed. This is India’s clear… <a href="https://t.co/ZJ4IRP7Qpx">pic.twitter.com/ZJ4IRP7Qpx</a>&mdash; Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) <a href="https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2095503225193365937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 3, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The External Affairs Minister had earlier offered India's assistance in efforts to resolve the war, saying, “If India can be of any help, in any manner, we are there”.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/major-ai-platforms-chatgpt-claude-and-grok-hit-by-simultaneous-service-disruptions-1788448837619">Major AI platforms ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok hit by simultaneous service disruptions</a><h2>Conflict will not be solved whether India buys Russian oil or not</h2>The External Affairs Minister also addressed India's purchase of Russian oil when asked whether New Delhi would reduce its purchases from Moscow if the US approves sanctions against countries buying Russian oil.&nbsp;"I think it's also important that all of you get the challenges of providing for energy for 1.4 billion people at a time when the world energy situation is very, very difficult. So, I would say, I mean, this is something where clearly the Ukraine side has its perspective, which we respect, and we have ours, which I would expect others to also respect," Jaishankar said while responding to queries after his meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in Kyiv.&nbsp;"But let me just add this. You know, this conflict, which is today in its third year, will not be solved because somebody is buying or not buying oil or alumina or minerals or metals or fertiliser. This conflict will be solved by dialogue, by diplomacy, and by negotiation. And that is why it is something we would encourage," he added.

Jaishankar said the Russia-Ukraine conflict cannot be resolved by buying or not buying Russian oil, stressing that dialogue, diplomacy and negotiation remain the way forward.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked India for its efforts to help bring the Russia-Ukraine war to an end during his meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Zelensky said he and Jaishankar held discussions on several “important issues” and stressed India's position on the need for peace. “Held a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of India, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. We discussed important issues. We are grateful to India for its desire to end this unjust war—the war of Russia against Ukraine. This time must certainly not be a time of war. Peace is needed. This is India's clear position,” Zelensky said in a post on X, where he also shared glimpses of the meeting. Zelensky also referred to the Russian drone attacks launched while Jaishankar was visiting Ukraine. He said Russia used ‘Shaheds’ drones and alleged that their development was not possible without Iran's assistance. According to Zelensky, Ukraine's combat aviation ensured the safety of the delegation. The Ukrainian president said the talks also covered the situation in the Black Sea, particularly the risks facing civilian shipping. “We agree that it is absolutely unacceptable to block the supply of food to those regions where it is highly sensitive and people depend on the relevant sea routes. Russian actions aimed at blocking our ports, our grain corridor, and our supplies are indeed injecting major disruption into global relations,” Zelensky wrote. Jaishankar said his meeting with Zelensky centred on possible approaches to bring the ongoing conflict to an end.

Jaishankar said the Russia-Ukraine conflict cannot be resolved by buying or not buying Russian oil, stressing that dialogue, diplomacy and negotiation remain the way forward.

Zelensky ‘grateful’ for India’s push to end Ukraine war after meeting Jaishankar in Kyiv

US President Donald Trump on Thursday expressed frustration that the media keeps on harping about the fact that the US have no ammunition and that they want America to lose the war in Iran. He called these journalists who were allegedly reporting “falsely” on the war as “treasonous scum”. He claimed that they are “100% wrong” and that Trump and America will win the war.&nbsp;“The people and Media Outlets that keep harping on the fact that we have no ammunition (And they are 100% wrong!), are actually treasonous. They do it because they would rather see the United States LOSE a War that we’re easily WINNING, than see me WIN! President DONALD J. TRUMP,” wrote Trump.&nbsp;In a subsequent post, Trump US has a contingency plan, is rapidly expanding defence production, and possesses "virtually unlimited amounts of mid- to high-grade ammunition".&nbsp;“We are stockpiling and preparing for any contingency that could happen. We are taking them for ourselves, the U.S.A., rather than selling them to others, but the sales to Allies will soon again begin," wrote Trump.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gloria-steinem-dies-92-life-legacy-controversies-1788438128001">Gloria Steinem, feminist trailblazer and co-founder of Ms magazine, dies at 92</a>He also berated the Biden administration for “giving away” munitions to Ukraine and NATO.&nbsp;"Also, please let it be known, that the Biden Administration gave far more Munitions away to Ukraine, at no cost to them, whatsoever, than we have used in Iran. Hundreds of Billions of Dollars was given to Ukraine and NATO, free of charge, that Europe would have paid for — If they were only asked, but we will be asking for that money, though somewhat belatedly!” wrote Trump.Trump's intense frustration stems from a recent Forbes report which published a comprehensive breakdown of the US munitions crisis, citing data from Forbes and Reuters. “CSIS reports that Patriot inventories fell from 2,330 in February to as low as 759 by July, while THAAD interceptors dropped from 452 to as low as 234 over the same period,” read the report. It also added that US President Donald Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth refuted these findings.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump has attacked media reports about a US ammunition shortage, calling them “treasonous” and insisting America will win the Iran war.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday expressed frustration that the media keeps on harping about the fact that the US have no ammunition and that they want America to lose the war in Iran. He called these journalists who were allegedly reporting “falsely” on the war as “treasonous scum”. He claimed that they are “100% wrong” and that Trump and America will win the war. “The people and Media Outlets that keep harping on the fact that we have no ammunition (And they are 100% wrong!), are actually treasonous. They do it because they would rather see the United States LOSE a War that we’re easily WINNING, than see me WIN! President DONALD J. TRUMP,” wrote Trump. In a subsequent post, Trump US has a contingency plan, is rapidly expanding defence production, and possesses "virtually unlimited amounts of mid- to high-grade ammunition". “We are stockpiling and preparing for any contingency that could happen. We are taking them for ourselves, the U.S.A., rather than selling them to others, but the sales to Allies will soon again begin," wrote Trump. Also Read: Gloria Steinem, feminist trailblazer and co-founder of Ms magazine, dies at 92 He also berated the Biden administration for “giving away” munitions to Ukraine and NATO. "Also, please let it be known, that the Biden Administration gave far more Munitions away to Ukraine, at no cost to them, whatsoever, than we have used in Iran. Hundreds of Billions of Dollars was given to Ukraine and NATO, free of charge, that Europe would have paid for — If they were only asked, but we will be asking for that money, though somewhat belatedly!” wrote Trump. Trump's intense frustration stems from a recent Forbes report which published a comprehensive breakdown of the US munitions crisis, citing data from Forbes and Reuters. “CSIS reports that Patriot inventories fell from 2,330 in February to as low as 759 by July, while THAAD interceptors dropped from 452 to as low as 234 over the same period,” read the report. It also added that US President Donald Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth refuted these findings.

US President Donald Trump has attacked media reports about a US ammunition shortage, calling them “treasonous” and insisting America will win the Iran war.

‘Treasonous scum’: Trump attacks media over reports of US ammunition shortage

New Delhi: Indian investigators have shown how criminal networks use shell companies, fake trade paperwork and informal money channels to move dirty cash across borders, according to a new report by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).&nbsp;The Paris-based watchdog published the study on Thursday. It says underground banking, hawala and similar unregistered services are now a major tool for professional money launderers. More than 80% of countries that reported to the FATF listed these systems among their main money-laundering methods. Some schemes moved more than €500 million in just a few months.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-ready-to-help-end-russia-ukraine-war-says-eam-jaishankar-during-kyiv-visit-1788437687980">India ready to help end Russia-Ukraine war, says EAM Jaishankar during Kyiv visit</a>&nbsp;India appears in two case studies. In March 2022, Indian authorities found a cross-border scheme built on shell companies with little or no real business. The firms were often set up using nominees and stolen or forged identity documents. Traders imported real goods but declared them at much lower prices, leaving an unpaid balance abroad. Domestic shell firms then used forged import papers to send extra money out of India, making the transfers look like ordinary trade payments.&nbsp;The same network used circular trade. Goods were shipped to related firms in a third country. Payment was held back after fake commercial disputes. The goods were then sent on to other companies controlled by the same group. The method hid the true value and destination of the money.&nbsp;A second Indian case involved an illegal online gambling site that took bets on sports, cards and other games.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bar-council-has-no-power-to-discipline-law-students-before-enrollment-supreme-court-1788442808743">Bar Council has no power to discipline law students before enrollment: Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;The platform used a loose network of “panel operators” to collect deposits and pay winnings. Operators used UPI, internet banking, digital wallets, mule accounts and accounts opened with stolen identities. This kept the gambling site separate from the money trail. Part of the proceeds was turned into cash and sent abroad through hawala and other underground channels. The money later returned to India dressed up as foreign investment from the UAE.&nbsp;The FATF says these informal systems can meet genuine remittance needs, especially for migrant workers. But in most countries, running unlicensed hawala or similar services is a crime. FATF standards require such providers to be licensed or registered.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-and-nato-step-up-pressure-on-russia-after-germany-escalation-incidents-1788381258249">EU and NATO step up pressure on Russia after Germany ‘escalation incidents’</a>&nbsp;FATF President Giles Thomson warned that sophisticated, commercially run networks now act as a “serious risk multiplier”. They make it easier for criminals to hide activity that “harm people and communities around the world,” he said. He urged governments and banks to use the report’s practical steps to break these networks.&nbsp;&nbsp;The report notes a shift towards “digital hawala”. Operators coordinate on WhatsApp, Telegram and similar apps. Customers pay through banks, wallets or instant payment systems. Some networks settle balances with virtual assets, including stablecoins.

FATF President Giles Thomson warned that sophisticated, commercially run networks now act as a “serious risk multiplier”. They make it easier for criminals to hide activity that harm people and communities around the world, he said.

New Delhi: Indian investigators have shown how criminal networks use shell companies, fake trade paperwork and informal money channels to move dirty cash across borders, according to a new report by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The Paris-based watchdog published the study on Thursday. It says underground banking, hawala and similar unregistered services are now a major tool for professional money launderers. More than 80% of countries that reported to the FATF listed these systems among their main money-laundering methods. Some schemes moved more than €500 million in just a few months. Also Read: India ready to help end Russia-Ukraine war, says EAM Jaishankar during Kyiv visit India appears in two case studies. In March 2022, Indian authorities found a cross-border scheme built on shell companies with little or no real business. The firms were often set up using nominees and stolen or forged identity documents. Traders imported real goods but declared them at much lower prices, leaving an unpaid balance abroad. Domestic shell firms then used forged import papers to send extra money out of India, making the transfers look like ordinary trade payments. The same network used circular trade. Goods were shipped to related firms in a third country. Payment was held back after fake commercial disputes. The goods were then sent on to other companies controlled by the same group. The method hid the true value and destination of the money. A second Indian case involved an illegal online gambling site that took bets on sports, cards and other games. Also Read: Bar Council has no power to discipline law students before enrollment: Supreme Court The platform used a loose network of “panel operators” to collect deposits and pay winnings. Operators used UPI, internet banking, digital wallets, mule accounts and accounts opened with stolen identities. This kept the gambling site separate from the money trail. Part of the proceeds was turned into cash and sent abroad through hawala and other underground channels. The money later returned to India dressed up as foreign investment from the UAE. The FATF says these informal systems can meet genuine remittance needs, especially for migrant workers. But in most countries, running unlicensed hawala or similar services is a crime. FATF standards require such providers to be licensed or registered. Also Read: EU and NATO step up pressure on Russia after Germany ‘escalation incidents’ FATF President Giles Thomson warned that sophisticated, commercially run networks now act as a “serious risk multiplier”. They make it easier for criminals to hide activity that “harm people and communities around the world,” he said. He urged governments and banks to use the report’s practical steps to break these networks. The report notes a shift towards “digital hawala”. Operators coordinate on WhatsApp, Telegram and similar apps. Customers pay through banks, wallets or instant payment systems. Some networks settle balances with virtual assets, including stablecoins.

FATF President Giles Thomson warned that sophisticated, commercially run networks now act as a “serious risk multiplier”. They make it easier for criminals to hide activity that harm people and communities around the world, he said.

Indian agencies uncover hawala, shell firms and fake trade used to hide illicit money, FATF says

A widespread service disruption impacted ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok simultaneously on Thursday (September 03) evening, triggering a sudden spike in outage reports across all three major AI platforms.&nbsp;Data from Downdetector highlighted a dramatic surge in user-submitted error reports when compared to standard operational levels. OpenAI experienced the largest disruption, with report volumes quickly surpassing 30,000.&nbsp;&nbsp;During the same period, user reports for Claude AI climbed to approximately 1,400, while reports for Grok exceeded 1,000. While these spikes reflect broad potential outages, they do not automatically imply that every single user lost access.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-signals-openness-to-ukraine-deal-thanks-us-and-china-for-peace-efforts-1788433350060">Putin signals openness to Ukraine deal, thanks US and China for peace efforts</a>&nbsp;Official status pages for the respective platforms confirmed active technical difficulties during the surge. OpenAI listed an ongoing incident involving elevated errors across ChatGPT and Codex, noting that the team was investigating the issue for the listed services.&nbsp;Anthropic reported elevated errors affecting multiple models on its Claude status page. The company specified that it had identified the root cause impacting requests to Claude Mythos 5.1, Claude Fable 5.1, and Claude Opus 5, adding in a subsequent update that teams were continuing to work on a fix. Meanwhile, SpaceXAI confirmed it was investigating performance issues related to Grok.

A simultaneous service disruption hit ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok, driving a sharp surge in user outage reports as OpenAI, Anthropic, and SpaceXAI investigate elevated error rates across their platforms.

A widespread service disruption impacted ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok simultaneously on Thursday (September 03) evening, triggering a sudden spike in outage reports across all three major AI platforms. Data from Downdetector highlighted a dramatic surge in user-submitted error reports when compared to standard operational levels. OpenAI experienced the largest disruption, with report volumes quickly surpassing 30,000. During the same period, user reports for Claude AI climbed to approximately 1,400, while reports for Grok exceeded 1,000. While these spikes reflect broad potential outages, they do not automatically imply that every single user lost access. Also Read: Putin signals openness to Ukraine deal, thanks US and China for peace efforts Official status pages for the respective platforms confirmed active technical difficulties during the surge. OpenAI listed an ongoing incident involving elevated errors across ChatGPT and Codex, noting that the team was investigating the issue for the listed services. Anthropic reported elevated errors affecting multiple models on its Claude status page. The company specified that it had identified the root cause impacting requests to Claude Mythos 5.1, Claude Fable 5.1, and Claude Opus 5, adding in a subsequent update that teams were continuing to work on a fix. Meanwhile, SpaceXAI confirmed it was investigating performance issues related to Grok.

A simultaneous service disruption hit ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok, driving a sharp surge in user outage reports as OpenAI, Anthropic, and SpaceXAI investigate elevated error rates across their platforms.

Major AI platforms ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok hit by simultaneous service disruptions

German firm ZEISS, best known for high-precision optics and opto-electronics, has opened its first Innovation Hub outside of its home country. This facility has been established at the IIT Madras Research Park (IITMRP), which is India’s first university-based research park, created to bridge the gap between academia and industry, and accelerate deep-tech innovation. The hub will focus on areas including advanced frugal engineering, harsh-environment optics, robotics and fluid dynamics, while fostering interdisciplinary research with real-world industrial applications. The firm did not reveal its investment in this Indian facility.&nbsp;According to ZEISS, its Chennai-based Innovation Hub is meant to enhance collaboration between the firm's global research network and the IIT Madras ecosystem, bringing together faculty, researchers, startups and industry to accelerate long-term research and technology translation. It will also support researcher exchanges, postgraduate research and closer engagement with IIT Madras students and graduates.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bar-council-has-no-power-to-discipline-law-students-before-enrollment-supreme-court-1788442808743">Bar Council has no power to discipline law students before enrollment: Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;Natarajan Malupillai, Group CEO, IITM Research Park &amp; Incubation Cell, said the establishment of the ZEISS Innovation Hub at IIT Madras Research Park is a significant milestone for both our institutions. “ZEISS brings 180 years of leadership in precision optics, microscopy and advanced engineering, while IIT Madras Research Park has built one of India's most vibrant deep-tech innovation ecosystems. By joining hands, we have an opportunity to combine these complementary strengths to accelerate frontier research, develop globally competitive technologies to create a distinct innovation advantage that benefits both industry and society,” he commented.&nbsp;&nbsp;Further, he highlighted that IIT Madras Research Park continues to strengthen its position as a destination for global corporations seeking research-led collaboration in India. Today, the ecosystem brings together over 250 research-driven companies &amp; labs, startups and Centres of Excellence.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-ready-to-help-end-russia-ukraine-war-says-eam-jaishankar-during-kyiv-visit-1788437687980">India ready to help end Russia-Ukraine war, says EAM Jaishankar during Kyiv visit</a>&nbsp;Speaking at the launch, Andreas Pecher, President and CEO of the ZEISS Group, said that the establishment of the ZEISS Innovation Hub in Chennai, India, reflects the firm's confidence in the country's rapidly evolving innovation ecosystem and its growing significance as a strategic market. The dynamic ecosystem at IIT Madras Research Park provides an ideal platform to co-develop future-ready solutions and shape the next generation of technologies for India and the world, he added.&nbsp;Pecher revealed that in the previous fiscal year ZEISS Group generated annual revenue totaling almost 12 billion euros, across major sectors such as: Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Quality &amp; Research, Medical Technology, and Consumer Markets. On the importance of R&amp;D spending, he said that his group invests 14 percent of its revenue in research and development.

ZEISS said its Innovation Hub is meant to enhance collaboration between the firm's global research network and the IIT Madras ecosystem, bringing together faculty, researchers, startups and industry to accelerate long-term research and technology translation.

German firm ZEISS, best known for high-precision optics and opto-electronics, has opened its first Innovation Hub outside of its home country. This facility has been established at the IIT Madras Research Park (IITMRP), which is India’s first university-based research park, created to bridge the gap between academia and industry, and accelerate deep-tech innovation. The hub will focus on areas including advanced frugal engineering, harsh-environment optics, robotics and fluid dynamics, while fostering interdisciplinary research with real-world industrial applications. The firm did not reveal its investment in this Indian facility. According to ZEISS, its Chennai-based Innovation Hub is meant to enhance collaboration between the firm's global research network and the IIT Madras ecosystem, bringing together faculty, researchers, startups and industry to accelerate long-term research and technology translation. It will also support researcher exchanges, postgraduate research and closer engagement with IIT Madras students and graduates. Also Read: Bar Council has no power to discipline law students before enrollment: Supreme Court Natarajan Malupillai, Group CEO, IITM Research Park & Incubation Cell, said the establishment of the ZEISS Innovation Hub at IIT Madras Research Park is a significant milestone for both our institutions. “ZEISS brings 180 years of leadership in precision optics, microscopy and advanced engineering, while IIT Madras Research Park has built one of India's most vibrant deep-tech innovation ecosystems. By joining hands, we have an opportunity to combine these complementary strengths to accelerate frontier research, develop globally competitive technologies to create a distinct innovation advantage that benefits both industry and society,” he commented. Further, he highlighted that IIT Madras Research Park continues to strengthen its position as a destination for global corporations seeking research-led collaboration in India. Today, the ecosystem brings together over 250 research-driven companies & labs, startups and Centres of Excellence. Also Read: India ready to help end Russia-Ukraine war, says EAM Jaishankar during Kyiv visit Speaking at the launch, Andreas Pecher, President and CEO of the ZEISS Group, said that the establishment of the ZEISS Innovation Hub in Chennai, India, reflects the firm's confidence in the country's rapidly evolving innovation ecosystem and its growing significance as a strategic market. The dynamic ecosystem at IIT Madras Research Park provides an ideal platform to co-develop future-ready solutions and shape the next generation of technologies for India and the world, he added. Pecher revealed that in the previous fiscal year ZEISS Group generated annual revenue totaling almost 12 billion euros, across major sectors such as: Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology, and Consumer Markets. On the importance of R&D spending, he said that his group invests 14 percent of its revenue in research and development.

ZEISS said its Innovation Hub is meant to enhance collaboration between the firm's global research network and the IIT Madras ecosystem, bringing together faculty, researchers, startups and industry to accelerate long-term research and technology translation.

Zeiss opens Innovation Hub at IIT-M Research Park; 1st outside Germany

Iranian First Vice President, Mohammad Reza Aref, said on Thursday, “dark months await” for the US economy. In a post on the social media platform X, Aref said that Iran's security strategy has changed. He urged Americans to stockpile fuel and claimed that any future US attack will trigger an “asymmetric” and “multi-layered” response.&nbsp;"The recent US crimes against the Iranian nation have changed our security calculations and defence doctrine. From now on, our response will be asymmetric, multi-layered and aimed at depriving the aggressor of security,” Aref said in a post on the social media platform X.However, Aref's remarks remain vague, without implying any specific measures to hurt the US economy. His remarks came as the fighting renewed between the US and Iran, once again raising concerns over energy supplies and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gloria-steinem-dies-92-life-legacy-controversies-1788438128001">Gloria Steinem, feminist trailblazer and co-founder of Ms magazine, dies at 92</a>The latest escalation began after a US strike on Iran’s Larak Island on Aug. 30 ended a roughly month-long lull in direct hostilities. Iran has since launched missiles and drones against US military facilities across the region, including bases in Kuwait and the UAE.Iran has accused the US once again targetting civilians. The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) said shrapnel from a missile hit a family wedding ceremony at a home in southern Iran, killing four people. Washington at first denied these reports. But on Wednesday, it said it was looking into it. Central Command spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins stressed repeatedly that the "U.S. military never targets civilians," which he accused Iran's military forces of doing.Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, pointing out the failure of the Americans to implement the provisions of the Islamabad Memorandum, said that the United States must fulfil its commitments before Iran proceeds with reopening the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;

Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref warns of asymmetric responses and economic strain as US-Iran hostilities escalate near the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian First Vice President, Mohammad Reza Aref, said on Thursday, “dark months await” for the US economy. In a post on the social media platform X, Aref said that Iran's security strategy has changed. He urged Americans to stockpile fuel and claimed that any future US attack will trigger an “asymmetric” and “multi-layered” response. "The recent US crimes against the Iranian nation have changed our security calculations and defence doctrine. From now on, our response will be asymmetric, multi-layered and aimed at depriving the aggressor of security,” Aref said in a post on the social media platform X. However, Aref's remarks remain vague, without implying any specific measures to hurt the US economy. His remarks came as the fighting renewed between the US and Iran, once again raising concerns over energy supplies and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Also Read: Gloria Steinem, feminist trailblazer and co-founder of Ms magazine, dies at 92 The latest escalation began after a US strike on Iran’s Larak Island on Aug. 30 ended a roughly month-long lull in direct hostilities. Iran has since launched missiles and drones against US military facilities across the region, including bases in Kuwait and the UAE. Iran has accused the US once again targetting civilians. The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) said shrapnel from a missile hit a family wedding ceremony at a home in southern Iran, killing four people. Washington at first denied these reports. But on Wednesday, it said it was looking into it. Central Command spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins stressed repeatedly that the "U.S. military never targets civilians," which he accused Iran's military forces of doing. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, pointing out the failure of the Americans to implement the provisions of the Islamabad Memorandum, said that the United States must fulfil its commitments before Iran proceeds with reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref warns of asymmetric responses and economic strain as US-Iran hostilities escalate near the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran VP warns ‘Dark Months Await’ US economy as Hormuz tension rises

India has made it clear that it will not rush to close its trade agreement with the United States unless Indian exporters get a stronger tariff advantage over businesses from competing countries.&nbsp;Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday that New Delhi was waiting for Washington to offer preferential tariff treatment before finalising the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).&nbsp;"As soon as the US is able to give us the preferential rate in comparison to our competition, we will finalise the BTA and announce the final details," Goyal said while speaking at a national workshop under the Leveraging FTAs Outreach programme.&nbsp;The minister's remarks highlight India's focus on securing competitive market access for its exporters rather than simply lowering tariffs under the proposed deal.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/watch-belgian-pm-planned-unique-gift-for-pm-modi-but-it-melted-away-on-journey-to-india-1788442292821">Watch: Belgian PM planned unique gift for PM Modi, but it melted away on journey to India</a><h2>India wants better terms for exporters</h2>Goyal said the value of a trade agreement depends on how effectively it helps domestic companies compete in international markets.&nbsp;India has particularly faced a disadvantage in sectors such as textiles, where exporters from countries such as Bangladesh and Vietnam enjoy preferential tariff access in several key markets.&nbsp;The proposed India-US agreement covers a broad range of areas, including tariffs and market access, digital trade, non-tariff barriers, supply chains and cooperation in strategic sectors.&nbsp;The negotiations gained momentum earlier this year after India and the US announced a framework for an interim agreement on reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade in February.&nbsp;US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer visited New Delhi from June 22 to 24 and held discussions with Goyal on the key elements of the proposed deal. The two sides reviewed progress on market access, digital trade, supply-chain resilience and non-tariff barriers.&nbsp;Both countries said their negotiating teams had made substantial progress and reiterated their aim of reaching a balanced agreement with meaningful commercial benefits.&nbsp;The scale of the relationship has also raised the stakes in the negotiations. India's goods exports to the US stood at $103.82 billion in 2025, while US goods exports to India were around $45.6 billion. Bilateral goods trade between the two countries totalled $149.42 billion during the year.

India will finalise its trade deal with the US only after Washington offers Indian exporters preferential tariff terms compared with their competitors, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said.

India has made it clear that it will not rush to close its trade agreement with the United States unless Indian exporters get a stronger tariff advantage over businesses from competing countries. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday that New Delhi was waiting for Washington to offer preferential tariff treatment before finalising the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). "As soon as the US is able to give us the preferential rate in comparison to our competition, we will finalise the BTA and announce the final details," Goyal said while speaking at a national workshop under the Leveraging FTAs Outreach programme. The minister's remarks highlight India's focus on securing competitive market access for its exporters rather than simply lowering tariffs under the proposed deal. Also Read: Watch: Belgian PM planned unique gift for PM Modi, but it melted away on journey to India India wants better terms for exporters Goyal said the value of a trade agreement depends on how effectively it helps domestic companies compete in international markets. India has particularly faced a disadvantage in sectors such as textiles, where exporters from countries such as Bangladesh and Vietnam enjoy preferential tariff access in several key markets. The proposed India-US agreement covers a broad range of areas, including tariffs and market access, digital trade, non-tariff barriers, supply chains and cooperation in strategic sectors. The negotiations gained momentum earlier this year after India and the US announced a framework for an interim agreement on reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade in February. US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer visited New Delhi from June 22 to 24 and held discussions with Goyal on the key elements of the proposed deal. The two sides reviewed progress on market access, digital trade, supply-chain resilience and non-tariff barriers. Both countries said their negotiating teams had made substantial progress and reiterated their aim of reaching a balanced agreement with meaningful commercial benefits. The scale of the relationship has also raised the stakes in the negotiations. India's goods exports to the US stood at $103.82 billion in 2025, while US goods exports to India were around $45.6 billion. Bilateral goods trade between the two countries totalled $149.42 billion during the year.

India will finalise its trade deal with the US only after Washington offers Indian exporters preferential tariff terms compared with their competitors, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said.

‘As soon as we get preferential tariffs...’: India’s key condition for trade deal with US

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Sept 3) said 18 people had been killed in the Iran conflict, correcting Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who had earlier said no Americans had been killed. “Sec. Lutnick had Venezuela on his mind when he said nobody was killed. 18 people were killed in Iran!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/schizophrenia-hallucinations-delusions-iran-slams-trump-advises-him-to-consult-psychologists-after-us-prez-calls-hormuz-us-terrotory-1787926399000">‘Schizophrenia, hallucinations, delusions’: Iran slams Trump, advises him to consult psychologists after US prez calls Hormuz ‘US terrotory’</a>&nbsp;Lutnick, speaking to CNBC on Wednesday, had said that no Americans had died in the conflict that began at the end of February. His remarks were specifically in reference to the war with Iran, which he described as an “economic chokeout”.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-is-us-dollar-system-how-powerful-is-bessent-s-economic-outcast-warning-wion-explains-1787645878031">What is US dollar system? How powerful is Bessent’s ‘Economic Outcast’ warning for China | WION Explains</a>&nbsp;Meanwhile, Iranian lawmaker Esmail Kowsari accused the US of becoming “desperate and confused” in its confrontation with Tehran, citing what he described as changing positions from Washington. “One day it talks about a ceasefire and an agreement, and the next day about the Strait of Hormuz, an economic blockade and military action,” Kowsari said, according to Iranian state media.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/great-near-great-below-average-trump-puts-himself-above-lincoln-washington-in-bizarre-ranking-of-greatest-us-presidents-1787903513307">‘Great, near great, below average’: Trump puts himself above Lincoln, Washington in bizarre ranking of ‘greatest’ US presidents</a>&nbsp;Kowsari acknowledged that Iran had suffered losses in US attacks but said Washington had failed to achieve its broader objective. “We were harmed in the US attacks and we are not saying that we were not harmed,” he said. “But the US could not achieve its goal of overthrowing the Islamic Republic and bringing to power the system it wanted.”&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/weapons-equipment-technical-and-tactical-iran-says-it-has-new-surprises-ready-if-another-war-breaks-out-1787911559031">‘Weapons, equipment, technical and tactical’: Iran says it has new ‘surprises’ ready if another war breaks out</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

Donald Trump corrected Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, clarifying that 18 people died in the Iran conflict. Iran acknowledged US attack damage while dismissing American efforts to overthrow its government.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Sept 3) said 18 people had been killed in the Iran conflict, correcting Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who had earlier said no Americans had been killed. “Sec. Lutnick had Venezuela on his mind when he said nobody was killed. 18 people were killed in Iran!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Also read: ‘Schizophrenia, hallucinations, delusions’: Iran slams Trump, advises him to consult psychologists after US prez calls Hormuz ‘US terrotory’ Lutnick, speaking to CNBC on Wednesday, had said that no Americans had died in the conflict that began at the end of February. His remarks were specifically in reference to the war with Iran, which he described as an “economic chokeout”. Also read: What is US dollar system? How powerful is Bessent’s ‘Economic Outcast’ warning for China | WION Explains Meanwhile, Iranian lawmaker Esmail Kowsari accused the US of becoming “desperate and confused” in its confrontation with Tehran, citing what he described as changing positions from Washington. “One day it talks about a ceasefire and an agreement, and the next day about the Strait of Hormuz, an economic blockade and military action,” Kowsari said, according to Iranian state media. Also read: ‘Great, near great, below average’: Trump puts himself above Lincoln, Washington in bizarre ranking of ‘greatest’ US presidents Kowsari acknowledged that Iran had suffered losses in US attacks but said Washington had failed to achieve its broader objective. “We were harmed in the US attacks and we are not saying that we were not harmed,” he said. “But the US could not achieve its goal of overthrowing the Islamic Republic and bringing to power the system it wanted.” Also read: ‘Weapons, equipment, technical and tactical’: Iran says it has new ‘surprises’ ready if another war breaks out

Donald Trump corrected Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, clarifying that 18 people died in the Iran conflict. Iran acknowledged US attack damage while dismissing American efforts to overthrow its government.

‘Lutnick had Venezuela on his mind’: Trump says 18 were killed in Iran conflict, contradicts his commerce secretary

Nearly 800 oil and gas workers stationed in the North Sea can be fired from their jobs in the next two months for being overweight. According to a new rule which kicks in in two months, no worker should weigh more than 124 kilos while dressed up in full gear. This is being done as a safety rule in case they have to be helicoptered off in an emergency. A Coastguard rescue helicopter can carry a maximum winch load of 39 stone, or 247 kg.&nbsp;Graham Skinner, the health, safety and security manager of Offshore Energies UK, an industry representative, said, “On 1 November, if a worker turns up at the heliport over 124kg (19 st 7 lb), they will not be able to go to work.”<h2>Calculating the total weight that the winch can carry</h2>The mentioned load per worker assumes that the average rescue worker weighs 14 stone (88.9 kg), a stretcher is 4.5st, while the rigger and their kit make up the remainder. So if the worker does not conform to the standard weight, it would not be possible to rescue him on a chopper since the winch cannot be safely deployed and used while the helicopter is in the sky.&nbsp;Winch load is the maximum force or weight a winch can safely pull using a single line on the bottom layer of its cable drum.<h2>Safety of oil workers</h2>Skinner said that workers' weight poses a significant risk and that it "affects all aspects of their offshore work from getting on the helicopter and travelling offshore, to working around confined space, working at height", including being able to safely rescue them. He added that this means that it is important to make sure there are no workers who they wouldn't be able to rescue in the worst-case scenario.&nbsp;The plans were announced last year, and at that time, 2,200 staff were found to be too heavy. This number has fallen to 800. Skinner said that while that is good news, it is important that those who think “this isn't going to happen or it's going to go away”, understand that they need to do some work.&nbsp;

Hundreds of rig workers in the North Sea are facing the threat of being fired for being overweight. New rules state that no worker should exceed a fixed weight, as that creates a safety risk when trying to rescue them in an emergency.

Nearly 800 oil and gas workers stationed in the North Sea can be fired from their jobs in the next two months for being overweight. According to a new rule which kicks in in two months, no worker should weigh more than 124 kilos while dressed up in full gear. This is being done as a safety rule in case they have to be helicoptered off in an emergency. A Coastguard rescue helicopter can carry a maximum winch load of 39 stone, or 247 kg. Graham Skinner, the health, safety and security manager of Offshore Energies UK, an industry representative, said, “On 1 November, if a worker turns up at the heliport over 124kg (19 st 7 lb), they will not be able to go to work.” Calculating the total weight that the winch can carry The mentioned load per worker assumes that the average rescue worker weighs 14 stone (88.9 kg), a stretcher is 4.5st, while the rigger and their kit make up the remainder. So if the worker does not conform to the standard weight, it would not be possible to rescue him on a chopper since the winch cannot be safely deployed and used while the helicopter is in the sky. Winch load is the maximum force or weight a winch can safely pull using a single line on the bottom layer of its cable drum. Safety of oil workers Skinner said that workers' weight poses a significant risk and that it "affects all aspects of their offshore work from getting on the helicopter and travelling offshore, to working around confined space, working at height", including being able to safely rescue them. He added that this means that it is important to make sure there are no workers who they wouldn't be able to rescue in the worst-case scenario. The plans were announced last year, and at that time, 2,200 staff were found to be too heavy. This number has fallen to 800. Skinner said that while that is good news, it is important that those who think “this isn't going to happen or it's going to go away”, understand that they need to do some work.

Hundreds of rig workers in the North Sea are facing the threat of being fired for being overweight. New rules state that no worker should exceed a fixed weight, as that creates a safety risk when trying to rescue them in an emergency.

800 overweight oil workers in North Sea could soon be fired. Here's why

Iran used its Kheibar Shekan missile on US military targets and infrastructure in the Middle East this week. The missile, which means Castle Breaker in Persian, has emerged as an important weapon in Tehran's arsenal in its war against the US. While Donald Trump has been claiming that Iran no longer has many weapons, the country has been demonstrating that that's not true by using the medium-range ballistic missile to hit enemy targets.&nbsp;US and Iran renewed strikes this week after the former attacked rocket launchers on Iran’s Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Iran struck several US bases in the region, such as Jordan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Kheibar Shekan missile has emerged as a massive force in these strikes.<h2>What is Kheibar Shekan missile?</h2> Developed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), it is a medium-range missile capable of striking targets 1,450km away. It can carry a warhead weighing 449kg to 590kg. The missile was launched in 2022; the word Kheibar means a fortified settlement, while Shekan means breaker or destroyer.&nbsp;It is a solid-fuel missile, which means it is pre-loaded with fuel. Typically, adding fuel to missiles can take hours. But since the Kheibar already has the needed fuel, it saves crucial time in a moment of crisis and can be launched within minutes. They are easier to operate and become harder to detect because of this logistical advantage.&nbsp;Solid fuel also means that it does not break down even if stored inside the missiles for a long time. Since it is extremely dense, it burns quickly and provides a powerful thrust to the missile.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">IRGC vs USAF in Jordan: Kheibar Shekan and Emad ballistic missiles vs US Air Force at Prince Hassan Airbase in Jordan; the 3rd wave in past two days. The missile strikes were in retaliation for US strikes, including today&#39;s on a wedding party. [IRGC 1/9] <a href="https://t.co/iSGdJXP7hz">pic.twitter.com/iSGdJXP7hz</a>&mdash; Jon Elmer (@jonelmer) <a href="https://x.com/jonelmer/status/2094947928666165318?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Missiles in US-Iran war</h2> According to state broadcaster IRIB, Iran has been using the missiles since the start of the war on February 28. It recently used them to carry out retaliatory attacks on US assets in Jordan. Iran used the missiles to hit a US jet maintenance facility and a new command-and-control centre in Jordan’s Azraq. IRGC has also released videos showing the Kheibar Shekan missiles being used in conjunction with Fateh-110, Zolfaghar and Emad ballistic missiles.&nbsp;<h2>Iran's missile arsenal</h2> Iran has both short- and medium-range missiles. Fateh variants - Zolfaghar, Qiam-1 and Shahab-1/2 - have a range of roughly 150km to 800km. The medium-range ballistic missiles include Shahab-3, Emad, Ghadr-1, the Khorramshahr variants and Sejjil, Haj Qassem and Kheibar Shekan. It cruise missiles include Soumar, Ya-Ali, the Quds variants, Hoveyzeh, Paveh and Ra’ad.

US-Iran war: Iran has been attacking US targets in the Middle East with its newer Kheibar Shekan ballistic missiles. The medium-range missile was recently used against a US jet maintenance facility and a new command-and-control centre in Jordan’s Azraq. 

Iran used its Kheibar Shekan missile on US military targets and infrastructure in the Middle East this week. The missile, which means Castle Breaker in Persian, has emerged as an important weapon in Tehran's arsenal in its war against the US. While Donald Trump has been claiming that Iran no longer has many weapons, the country has been demonstrating that that's not true by using the medium-range ballistic missile to hit enemy targets. US and Iran renewed strikes this week after the former attacked rocket launchers on Iran’s Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Iran struck several US bases in the region, such as Jordan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Kheibar Shekan missile has emerged as a massive force in these strikes. What is Kheibar Shekan missile? Developed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), it is a medium-range missile capable of striking targets 1,450km away. It can carry a warhead weighing 449kg to 590kg. The missile was launched in 2022; the word Kheibar means a fortified settlement, while Shekan means breaker or destroyer. It is a solid-fuel missile, which means it is pre-loaded with fuel. Typically, adding fuel to missiles can take hours. But since the Kheibar already has the needed fuel, it saves crucial time in a moment of crisis and can be launched within minutes. They are easier to operate and become harder to detect because of this logistical advantage. Solid fuel also means that it does not break down even if stored inside the missiles for a long time. Since it is extremely dense, it burns quickly and provides a powerful thrust to the missile.

US-Iran war: Iran has been attacking US targets in the Middle East with its newer Kheibar Shekan ballistic missiles. The medium-range missile was recently used against a US jet maintenance facility and a new command-and-control centre in Jordan’s Azraq.&nbsp;

Iran's Castle Breaker missiles struck US bases in Jordan this week. What are they?

Gloria Steinem, the American writer, lecturer, activist and feminist organiser who fought for Gender equality, died at the age of 92 on Wednesday. Her foundation announced her death in an Instagram post on Thursday. She died “surrounded by some of the many who loved her,” said the foundation in the statement.“Gloria’s near-century on earth were years well-lived, and she continued working for equality until the very end,” said the statement. She was awarded for her decade-long service as advocating for women’s rights in 2013 with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United Nations’ Society of Writers Award and the National Gay Rights Advocates Award.<h2>Steinem's journey to feminism</h2>Steinem was born on March 25, 1934, in Toledo, Ohio. She was the younger of two daughters. Her father was a travelling antique dealer. Because the family moved frequently, she did not attend school regularly till seventh standard. &nbsp;Her grandmother served as chair of the educational committee of the National Woman Suffrage Association and helped rescue members of her family who were Jewish from Germany in the 1930s.Her mother suffered from a mental breakdown and depression after she separated from her father. She used to live with her mother and take care of her since the age of 11, which impacted her thinking. She once famously said she had taken care of a big baby and does not want a young one.In the 1960s, after graduating, she tried to work in a male-dominated field of 1960s journalism, where she was often sexualised and dismissed for her Gender.&nbsp;In 1963, she worked as a cocktail waitress to write the groundbreaking expose, "A Bunny's ⁠Tale," about the poor and sexist working conditions of the playboy bunnies. The story effectively launched her career.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sonam-wangchuk-rejects-foreign-links-cjp-protest-1788432751945">‘Not handled by any outside power’: Sonam Wangchuk rejects foreign links to CJP protests</a>Steinem became one of the faces of the second wave of feminism in the 1960s and 70s, bridging the gap between activism and media representation, due to her media-savvy profile. Though she identified herself as a radical feminist, she was more of the liberal and mainstream face of second-wave feminism, advocating for women’s rights in the workplace, the right to abortion and sex education. During her time, the nascent feminist movement was mostly associated with white upper-class women. She was a white, college-educated woman and aware of her privileges. She frequently partnered with Black Feminist Dorothy Pitman Hughes and Margaret Sloan-Hunte to emphasise the identity of the women of colour in the narrative of the movement. In an influential 1969 article for New York Magazine, “After Black Power, Women’s Liberation, she drew parallels between Black Power Movement and the feminist movement, urging them to together form a “revolutionary vanguard”. Along with Dorothy Pitman Hughes, she co-founded Ms Magazine in 1972, which is considered to be the first national American feminist magazine.&nbsp;<h2>Controversies and criticisms</h2>Despite being an avid supporter of reproductive freedom, Steinem kept her abortion secret for roughly 10 years. She always criticised marriage but later married David Bale, father of the Hollywood Star Christian Bale. She was also accused of collaborating with the CIA, and participating in events sponsored by CIA-funded organisations in the 1950s. A 2016 New York Times profile of her claimed she “started her career as a C.I.A. operative,” which she promptly disputed.&nbsp;“I was never told what to say or do at two Soviet-led youth festivals more than a half-century ago where American attendance was funded by C.I.A.-backed foundations,” she wrote in response.She also made the controversial argument that the relationship between Former US Presidnet Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky was not sexual harassment, which she later said: “wouldn’t write the same thing now.”&nbsp;

Gloria Steinem, pioneering feminist writer, activist and co-founder of Ms. magazine, has died at 92. Here's a look at her life, legacy and controversies.

Gloria Steinem, the American writer, lecturer, activist and feminist organiser who fought for Gender equality, died at the age of 92 on Wednesday. Her foundation announced her death in an Instagram post on Thursday. She died “surrounded by some of the many who loved her,” said the foundation in the statement. “Gloria’s near-century on earth were years well-lived, and she continued working for equality until the very end,” said the statement. She was awarded for her decade-long service as advocating for women’s rights in 2013 with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United Nations’ Society of Writers Award and the National Gay Rights Advocates Award. Steinem's journey to feminism Steinem was born on March 25, 1934, in Toledo, Ohio. She was the younger of two daughters. Her father was a travelling antique dealer. Because the family moved frequently, she did not attend school regularly till seventh standard. Her grandmother served as chair of the educational committee of the National Woman Suffrage Association and helped rescue members of her family who were Jewish from Germany in the 1930s. Her mother suffered from a mental breakdown and depression after she separated from her father. She used to live with her mother and take care of her since the age of 11, which impacted her thinking. She once famously said she had taken care of a big baby and does not want a young one. In the 1960s, after graduating, she tried to work in a male-dominated field of 1960s journalism, where she was often sexualised and dismissed for her Gender. In 1963, she worked as a cocktail waitress to write the groundbreaking expose, "A Bunny's ⁠Tale," about the poor and sexist working conditions of the playboy bunnies. The story effectively launched her career. Also Read: ‘Not handled by any outside power’: Sonam Wangchuk rejects foreign links to CJP protests Steinem became one of the faces of the second wave of feminism in the 1960s and 70s, bridging the gap between activism and media representation, due to her media-savvy profile. Though she identified herself as a radical feminist, she was more of the liberal and mainstream face of second-wave feminism, advocating for women’s rights in the workplace, the right to abortion and sex education. During her time, the nascent feminist movement was mostly associated with white upper-class women. She was a white, college-educated woman and aware of her privileges. She frequently partnered with Black Feminist Dorothy Pitman Hughes and Margaret Sloan-Hunte to emphasise the identity of the women of colour in the narrative of the movement. In an influential 1969 article for New York Magazine, “After Black Power, Women’s Liberation, she drew parallels between Black Power Movement and the feminist movement, urging them to together form a “revolutionary vanguard”. Along with Dorothy Pitman Hughes, she co-founded Ms Magazine in 1972, which is considered to be the first national American feminist magazine. Controversies and criticisms Despite being an avid supporter of reproductive freedom, Steinem kept her abortion secret for roughly 10 years. She always criticised marriage but later married David Bale, father of the Hollywood Star Christian Bale. She was also accused of collaborating with the CIA, and participating in events sponsored by CIA-funded organisations in the 1950s. A 2016 New York Times profile of her claimed she “started her career as a C.I.A. operative,” which she promptly disputed. “I was never told what to say or do at two Soviet-led youth festivals more than a half-century ago where American attendance was funded by C.I.A.-backed foundations,” she wrote in response. She also made the controversial argument that the relationship between Former US Presidnet Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky was not sexual harassment, which she later said: “wouldn’t write the same thing now.”

Gloria Steinem, pioneering feminist writer, activist and co-founder of Ms. magazine, has died at 92. Here's a look at her life, legacy and controversies.

Gloria Steinem, feminist trailblazer and co-founder of Ms magazine, dies at 92

Iranian lawmaker Esmail Kowsari has accused the United States of becoming “desperate and confused” in its confrontation with Tehran, citing what he described as shifting positions from Washington. “One day it talks about a ceasefire and an agreement, and the next day about the Strait of Hormuz, an economic blockade and military action,” Kowsari said, according to Iranian state media.Kowsari acknowledged that Iran had suffered losses in US attacks but said Washington had failed to achieve its broader objective. “We were harmed in the US attacks and we are not saying that we were not harmed,” he said. “But the US could not achieve its goal of overthrowing the Islamic Republic and bringing to power the system it wanted.”Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/now-over-100-000-people-dead-trump-accuses-iran-of-killing-protesters-calls-it-failed-nation-1788184730792">'Now over 100,000 people dead': Trump accuses Iran of killing protesters, calls it 'failed nation'</a>Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament's National Security Committee chairman Ebrahim Azizi said the Strait of Hormuz would not reopen without Tehran's approval, as tensions in the Persian Gulf remain high. “The Strait of Hormuz will not reopen without the will of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Azizi said on Thursday, according to the parliament's ICANA news agency.“The conditions in the Persian Gulf have changed,” he added. The comments came as Israel also issued a warning over any potential Iranian attack. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Thursday that an Iranian attack on Israel would trigger strikes against Iranian infrastructure, including energy facilities.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/schizophrenia-hallucinations-delusions-iran-slams-trump-advises-him-to-consult-psychologists-after-us-prez-calls-hormuz-us-terrotory-1787926399000">‘Schizophrenia, hallucinations, delusions’: Iran slams Trump, advises him to consult psychologists after US prez calls Hormuz ‘US terrotory’</a>“An Iranian attack on Israel will free us from all constraints,” Katz said. “We will strike all infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, and return Iran to the Stone Age and darkness.” Katz said Israel was “well prepared, defensively and offensively, for every possibility”.

Iranian lawmakers claimed the US is "desperate and confused," asserting the Strait of Hormuz will not reopen without Tehran's approval, while Israel warned of devastating strikes against Iranian infrastructure if attacked.

Iranian lawmaker Esmail Kowsari has accused the United States of becoming “desperate and confused” in its confrontation with Tehran, citing what he described as shifting positions from Washington. “One day it talks about a ceasefire and an agreement, and the next day about the Strait of Hormuz, an economic blockade and military action,” Kowsari said, according to Iranian state media. Kowsari acknowledged that Iran had suffered losses in US attacks but said Washington had failed to achieve its broader objective. “We were harmed in the US attacks and we are not saying that we were not harmed,” he said. “But the US could not achieve its goal of overthrowing the Islamic Republic and bringing to power the system it wanted.” Also read: 'Now over 100,000 people dead': Trump accuses Iran of killing protesters, calls it 'failed nation' Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament's National Security Committee chairman Ebrahim Azizi said the Strait of Hormuz would not reopen without Tehran's approval, as tensions in the Persian Gulf remain high. “The Strait of Hormuz will not reopen without the will of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Azizi said on Thursday, according to the parliament's ICANA news agency. “The conditions in the Persian Gulf have changed,” he added. The comments came as Israel also issued a warning over any potential Iranian attack. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Thursday that an Iranian attack on Israel would trigger strikes against Iranian infrastructure, including energy facilities. Also read: ‘Schizophrenia, hallucinations, delusions’: Iran slams Trump, advises him to consult psychologists after US prez calls Hormuz ‘US terrotory’ “An Iranian attack on Israel will free us from all constraints,” Katz said. “We will strike all infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, and return Iran to the Stone Age and darkness.” Katz said Israel was “well prepared, defensively and offensively, for every possibility”.

Iranian lawmakers claimed the US is "desperate and confused," asserting the Strait of Hormuz will not reopen without Tehran's approval, while Israel warned of devastating strikes against Iranian infrastructure if attacked.

Iran lawmaker says US ‘desperate and confused’ as tensions rise over Hormuz

In a significant peace initiative, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in Kyiv on Thursday that India is ready to contribute in any way possible to efforts to end the war in Ukraine.“If India can be of any help, in any manner, we are there,” Jaishankar told reporters alongside Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.Jaishankar made the remark after his counterpart from Kyiv said that Ukraine expects a “new dynamic” in diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s war as international engagement resumes.EAM Jaishankar is currently on a visit to Ukraine.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-signals-openness-to-ukraine-deal-thanks-us-and-china-for-peace-efforts-1788433350060">Putin signals openness to Ukraine deal, thanks US and China for peace efforts</a>&nbsp;Sybiha said he believed there would now be a “new dynamic” in efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, with active political and diplomatic engagement resuming in capitals around the world.“I believe that we will now have a new dynamic in the peace efforts, with the return of this active phase of political and diplomatic engagement in many capitals around the world,” Sybiha told reporters.&nbsp;<h2>‘There is a chance of reaching peace agreement’: Putin&nbsp;</h2>&nbsp;His remarks came as Russian President Vladimir Putin said there was a chance of reaching a peace agreement to end the war, although he acknowledged that restarting negotiations had become more difficult.“Is there a chance? In my view, yes, there is,” Putin said at an economic forum in Russia’s Far East. He said several countries, including the United States and China, were ready to support a peace settlement.&nbsp;Putin, however, stressed that the ultimate responsibility for resolving the conflict lay with Russia and Ukraine.“Ultimately, however, the problem must be resolved by the countries involved in the conflict — Russia and Ukraine,” Putin said, adding that Moscow was grateful to those trying to contribute to a settlement.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-and-nato-step-up-pressure-on-russia-after-germany-escalation-incidents-1788381258249">EU and NATO step up pressure on Russia after Germany ‘escalation incidents’</a>&nbsp;Putin said Russia was continuing contacts with the administration of US President Donald Trump, which has sought to broker a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv.“We favour restoring full-scale relations with the United States,” Putin said.&nbsp;The Russian president also accused Ukraine of attacking civilian merchant ships and issuing warnings about the safety of civilian aircraft flying over Russian airspace, describing these as “acts of state terrorism” that further complicate the prospects for bilateral peace talks.&nbsp;Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had warned airlines and insurance companies that the presence of Ukrainian drones had made Russian skies dangerous. He said Ukraine would target only Russian military facilities and would not threaten civilian aircraft.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-suggests-renaming-strait-of-hormuz-to-trump-strait-1788377239194">Trump suggests renaming Strait of Hormuz to ‘Trump Strait’</a>&nbsp;On Wednesday, Ukraine had urged the UN aviation agency to ask member states to ban operations in Russian airspace. Ukraine’s own airspace has remained closed to international civil aviation since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.&nbsp;<h2>Ministers discuss attacks on commercial shipping in Black Sea&nbsp;</h2>&nbsp;The two ministers also discussed attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea, which Jaishankar said featured prominently in their talks.&nbsp;Indian seafarers were killed and injured in the latest escalations between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea.&nbsp;New Delhi has called for an end to the war through dialogue and diplomacy while reiterating the safety of Indians and other seafarers.&nbsp;

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said he believed there would now be a “new dynamic” in efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, with active diplomatic engagement resuming. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Sybiha also discussed attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea.

In a significant peace initiative, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in Kyiv on Thursday that India is ready to contribute in any way possible to efforts to end the war in Ukraine. “If India can be of any help, in any manner, we are there,” Jaishankar told reporters alongside Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. Jaishankar made the remark after his counterpart from Kyiv said that Ukraine expects a “new dynamic” in diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s war as international engagement resumes. EAM Jaishankar is currently on a visit to Ukraine. Also Read: Putin signals openness to Ukraine deal, thanks US and China for peace efforts Sybiha said he believed there would now be a “new dynamic” in efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, with active political and diplomatic engagement resuming in capitals around the world. “I believe that we will now have a new dynamic in the peace efforts, with the return of this active phase of political and diplomatic engagement in many capitals around the world,” Sybiha told reporters. ‘There is a chance of reaching peace agreement’: Putin His remarks came as Russian President Vladimir Putin said there was a chance of reaching a peace agreement to end the war, although he acknowledged that restarting negotiations had become more difficult. “Is there a chance? In my view, yes, there is,” Putin said at an economic forum in Russia’s Far East. He said several countries, including the United States and China, were ready to support a peace settlement. Putin, however, stressed that the ultimate responsibility for resolving the conflict lay with Russia and Ukraine. “Ultimately, however, the problem must be resolved by the countries involved in the conflict — Russia and Ukraine,” Putin said, adding that Moscow was grateful to those trying to contribute to a settlement. Also Read: EU and NATO step up pressure on Russia after Germany ‘escalation incidents’ Putin said Russia was continuing contacts with the administration of US President Donald Trump, which has sought to broker a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv. “We favour restoring full-scale relations with the United States,” Putin said. The Russian president also accused Ukraine of attacking civilian merchant ships and issuing warnings about the safety of civilian aircraft flying over Russian airspace, describing these as “acts of state terrorism” that further complicate the prospects for bilateral peace talks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had warned airlines and insurance companies that the presence of Ukrainian drones had made Russian skies dangerous. He said Ukraine would target only Russian military facilities and would not threaten civilian aircraft. Also Read: Trump suggests renaming Strait of Hormuz to ‘Trump Strait’ On Wednesday, Ukraine had urged the UN aviation agency to ask member states to ban operations in Russian airspace. Ukraine’s own airspace has remained closed to international civil aviation since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. Ministers discuss attacks on commercial shipping in Black Sea The two ministers also discussed attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea, which Jaishankar said featured prominently in their talks. Indian seafarers were killed and injured in the latest escalations between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea. New Delhi has called for an end to the war through dialogue and diplomacy while reiterating the safety of Indians and other seafarers.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said he believed there would now be a “new dynamic” in efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, with active diplomatic engagement resuming. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Sybiha also discussed attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea.

India ready to help end Russia-Ukraine war, says EAM Jaishankar during Kyiv visit

The 11-member bloc, representing 40 per cent of global GDP, will discuss trade, de-dollarisation, tech and governance reform, with NDB having approved $42.9 billion for 139 projects in 18th BRICS Summit in 2026 .

The 11-member bloc, representing 40 per cent of global GDP, will discuss trade, de-dollarisation, tech and governance reform, with NDB having approved $42.9 billion for 139 projects in 18th BRICS Summit in 2026 .

BRICS by numbers: Global GDP share, trade share, intra-BRICS settlement volumes and NDB disbursements — All you need to know

The Dutch central bank, De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB), has relocated 86 tonnes of its gold reserves from the United States and Canada to the United Kingdom, explicitly citing “increasing geopolitical unrest” as a primary driver behind the move. The multi-month operation, conducted between March and August, saw a significant portion of the country's bullion shifted out of vaults in New York and Ottawa to the Bank of England in London.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/gold-and-geopolitics-why-countries-hoard-the-metal-1766394779199/embed">https://www.wionews.com/photos/gold-and-geopolitics-why-countries-hoard-the-metal-1766394779199/embed</a>&nbsp;DNB explained that storing a larger share of its gold in London drastically enhances its operational flexibility during severe financial or geopolitical shocks. London hosts the world's largest, deepest, and most liquid physical gold market, transacting hundreds of billions of dollars in bullion weekly.&nbsp;"With this step, we have improved the deployability of our gold reserves," said DNB President Olaf Sleijpen. "We assume that we will never need to deploy the gold, but it is nevertheless necessary to strengthen our resilience and preparedness."&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/skip-foreign-trips-don-t-buy-gold-pm-modi-s-swadeshi-push-after-india-clocks-7-8-gdp-growth-1788237060560">'Skip foreign trips, don't buy gold': PM Modi's swadeshi push after India clocks 7.8% GDP growth</a>&nbsp;To execute the move while minimising physical transport risks and avoiding expensive bar-remelting processes, DNB used a dual-strategy approach. Roughly 27 tonnes of physical gold bars were shipped from North America to the DNB cash center in Zeist, Netherlands, before being routed to London. The remaining 59 tonnes were sold off directly in New York and simultaneously repurchased in London to instantly meet international trade standards.&nbsp;Following the transaction, the proportion of Dutch gold stored in New York dropped from 31.3% to 18.5%, while Canada's holdings similarly decreased from 19.7% to 18.5%. London now holds the largest international share of the Netherlands' gold at 32.1% (up from 18.1%), while 30.8% remains securely located within the Netherlands.&nbsp;The Netherlands holds a total of 612.4 tonnes of gold reserves, valued at over €72 billion. While central banks routinely rebalance portfolio locations, financial analysts note that growing global political instability and transatlantic policy tensions have accelerated European efforts to prioritise immediate liquidity over distant storage.

The Dutch central bank has shifted 86 tonnes of gold from the US and Canada to London for "crisis preparedness" amid rising geopolitical unrest. 

The Dutch central bank, De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB), has relocated 86 tonnes of its gold reserves from the United States and Canada to the United Kingdom, explicitly citing “increasing geopolitical unrest” as a primary driver behind the move. The multi-month operation, conducted between March and August, saw a significant portion of the country's bullion shifted out of vaults in New York and Ottawa to the Bank of England in London. https://www.wionews.com/photos/gold-and-geopolitics-why-countries-hoard-the-metal-1766394779199/embed DNB explained that storing a larger share of its gold in London drastically enhances its operational flexibility during severe financial or geopolitical shocks. London hosts the world's largest, deepest, and most liquid physical gold market, transacting hundreds of billions of dollars in bullion weekly. "With this step, we have improved the deployability of our gold reserves," said DNB President Olaf Sleijpen. "We assume that we will never need to deploy the gold, but it is nevertheless necessary to strengthen our resilience and preparedness." Also read: 'Skip foreign trips, don't buy gold': PM Modi's swadeshi push after India clocks 7.8% GDP growth To execute the move while minimising physical transport risks and avoiding expensive bar-remelting processes, DNB used a dual-strategy approach. Roughly 27 tonnes of physical gold bars were shipped from North America to the DNB cash center in Zeist, Netherlands, before being routed to London. The remaining 59 tonnes were sold off directly in New York and simultaneously repurchased in London to instantly meet international trade standards. Following the transaction, the proportion of Dutch gold stored in New York dropped from 31.3% to 18.5%, while Canada's holdings similarly decreased from 19.7% to 18.5%. London now holds the largest international share of the Netherlands' gold at 32.1% (up from 18.1%), while 30.8% remains securely located within the Netherlands. The Netherlands holds a total of 612.4 tonnes of gold reserves, valued at over €72 billion. While central banks routinely rebalance portfolio locations, financial analysts note that growing global political instability and transatlantic policy tensions have accelerated European efforts to prioritise immediate liquidity over distant storage.

The Dutch central bank has shifted 86 tonnes of gold from the US and Canada to London for "crisis preparedness" amid rising geopolitical unrest.&nbsp;

Netherlands shifts 86 tonnes of gold reserve to UK citing geopolitical risks

Russia and Ukraine remain locked in a brutal war of attrition that has now crossed four and a half years. Amid the prolonged conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday (September 03) hinted at his willingness to reach a deal to end the war, saying, "Ultimately, the problem must be resolved by the countries involved in the conflict – Russia and Ukraine. This is the correct approach."&nbsp;Putin also thanked several countries, including the United States and China, for their efforts to support a possible peace settlement. "We are grateful to all those who are trying to contribute to achieving a settlement. Is there a chance? In my opinion, yes."&nbsp;Speaking at an economic forum in the eastern part of the country, Putin accused Ukraine of carrying out attacks on civilian merchant ships and issuing “reported threats of attacks on civilian aircraft”. He described these as “acts of state terrorism” and said they “complicate the prospects for bilateral peace talks”.&nbsp;Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, meanwhile, warned airlines and insurance companies this week that Russian airspace had become dangerous because of the presence of Ukrainian drones. However, he said Ukraine would target only Russian military facilities and would not threaten civilian aircraft.&nbsp;The battle line has remained largely frozen for most of the conflict, turning the war into a prolonged battle of attrition. Peace talks have also remained stalled since February this year. At the same time, both sides have stepped up long-range air attacks on each other's territory and critical infrastructure.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/belgium-latest-eu-state-cautioned-by-india-over-arms-for-pakistan-gets-assurances-from-brussels-1788418519449">Belgium, latest EU state cautioned by India over arms for Pakistan; gets assurances from Brussels</a><h3>Putin signals continued US engagement</h3>Putin said Russia was continuing its contacts with the administration of US President Donald Trump, which has been seeking to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.&nbsp;“We favour restoring full-scale relations with the United States. However, this does not depend on us alone; it depends on the American side. But from what I understand, sense, and observe, President Trump is committed to such positive, constructive engagement,” he said.&nbsp;According to Putin, contacts between Russia and the United States were continuing through their intelligence agencies and Trump's envoys. CIA chief John Ratcliffe met Russian spy chiefs in Moscow last week, although neither side has disclosed what was discussed during the meeting.<h3>Trump wants right time for another Putin summit</h3>Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has said he is ready to hold another summit with Putin, but wants the meeting to take place when Moscow is prepared to work towards a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine.&nbsp;Asked whether Putin would agree to another summit in the near future, Trump said he believed the Russian leader would be willing to meet. However, he stressed that he wanted the meeting to happen at the right time.&nbsp;“He'd do it. I want it, but I want to do it when we're ready to do a peace deal,” Trump said to reporters at the Oval Office.

Putin signalled his willingness to pursue a deal to end the Ukraine war while US President Donald Trump said he was ready for another summit with Putin when the two sides are prepared to work towards a peace agreement.

Russia and Ukraine remain locked in a brutal war of attrition that has now crossed four and a half years. Amid the prolonged conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday (September 03) hinted at his willingness to reach a deal to end the war, saying, "Ultimately, the problem must be resolved by the countries involved in the conflict – Russia and Ukraine. This is the correct approach." Putin also thanked several countries, including the United States and China, for their efforts to support a possible peace settlement. "We are grateful to all those who are trying to contribute to achieving a settlement. Is there a chance? In my opinion, yes." Speaking at an economic forum in the eastern part of the country, Putin accused Ukraine of carrying out attacks on civilian merchant ships and issuing “reported threats of attacks on civilian aircraft”. He described these as “acts of state terrorism” and said they “complicate the prospects for bilateral peace talks”. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, meanwhile, warned airlines and insurance companies this week that Russian airspace had become dangerous because of the presence of Ukrainian drones. However, he said Ukraine would target only Russian military facilities and would not threaten civilian aircraft. The battle line has remained largely frozen for most of the conflict, turning the war into a prolonged battle of attrition. Peace talks have also remained stalled since February this year. At the same time, both sides have stepped up long-range air attacks on each other's territory and critical infrastructure. Also Read: Belgium, latest EU state cautioned by India over arms for Pakistan; gets assurances from Brussels Putin signals continued US engagement Putin said Russia was continuing its contacts with the administration of US President Donald Trump, which has been seeking to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. “We favour restoring full-scale relations with the United States. However, this does not depend on us alone; it depends on the American side. But from what I understand, sense, and observe, President Trump is committed to such positive, constructive engagement,” he said. According to Putin, contacts between Russia and the United States were continuing through their intelligence agencies and Trump's envoys. CIA chief John Ratcliffe met Russian spy chiefs in Moscow last week, although neither side has disclosed what was discussed during the meeting. Trump wants right time for another Putin summit Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has said he is ready to hold another summit with Putin, but wants the meeting to take place when Moscow is prepared to work towards a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine. Asked whether Putin would agree to another summit in the near future, Trump said he believed the Russian leader would be willing to meet. However, he stressed that he wanted the meeting to happen at the right time. “He'd do it. I want it, but I want to do it when we're ready to do a peace deal,” Trump said to reporters at the Oval Office.

Putin signalled his willingness to pursue a deal to end the Ukraine war, while US President Donald Trump said he was ready for another summit with Putin when the two sides are prepared to work towards a peace agreement.

Putin signals openness to Ukraine deal, thanks US and China for peace efforts

Russia will close German Goethe-Institut cultural centres, following a confrontation between the two nations over an explosive-laden drone found at the Leipzig/Halle airport. It said that Russian state media reported, quoting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, that Berlin deliberately made the move to blame Moscow. He said that the centres in cities like Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Yekaterinburg will be closed.&nbsp;“They [Germany] deliberately took this step – they could not have failed to understand – which means the end of their cultural presence in Russia," said Lavrov according to state news agency TASS.The Goethe-Institut is a non-profit official cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany. It functions in over 100 countries with over 150 branches. Russia’s first Goethe-Institut opened in Moscow in 1992 after the fall of Soviet Russia. The institute managed to remain open despite “all the Ukrainian complications in our relations with the West,” said Lavrov.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/manipur-violence-25-houses-burnt-kangpokpi-1788370611643">Manipur violence: 25 houses torched in Manipur’s Kangpokpi a day after 10 homes were burnt along Imphal-Tamenglong road</a>But following an explosive-laden drone at Leipzig/Halle airport, Germany closed a Russian consulate in Bonn and a cultural centre in Berlin. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt accused Russia of being behind the “hybrid attack”. The drone was found near a Ukrainian cargo plane, and it was defused.&nbsp;“It is clear that it has all the hallmarks of state-sponsored terrorism,” said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said at a meeting of the bloc’s foreign ministers in Ireland. “The question is, what do we do about this?” she said.&nbsp;Kallas said that the European Union is working on a plan to sanction 1,600 individuals and entities linked to Russia’s military industry. “Seeing these hybrid attacks across Europe, I think these are also wake-up calls for the countries who have not been so strong … on this,” she said.“If we want to end this war, we all have to focus our efforts. Take it to a new level.”Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday accused Germany of planting evidence to frame Russia for the incident. Lavrov's deputy, Alexander Grushko, said Russia would retaliate very soon for the closure of the consulate in Bonn.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Russia says it will shut German Goethe-Institut centres after Germany closed a Russian consulate and cultural centre over an alleged drone attack.

Russia will close German Goethe-Institut cultural centres, following a confrontation between the two nations over an explosive-laden drone found at the Leipzig/Halle airport. It said that Russian state media reported, quoting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, that Berlin deliberately made the move to blame Moscow. He said that the centres in cities like Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Yekaterinburg will be closed. “They [Germany] deliberately took this step – they could not have failed to understand – which means the end of their cultural presence in Russia," said Lavrov according to state news agency TASS. The Goethe-Institut is a non-profit official cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany. It functions in over 100 countries with over 150 branches. Russia’s first Goethe-Institut opened in Moscow in 1992 after the fall of Soviet Russia. The institute managed to remain open despite “all the Ukrainian complications in our relations with the West,” said Lavrov. Also Read: Manipur violence: 25 houses torched in Manipur’s Kangpokpi a day after 10 homes were burnt along Imphal-Tamenglong road But following an explosive-laden drone at Leipzig/Halle airport, Germany closed a Russian consulate in Bonn and a cultural centre in Berlin. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt accused Russia of being behind the “hybrid attack”. The drone was found near a Ukrainian cargo plane, and it was defused. “It is clear that it has all the hallmarks of state-sponsored terrorism,” said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said at a meeting of the bloc’s foreign ministers in Ireland. “The question is, what do we do about this?” she said. Kallas said that the European Union is working on a plan to sanction 1,600 individuals and entities linked to Russia’s military industry. “Seeing these hybrid attacks across Europe, I think these are also wake-up calls for the countries who have not been so strong … on this,” she said. “If we want to end this war, we all have to focus our efforts. Take it to a new level.” Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday accused Germany of planting evidence to frame Russia for the incident. Lavrov's deputy, Alexander Grushko, said Russia would retaliate very soon for the closure of the consulate in Bonn.

Russia says it will shut German Goethe-Institut centres after Germany closed a Russian consulate and cultural centre over an alleged drone attack.

Russia to shut German culture centres after Germany closes Russian consulate

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