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Ukrainian long-range drones hit four Russian airbases overnight on Aug. 14 in the largest attack on airfields in the war, a source in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) told a news portal.

Russia-Ukraine war | Ukrainian drones hit 4 Russian airbases

Ukraine on&nbsp;Wednesday (Aug 14) said that its forces had advanced&nbsp;deeper into Russia’s Kursk region as Moscow faces the biggest incursion since World War 2. The offensive began on August 6 and has now affected at least three regions of the country, posing a major security challenge for strongman President Vladimir Putin.

“We continue to advance further in the Kursk region,” Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on Telegram, “from one to two kilometres in various areas since the start of the day. And more than 100 Russian prisoners of war in the same period.”

<h2>Russia’s National Guard beefs up security</h2>

In response, Russia’s National Guard beefed up security measures in the area, especially near the Kursk nuclear power plant, located just 35 kilometres&nbsp;from the fighting.

To deter the surprise&nbsp;attack, Russia has now begun pulling reserve forces from Ukraine and Crimea to focus on the embattled Russian territories, one Ukrainian commander was quoted as saying by CNN. Russian soldiers are being pulled from Zaporizhzhia, Crimea, and Kharkiv, claimed the commander.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwj2j-P94fSHAxWDTGwGHSBOK0cQxfQBKAB6BAgREAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-strikes-russia-with-drones-says-it-is-advancing-deeper-750022" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-strikes-russia-with-drones-says-it-is-advancing-deeper-750022&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj2j-P94fSHAxWDTGwGHSBOK0cQxfQBKAB6BAgREAE">Ukraine strikes Russia with drones, says it is advancing deeper</a>

“(The Russians) are now trying to stop our advance; they have pulled in reserves, which has benefited our defense forces in other areas, because it has become easier to work there,” the Ukrainian&nbsp;commander said.

WION can’t independently verify these claims.

<h2>Kyiv creating security zone in Russia</h2>

Earlier, Kyiv said it was carving out a "security zone" on Russian soil in order to protect Ukrainian border regions.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwj2j-P94fSHAxWDTGwGHSBOK0cQxfQBKAB6BAgMEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-vows-to-expel-enemy-from-russian-territory-as-ukraine-claims-control-of-1000-sq-km-749632" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-vows-to-expel-enemy-from-russian-territory-as-ukraine-claims-control-of-1000-sq-km-749632&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj2j-P94fSHAxWDTGwGHSBOK0cQxfQBKAB6BAgMEAE">Putin vows to expel enemy from Russian territory as Ukraine claims control of 1,000 sq. km</a>

Ukrainian Minister for Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories Iryna Vereshchuk on&nbsp;Wednesday said, “The Ukrainian Defense Forces are creating a security zone on the territory of the Russian Federation adjacent to the territory of Ukraine.”

<h2>India issues advisory</h2>

The Indian embassy in Moscow on Wednesday issued an advisory asking citizens to avoid travelling to three affected regions: Bryansk, Belgorod and Kursk.

The embassy has also provided a telephone number and an email address for any person requiring assistance.

Earlier, Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said the situation on the ground was “extremely difficult and tense” as the attacks destroyed homes and caused civilian casualties.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

(With inputs from agencies)

Ukraine on Wednesday (Aug 14) said that its forces had advanced deeper into Russia’s Kursk region as Moscow faces the biggest incursion since World War 2. The offensive began on August 6 and has now affected at least three regions of the country, posing a major security challenge for strongman President Vladimir Putin.

Ukraine on Wednesday (Aug 14) said that its forces had advanced deeper into Russia’s Kursk region as Moscow faces the biggest incursion since World War 2. The offensive began on August 6 and has now affected at least three regions of the country, posing a major security challenge for strongman President Vladimir Putin. “We continue to advance further in the Kursk region,” Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on Telegram, “from one to two kilometres in various areas since the start of the day. And more than 100 Russian prisoners of war in the same period.” Russia’s National Guard beefs up security In response, Russia’s National Guard beefed up security measures in the area, especially near the Kursk nuclear power plant, located just 35 kilometres from the fighting. To deter the surprise attack, Russia has now begun pulling reserve forces from Ukraine and Crimea to focus on the embattled Russian territories, one Ukrainian commander was quoted as saying by CNN. Russian soldiers are being pulled from Zaporizhzhia, Crimea, and Kharkiv, claimed the commander. Also read: Ukraine strikes Russia with drones, says it is advancing deeper “(The Russians) are now trying to stop our advance; they have pulled in reserves, which has benefited our defense forces in other areas, because it has become easier to work there,” the Ukrainian commander said. WION can’t independently verify these claims. Kyiv creating security zone in Russia Earlier, Kyiv said it was carving out a "security zone" on Russian soil in order to protect Ukrainian border regions. Also read: Putin vows to expel enemy from Russian territory as Ukraine claims control of 1,000 sq. km Ukrainian Minister for Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories Iryna Vereshchuk on Wednesday said, “The Ukrainian Defense Forces are creating a security zone on the territory of the Russian Federation adjacent to the territory of Ukraine.” India issues advisory The Indian embassy in Moscow on Wednesday issued an advisory asking citizens to avoid travelling to three affected regions: Bryansk, Belgorod and Kursk. The embassy has also provided a telephone number and an email address for any person requiring assistance. Earlier, Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said the situation on the ground was “extremely difficult and tense” as the attacks destroyed homes and caused civilian casualties. Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. (With inputs from agencies)

Ukraine forces advance 2 km inside Russia’s Kursk, claims Zelensky; India issues advisory

German prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for a Ukrainian man over the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, German media reported Wednesday, with Polish prosecutors confirming they had received the warrant.

In the two years since the mysterious explosions hit the pipelines, speculation has been rife about who was responsible for the sabotage, with Ukraine and Russia both vehemently denying any involvement.

But German media reported on Wednesday that a European arrest warrant had been requested for a Ukrainian man, a diving instructor whose last known address was in Poland.

The Polish prosecutor's office told AFP it had received the warrant for a man named as "Volodymyr Z." in June "in connection with proceedings against him in&nbsp;Germany".

However, the man left for Ukraine at the beginning of July before he could be detained, it said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwimiqXg5PSHAxW_R2wGHbu1HZwQxfQBKAB6BAgLEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/did-zelensky-lie-all-this-while-new-report-claims-ukrainian-military-officer-coordinated-nord-stream-sabotage-657729" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/did-zelensky-lie-all-this-while-new-report-claims-ukrainian-military-officer-coordinated-nord-stream-sabotage-657729&amp;ved=2ahUKEwimiqXg5PSHAxW_R2wGHbu1HZwQxfQBKAB6BAgLEAE">Did Zelensky lie all this while? New report claims Ukrainian military officer coordinated Nord Stream sabotage</a>

German investigators believe the man was one of the divers who planted explosive devices on the Nord Stream pipelines, according to the ARD broadcaster and newspapers Die Zeit and the Sueddeutsche Zeitung.

They have also identified two more Ukrainians, a man and a woman, who they believe acted as divers in the attacks, the reports said -- believed to be a married couple who run a diving school in Ukraine.

However, no arrest warrants have yet been issued for them.

Watch:&nbsp;Nord stream sabotage: A global mystery | The biggest international whodunit?

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Different German media outlets reported Wednesday that they had reached Volodymyr Z. and the woman in question, but both denied any involvement.

The German federal prosecution service declined to comment when contacted by AFP.&nbsp;

German government spokesman Wolfgang Buechner also did not comment directly on the reports but stressed that German prosecutors' "investigations are being carried out according to the law regardless of who is concerned and which results they lead to".

Buechner told reporters at a press conference that the results of the probe "of course do not change anything about the fact that Russia is waging an illegal war of aggression against Ukraine".

Polish prosecutors said the suspect had been able to leave Poland because German investigators did not "include him in the database of wanted persons".

"The Polish Border Guard had no knowledge and no grounds for detaining Volodymyr Z.," the prosecutor's office told AFP.

<h2>Yacht plot</h2>

Nord Stream's two pipelines had been at the centre of geopolitical tensions as Russia cut gas supplies to Europe in suspected retaliation for Western sanctions over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Four large gas leaks were discovered in September 2022 in the pipelines off the Danish island of Bornholm, with seismic institutes recording two underwater explosions just before.

While the leaks were in international waters, two were in Denmark's exclusive economic zone and two in Sweden's.

The pipelines were not in operation when the leaks occurred, but they still contained gas which spewed up to the surface and into the atmosphere.

The Ukrainian suspects are accused of transporting the explosives used in the attack in a sailing yacht called the Andromeda, according to German media reports.

The same yacht was searched by German investigators in January 2023.

According to reports at the time, a team of five men and one woman chartered the yacht from Rostock port to carry out the operation.

In June 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky insisted Kyiv knew nothing about any plan to blow up the pipelines.

As president he has the power to give orders, Zelensky said in an interview with&nbsp;Germany's Bild daily.

"I did nothing like that. I would never do that," he said.

Denmark, Sweden and&nbsp;Germany&nbsp;all opened investigations into the explosions.

However, Denmark and Sweden both closed their investigations earlier this year.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.

German prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for a Ukrainian man over the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, German media reported Wednesday, with Polish prosecutors confirming they had received the warrant.

German prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for a Ukrainian man over the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, German media reported Wednesday, with Polish prosecutors confirming they had received the warrant. In the two years since the mysterious explosions hit the pipelines, speculation has been rife about who was responsible for the sabotage, with Ukraine and Russia both vehemently denying any involvement. But German media reported on Wednesday that a European arrest warrant had been requested for a Ukrainian man, a diving instructor whose last known address was in Poland. The Polish prosecutor's office told AFP it had received the warrant for a man named as "Volodymyr Z." in June "in connection with proceedings against him in Germany". However, the man left for Ukraine at the beginning of July before he could be detained, it said. Also read: Did Zelensky lie all this while? New report claims Ukrainian military officer coordinated Nord Stream sabotage German investigators believe the man was one of the divers who planted explosive devices on the Nord Stream pipelines, according to the ARD broadcaster and newspapers Die Zeit and the Sueddeutsche Zeitung. They have also identified two more Ukrainians, a man and a woman, who they believe acted as divers in the attacks, the reports said -- believed to be a married couple who run a diving school in Ukraine. However, no arrest warrants have yet been issued for them. Watch: Nord stream sabotage: A global mystery | The biggest international whodunit? × Different German media outlets reported Wednesday that they had reached Volodymyr Z. and the woman in question, but both denied any involvement. The German federal prosecution service declined to comment when contacted by AFP. German government spokesman Wolfgang Buechner also did not comment directly on the reports but stressed that German prosecutors' "investigations are being carried out according to the law regardless of who is concerned and which results they lead to". Buechner told reporters at a press conference that the results of the probe "of course do not change anything about the fact that Russia is waging an illegal war of aggression against Ukraine". Polish prosecutors said the suspect had been able to leave Poland because German investigators did not "include him in the database of wanted persons". "The Polish Border Guard had no knowledge and no grounds for detaining Volodymyr Z.," the prosecutor's office told AFP. Yacht plot Nord Stream's two pipelines had been at the centre of geopolitical tensions as Russia cut gas supplies to Europe in suspected retaliation for Western sanctions over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Four large gas leaks were discovered in September 2022 in the pipelines off the Danish island of Bornholm, with seismic institutes recording two underwater explosions just before. While the leaks were in international waters, two were in Denmark's exclusive economic zone and two in Sweden's. The pipelines were not in operation when the leaks occurred, but they still contained gas which spewed up to the surface and into the atmosphere. The Ukrainian suspects are accused of transporting the explosives used in the attack in a sailing yacht called the Andromeda, according to German media reports. The same yacht was searched by German investigators in January 2023. According to reports at the time, a team of five men and one woman chartered the yacht from Rostock port to carry out the operation. In June 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky insisted Kyiv knew nothing about any plan to blow up the pipelines. As president he has the power to give orders, Zelensky said in an interview with Germany's Bild daily. "I did nothing like that. I would never do that," he said. Denmark, Sweden and Germany all opened investigations into the explosions. However, Denmark and Sweden both closed their investigations earlier this year. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Germany issues arrest warrant for Ukrainian man over 'planting explosives' on Nord Stream pipelines

Two French Mirage fighter jets reportedly crashed mid-air on Wednesday&nbsp;(Aug 14)&nbsp;morning in France’s north-eastern region, triggering the launch of a massive search and rescue operation. The jets collided on the border between Vosges and Meurthe-et-Moselle, south of Colombey-les-Belles.

Local media reported that while one pilot, who ejected just before the crash, was found injured but conscious, two other pilots involved in the accident couldn’t be located. Among those still unaccounted for are a student pilot and his instructor.

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In a post on X, the officials in the Prefet de Vosges region urged the members of the public to avoid the area, where emergency services were being rushed. Media reports said teams of police, firefighters, and the forestry service had joined the rescue efforts.

"Aircraft accident in the Harmonville sector, the departmental operational centre is activated in support of the armed forces to coordinate rescue operations. Avoid the area and follow the instructions of the authorities," said Prefet de Vosges region in a post on X.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwj5-eDrx_SHAxWTRWcHHWnaL7oQxfQBKAB6BAgJEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/emmanuel-macron-from-a-banker-to-the-youngest-president-of-france-738657" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/emmanuel-macron-from-a-banker-to-the-youngest-president-of-france-738657&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj5-eDrx_SHAxWTRWcHHWnaL7oQxfQBKAB6BAgJEAE">Emmanuel Macron: From a banker to the youngest President of France</a>

It is believed that the two aircraft involved in the crash came from nearby Ochey Air Base 133. The crash happened in a remote, difficult-to-reach area, making relief efforts difficult and slow. The two aircraft were returning from a refuelling mission in Germany.

“An accident involving two Rafales from the Rafale 3/4 “Aquitaine” Transformation Squadron took place in Meurthe et Moselle,” the French Minister of Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu said in a statement. “One of the pilots has been found, he is safe and sound. The search is still ongoing. Thanks to our armed forces as well as to the gendarmes mobilized in the search and to secure the area.”

(With inputs from agencies)

Two French Mirage fighter jets reportedly crashed mid-air on Wednesday (Aug 14) morning in France’s north-eastern region, triggering the launch of a massive search and rescue operation.

Two French Mirage fighter jets reportedly crashed mid-air on Wednesday (Aug 14) morning in France’s north-eastern region, triggering the launch of a massive search and rescue operation. The jets collided on the border between Vosges and Meurthe-et-Moselle, south of Colombey-les-Belles. Local media reported that while one pilot, who ejected just before the crash, was found injured but conscious, two other pilots involved in the accident couldn’t be located. Among those still unaccounted for are a student pilot and his instructor. Also read: Macron's intimate kiss and hug with sports minister at Olympics causes stir, netizens call it 'indecent' In a post on X, the officials in the Prefet de Vosges region urged the members of the public to avoid the area, where emergency services were being rushed. Media reports said teams of police, firefighters, and the forestry service had joined the rescue efforts. "Aircraft accident in the Harmonville sector, the departmental operational centre is activated in support of the armed forces to coordinate rescue operations. Avoid the area and follow the instructions of the authorities," said Prefet de Vosges region in a post on X. Also read: Emmanuel Macron: From a banker to the youngest President of France It is believed that the two aircraft involved in the crash came from nearby Ochey Air Base 133. The crash happened in a remote, difficult-to-reach area, making relief efforts difficult and slow. The two aircraft were returning from a refuelling mission in Germany. “An accident involving two Rafales from the Rafale 3/4 “Aquitaine” Transformation Squadron took place in Meurthe et Moselle,” the French Minister of Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu said in a statement. “One of the pilots has been found, he is safe and sound. The search is still ongoing. Thanks to our armed forces as well as to the gendarmes mobilized in the search and to secure the area.” (With inputs from agencies)

Two French Mirage fighter jets crash mid-air, search launched for two missing pilots

Israel has green-lit a new settlement on a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, according to a Wednesday (August 14) announcement by Bezalel Smotrich, the far-right finance minister and head of civil affairs at the Israeli defence ministry.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Smotrich revealed that his office had "completed its work and published a plan for the new Nahal Heletz settlement in Gush Etzion," a bloc situated south of Jerusalem.

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:133,&quot;w&quot;:649,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1883}">Settlements, permissions and more</h2>

The move comes amidst ongoing international criticism of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, all&nbsp;deemed illegal under international law regardless of Israeli planning permissions.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gaza-war-backlash-costing-starbucks-heres-what-we-know-750141">Gaza war backlash costing Starbucks? Here's what we know</a>

Smotrich, who resides in a settlement, took to social media platform X to defend the decision, declaring, "No anti-Israeli and anti-Zionist decision will stop the development of settlements."&nbsp;

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חיבור גוש עציון לירושלים - משימה לאומית! 
 
יישוב חדש בגוש עציון; פורסם קו כחול של 602 דונם להקמה של היישוב נחל חלץ. 
 
היום סיים המנהל האזרחי את עבודתו המקצועית ופרסם קו כחול חדש ליישוב נחל חלץ בגוש עציון. 
 
פרסום הקו הכחול מאפשר להניע את הליכי הקמת היישוב נחל חלץ, אחד מהיישובים… <a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:223,&quot;y&quot;:461,&quot;w&quot;:155,&quot;h&quot;:14,&quot;abs_x&quot;:256,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2211}" href="https://t.co/qK4sLwx1ik">pic.twitter.com/qK4sLwx1ik</a>
— בצלאל סמוטריץ' (@bezalelsm) <a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:399,&quot;y&quot;:489,&quot;w&quot;:94,&quot;h&quot;:14,&quot;abs_x&quot;:432,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2239}" href="https://twitter.com/bezalelsm/status/1823642987080957996?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2024</a></blockquote>
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"We will continue to fight against the dangerous project of creating a Palestinian state by creating facts on the ground," he added.

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:608,&quot;w&quot;:649,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2358}">Critics slam the settlement</h2>

The approval of the Nahal Heletz settlement has drawn sharp criticism from Israeli anti-settlement groups.&nbsp;

Peace Now condemned the plan as a "wholesale attack" on the region. Highlighting its historical and cultural significance, the group said that the area was "renowned for its ancient terraces and sophisticated irrigation systems, evidence of thousands of years of human activity".&nbsp;

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The World Heritage Site of Palestine, known as the Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern JLM, Battir, southwest of JLM, is under direct threat from ongoing &amp; planned Israeli settlement activities within the zone of the site, situated in Area C of the WB. <a href="https://t.co/OpCoirODNq">pic.twitter.com/OpCoirODNq</a>
— Peace Now (@peacenowisrael) <a href="https://twitter.com/peacenowisrael/status/1823028864358199489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2024</a></blockquote>
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The settlement is set to encroach on the Palestinian village of Battir, reports AFP.

The approval of this settlement follows a controversial act by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who drew global condemnation by participating in prayers at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in East Jerusalem, a site where Jewish prayers are prohibited.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/new-zealand-candy-laced-with-fatal-levels-of-meth-distributed-by-charity-400-candies-still-out-there-750107">New Zealand: Candy laced with fatal levels of meth distributed by charity; 400 candies still 'out there'</a>

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The Nahal Heletz settlement, which had received preliminary approval along with four other settlements in June, lies between Gush Etzion and Bethlehem.&nbsp;

Peace Now warns that this settlement threatens the Palestinian cultural and natural heritage in a region considered of "highest cultural value to humanity."&nbsp;

"These actions are not only fragmenting Palestinian space and depriving large communities of their natural and cultural heritage, they also pose an imminent threat to an area considered to be of the highest cultural value to humanity," said the organisation.

(With inputs from agencies)

Israel has green-lit a new settlement on a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, according to a Wednesday (August 14) announcement by Bezalel Smotrich, the far-right finance minister and head of civil affairs at the Israeli defence ministry.

Israel has green-lit a new settlement on a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, according to a Wednesday (August 14) announcement by Bezalel Smotrich, the far-right finance minister and head of civil affairs at the Israeli defence ministry. Smotrich revealed that his office had "completed its work and published a plan for the new Nahal Heletz settlement in Gush Etzion," a bloc situated south of Jerusalem. Settlements, permissions and more The move comes amidst ongoing international criticism of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, all deemed illegal under international law regardless of Israeli planning permissions. Also read | Gaza war backlash costing Starbucks? Here's what we know Smotrich, who resides in a settlement, took to social media platform X to defend the decision, declaring, "No anti-Israeli and anti-Zionist decision will stop the development of settlements." חיבור גוש עציון לירושלים - משימה לאומית! יישוב חדש בגוש עציון; פורסם קו כחול של 602 דונם להקמה של היישוב נחל חלץ. היום סיים המנהל האזרחי את עבודתו המקצועית ופרסם קו כחול חדש ליישוב נחל חלץ בגוש עציון. פרסום הקו הכחול מאפשר להניע את הליכי הקמת היישוב נחל חלץ, אחד מהיישובים… pic.twitter.com/qK4sLwx1ik — בצלאל סמוטריץ' (@bezalelsm) August 14, 2024 × "We will continue to fight against the dangerous project of creating a Palestinian state by creating facts on the ground," he added. Critics slam the settlement The approval of the Nahal Heletz settlement has drawn sharp criticism from Israeli anti-settlement groups. Peace Now condemned the plan as a "wholesale attack" on the region. Highlighting its historical and cultural significance, the group said that the area was "renowned for its ancient terraces and sophisticated irrigation systems, evidence of thousands of years of human activity". 1/12 The World Heritage Site of Palestine, known as the Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern JLM, Battir, southwest of JLM, is under direct threat from ongoing & planned Israeli settlement activities within the zone of the site, situated in Area C of the WB. pic.twitter.com/OpCoirODNq — Peace Now (@peacenowisrael) August 12, 2024 × The settlement is set to encroach on the Palestinian village of Battir, reports AFP. The approval of this settlement follows a controversial act by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who drew global condemnation by participating in prayers at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in East Jerusalem, a site where Jewish prayers are prohibited. Also read | New Zealand: Candy laced with fatal levels of meth distributed by charity; 400 candies still 'out there' Nahal Heletz The Nahal Heletz settlement, which had received preliminary approval along with four other settlements in June, lies between Gush Etzion and Bethlehem. Peace Now warns that this settlement threatens the Palestinian cultural and natural heritage in a region considered of "highest cultural value to humanity." "These actions are not only fragmenting Palestinian space and depriving large communities of their natural and cultural heritage, they also pose an imminent threat to an area considered to be of the highest cultural value to humanity," said the organisation. (With inputs from agencies)

Historic UNESCO site threatened? Israel approves new settlement in West Bank near Bethlehem

Israel and the United States find themselves on high alert bracing for a potential Iranian assault. Diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza have also intensified with International mediators racing against time to prevent a wider regional conflict. Watch in for more details!

Israel-Hamas War: Israeli airstrikes target Gaza ahead of ceasefire talks

US military conducted live fire drills in South Korea to test their deployment readiness to the Korean Peninsula. The drill comes as South Korea and the United States are set to conduct their annual summertime military drills next week so as to ramp up their capability to counter North Korea's weapons and cyber threats. Watch in for more details!

US & South Korea to conduct annual summertime military drills next week

Iran has suggested it could refrain from retaliating against Israel for Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh's assassination if ceasefire talks in Gaza succeed this week. Watch in for more details!

Israel vs Iran Crisis: Gaza ceasefire deal could delay Iran's attack on Israel, says Joe Biden

The first banknotes with the face of King Charles III on them have&nbsp;been sold for £914,127 in an auction. The banknotes, which came into circulation in June, now have a value of £78,000. The newly issued notes are of £5, £10, £20, and £50 denominations.

Collectors are enthusiastic about such things. A single £10 note fetched an auction price of £17,000 just because it had the attractive serial number HBO100002, as reported by BBC. A sheet of £50 notes has set a new record by being sold for £26,000, as per the news outlet.

The outdated notes, which had the face of Queen Elizabeth, were asked to be returned by the banks before issuing the notes with the face of King Charles. Charles has become the second British monarch to be the face of England notes.

The previous note, featuring Queen Elizabeth II, is still usable and remains in circulation. To maintain the smoothness of the transition, new notes are issued to replace old and worn-out ones, and the only detectable change is the face of King Charles. No other changes have been made.&nbsp; 
 
Queen Elizabeth, the mother of Charles, had been the face of England's banknotes since 1960.

The money raised from the auction will benefit various charities.&nbsp;

Sarah John, chief cashier and executive director of banking, at the Bank of England said: "I am thrilled that the auctions and public ballot of low-numbered King Charles III banknotes have raised a remarkable 914,127 pounds that will be donated to 10 charities chosen by Bank of England staff. Each charity does incredible work, and the money raised will have a positive impact on people across the UK."

The first banknotes with the face of King Charles III on them have been sold for £914,127 in an auction. The banknotes, which came into circulation in June, now have a value of £78,000.

The first banknotes with the face of King Charles III on them have been sold for £914,127 in an auction. The banknotes, which came into circulation in June, now have a value of £78,000. The newly issued notes are of £5, £10, £20, and £50 denominations. Collectors are enthusiastic about such things. A single £10 note fetched an auction price of £17,000 just because it had the attractive serial number HBO100002, as reported by BBC. A sheet of £50 notes has set a new record by being sold for £26,000, as per the news outlet. The outdated notes, which had the face of Queen Elizabeth, were asked to be returned by the banks before issuing the notes with the face of King Charles. Charles has become the second British monarch to be the face of England notes. The previous note, featuring Queen Elizabeth II, is still usable and remains in circulation. To maintain the smoothness of the transition, new notes are issued to replace old and worn-out ones, and the only detectable change is the face of King Charles. No other changes have been made. Queen Elizabeth, the mother of Charles, had been the face of England's banknotes since 1960. The money raised from the auction will benefit various charities. Sarah John, chief cashier and executive director of banking, at the Bank of England said: "I am thrilled that the auctions and public ballot of low-numbered King Charles III banknotes have raised a remarkable 914,127 pounds that will be donated to 10 charities chosen by Bank of England staff. Each charity does incredible work, and the money raised will have a positive impact on people across the UK."

England Bank notes featuring King Charles III auctioned off for 11 times their actual value

According to studies, regular practicing underwater yoga can reduce the levels of stress hormones and increase insulin sensitivity in the body.

Innovative Yoga and diving practice in UAE

NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick shared a mesmerizing time lapse video from the International Space Station, which captures the moon setting against a backdrop of vibrant red and green auroras.

Astronaut records Moon setting behind Earth amid auroras

Throwing the country into a political conundrum,&nbsp;Thailand's Constitutional Court on Wednesday (Aug 14) removed Prime Minister&nbsp;Srettha Thavisin from office in an ethics case.&nbsp;Thai lawmakers will vote on new PM on Friday (Aug 16), it emerged later.&nbsp;

Judge Punya Udchachon said&nbsp;Thavisin had violated the constitution by appointing a lawyer to the cabinet who had previously served prison time. The court voted five to four to remove Srettha, who came to power last year.&nbsp;

Notably,&nbsp;Srettha appointed&nbsp;Pichit Chuenban as a Minister of the Prime Minister's Office during a cabinet reshuffle in April, earlier this year.&nbsp;

Pichit served six months in jail in 2008 on contempt of court charges after he allegedly bribed a judge with $55,000 in cash, involving former PM Thaksin Shinawatra.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A month after Pichit's appointment, a group of 40 military-appointed&nbsp;former senators filed the case against Srettha, hoping to remove him from office.

Srettha has denied any wrongdoing in the case, adding that Pichit had resigned from the post and was only appointed in the first place by following proper procedures.&nbsp;

The court dismissed Srettha's claims stating that although Pichit had served a jail sentence, his behaviour, as ruled by the Supreme Court, remained dishonest.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Thailand gets its 30th Prime Minister as Srettha Thavisin elected as new PM

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<h2>What happens next?</h2>

The cabinet will not be dissolved instantly, albeit it will remain in place on a caretaker basis until the Thai Parliament approves a new PM.&nbsp;

The Ruling Pheu Thai-led coalition will have to nominate a new candidate which will be then voted on by the 500-seat parliament. However, there is no time limit for the Parliament to choose&nbsp;Srettha's replacement which puts the country's future in jeopardy.&nbsp;

<h2>Fears of political system collapsing</h2>

Notably, the decision comes a week after the same court ordered the kingdom's most popular political party to be disbanded. The Move Forward Party (MFP) that won the elections in 2023 by securing the most seats was dissolved, following the Election Commission's (EC) request.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thai-constitutional-court-bans-popular-politician-dissolves-party-747986">Also read |&nbsp;Thai constitutional court bans popular politician, dissolves party</a>

The EC took offence to MFP's campaign to amend lese-majeste - the country's notoriously strict royal insult law. Apart from the party, its&nbsp;executive board, which includes former leader Pita Limjaroenrat were also banned for 10 years.&nbsp;

Lese-majeste charges are extremely serious in Thailand, where King Maha Vajiralongkorn enjoys a quasi-divine status that places him above any political party, organisation or leader.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Throwing the country into a political conundrum, Thailand's Constitutional Court on Wednesday (Aug 14) removed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin from office in an ethics case.

Throwing the country into a political conundrum, Thailand's Constitutional Court on Wednesday (Aug 14) removed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin from office in an ethics case. Thai lawmakers will vote on new PM on Friday (Aug 16), it emerged later. Judge Punya Udchachon said Thavisin had violated the constitution by appointing a lawyer to the cabinet who had previously served prison time. The court voted five to four to remove Srettha, who came to power last year. Notably, Srettha appointed Pichit Chuenban as a Minister of the Prime Minister's Office during a cabinet reshuffle in April, earlier this year. Pichit served six months in jail in 2008 on contempt of court charges after he allegedly bribed a judge with $55,000 in cash, involving former PM Thaksin Shinawatra. A month after Pichit's appointment, a group of 40 military-appointed former senators filed the case against Srettha, hoping to remove him from office. Srettha has denied any wrongdoing in the case, adding that Pichit had resigned from the post and was only appointed in the first place by following proper procedures. The court dismissed Srettha's claims stating that although Pichit had served a jail sentence, his behaviour, as ruled by the Supreme Court, remained dishonest. WATCH | Thailand gets its 30th Prime Minister as Srettha Thavisin elected as new PM What happens next? The cabinet will not be dissolved instantly, albeit it will remain in place on a caretaker basis until the Thai Parliament approves a new PM. The Ruling Pheu Thai-led coalition will have to nominate a new candidate which will be then voted on by the 500-seat parliament. However, there is no time limit for the Parliament to choose Srettha's replacement which puts the country's future in jeopardy. Fears of political system collapsing Notably, the decision comes a week after the same court ordered the kingdom's most popular political party to be disbanded. The Move Forward Party (MFP) that won the elections in 2023 by securing the most seats was dissolved, following the Election Commission's (EC) request. Also read | Thai constitutional court bans popular politician, dissolves party The EC took offence to MFP's campaign to amend lese-majeste - the country's notoriously strict royal insult law. Apart from the party, its executive board, which includes former leader Pita Limjaroenrat were also banned for 10 years. Lese-majeste charges are extremely serious in Thailand, where King Maha Vajiralongkorn enjoys a quasi-divine status that places him above any political party, organisation or leader. (With inputs from agencies)

Political chaos in Thailand: PM Srettha Thavisin removed from office by court

Starbucks on Tuesday (August 13) replaced its incumbent CEO Laxman Narasimhan with former Chipotle executive Brian Niccol amid growing scepticism over the global coffee chain's financial health due to declining sales partly attributed to a broader backlash over the company's alleged links to Israel.

As Israel's war in Gaza, which began in October last year, continues&nbsp;with Washington's visible support to the Israeli side, several American multinationals, including Starbucks, have been facing consumer backlash.

<h2>Starbucks boycott and a new CEO</h2>

The controversy began with a letter, now denounced as fake by Starbucks, that claimed the company was funding the Israeli military amid the raging war in Gaza. The claim sparked outrage against Starbucks in West Asia and parts of the world sympathetic to the Palestinian cause.&nbsp;

The boycott gained traction with many continuing to say that Starbucks is either directly or indirectly supporting Israel.&nbsp;

Starbucks has denied claims of supporting Israel or any other government or military operation in West Asia.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/laxman-narasimhan-no-longer-starbucks-ceo-brian-niccol-to-lead-coffee-chain-749859">Laxman Narasimhan no longer Starbucks CEO; Brian Niccol to lead coffee chain</a>

In a statement, the coffee chain giant said they "condemned violence".

"Starbucks is a global company committed to providing a place where everyone feels welcome and a sense of belonging, anywhere in the world. Our hearts break for all affected by the violence and conflict in the Middle East. We've always condemned violence against the innocent," they wrote.

Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas | Starbucks' new brew infused with olive oil and backlash

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The company again repeated that it has "never contributed to any government or military operation", but the damage was done. The brand continues to face backlash, particularly in West Asia. In response to declining sales, Starbucks' West Asia franchises had to lay off 2,000 employees in March.

Niccol will assume his new position on September 9. Until then, the Chief Financial Officer Rachel Ruggeri will serve as interim CEO.

(With inputs from agencies)

Starbucks on Tuesday (August 13) replaced its incumbent CEO Laxman Narasimhan with former Chipotle executive Brian Niccol amid growing scepticism over the global coffee chain's financial health due to declining sales partly attributed to a broader backlash over the company's alleged links to Israel.

Starbucks on Tuesday (August 13) replaced its incumbent CEO Laxman Narasimhan with former Chipotle executive Brian Niccol amid growing scepticism over the global coffee chain's financial health due to declining sales partly attributed to a broader backlash over the company's alleged links to Israel. As Israel's war in Gaza, which began in October last year, continues with Washington's visible support to the Israeli side, several American multinationals, including Starbucks, have been facing consumer backlash. Starbucks boycott and a new CEO The controversy began with a letter, now denounced as fake by Starbucks, that claimed the company was funding the Israeli military amid the raging war in Gaza. The claim sparked outrage against Starbucks in West Asia and parts of the world sympathetic to the Palestinian cause. The boycott gained traction with many continuing to say that Starbucks is either directly or indirectly supporting Israel. Starbucks has denied claims of supporting Israel or any other government or military operation in West Asia. Also read | Laxman Narasimhan no longer Starbucks CEO; Brian Niccol to lead coffee chain In a statement, the coffee chain giant said they "condemned violence". "Starbucks is a global company committed to providing a place where everyone feels welcome and a sense of belonging, anywhere in the world. Our hearts break for all affected by the violence and conflict in the Middle East. We've always condemned violence against the innocent," they wrote. Also watch | Gravitas | Starbucks' new brew infused with olive oil and backlash × The company again repeated that it has "never contributed to any government or military operation", but the damage was done. The brand continues to face backlash, particularly in West Asia. In response to declining sales, Starbucks' West Asia franchises had to lay off 2,000 employees in March. Niccol will assume his new position on September 9. Until then, the Chief Financial Officer Rachel Ruggeri will serve as interim CEO. (With inputs from agencies)

Gaza war backlash costing Starbucks? Here's what we know

JK Rowling and Elon Musk have been named in an online bullying lawsuit filed by Olympic champion boxer Imane Khelif, who has been embroiled in a gender eligibility row. Donald Trump could also be sued.

Rowling, Musk named in Khelif 'cyberbullying' lawsuit

The face of King Charles III on the first banknotes has been sold for £914,127 in an auction, confirmed by The Metro. The banknotes, which came into circulation in June, now have a value of £78,000. The newly issued notes are £5, £10, £20, and £50.

Collectors are enthusiastic about such things. A single £10 note fetched an auction price of £17,000 just because it had the attractive serial number HBO100002, as reported by the BBC. A sheet of £50 notes has set a new record by being sold for £26,000, &nbsp;as per the news outlet.

 
The outdated notes were asked to be returned by the banks, which had the face of Queen Elizabeth, before issuing the notes with the face of King Charles. Charles has become the second British monarch to be the face of England notes.

The previous note is still usable and remains in circulation featuring Queen Elizabeth II. To maintain the smoothness of the transition, new notes are issued to replace old and worn-out ones, and the only detectable change is the face of King Charles. No other changes have been made.&nbsp; 
The discussion on featuring Charles took place in Buckingham Palace for approval.

Queen Elizabeth, the mother of Charles, has been the face of England's banknotes since 1960.

 
The money raised from the auction will benefit various charities. The conclusion drawn from this incident is that collectors have a keen interest in the lowest serial numbers, especially those near 00001.

Sarah John, chief cashier and executive director of banking at the Bank of England said: "I am thrilled that the auctions and public ballot of low-numbered King Charles III banknotes have raised a remarkable 914,127 pounds that will be donated to 10 charities chosen by Bank of England staff. Each charity does incredible work, and the money raised will have a positive impact on people across the UK." quoted by NDTV.

The face of King Charles III on the first banknotes has been sold for £914,127 in an auction, confirmed by The Metro. The banknotes, which came into circulation in June, now have a value of £78,000.

The face of King Charles III on the first banknotes has been sold for £914,127 in an auction, confirmed by The Metro. The banknotes, which came into circulation in June, now have a value of £78,000. The newly issued notes are £5, £10, £20, and £50. Collectors are enthusiastic about such things. A single £10 note fetched an auction price of £17,000 just because it had the attractive serial number HBO100002, as reported by the BBC. A sheet of £50 notes has set a new record by being sold for £26,000, as per the news outlet. The outdated notes were asked to be returned by the banks, which had the face of Queen Elizabeth, before issuing the notes with the face of King Charles. Charles has become the second British monarch to be the face of England notes. The previous note is still usable and remains in circulation featuring Queen Elizabeth II. To maintain the smoothness of the transition, new notes are issued to replace old and worn-out ones, and the only detectable change is the face of King Charles. No other changes have been made. The discussion on featuring Charles took place in Buckingham Palace for approval. Queen Elizabeth, the mother of Charles, has been the face of England's banknotes since 1960. The money raised from the auction will benefit various charities. The conclusion drawn from this incident is that collectors have a keen interest in the lowest serial numbers, especially those near 00001. Sarah John, chief cashier and executive director of banking at the Bank of England said: "I am thrilled that the auctions and public ballot of low-numbered King Charles III banknotes have raised a remarkable 914,127 pounds that will be donated to 10 charities chosen by Bank of England staff. Each charity does incredible work, and the money raised will have a positive impact on people across the UK." quoted by NDTV.

England bank issued new notes, featuring King Charles auctioned off for 11 times of its actual value

Former United States president Donald Trump on Tuesday (Aug 13) reacted to the claims of his supposed ‘slurring’ during the interview with billionaire Elon Musk on X platform. The Republican presidential candidate&nbsp;admitted that his voice was distorted but blamed it on technical issues.

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump thanked Musk for a ‘strong endorsement’ but blamed the distortion of his voice on the “complexity of modern day equipment, and cellphone technology.”

“Unfortunately, because of the complexity of modern day equipment, and cellphone technology, my voice was, in certain areas, somewhat different and strange. Therefore, we have put out an actual, and perfect, recording of the conversation. ENJOY!!!” Trump wrote.

Earlier, Vice President&nbsp;Kamala Harris' campaign had pointed out that the former president&nbsp;was ‘lisping and slurring’ his words during the interview. The Trump campaign had earlier dismissed the allegations, saying: “It must be your ears.”

Several users also pointed out issues with Trump’s voice during the interview.

“Why does [Donald Trump] have a terrible ‘lisp’ in the [Elon Musk] X interview?” wrote one user. “Someone needs to adjust that microphone ASAP.”

Another wrote, “Is it just me… What is wrong with Trump’s voice?” “Sound like he has a lisp?”

“Trump got hit by the CIA lisp gun” posted a third.

The interview, which was held Monday on X, was marred by several glitches and tech issues. The discussion started 45 minutes late and users were unable to access the live-streaming link.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjV9KGNxPSHAxVYia8BHb27Hh8QxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/musks-interview-with-trump-on-x-hit-by-massive-cyberattack-749606" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/musks-interview-with-trump-on-x-hit-by-massive-cyberattack-749606&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjV9KGNxPSHAxVYia8BHb27Hh8QxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE">Donald Trump`s interview with Elon Musk on X hit by `massive` cyberattack</a>

Musk later acknowledged the tech issue and blamed it on a suspected “massive DDOS [distributed denial of service] attack.” However, US media reported there was no such evidence provided to back the attack claims.

X's owner&nbsp;said the "massive attack illustrates there's a lot of opposition to people just hearing what President Trump has to say."

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjV9KGNxPSHAxVYia8BHb27Hh8QxfQBKAB6BAgREAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/what-is-ddos-attack-that-halted-elon-musks-interview-with-donald-trump-on-x-749609" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/trending/what-is-ddos-attack-that-halted-elon-musks-interview-with-donald-trump-on-x-749609&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjV9KGNxPSHAxVYia8BHb27Hh8QxfQBKAB6BAgREAE">What is the DDoS attack that halted Elon Musk`s interview with Donald Trump on X?</a>

The speech fiasco meanwhile also highlighted concerns related to the age of the 78-year-old presidential candidate. A recent survey by Morning Consult revealed that 58 per cent of American voters believed Trump was too old to run for office.

Trump has vehemently dismissed these concerns, stressing that he passed two cognitive tests in the presidential debate against President Joe Biden.

(With inputs from agencies)

Former United States president Donald Trump on Tuesday (Aug 13) reacted to the claims of his supposed ‘slurring’ during the interview with billionaire Elon Musk on X platform.

Former United States president Donald Trump on Tuesday (Aug 13) reacted to the claims of his supposed ‘slurring’ during the interview with billionaire Elon Musk on X platform. The Republican presidential candidate admitted that his voice was distorted but blamed it on technical issues. In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump thanked Musk for a ‘strong endorsement’ but blamed the distortion of his voice on the “complexity of modern day equipment, and cellphone technology.” “Unfortunately, because of the complexity of modern day equipment, and cellphone technology, my voice was, in certain areas, somewhat different and strange. Therefore, we have put out an actual, and perfect, recording of the conversation. ENJOY!!!” Trump wrote. Earlier, Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign had pointed out that the former president was ‘lisping and slurring’ his words during the interview. The Trump campaign had earlier dismissed the allegations, saying: “It must be your ears.” Several users also pointed out issues with Trump’s voice during the interview. “Why does [Donald Trump] have a terrible ‘lisp’ in the [Elon Musk] X interview?” wrote one user. “Someone needs to adjust that microphone ASAP.” Another wrote, “Is it just me… What is wrong with Trump’s voice?” “Sound like he has a lisp?” “Trump got hit by the CIA lisp gun” posted a third. The interview, which was held Monday on X, was marred by several glitches and tech issues. The discussion started 45 minutes late and users were unable to access the live-streaming link. Also read: Donald Trump`s interview with Elon Musk on X hit by `massive` cyberattack Musk later acknowledged the tech issue and blamed it on a suspected “massive DDOS [distributed denial of service] attack.” However, US media reported there was no such evidence provided to back the attack claims. X's owner said the "massive attack illustrates there's a lot of opposition to people just hearing what President Trump has to say." Also read: What is the DDoS attack that halted Elon Musk`s interview with Donald Trump on X? The speech fiasco meanwhile also highlighted concerns related to the age of the 78-year-old presidential candidate. A recent survey by Morning Consult revealed that 58 per cent of American voters believed Trump was too old to run for office. Trump has vehemently dismissed these concerns, stressing that he passed two cognitive tests in the presidential debate against President Joe Biden. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump blames ‘complex technology’ for ‘strange’ voice during X interview with Musk

The face of King Charles III on the first banknotes has been sold for £914,127 in an auction, confirmed by The Metro. The banknotes, which came into circulation in June, now have a value of £78,000. The newly issued notes are £5, £10, £20, and £50.

These banknotes, which came into circulation in June, carry a face value of 78,000 pounds and include the newly issued 5 pounds, 10 pounds, 20 pounds, and 50 pounds notes.

Collectors are enthusiastic about such things. A single £10 note fetched an auction price of £17,000 just because it had the attractive serial number HBO100002, as reported by the BBC. A sheet of £50 notes has set a new record by being sold for £26,000, &nbsp;as per the news outlet.

 
The outdated notes were asked to be returned by the banks, which had the face of Queen Elizabeth, before issuing the notes with the face of King Charles. Charles has become the second British monarch to be the face of England notes.

The previous note is still usable and remains in circulation featuring Queen Elizabeth II. To maintain the smoothness of the transition, new notes are issued to replace old and worn-out ones, and the only detectable change is the face of King Charles. No other changes have been made.&nbsp; 
The discussion on featuring Charles took place in Buckingham Palace for approval.

Queen Elizabeth, the mother of Charles, has been the face of England's banknotes since 1960.

 
The money raised from the auction will benefit various charities. The conclusion drawn from this incident is that collectors have a keen interest in the lowest serial numbers, especially those near 00001.

Sarah John, chief cashier and executive director of banking at the Bank of England said: "I am thrilled that the auctions and public ballot of low-numbered King Charles III banknotes have raised a remarkable 914,127 pounds that will be donated to 10 charities chosen by Bank of England staff. Each charity does incredible work, and the money raised will have a positive impact on people across the UK." quoted by NDTV.

The face of King Charles III on the first banknotes has been sold for £914,127 in an auction, confirmed by The Metro. The banknotes, which came into circulation in June, now have a value of £78,000. The newly issued notes are £5, £10, £20, and £50. These banknotes, which came into circulation in June, carry a face value of 78,000 pounds and include the newly issued 5 pounds, 10 pounds, 20 pounds, and 50 pounds notes. Collectors are enthusiastic about such things. A single £10 note fetched an auction price of £17,000 just because it had the attractive serial number HBO100002, as reported by the BBC. A sheet of £50 notes has set a new record by being sold for £26,000, as per the news outlet. The outdated notes were asked to be returned by the banks, which had the face of Queen Elizabeth, before issuing the notes with the face of King Charles. Charles has become the second British monarch to be the face of England notes. The previous note is still usable and remains in circulation featuring Queen Elizabeth II. To maintain the smoothness of the transition, new notes are issued to replace old and worn-out ones, and the only detectable change is the face of King Charles. No other changes have been made. The discussion on featuring Charles took place in Buckingham Palace for approval. Queen Elizabeth, the mother of Charles, has been the face of England's banknotes since 1960. The money raised from the auction will benefit various charities. The conclusion drawn from this incident is that collectors have a keen interest in the lowest serial numbers, especially those near 00001. Sarah John, chief cashier and executive director of banking at the Bank of England said: "I am thrilled that the auctions and public ballot of low-numbered King Charles III banknotes have raised a remarkable 914,127 pounds that will be donated to 10 charities chosen by Bank of England staff. Each charity does incredible work, and the money raised will have a positive impact on people across the UK." quoted by NDTV.

England note featuring King Charles has been auctioned for 9 cr, over 11 times its actual value.

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Ukraine pounded Russian regions with missiles and drones on Wednesday as Kyiv said it was advancing deeper in the biggest foreign incursion into Russia for decades, which the White House said posed a "real dilemma" for President Vladimir Putin.

Thousands of Ukrainian troops rammed through the Russian border in the early hours of August&nbsp;6 into Russia's western Kursk region in what Putin said was a major provocation that was aimed at gaining a stronger hand in possible future ceasefire talks.

In an embarrassment for Russia, Ukraine carved out a slice of Kursk and though Putin said the Russian army would push out the Ukrainian troops, intense battles have so far failed to expel them.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-assigns-former-bodyguard-to-handle-kursk-situation-749940">Putin assigns former bodyguard to 'handle Kursk situation'</a>

"The situation still remains difficult," said Yuri Podolyaka, an influential Ukrainian-born, pro-Russian military blogger. "The enemy still has the initiative, and so, albeit slowly, it is increasing its presence in the Kursk region."

Russia said on Wednesday that it had destroyed 117 Ukrainian drones in Russia overnight, mostly in the Kursk, Voronezh and Belgorod and Nizhny Novgorod regions. It said missiles had also been shot down and showed Sukhoi Su-34 bombers pounding Ukrainian positions in Kursk.

Russian commanders had said that the front in Kursk had stabilised, though Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his forces were continuing to advance there and ordered his generals to develop the next "key steps" in the operation.

US&nbsp;President Joe Biden said that US&nbsp;officials were in constant touch with Ukraine over the invasion of Russia, which he said had "created a real dilemma" for Putin, who ordered thousands of troops into Ukraine in 2022.

The White House said Ukraine did not provide advance notice of its incursion and the United States had no involvement in the operation, though Russian officials have suggested Ukraine's Western backers must have known of the attack.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-vows-to-expel-enemy-from-russian-territory-as-ukraine-claims-control-of-1000-sq-km-749632" target="_blank">Putin vows to expel enemy from Russian territory as Ukraine claims control of 1,000 sq. km</a>

A US&nbsp;official said the goal of the Kursk incursion appeared to be to force Russia to pull troops out of Ukraine to defend Russian territory against the cross-border assault.

The Ukrainian assault on Russia, the biggest by a foreign force since World War Two, has dramatically changed the narrative around the war. Russia had been advancing since the failure of Ukraine's 2023 counteroffensive to make any major gains against Moscow's forces.

RUSSIA ON DEFENSIVE

Putin said on Monday that Ukraine "with the help of its Western masters" was aiming to improve Kyiv's negotiating position ahead of possible peace talks and to slow the advance of Russian forces.

But in a sign the attack is hardening the Kremlin's position, Putin questioned what negotiations there could be with an enemy he accused of firing indiscriminately at Russian civilians and nuclear facilities.

Russian officials say Ukraine is trying to show its Western backers that it can still muster major military operations just as pressure mounts on both Kyiv and Moscow to agree to talk about halting the war.

By bringing the war to Russia, Ukraine has forced nearly 200,000 Russians to evacuate border regions.

The governor of Russia's border region of Belgorod, Vyacheslav Gladkov, declared a regionwide state of emergency on Wednesday, citing continued attacks by Ukrainian forces.

"The situation in the Belgorod region continues to be extremely difficult and tense," Gladkov said in a video posted on the Telegram messaging app.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-to-unleash-bad-robot-dogs-on-russian-forces-in-attempt-to-mitigate-losses-748824" target="_blank">Ukraine to unleash ‘BAD’ robot dogs on Russian forces in attempt to mitigate losses</a>

Daily shelling by the Ukrainian armed forces had destroyed houses, killing and wounding civilians, he added.

The offensive brings risks for Kyiv: Ukraine may leave other parts of the front exposed by dedicating forces to fighting in Russian sovereign territory. Russia controls 18 per cent&nbsp;of Ukrainian territory and has been advancing in recent months.

Ukraine has claimed it controls at least 1,000 sq km (386 square miles) of Russia, more than double what Moscow's figures indicate. Reuters was not able to independently verify the battlefield situation.

A Russian military blogger close to the defence ministry who goes by the name "Rybar" said on Telegram that Ukrainian forces were attacking in several areas at once. Russian troops were "pinning down" Kyiv soldiers, striking their armoury, while reinforcements were arriving.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Ukraine pounded Russian regions with missiles and drones on Wednesday as Kyiv said it was advancing deeper in the biggest foreign incursion into Russia for decades, which the White House said posed a "real dilemma" for President Vladimir Putin.

Ukraine pounded Russian regions with missiles and drones on Wednesday as Kyiv said it was advancing deeper in the biggest foreign incursion into Russia for decades, which the White House said posed a "real dilemma" for President Vladimir Putin. Thousands of Ukrainian troops rammed through the Russian border in the early hours of August 6 into Russia's western Kursk region in what Putin said was a major provocation that was aimed at gaining a stronger hand in possible future ceasefire talks. In an embarrassment for Russia, Ukraine carved out a slice of Kursk and though Putin said the Russian army would push out the Ukrainian troops, intense battles have so far failed to expel them. Also read: Putin assigns former bodyguard to 'handle Kursk situation' "The situation still remains difficult," said Yuri Podolyaka, an influential Ukrainian-born, pro-Russian military blogger. "The enemy still has the initiative, and so, albeit slowly, it is increasing its presence in the Kursk region." Russia said on Wednesday that it had destroyed 117 Ukrainian drones in Russia overnight, mostly in the Kursk, Voronezh and Belgorod and Nizhny Novgorod regions. It said missiles had also been shot down and showed Sukhoi Su-34 bombers pounding Ukrainian positions in Kursk. Russian commanders had said that the front in Kursk had stabilised, though Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his forces were continuing to advance there and ordered his generals to develop the next "key steps" in the operation. US President Joe Biden said that US officials were in constant touch with Ukraine over the invasion of Russia, which he said had "created a real dilemma" for Putin, who ordered thousands of troops into Ukraine in 2022. The White House said Ukraine did not provide advance notice of its incursion and the United States had no involvement in the operation, though Russian officials have suggested Ukraine's Western backers must have known of the attack. Also read: Putin vows to expel enemy from Russian territory as Ukraine claims control of 1,000 sq. km A US official said the goal of the Kursk incursion appeared to be to force Russia to pull troops out of Ukraine to defend Russian territory against the cross-border assault. The Ukrainian assault on Russia, the biggest by a foreign force since World War Two, has dramatically changed the narrative around the war. Russia had been advancing since the failure of Ukraine's 2023 counteroffensive to make any major gains against Moscow's forces. RUSSIA ON DEFENSIVE Putin said on Monday that Ukraine "with the help of its Western masters" was aiming to improve Kyiv's negotiating position ahead of possible peace talks and to slow the advance of Russian forces. But in a sign the attack is hardening the Kremlin's position, Putin questioned what negotiations there could be with an enemy he accused of firing indiscriminately at Russian civilians and nuclear facilities. Russian officials say Ukraine is trying to show its Western backers that it can still muster major military operations just as pressure mounts on both Kyiv and Moscow to agree to talk about halting the war. By bringing the war to Russia, Ukraine has forced nearly 200,000 Russians to evacuate border regions. The governor of Russia's border region of Belgorod, Vyacheslav Gladkov, declared a regionwide state of emergency on Wednesday, citing continued attacks by Ukrainian forces. "The situation in the Belgorod region continues to be extremely difficult and tense," Gladkov said in a video posted on the Telegram messaging app. Also read | Ukraine to unleash ‘BAD’ robot dogs on Russian forces in attempt to mitigate losses Daily shelling by the Ukrainian armed forces had destroyed houses, killing and wounding civilians, he added. The offensive brings risks for Kyiv: Ukraine may leave other parts of the front exposed by dedicating forces to fighting in Russian sovereign territory. Russia controls 18 per cent of Ukrainian territory and has been advancing in recent months. Ukraine has claimed it controls at least 1,000 sq km (386 square miles) of Russia, more than double what Moscow's figures indicate. Reuters was not able to independently verify the battlefield situation. A Russian military blogger close to the defence ministry who goes by the name "Rybar" said on Telegram that Ukrainian forces were attacking in several areas at once. Russian troops were "pinning down" Kyiv soldiers, striking their armoury, while reinforcements were arriving. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Ukraine strikes Russia with drones, says it is advancing deeper

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