How fast can the Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet really fly?

Why US tanks can spin their heavy turrets much faster than Russian tanks

Why US tanks weigh over 20 tons more than Russian tanks

Iran's army conducts drone & missile attack on US bases

Krishna Janmashtami 2026: From Dhaniya Panjiri to Makhana Kheer- 5 best sweet dishes perfect for celebrating Lord Krishna’s birth

Manipur violence: 25 houses torched in Manipur’s Kangpokpi a day after 10 homes were burnt along Imphal-Tamenglong road

Happy Krishna Janmashtami 2026 wishes: 30+ messages, quotes, greetings, and WhatsApp status ideas to share

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

Suvendu Adhikari threatens to cut school aid over refusal to sing full Vande Mataram

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

New Friday OTT releases (September 4, 2026): GDN, Dhamaal 4, Jagamae Sangeetham- Watch 6 new movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more

South Korea plans for military deployment in Strait of Hormuz amid US pressure

Volkswagen to cut 50,000 more jobs, 100,000 roles to be eliminated by 2030

Husband uses secret camera to record wife’s affair, wins divorce case, ends up in jail for spying

At least 2 killed in Minneapolis shooting, suspect also dead

ISRO stages comeback with GSLV-F17/EOS-05 success; targets six more launches

China detains 52 Singaporeans over alleged pyramid schemes; Beijing denies arrest

Killing the Himalayas slowly: Human urine is melting a glacier on Mount Everest

US Open 2026: Auger-Aliassime out but Swiatek, Osaka, and Gauff advance into third round

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

Who is Aditi Paudel? 17-year-old becomes Japan's first literacy ambassador

Kenya vs Tata Chemicals: Why President William Ruto ordered company to stop operations

Man pushes Russian humanoid robot. Watch what happens next

NATO troops gather in Arctic, Russia threatens nuclear retaliation

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

Nigerian Navy discovers 99,000 litres of suspected stolen, illegally refined products as it intensifies anti-crude oil theft operations

Breaking | Vance takes the podium: First White House briefing since Leavitt's exit

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

Lollapalooza India 2027: From Olivia Dean to KATSEYE, check full lineup, dates and tickets

Why Russian fighter jets use bulky, low-pressure tyres compared to US jets

Inside Iran's shadow fleet: How Tehran dodges the US blockade at sea

Bangladesh batter Towhid Hridoy creates history with 350 not out in South Africa

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

Narendra Modi will take oath as the prime minister for a third consecutive term on Sunday evening. Watch to know more.

PM Modi Oath ceremony: PM-Designate Modi's oath-taking ceremony to take place today

<p>The Israeli military said on Saturday (Jun 8) that its troops had rescued four Israeli hostages alive from Gaza after a "complex daytime operation". The military said that the rescue was made at two separate locations in the area of al-Nuseirat and the hostages were in "good medical condition".&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Noa Argamani (25), Almog Meir Jan (21), Andrey Kozlov (27), and Shlomi Ziv (40), were kidnapped by the Hamas terrorist organiation from the Nova music festival on October 7," the military said in a statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It added that all four were transferred to the 'Sheba' Tel-HaShomer Medical Center for further medical examinations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We will continue to make every effort to bring the hostages home," the military further said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-army-hamas-in-list-of-offenders-committing-violations-against-children-729771">Israeli Army, Hamas in UN list of offenders committing violations against children</a></strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Noa Argamani (25), Almog Meir Jan (21), Andrey Kozlov (27), and Shlomi Ziv (40) were rescued in a special operation by the IDF, ISA and Israel Police from 2 separate locations in the heart of Nuseirat after being kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival.<br />
<br />
They are in good… <a href="https://t.co/PnkjL4GRQz">pic.twitter.com/PnkjL4GRQz</a></p>
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) <a href="https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1799392501586952256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The Israeli ministry claimed that the hostages, three males and one female, were kidnapped by Hamas-led militants from the Nova music festival in southern Israel on October 7 last year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The family members rushed to the hospital to meet them. News agency Reuters shared a video that showed Argamani smiling as she reunites&nbsp;with her father.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-bombs-another-school-in-gaza-a-day-after-strike-on-school-killed-37-729791">Israel bombs another school in Gaza, a day after strike on school killed 37</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Another video of Argamani receiving a telephone call from Israeli President Isaac Herzog was distributed by his office.</p>

<p>"I am so happy to be here. Thank you for everything, thank you for this moment," said a smiling Argamani, sitting with her father in a hospital room.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In one video, speaking on the phone with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Argamani said, "I am very moved. I haven't heard Hebrew for so long."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch: Israel's Gantz expected to resign from cabinet post</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-hamas-war-israels-gantz-expected-to-resign-from-cabinet-post-729879/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<h2><strong>Israel-Hamas war</strong></h2>

<p>Hamas killed around 1,200 people during the October 7 attack and took 251 hostages, 116 of whom now remain in the Palestinian territory, including 41 the army says are dead.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In response to the unprecedented attack by Hamas, Israel launched a full-scale war, vowing to eliminate the Palestine-based militant group.</p>

<p>The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said on Saturday that at least 36,801 people have been killed in the territory so far.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The toll includes at least 70 deaths over the past 24 hours, a ministry statement said, adding that 83,680 people have been wounded in the Gaza Strip since the war began when Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><em><strong>Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.&nbsp;</strong></em></p>


The Israeli military said on Saturday (Jun 8) that its troops had rescued four Israeli hostages alive from Gaza after a "complex daytime operation". The military said that the rescue was made at two separate locations in the area of al-Nuseirat and the hostages were in "good medical condition".

The Israeli military said on Saturday (Jun 8) that its troops had rescued four Israeli hostages alive from Gaza after a "complex daytime operation". The military said that the rescue was made at two separate locations in the area of al-Nuseirat and the hostages were in "good medical condition". "Noa Argamani (25), Almog Meir Jan (21), Andrey Kozlov (27), and Shlomi Ziv (40), were kidnapped by the Hamas terrorist organiation from the Nova music festival on October 7," the military said in a statement. It added that all four were transferred to the 'Sheba' Tel-HaShomer Medical Center for further medical examinations. "We will continue to make every effort to bring the hostages home," the military further said. Also read: Israeli Army, Hamas in UN list of offenders committing violations against children Noa Argamani (25), Almog Meir Jan (21), Andrey Kozlov (27), and Shlomi Ziv (40) were rescued in a special operation by the IDF, ISA and Israel Police from 2 separate locations in the heart of Nuseirat after being kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival. They are in good… pic.twitter.com/PnkjL4GRQz — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 8, 2024 × The Israeli ministry claimed that the hostages, three males and one female, were kidnapped by Hamas-led militants from the Nova music festival in southern Israel on October 7 last year. The family members rushed to the hospital to meet them. News agency Reuters shared a video that showed Argamani smiling as she reunites with her father. Also read: Israel bombs another school in Gaza, a day after strike on school killed 37 Another video of Argamani receiving a telephone call from Israeli President Isaac Herzog was distributed by his office. "I am so happy to be here. Thank you for everything, thank you for this moment," said a smiling Argamani, sitting with her father in a hospital room. In one video, speaking on the phone with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Argamani said, "I am very moved. I haven't heard Hebrew for so long." Watch: Israel's Gantz expected to resign from cabinet post × Israel-Hamas war Hamas killed around 1,200 people during the October 7 attack and took 251 hostages, 116 of whom now remain in the Palestinian territory, including 41 the army says are dead. In response to the unprecedented attack by Hamas, Israel launched a full-scale war, vowing to eliminate the Palestine-based militant group. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said on Saturday that at least 36,801 people have been killed in the territory so far. The toll includes at least 70 deaths over the past 24 hours, a ministry statement said, adding that 83,680 people have been wounded in the Gaza Strip since the war began when Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Israeli Army says four hostages rescued in central Gaza in 'good medical condition'

<p>Israeli military on Saturday (June 8) <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-army-says-rescued-four-hostages-in-central-gaza-in-good-medical-condition-729916">rescued four hostages</a>, including Noa Argamani, during a complex daytime raid in two separate locations in central Gaza. Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv were also rescued as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "Israel does not surrender to terrorism".&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a statement, Netanyahu said that security forces "have proven that Israel does not surrender to terrorism and acts with creativity and courage that knows no limits to bring home our hostages".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ever since the war started after Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel last year on October 7 and took some hostages, Argamani became the face of all hostages. Her harrowing video of abduction was seen around the world in which she was heard screaming, "Don't kill me!"&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-army-hamas-in-list-of-offenders-committing-violations-against-children-729771">Israeli Army, Hamas in UN list of offenders committing violations against children</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Netanyahu spoke to Argamani on the phone as he welcomed her "home". She told him, "I am very excited. I didn't hear Hebrew for such a long time."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Netanyahu replied, "Now it's also Hebrew and also at home, and it's important, and we didn’t give up on you for one second. I don't know if you believed in it but we believed in it, and I am happy it came true."&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Noa Argamani (25), Almog Meir Jan (21), Andrey Kozlov (27), and Shlomi Ziv (40) were rescued in a special operation by the IDF, ISA and Israel Police from 2 separate locations in the heart of Nuseirat after being kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival.<br />
<br />
They are in good… <a href="https://t.co/PnkjL4GRQz">pic.twitter.com/PnkjL4GRQz</a></p>
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) <a href="https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1799392501586952256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<h2><strong>Profiles of all four hostages who were freed&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p><strong>Noa Argamani (26)&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>A video of Argamani being taken away by Hamas fighters in a motorcycle from the Nova music festival in southern Israel on October 7 last year went viral, angering the world. It showed her boyfriend, Avinatan Or, an engineer, being led away separately on foot.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Argamani is a student at Ben-Gurion University in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba. A group of her friends said on social media that she "loves life".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Her Chinese-Israeli mother has brain cancer and in a public video spoke of her despair at the possibility she may not see her daughter before she dies.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Almog Meir Jan (22)&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Almog Meir Jan is a resident of Or Yehuda in the Tel Aviv area. News agency Reuters mentioned that he left a voice message just before 8:00 am (local time) on October 7 on the cellphone of his mother Orit Meir.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said, "Mum, rockets are (falling) everywhere. I don't know what is going on. Mum, I love you."&nbsp;</p>

<p>His mother told reporters in Athens in November that her life had become "a nightmare" and the last glimpse she had of her son was a Hamas video released shortly after the attack.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She said, "He was lying on the ground. He was terrified, terrified."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-bombs-another-school-in-gaza-a-day-after-strike-on-school-killed-37-729791">Israel bombs another school in Gaza, a day after strike on school killed 37</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><strong>Andrey Kozlov (27)</strong>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Andrey Kozlov, a&nbsp;Russian-Israeli, was a security guard at the music festival and he was in touch with his father and friends during the attack. He told them that he had nowhere to hide. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Born in Saint Petersburg, he had recently arrived in Israel and was living in Rishon Lezion, south of Tel Aviv. His family was informed about him three weeks after the abduction.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Shlomi Ziv (41)&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Israeli media reported that Shlomi Ziv was part of the security team at the Supernova music festival and one of his two sisters spoke to him at 7:30 am (local time) on the day of the attack.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He told her there had been shooting and rocket fire and there was a bottleneck of cars trying to leave the site. He had told his sister that he would call back, but it apparently never happened.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ziv lived with his wife in the town of Elkosh near the Lebanese border. He worked as a wholesale distributor but had recently studied to become an interior designer.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch this report:</strong>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-war-israel-rescues-four-hostages-from-gaza-729967/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<h2><strong>Biden says 'won't stop working until all the hostages are home'&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>US President Joe Biden on Saturday welcomed the freeing of four hostages, vowing to work until all the captives were freed and a ceasefire agreed.</p>

<p>"We won't stop working until all the hostages are home and a ceasefire is reached. That's essential to happen," Biden said in Paris alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, who also congratulated the families for the release of the hostages.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><em><strong>Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.&nbsp;</strong></em></p>


Israeli military on Saturday (June 8) rescued four hostages, including Noa Argamani, during a complex daytime raid in two separate locations in central Gaza. Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv were also rescued as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "Israel does not surrender to terrorism".

Israeli military on Saturday (June 8) rescued four hostages, including Noa Argamani, during a complex daytime raid in two separate locations in central Gaza. Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov, and Shlomi Ziv were also rescued as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "Israel does not surrender to terrorism". In a statement, Netanyahu said that security forces "have proven that Israel does not surrender to terrorism and acts with creativity and courage that knows no limits to bring home our hostages". Ever since the war started after Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel last year on October 7 and took some hostages, Argamani became the face of all hostages. Her harrowing video of abduction was seen around the world in which she was heard screaming, "Don't kill me!" Also read: Israeli Army, Hamas in UN list of offenders committing violations against children Netanyahu spoke to Argamani on the phone as he welcomed her "home". She told him, "I am very excited. I didn't hear Hebrew for such a long time." Netanyahu replied, "Now it's also Hebrew and also at home, and it's important, and we didn’t give up on you for one second. I don't know if you believed in it but we believed in it, and I am happy it came true." Noa Argamani (25), Almog Meir Jan (21), Andrey Kozlov (27), and Shlomi Ziv (40) were rescued in a special operation by the IDF, ISA and Israel Police from 2 separate locations in the heart of Nuseirat after being kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival. They are in good… pic.twitter.com/PnkjL4GRQz — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 8, 2024 × Profiles of all four hostages who were freed Noa Argamani (26) A video of Argamani being taken away by Hamas fighters in a motorcycle from the Nova music festival in southern Israel on October 7 last year went viral, angering the world. It showed her boyfriend, Avinatan Or, an engineer, being led away separately on foot. Argamani is a student at Ben-Gurion University in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba. A group of her friends said on social media that she "loves life". Her Chinese-Israeli mother has brain cancer and in a public video spoke of her despair at the possibility she may not see her daughter before she dies. Almog Meir Jan (22) Almog Meir Jan is a resident of Or Yehuda in the Tel Aviv area. News agency Reuters mentioned that he left a voice message just before 8:00 am (local time) on October 7 on the cellphone of his mother Orit Meir. He said, "Mum, rockets are (falling) everywhere. I don't know what is going on. Mum, I love you." His mother told reporters in Athens in November that her life had become "a nightmare" and the last glimpse she had of her son was a Hamas video released shortly after the attack. She said, "He was lying on the ground. He was terrified, terrified." Also read: Israel bombs another school in Gaza, a day after strike on school killed 37 Andrey Kozlov (27) Andrey Kozlov, a Russian-Israeli, was a security guard at the music festival and he was in touch with his father and friends during the attack. He told them that he had nowhere to hide. Born in Saint Petersburg, he had recently arrived in Israel and was living in Rishon Lezion, south of Tel Aviv. His family was informed about him three weeks after the abduction. Shlomi Ziv (41) Israeli media reported that Shlomi Ziv was part of the security team at the Supernova music festival and one of his two sisters spoke to him at 7:30 am (local time) on the day of the attack. He told her there had been shooting and rocket fire and there was a bottleneck of cars trying to leave the site. He had told his sister that he would call back, but it apparently never happened. Ziv lived with his wife in the town of Elkosh near the Lebanese border. He worked as a wholesale distributor but had recently studied to become an interior designer. Watch this report: × Biden says 'won't stop working until all the hostages are home' US President Joe Biden on Saturday welcomed the freeing of four hostages, vowing to work until all the captives were freed and a ceasefire agreed. "We won't stop working until all the hostages are home and a ceasefire is reached. That's essential to happen," Biden said in Paris alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, who also congratulated the families for the release of the hostages. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Gaza war: Noa Argamani and other rescued hostages' fateful encounter with Hamas on Oct 7

<p>Ahead of his India visit for the oath-taking ceremony of&nbsp;Narendra Modi for the third&nbsp;term as prime minister, Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said that "Maldives-India relations is heading in the&nbsp;positive direction".</p>

<p>The President was invited for the ceremony along with leaders of Mauritius, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. This will be the first visit of Muizzu&nbsp;to Delhi since assuming charge last year.</p>

<p>Accepting the invitation that was personally handed over by Indian High Commissioner to Maldives Munu Mahawar, the "President expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for the invitation, adding that he would be honored to attend this historic event", a Maldives statement said.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-election-2024/maldives-president-muizzu-likely-to-attend-pm-modis-oath-ceremony-729782">Maldives President Muizzu accepts invitation to attend Modi’s oath ceremony: Report</a></p>

<p>The statement added&nbsp;that "he looks forward to working with the Prime Minister to further strengthen the&nbsp;close relations&nbsp;with India".</p>

<p>The Indian High commissioner presented the letter of invitation to the president during a courtesy call at the President's Office.</p>

<p>The president thanked the High Commissioner for personally delivering the invitation.</p>

<p>A bilateral meeting is also expected between the two leaders post the ceremony. This will be the second&nbsp;such in-person meet between the two&nbsp;leaders since the Dubai meet last year.&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has accepted the invitation to attend Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony on Sunday. (X/@presidencymv)" src="https://images.indianexpress.com/2024/06/WhatsApp-Image-2024-06-08-at-10.53.37-1.jpeg?w=640" /></p>

<p>Uptick in ties was seen between the two countries in the last few weeks after a lull over new Maldives government's demand over removal of Indian troops over sovereignty issues.</p>

<p>The Indian troops were eventually replaced with civilian Indian personnel manning Indian assets for humanitarian purposes.</p>

<p>Maldives Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer had travelled to India in May, during which the key focus was debt relief from India.</p>

<p>New Delhi, meanwhile, has continued its development partnership with the Maldives.</p>


Ahead of his India visit for the oath-taking ceremony of Narendra Modi for the third term as prime minister, Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said that "Maldives-India relations is heading in the positive direction".

Ahead of his India visit for the oath-taking ceremony of Narendra Modi for the third term as prime minister, Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said that "Maldives-India relations is heading in the positive direction". The President was invited for the ceremony along with leaders of Mauritius, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. This will be the first visit of Muizzu to Delhi since assuming charge last year. Accepting the invitation that was personally handed over by Indian High Commissioner to Maldives Munu Mahawar, the "President expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for the invitation, adding that he would be honored to attend this historic event", a Maldives statement said. Also read: Maldives President Muizzu accepts invitation to attend Modi’s oath ceremony: Report The statement added that "he looks forward to working with the Prime Minister to further strengthen the close relations with India". The Indian High commissioner presented the letter of invitation to the president during a courtesy call at the President's Office. The president thanked the High Commissioner for personally delivering the invitation. A bilateral meeting is also expected between the two leaders post the ceremony. This will be the second such in-person meet between the two leaders since the Dubai meet last year. Uptick in ties was seen between the two countries in the last few weeks after a lull over new Maldives government's demand over removal of Indian troops over sovereignty issues. The Indian troops were eventually replaced with civilian Indian personnel manning Indian assets for humanitarian purposes. Maldives Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer had travelled to India in May, during which the key focus was debt relief from India. New Delhi, meanwhile, has continued its development partnership with the Maldives.

Ahead of his India visit for Modi swearing-in, Maldives Prez Muizzu says ties heading in positive direction

<p>Taiwan has responded after China lodged a protest with India over the Taiwanese president's congratulatory message for Narendra Modi's election win. Modi had also responded to it, the way he did to messages by dozens of world leaders.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday (Jun 6) that there is only one China in the world and India has made "serious political commitments regarding the one-China principle".&nbsp;</p>

<p>It said that New Delhi should be "vigilant against the political schemes of the Taiwan authorities and refrain from actions that violate the one-China principle".&nbsp;</p>

<p>While responding to the same, Taiwan's foreign ministry said in a statement, quoted by media, that China had "falsely" claimed that India has a political commitment.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-meets-president-murmu-stakes-claim-to-form-government-in-centre-729688">PM-designate Modi meets President Murmu, stakes claim to form government</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Taiwan's foreign ministry further added that it is "not only an international practice for Taiwan and India to pay tribute to each other on the results of democratic elections, it also fully demonstrates the friendship between the two sides and their firm belief in the universal value of democracy".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Taiwan added, "Other countries have no right to comment."&nbsp;</p>

<p>The statement added, "While countries around the world are congratulating India on its successful completion of parliamentary elections and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's re-election, China is using political coercion and spreading fallacies in an attempt to confuse the international community, which in turn highlights the nature of its authoritarian system,” the statement said."&nbsp;</p>

<p>So far, India has not reacted to China's protest.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/lok-sabha-elections-2024-for-western-media-democracy-in-india-revived-only-because-modi-lost-majority-729645">For Western media, democracy in India 'revived' only because Modi lost majority</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<h2><strong>What was Taiwan's message for Modi?</strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Taiwanese president congratulated&nbsp;Narendra Modi and his party on the Lok Sabha victory. He said, "We look forward to enhancing the fast-growing #Taiwan-#India partnership, expanding our collaboration on trade, technology &amp; other sectors to contribute to peace &amp; prosperity in the #IndoPacific."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi responded by saying, "I look forward to closer ties as we work towards mutually beneficial economic and technological partnership."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Modi's drops nine sharp attacks against INDIA Bloc at NDA meet&nbsp;</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-elections-pm-modis-drops-nine-sharp-attacks-against-india-bloc-at-nda-meet-729715/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Meanwhile, Modi said on Friday&nbsp;that President Droupadi Murmu had invited him to form a government. He vowed that his new coalition of 15 parties would strive for unanimity and emerge successful.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi met Murmu on Friday and accepted her invitation to head the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In his address, Modi confirmed that the new government would be sworn in on Sunday (June 9).</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Taiwan has responded after China lodged a protest with India over the Taiwanese president's congratulatory message for Narendra Modi's election win. Modi had also responded to it, the way he did to messages by dozens of world leaders.

Taiwan has responded after China lodged a protest with India over the Taiwanese president's congratulatory message for Narendra Modi's election win. Modi had also responded to it, the way he did to messages by dozens of world leaders. Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday (Jun 6) that there is only one China in the world and India has made "serious political commitments regarding the one-China principle". It said that New Delhi should be "vigilant against the political schemes of the Taiwan authorities and refrain from actions that violate the one-China principle". While responding to the same, Taiwan's foreign ministry said in a statement, quoted by media, that China had "falsely" claimed that India has a political commitment. Also read: PM-designate Modi meets President Murmu, stakes claim to form government Taiwan's foreign ministry further added that it is "not only an international practice for Taiwan and India to pay tribute to each other on the results of democratic elections, it also fully demonstrates the friendship between the two sides and their firm belief in the universal value of democracy". Taiwan added, "Other countries have no right to comment." The statement added, "While countries around the world are congratulating India on its successful completion of parliamentary elections and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's re-election, China is using political coercion and spreading fallacies in an attempt to confuse the international community, which in turn highlights the nature of its authoritarian system,” the statement said." So far, India has not reacted to China's protest. Also read: For Western media, democracy in India 'revived' only because Modi lost majority What was Taiwan's message for Modi? Taiwanese president congratulated Narendra Modi and his party on the Lok Sabha victory. He said, "We look forward to enhancing the fast-growing #Taiwan-#India partnership, expanding our collaboration on trade, technology & other sectors to contribute to peace & prosperity in the #IndoPacific." Modi responded by saying, "I look forward to closer ties as we work towards mutually beneficial economic and technological partnership." Watch: Modi's drops nine sharp attacks against INDIA Bloc at NDA meet × Meanwhile, Modi said on Friday that President Droupadi Murmu had invited him to form a government. He vowed that his new coalition of 15 parties would strive for unanimity and emerge successful. Modi met Murmu on Friday and accepted her invitation to head the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition government. In his address, Modi confirmed that the new government would be sworn in on Sunday (June 9). (With inputs from agencies)

Taiwan slams China for protesting against India over election congratulatory message

The Philippine coast guard on Friday accused its Chinese counterpart of blocking efforts to evacuate a sick member of its armed forces in the South China Sea, calling its actions "barbaric and inhumane".

Philippines accuses Chinese coast guard of 'barbaric' blocking of medical evacuation

France has confirmed the arrest of its citizen in Moscow. France has denied the Russian claim that it was working for the government to gather intelligence. Watch in for more details!

Russia arrests French scholar suspected of collecting Intelligence

The prime minister has stated that it is crucial that the controversy surrounding his early departure from yesterday's D-Day celebrations remain non-political. After some thought, Rishi Sunak stated, "I apologize; that was a mistake." "It's crucial, though, that we avoid politicizing this considering the magnitude of the sacrifice made. It is only fitting that we pay tribute to the soldiers who given so much."

UK PM Rishi Sunak left D-Day memorial early, angering public

<p>Following commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, French President Emmanuel Macron and Joe Biden celebrated the US President's official state visit to France with a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Over the bond between the United States and France, President Biden alongside Macron at Elysee Palace, said,&nbsp;“This week, we have once again showed the world once again the power of allies, what we can achieve when we stand together. That’s what the relationship between France and the United States exemplifies."&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Bidens were welcomed by Macron and French first lady Brigitte Macron at the Arc de Triomphe. They paid their respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, with a French military choir. The leaders observed a flyover and greeted officials from a French delegation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-enacts-landmark-laws-to-combat-social-media-addiction-and-protect-childrens-privacy-729977">New York enacts landmark laws to combat social media addiction and protect children's privacy</a></p>

<p>The event culminated with the leaders signing a guestbook and parading down the Champs-Élysées, which was lined with military personnel and decorated with American and French flags.</p>

<p>The Bidens then proceeded to the Elysée Palace for a working lunch with the Macrons, and later in the evening, they returned for a state dinner.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bodies-of-all-four-indian-students-recovered-from-russias-volkhov-river-to-be-repatriated-729955">Bodies of all four Indian students recovered from Russia’s Volkhov river, to be repatriated</a></p>

<p>Highlighting the historical alliance, Biden said, “That feat [Fourth of July, Declaration of Independence] would not have been possible ... were it not for France coming to our aid. We’re a nation because of France, in large part. You stepped up when we needed help.” He added, "France was our first friend. Remains one of our best friends."</p>

<h2><strong>Global issues discussed&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>During their discussion, Biden and Macron addressed several critical global issues. Biden reaffirmed their united stance on Ukraine and highlighted both countries' commitment to support against Russian aggression.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/french-president-macron-welcomes-us-president-biden-in-paris-729974">French President Macron welcomes US President Biden in Paris</a></strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/french-president-macron-welcomes-us-president-biden-in-paris-729974/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>“We know what happens if (Russian President Vladimir) Putin succeeds in subjugating Ukraine. … And we know Putin isn’t going to stop at Ukraine – it’s not just Ukraine, it’s about much more than Ukraine. All of Europe will be threatened. We’re not gonna let that happen... We will not walk away," Biden asserted.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Both leaders also discussed cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, Middle East, and climate change. Concerning the Gaza war, Macron showed backing for Biden's ceasefire proposal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The visit marked an improvement in US-French relations since the diplomatic rift over the US-Australia submarine deal in September 2021, which led Macron to recall his ambassador.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Following commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, French President Emmanuel Macron and Joe Biden celebrated the US President's official state visit to France with a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe.

Following commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, French President Emmanuel Macron and Joe Biden celebrated the US President's official state visit to France with a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe. Over the bond between the United States and France, President Biden alongside Macron at Elysee Palace, said, “This week, we have once again showed the world once again the power of allies, what we can achieve when we stand together. That’s what the relationship between France and the United States exemplifies." The Bidens were welcomed by Macron and French first lady Brigitte Macron at the Arc de Triomphe. They paid their respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, with a French military choir. The leaders observed a flyover and greeted officials from a French delegation. Also Read | New York enacts landmark laws to combat social media addiction and protect children's privacy The event culminated with the leaders signing a guestbook and parading down the Champs-Élysées, which was lined with military personnel and decorated with American and French flags. The Bidens then proceeded to the Elysée Palace for a working lunch with the Macrons, and later in the evening, they returned for a state dinner. Also Read | Bodies of all four Indian students recovered from Russia’s Volkhov river, to be repatriated Highlighting the historical alliance, Biden said, “That feat [Fourth of July, Declaration of Independence] would not have been possible ... were it not for France coming to our aid. We’re a nation because of France, in large part. You stepped up when we needed help.” He added, "France was our first friend. Remains one of our best friends." Global issues discussed During their discussion, Biden and Macron addressed several critical global issues. Biden reaffirmed their united stance on Ukraine and highlighted both countries' commitment to support against Russian aggression. Watch | French President Macron welcomes US President Biden in Paris × “We know what happens if (Russian President Vladimir) Putin succeeds in subjugating Ukraine. … And we know Putin isn’t going to stop at Ukraine – it’s not just Ukraine, it’s about much more than Ukraine. All of Europe will be threatened. We’re not gonna let that happen... We will not walk away," Biden asserted. Both leaders also discussed cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, Middle East, and climate change. Concerning the Gaza war, Macron showed backing for Biden's ceasefire proposal. The visit marked an improvement in US-French relations since the diplomatic rift over the US-Australia submarine deal in September 2021, which led Macron to recall his ambassador. (With inputs from agencies)

Biden and Macron celebrate US-French ties, show support for Ukraine and Gaza ceasefire deal

<p>Palestinian militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad, along with Israel, are set to be included on an upcoming list by the United Nations of countries and armed forces deemed as failing to protect children during war.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Israel's UN envoy, Gilad Erdan, confirmed the news while describing the decision as "shameful". He said he received official notification of the verdict on Friday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is due to submit a report to the UN Security Council on June 14 and the global list is included in the report. Reports have mentioned that the annual "Children and Armed Conflict" report is not due to be published until June 18, but Erdan made it public after receiving notification.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-nuclear-sub-to-dock-in-cuba-it-reminds-of-1962-cuban-missile-crisis-729758">Cuban crisis 2.0: Russian nuclear sub to dock in Cuba after USA's Ukraine misadventure</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted on his X social media account that the UN had "added itself to the blacklist of history when it joined those who support the Hamas murderers."</p>

<p>"The IDF is the most moral army in the world; no delusional UN decision will change that," he wrote amid the ongoing Gaza war in which more than 13,000 children are estimated to be dead.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The war started after Hamas'&nbsp;unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,194 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli official figures.</p>

<p>Erdan lashed out at Guterres, saying: "The only one who is blacklisted today is the secretary-general."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Now Hamas will continue even more to use schools and hospitals because this shameful decision of the secretary-general will only give Hamas hope," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-spy-arrested-in-russia-after-macrons-fighter-jet-support-to-ukraine-729606">French 'spy' arrested in Russia following Macron's fighter jets offer to Ukraine</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>Israeli strike on UN school</strong></h2>

<p>This comes a day after Israel bombed a UN school in Gaza, killing more than 40 Palestinians, some them children.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Israel's army claimed it had killed 17 militants in the air strike, raising its previous toll from nine. The strike hit the school operated by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA. The incident happened in the Nuseirat area of central Gaza where thousands of displaced people were sheltering.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Since the targeted strike the (Israeli army) has confirmed the identity of 17 terrorists that were operating from the school," the military said in a statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Netanyahu in US: What next for Israel? | Will Netanyahu meet Biden?</strong></p>

<main role="main">
<form accept-charset="UTF-8" action="http://13.235.153.162/admin/structure/videoembed" data-drupal-selector="video-embed-form" id="video-embed-form" method="post">&nbsp;</form>
</main>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-hamas-war-netanyahu-in-us-what-next-for-israel-will-netanyahu-meet-biden-729577/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The UN report highlights human rights violations against children in around 20 conflict zones. Russia's military and armed entities linked to Russia were included on the list last year&nbsp;</p>

<p>The list covers six violations - killing and maiming, sexual violence, abduction, recruitment and use of children, denial of aid access and attacks on schools and hospitals.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We can't confirm it, but if it's true, it's a thoroughly justified, albeit long overdue, move by the secretary-general," said Louis Charbonneau from Human Rights Watch.</p>

<p>"It's something we've long called for, along with listing Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups."&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>

<p><em><strong>Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.&nbsp;</strong></em></p>


Palestinian militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad, along with Israel, are set to be included on an upcoming list by the United Nations of countries and armed forces deemed as failing to protect children during war.

Palestinian militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad, along with Israel, are set to be included on an upcoming list by the United Nations of countries and armed forces deemed as failing to protect children during war. Israel's UN envoy, Gilad Erdan, confirmed the news while describing the decision as "shameful". He said he received official notification of the verdict on Friday. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is due to submit a report to the UN Security Council on June 14 and the global list is included in the report. Reports have mentioned that the annual "Children and Armed Conflict" report is not due to be published until June 18, but Erdan made it public after receiving notification. Also read: Cuban crisis 2.0: Russian nuclear sub to dock in Cuba after USA's Ukraine misadventure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted on his X social media account that the UN had "added itself to the blacklist of history when it joined those who support the Hamas murderers." "The IDF is the most moral army in the world; no delusional UN decision will change that," he wrote amid the ongoing Gaza war in which more than 13,000 children are estimated to be dead. The war started after Hamas' unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,194 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli official figures. Erdan lashed out at Guterres, saying: "The only one who is blacklisted today is the secretary-general." "Now Hamas will continue even more to use schools and hospitals because this shameful decision of the secretary-general will only give Hamas hope," he said. Also read: French 'spy' arrested in Russia following Macron's fighter jets offer to Ukraine Israeli strike on UN school This comes a day after Israel bombed a UN school in Gaza, killing more than 40 Palestinians, some them children. Israel's army claimed it had killed 17 militants in the air strike, raising its previous toll from nine. The strike hit the school operated by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA. The incident happened in the Nuseirat area of central Gaza where thousands of displaced people were sheltering. "Since the targeted strike the (Israeli army) has confirmed the identity of 17 terrorists that were operating from the school," the military said in a statement. Watch: Netanyahu in US: What next for Israel? | Will Netanyahu meet Biden? × The UN report highlights human rights violations against children in around 20 conflict zones. Russia's military and armed entities linked to Russia were included on the list last year The list covers six violations - killing and maiming, sexual violence, abduction, recruitment and use of children, denial of aid access and attacks on schools and hospitals. "We can't confirm it, but if it's true, it's a thoroughly justified, albeit long overdue, move by the secretary-general," said Louis Charbonneau from Human Rights Watch. "It's something we've long called for, along with listing Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups." (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Israeli Army, Hamas in UN list of offenders committing violations against children

<p>Four Indian students studying in Russia drowned in the Volkhov River, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Friday (Jun 7), adding that a fifth student was safely rescued and was receiving medical assistance.</p>

<p>"Our Consulate in St. Petersburg remains in contact with the university and local authorities and is providing all possible assistance," the ministry said in a statement today.</p>

<p>The statement further said that so far two dead bodies were recovered from the Volkhov river and that the Indian consulate in St Petersburg was coordinating with local authorities for the repatriation of the mortal remains.</p>

<p>"We offer our condolences to the families. The search for the remaining two missing students continues," the external affairs ministry said. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The five students involved in the incident hailed from Maharashtra's Jalgaon district and were pursuing medical studies at Russia's Yaroslav-the-Wise Novgorod State University located in Veliky Novgorod region.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="und">Death of Indian students in Veliky Novgorod, Russia:<a href="https://t.co/3SrFMUUHLx">https://t.co/3SrFMUUHLx</a> <a href="https://t.co/R5aWT7ueo4">pic.twitter.com/R5aWT7ueo4</a></p>
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1799003104031195154?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 7, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/mount-everest-four-dead-bodies-11-tonnes-of-rubbish-removed-from-worlds-highest-garbage-dump-729513">Four dead bodies and 11 tonnes of rubbish removed from Himalayan peaks in major clean-up operation</a></p>

<h2><strong>Indian embassy assures authorities working to send mortal remains</strong></h2>

<p>The Indian embassy in Moscow assured that the authorities were working to send the mortal remains of the deceased back to their relatives as soon as possible.</p>

<p>"We are working to send the bodies to the relatives as soon as possible. Proper treatment is also being provided to the student whose life has been saved," the Indian Embassy in Moscow said in a post on X.</p>

<p>Jalgaon District Collector Ayush Prasad said that the embassy in Russia and the consular general in St. Petersburg were contacted over the matter and they were providing assistance to the grieving families of the students.</p>

<p>"They have been very supportive to the family and we've been coordinating with the judicial as well as the police and disaster management authorities," Prasad told news agency ANI.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Best medical care is being provided to the student whose life has been safe... We are hoping that the bodies will be sent back to India as per the international protocol..." he further said.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">1/2 <a href="https://twitter.com/indianconsspb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@indianconsspb</a> is working together with the local authorities of Veliky Novgorod to send the mortal remains to the relatives as soon as possible. The bereaved families have been contacted and assured of all the possible help. <a href="https://t.co/QFMdv7lKhd">https://t.co/QFMdv7lKhd</a></p>
— India in St. Petersburg (@indianconsspb) <a href="https://twitter.com/indianconsspb/status/1798927453941023102?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 7, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>'The bereaved families have been contacted,' Indian Consulate in St Petersburg</strong></h2>

<p>The Indian Consulate in St Petersburg said, "Working together with the local authorities of Veliky Novgorod to send the mortal remains to the relatives as soon as possible. The bereaved families have been contacted and assured of all the possible help."</p>

<p>"Proper medical, including psychological treatment is being provided to the girl student who was saved. These students were pursuing medical education at Veliky Novgorod State University. Sincere condolences to the bereaved families," it added.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Four Indian students studying in Russia drowned in the Volkhov River, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Friday (Jun 7), adding that a fifth student was safely rescued and was receiving medical assistance.

Four Indian students studying in Russia drowned in the Volkhov River, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Friday (Jun 7), adding that a fifth student was safely rescued and was receiving medical assistance. "Our Consulate in St. Petersburg remains in contact with the university and local authorities and is providing all possible assistance," the ministry said in a statement today. The statement further said that so far two dead bodies were recovered from the Volkhov river and that the Indian consulate in St Petersburg was coordinating with local authorities for the repatriation of the mortal remains. "We offer our condolences to the families. The search for the remaining two missing students continues," the external affairs ministry said. The five students involved in the incident hailed from Maharashtra's Jalgaon district and were pursuing medical studies at Russia's Yaroslav-the-Wise Novgorod State University located in Veliky Novgorod region. Death of Indian students in Veliky Novgorod, Russia:https://t.co/3SrFMUUHLx pic.twitter.com/R5aWT7ueo4 — Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) June 7, 2024 × Also read: Four dead bodies and 11 tonnes of rubbish removed from Himalayan peaks in major clean-up operation Indian embassy assures authorities working to send mortal remains The Indian embassy in Moscow assured that the authorities were working to send the mortal remains of the deceased back to their relatives as soon as possible. "We are working to send the bodies to the relatives as soon as possible. Proper treatment is also being provided to the student whose life has been saved," the Indian Embassy in Moscow said in a post on X. Jalgaon District Collector Ayush Prasad said that the embassy in Russia and the consular general in St. Petersburg were contacted over the matter and they were providing assistance to the grieving families of the students. "They have been very supportive to the family and we've been coordinating with the judicial as well as the police and disaster management authorities," Prasad told news agency ANI. "Best medical care is being provided to the student whose life has been safe... We are hoping that the bodies will be sent back to India as per the international protocol..." he further said. 1/2 @indianconsspb is working together with the local authorities of Veliky Novgorod to send the mortal remains to the relatives as soon as possible. The bereaved families have been contacted and assured of all the possible help. https://t.co/QFMdv7lKhd — India in St. Petersburg (@indianconsspb) June 7, 2024 × 'The bereaved families have been contacted,' Indian Consulate in St Petersburg The Indian Consulate in St Petersburg said, "Working together with the local authorities of Veliky Novgorod to send the mortal remains to the relatives as soon as possible. The bereaved families have been contacted and assured of all the possible help." "Proper medical, including psychological treatment is being provided to the girl student who was saved. These students were pursuing medical education at Veliky Novgorod State University. Sincere condolences to the bereaved families," it added. (With inputs from agencies)

Four Indian students drown in Russia's Volkhov River, two bodies recovered

<p>The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday (Jun 7) confirmed that the child with H5N1 bird flu reported by Australia last month had travelled to Kolkata, India. However, the family said that they did not have any known exposure to infected people or animals while there, reported Reuters.</p>

<p>Australia last month reported its first case of the H5N1 strain of bird flu in a child. It was then reported that the child was infected in India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The WHO said that the genetic sequencing showed the avian influenza virus was H5N1, which is a strain that circulates in South-East Asia. It has majorly been detected in previous human infections and in poultry.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/people-in-germany-allowed-to-smoke-cannabis-before-driving-opposition-censures-move-report-729883">People in Germany allowed to smoke cannabis before driving, opposition censures move: Report</a></strong></p>

<p>"Although the source of exposure to the virus in this case is currently unknown, the exposure likely occurred in India, where the case had travelled, and where this clade of A(H5N1) viruses has been detected in birds in the past," the WHO&nbsp;said in a statement.</p>

<p>The world health body said that the two-year-old girl from Victoria travelled to Kolkata from February 12 to February 19 and returned to Australia on March 1. The WHO stated that as of May 22, no close family relations in Australia or India had shown symptoms.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Victoria's health department said that the child was hospitalised on March 2 and remained there for more than two weeks before making a "full recovery".&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Additional information provided by the family indicates that the case did not travel outside of Kolkata, India, and did not have any known exposure to sick persons or animals while in India,"&nbsp;said&nbsp;WHO.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-show-ten-minute-brain-scan-can-predict-dementia-early-729554">Scientists show ten-minute brain scan can predict dementia early</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Earlier in a statement, Victoria's Chief Health Officer, Clare Looker, had said it was unclear how the child had picked up the virus.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"So either visiting poultry farms or live wet markets, which have birds at them, or if they've had a lot of contact with domesticated birds," she said, further noting that the spread of this virus to humans was usually from exposure to poultry.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Occasionally, people can also get it from handling the meat or eggs of infected birds. We couldn't identify a clear event that led to this child's infection, but we suspect it's one of those things," she&nbsp;added.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Philippines bans imports of poultry products from Australia</strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Meanwhile, The Philippines' agriculture ministry said on Saturday (June 8) that it was banning the imports of birds and poultry products from Australia because of a bird flu outbreak in Australian states.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The ministry said that imports of wild and domestic birds from Australia, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs and semen will be stopped with immediate effect.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday (Jun 7) confirmed that the child with H5N1 bird flu reported by Australia last month had travelled to Kolkata, India.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday (Jun 7) confirmed that the child with H5N1 bird flu reported by Australia last month had travelled to Kolkata, India. However, the family said that they did not have any known exposure to infected people or animals while there, reported Reuters. Australia last month reported its first case of the H5N1 strain of bird flu in a child. It was then reported that the child was infected in India. The WHO said that the genetic sequencing showed the avian influenza virus was H5N1, which is a strain that circulates in South-East Asia. It has majorly been detected in previous human infections and in poultry. Also read: People in Germany allowed to smoke cannabis before driving, opposition censures move: Report "Although the source of exposure to the virus in this case is currently unknown, the exposure likely occurred in India, where the case had travelled, and where this clade of A(H5N1) viruses has been detected in birds in the past," the WHO said in a statement. The world health body said that the two-year-old girl from Victoria travelled to Kolkata from February 12 to February 19 and returned to Australia on March 1. The WHO stated that as of May 22, no close family relations in Australia or India had shown symptoms. Victoria's health department said that the child was hospitalised on March 2 and remained there for more than two weeks before making a "full recovery". "Additional information provided by the family indicates that the case did not travel outside of Kolkata, India, and did not have any known exposure to sick persons or animals while in India," said WHO. Also read: Scientists show ten-minute brain scan can predict dementia early Earlier in a statement, Victoria's Chief Health Officer, Clare Looker, had said it was unclear how the child had picked up the virus. "So either visiting poultry farms or live wet markets, which have birds at them, or if they've had a lot of contact with domesticated birds," she said, further noting that the spread of this virus to humans was usually from exposure to poultry. "Occasionally, people can also get it from handling the meat or eggs of infected birds. We couldn't identify a clear event that led to this child's infection, but we suspect it's one of those things," she added. Philippines bans imports of poultry products from Australia Meanwhile, The Philippines' agriculture ministry said on Saturday (June 8) that it was banning the imports of birds and poultry products from Australia because of a bird flu outbreak in Australian states. The ministry said that imports of wild and domestic birds from Australia, including poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs and semen will be stopped with immediate effect. (With inputs from agencies)

Australia's bird flu case likely came from India, says WHO

<p>US President Joe Biden on Friday (June 7) issued an unprecedented public apology to Ukraine for the holdup of American military assistance&nbsp;that allowed Russia to continue making gains on the battlefield. Ukraine's&nbsp;President Volodymyr Zelensky has appealed for bipartisan US support "like it was during World War II."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-ukraine-war-west-allows-kyiv-to-strike-russia-727531">Russia-Ukraine War: West allows Kyiv to strike Russia</a></strong></p>

<p>Speaking in Paris a day after they attended 80th anniversary events of D-Day in Normandy, Biden apologised to the Ukrainian people for the weeks of not knowing if more assistance would come while Republicans in the US Congress held up a $61 billion military aid package for Ukraine for six months.</p>

<p>"We are still in. Completely. Thoroughly," Biden added.</p>

<h2><strong>Russia-Ukraine war: What Zelensky wants from the US</strong></h2>

<p>Zelensky has called upon the Americans to support Ukraine's defence against the ongoing Russian offensive. The Ukrainian president in France also thanked US lawmakers for eventually coming together to approve the weapons package.</p>

<p>"It’s very important that in this unity, United States of America, all American people stay with Ukraine like it was during World War II,” Zelensky said.</p>

<p>"How the United States helped to save human lives, to save Europe. And we count on your continuing support in standing with us shoulder to shoulder."</p>

<p><b>Also watch |&nbsp;D-Day Anniversary: Britain, France and US commemorate D-Day; Macron honours WW2 veterans</b></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/d-day-anniversary-britain-france-and-us-commemorate-d-day-macron-honours-ww2-veterans-729514/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The United States is by far Kyiv’s biggest supplier of wartime support that has pitted the West directly against Russia.</p>

<p>Over two years into the war in Ukraine, Kyiv is now trying to fend off an intense Russian offensive in eastern areas of the country.</p>

<p>The Ukrainian pushback over Russian war-effort is focused on the border regions of Kharkiv and Donetsk.</p>

<p>The Russian offensive is going on amid Kyiv's consistent shortfall of ammunition and troops along the roughly 1,000-kilometre (620-mile) front line.</p>

<p>That shortfall in weaponry came after US military aid was held up in Congress for six months before Biden in April signed the $61 billion package into law.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


US President Joe Biden on Friday (June 7) issued an unprecedented public apology to Ukraine for the holdup of American military assistance that allowed Russia to continue making gains on the battlefield.

US President Joe Biden on Friday (June 7) issued an unprecedented public apology to Ukraine for the holdup of American military assistance that allowed Russia to continue making gains on the battlefield. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has appealed for bipartisan US support "like it was during World War II." Also read | Russia-Ukraine War: West allows Kyiv to strike Russia Speaking in Paris a day after they attended 80th anniversary events of D-Day in Normandy, Biden apologised to the Ukrainian people for the weeks of not knowing if more assistance would come while Republicans in the US Congress held up a $61 billion military aid package for Ukraine for six months. "We are still in. Completely. Thoroughly," Biden added. Russia-Ukraine war: What Zelensky wants from the US Zelensky has called upon the Americans to support Ukraine's defence against the ongoing Russian offensive. The Ukrainian president in France also thanked US lawmakers for eventually coming together to approve the weapons package. "It’s very important that in this unity, United States of America, all American people stay with Ukraine like it was during World War II,” Zelensky said. "How the United States helped to save human lives, to save Europe. And we count on your continuing support in standing with us shoulder to shoulder." Also watch | D-Day Anniversary: Britain, France and US commemorate D-Day; Macron honours WW2 veterans × The United States is by far Kyiv’s biggest supplier of wartime support that has pitted the West directly against Russia. Over two years into the war in Ukraine, Kyiv is now trying to fend off an intense Russian offensive in eastern areas of the country. The Ukrainian pushback over Russian war-effort is focused on the border regions of Kharkiv and Donetsk. The Russian offensive is going on amid Kyiv's consistent shortfall of ammunition and troops along the roughly 1,000-kilometre (620-mile) front line. That shortfall in weaponry came after US military aid was held up in Congress for six months before Biden in April signed the $61 billion package into law. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia-Ukraine war: Biden apologises to Zelensky for holdup of military assistance

Canadian politicians have slammed Khalistani extremists who recently glorified the assassination of former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi. On Thursday (June 6), around 30 protesters gathered in front of the Indian Consulate in Vancouver, vandalised the Indian flag and celebrated the former Indian prime minister's assassins. The abhorrent display has drawn criticism from two federal ministers and a Canadian Member of Parliament.

Canada hits out at Khalistani extremists glorifying Indira Gandhi's assassination

The Denmark Police arrested a man in connection with the attack on Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen at a Copenhagen square on Friday, June 7. The incident, which follows a surge in attacks against politicians worldwide, left the Danish PM in shock. However, she managed to leave the scene without any visible injuries.

Danish PM Mette Frederiksen attacked in Copenhagen, man arrested

<p>In latest offensive, Israel bombed another UN-run school in Gaza on Friday (June 7), a day after strike on school that killed 37&nbsp;people.</p>

<p>The Israeli airstrike killed three people, according to Palestinian emergency officials. In both airstrikes, the Israeli army said Hamas militants were operating from within the schools.&nbsp; However the claims could not be verified.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-reacts-after-inclusion-in-un-list-of-shame-for-childrens-rights-abuse-729778">Israel reacts after inclusion in UN list of shame for children's rights abuse</a></p>

<p>On Friday, Israel released the names of 17 militants it claimed were killed in Thursday’s strike. However, hospital morgue records matched only nine of these names. According to hospital records, one of the alleged militants was an eight-year-old boy.</p>

<p><img alt="Israeli strike" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a8bc27dd-c4bf-485e-85b7-8997da426aa5" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2821%29_3.png" /></p>

<p>On Thursday (June 6) an Israeli strike hit a school operated by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, in the Nuseirat area of central Gaza where thousands of displaced people were sheltering.</p>

<p>The Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital informed that at least 37 people were killed in the strike.</p>

<p>"Since the targeted strike the Israeli army has confirmed the identity of 17 terrorists that were operating from the school," the military said in a statement.</p>

<p>It is worth mentioning that US called on Israel to maintain complete transparency regarding the airstrike on Thursday. The US had asked Israel to identify publicly the Hamas fighters it said it had killed.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-strike-kills-dozens-at-school-complex-sheltering-civilians-729503">US calls on Israel to provide transparency in Gaza school strike</a></p>

<p>However the Hamas media office accused the Israeli army of spreading "false information", claiming that three people presented as dead by Israel were still alive and that at least two had been killed in other strikes, adding the attack on the school had also killed 14 children.</p>

<p>Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari had earlier said that nine militants were killed when fighter jets attacked three classrooms in the school.</p>

<p>About 30 militants from Islamic Jihad and Hamas were hiding there, he said.</p>

<p>The UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said the strike had been carried out "without prior warning".</p>

<p>“UNRWA shares the coordinates of all its facilities (including this school) with the Israeli army and other parties in the conflict,” he said.</p>

<p>" Attacking, targeting, or using UN buildings for military purposes is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law," Lazzarini said.</p>

<p>The attack came at a moment while talks are on for a ceasefire that would involve releasing hostages held by Hamas and some of the Palestinians held in Israeli jails.</p>

<p>The US issued a joint statement with other countries calling on Israel and Hamas to compromise to finalise a deal after eight months of war in the Gaza Strip.</p>

<p>Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson, Majed Al-Ansari, stated that Hamas had not yet responded to the latest ceasefire proposal and was still reviewing it. He added that mediation efforts by Qatar, Egypt, and the US are ongoing.</p>

<p><img alt="Israel-Hams war" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="243d4333-e187-4077-a483-2b58e1137cb2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2822%29_1.png" /></p>

<p>The Gaza war was sparked by Hamas's October 7 attack, which resulted in the deaths of 1,194 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally.</p>

<p>While Israel's retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 36,731 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In latest offensive, Israel bombed another UN-run school in Gaza on Friday (June 7), a day after strike on school that killed 37 people. The Israeli airstrike killed three people, according to Palestinian emergency officials.

In latest offensive, Israel bombed another UN-run school in Gaza on Friday (June 7), a day after strike on school that killed 37 people. The Israeli airstrike killed three people, according to Palestinian emergency officials. In both airstrikes, the Israeli army said Hamas militants were operating from within the schools. However the claims could not be verified. Also read: Israel reacts after inclusion in UN list of shame for children's rights abuse On Friday, Israel released the names of 17 militants it claimed were killed in Thursday’s strike. However, hospital morgue records matched only nine of these names. According to hospital records, one of the alleged militants was an eight-year-old boy. On Thursday (June 6) an Israeli strike hit a school operated by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, in the Nuseirat area of central Gaza where thousands of displaced people were sheltering. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital informed that at least 37 people were killed in the strike. "Since the targeted strike the Israeli army has confirmed the identity of 17 terrorists that were operating from the school," the military said in a statement. It is worth mentioning that US called on Israel to maintain complete transparency regarding the airstrike on Thursday. The US had asked Israel to identify publicly the Hamas fighters it said it had killed. Also read: US calls on Israel to provide transparency in Gaza school strike However the Hamas media office accused the Israeli army of spreading "false information", claiming that three people presented as dead by Israel were still alive and that at least two had been killed in other strikes, adding the attack on the school had also killed 14 children. Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari had earlier said that nine militants were killed when fighter jets attacked three classrooms in the school. About 30 militants from Islamic Jihad and Hamas were hiding there, he said. The UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said the strike had been carried out "without prior warning". “UNRWA shares the coordinates of all its facilities (including this school) with the Israeli army and other parties in the conflict,” he said. " Attacking, targeting, or using UN buildings for military purposes is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law," Lazzarini said. The attack came at a moment while talks are on for a ceasefire that would involve releasing hostages held by Hamas and some of the Palestinians held in Israeli jails. The US issued a joint statement with other countries calling on Israel and Hamas to compromise to finalise a deal after eight months of war in the Gaza Strip. Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson, Majed Al-Ansari, stated that Hamas had not yet responded to the latest ceasefire proposal and was still reviewing it. He added that mediation efforts by Qatar, Egypt, and the US are ongoing. The Gaza war was sparked by Hamas's October 7 attack, which resulted in the deaths of 1,194 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally. While Israel's retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 36,731 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel bombs another school in Gaza, a day after strike on school killed 37

PM Narendra Modi will take oath as the prime minister for a third consecutive term on Sunday evening. Watch to know more.

PM Narendra Modi swearing-in ceremony: Security enhanced across Delhi

Yemen's Houthis on Friday said they targeted two vessels in the Red Sea with drones and missiles, but there was no independent confirmation of the purported attacks.

Houthis target US ships: Yemen's Houthis say they targeted two vessels in the Red Sea

<p>A Russian nuclear-powered submarine will visit Havana next week, Cuba's communist authorities said on Thursday (Jun 6). The sub will not be carrying nuclear weapons, but the move has reminded the world of the infamous 1962 Cuban missile crisis.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Cuba's Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces said in a statement that the nuclear submarine Kazan and three other Russian naval vessels, including the missile frigate Admiral Gorshkov, an oil tanker and a salvage tug, will dock in the Cuban capital from June 12-17.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"None of the vessels is carrying nuclear weapons, so their stopover in our country does not represent a threat to the region," the ministry said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-spy-arrested-in-russia-after-macrons-fighter-jet-support-to-ukraine-729606">French 'spy' arrested in Russia following Macron's fighter jets offer to Ukraine</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Despite the ministry's clarification that the vessels will not carry nuclear weapons, the unusual deployment has alarmed the West, especially the United States as the Russian military is going to be so close to America. Although, so far, there's no official comment from the US.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The deployment has been announced amid tensions between Moscow and the West over the war in Ukraine, with Russian President Vladimir Putin recently unleashing a slew of new nuclear threats.</p>

<p>Putin responded to the decision by the US and its European allies to allow Ukraine to attack some Russian territory using their weapons, especially long-range missiles.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Russian president suggested he could provide arms to countries to hit Western targets as he&nbsp;revives nuclear threat once again.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Last month, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel met with his Russian counterpart for the annual May 9 military parade on Red Square outside the Kremlin. Both nations have come closer since a 2022 meeting between Diaz-Canel and Putin.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-succession-plan-out-daughters-appear-at-key-economic-summit-to-support-father-729587">Putin succession plan out? Daughters appear at key economic summit to support father</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<h2><strong>Do we know about the 1962 Cuban missile crisis?</strong></h2>

<p>The Cuban missile crisis was a major confrontation between the US and the then-Soviet Union that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The crisis erupted in 1962, which lasted over a month, when the Soviet Union responded to a US missile deployment in Turkey by sending ballistic missiles to Cuba. Then, the Soviet Union, formerly Russia, also included Ukraine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In 1960, the former premier of the Soviet Union Nikita Khrushchev promised to defend Cuba with Soviet arms, assuming that the US would not prevent the installation of medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles in Cuba.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The incident escalated to a level when the world feared a catastrophic nuclear attack. And if launched from Cuba, such missiles could reportedly hit much of the eastern US within a few minutes.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Russia accuses Kyiv of using US&nbsp;ATACMS missiles to hit civilian targets in Luhansk&nbsp;</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-accuses-kyiv-of-using-us-atacms-missiles-to-hit-civilian-targets-in-luhansk-729746/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Claims and counterclaims continued until then US President John F Kennedy intervened. He was busy with the elections, but when he learned about the installations, he consulted security advisors. He even received suggestions that the US should launch an air strike.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But he decided to place a naval "quarantine," or blockade, on Cuba to prevent further Soviet shipments of missiles. He issued a warning that US forces would seize "offensive weapons and associated material" if Soviet vessels tried to deliver them to Cuba.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The crisis was eventually averted, Soviet ships altered their course and moved away from the quarantined zone, with Khrushchev later in the year informing Kennedy that the missiles already in Cuba would be returned to the Soviet Union and work on the missile sites would be halted.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Some reports have even mentioned that Kennedy had secretly promised to withdraw the nuclear-armed missiles from Turkey and that he committed the US would never invade Cuba.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


A Russian nuclear-powered submarine will visit Havana next week, Cuba's communist authorities said on Thursday (Jun 6). The sub will not be carrying nuclear weapons, but the move has reminded the world of the infamous 1962 Cuban missile crisis.

A Russian nuclear-powered submarine will visit Havana next week, Cuba's communist authorities said on Thursday (Jun 6). The sub will not be carrying nuclear weapons, but the move has reminded the world of the infamous 1962 Cuban missile crisis. Cuba's Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces said in a statement that the nuclear submarine Kazan and three other Russian naval vessels, including the missile frigate Admiral Gorshkov, an oil tanker and a salvage tug, will dock in the Cuban capital from June 12-17. "None of the vessels is carrying nuclear weapons, so their stopover in our country does not represent a threat to the region," the ministry said. Also read: French 'spy' arrested in Russia following Macron's fighter jets offer to Ukraine Despite the ministry's clarification that the vessels will not carry nuclear weapons, the unusual deployment has alarmed the West, especially the United States as the Russian military is going to be so close to America. Although, so far, there's no official comment from the US. The deployment has been announced amid tensions between Moscow and the West over the war in Ukraine, with Russian President Vladimir Putin recently unleashing a slew of new nuclear threats. Putin responded to the decision by the US and its European allies to allow Ukraine to attack some Russian territory using their weapons, especially long-range missiles. The Russian president suggested he could provide arms to countries to hit Western targets as he revives nuclear threat once again. Last month, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel met with his Russian counterpart for the annual May 9 military parade on Red Square outside the Kremlin. Both nations have come closer since a 2022 meeting between Diaz-Canel and Putin. Also read: Putin succession plan out? Daughters appear at key economic summit to support father Do we know about the 1962 Cuban missile crisis? The Cuban missile crisis was a major confrontation between the US and the then-Soviet Union that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. The crisis erupted in 1962, which lasted over a month, when the Soviet Union responded to a US missile deployment in Turkey by sending ballistic missiles to Cuba. Then, the Soviet Union, formerly Russia, also included Ukraine. In 1960, the former premier of the Soviet Union Nikita Khrushchev promised to defend Cuba with Soviet arms, assuming that the US would not prevent the installation of medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles in Cuba. The incident escalated to a level when the world feared a catastrophic nuclear attack. And if launched from Cuba, such missiles could reportedly hit much of the eastern US within a few minutes. Watch: Russia accuses Kyiv of using US ATACMS missiles to hit civilian targets in Luhansk × Claims and counterclaims continued until then US President John F Kennedy intervened. He was busy with the elections, but when he learned about the installations, he consulted security advisors. He even received suggestions that the US should launch an air strike. But he decided to place a naval "quarantine," or blockade, on Cuba to prevent further Soviet shipments of missiles. He issued a warning that US forces would seize "offensive weapons and associated material" if Soviet vessels tried to deliver them to Cuba. The crisis was eventually averted, Soviet ships altered their course and moved away from the quarantined zone, with Khrushchev later in the year informing Kennedy that the missiles already in Cuba would be returned to the Soviet Union and work on the missile sites would be halted. Some reports have even mentioned that Kennedy had secretly promised to withdraw the nuclear-armed missiles from Turkey and that he committed the US would never invade Cuba. (With inputs from agencies)

Cuban crisis 2.0? Russian nuclear sub to dock in Cuba after USA's Ukraine misadventure

Pro-democracy activists in Sudan say about 40 people have been killed in “violent artillery fire” by paramilitary forces in the twin city of the Sudanese capital Khartoum, as fighting and displacement intensify across the war-ravaged country.

Sudan activists say about '40 dead' in shelling near Khartoum

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday there was no need to use nuclear weapons to deliver victory for Moscow in Ukraine, the strongest signal yet from the Kremlin chief that there will not be a nuclear strike.

Russia-Ukraine war: Putin says Russia doesn’t need nuclear weapons to win in Ukraine

After commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day French president Emanuel Macron welcomed the US President Joe Biden in Paris. Their visit began with a ceremony at the iconic Arc de Triomphe where the leaders paid their respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

French President Macron welcomes US President Biden in Paris

Voters in Slovakia, Italy and other European Union nations are casting their ballots on the third day of Elections for the European Parliament. Populist and far-right parties want to make gains across the 27-member Block in these elections.

EU Parliament elections: Voting underway on the third day of elections

Germany's defence ministry believes it will need at least 75,000 additional troops to fulfil its NATO commitments as the alliance adapts to face what it sees as an increasingly hostile Russia.

Germany needs 75,000 more troops as NATO eyes Russia threat

Atop the cliff that U.S. Army Rangers scaled 80 years ago on D-Day, President Joe Biden on Friday compared the threats posed by Nazi Germany to those facing the world today by dictators and authoritarianism, and urged Americans to resist isolationism.

US: Biden asks Americans to recommit to democracy in Normandy cliff speech

A leading Chinese drone maker is changing the game on Goods deliveries to remote locations. Their drones are now operating on Mount Everest from delivering cargo to helping clear trash China appears to be leading the game of drones.

DJI's Flycart30: Heavy-lifter drone, tested on Mount Everest

world

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

world news