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Keeping our focus on the possibility of an Iranian attack on Israel according to reports Israel's longtime Ally the US has increased the number of its troops stationed in West Asia. The US Department of Defense says it is moving extra troops and Military assets to sites in West Asia.

Can US deter Iranian attack on Israel?

After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, US-Russia ties have not fared well. Russian President Vladimir Putin suspended Russia's participation in the New START treaty with Washington. The treaty limits US and Russian nuclear stockpiles.&nbsp;

Moscow appears to not wanting to return to prospects of resumed cooperation between the world's two biggest nuclear superpowers. Russia's head of the Department of Nonproliferation and Arms Control at the Foreign Ministry, Vladimir Yermakov on Friday (April 12) said that US has not contributed any 'fundamentally new ideas' to control nuclear arms.

"As for the fate of the START Treaty and the agreement to replace it, it is as pointless to talk about it at this stage as it is to assess prospects for resolving, through political and diplomatic means, any other problems that have accumulated in the area of strategic stability," Yermakov said in an interview with a Russian news agency.

"Washington should not be under any illusions about prospective new agreements in the field of arms control. We don't see this as a tragedy and are prepared for any scenario," he added.

He also explained Putin's 'conditions' to start the dialouge to resume the treaty between US and Russia. It includes "a preliminary rejection by the United States of the policy to undermine Russia's security."

Another option is for the US to demonstrate "genuine desire for comprehensive efforts focused on eliminating the root causes of the fundamental disagreements created by the Americans, which threaten a direct military clash between our countries."

Also read:&nbsp;<meta name="uuid" content="uuidL7zei3I0LSaY" /><meta charset="utf-8" /><a href="http://wionews.com/world/russia-conducts-successful-intercontinental-ballistic-missile-test-launch-710685" target="_blank">Russia conducts successful intercontinental ballistic missile test launch</a>

Last year, at his annual speech, Putin said that Russia will suspend its participation in the New START Treaty, maintaining that Moscow was "not withdrawing from the agreement, no, but rather suspending its participation."

Afterwards, in a conversation with Sergei Lavrov, the Russian ambassador to the United States, Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Moscow to resume implementing the START Treaty, citing the mutual benefit to both nations.

In November 2023, Lavrov stated that conversations on this issue with Washington are "impossible" as long as it supports Ukraine.

After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, US-Russia ties have not fared well. Russian President Vladimir Putin suspended Russia's participation in the New START treaty with Washington.

After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, US-Russia ties have not fared well. Russian President Vladimir Putin suspended Russia's participation in the New START treaty with Washington. The treaty limits US and Russian nuclear stockpiles. Moscow appears to not wanting to return to prospects of resumed cooperation between the world's two biggest nuclear superpowers. Russia's head of the Department of Nonproliferation and Arms Control at the Foreign Ministry, Vladimir Yermakov on Friday (April 12) said that US has not contributed any 'fundamentally new ideas' to control nuclear arms. "As for the fate of the START Treaty and the agreement to replace it, it is as pointless to talk about it at this stage as it is to assess prospects for resolving, through political and diplomatic means, any other problems that have accumulated in the area of strategic stability," Yermakov said in an interview with a Russian news agency. "Washington should not be under any illusions about prospective new agreements in the field of arms control. We don't see this as a tragedy and are prepared for any scenario," he added. He also explained Putin's 'conditions' to start the dialouge to resume the treaty between US and Russia. It includes "a preliminary rejection by the United States of the policy to undermine Russia's security." Another option is for the US to demonstrate "genuine desire for comprehensive efforts focused on eliminating the root causes of the fundamental disagreements created by the Americans, which threaten a direct military clash between our countries." Also read: Russia conducts successful intercontinental ballistic missile test launch Last year, at his annual speech, Putin said that Russia will suspend its participation in the New START Treaty, maintaining that Moscow was "not withdrawing from the agreement, no, but rather suspending its participation." Afterwards, in a conversation with Sergei Lavrov, the Russian ambassador to the United States, Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Moscow to resume implementing the START Treaty, citing the mutual benefit to both nations. In November 2023, Lavrov stated that conversations on this issue with Washington are "impossible" as long as it supports Ukraine.

Russia puts 'conditions' for resuming the suspended nuclear treaty with US

The world’s oldest conjoined twins&nbsp;ever, Lori and George Schappell, passed away on April 7 at a hospital in Pennsylvania, United States, the Guinness World Records confirmed on Friday (April 12).&nbsp;

<h2>What we know about their death</h2>

The GWR and Leibensperger Funeral Homes in Leesport’s website confirmed that Lori L Schappell and George A Schappell, of Pennsylvania, died on Sunday (Apr 7), at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

The twins were 62 years and 202 days old at the time of their deaths, which according to the GWR made them nine years older than the second-oldest female conjoined twins ever recorded. The cause of their deaths was not disclosed.&nbsp;

<h2>Who were Lori and George Schappell?</h2>

Lori and George (formerly named Dori) were born on September 18, 1961, in Pennsylvania to Franklin and the late Ruth Schappel, and were two among eight siblings.

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They had partially fused skulls, shared vital blood vessels and 30 per cent of their brains, according to GWR.&nbsp;

In 2007, they also became the world’s first same-sex conjoined twins to identify as different genders after George transitioned to a man.

They had been living separately since they were 24 years old, prior to which they had been living in a psychiatric hospital after their “frightened and confused” parents placed them there, Lori and George told New York Magazine in 2005.&nbsp;

Lori was able-bodied but George had spina bifida and could not walk. However, they never expressed any desire to be separated from each other.&nbsp;

George was a successful country singer and even performed in countries like Germany and Japan. Meanwhile, Lori was an award-winning ten-pin bowler, who once also worked at a hospital.&nbsp;

According to the GWR, the twins had been living independently in a two-bedroom apartment in Pennsylvania and even had their own rooms.&nbsp;

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Lori and George tried to live their own individual lives as far as possible including practising their separate hobbies, showering separately, and so on.&nbsp;

They also defied all odds as medical professionals had predicted that they wouldn’t live past the age of 30.&nbsp;

Lori and George are survived by their father, six siblings, and several nieces and nephews.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The world’s oldest conjoined twins ever, Lori and George Schappell, passed away on April 7 at a hospital in Pennsylvania, United States, the Guinness World Records confirmed on Friday (April 12).

The world’s oldest conjoined twins ever, Lori and George Schappell, passed away on April 7 at a hospital in Pennsylvania, United States, the Guinness World Records confirmed on Friday (April 12). What we know about their death The GWR and Leibensperger Funeral Homes in Leesport’s website confirmed that Lori L Schappell and George A Schappell, of Pennsylvania, died on Sunday (Apr 7), at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. The twins were 62 years and 202 days old at the time of their deaths, which according to the GWR made them nine years older than the second-oldest female conjoined twins ever recorded. The cause of their deaths was not disclosed. Who were Lori and George Schappell? Lori and George (formerly named Dori) were born on September 18, 1961, in Pennsylvania to Franklin and the late Ruth Schappel, and were two among eight siblings. Also Read | India-born author Salman Rushdie opens up on horrific stabbing: 'It felt like...' They had partially fused skulls, shared vital blood vessels and 30 per cent of their brains, according to GWR. In 2007, they also became the world’s first same-sex conjoined twins to identify as different genders after George transitioned to a man. They had been living separately since they were 24 years old, prior to which they had been living in a psychiatric hospital after their “frightened and confused” parents placed them there, Lori and George told New York Magazine in 2005. Lori was able-bodied but George had spina bifida and could not walk. However, they never expressed any desire to be separated from each other. George was a successful country singer and even performed in countries like Germany and Japan. Meanwhile, Lori was an award-winning ten-pin bowler, who once also worked at a hospital. According to the GWR, the twins had been living independently in a two-bedroom apartment in Pennsylvania and even had their own rooms. Also Read | US House passes controversial surveillance bill on fourth attempt Lori and George tried to live their own individual lives as far as possible including practising their separate hobbies, showering separately, and so on. They also defied all odds as medical professionals had predicted that they wouldn’t live past the age of 30. Lori and George are survived by their father, six siblings, and several nieces and nephews. (With inputs from agencies)

World’s oldest conjoined twins, Lori and George Schappell, die at age 62

Israel's longtime Ally the US is now repositioning its two Destroyer warships in West Asia in anticipation of the Iranian attack on Israel. According to a US official one Destroyer warship which has been repositioned was already there in the region while the other warship has been redirected there.

US moves Destroyer warships to defend Israel

Russia's Defence Ministry on Friday (Apr 12) said that it had conducted a successful test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile at the Kapustin Yar rocket launch complex in the southern Astrakhan region.&nbsp;

As quoted by the Russian state-owned news agency cited the defence ministry as saying, "On April 12, 2024, from the 4th State Central Interspecific Range Kapustin Yar in the Astrakhan Region, a combat crew of the Strategic Missile Forces successfully launched an intercontinental ballistic missile of a mobile ground missile system."&nbsp;

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The report mentioned that the launch was carried out as part of state testing of promising missile systems. In addition to that, the launch also focused on confirming the stability of the missiles in service with the Russian army.&nbsp;

The ministry noted that all tasks were completed in full. The results indicate the high reliability of domestic missiles, ensuring the strategic security of the country.&nbsp;

Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos and videos shared on social media.

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Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-airlines-urge-biden-administration-to-halt-more-flights-to-china-710568">US airlines urge Biden administration to halt more flights to China</a>&nbsp;

<h2>US says China is backing Russia's war effort in Ukraine&nbsp;</h2>

Senior US officials said on Friday (Apr 12) that China is helping Russia's war effort in Ukraine. The US officials said that Beijing is helping Moscow in its biggest military buildup since the Soviet era, providing drone and missile technology, satellite imagery and machine tools.&nbsp;

The news agency Reuters reported that the officials said US President Joe Biden raised the issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping in their recent phone call and that it is a topic of discussion with US allies in Europe and around the world.&nbsp;

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity. One official said Chinese materials are filling critical gaps in Russia's defence production cycle and helping Moscow undertake its "most ambitious defence expansion since the Soviet era and on a faster timeline than we believed possible early on in this conflict."

"Our view is that one of the most game-changing moves available to us at this time to support Ukraine is to persuade the PRC (China) to stop helping Russia reconstitute its military-industrial base. Russia would struggle to sustain its war effort without PRC input," the official said.

Russia's Defence Ministry on Friday (Apr 12) said that it had conducted a successful test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile at the Kapustin Yar rocket launch complex in the southern Astrakhan region.

Russia's Defence Ministry on Friday (Apr 12) said that it had conducted a successful test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile at the Kapustin Yar rocket launch complex in the southern Astrakhan region. As quoted by the Russian state-owned news agency cited the defence ministry as saying, "On April 12, 2024, from the 4th State Central Interspecific Range Kapustin Yar in the Astrakhan Region, a combat crew of the Strategic Missile Forces successfully launched an intercontinental ballistic missile of a mobile ground missile system." Also read: Russian city calls for mass evacuations due to rapidly rising flood waters The report mentioned that the launch was carried out as part of state testing of promising missile systems. In addition to that, the launch also focused on confirming the stability of the missiles in service with the Russian army. The ministry noted that all tasks were completed in full. The results indicate the high reliability of domestic missiles, ensuring the strategic security of the country. Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos and videos shared on social media. The Russian Defence Ministry has released footage of the successful launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile from the Kapustin Yar testing site. pic.twitter.com/zUxI22ewC6 — Sputnik (@SputnikInt) April 12, 2024 × Also read: US airlines urge Biden administration to halt more flights to China US says China is backing Russia's war effort in Ukraine Senior US officials said on Friday (Apr 12) that China is helping Russia's war effort in Ukraine. The US officials said that Beijing is helping Moscow in its biggest military buildup since the Soviet era, providing drone and missile technology, satellite imagery and machine tools. The news agency Reuters reported that the officials said US President Joe Biden raised the issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping in their recent phone call and that it is a topic of discussion with US allies in Europe and around the world. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity. One official said Chinese materials are filling critical gaps in Russia's defence production cycle and helping Moscow undertake its "most ambitious defence expansion since the Soviet era and on a faster timeline than we believed possible early on in this conflict." "Our view is that one of the most game-changing moves available to us at this time to support Ukraine is to persuade the PRC (China) to stop helping Russia reconstitute its military-industrial base. Russia would struggle to sustain its war effort without PRC input," the official said.

Russia conducts successful intercontinental ballistic missile test launch

In a bid to de-escalate tensions in the West Asian region, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi and urged Beijing to assert its influence to dissuade Iran from launching an offensive against Israel.

Wang further urged the United States to play “a constructive role” in the Middle East during the telephonic conversation, the US State Department released a statement saying.

After the phone call, China said that Wang also expressed China's "condemnation" of the strike on an Iranian consulate building in Syria's Damascus.

“China will continue to play a constructive role in the resolution of the Middle East issue… and contribute to cooling down the situation,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said as per The Times Of Israel report.

“The United States side in particular should play a constructive role.”

<h2>Blinken speaks to Turkish, Chinese, Saudi Arabian counterparts&nbsp;</h2>

Blinken also spoke to his Turkish, Chinese and Saudi Arabian counterparts emphasizing that escalation in the Middle East is not in anyone's interest, said the US State Department said on Thursday (Apr 11).

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"He (Secretary of State Antony Blinken) talked to the Turkish foreign minister last night. He talked to Wang Yi this morning and then early this morning then talked to the Saudi foreign minister later this morning," said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller during a regular news briefing.

"We have been engaged in a series of contacts, not just to his level, but other levels, too, to talk to foreign counterparts, to send this very clear message to Iran that they should not escalate this conflict," he said.

Escalation of conflict in Middle East

This comes after the United States issued concerns saying that an Iranian attack on Israel is imminent. US-based media outlets claimed that the strike could involve high-precision missile and drone attacks at military and government sites in Israel.&nbsp;

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant also said on Thursday that Israel would respond directly to any attack by Iran. "A direct Iranian attack will require an appropriate Israeli response against Iran," Gallant told US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, according to remarks issued by his office.&nbsp;

Tehran has already issued a warning as supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said this week that Israel "must be punished and it shall be" for attacking the Iranian embassy compound in Syria.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In a bid to de-escalate tensions in the West Asian region, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi and urged Beijing to assert its influence to dissuade Iran from launching an offensive against Israel.

In a bid to de-escalate tensions in the West Asian region, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi and urged Beijing to assert its influence to dissuade Iran from launching an offensive against Israel. Wang further urged the United States to play “a constructive role” in the Middle East during the telephonic conversation, the US State Department released a statement saying. After the phone call, China said that Wang also expressed China's "condemnation" of the strike on an Iranian consulate building in Syria's Damascus. “China will continue to play a constructive role in the resolution of the Middle East issue… and contribute to cooling down the situation,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said as per The Times Of Israel report. “The United States side in particular should play a constructive role.” Blinken speaks to Turkish, Chinese, Saudi Arabian counterparts Blinken also spoke to his Turkish, Chinese and Saudi Arabian counterparts emphasizing that escalation in the Middle East is not in anyone's interest, said the US State Department said on Thursday (Apr 11). Also read: Middle East crisis: Indians advised not to travel to Iran and Israel "He (Secretary of State Antony Blinken) talked to the Turkish foreign minister last night. He talked to Wang Yi this morning and then early this morning then talked to the Saudi foreign minister later this morning," said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller during a regular news briefing. "We have been engaged in a series of contacts, not just to his level, but other levels, too, to talk to foreign counterparts, to send this very clear message to Iran that they should not escalate this conflict," he said. Escalation of conflict in Middle East This comes after the United States issued concerns saying that an Iranian attack on Israel is imminent. US-based media outlets claimed that the strike could involve high-precision missile and drone attacks at military and government sites in Israel. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant also said on Thursday that Israel would respond directly to any attack by Iran. "A direct Iranian attack will require an appropriate Israeli response against Iran," Gallant told US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, according to remarks issued by his office. Tehran has already issued a warning as supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said this week that Israel "must be punished and it shall be" for attacking the Iranian embassy compound in Syria. (With inputs from agencies)

Middle East crisis: Blinken asks China to assert influence to dissuade Iran from striking Israel

The New York judge overseeing former United States President and Republican frontrunner Donald Trump’s hush money criminal case,&nbsp;on Friday (Apr 12) rejected his latest bid to delay Monday’s&nbsp;trial. The order was passed on the ground that the substantial pre-trial publicity would make the proceedings unfair.&nbsp;

<h2>‘His own doing’</h2>

Trump lost yet another bid to delay his April 15 criminal trial on charges related to paying hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels. This comes after the former president faced a string of defeats in various courts to delay the beginning of the trial which will start on Monday with the jury selection.

Trump, 77, is set to become the first-ever former US president to go on trial for criminal charges. The most recent delay denial came after he sought an indefinite postponement saying media coverage was prejudiced against him, which would make finding an acceptable jury in Manhattan difficult.&nbsp;

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He also claimed that the borough was “overwhelmingly biased” against him. However, in his decision on Friday, Judge Juan Merchan said an indefinite delay in the trial was “not tenable.”&nbsp;

Trump “appears to take the position that his situation and this case are unique and that the pre-trial publicity will never subside. However, this view does not align with reality,” Judge Merchan wrote.&nbsp;

He also noted how the former president himself is responsible for generating this publicity around his legal woes because of his statements.&nbsp;

Merchan said that Trump was “personally responsible for generating much, if not most, of the surrounding publicity with his public statements” outside courtrooms and on social media.

“The situation Defendant finds himself in now is not new to him and at least in part, of his own doing,” the judge added.

He also said that questioning prospective jurors would address any concerns about their ability to be impartial.&nbsp;

Trump lawyer Todd Blanche, in a court filing last month,&nbsp;argued that “potential jurors in Manhattan have been exposed to huge amounts of biased and unfair media coverage relating to this case.”

Meanwhile, the prosecutors argued that the publicity was not likely to drop, and it would be “perverse” to reward the former president with a delay based on the media attention he is responsible for.&nbsp;

<h2>‘Very unfair’</h2>

Meanwhile, Trump on Friday, told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, that he planned on testifying during the trial and called the case a “scam,” and went on to call the trial “very unfair”. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/stormy-daniels-hush-money-trial-judge-delays-trumps-historic-criminal-trial-after-last-minute-evidence-704190">Stormy Daniels hush money case: Trump’s historic criminal trial set for April 15</a>

“All I can do is tell the truth…(and) the truth is, they have no case,” said the former president. When asked about the jury selection Trump said it was “largely luck” and “depends who you get.”&nbsp;

Trump has pleaded not guilty to the 34-count indictment, brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat. This includes charges of accounting fraud and falsifying business records to cover up the $130,000 payment to the adult film star ahead of the 2016 presidential election.&nbsp;

The prosecutors have also accused Trump of illegally covering up remittances to his long-time lawyer, Michael Cohen to reimburse him for payments about the Republican frontrunner’s alleged extramarital sexual relations with Daniels and a Playboy model.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The New York judge overseeing former United States President and Republican frontrunner Donald Trump’s hush money criminal case, on Friday (Apr 12) rejected his latest bid to delay Monday’s trial.

The New York judge overseeing former United States President and Republican frontrunner Donald Trump’s hush money criminal case, on Friday (Apr 12) rejected his latest bid to delay Monday’s trial. The order was passed on the ground that the substantial pre-trial publicity would make the proceedings unfair. ‘His own doing’ Trump lost yet another bid to delay his April 15 criminal trial on charges related to paying hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels. This comes after the former president faced a string of defeats in various courts to delay the beginning of the trial which will start on Monday with the jury selection. Trump, 77, is set to become the first-ever former US president to go on trial for criminal charges. The most recent delay denial came after he sought an indefinite postponement saying media coverage was prejudiced against him, which would make finding an acceptable jury in Manhattan difficult. Also Read | Donald Trump loses bid to delay hush money trial in major courtroom setback He also claimed that the borough was “overwhelmingly biased” against him. However, in his decision on Friday, Judge Juan Merchan said an indefinite delay in the trial was “not tenable.” Trump “appears to take the position that his situation and this case are unique and that the pre-trial publicity will never subside. However, this view does not align with reality,” Judge Merchan wrote. He also noted how the former president himself is responsible for generating this publicity around his legal woes because of his statements. Merchan said that Trump was “personally responsible for generating much, if not most, of the surrounding publicity with his public statements” outside courtrooms and on social media. “The situation Defendant finds himself in now is not new to him and at least in part, of his own doing,” the judge added. He also said that questioning prospective jurors would address any concerns about their ability to be impartial. Trump lawyer Todd Blanche, in a court filing last month, argued that “potential jurors in Manhattan have been exposed to huge amounts of biased and unfair media coverage relating to this case.” Meanwhile, the prosecutors argued that the publicity was not likely to drop, and it would be “perverse” to reward the former president with a delay based on the media attention he is responsible for. ‘Very unfair’ Meanwhile, Trump on Friday, told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, that he planned on testifying during the trial and called the case a “scam,” and went on to call the trial “very unfair”. Also Read | Stormy Daniels hush money case: Trump’s historic criminal trial set for April 15 “All I can do is tell the truth…(and) the truth is, they have no case,” said the former president. When asked about the jury selection Trump said it was “largely luck” and “depends who you get.” Trump has pleaded not guilty to the 34-count indictment, brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat. This includes charges of accounting fraud and falsifying business records to cover up the $130,000 payment to the adult film star ahead of the 2016 presidential election. The prosecutors have also accused Trump of illegally covering up remittances to his long-time lawyer, Michael Cohen to reimburse him for payments about the Republican frontrunner’s alleged extramarital sexual relations with Daniels and a Playboy model. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump’s hush money case: Judge declines to delay historic trial over complaints of publicity

Watch in top headlines of the hour: - Biden warns on Beijing's South China sea moves - Boeing safety hearing in focus - Putin calls Ukraine peace summit a 'circus' - Israel preparing for other scenarios

Putin calls Ukraine peace summit a 'circus' | Boeing safety hearing in focus

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant met US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Thursday (April 11) and said that Israel will directly respond to any attack launched by Iran.

“A direct Iranian attack will require an appropriate Israeli response against Iran," said Gallant, while speaking to Austin, as per the remarks issued by his office.

According to the Pentagon, the two leaders discussed the "iron-clad" commitment extended by the United States to Israel amid increasing threats from Iran and its proxies.

Austin emphasised “ironclad US support for Israel’s defence in the face of growing threats from Iran and its regional proxies," read the Pentagon statement.&nbsp;

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"Echoing President Biden's unequivocal message to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Secretary Austin assured Minister Gallant that Israel could count on full US&nbsp;support to defend Israel against Iranian attacks, which Tehran has publicly threatened," stated the Pentagon.

“Secretary Austin assured Minister Gallant that Israel could count on full US support to defend Israel against Iranian attacks, which Tehran has publicly threatened,” the readout added.

It stated that the US general for the Middle East, Army General Michael "Erik" Kurilla's visit to Israel was also scheduled earlier so that he could meet with Israeli military leadership and discuss "current security threats." In recent months, Kurilla has been frequently travelling to Israel.

<h2>US asks embassy employees to limit their travel in Israel</h2>

The United States said that they have asked their employees in Israel to avoid travelling outside the greater Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Beersheba areas with their family members.

“Out of an abundance of caution, US government employees and their family members are restricted from personal travel outside the greater Tel Aviv (including Herzliya, Netanya and Even Yehuda), Jerusalem, and Beersheba areas until further notice,” said the US embassy, in a security alert posted on its website.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine War: Ukraine parliament passes bill overhauling army mobilisation rules

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“US government personnel are authorised to transit between these three areas for personal travel," it added.

The United States, as part of its government policy, informs all American citizens via such warnings about updated security measures for its employees in any country.&nbsp;

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving &nbsp;Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq and non-state actors like Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant met US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Thursday (April 11) and said that Israel will directly respond to any attack launched by Iran.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant met US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Thursday (April 11) and said that Israel will directly respond to any attack launched by Iran. “A direct Iranian attack will require an appropriate Israeli response against Iran," said Gallant, while speaking to Austin, as per the remarks issued by his office. According to the Pentagon, the two leaders discussed the "iron-clad" commitment extended by the United States to Israel amid increasing threats from Iran and its proxies. Austin emphasised “ironclad US support for Israel’s defence in the face of growing threats from Iran and its regional proxies," read the Pentagon statement. Also Read: Iran likely to launch retaliatory attack on Israel in next two days: report "Echoing President Biden's unequivocal message to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Secretary Austin assured Minister Gallant that Israel could count on full US support to defend Israel against Iranian attacks, which Tehran has publicly threatened," stated the Pentagon. “Secretary Austin assured Minister Gallant that Israel could count on full US support to defend Israel against Iranian attacks, which Tehran has publicly threatened,” the readout added. It stated that the US general for the Middle East, Army General Michael "Erik" Kurilla's visit to Israel was also scheduled earlier so that he could meet with Israeli military leadership and discuss "current security threats." In recent months, Kurilla has been frequently travelling to Israel. US asks embassy employees to limit their travel in Israel The United States said that they have asked their employees in Israel to avoid travelling outside the greater Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Beersheba areas with their family members. “Out of an abundance of caution, US government employees and their family members are restricted from personal travel outside the greater Tel Aviv (including Herzliya, Netanya and Even Yehuda), Jerusalem, and Beersheba areas until further notice,” said the US embassy, in a security alert posted on its website. Watch: Russia-Ukraine War: Ukraine parliament passes bill overhauling army mobilisation rules “US government personnel are authorised to transit between these three areas for personal travel," it added. The United States, as part of its government policy, informs all American citizens via such warnings about updated security measures for its employees in any country. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq and non-state actors like Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos. (With inputs from agencies)

Pentagon chief meets Israeli defence minister, discusses 'iron-clad' commitment

Russian forces recently have increased attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure using advanced weapons. An analysis report by Kyiv claimed that Russia has been aiding its advances in Ukraine with the help of mass use of "drop-and-forget" guided bombs containing foreign components.&nbsp;

The report, which has been obtained by the UK-based newspaper The Guardian, mentioned that high explosive and cluster bombs have apparently become a central threat on the frontline. Such weaponry has forced back Ukrainian forces. As per the report, these bombs are fitted with "UMPC" - short for Universal Module for Planning &amp; Correction, guiding systems with a range of 40-60km.&nbsp;

The analysis said that these weapons are fired from a distance by aircraft which also "played a key role in the destruction of Avdiivka and the seizure of its ruins by Russia".&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-missiles-attack-trypilska-nuclear-power-plant-in-kyiv-710124">Russian missiles attack Trypilska nuclear power plant in Kyiv</a>

As quoted, the Ukrainian analysts write: "Russia uses UMPC bombs primarily to its targets in frontline areas, minimising the possibility of its own aircraft being hit by Ukrainian air defences. In just one week, from 26 February to 3 March, Russia used more than 500 [guided aerial bombs with a mounted UMPC]".&nbsp;

The report mentioned that the freefalling Soviet design bombs used by the Russian military are being easily transformed into guided ones. It is done by adding a UMPC "planning and correction module", cheap wings and satellite navigation systems to the existing bombs.&nbsp;

Russian forces captured the bastion town of Avdiivka in February, with Ukrainian soldiers facing long-term shortages of advanced and precision weapons. Avdiivka emerged to be the biggest gain since capturing Bakhmut last year in May.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-passes-law-that-would-govern-how-new-conscripts-are-recruited-710120">Ukraine passes law that would govern how new conscripts are recruited</a>&nbsp;

Recently, Ukrainian forces claimed that they are still in control of the town of Chasiv Yar in eastern Ukraine despite attempts by Russian troops to break through their defences.&nbsp;

While Russia claimed to have made a rapid advance on Chasiv Yar, which is a heavily fortified town with a pre-war population of 12,200 and situated west of the ruined Russia-occupied city of Bakhmut. Russian victory in Chasiv Yar would be a grim setback for Kyiv.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;War amputee returns to civilian life, meet Oleksander Revtiukh, who lost his leg in action&nbsp;

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<h2>Ukraine passes bill to overhaul army draft rules&nbsp;</h2>

War-ravaged Ukraine passed a bill on Thursday (April 11) to overhaul how the armed forces would draft civilians into its ranks. This comes after a general told the chamber that Russian forces outnumbered Kyiv's troops by upto ten times on the battlefield in the east.&nbsp;

The bill aims to boost the number of troops after more than two years of Russia's full-scale invasion. The bill was overtly backed by the military.

"Pass this law and the Ukrainian Armed Forces will not let down you or the Ukrainian people," General Yuriy Sodol, commander of the joint forces, told lawmakers.

"We are maintaining our defences with our last strength," he further said as lawmakers stood up and applauded.&nbsp;

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Russian forces recently have increased attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure using advanced weapons. An analysis report by Kyiv claimed that Russia has been aiding its advances in Ukraine with the help of mass use of "drop-and-forget" guided bombs containing foreign components.

Russian forces recently have increased attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure using advanced weapons. An analysis report by Kyiv claimed that Russia has been aiding its advances in Ukraine with the help of mass use of "drop-and-forget" guided bombs containing foreign components. The report, which has been obtained by the UK-based newspaper The Guardian, mentioned that high explosive and cluster bombs have apparently become a central threat on the frontline. Such weaponry has forced back Ukrainian forces. As per the report, these bombs are fitted with "UMPC" - short for Universal Module for Planning & Correction, guiding systems with a range of 40-60km. The analysis said that these weapons are fired from a distance by aircraft which also "played a key role in the destruction of Avdiivka and the seizure of its ruins by Russia". Also read: Russian missiles attack Trypilska nuclear power plant in Kyiv As quoted, the Ukrainian analysts write: "Russia uses UMPC bombs primarily to its targets in frontline areas, minimising the possibility of its own aircraft being hit by Ukrainian air defences. In just one week, from 26 February to 3 March, Russia used more than 500 [guided aerial bombs with a mounted UMPC]". The report mentioned that the freefalling Soviet design bombs used by the Russian military are being easily transformed into guided ones. It is done by adding a UMPC "planning and correction module", cheap wings and satellite navigation systems to the existing bombs. Russian forces captured the bastion town of Avdiivka in February, with Ukrainian soldiers facing long-term shortages of advanced and precision weapons. Avdiivka emerged to be the biggest gain since capturing Bakhmut last year in May. Also read: Ukraine passes law that would govern how new conscripts are recruited Recently, Ukrainian forces claimed that they are still in control of the town of Chasiv Yar in eastern Ukraine despite attempts by Russian troops to break through their defences. While Russia claimed to have made a rapid advance on Chasiv Yar, which is a heavily fortified town with a pre-war population of 12,200 and situated west of the ruined Russia-occupied city of Bakhmut. Russian victory in Chasiv Yar would be a grim setback for Kyiv. Watch: War amputee returns to civilian life, meet Oleksander Revtiukh, who lost his leg in action × Ukraine passes bill to overhaul army draft rules War-ravaged Ukraine passed a bill on Thursday (April 11) to overhaul how the armed forces would draft civilians into its ranks. This comes after a general told the chamber that Russian forces outnumbered Kyiv's troops by upto ten times on the battlefield in the east. The bill aims to boost the number of troops after more than two years of Russia's full-scale invasion. The bill was overtly backed by the military. "Pass this law and the Ukrainian Armed Forces will not let down you or the Ukrainian people," General Yuriy Sodol, commander of the joint forces, told lawmakers. "We are maintaining our defences with our last strength," he further said as lawmakers stood up and applauded. Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos (With inputs from agencies)

Ukraine claims Russia majorly using guided bombs and advance weapons: Report

United States (US) President Joe Biden said on Thursday (Apr 11) that Washington's defence commitments to Japan and the Philippines were "ironclad" as he hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

United States (US) President Joe Biden said on Thursday (Apr 11) that Washington's defence commitments to Japan and the Philippines were "ironclad" as he hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. amid the two countries' territorial disputes with China. In a first-of-its-kind trilateral summit, Biden, Kishida, and Marcos Jr. unveiled a wide range of agreements to enhance security and economic ties. "United States defence commitments to Japan and to the Philippines are ironclad," Biden said. South China Sea tops summit agenda Topping the summit's agenda was China's increasing presence in the South China Sea, which has escalated despite a personal appeal by Biden to Chinese President Xi Jinping last year, a report by the news agency Reuters said. Also read | Support from 'indispensable' US vital for Ukraine's survival, Japan PM tells Congress The Philippines and China had several maritime run-ins in March that included the use of water cannons and heated verbal exchanges. These disputes centre on the Second Thomas Shoal, home to a small number of Filipino troops stationed on a warship that Manila grounded there in 1999 to reinforce its sovereignty claims. During Thursday's meeting, Biden affirmed that a 1950s-era mutual defence treaty binding Washington and Manila would require the US to respond to an armed attack on the Philippines in the South China Sea. Japan, meanwhile, has a dispute with China over islands in the East China Sea. Deals struck on defence, AI, space During the summit, deals were struck in the areas of defence, artificial intelligence (AI), space, and other areas. The US and Japan announced plans to upgrade their military alliance, and Biden's meeting with Kishida addressed Japan's possible involvement in advanced capabilities projects of the AUKUS security pact. Also watch | US-Japan forge new deals and partnership eyeing Indo-Pacific tensions × On Tuesday, American software giant Microsoft announced it would invest $2.9 billion over two years to expand its cloud and AI infrastructure in Japan. In the space sector, Japan is hoping to land its first astronaut on the moon with the US Artemis project. The US and Japan also signalled support for a plan to build the first high-speed rail in the US using Japanese bullet trains. Meanwhile, the US would place undisclosed "humanitarian relief commodities" at Philippine military bases. Facebook parent Meta has invested in a submarine cable system that would connect the US with the Philippines. Biden's Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment backed a new Luzon corridor effort in the Philippines, aimed at infrastructure projects including ports, rail, clean energy and semiconductor supply chains. (With inputs from agencies)

US defence commitments to Japan and Philippines are 'ironclad': President Joe Biden

China's military aggression and dominance in the Indo-Pacific region have brought together the US, Japan and the Philippines. White House hosted the first trilateral meeting between the leaders of these nations. Keep watching to know more!

US-Japan-Philippines Summit: Biden warns on Beijing's South China Sea moves

The US Congress is fighting against time to renew its spy program which is considered critical to US National Security. However, it faces uncertainty as lawmakers are citing reservations over how the authority empowers warless domestic surveillance as well.

US: FISA surveillance law in spotlight as lawmakers debate key spy program

Authorities in the Colombian capital of Bogota have asked&nbsp;couples to shower together amid urgent calls for water rationing in the city. The drought-like situations have become a major cause of concern as authorities planning to alleviate droughts brought about&nbsp;by the El Nino weather pattern.&nbsp;

The situation became worse by the Andean country's dry season and caused reservoir levels to fall, Bogota Mayor Carlos Galan said Monday.&nbsp;

Reports have said that in order to tackle dangerously low water levels at reservoirs, some of the major regions were cut off from the water grid on Thursday. The reservoirs are not getting enough rain because of the weather phenomenon known as El Niño.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-warns-of-waterborne-illnesses-in-gaza-as-clean-water-dwindles-710622">UN warns of waterborne illnesses in Gaza as clean water dwindles</a>&nbsp;

Amid the crisis situation, Carlos Fernando Galán, who is the mayor of Bogotá said,&nbsp;"Shower as a couple. This is an educational exercise in saving water, nothing else. That kind of thing is going to help us a lot. Those behavioural changes are key."&nbsp;

As local reports highlighted that the reservoirs were at "historic lows", the mayor also requested the residents to consider abandoning their daily hygiene practices entirely.&nbsp;

Ahead of the water cuts, the mayor said, "If you are not going to leave your house on Sunday or any other day of the week, take advantage of it and do not take a bath."&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-city-calls-for-mass-evacuations-due-to-rapidly-rising-flood-waters-710590">Russian city calls for mass evacuations due to rapidly rising flood waters</a>

The El Nino phenomenon arrived in Colombia at the end of 2023. It led to a rise in temperatures and droughts that caused forest fires throughout the Andean country and pushed reservoirs to their lowest levels in decades.&nbsp;

Earlier this week on Monday, Galan announced that the restrictions will also apply to 11 municipalities close to the capital, affecting at least nine million people.&nbsp;

Three reservoirs that make up the Chingaza water system, which supplies Bogota with 70 per cent of its water needs, are at just 16.9 per cent capacity, Galan said, their lowest level in 40 years.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Chinese dam project reopens after deadly Pakistan attack&nbsp;

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"Let's not waste a drop of water in Bogota at this time," Galan said in a press conference. He added that "it will help us so that these restrictions can be lifted more quickly or reduced".&nbsp;

Bogota joins Mexico's capital Mexico City and its surrounding areas - home to some 21 million - which has faced water shortages for years due to low rainfall that has been attributed to climate change, as well as a growing population and antiquated infrastructure.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Authorities in the Colombian capital of Bogota have asked couples to shower together amid urgent calls for water rationing in the city. The drought-like situations have become a major cause of concern as authorities planning to alleviate droughts brought about by the El Nino weather pattern.

Authorities in the Colombian capital of Bogota have asked couples to shower together amid urgent calls for water rationing in the city. The drought-like situations have become a major cause of concern as authorities planning to alleviate droughts brought about by the El Nino weather pattern. The situation became worse by the Andean country's dry season and caused reservoir levels to fall, Bogota Mayor Carlos Galan said Monday. Reports have said that in order to tackle dangerously low water levels at reservoirs, some of the major regions were cut off from the water grid on Thursday. The reservoirs are not getting enough rain because of the weather phenomenon known as El Niño. Also read: UN warns of waterborne illnesses in Gaza as clean water dwindles Amid the crisis situation, Carlos Fernando Galán, who is the mayor of Bogotá said, "Shower as a couple. This is an educational exercise in saving water, nothing else. That kind of thing is going to help us a lot. Those behavioural changes are key." As local reports highlighted that the reservoirs were at "historic lows", the mayor also requested the residents to consider abandoning their daily hygiene practices entirely. Ahead of the water cuts, the mayor said, "If you are not going to leave your house on Sunday or any other day of the week, take advantage of it and do not take a bath." Also read: Russian city calls for mass evacuations due to rapidly rising flood waters The El Nino phenomenon arrived in Colombia at the end of 2023. It led to a rise in temperatures and droughts that caused forest fires throughout the Andean country and pushed reservoirs to their lowest levels in decades. Earlier this week on Monday, Galan announced that the restrictions will also apply to 11 municipalities close to the capital, affecting at least nine million people. Three reservoirs that make up the Chingaza water system, which supplies Bogota with 70 per cent of its water needs, are at just 16.9 per cent capacity, Galan said, their lowest level in 40 years. Watch: Chinese dam project reopens after deadly Pakistan attack × "Let's not waste a drop of water in Bogota at this time," Galan said in a press conference. He added that "it will help us so that these restrictions can be lifted more quickly or reduced". Bogota joins Mexico's capital Mexico City and its surrounding areas - home to some 21 million - which has faced water shortages for years due to low rainfall that has been attributed to climate change, as well as a growing population and antiquated infrastructure. (With inputs from agencies)

Couples in Bogota asked to 'shower together' as city begins rationing water amid historic drought

Amid the Israel-Iran tensions, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued a cautionary advisory and urged all Indian citizens to refrain from travelling to either of the countries until further notice. In news from India's Lok Sabha Elections, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a roadshow in Rajasthan's Barmer. WION is tracking all the happenings in its LIVE blog ahead of the general elections 2024.

In other news, Taiwan's Foreign Minister, Joseph Wu, expressed confidence in India's potential to emerge as a leading semiconductor manufacturer, replacing China.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indians-advised-not-to-travel-to-iran-and-israel-till-further-notice-710555">Middle East crisis: Indians advised not to travel to Iran and Israel</a>

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Indian foreign ministry on Friday (Apr 12) issued an advisory to all Indians asking them to not travel to Iran or Israel till further notice amid the escalating tensions in the West Asian region.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-elections-live-bsp-names-nine-more-candidates-in-up-710384">Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Cong's thinking is anti-development, says Modi in Barmer</a>

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Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE Updates:&nbsp;Only a few days are left for the start of the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections in India. As per the general elections schedule&nbsp;announced last month, the first phase of polling will take place&nbsp;on April 19 (Friday).&nbsp;

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Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu expressed his optimism that India could replace China as the major semiconductor manufacturer as "China may not be a reliable partner in high-tech production".&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-born-author-salman-rushdie-opens-up-on-horrific-stabbing-it-felt-like-710626">India-born author Rushdie opens up on horrific stabbing: 'It felt like...'</a>

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Novelist Salman Rushdie finally opened up about the horrific stabbing in which he lost the use of an eye. A US citizen of Lebanese origin stabbed him in August 2022 during a literary conference in the New York area.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/who-is-aroh-barjatya-indian-origin-professor-who-led-nasa-mission-during-solar-eclipse-710584">Who is Aroh Barjatya? Indian-origin who led NASA's solar eclipse mission</a>

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A professor of Engineering Physics and Director of the Space and Atmospheric Instrumentation Lab at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), the Indian-origin Aroh Barjatya, spearheaded a recent NASA mission where the space agency launched three sounding rockets during the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-delhi-court-sends-brs-leader-k-kavitha-to-cbi-custody-till-april-15-710519">India: Delhi court sends BRS leader K Kavitha to CBI custody till April 15</a>

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Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court on Friday (Apr 12) sent Bharat Rasthra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) custody till April 15 over the Delhi excise policy case.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-hikes-minimum-annual-income-threshold-for-family-visas-new-visa-rule-details-710520">UK hikes minimum annual income threshold for family visas | New visa rule details</a>

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The Rishi Sunak government on Thursday increased the minimum income threshold required to sponsor a family member’s visa in the United Kingdom. The move is seen as a step towards Britain’s plan to cut down immigration levels in the country.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thai-foreign-minister-visits-myanmar-border-amid-rising-tensions-prepares-for-possible-refugee-influx-710521">Thai foreign minister visits Myanmar border amid rising tensions, prepares for possible refugee influx</a>

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'Thailand's Foreign Minister, Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, embarked on a visit to the Myanmar border on Friday (Apr 12) in the aftermath of recent clashes between junta fighters and&nbsp;ethnic minority armed groups.&nbsp;During his visit, Foreign Minister Parnpree will assess the preparations for managing a potential influx of refugees from Myanmar.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-administration-forgives-an-additional-74-billion-in-student-loans-710506">Biden administration forgives an additional $7.4 billion in student loans</a>

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In a bid to woo the young generation in the upcoming elections, United States President Joe Biden's administration has announced to cancel $7.4 billion more in student loans.

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<img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/04/12/424683-horizons-2024-04-12t171640245.jpg?imwidth=400" />

A fallen football star turned Hollywood actor, OJ Simpson succumbed to prostate cancer on April 10 but beyond this description, the star was known for his proximity to the now extremely famous Kardashian family (which were not such a huge deal back then).&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Amid the Israel-Iran tensions, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued a cautionary advisory and urged all Indian citizens to refrain from travelling to either of the countries until further notice.

Amid the Israel-Iran tensions, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued a cautionary advisory and urged all Indian citizens to refrain from travelling to either of the countries until further notice. In news from India's Lok Sabha Elections, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a roadshow in Rajasthan's Barmer. WION is tracking all the happenings in its LIVE blog ahead of the general elections 2024. In other news, Taiwan's Foreign Minister, Joseph Wu, expressed confidence in India's potential to emerge as a leading semiconductor manufacturer, replacing China. Middle East crisis: Indians advised not to travel to Iran and Israel Indian foreign ministry on Friday (Apr 12) issued an advisory to all Indians asking them to not travel to Iran or Israel till further notice amid the escalating tensions in the West Asian region. Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: Cong's thinking is anti-development, says Modi in Barmer Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE Updates: Only a few days are left for the start of the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections in India. As per the general elections schedule announced last month, the first phase of polling will take place on April 19 (Friday). India can replace China as major semiconductor manufacturer, says Taiwan FM Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu expressed his optimism that India could replace China as the major semiconductor manufacturer as "China may not be a reliable partner in high-tech production". India-born author Rushdie opens up on horrific stabbing: 'It felt like...' Novelist Salman Rushdie finally opened up about the horrific stabbing in which he lost the use of an eye. A US citizen of Lebanese origin stabbed him in August 2022 during a literary conference in the New York area. Who is Aroh Barjatya? Indian-origin who led NASA's solar eclipse mission A professor of Engineering Physics and Director of the Space and Atmospheric Instrumentation Lab at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), the Indian-origin Aroh Barjatya, spearheaded a recent NASA mission where the space agency launched three sounding rockets during the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. India: Delhi court sends BRS leader K Kavitha to CBI custody till April 15 Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court on Friday (Apr 12) sent Bharat Rasthra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) custody till April 15 over the Delhi excise policy case. UK hikes minimum annual income threshold for family visas | New visa rule details The Rishi Sunak government on Thursday increased the minimum income threshold required to sponsor a family member’s visa in the United Kingdom. The move is seen as a step towards Britain’s plan to cut down immigration levels in the country. Thai foreign minister visits Myanmar border amid rising tensions, prepares for possible refugee influx 'Thailand's Foreign Minister, Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, embarked on a visit to the Myanmar border on Friday (Apr 12) in the aftermath of recent clashes between junta fighters and ethnic minority armed groups. During his visit, Foreign Minister Parnpree will assess the preparations for managing a potential influx of refugees from Myanmar. Biden administration forgives an additional $7.4 billion in student loans In a bid to woo the young generation in the upcoming elections, United States President Joe Biden's administration has announced to cancel $7.4 billion more in student loans. OJ Simpson and Kardashians relationship explained: How were they related? A fallen football star turned Hollywood actor, OJ Simpson succumbed to prostate cancer on April 10 but beyond this description, the star was known for his proximity to the now extremely famous Kardashian family (which were not such a huge deal back then).

Top 10 world news: Indians advised not to travel to Iran and Israel, India's Lok Sabha elections 2024, & more

Novelist Salman Rushdie finally opened up about the horrific stabbing in which he lost the use of an eye. A US citizen of Lebanese origin stabbed him in August 2022 during a literary conference in the New York area.&nbsp;

"It felt like something coming out of the distant past and trying to drag me back in time, if you like, back into that distant past, in order to kill me," Rushdie said while speaking in his first television interview since the attack. The interview with CBS will be broadcast on Sunday (Apr 14).&nbsp;

The Booker Prize-winning author of The Satanic Verses&nbsp;and Midnight's Children&nbsp;spent 18 days in the hospital and three weeks in rehab after the knife attack. The Indian-born British-American author had received life-threatening injuries and underwent emergency surgery.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/who-is-aroh-barjatya-indian-origin-professor-who-led-nasa-mission-during-solar-eclipse-710584">Who is Aroh Barjatya? Indian-origin professor who led NASA mission during solar eclipse</a>&nbsp;

The attacker, identified as Hadi Matar of Fairview, New Jersey, stabbed him multiple times while he was preparing to deliver a lecture on a stage at the Chautauqua Institution in New York State.&nbsp;

Rushdie's memoir Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder, which is based on the attack is all set to get published. The acclaimed author recalled his first thoughts when he saw the attacker.&nbsp;

While reading from his forthcoming memoir, he said "I was seated at stage right. Then, in the corner of my right eye – the last thing my right eye would ever see – I saw the man in black running toward me down the right-hand side of the seating area. Black clothes, black face mask. He was coming in hard and low. A squat missile."&nbsp;

"I confess, I had sometimes imagined my assassin rising up in some public forum or other, and coming for me in just this way. So my first thought when I saw this murderous shape rushing towards me was, 'So it's you. Here you are.'"&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-hikes-minimum-annual-income-threshold-for-family-visas-new-visa-rule-details-710520">UK hikes minimum annual income threshold for family visas | New visa rule details</a>&nbsp;

<h2>Why was Rushdie attacked?&nbsp;</h2>

The author was attacked 33 years after Iran's then-leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, issued a fatwa against him over the publication of The Satanic Verses in 1988. A year later the ex-Iranian leader had called upon Muslims to kill the novelist and anyone involved in its publication for blasphemy.

It is believed that Rushdie was attacked because of his infamous novel The Satanic Verses, however, it's&nbsp;not confirmed.&nbsp;

The author spent years hiding under death threats from Iran. The novel was banned in many countries with large Muslim populations. However, Iran denied any involvement in the New York attack.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Novelist Salman Rushdie finally opened up about the horrific stabbing in which he lost the use of an eye. A US citizen of Lebanese origin stabbed him in August 2022 during a literary conference in the New York area.

Novelist Salman Rushdie finally opened up about the horrific stabbing in which he lost the use of an eye. A US citizen of Lebanese origin stabbed him in August 2022 during a literary conference in the New York area. "It felt like something coming out of the distant past and trying to drag me back in time, if you like, back into that distant past, in order to kill me," Rushdie said while speaking in his first television interview since the attack. The interview with CBS will be broadcast on Sunday (Apr 14). The Booker Prize-winning author of The Satanic Verses and Midnight's Children spent 18 days in the hospital and three weeks in rehab after the knife attack. The Indian-born British-American author had received life-threatening injuries and underwent emergency surgery. Also read: Who is Aroh Barjatya? Indian-origin professor who led NASA mission during solar eclipse The attacker, identified as Hadi Matar of Fairview, New Jersey, stabbed him multiple times while he was preparing to deliver a lecture on a stage at the Chautauqua Institution in New York State. Rushdie's memoir Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder, which is based on the attack is all set to get published. The acclaimed author recalled his first thoughts when he saw the attacker. While reading from his forthcoming memoir, he said "I was seated at stage right. Then, in the corner of my right eye – the last thing my right eye would ever see – I saw the man in black running toward me down the right-hand side of the seating area. Black clothes, black face mask. He was coming in hard and low. A squat missile." "I confess, I had sometimes imagined my assassin rising up in some public forum or other, and coming for me in just this way. So my first thought when I saw this murderous shape rushing towards me was, 'So it's you. Here you are.'" Also read: UK hikes minimum annual income threshold for family visas | New visa rule details Why was Rushdie attacked? The author was attacked 33 years after Iran's then-leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, issued a fatwa against him over the publication of The Satanic Verses in 1988. A year later the ex-Iranian leader had called upon Muslims to kill the novelist and anyone involved in its publication for blasphemy. It is believed that Rushdie was attacked because of his infamous novel The Satanic Verses, however, it's not confirmed. The author spent years hiding under death threats from Iran. The novel was banned in many countries with large Muslim populations. However, Iran denied any involvement in the New York attack. (With inputs from agencies)

India-born author Salman Rushdie opens up on horrific stabbing: 'It felt like...'

Russian President Vladimir Putin ridiculed the Ukraine peace talks, a round of which is set to be held in Switzerland, on Thursday (April 11) and said that no enforced plans, which ignore Moscow's interests, will be accepted.

On Wednesday (April 10), the government of Switzerland announced will host a high-level international conference on June 15 and 16 which is aimed at finding a way towards peace in Ukraine amid the war with Russia which has continued for two years.&nbsp;

Switzerland further expressed hope that Russia may also join the peace process someday.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-claims-russia-using-majorly-using-guided-bombs-in-advances-report-710248">Ukraine claims Russia majorly using guided bombs and advance weapons: Report</a>

<h2>Putin says no invitation to Russia is 'funny if it weren’t so sad'&nbsp;</h2>

Putin said that Russia was not invited to the peace talks to be held in June and pointed out that a peace process can’t take place without Russia.

“They aren’t inviting us there. Moreover, they think there is nothing for us to do there, but at the same time, they say that it’s impossible to decide anything without us. It would have been funny if it weren’t so sad," Putin said.

Putin added that Russia is ready to hold negotiations, but the country will never accept “any schemes that have nothing to do with reality”.

The peace formula introduced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which needed Moscow to face an international tribunal for its steps, pull back its troops and pay compensation to Ukraine has already been dismissed

On Thursday (April 11), the Kremlin said that Ukraine peace talks, which are likely to be held in Switzerland in June, did not make any "sense” unless Russia did not participate in it.

Watch:&nbsp;Ukrainian drone blitz forces Russia to shield its infrastructure

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“We said many times that the process of [peace] talks without Russia makes no sense,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said any action decided on Ukraine that “ignores Russia’s position” was “detached from reality” and had “no perspective”.

She further slammed the “peace formula” which was proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ukraine and around 100 countries will be participating in the conference which will be organised at the luxury Burgenstock resort near the central city of Luzern. The conference will be hosted by Swiss President Viola Amherd.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Russian President Vladimir Putin ridiculed the Ukraine peace talks, a round of which is set to be held in Switzerland, on Thursday (April 11) and said that no enforced plans, which ignore Moscow's interests, will be accepted.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ridiculed the Ukraine peace talks, a round of which is set to be held in Switzerland, on Thursday (April 11) and said that no enforced plans, which ignore Moscow's interests, will be accepted. On Wednesday (April 10), the government of Switzerland announced will host a high-level international conference on June 15 and 16 which is aimed at finding a way towards peace in Ukraine amid the war with Russia which has continued for two years. Switzerland further expressed hope that Russia may also join the peace process someday. Also Read: Ukraine claims Russia majorly using guided bombs and advance weapons: Report Putin says no invitation to Russia is 'funny if it weren’t so sad' Putin said that Russia was not invited to the peace talks to be held in June and pointed out that a peace process can’t take place without Russia. “They aren’t inviting us there. Moreover, they think there is nothing for us to do there, but at the same time, they say that it’s impossible to decide anything without us. It would have been funny if it weren’t so sad," Putin said. Putin added that Russia is ready to hold negotiations, but the country will never accept “any schemes that have nothing to do with reality”. The peace formula introduced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which needed Moscow to face an international tribunal for its steps, pull back its troops and pay compensation to Ukraine has already been dismissed On Thursday (April 11), the Kremlin said that Ukraine peace talks, which are likely to be held in Switzerland in June, did not make any "sense” unless Russia did not participate in it. Watch: Ukrainian drone blitz forces Russia to shield its infrastructure “We said many times that the process of [peace] talks without Russia makes no sense,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said any action decided on Ukraine that “ignores Russia’s position” was “detached from reality” and had “no perspective”. She further slammed the “peace formula” which was proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Ukraine and around 100 countries will be participating in the conference which will be organised at the luxury Burgenstock resort near the central city of Luzern. The conference will be hosted by Swiss President Viola Amherd. Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos (With inputs from agencies)

Putin ridicules Ukraine 'peace' talks without Russia's participation

The lack of safe drinking water and rising temperatures are causing a surge in waterborne diseases, residents are receiving far less water than they need, creating a dangerous situation, said the United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Gaza on Friday (April 12).

The UN official emphasised the urgent need for increased water supplies, especially in crowded areas.

"The weather is becoming very hot there," Jamie McGoldrick informed the reporters via video link from Jerusalem.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indians-advised-not-to-travel-to-iran-and-israel-till-further-notice-710555" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indians-advised-not-to-travel-to-iran-and-israel-till-further-notice-710555&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjiv5WZ-ryFAxUb-DgGHWVwDKAQFnoECAEQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw0Rc8ItB5DDQTPoPmZhEgK4&amp;arm=e" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indians-advised-not-to-travel-to-iran-and-israel-till-further-notice-710555" target="_blank">Indians advised not to travel to Iran and&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;till further notice</a>

"People are getting very less water than they are in need of, and as a result, there have been waterborne diseases due to lack of safe and clean water and the disruption of the sanitation systems."

"We have to find a way in the months ahead of how we can have a better supply of water into the areas where people are currently crowded at the moment," McGoldrick said, after making his final visit to Gaza at the end of his three-month assignment.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the critical issue of waterborne diseases in Gaza.

Contaminated water and inadequate sanitation systems put residents at risk of illnesses like cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, and hepatitis A.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-likely-to-avoid-major-escalation-in-retaliatory-attack-israel-remains-on-high-alert-710328" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-likely-to-avoid-major-escalation-in-retaliatory-attack-israel-remains-on-high-alert-710328&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjiv5WZ-ryFAxUb-DgGHWVwDKAQFnoECAgQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw1uQYy2vp7M3_n5FVwIvYv0&amp;arm=e" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-likely-to-avoid-major-escalation-in-retaliatory-attack-israel-remains-on-high-alert-710328" target="_blank">Iran to avoid 'major escalation' in retaliatory attack,&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;on 'high alert'</a>

Since last year (mid-October), following the assault on Gaza in response to deadly attacks in southern Israel by Hamas, WHO has recorded more than 345,000 cases of diarrhoea, including more than 105,000 in children under 5.

The sole natural water source for the Gaza Strip is the Coastal Aquifer Basin, stretching from the northern Sinai Peninsula in Egypt along the eastern Mediterranean coast through Gaza and into Israel.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-warns-of-major-iranian-strikes-on-israel-which-will-escalate-the-ongoing-war-710200" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/us-warns-of-major-iranian-strikes-on-israel-which-will-escalate-the-ongoing-war-710200&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjiv5WZ-ryFAxUb-DgGHWVwDKAQFnoECAQQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw3vhsGGj8BLhLGzRqiRlg34&amp;arm=e" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-warns-of-major-iranian-strikes-on-israel-which-will-escalate-the-ongoing-war-710200" target="_blank">US warns of major Iranian strikes on&nbsp;Israel, raises concerns of war&nbsp;</a>

However, its quality has significantly declined over time due to excessive pumping to meet the needs of Gaza's population, surpassing the replenishment rate from rainwater.

(With inputs from agencies)

The lack of safe drinking water and rising temperatures are causing a surge in waterborne diseases, residents are receiving far less water than they need, creating a dangerous situation, said the United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Gaza on Friday (April 12).

The lack of safe drinking water and rising temperatures are causing a surge in waterborne diseases, residents are receiving far less water than they need, creating a dangerous situation, said the United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Gaza on Friday (April 12). The UN official emphasised the urgent need for increased water supplies, especially in crowded areas. "The weather is becoming very hot there," Jamie McGoldrick informed the reporters via video link from Jerusalem. Also read: Indians advised not to travel to Iran and Israel till further notice "People are getting very less water than they are in need of, and as a result, there have been waterborne diseases due to lack of safe and clean water and the disruption of the sanitation systems." "We have to find a way in the months ahead of how we can have a better supply of water into the areas where people are currently crowded at the moment," McGoldrick said, after making his final visit to Gaza at the end of his three-month assignment. The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the critical issue of waterborne diseases in Gaza. Contaminated water and inadequate sanitation systems put residents at risk of illnesses like cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, and hepatitis A. Also read: Iran to avoid 'major escalation' in retaliatory attack, Israel on 'high alert' Since last year (mid-October), following the assault on Gaza in response to deadly attacks in southern Israel by Hamas, WHO has recorded more than 345,000 cases of diarrhoea, including more than 105,000 in children under 5. The sole natural water source for the Gaza Strip is the Coastal Aquifer Basin, stretching from the northern Sinai Peninsula in Egypt along the eastern Mediterranean coast through Gaza and into Israel. Also read: US warns of major Iranian strikes on Israel, raises concerns of war However, its quality has significantly declined over time due to excessive pumping to meet the needs of Gaza's population, surpassing the replenishment rate from rainwater. (With inputs from agencies)

UN warns of waterborne illnesses in Gaza as clean water dwindles

US-Japan-Philippines summit: First trilateral summit between Biden, Kishida & Marcos

The United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), in fresh claims, said that their access to the email system of Microsoft was misused by Russian government-backed hackers to steal correspondence between the tech giant and officials.

The new claims were made in an emergency directive which was issued by the US watchdog on Thursday (April 11).

The agency, in its directive which was dated April 2, issued a warning that the authentication details shared by Microsoft email are being exploited by hackers to gain entry into the customer systems of Microsoft, which included the systems of some unspecified number of government agencies.

Speaking to the reporters, US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) senior official Eric Goldstein said that &nbsp;“several” US federal agencies have been notified by Microsoft about the possibility of hackers stealing their emails by getting access to login information like usernames, or passwords.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korean-hackers-break-into-south-korean-chip-equipment-firms-seoul-696774">North Korean hackers broke into South Korean chip equipment firms: Seoul</a>

“At this time, we are not aware of any agency production environments that have experienced a compromise as a result of a credential exposure,” said Goldstein.&nbsp;

The US watchdog's warning that the stolen Microsoft emails are being used to target government agencies follows the announcement made by the company in March that it was still dealing with the intruders, who had been nicknamed "Midnight Blizzard."

<h2>CISA appeals to civilian agencies to increase their defences</h2>

An “emergency directive” was publicly released by CISA on Thursday (April 11) which gave orders to civilian agencies, which were likely to be affected by the hacking campaign, to increase their defences.&nbsp;

CISA said that the potential leak of agency login credentials is an “unacceptable risk to agencies.”

In an email, Microsoft said that it was "working with our customers to help them investigate and mitigate. This includes working with CISA on an emergency directive to provide guidance to government agencies."

Speaking to CNN on Thursday (April 11), a Microsoft spokesperson said, “As we shared in our March 8 blog, as we discover secrets in our exfiltrated email, we are working with our customers to help them investigate and mitigate. This includes working with CISA on an emergency directive to provide guidance to government agencies.”

Watch:&nbsp;Who is behind hacking operation against US and UK?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/who-is-behind-hacking-operation-against-us-and-uk-704564/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Last week, the US Cyber Safety Review Board submitted a report in which China was blamed for a separate hack. It was said that the hack was preventable and it was a result of a deliberate lack of transparency and cybersecurity lapses.

CISA further said that the hackers may have tried to attack other non-governmental groups as well. "Other organisations may also have been impacted by the exfiltration of Microsoft corporate email," said CISA.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), in fresh claims, said that their access to the email system of Microsoft was misused by Russian government-backed hackers to steal correspondence between the tech giant and officials.

The United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), in fresh claims, said that their access to the email system of Microsoft was misused by Russian government-backed hackers to steal correspondence between the tech giant and officials. The new claims were made in an emergency directive which was issued by the US watchdog on Thursday (April 11). The agency, in its directive which was dated April 2, issued a warning that the authentication details shared by Microsoft email are being exploited by hackers to gain entry into the customer systems of Microsoft, which included the systems of some unspecified number of government agencies. Speaking to the reporters, US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) senior official Eric Goldstein said that “several” US federal agencies have been notified by Microsoft about the possibility of hackers stealing their emails by getting access to login information like usernames, or passwords. Also Read: North Korean hackers broke into South Korean chip equipment firms: Seoul “At this time, we are not aware of any agency production environments that have experienced a compromise as a result of a credential exposure,” said Goldstein. The US watchdog's warning that the stolen Microsoft emails are being used to target government agencies follows the announcement made by the company in March that it was still dealing with the intruders, who had been nicknamed "Midnight Blizzard." CISA appeals to civilian agencies to increase their defences An “emergency directive” was publicly released by CISA on Thursday (April 11) which gave orders to civilian agencies, which were likely to be affected by the hacking campaign, to increase their defences. CISA said that the potential leak of agency login credentials is an “unacceptable risk to agencies.” In an email, Microsoft said that it was "working with our customers to help them investigate and mitigate. This includes working with CISA on an emergency directive to provide guidance to government agencies." Speaking to CNN on Thursday (April 11), a Microsoft spokesperson said, “As we shared in our March 8 blog, as we discover secrets in our exfiltrated email, we are working with our customers to help them investigate and mitigate. This includes working with CISA on an emergency directive to provide guidance to government agencies.” Watch: Who is behind hacking operation against US and UK? Last week, the US Cyber Safety Review Board submitted a report in which China was blamed for a separate hack. It was said that the hack was preventable and it was a result of a deliberate lack of transparency and cybersecurity lapses. CISA further said that the hackers may have tried to attack other non-governmental groups as well. "Other organisations may also have been impacted by the exfiltration of Microsoft corporate email," said CISA. (With inputs from agencies)

Russian hackers used Microsoft to access govt emails: US cyber agency

US' FISA surveillance law under scrutiny in Capitol Hill

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that Israel is keeping up its war in Gaza but is also preparing for scenarios in other areas. Israel has been bracing for possible Iranian retaliation for the killing of a senior General and six officers in a strike on the Iranian Embassy compound in Damascus on the 1st of April.

Israe war: US, Russia, Germany & Britain urge restraint

US-Japan-Philippines summit: Biden vows to back Japan and Philippines

Myanmar is in a state of turmoil. After weeks of fighting between military personnel and rebel groups, anti-junta groups have now claimed control over the critical Border Town of Myawaddy.

Myanmar: Rebel group takes over border town of Myawaddy

US' FISA surveillance law in spotlight

Before a presidential election, each state must certify the results of the presidential race. This certification process involves verifying the integrity of the election. This year, the date for this certification process is clashing with a Democratic National Committee (DNC) gathering in Chicago which is held by the Democratic Party every four years to officially nominate its candidate for President.&nbsp;

Ohio and Alabama earlier raised concerns over the conflict between their ballot certification deadlines and the timing of the DNC convention in August. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen have said that Biden could be left off the November general elections ballot as the DNC meeting comes too late for his name to be on the list.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/taiwan-fm-joseph-wu-speaks-to-wion-on-india-taiwan-ties-semiconductor-indo-pacific-and-more-710541">Taiwan FM Joseph Wu speaks to WION on India-Taiwan ties, semiconductor, Indo-Pacific, and more</a>

In such a situation, the Democratic Party would likely need to tackle these challenges but this could involve legal battles as well. However, Washington State seems to be more open to accommodating the Democrats in such a scenario.&nbsp;

In a letter to DNC Chair Jamie Harrison, Washington's Director of Elections Stuart Holmes proposed a solution, suggesting that if the party submits a provisional certification of nomination by August 20, the deadline under state law, Biden could remain eligible to be on the ballot. Notably, the DNC convention is scheduled from August 19 - 22, 2024.

A senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a member of the Democratic National Committee,&nbsp;Elaine Kamarck, reportedly said,&nbsp;"This has not been something anybody has ever dealt with. … [The GOP Secretaries] just cooked it up. No, this has never happened before."

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-hikes-minimum-annual-income-threshold-for-family-visas-new-visa-rule-details-710520">UK hikes minimum annual income threshold for family visas | New visa rule details</a>

The Biden campaign, along with Democratic officials, has outlined a multi-pronged strategy to ensure Biden's presence on the ballots of Ohio and Alabama.

This includes seeking changes to election filing deadlines through state legislatures, provisional certification, potential litigation, and virtually nominating the Biden-Harris ticket before the convention.

Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-war-israeli-jets-hit-hezbollah-military-targets-710532">Israel war: Israeli jets hit Hezbollah military targets</a>

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A ballot access expert Richard Winger reportedly agreed. "These deadlines don't exist for partisan reasons...But it is kind of partisan this year."&nbsp;

"You have to go all the way back to 1964 to find a state that kept a major party presidential candidate off the ballot, and that had nothing to do with deadlines. … There's never ever since been a major party candidate who was off the ballot in any state," Winger told ABC news.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Before a presidential election, each state must certify the results of the presidential race. This certification process involves verifying the integrity of the election.

Before a presidential election, each state must certify the results of the presidential race. This certification process involves verifying the integrity of the election. This year, the date for this certification process is clashing with a Democratic National Committee (DNC) gathering in Chicago which is held by the Democratic Party every four years to officially nominate its candidate for President. Ohio and Alabama earlier raised concerns over the conflict between their ballot certification deadlines and the timing of the DNC convention in August. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen have said that Biden could be left off the November general elections ballot as the DNC meeting comes too late for his name to be on the list. Also Read | Taiwan FM Joseph Wu speaks to WION on India-Taiwan ties, semiconductor, Indo-Pacific, and more In such a situation, the Democratic Party would likely need to tackle these challenges but this could involve legal battles as well. However, Washington State seems to be more open to accommodating the Democrats in such a scenario. In a letter to DNC Chair Jamie Harrison, Washington's Director of Elections Stuart Holmes proposed a solution, suggesting that if the party submits a provisional certification of nomination by August 20, the deadline under state law, Biden could remain eligible to be on the ballot. Notably, the DNC convention is scheduled from August 19 - 22, 2024. A senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a member of the Democratic National Committee, Elaine Kamarck, reportedly said, "This has not been something anybody has ever dealt with. … [The GOP Secretaries] just cooked it up. No, this has never happened before." Also Read | UK hikes minimum annual income threshold for family visas | New visa rule details The Biden campaign, along with Democratic officials, has outlined a multi-pronged strategy to ensure Biden's presence on the ballots of Ohio and Alabama. This includes seeking changes to election filing deadlines through state legislatures, provisional certification, potential litigation, and virtually nominating the Biden-Harris ticket before the convention. Watch | Israel war: Israeli jets hit Hezbollah military targets × A ballot access expert Richard Winger reportedly agreed. "These deadlines don't exist for partisan reasons...But it is kind of partisan this year." "You have to go all the way back to 1964 to find a state that kept a major party presidential candidate off the ballot, and that had nothing to do with deadlines. … There's never ever since been a major party candidate who was off the ballot in any state," Winger told ABC news. (With inputs from agencies)

State ballot certification clashes with DNC convention, will Biden be omitted from their Nov ballot?

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